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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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McElvain, Kevin L.

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  • McElvain, Kevin L.

Kevin McElvain

Preferred Name: Kevin
Nickname/Call Sign: Truck
Date of Birth: March 26, 1945
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Litchfield Park, AZ
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

In 1969 Colonel Kevin McElvain was serving in Viet Nam. In one incident McElvain diverted off a tanker in order to support troops in contact. A Long Range Patrol Team was under extreme fire and unable to be extracted. His flight made multiple low angle passes with high drag bombs and as we were departing the target area the FAC reported that the choppers were able to get in and extract the team intact. He says it was a  “Great feeling to provide some real help from the air in the trusty HUN!”

From 1990 to 1993, after serving as a Fighter Pilot, Col. McElvain became an Academic/Simulator Instructor with the 58th Tactical Training Wing at Luke AFB in Arizona. He then went to work for Southwest Airlines from 1991 – 2005 flying the 737-200/300/500/700 as First Officer/Captain.

In 1995 he fully retired and now resides with his wife, Mary, in Litchfield Park, AZ.

Units Assigned

  • 1967-1968, UPT, Craig AFB (T-41, T-37 , T-38)
  • 1968 522nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM (F-100)
  • 1969 3308th Tactical Fighter Squadron/31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Tuy Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)
  • 1970-1973 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron/493rd Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England (F-100, F-4D)
  • 1974-976, 61st Tactical Fighter Squadron, MacDill AFB, FL (F-4E)
  • 1976-1977 HQ 13AF, Clark AB, Philippines (T-33)
  • 1977-1981 414th Fighter Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (F-4E)
  • 1981-1983 USAF Fighter Weapons School F-16 Division, Nellis AFB, NV (F-16)
  • 1983-1984 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, South Korea (F-16)
  • 1984-1985 US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks
  • 1985-1987 HQ USAF/PRPFT, The Pentagon
  • 1987-1990, 58th Tactical Training Wing/DO, Luke AFB, AZ (F-16)

Awards & Decorations

Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
AF Commendation Medal

Flight Info

T-41
T-37
T-38
F-100D/F
F-4C/D/E
F-16A/B
Civilian:
Cessna 1250/172/Citation
Boeing 737-200/300/500/700

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • SOS
  • ACSC
  • 1985 Army War College

Civilian Education:

  • 1962 Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS, Bethesda, MD
  • 1966 BS/Engineering Management, USAF Academy
  • 1967 MBA/ManagementTheory, UCLA

My beautiful picture
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
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Wall of Honor Location

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