James Frank Bosick
I had the distinction of ferrying one of the first F-100C models to USAFE (Bitburg AB, Germany) in May of 1955, and bringing one of the last two F-100D’s (Tail # 508) back from Southeast Asia (Ping Tung, Taiwan) to the USANG unit at Hulman Field, Terre Haute, Indiana in October 1971.
After retirement, I moved my family to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and began employment with a local architect/planning firm. From 1972 until 1997 I worked as a military master planner preparing master plans for US Army and US Air Force installations worldwide. Since 1997 I have been completely retired and play golf and build model ships of the “Square Rigger” era.
Units Assigned
- 1954-1958 721st Tactical Fighter Squadron/450th Tactical Fighter Wing, Foster AFB, TX (F-86F, F-100C)
- 1959-1960 4514th Combat Crew Training Squadron/4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/F)
- 1960-1964 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England (F-100D/F)
- 196-1966 3561st PTS/3560th PTW, Webb AFB, TX (T-38)
- 1966-1967 4515th Combat Crew Training Squadron/4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100 Refresher Course)
- 1967 4410th Combat Crew Training Wing, Eglin AFB, FL (0-1 “Birddog”)
- 1967-1968 21st TASS, Nha Trang, South Vietnam, ALO/Forward Air Control for 3rd BDE, 4th Infantry Division (0-1 “Birddog”, Call Sign “Helix 51”)
- 1968-1971 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England (F-100D/F)
- 1971-1972 524th Tactical Fighter Squadron/27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, NM (F-100D/F)
- April 1972 – Retired from the Air Force
Awards & Decorations
AF Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster
Flight Info
F-86F (257 hours)
F-100 C/D/F (412 hours)
T-38 (733 hours)
O-1 “Birddog” (570 hours)
Flight Hours:
Total Military Flying Hours – 4,415
Total Other Aircraft Hours – 443
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- 1953-54 – Aviation Cadets, Class 54-G, Lackland AFB, TX, Marana AB, AZ/Williams AFB, AZ
- 1954 – ATC F-86 Combat Crew Training Course, Nellis AFB, NV
- 1954 – USAF Arctic Survival School, Ladd AFB, A
- 1955 – USAF Advanced Survival School, Stead AFB, NV
- 1955 – USAF Air to Ground Operations School, Southern Pines, SC
- 1955 – TAC F-100 Aircraft Transition Course, Foster AFB, TX
- 1959 – TAC F-100 Flight Instructor Course, Luke AFB, AZ
- 1960 – USAFE Air to Ground Operations School, Wiesbaden AB, Germany
- 1964 – ATC T-38 Flight Instructor Course, Randolph AFB, TX
- 1966 – TAC F-100 Aircraft Combat Crew Refresher Course, Luke AFB, AZ
- 1967 – USAF Operational Training Course for 0-1 Aircraft, Eglin AFB, FL
- 1967 – PACAF Jungle Survival Training Course, Clark AFB, Philippines
Civilian Education:
- 1951-1952 Natural Science, Santa Ana Junior College
