Robinson, Joe C.

Joe C. Robinson

Preferred Name: Joe

Nickname/Call Sign: Tarheel

Date of Birth: September 6, 1933

Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel

Hometown: Reese, NC

Joe Robinson spent 28 years on active duty with the USAF. Upon retirement, he accepted a job with McDonnell Douglas as an F- 15 simulator flight instructor for the Saudi Arabian Air Force at Dhahran.
He served there for ten years and returned to the States in 1993.

Currently, Joe owns a laser business doing custom awards and gifts. He’s an avid tennis player and has been married to Patricia for 54 years. He’s the proud father of 4; and the proud grandfather of 10.

Units Assigned

1954-1956 Aviation Cadet Program: Lackland AFB, TX; Bainbridge GA, Bryan AFB, TX, Class 56-V, (T-34, T-28, T-33A
1956-1957 Williams AFB, AZ (F-86F), Nellis AFB, NV (F-100A)
1957-1959 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Etain AFB, France (F-100D/F)
1959-1960 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AFB, Germany (F-100D/F)
1961-1965 4511th, 4514th, 4517th Tactical Fighter Squadrons, Instructor, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/D/F)
1963 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, GA
1965 USAF Fighter Weapons School (FWIC) Nellis AFB, NV, (F-100D/F)
1966-1968 Exchange tour with Marines at Beaufort MAS, SC, VMFA333 (F-8A/D/E, F-4B, A-4E)
1968 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC (F-100D/F)
1968-1969 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Operations Officer, Phu Cat AFB, Vietnam (F-100D/F)
1969-1973 Instructor, Fighter Weapons School (FWIC), Nellis AFB, NV (F-100D/F) FWC Operational Test & Evaluation, Nellis AFB, NV (F-4/E/E Slat)
1973-1977 TAC Liaison Officer to AFSC Headquarters, Andrews AFB, MD (Desk job)
1977-1978 Wing Weapons Officer, Kunsan AFB, Korea (F-4D)
1978-1984 FWC Det. Commander for TAC ACES Combat Visual Simulator at Luke AFB, AZ

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross

Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters

Vietnam Cross of Gallantry

Silver Star

Distinguished Graduate Basic Flight Training

Select Crew USAFE

Aerospace Study Award Squadron Officers School

Outstanding Graduate USAF Fighter Weapons School (FWIC)

Outstanding Instructor Luke AFB

Top Gun Award, Kunsan AFB, Korea

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
T-33A
F-86F
F-100 A/C/D/F
F-8 A/D/E
F-4 B/D/E/E Slat
A-4E

Flight Hours: Total hours: =5000; Fighters= 4800; F-100=3000; Combat Missions =283

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

SOS
ICAF
FWIC

Civilian Education:

North Carolina State University
1973 University of Maryland

Today in History – September 21, 1956 – Test pilot Tom Attridge shoots himself down in F-11F

Joe C. Robinson

Units Assigned

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

Military & Civilian Education

Wall of Honor Location

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