Okay, Campers, I was wide awake in the middle of the night a couple of weeks ago (yes 0100 military time, 1AM for all the rest of you). It's a Monday Morning. I had a post up so not real worried about a subject to post (it's too late anyhow for this week).
Then I got a lightning bolt idea. I haven't done a article on the History of the 80TFS aka THE "Juvats". So... Hang on to your hats or, if necessary, your Toupee!*
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Hmmm, maybe I should try one! Source
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What would eventually become the 80th Fighter Squadron was activated as the 80th Pursuit Squadron as part of the 8th Pursuit Group at Mitchel Field NY on 10 January, 1942, a little over a month after Pearl Harbor.
Assigned at Port Moresby, they began flying combat missions in P-39's on 22 July 1942. Their first aerial kill took place on 26 August, 1942. Many more would follow over the next few years.
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In January 1943 they transitioned to the P-38 which they flew until the end of the war. The extended range of the P-38 was an excellent aspect to fight in the vast distances in the Pacific.
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During this period, there Squadron became known as the "Headhunters". Which stuck with them until recently.
The squadron was deactivated 26 Dec 1945 after 3 years of combat. It was reactivated 20 Feb, 1947. Hmmm! Not quite two years after deactivation, something special must have been in their future. That would be the first US jet fighter, the P-80 .It started out P-80, then the Air Force decided this class of airplanes should be called "Fighters". Hence the F which is still the configuration code.)
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| While it seems obsolete to us, back in the day, this was the hottest fighter in the world, the P-80 Shooting Star Source |
That was followed after a couple of years with the F-86.
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F-86 Sabre Source |
Then again in the F-100.
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Then the F-105. While flying this aircraft, they were sent TDY** to Southeast Asia AKA Vietnam, where they flew 2,657 missions over North Vietnam.
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| The Thud. Met a lot of guys in my Dad's Squadron that had flown or would fly this jet. Not everyone came back. Source |
In the early 80's, the Juvats were assigned to Kunsan AB ROK. They also were flying F-4D's. About this time, I was assigned to this squadron. It was a HOT jet and taught me a lot about being a fighter pilot, newer jets did a lot of the job for you. This one didn't.
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I've flown THIS Jet, with THIS tail number! Source |
The WP stood for Wolf Pack, the Wing's nickname. I think I remember, after my return to the States, that the Juvat's got invited to Red Flag. This picture must have been taken there.
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1 Engine instead of 2, 2 heat seekers instead of 4. (Zero radar missiles until the AMRAAM came out.)
Yep, half an airplane. Unfortunately, Heads up Display displayed quite a bit of classified info on the video tapes or I'd put one in here.
But that's the history of the 80th TFS. The entire 8th TFW, (the Juvats and the Pantons (our nickname for the other squadron , the 35th TFS "Panthers" at Kunsan) was absorbed into the "Super Squadron" in Osan AB ROK. Three squadrons melded into one with ~80 airplanes in it. In my day that was called a "Fighter Wing", but what do I know.
What I do know is the USAF lost an extremely fine and historic squadron. More's the pity.
Peace out y'all!
*No, I don't have a toupee. I have a solar panel on the top of my head that gets me through the day.
**TDY- Temporary Duty. You're going to go out take care of a mission and return to your home base.
In case you're interested I used these sources for squadron histories and pictures. There's a lot more squadron history in them than I mentioned. Well worth your time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80th_Fighter_Squadron
https://80fsheadhunters.org/news/deactivation-of-the-80fs
https://www.kunsan.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/412725/80th-fighter-squadron/
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/80th_Fighter_Squadron
https://www.usafunithistory.com/PDF/75-100/80%20FIGHTER%20SQ.pdf
https://grokipedia.com/page/80th_Fighter_Squadron
Thanks for the history lesson juvat and the links....more reading material.......sweet. Geeeeez.....80 airplanes in one squadron?!?
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Brought back lots of memories. As to 80 airplanes, I've been in fighter wings with less aircraft.
Deletejuvat
"That would be the first jet fighter, the P-80": well, the first US jet fighter presumably.
ReplyDeleteGood point! I believe the Germans produced one in WWII. Thanks!
Deletejuvat
And so did the British.
DeleteInteresting! Did not know THAT!
Deletejuvat
I link the linked link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Meteor
DeleteI was taken by this remark: "At this point [January 1945] the Meteor pilots were still forbidden to fly over German-occupied territory, or to go east of Eindhoven, to prevent a downed aircraft being captured by the Germans or the Soviets"
Dearnie,
DeleteYeah I read that one and a few more yesterday, You gave me an idea for a post, so Thank You!
It’ll be posted in a week or two.
juvat
I particularly noted the implication that "the Soviets" were not to be trusted.
DeleteSome things NEVER change.
Deletejuvat
"Super Squadron" - yeah, I doubt that.
ReplyDeleteSarge, I agree. I think what this is, is some O-6 wanting to make general by coming up with a “NEW” idea. I think that idea is to make the “Squadron Commander” an O-6, the Flight Commanders O-5s and create a new command level, say Flight Leaders at the O-4 level. Nothings really changed war fighting ability wise just a way for Shoe Clerks (who wear wings) to get promoted. IMHO!
