26 June 1969 – Capt John Casper was serving with the 413th TFS out of Phan Rang AB, Vietnam. On a mission to detect VietCong...
Read MoreR.Y. was born in Evanston, Illinois on April 26, 1935, to Donald and Virginia Costain. He proudly served his country for 24 years and retired from the Air Force in 1979.
In his 37-year flying career, R.Y. was a pilot in command in over 25 different aircraft, flew 244 combat missions in Viet Nam, and was awarded The Silver Star for gallantry in action. He was awarded The Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally heroic actions and held two master’s degrees. He liked to joke that he only ejected once from an aircraft and so he has one more take-off than landing to his credit.
LtCol (USAF, Ret) Richard “RY” Costain “Headed West” on February 18, 2017
Richard “RY” Youel Costain (81) headed west on February 18, 2017, after a sudden bout of pneumonia while surrounded by family. He will now begin a much anticipated eternal life with Sylvia, his beloved wife of 40 years, and Christy Ann, his daughter who passed when she was 5.
R.Y. was born in Evanston, Illinois on April 26, 1935, to Donald and Virginia Costain. He proudly served his country for 24 years and retired from the Air Force in 1979. He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his children: Bill (Sherry) Costain and Brad (Shellie) Costain; by his grandchildren: Ginna, Avery, Syndey, Sammi, Alyssa, and Jecoah Costain. He was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia, daughter Christy Ann, and brother Bob Costain.
R.Y. was a man of God, a devoted husband and father, a decorated fighter pilot, a church elder, an empathetic Christian counselor, a poet, an encourager in all things, a wise resource for those who asked, and a trusted friend to many. He had a scalpel-sharp wit and was always entertaining to be around.
In his 37-year flying career, R.Y. was a pilot in command in over 25 different aircraft, flew 244 combat missions in Viet Nam, and was awarded The Silver Star for gallantry in action. He was awarded The Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally heroic actions and held two master’s degrees. He liked to joke that he only ejected once from an aircraft and so he has one more take-off than landing to his credit.
A memorial service was held at Forestgate Presbyterian Church, 970 Northgate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. Immediately following the service there was a reception at his home.
RY had many friends who flew the F-100 and was a frequent contributor to the Super Sabre Society’s Intake Publication.
He completed two Master of Arts degrees at the Denver Seminary and University of Northern Colorado and one Bachelor of Science degree
He started as an USAF Aviation Cadet in 1955. And later in Air Training Command, Lackland AFB, Stallings AB, NC; Greenville AFB, MS 30 Oct 1957 Class 58B T-34, T-28, T-3
1957-62: 175th FIS, SDANG, Foss Field, SD; F-94C, F-89D & J; F-102; T-33
1962-64: 613th TFS, 401st TFW, England AFB, LA; F-100D
1964-65: 1st Air Commando Squadron, 34th Tactical Group, Bien Hoa AB, Viet Nam; A-1
1965-68: 10th TFS, 50th TFW, Hahn AB, Germany; F-100, F-4
1968-70: 8th TFS, 49th TFW, Holloman AFB, NM; F-4D
1970-71: United States Army C&GSC, Ft. Leavenworth, KS
1971-75: USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; T-33, T-41, Sailplanes
1975-76: 19th TASS, 51st Composite Wing, Osan AB, Korea; OV-10
1976-79: Rocky Mountain Liaison Region for Search & Rescue; Various civilian singles and twins
1979: Retired from the USAF as LtCol
1979-92: Project Engineer/F-100 Test Plot, Tracor Flight Systems/British Aerospace
Units Assigned
- 1955-10/30/1957 USAF Aviation C, Class 58B, Air Training Command, Lackland AFB, Stallings AB, NC; Greenville AFB, MS (T-34, T-28, T-33)
- 1957-1962 175th FIS, SDANG, Foss Field, SD (F-94C, F-89D & J, F-102, T-33)
- 1962-1964 613th TFS/401st TFW, England AFB, LA (F-100D)
- 1964-1965 1st Air Commando Squadron/34th Tactical Group, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (A-1)
- 1965-1968 10th TFS/50th TFW, Hahn AB, Germany (F-100, F-4D)
- 1968-1970 8th TFS/49th TFW, Holloman AFB, NM (F-4D)
- 1970-1971 United States Army C&GSC, Ft. Leavenworth, KS – Also did ICAF by correspondence. (T-41B)
- 1971-1975 USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO (T-33, T-41, Sailplanes)
- 1975-1976 19th TASS/51st Composite Wing, Osan AB, Korea (OV-10)
- 1976-1979 Rocky Mountain Liaison Region for Search & Rescue; Various civilian singles and twins
- 1979 Retired USAF
- 1979-1992 Flight Systems, Inc., Newport Beach, and Mojave, CA; (Canadair T-33, F-86 Mk V, F-86 Mk VI, F-100)
- 1992 – Retired-Only punched out once
Awards & Decorations

Silver Star

Army Commendation Medal
Flight Info
T-34
T-28
T-33)
F-94C
F-89D/J
F-102
T-33
F-100D
A-1
F-4D
T-41B
Sailplanes
OV-10
Canadair T-33
F-86
Mk V
Mk VI
244 combat missions in Viet Nam
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- SOS
- US Army Command and General Staff College (C&GSC)
- Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Civilian Education:
- 2 Master’s degrees