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Plattsburgh AFB
and the 380th BW.
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The
base: Plattsburgh
Air Force Base was located on the western shore of Lake Champlain in
the Champlain Valley in upstate New York. To fully understand why a
military facility was maintained at Plattsburgh since the early part
of the 19th century, a brief overview of the region's geography and
military history is necessary. Plattsburgh
AFB owed its early importance to its location on Lake Champlain. During
the Colonial era, the lake provided the only method of transportation
trough the wilderness area of what is now New York State and Vermont.
In 1609, Samuel de Champlain, the French founder of Quebec, discovered
the lake for France and fought the Iroquois Indians near its southern
end. As years passed, the lake became a military highway for both French
and British expeditions that occurred regularly after the first French
raid on the Iroquois nation in 1665. In 1776, Benedict Arnold commanded
an American fleet that fought the British just four miles south of the
present location of Plattsburgh AFB, near Valcour island. Upon termination
of the Revolutionary War, there was no military activity in the Plattsburgh
area for over 30 years. At the beginning of the War of 1812, Plattsburgh
again became a center of military activity. A considerable force of
regular troops was maintained at Plattsburgh throughout the War of 1812.
However, no significant battles occurred until 1813 when in the summer,
the British forces cleared the Lake of the few American vessels remaining.
On Sept.3, 1814, 14,000 British troops crossed the Canadian border and
started advancing south. The British met little resistance until they
reached the town of Plattsburgh. Brigadier General Macomb with a total
force of 1,500 regulars and 700 militia stopped the British land force
at the Saranac River by burning the bridge in order to make any British
crossing a costly one.With
the close of the War of 1812, Plattsburgh was not abandoned as it had
been after the Revolutionary War. Instead, the original military reservation
consisting of only 200 acres, was purchased by the Federal Government
on Dec.30, 1814. Additional parcels of land were acquired and stone
barracks were built to house "Plattsburgh Barracks" personnel in 1838.
Troops were stationed in the Plattsburgh area from 1814 trough 1846.
The barracks were again occupied from 1848 trough 1861. In 1865, the
Army again occupied Plattsburgh Barracks and maintained its presence
until 1944. The 21st Infantry was transferred from Plattsburgh Barracks
to Cuba in June 1898, to fight the Spanish military in the Spanish-American
War. After the Cuban campaign was completed, the troops returned to
Plattsburgh in September 1898. The 26th Infantry Regiment of the "Iron
first " division was stationed at Plattsburgh Barracks during the period
between World War I and II. The unit left Plattsburgh in 1942 to begin
the long trek from the African sands to the vast fields of Normandy. For
a short time during 1942 and 1943, the Barracks became a training site
for combat engineers. Then in 1944, it was turned over to the Navy and
became Camp MacDonough, an indoctrination school for officers. The name
came from Lt. MacDonough, a young officer who was transferred from Portsmouth
to Burlington to take over the vessels from the Continental Army, which
was not doing a very good job up there. He went to Vergennes, VT and
built his fleet there, floating it down the Otter River, some 10 miles
away, to Lake Champlain. After a minimal training period and a near
disaster near Isle aux Noix, his fleet was victorious in totally destroying
the British fleet in the Battle of Plattsburgh.The Camp was turned over
to the Army Air Forces on Jan.1, 1945. On March 15, 1946, the AAF turned
the barracks over to the Army Engineers in preparation of closing. Two
weeks later, the New York State Housing Commission made the Barracks
facilities available for college student housing for area colleges and
extensions schools. Plattsburgh Barracks became Champlain College and
continued its operations until 1953. The Barracks were then returned
to the Federal government for use as a Strategic Air Command bomber
base and Plattsburgh Barracks were renamed Plattsburgh Air Force Base.
The Air Force held a ground breaking ceremony for the new strategic
base on Jan.29, 1954 and construction began immediately. By March 1954,
the Air Force had acquired an additional 3,600 acres of land for the
installation. The establishment of the base resulted in an increase
of approximately 5,000 people to the north country's population. On
July 1, 1955, Plattsburgh was designated as the home for the bomber
aircraft of the 380th Bombardment Wing. A 14 inch-thick concrete, 300
feet wide, 11,760 feet long runway was completed and the first aircraft
(KC-97) landed on November 7, 1955. However, operational facilities
were not completed until 1956 due to several work stoppages and severe
winter weather. Shortly after the operational facilities were opened,
the 380th Bombardment Wing arrived. Plattsburgh's initial plan for the
'Atlas' ICBM called for construction of nine sites within a 30-mile
radius. However, it was later announced that three more would be added
to the original nine. Missile men started arriving in the spring of
1962 after their initial training at Sheppard and Vandenberg AFB. The
first missile arrived in April and the silo construction was completed
for the twelve sites by the end of May. By the summer of 1967, preparations
were already under way for construction of the FB-111A support facilities.