Deletejuvat
Interesting! I'd heard of the Wolf Pack previously, with some colorful mustachioed guy addicted to turning MIGs into scrap metal, but looks like that was when they were Phantom phlyers, but the Juvats were still issued Thuds. I guess the USAF squadron shuffling within a wing is similar to USN squadrons plucked to become a CVW air wing with some affiliations more or less permanent marriages and others random pick ups for short terms.
ReplyDeleteI recall that you were imminently preparing for the docs to "practice medicine" again, but no mention of that, so I hope it went totally unremakrably well, or procrastination is indicative that it is important but not urgent. Best to yo and Mrs J in either case.
JB
JB, last first. The atrial ablations (https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/atrial-fibrillation-ablation/about/pac-20384969) went well. The Doc was very happy. I never really felt any severe symptoms, but the Doc felt differently, so…any way I’ve got a follow up visit in a couple weeks and we shall see what we shall see. Thanks for the prayers and concern, Now on to our regularly sceduled program.
DeleteUnless I’m mistaken the order of aircraft for the Juvats was F-105 then F-4D, because that’s what I flew while there, shortly after I left, the converted to the F-16.
juvat
Yes, he was colorful and he loved his men - all of them. BG. Robin Olds. I was not priviledged to serve under his command, but I sent many of my students there. The only part I had in the "Wolf Pack - 8TFW, 68TFS, was to high- fly, deliver from St Louis and test out some of their airplanes a year and a half before he got there. I loved my Squadron CO as well. Lt/Col Shaw. A former Korean POW, he loved to fly North of Hanoi "to look around". My Flight Commander and drinking instructor - L/C Jesse Locke, flew the P-80 in Korea and what he knew helped us all in SEA. Ask about the grease pencil for napalm. The 68FIS was attached to the 8TFW at Itazuke AB, Kyushu, Japan.
DeleteAnon,
DeleteWhen I finished my tour in Kunsan, I was assigned to the 347th at Moody.I was assigned to the 69th TFS with sister squadrons of the 68th and 70th. Interesting how things turn out.
juvat
It was from Fuzz
DeleteI figured it was 👍
Deletejuvat
Thank you for the backstory Juvat! Out of curiosity, was there every a significant overlap of types of aircraft such that you got to see the older models?
ReplyDeleteTHBB, not that I’m aware of. I think the methodology was to bring in a TDY squadron while the Juvats (in this case) went to the US ( flying the jets back or leaving them for the replacement pilots,, typically Guard or Reserve) to carry on the mission until the new jets and trained crews returned. Then the Guard/Reserve crews would fly the older jets back to their base.
Deletejuvat
Unit histories. Learning our unit history turned out to be fun.
ReplyDeleteIn my combat engineer company there was a tradition of, "The 1st Sargent's Volunteer After Hours Work Party". The alternative was seeing the CO for an Article 15. I could type a blinding 35 wpm. One time, circa 1965, he had a large box on his desk filled with various documents and I was assigned to catalog them and write a unit history. The contents dated back to 1942. The 814th Engineer Company started as the 122nd Light Pontoon Company and was at Omaha Beach, most battles in Europe, took part in several combat bridge builds, and bounced around various European Commands. It was temporarily deactivated the reactivated during the Korean War. It still is active at Ft Polk, LA.
My fondness for alcohol, loose women, and breaking fists with my nose resulted in a closer relationship with the 1st Shirt than either of us cared for. There was seldom a shortage of "volunteers" so getting an assignment that didn't result in getting wet and dirty was welcomed.
WSF,
DeleteWell sometimes bad luck results in good things. Reading the official unit history would be interesting. Might have to look into them! Thanks.
juvat
Both times I was in Kunsan, once on a Det, and the other with a broken jet, those Wolfpack guys were flying F-16s. Have they been flying F-15s I might not have been there as long with that broken jet. The Viper jack stands to do a gear drop check (right main barber-poled in the break) were too small for my beefier S-3 Viking.
ReplyDeleteThe photo reminds me of the dad joke. I paid $10.99 for a new hairpiece. It was a small price to-pay
Tuna,
DeleteHopefully, you made it to the O'Club on a Friday night. There was a LOT going on there.
I'm not sure I got the Dad Joke. Sorry!
juvat
10.99 is a small-priced-toupee / small price to pay
DeleteTuna,
DeleteAhhhh! Now I get it.
juvat
I remember the F-4s when we flew in there in 74-75. Quite a bit different from the Navy version. Lighter gear and smaller tailhooks, which just looked 'odd' to us.
ReplyDeleteOld NFO, I'm sure they did. Remember USAF Pilots LAND their jets on the runway. Navy (and Marine?) slam their aircraft on the runway.. Of course, they could then turn off the runway at the first available off ramp. The drawback to that is the DeArm crew is a mile and a half further down. Just sayin'. :-)
Deletejuvat