Page 3 - Thunderbolt Nov. 2 2016

Thunderbolt NEWS November 2016 3
Lightning I pilot meets Lightning II, shares stories
http://www.luke.af.mil
Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Retired Maj. Earl Conrad Jr., a World War II fighter pilot who flew the original P-38 Lightning, visited Luke Air Force Base Oct. 3 to get a glimpse of the F-35 Lightning II, the namesake of the legendary fighter aircraft, which dominated the skies over the Pacific during his time in service.
Conrad’s visit was hosted by the pilots of the 62nd Fighter Squadron who took him on a walk around the flightline to get a closer look at the jet. They also provided the 97-year- old veteran a brief on the mission capabilities of the Lightning II and the experience, equipment and training of today’s Lightning pilots. This was all in tribute to the legend- ary service he and others like him gave to fight both Hitler’s Germany and Imperial Japan.
Conrad’s service commitment, like those of many of the young men and women who joined the armed forces at the time, was spurred into motion by the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Conrad, who had been in the midst of study- ing engineering at San Jose State University, put school on hiatus to sign up for the Army Air Corps that same month.
“Much better than being a gravel cruncher,” Conrad said.
At the time, Conrad had a private pilot’s license that he had paid $25 for in earlier college days.
“I was kind of interested, and my friends were all doing it, so I did it,” Conrad said. “They threw a little Piper J-3 Cub at me and let me fly it around for a bit and then I had my license.”
In June of 1942, Conrad gradu- ated from his initial Army Air Corps pilot training. He was then selected and sent to Tallahassee to train to become a P-39 Airacobra pilot, but the demands of the war threw a slight curve into those plans.
“They needed pilots over in the
Retired Maj. Earl Conrad Jr., a World War II fighter pilot who flew the original P-38 Lightning, visited Luke Air Force Base Oct. 3 to get a glimpse of the F-35 Lightning II, the namesake of the legend- ary fighter aircraft, which dominated the skies over the Pacific during his time in service.
IN BRIEF
Deployed family dinner
The deployed family dinner is 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Luke Community Chapel Annex and is hosted by the Frank Luke Chapter of the Air Force Association. To RSVP by Nov. 7 or for more information, call 623-856-6211.
FitFamilies Program
The FitFamilies Program promotes fitness for the whole fam- ily. The 56th Force Support Squadron Youth Center is featuring low-cost programs that will get the whole family involved in health and fitness:

Momma Mia Thatsa Pasta is a nutrition and healthy cook- ing class 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 19 for children ages 5 to 13 and one parent. The cost is $10 per pair. Pairs will do a learning activity and make healthy food. Transportation is provided to and from the 56th FSS Youth center. To register by Nov. 4 or for more information, call 623-856-2684.

The GoRuck Challenge is 9:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at the 56th FSS Youth Center. The cost is $10 per participant. The event cre- ates a family bonding experience centered on special opera- tion’s attributes and core values, such as integrity, courage, perseverance, personal responsibility, adaptability, being a team player and capability. Led by an experienced special operations combat veteran, participants will engage in light physical training and complete activities that include mental and physical challenges. To register by Nov. 25 or for more information, call 623-856-2684.
For more information on upcoming programs, visit Luke- Events.com/FitFamilies.
Thrift shop
The Thrift Shop is now open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for sales and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for consignments and donations Wednesdays and Fridays in Bldg. 750 located at the intersection of Bong Lane and Phantom Street. The shop will close Nov. 11 in obser- vance of Veterans Day and Nov. 23 through 25 in observance of Thanksgiving Day. All proceeds go to the community as college scholarships for military dependents, grants, on-base organiza- tions and local charities. For more information on volunteering, consigning or shopping, call 623-935-5782 during business hours.
“Chicago: The Musical”
The Luke Experience is presenting “Chicago: The Musical” at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at the base theater. Admission is free. The musical is rated PG13 for mild language, suggested violence and sexual content. For more information, call Lacey Quattlebaum at 623-856-9949.
Toastmasters on base
Toastmasters meets noon to 1 p.m. Thursday in Bldg. 1150, 3rd Floor Conference Room. Improve communication and lead- ership skills through friendly, constructive exercises involving prepared and impromptu speaking, and group leadership. Instructional materials are provided. The cost is $20 to join and $7 per month thereafter. For more information, call Lynne Nutter at 623-856-8711.
See BRIEFS, Page 16
Pacific, so they cut the training short,” Conrad said. “We took a train over to San Francisco and then a boat over to Hawaii and checked out in old, beat up P-40s for about two or three weeks before flying to New Caledonia and getting back into P-39s.”
After getting a brief substitute training course there to ensure they could participate in combat operations, Conrad and the rest of the new pilots flew their Airacobras to Guadalcanal where, before even landing, they had their first taste of combat.
“As we were coming around the end of the island, there were a whole bunch of ships parked in the water, and they all took shots at us,” Conrad said.
The pilots weren’t sure who the ships were, but the ships weren’t sure who they were either.
“They couldn’t tell one plane from the other,” Conrad said. “Fortu- nately, we all landed safely.”
Conrad tells of another incident in which a Japanese battleship was disabled by U.S. Navy ships right off
the coast from the airfield he was stationed at. While, for the most part, the ship was operational, it could not move, and those on board must have known, just as well as those ashore, that it was doomed.
“We were going to sink it right there,” Conrad said. “That night, [the battleship] shelled all up and down the runway and knocked out almost all of our planes, both the Navy’s F-4Fs and our P-39s.”
When a few of the least-damaged aircraft were quickly repaired into functioning condition the next day, one of Conrad’s friends and a fellow pilot mustered up a small four-ship to fly a protection detail.
“They went out to fly and he mis- took that same battleship as one of ours, and they ran protection cover for it all day,” Conrad said with a laugh. “You can tell how easily things got snafued.”
The ground situation was no pret- tier, even in the confines of friendly territory.
“There was a Japanese guy we
See PILOT, Page 14
THUNDERBOLT ALMANAC
Fiscal 2017 graduates
21st FS for the calendar year ...................... 19 61st FS ............................................................ 2 62nd FS........................................................... 1 63rd FS ........................................................... 0 69th FS ........................................................... 0 309th FS ......................................................... 0 310th FS ......................................................... 2
Hours flown Sorties flown
F-35 705.4 477 F-16 1,358.0 1,027
311th FS ......................................................... 0 314th FS ........................................................ 3 425th FS for the calendar year ................... 28 56th TRS ........................................................ 0 607th ACS.................................................... 20 372nd TRS, Det. 12 ..................................... 61
(As of Oct. 31)
T-Bolts
Deployed around the world.
111 Luke Airmen are deployed to 14 locations
SPORTS SHORTS
Youth B-ball clinic
The Phoenix Suns Youth Basketball Clinic is 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the 56th Force Support Squadron Youth Center for ages 6 to 17. Admission is free, and a Phoenix Suns mystery player will make a special appearance. For more information, call 623-856-7470.
Squadron challenge
Two squadrons compete in a 1.5-mile run, situps and pushups. Teams must consist of six members with one being female. The winning team challenges the next squadron for the following month. For more information, call 623-856-6241.