In June 1969, the majority of the required facilities were finished
and most base agencies affected by the conversion had completed preparations.
12 Atlas ICBM sites were completed and operational by mid-1962. Major
construction for FB-111A operations took place between 1968 and 1972.Plattsburgh
has been a military facility for more than 150 years, making it one
of the oldest military installation in the country.. Many different
types of units have valiantly served at Plattsburgh over the years using
a great variety of weapons,from muskets and cannons to the sophisticated
FB-111As and KC-135s. The
Wing:The
distinguished and colorful history of the 380th dates back to Oct.28,
1942 when the unit was established. The 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
was activated on Nov.3, 1942 at Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, AZ. Originally,
the 380th BG consisted of four bombardment squadrons, the 528th, 529th,
530th and 531st. Shortly after being activated, the group moved to Biggs
Field, El Paso, TX where it underwent extensive combat training. After
completing training, the 380th BG moved to Lowry Field, Denver, Co.
to undergo final combat training. In early May 1943, the Group arrived
in the Northern Territory of Australia. The 380th BG was the only B-24
unit attached to the Royal Australian Air Force and was assigned to
the Darwin area in the Northern Territory to secure Australia's safety
against threatened Japanese invasion. Upon its arrival in Australia,
the 380th BG immediately began combat operations. During April and May
1944, the 380th engaged in the most intensive and sustained operations
since arrival in the Southwest Pacific, neutralizing the rear bases
through which the Japanese might reinforce their air force in the Wakde-Hollandia
area. From the end of May 1944 until it moved to the Philippines in
February 1945, the 380th BG concentrated on neutralizing enemy bases,
installations and industrial compounds in the southern and central East
Indies. In April 1945, Far East Air Force relieved the 380th of its
ground support commitments in the Philippines. During the month, the
Group flew the first heavy bomber strikes against targets in China and
French Indochina. In June 1945, the 380th was placed under the operational
control of the 13th Air Force for pre-invasion attacks against Labuan
and Balkpapan in Borneo. For nearly two weeks, the Group's Liberators
kept these targets under a state of aerial siege. After the Borneo raids,
the 380th flew its last missions to Formosa.After
the cessation of hostilities, the 380th flew reconnaissance patrols
over the Japanese islands and ferried released prisoners of war to Manila.
On Oct.18, 1945, the unit was transferred to the 7th Air Force, where
it participated in the Sunset Project, the return of B-24s and their
crews to the United States. The 380th Bombardment group remained inactive
from Feb.20, 1946 until its redesignation from Heavy to Very Heavy on
May 13, 1947. On May 29, 1947, the Group was activated at McDill Field,
Tampa, Fla., as a reserve unit. The group remained an inactive reserve
unit until being called to active duty on May 1, 1951. Fifteen days
later on may 16, 1951, after the personnel had been processed for active
duty and transferred to other units for service in the Korean War, the
Group was deactivated.The
380th Bombardment Wing (Medium) was activated at Plattsburgh Air Force
Base, Plattsburgh, NY on July 11, 1955. At the same time, the 528th,
529th and 530th Bombardment Squadrons were also activated. During July
and August, the personnel assigned to the Wing arrived at Plattsburgh.
