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Show HILLTOP TIMES TlMES 5 July 15,2010 Graphic illustration by KENT BINGHAM/U.S. Air Force RAMS From page 1 Field, N.C., the 34th began a life that would span the next 65 years. This beginning would ultimately include 3 activations, 3 redesignations, 6 aircraft, 10 stations, 11 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, 1 Meritorious Unit Award, 1 Presidential Unit Citation, 22 Campaign Streamers, 56 commanders, and its participation in 3 wars. The 34th began as the 34th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt in combat operations over the Western Pacific from May 1945 to August 1946. In this short amount of time, the unit served from five different stations and was able to obtain five combat streamers that included Air Offensive Japan, Eastern Mandates, Western Pacific, Ryukyus and the China Offensive. After World War II, the 34th inactiU.S. Air Force vated on Oct. 15,1946, but it was not A photo of the 34th Fighter Squadron when it was known as the 34th Tactical gone for long. On Nov. 11, 1954, the Fighter Squadron, taken sometime between July 1, 1958, and March 15, 1959. 34th activated and was then known as the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, assigned to the 413th Fighter-Day Wing at pated in with their from General DyGeorge Air Force Base, Calif. In Calinew aircraft was namics. From that fornia, the 34th flew the F-86 Sabre Jet Operation Prize Bull point on, the 34th, and transitioned into the F-100 Super through selflessness on Sept. 21,1971. Sabre before its inactivation on March and skill, helped Prize Bull was a 15,1959. During this period on July 1, massive attack on create the legacy, 1958, the 34th was redesignated as the which this aircraft POL Storage Facili34th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS). has achieved. ties Southwest of Bat This was a relatively quiet period for Lake, North Vietnam. The 80s were the.squadron, but Vietnam was right This was the first time a relatively quiet around the corner and the 34th would U.S. Forces bombed time for the 34th prove its worth in that war many times North Vietnam using during this part of over. all-weather capability. the Cold War era, Seventh Air Force but the Rams still Downing a MiG north of Hanoi stated that the 388th conducted valuable TFW bombing efforts initial qualification In May 1966, the 34th TFS activated were far more accutraining for F-16 under Pacific Air Forces and was atrate than other units that participated. tached to the 388th Tactical Fighter pilots from around the world, including Wing (TFW) at Korat RTAFB, Thailand. From September to October 1972, those from Belgium, Denmark, NethAt the beginning of its participation aerial combat really heated up for the erlands, Israel and Norway. With Iraq's in Vietnam, the 34th utilized the F-105 Rams in Southeast Asia as "the skies invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Thunderchief and did so in great fashover North Vietnam were filled with things picked right back up again for ion. Right off the bat, Maj. Kenneth T. hot flying lead." During this period, the the Rams. Blank, 34th TFS, became the first pilot pilots of the 34th were able to carry out In December 1991, the Rams beto shoot down a MiG-17 north of Hanoi. an amazing seven Mi-G kills; all were came the first 388th FW squadron to This was the second aerial victory by done in the F-4Es. For the remainder of deploy in support of Operation Southan F-105 in the Vietnam War up to this the Vietnam War, the Rams continued ern Watch. The purpose of this operapoint. The 34th aerial contributions to to contribute selflessly by participating tion was to enforce the no-fly zone in the war took off after that MiG kill as in Operation Frequent Wind, and their Iraq after the Gulf War. Over the next the Rams began their strategic bombstrike missions in support of a recovfew years, the 34th would deploy five ing campaign to weaken the enemy. On ery operation for the U.S.S. Mayaguez, times for this operation. During the March 10,1967, they struck the crucial a merchant freighter captured by CamRams 1996 Southern Watch deployThai Ngyen Iron and Steel Complex for bodian Khmer Rouge guerrillas in May ment, all 34th personnel were in the the first time with a four-flight strike 1975. Khobar Towers Compound, except the force. By March 28,1967, the 34th TFS swing shift, when a terrorist's bomb The contributions that the Rams had already logged in 10,000 combat went off. Some 34th personnel were made in Vietnam were exemplary by hours after a variety of strikes on wounded, but all