Robert “Bob” Russell

Preferred Name: Bob
Nickname/Call Sign: Shandy
Date Of Birth: 05-24-1933
Highest Military Grade Held: Lt Col, O5
Hometown: Santa Cruz , CA

  • Robert "Bob" Russell - before
  • Robert "Bob" Russell - now

Civilian Education

  • Santa Cruz High School
  • BS USMA
  • West Point NY 1955

Units Assigned

  • 1955-1956 UPT Mariana FL, Laredo TX, ADV FTR Phoenix, AZ
  • 1956-1958 509th FBS/405th FBW Langley AFB VA/Landstuhl AB Ger. F-100D
  • 1958-1960 4533rd CCTS Williams AB, AZ T-33, F-100F
  • 1960-1961 4511th &4515th CCTS Luke AFB, AZ F-100C&F
  • 1961-1962 79th TFS Woodbridge AB, Eng. F-100D
  • 1962-1965 20th TFW Wethersfield AB Eng. F-100D
  • !965-1966 4520th CCTW Nellis AFB, NV F-100D
  • 1966-1967 602nd Ftr Sq Udorn, Thailand A-1E
  • 1967-1970 19thAF Seymour Johnson AFB, NC T-33
  • 1970-1973 311th & 426th TFTS, Luke AFB, AZ F-100D&F, F-4C
  • 1974-1974 Det 30AC, USMTM Taif AB, Saudi Arabia F-5E (Last Form 5 Entry)
  • 1975-1977 Div Ch XPPD, Hq. TAC, Langley AFB, VA “US Govt. Desk, subsonic”

Military Education

  • Primary Flight (T-6) Mariana AB, FL;
  • Basic Flight (T-33) Laredo AFB, TX;
  • Advanced Fighter (F-86F) Williams AFB, AZ;
  • Winter, Water, Jungle Survival Schools;
  • ICAF

Comments

Retired in July of 1977. Started work as a “Beltway Bandit” consultant for Naval Air Systems Command in early 1978. I provided support and advice on Foreign Military Sales (FMS) for F-14s and numerous air launched missiles.
Participated in site surveys and program reviews in 16 countries around the globe.
The F-100 was my primary aircraft, and first love, 1400 hours, and I was an F-100 Viet- Nam volunteer in 65 & 66 but MPC kept telling me they had more than enough F-100 drivers coming out of Luke as they transitioned SAC pilots to single engine fighter pilots.
I had to go to plan B. In 1966 I won the only A-1 slot that came to Nellis. My 9 months flying the A-1E out of Udorn Thailand was the most satisfying of all flying I had ever done.
As “Sandy”s we led the rescue efforts for our pilots who had been shot down. I was a member or flight leader of many successful Pick Ups.
I too was shot down over N. Viet- Nam and picked up by a Jolly Green.
I spent an unplanned overnight in Laos after I used up my “Bingo” fuel in an aborted pickup attempt.
The dirt strip night landing is a whole new story.
Being the number 2 live body extraction from an A-1E with the Stanley Yankee system was also a life changing event.

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