In December 1955, the first B-47 was assigned to the Wing but instead
of being flown to Plattsburgh AFB, was delivered to Pinecastle AFB,
Florida, at Det 1, 380th BMW because of the delays in completing the
facilities at Plattsburgh.Major
Harold L. Neal piloted the first flight of a B-47 by a 380th's crew
on Jan.27, 1956 at Pinecastle. For the next several months, training
continued while additional B-47s were assigned to the Wing. By the end
of January 1956, 16 B-47s were assigned to the wing and increased to
30 by the end of April. The first B-47E arrived on March 21, 1956 piloted
by Brigadier General Kenneth O. Sanborn, first commander of the 820th
Air Division headquartered at Plattsburgh AFB. The aircraft was christened
"City of Plattsburgh" the next day. In September 1956, the 380th Air
Refueling Squadron, flying the KC-97s, was transferred to Plattsburgh
AFB from Sheppard AFB, TX. The Wing was declared combat ready on Oct.1,
1956. In
April 1957, the 380th deployed to Brize Norton, UK for a three months
period. During this deployment, Wing's B-47 inaugurated the "Three Capitals"
air race. The occasion was the Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget Field
in Paris, France. On May 28, 1957, three B-47s from the 380th BW took
off from Brize Norton and flew over Le Bourget to start the race. The
objectif of the race was to fly from Paris to Madrid to Rome and back
to Paris, and the prize was the General Electric Trophy. A B-47E from
the 529th BS won the 2,346 statute miles race in 4 hours 12 minutes
and 7 seconds, with an average speed of 558 miles per hour.The aircraft,
commanded by Capt. Robert E. Sheridan was piloted by 1st Lt. J.L.Mombrea
with Capt. Frank R. Beadle as Observer. The wing redeployed to PAFB
in June 1957.On
July 18, 1957, the Wing suffered its first peacetime major accident.
A KC-97G from the 380th ARS with a crew of eight exploded and crashed
into Lake Champlain when 2 of the 4 engines failed 3 minutes after take-off
from Plattsburgh AFB at 9:28 p.m. On October 1, 1957, SAC commenced
24-hour alert status and the 380th BW was incorporated into the SAC
alert force. During February 1959, the Wing gained both the 820th Air
Base Group and the 4020th USAF Hospital. Both of these units had previously
been assigned to the 820th Air Division, located at Plattsburgh AFB.
The 531st BS was activated and assigned to the 380th in May 1959. Later
that year, on Aug.7, another unit was attached to the Wing from the
820th AD, the 26th Air Refueling Squadron. The 531st was deactivated
on Jan.1, 1962.During
1961 and 1962, the physical appearance of the area surrounding Plattsburgh
AFB underwent changes as construction began on 12 "Atlas F" missile
sites. The sites were built within a 50 miles radius of the base and
were completed in 1963, at an average cost of $3 million each. The missile
silos were built inside gigantic holes 174 feet deep and 54 feet wide
into solid rock. Approximately 8,000 cubic yards of concrete and tons
of structural steel were used in each hole to create a blast proof,
underground silo, protected by massive overhead doors for the 81-feet
missiles. A single underground blockhouse containing launch consoles
and personnel quarters was constructed at each site. The squadron was
equipped with 13 missiles, allowing each silo to have its Atlas missile
with one left for spare. When one missile in a silo was scheduled for
maintenance, the spare missile kept at PAFB was sent to replace it.
This allowed the 380th to maintain 12 ready to launch missiles seven
days a week. All sites were in New York state except for two located
on the other side of Lake Champlain in Vermont.The 556th Strategic Missile
Squadron, formerly assigned to Dow AFB, Maine, was transferred to Plattsburgh
AFB on October 1,1961 and became completely operational on Dec. 20,
1962. This was the last Atlas squadron to be accepted and the only Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile base east of the Mississippi River. The 556th's last
operational day was April 30, 1965 with the Squadron's inactivation
on June 25, 1965. The inactivation was part of a phase-out of US first-generation
missiles, the Atlas series and Titan 1 models, which was announced by
Robert S.McNamara, Secretary of Defense, on Nov. 19, 1964. In order
to gain a missile squadron, the Bombardment Wing was to lose a considerable
portion of its strategic bombers. The announcement was made in January
1961 that the fleet would be reduced by half. At this time, Plattsburgh
AFB's aircraft inventory included 70 B-47s and two complete squadrons
of KC-97s. Upon orders from SAC, the two refueling units merged as one,
becoming the 4108th Air Refueling Wing on April 1, 1961.Between
July 20, 1962 and December 24, 1964, the 380th also flew EB-47 assigned
to the 4365th Post Attack Command and Control Squadron. On Jan.15, 1962,
the Wing suffered its second aircraft lost when a B-47E assigned to
the 529th BS on a routine training flight making bomb runs over Fort
Drum crashed on the southeast slope of Wright's Peak ( a mountain top
60 miles south of Plattsburgh AFB). The wreckage was discovered on the
