Thales A Derrick
“The friendships made in the USAF were among the very best of my life. I have often told those, who asked about my 20-year military career, that I would gladly do it all again! Thanks to the SSS for helping keep all of us in touch. The SSS leadership is doing a great job!”
Units Assigned
- 1954-1957 Enlisted service and Undergraduate Pilot Training, Advanced Training (T-34, T-28, T-33, F-86F)
- 1958 94th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100 A/F)
- 1958-1959 506th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tinker AFB, OK (F-100 D/F)
- 1959-1961, 4510th Combat Crew Training Group, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100 C/F)
- 1961-1964 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Lakenheath AB, England (F-100 D/F)
- 1964-1968 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, NM, (with TDYs to Vietnam/Japan/Korea) (F-100 D/F)
- 1968-1969 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Korea (F-100 C/F)
- 1969-1971 HQ PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI (T-33A)
- 1971-1972 ACSC, Maxwell AFB, AL (no flying except for U-3A “Blue Canoe”)
- 1972-1974 USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, Nellis AFB, NV (A-7D)
Awards & Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Expeditionary Forces Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (USA)
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Flight Info
T-34
T-28
F-86F
F-100 A/C/D/F
T-33 A
U-3A
A-7D
Flight Hours:
Combat Flying Time – 173.3 hours
Total Flying Time – 3,839.4 hours
Airplane SE Land Prop – 506.4 hours
Airplane ME Land Prop – 56 hours
Airplane SE Land Jet – 3,104.3 hours
Airplane ME Land Jet – 153.4 hours
As Flight Instructor – 1,196.3 hours
As Pilot in Command – 3,258.4 hours
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- 1963 Squadron Officer School – Correspondence
- 1971-1972 Air Command and Staff College – Residence
Civilian Education:
- BS/Business Management, University of Omaha
- MS/Systems Management, University of Southern California (USC)