Westerberg, Alfred J., Jr.

Alfred “Fred” Westerberg, Jr. started his Air Force career at Luke, AFB in Arizona in 1963 flying the F-100 “C” and “D” models. He was then assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, at Homestead AFB in Florida. The Vietnam War had Fred Stationed at Korat Air Base in Thailand, after which he headed back to Luke to fly the F-100F.

In 1967 Fred joined the New Jersey Air National Guard (NJANG), a relationship that would last until 26 years. His flying career was not limited to the ANG, he was hired by PanAmerican Airlines in 1967, now with Boeing 707’s out of JFK airport.

In January of 1968, the “Pueblo Crisis” (which began with the seizure of the American ship USS Pueblo by North Korean forces) saw Fred Westerberg, Jr. recalled to active duty with the 119th Tactical Fighter Wing out of New Jersey. In May 1968, the 177th Tactical Fighter Group/119th Tactical Fighter Squadron was assigned to the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. The 177th TFG/119th TFS returned to New Jersey, in June 1969, and transitioned into the F-105 ‘Thunderchief” in 1970.

After being furloughed from PanAm in 1970, Fred was hired by the NJANG as a temporary technician working with the Thunderchief (F-105). Shortly thereafter he was hired by PanAm’s business jet division as a demo pilot, flying their FalconJets.
In 1982 Alfred married Susan and they bought a home in Cranbury, NJ. Four years later they adopted their son, David and two years after, adopted their daughter Jill. By 1987 Colonel Westerberg was the squadron commander of the 119th Tactical Fighter Wing (NJANG) and the chief pilot at Falcon Jet Corp. He left Falcon Jet Corp. in 1989 to become the Chief Pilot for SONY, still flying the FalconJets.

His relationship with the NJANG continued and in 1991 he became the DCO, until his retirement in 1992. Sadly, health issues forced Fred to quit flying in 2004.