21st by a group of US Army pilot from Fort Devens, Mass. Later that
same year, on Oct.22, 1962, the Wing responded to the Cuban Missile
Crisis by deploying eight of its B-47s to a dispersal base. These aircraft
and personnel stayed at the dispersal base until Nov.25, 1962 with the
remaining aircraft and personnel on alert at Plattsburgh AFB.On
Sept.15, 1964, the 380th Bombardment Wing was redesignated the 380th
Strategic Aerospace Wing (Heavy) and was composed of three B-47 squadrons
(528th, 529th and 530th), the 380th Air Refueling Squadron, the 556th
Strategic Missile Squadron, the 380th Combat Support Group and the 820th
Medical Group. On Sept. 18, the Wing received its first KC-135A flown
by Col. Harold J. Whiteman and a four-man crew composed of Maj. Creston
Fowler (commander),Capt. Robert J. Svoboda (co-pilot), Capt. Robert
D. Smith (navigator) and TSgt. Roy W. Rebstock (boomer). The aircraft
was christened the same day, "Spirit of the North Country" by Mrs Gladys
Ellison. Mrs Ellison's husband was SMSgt. Guin B. Ellison, Maintenance
Supervisor of the Year for the 380th.September
1965 saw one of the Wing's B-47s, "Pride
of the Adirondacks" departing Plattsburgh AFB for SAC's 14th Bombing
and Navigation competition at Fairchild AFB, Washington. Six days later,
that same aircraft returned to Plattsburgh being hailed as the "World's
Best B-47" after having won top honors among all SAC B-47 units in 3
of 4 competition areas for the B-47s. "Pride of the Adirondacks" was
commanded by Maj. Charles W.Patrick with Capt. John V. Wilcox for co-pilot
and Maj. Robert A. Wickland as navigator. The crew won 'Best B-47 Crew,
Bombing', 'Best B-47 Crew, Combined' and 'Best B-47 Unit'. Within three
weeks of that triumph, the first B-47 departed for storage at Davis-Monthan
AFB, AZ. as part of an accelerated phase-out of the type. On Dec.14,
separated by 15-minute intervals, the last three B-47s to leave the
base took off, thus closing the era of this medium bomber in the North
Country. The final three B-47s to leave and their crews were Number
1864, Maj. Francis J.Marshall, Maj. Gene S.Boaz and Capt. Marion A.
Meckstroth. Number 1965, Maj. Charles C.Rock, Capt. Melvin L.Jackson
and Capt. Charles F. Fagan. Number
1955, Captains Percy J.Schroeder, Ronald R.Hollenbaugh and Anthony Perez. The tail numbers 1955 and 1965 represented the decade B-47s had been
assigned at Plattsburgh AFB. Also of historic significance, Maj. Marshall
and Captains Jackson, Hollenbaugh, and Schroeder had been assigned there
since 1955."Pride
of the Adirondacks" was preserved and put on display at the entrance
of the base on Feb.8, 1966. The aircraft stands in memory of the crews
and maintenance men who flew and supported B-47s at the base during
that past decade. Dedication ceremonies for the jet took place on March
21, 1966 in front of an attendance numbering more than 300 persons.
Interestingly, the same day marked three milestones; the 20th anniversary
of the Strategic Air Command, the 10th anniversary from the date the
first B-47 was received at Plattsburgh AFB as well as the dedication
of this permanent monument as a reminder of the part this aircraft played
in the nation's defense in the North Country. To replace the B-47s,
the Wing was assigned the B-52G "Stratofortress" bomber and the first
B-52G to arrive was christened "Champlain Lady" by Mrs. Wallace Wall
Jr., wife of Col. Wall Jr., 380th SAW commander, during dedication ceremonies
on June 19, 1966. Transferring here from Loring AFB, Maine, the giant
B-52s assigned to the 528th BS took positions on the base flightline
next to the KC-135s of the 380th ARS. The crew selected to fly the first
B-52G to Plattsburgh was comprised of Maj. Paul W.Maul, aircraft commander;
Capt. George W.Bliss, copilot; Maj. Herbert H.Miller, radar navigator;
Capt. David L.Scearce, navigator; Maj. John D.DeGraaf, electronics warfare
officer; and MSgt. Donald E.Brooks, gunner. The 529th and 530th Bombardment
Squadron were inactivated on June 25, 1966. After the arrival of the
new type, another new unit was assigned to the Wing on January 25, 1967,
the 310th Air Refueling squadron. During the first week of April 1967,
the 380th SAW flew its first 'Bar None' exercise since the coming to
Plattsburgh of the B-52 and received an 'Outstanding' rating. The 'Bar
None' exercise was a mean for testing the wing's capability to perform
its Emergency War Order mission. On January 21, 1968, tragedy struck
again the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing when B-52G 58-0188, crashed
near Thule Air Base in Greenland. The aircraft was flown by a crew from
the 528th BS and was carrying four hydrogen bombs when it crashed into
an ice covered bay at the western tip of Greenland. The crew of seven
was composed of Capt. John Baug (commander), Capt. Leonard Svitenko
(co-pilot), Maj. Frank Hopkins (radar navigator), Capt. Curtis Criss
(navigator), Capt. Richard Max (electronic warfare), SSgt. Calvin Snapp
(gunner) and Maj. Alfred J.D'amario (safety officer from Wing HQ). Sadly,
Capt. Svitenko was killed during the crash. |
The
Wing's involvement in the Vietnam War was one of temporary duty assignments.