members amazingly any means, and this was evident in multiple targets in the Dong Hoi area, survived. During the Rams last Souththe honors they acquired during this North Vietnam. * ern Watch deployment, they flew comperiod in history. Not only did the 34th bat missions during Operation Desert The 34th TFS combat involvement walk away with a Presidential Unit CiFox in a move to strike Iraqi targets from March 10,1967, through May tation, but it also received 15 campaign which contributed to its ability to pro1,1967, made such an impact on the streamers, 8 of its 11 Air Force Outduce and deliver weapons of mass dewar, that the unit received the distinstanding Unit Awards, and the Repubstruction. The 34th's actions in Southguished Presidential Unit Citation for lic Of Vietnam Gallantry with Palm. west Asia earned them two campaign After the Vietnam War, the Rams were its actions in Southeast Asia during this streamers, Defense of Saudi Arabia quickly relocated on Dec. 8,1975, to time. This award was only the beginand Liberation/Defense of Kuwait, but the Air Force base they now call home, ning of the many honors the squadron there was still plenty for the Rams to would receive for its efforts in the war Hill. do in the coming years. because it would continue to contribute Arriving at Hill AFB much more. In June 2000, the 34th became the With the F-105, the 34th TFS was Shortly after its arrival on Hill, it first active duty squadron to deploy to able to inflict monumental damage on was announced that the 34th TFS would Curacao N.A., in support of Coronet the enemy in Vietnam, but on May 11, have the privilege of being the first Nighthawk. For this operation, partici1969, this unit began using the F-4E fighter squadron to receive the upcompating units flew drug interdiction misPhantom II with the same, if not more ing F-16 Fighting Falcon #) take the sions in Latin America in an effort to effectiveness as the Thunderchief. The place of its F-4s. On Sept. 27,1979, the intercept, shadow and identify suspectfirst major operation the Rams particiRams received the first combat F-16 ed narco-traffickers' aircraft. Into the 7 am immensely proud of what the Rams have accomplished, both at home and abroad. The entire team worked together to ensure mission success, and the fcan do' attitude is what I will remember most about my Airmen. The Rams represent the best America has to offer, and we will continue to defend our nation long into the future/' LI COL DAVID LYONS, 34th Fighter Squadron commander next year and after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers, the 34th FS would begin a more active and aggressive role in military deployments and exercises around the globe. Since Sept. 11, the Rams have played a crucial role in Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The 34th's participation in ONE has provided homeland defense flights across our nation over the past eight years. The most significant being their contribution to the defense of the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Rams also have two OIF deployments and one OEF deployment tucked under their belts in support of the most pressing issue facing our military today, the Global Wai' on Terrorism. Even with this busy combat schedule since the attacks, the Rams have plugged in more than 20 exercises around the globe to better prepare for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This article is a brief glimpse concerning the extraordinary contributions that the 34th has done for the country and the world as a whole when it comes to defending liberty for all members of the human race. The Rams have played a pivotal role in the Air Force's history. Commander gives his views Lt. Col. David Lyons will be the last commander of the Rams after their inactivation this week. It is only fitting to end this story of their history with some of his remarks. When asked what is has meant to him being a Ram and the 34th FS Commander upon their inactivation, he stated: "The Rams have a tremendous history of service to our nation and will continue this proud tradition ... Serving as the 34th Fighter Squadron commander has been the highlight of my career, and regardless of anything else I do, leading these men and women to war will remain my most significant accomplishment. "I am immensely proud of what the Rams have accomplished, both at home and abroad. The entire team worked together to ensure mission success, and the 'can do' attitude is what I will remember most about my Airmen. The Rams represent the best America has to offer, and we will continue to defend our nation long into the future." * |