Biography

Born at Barksdale Field (AFB), Louisiana (as an “AF Brat” moved until joining the AF in 1958).
Retired at England AFB and settled in Pineville, LA.
The Hun was a great ride for over 10 yrs.
Total F-100 time = 2764 hrs. (with 451 hrs Combat).
Flew 50 missions with Misty in North VN Route Pack 1 & Laos.

Jim “Hog” Piner

Yes, I am guilty of ruining a perfectly good F-100D.

On 14 July 1968, I was leading a flight of 4-Ds out of Phu Cat AB, RVN. We were loaded with 2 Unfinned Napalm, 2 MK-82 Hi-Drag, and 20 MM. Our target was in the A Shau Valley, under FAC control. It was not good weather. The FAC marked the target and cleared us hot. I think he also cleared the VC gunner hot also. As I rolled in they opened up. I told everyone that we would only make 2 passes and to keep it moving. On my 2nd pass, old Charlie got lucky. I took 3 hits. I turned east (I liked the water), cleaned the wings, plugged in the burner and made the standard “Oh Shit” Mayday call. By the time I got “feet wet” the old bird was burning good, all the lights were on and the flight controls didn’t respond.

I guess it was almost like a controlled bailout. The wind blast was more than expected, and I had a problem getting stabilized (was on my back in a flat spin). (Should have gone to jump school) Then I noticed that I still had the “Gold Key” and it hadn’t stayed with the seat. So I pulled the “D Ring” and really slowed down (fast), turned off the beeper in the chute, deployed the seat pack life raft and inflated my water wings. Got wet, got into my dingy and waited about 10-15 minutes.
Two Marine cargo choppers stopped by and gave me a lift and ride to their base near Hue. Got a clean/dry flight suit and ride to Da Nang AB.

— Jim “Hog” Piner

Units Assigned

• 8/1958 -11/1959 Enlisted, Aviation Cadet, Class-60A (T-34,T-37, T-33)
• 1/1960-7/1960 4533rd Combat Crew Training Squadron, Williams AFB, AZ (T-33, F-100 F/C)
• 7/1960-10/1960 4521st Combat Crew Training Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100 F/C/D)
• 11/1960-12/1962 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Itazuke AB, Japan (F-100 D/F)
• 1/1963-8/1965 478th Tactical Fighter Squadron Cannon AFB, NM (F-100 D/F)
• 8/1965-8/1967 IP, 4514th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100 C/D/F)
• 9/1967- 11/1967 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat AB, RVN (F-100 D/F)
• 11/1967-3/1968 Misty 33, Vietnam
• 3/1968 -11/1968 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat AB, RVN (F-100 D/F)
• 1968-1970 IP Luke AFB, AZ
• 11/1967-3/1968 Commando Sabre(Misty FAC), 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat AB, RVN (F100 F)
• 3/1968 -8/1968 : 612th , Phu Cat AB, RVN F-100 D/F
• 9/1968 – June 1970 IP, Tactical Fighter Squadron, 4515th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/D/F)  (unit redesignated 550th TFTS)
• 7/1970-7/1972 GP Command Post, Zaragosa AB, Spain (U-6A Beaver)
• 7/1972-7/1973 Student, USACGS, Ft Leavenworth, KS
• 7/1973-10/1976  Ops Plans, HQ TAC, Langley AFB, VA (T-39)
• 11/1976-11/1978 ADO, 51st Comp Wg, Osan AB, Korea (OV-10)
• 1/1979-12/1979 Wing Training, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, LA (A-7)
• 12/1979-3/1981 Project Off/A-10 Conversion, 23rd TFW, England AFB, LA – Medically Gnd’d
• 3/1981-2/1982 23rd Combat Support Group, Base Ops, England AFB, LA N/A
• 1982 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

T-33
T-34
T-37
T-38
F-100 C/D/F
U-6A Beaver
T-39
OV-10
A-7
Total F-100 time = 2764 hrs. (with 451 hrs Combat).
Flew 52 missions with Misty in North VN Route Pack 1 & Laos.

Military Education

• 1962 SOS & ICAF by correspondence
• 1972-1973 US Army Command & General Staff College

Civilian Education

• 1955-1958 Southwest Texas State Teachers College, San Marcos, TX
• 1964-1965 BA, Bootstrap at University of Omaha, Omaha, NB