Tanker and bomber crews of the 380th were temporarily assigned to the
Pacific theater in support of B-52 "Arc Light" missions and KC-135 "Young
Tiger" operations. The KC-135 crews and aircraft supported Southeast
Asia operations from October 1966 until 1973. The B-52 crews served
from 1968 until 1970. The stay of the B-52s assigned to the 380th was
destined to be short. In 1968, plans were initiated to bring the Air
Force's newest strategic aircraft to Plattsburgh AFB, the FB-111A. In
October 1970, the phaseout of the B-52s assigned to the 380th SAW began
when the first aircraft was transferred to Fairchild AFB, Wash. The
last B-52G left Plattsburgh AFB on Jan.5, 1971. Base personnel, dependents
and civilian dignitaries attended a ceremony with an opening speech
by Col. G.R. Abendhoff, wing commander. Crew members for this last B-52G
out of Plattsburgh were Col. Abendhoff, Maj. Elmer L. Bradford, aircraft
commander; Capt. William Peavey, copilot; Maj. Herbert H.Miller, navigator;
Capt. Robert A.Foster, radar navigator; Capt. Henry W.Goehring, electronic
warfare officer; and TSgt. Michael E.Picus, gunner.
The
529th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) was reactivated on January 1, 1971.
Construction requirements for the new FB-111A were completed in 1969.
Col.G.R.Abendhoff, 380th BW's commander, and Lt.Col. Eugene W. Loy,
4007th CCTS commander, piloted the first FB-111A to the base during
Open House ceremonies on July 17, 1971. On August 1, 1971, Det.1 of
the 4007th CCTS was activated to instruct the combat crews in the sophisticated
systems that equipped the FB-111A. The CCTS graduated its first crew
on the FB-111A at Plattsburgh AFB on November 18, 1971. That day, Capt
William W.Wright and Capt. Jimmie A.Boone climbed into the cockpit of
an FB-111A to become the first Plattsburgh AFB-trained crew to solo
the new bomber. On June 6, 1972, the SAC Inspector General declared
the wing totally prepared to implement its Emergency War Order mission.
As part of a program to improve survivability against an increased sea-launched
ballistic missile threat, SAC assigned on a temporary duty basis part
of its bombers and tankers fleet to satellite bases in the early 1970s.
During 1973, FB-111A from the 380th BW were on alert at Kincheloe AFB,
Michigan and Grissom AFB, Indiana.
During
September 1971, Detachment 18, 44th Aerospace rescue and Recovery Squadron
(ARRS) was activated on the base to support the FB-111 program by maintaining
rescue and fire control alert. Det. 18 was assigned two HH-43 "Huskie"
under the command of Lt.Col. Stewart Jordan. On July 1, 1972, the 380th
Strategic Aerospace Wing (Heavy) was redesignated the 380th Bombardment
Wing (Medium) and was declared operational with the FB-111A. As part
of a SAC-wide move to give munitions maintenance squadrons the same
numerical designation as the wing to which it is assigned, the 40th
MMS was inactivated and the 380th MMS activated on October 1, 1972.
The first mission of a wing's FB-111A equipped with the SRAM took place
on April 20, 1973. On the same day, SAC Headquarters announced that
10 KC-135 tanker aircraft were to be relocated to Plattsburgh AFB from
Westover AFB, Mass., by September. June 1973 saw the arrival of the
HH-1H "Huey" assigned to Det. 18. The H-models were responsible for
search and rescue within a radius of approx. 100 miles. With the addition
of 975 pounds capacity internal auxiliary fuel tanks, the Huey could
fly 100 miles to the rescue area, hover for one hour and return to the
base. This gave the HH-1H, a 360-degree search area of nearly 10,000
square miles which could easily be increased since the aircraft could
land nearly anywhere to take on fuel from trucks. The first HH-1H assigned
to Plattsburgh was ferried from the Bell Helicopter factory at Fort
Worth, Tx. by a crew from Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Headquarters
at Scott AFB, Il. Ferry crew members were Maj. John Flourney, aircraft
commander; Maj.John Hartwig, co-pilot; and SSgt. George Bohl, flight
engineer.
