Ira T. Holt
“Being a fighter pilot is one of the best things I ever did in my life.” I’ve experienced some interesting things along the way: On Nov 8, 1952 I was involved in mid-air collision – bailed out after losing a wing.
Other items of note:
I may have been the only 52-F Class member to get 100 missions in Korea
June 1953 – I flew 5 missions on 15th, 4 on 16th, and 1 early on 17th – then weather.
In 1955 – I dead-sticked an F-84F after losing all oil!
Also in 1955 – I took off in an F-84F with an Mk7 shape, a 450 gal tank, two 230 gal tanks, and JATO – my computed takeoff roll was over 10,000 ft.
In 1959 -I landed an F-100A “gear up” – short between throttle and stick.
In the 1960’s – I landed F100C with nose wheel up and locked.
In my civilian life, I was a parachute design engineer, worked on nuclear weapons chutes, and on the recovery system of the Space Shuttle Boosters.
SSS Member Ira T. Holt “Headed West” October 30, 2018. Ira passed peacefully at home, close to his birthplace in Hamilton, Montana. He’s survived by his spouse, Charlene. Memorial Service information will be provided as it becomes available.
“Being a fighter pilot is one of the best things I ever did in my life.”
After 3 years as a Physics major at San Diego State and UCLA from 1948-1951, Ira entered pilot training in 1952 (Class 52F) at Hondo Air Base, Big Spring, TX.
Units Assigned
- 5/1951-7/1951 Basic Training- Lackland AFB, TX
- 8/1951-9/1951 Line Flunky – Waco AFB, TX
- 9/1951-3/1952 Hondo AFB, TX (T-6)
- 3/1952-9/1952 Webb AFB, TX (T-28, T-33)
- 9/1952-12/1952 Luke AFB, AZ (F-84G Gunnery)
- 1/1953-8/1953 Taegu (K2), Korea (F-84G – 100 missions)
- 9/1953-9/1955 4925 Test Group (Atomic), Kirtland AFB, NM (F-84 C/D/E/F/G, F-86 E/F/H, T-33, F-100A, also logged a little time in B-25, B-45, B-57)
- 3/1956-5/1957 California ANG, Van Nuys, CA (F-86A)
- 5/1957-7/1958 New Mexico ANG, Kirtland AFB, NM (F-80C)
- 8/1958-8/1964 NMANG (F-100 A/F)
- 8/1964-6/1968 NMANG (F-100 C/D/F)
- 6/1968-6/1969 at Tuy Hoa AB, RVN (F-100 C/D/F)
- 6/1969-3/1974 NMANG (F-100 C/D/F)
- 3-1974-10/1980 NMANG (A-7D)
- 1981 Retired USAF
Awards & Decorations
Flight Info
T-6
T-28
T-33
F-84 C/D/E/F/G
F-84G -1oo missions
F-86 A/E/F/H
F-80C
F-100 A/C/D/F
B-25
B-45
B-57
A-7D
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- 9/1951-3/1952 Pilot Training class 52F, Hondo AFB, Big Spring, TX
Civilian Education:
- 1957 Aeronautical Engineer, Northrop Aero Institute
- 1948-1951 Physics major, San Diego State and UCLA