On
July 26, 1973, the first of twenty KC-135Q models to arrive at Plattsburgh
from McCoy AFB landed at the base. The crew flying the first "Q" here
was Crew S-154 from the 310th ARS, under the command of Capt. Norman
L. Hythecker, with Lt. James C.McLaughlin as a co-pilot and Capt. Roger
A. Hedberg in the navigator position. The boom operator was TSgt. Roland
Adgers who had the longest time at PAFB and most time in the aircraft,
five and a half years in the area and 3,800 hours in the tanker. On
September 1, 1973, the last KC-135Q 58-0049 from the 306th Bomb Wing
at McCoy AFB flew to Plattsburgh AFB. Aboard the last 'Q' from McCoy
were Col. John J. Murphy, 42nd Air Division Commander, the aircrew and
several members of the 306th BW. The KC-135Q was emblazoned with "City
of Orlando" with a palm tree on the left side of the nose and "City
of Plattsburgh" with a pine tree on the other side. The major differences
between the KC-135Q and other KC-135s were primarily related to the
fuel system and rendezvous and communications systems. The KC-135Q utilized
two single-point refueling receptables, one in each main landing gear
wheel well, whereas other KC-135s have only located in the right main
gear well. On the 'Q', the left system serviced the airplane's wing
tanks and the right system serviced the body fuel tanks. JP-7 was normally
carried only in the body fuel tanks. To account for changes in the airplane's
center of gravity during SR-71 refueling operations, 850 lb of ballast
was added to the lower nose compartment. The KC-135Q was able to carry
simultaneously a maximum of 74,490 lb of JP-7 and 110,000 lb of JP-4.
Rendezvous and communications equipment differences included the addition
of a third UHF radio and an AN/ARN-90 TACAN, both located at the navigator's
station. In the late 80s, a satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna
was installed on the upper forward fuselage.
During
the 1974 Strategic Air Command's bombing and navigation competition,
the FB-111 and KC-135 crews from the 380th combined their effort with
the support personnel to prove to be "The best of the best" in earning
the Fairchild Trophy for the highest combined bomber and tanker scores
during the competition. The 380th BW was the first Wing equipped with
the FB-111A to win the competition and would dominate again in the years
to come. The 380th BW was recognized for exceptionally meritorious service
from July 1, 1974 to June 30, 1975 and received the Air Force Outstanding
Unit Award. In 1978, the wing won the Fairchild Trophy for the fourth
consecutive time, a SAC record. In 1978, a Plattsburgh tanker crew had
the honor of flying the last "in country" air refueling mission in Thailand
and participate in the redeployment of F-4s from Thailand under "Coronet
Climax".
1980
began with a new challenge for the Wing after being named the official
military support installation for the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid,
NY. The 380th coordinated helicopter rescue mission conducted by Detachment
18. The Det. assisted the civilian community in the North Country area
through its participation in the Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic
program. The MAST program was created by the Department of Defense and
allowed the use of military helicopters to respond to medical emergencies
in area where support cannot be rendered by civilian agencies. The primary
mission of Det.18 was Combat Rescue.The 380th BW continued its excellent
performance into the 1980s, earning its second Air Force Outstanding
Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service from July 1, 1979 to
June 30, 1980, and Outstanding ratings on the SAC "Buy None" readiness
exercise in 1982 and 1983. In 1982, the first reunion of the surviving
members of the 380th Bombardment Group which formed the 380th Bombardment
Group Association was held. The second reunion took place at Plattsburgh
AFB in September 1983 and on this occasion, dedication of the Plattsburgh
Military Museum was one of the highlights of the reunion. 1984 started
with a fitting tribute to both the 380th Bombardment Wing and the 380th
Bombardment Group. The 380th BG was inactivated and consolidated with
the 380th BW by order of the Secretary of the Air Force on Jan.31, 1984.
As the year progressed, the 380th once again proved itself worthy of
its motto, "Best of the Best", as it achieved an unprecedented fifth
Fairchild Trophy at the annual SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition.
In addition to winning the Fairchild, which established a record of
five trophies for one unit, the Wing captured its second Saunders Trophy
for the best air refueling unit and the "Best FB-111 Crew Award". The
Omaha Trophy for the best overall SAC wing for the 1984' s calendar
year was awarded to the Wing on July 11. In 1985, the 380th BW received
the pinnacle award for SAC Wings. In 1985, the 380th BW had more assigned
aircraft than any other SAC wing. Plattsburgh AFB was the home of two
FB-111A squadrons, the 528th and 529th; two KC-135As squadrons, the
310th and 380th; and the 4007th CCTS responsible for training all SAC
FB-111A pilots and navigators. Other units of the wing included the
380th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, the 380th Munitions Maintenance
Squadron, the 380th Field Maintenance Squadron, the 380th Transportation
Squadron, the 380th Supply Squadron, the 380th Combat Support Group,
the 380th Mission Support Squadron, and the USAF Hospital. During the
summer of 1988, a full complement of the 380th BW deployed for the first
time since World War II. Over 300 men and women deployed to a forward
operating base in support of "Mighty Warrior 88", a SAC wide exercise
held to better enable the various SAC wings to carry out their respective
missions under austere conditions. In September 1990, crews from both
Air Refueling Squadrons combined with personnel from other units to
form the 1703rd Air Refueling Wing (Provisional) in Saudi Arabia, supporting
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During that year, Plattsburgh
became the host for the Tanker Task Force previously at Pease AFB, and
assumed the responsibility for planning and providing air refueling
for all TAC unit movements, TTF ferry missions, Military Airlift Command
(MAC) missions, European Tanker Task Force (ETTF) deployers and redeployers,
and other missions directed by Headquarters SAC and 8th Air Force. |
|
The
380th BW began retiring its FB-111A in 1990 and one-half of the SAC
FB-111A force was retired by December 31, 1990. The 380th BW began retiring
its FB-111A in 1990 and one-half of the SAC FB-111A force was retired
by December 31, 1990. On May 20 and 21, 1991, FB-111 crews from the
380th BW participated in "Iron Man". This was the bomber crew's last
hurrah and their last chance to prove their ability in flying the FB-111A
under fire. "Ironman" pitted FB-111A crews against various other fighters
from around the Northeast. Flying missions over the Adirondacks, and
throughout New York, aircrews from the 528th and 529th Bomb Squadrons
bombed targets on the Army's Fort Drum Bombing Range. On June 14, the
last training mission for an FB-111A came to an end when Col. J. Paul
Malandrino and Maj. M.Stephenson aboard "Little Joe" touched down on
the two-mile concrete runway at PAFB. On July 10, 1991, Strategic Air
Command and the 380th Bomber Wing said goodbye to the FB-111A when the
last 4 operational aircraft left Plattsburgh AFB for their final flight
to preservation in museums.
The
380th BMW was redesignated the 380th Air Refueling Wing a few days earlier
on July 1, 1991. The mission of the 380th ARW was to provide worldwide
air refueling with its KC-135A/Q and serves as host to the Tanker Task
Force operation. The 380th ARW Tanker Task Force was responsible for
supporting most of the transoceanic operations on the East Coast. Following
the invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, Plattsburgh AFB deployed the
first of its personnel to support Desert Shield / Storm and assume duties
of lead unit of the 1703rd ARW (P) in Saudi Arabia.
The
380th ARW participated in the 34th and final SAC Bombing and Navigation
competition in April 1992. Nicknamed "Proud Shield 92", the competition
demonstrated bomber and tanker capabilities, procedures, tactics and
concepts. "Proud Shield" featured 21 active-duty SAC units along with
six AFRES units, nine ANG units and one Tactical Air Command unit. Team
Plattsburgh placed a strong second among the 24 competing for the Saunders
Trophy. A Team Plattsburgh's aircrew established itself as the finest
KC-135 crew in the Air Mobility Command "Rodeo 92" at Pope AFB, N.C.
in June 1992. The crew of Capt. Mike Minahan, aircraft commander; Capt.
Mark Lane, co-pilot; Capt.Gene Moty, navigator; and SrA. Erik Prince,
boom operator captured top honors by placing first in the tactical navigation
category with a score of 342 points. The crew also received the maximum
points possible (400 points) in the air-refueling competition.
On
June 1, 1992, due to a military reorganization, the 380th Operations
Group was formed under the new Air Mobility Command. Later that year,
the 380th ARW converted from the KC-135A/Q to the R/T model. The most
noticeable difference between the A and R model were the engines; quieter
and more fuel efficient CFM 56 engines. The first R, 63-8872 arrived
on Sept.30 and was christened "Spirit of Plattsburgh". Aircraft were
scheduled to arrive at about three per month through the end of the
summer 1993. The official acceptance ceremony took place on October
30. During the ceremony, one KC-135A and a KC-135R flew a low approach.
The KC-135A departed the field following its low approach symbolizing
its departure from Plattsburgh while the KC-135R landed and taxied to
the Brown hangar, symbolizing its arrival at Plattsburgh. The KC-135A
was flown by Capt. Thomas Coppinger, aircraft commander; Capt. Patrick
McCormack, co-pilot; Capt. Greg Jerell, navigator; A1C J.D.Harston,
boom operator and Capt. Scott Patnode, instructor pilot. The KC-135R
was crewed by Col. James E.Andrews, wing commander; Capt. Chris Rinaldi,
co-pilot; Major Mike Cole, navigator; A1C David Steiner, boom operator
and SSgt. Tim Gemsheim, boom operator instructor. Clyde Lewis, honorary
wing commander and chairman of the Air Base Liaison Committee, flew
on the KC-135R, symbolizing the strong bond between Plattsburgh AFB
and the community.
On
June 24, 1993, the Base Realignment And Closure Commission voted to
close Plattsburgh AFB and give a new Air Mobility Wing to McGuire AFB,
NJ. The 380th ARW controlled the 42nd ARS at Loring AFB, Me, the 509th
ARS from Griffiss AFB, NY and the European Tanker Task Force, which
provided operational refueling to England and Saudi Arabia.
The
380th ARW deployed for the last time to participate in "Crisis Look'94"
from McGuire AFB, NJ. in March 1994. More than 450 wing members from
Plattsburgh and Griffiss AFB deployed for the exercise testing the wing's
ability to mobilize, deploy and operate in a bare base environment.
The wing deployed a total of 13 tankers, six from Plattsburgh and seven
from Griffiss. The 18 crews deployed from Plattsburgh and Griffiss AFB
flew 37 sorties during their first four days of the exercise.
During
1994, Plattsburgh AFB and AMC continued to support NATO aircraft patrolling
the skies over Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation Deny Flight.
Aircrews and support personnel from the 380th ARW and the 509th ARS
deployed to Istres AB, France and Pisa AB, Italy to provide aerial refueling
for the operation. Plattsburgh AFB deployed 151 people and 5 aircraft
in support of the operation.In July, a 21-member from the 380th ARW
left Plattsburgh AFB to compete in "Rodeo 94" at McChord AFB, Wa. Led
by Lt.Col. Scott Weaver, the team consisted of five aircrew members,
nine aircraft specialists and six security policemen.
Plattsburgh's
long relationship with the KC-135 came to an end when the 380th ARW
bidded farewell to its two flying squadrons.The deactivation ceremony
took place on September 26, 1994 in presence of Brig. Gen. Thomas Pilsch,
21st Air Force Vice Commander and Col. Christopher Kelly, 380th Operations
Group Commander. Both the 380th and 310th AREFS, and the 380th OG were
officially deactivated that day. Shortly after, Col. Robert E.Dawson,
last 380th ARW's commander boarded the last KC-135 stationed on the
base and flew the last mission of the 380th ARW. With special guests
and representatives of the local medias, the aircraft took Air Refueling
Track 204 Southwest to Loring AFB, ME and headed back down the West
coast of Maine where it hooked up with 2 B-52s. After the aircraft left,
the only mission for the 380th ARW was the closure of the base set for
September 1995.
Plattsburgh
AFB was officially closed on Sept.30, 1995 as a result of the 1993 Defense
Closure and Realignment actions. The closure ceremony took place on
Sept.29 with New York Congressman John M.McHugh; Rodney A.Coleman, assistant
secretary of the Air Force for manpower, reserve affairs, installations
and environment; Lt.Gen.Edwin E.Tenoso, 21st Air Force commander; and
Col. Robert E.Dawson, 380th Air Refueling Wing commander, as guests
of honor.
Following
the closure of the base, the Plattsburgh Air base Redevelopment Corporation
(PARC) was created to fill the gap in the economy of the region and
attract new businesses on the former base. |
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"Strength
and Confidence"
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The
380th has been reactivated as an Air Expeditionary Wing
by the Air Force in January 2002 at Al Dhafra Air Base,
United Arab Emirates. The 380th AEW's new mission is to
perform reconnaissance and refueling support during Operations
Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. Currently, the 380th
AEW has the following squadrons assigned to it; 908th Expeditionary
Refueling Squadron, 12th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron
and the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron.
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