Page 10 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 7-24-15

10 July 24, 2015
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This week in history
1965: Project Skoshi Tiger
The 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (Provisional
F-5 Evaluation Squadron No. 1) activated 50 years ago
to conduct the operational testing of the F-5A, known
as Project Skoshi Tiger.
In the late 1950s, most countries lacked the money
for enough frontline jet fighters to defend themselves.
Therefore, they often bought older, cheaper, propeller-
driven fighter aircraft. The Northrop Corporation
designed a supersonic light fighter to fulfill that need.
Based on the first supersonic jet trainer, its tandem
two-seat T-38 Talon, the single-seat F-5A was primarily
for export. However, the services gave the F-5 a long
look and took possession of some in 1964.
The Cold War was in full swing with small wars fought
between the superpowers through surrogates. At the time,
Southeast Asia was heating up, primarily in Vietnam.
In December 1963, the 4441st Combat Crew Training
Squadron activated at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona,
in the East Valley. But, it reported to the 4510th Combat
Crew Training Wing at Luke AFB.
The reason for the odd arrangement was twofold.
First, Williams AFB had a ramp full of T-38s. The F-5
shared a 67 percent pats commonality with the T-38,
so logistics would be easier. Second, while Williams
AFB trained officers to fly, Luke AFB taught pilots to
fly fighters. Therefore, the training fit into the 4510th’s
mission. The first F-5 arrived in April 1964 with the first
class entering training in September.
On July 22, 1965, the 4510th activated a second squad-
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Trails Dept. Store • 5925 W. Olive Ave. #101 Glendale
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ron, the 4503rd, at Williams. However, its mission was
different — determine the combat effectiveness of the F-5.
Project Skoshi Tiger’s pilots volunteered for both
phases of the test. The 4441st’s instructor pilots gave
the 4503rd pilots their F-5 familiarization checkouts.
Operational testing began on Sept. 7, 1965. By the
middle of October, they completed Phase I of the test.
Phase II was a bit more dangerous - combat missions
in Vietnam.
Twelve F-5s departed Williams on Oct. 20, 1965. At
midday three days later, they arrived at Bien Hoa Air
Base, South Vietnam. Within five hours Maj. Roy Hol-
brook and Capt. James Thar flew the squadron’s first
combat sorties.
Project Skoshi Tiger proved that while the F-5 lacked
advanced instrumentation and weapons systems, it
packed about the same punch as an F-100. In March
1966, the squadron was redesignated as the 10th
Fighter (Commando) Squadron. In October, the unit
began training South Vietnamese pilots to fly the F-5.
In June 1967, the U.S. Air Force turned over the F-5s
to the South Vietnam Air Force.
On Oct. 15, 1969, the 425th Tactical Fighter Train-
ing Squadron activated. It took over the personnel and
equipment of the 4441st CCTS, which inactivated. Four
years later, the 425th upgraded to the F-5E. The 425th
trained South Vietnamese pilots until Saigon fell in
April 1975. The squadron continued to train foreign
pilots in the F-5E until it was inactivated in 1989.
Courtesy of Rick Griset, 56th Fighter Wing History Office
Kerry’s Auto • 4312 W. Olive Ave. Glendale
Sketches Tattoo • 4360 W. Olive Ave. Glendale
Mollie Tamale • 8806 N 43rd Ave. Glendale
Alley Kat • 8810 N 43rd Ave. Glendale
Dave’s Napa Auto • 5102 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria
Frances Hand Car Wash • 5690 W. Peoria Ave. Peoria
Goodyear Auto Tire • 10894 N. 67th Ave. Peoria
Midas Auto Care • 6845 W. Peoria Ave. Peoria
Geico Insurance • 9515 W. Camelback Rd. Glendale
AA. Cyclez • S. of Glendale. Corner of Dysart Ave./Litchfield Rd. Shooter’s World • 8948 West Cactus Peoria
Vineyard Apts. • S. Glendale Ave. Dysart Ave./Litchfield
VA Hospital • 7th Street and Indian School Rd. Phx
Brake Masters • 5180 W. Peoria Ave. Glendale
Antaris Sports Bistro • 9611 W. Camelback Rd. Glendale
Barro’s Pizza • 5115 N. Dysart Ave. Goodyear
Southwest Golf Carts • 5115 N. Dysart Ave. #102 Goodyear
Dreaming Summit Animal Hospital • 5115 N. Dysart Ave. Goodyear
Chop Chop Chinese • 5104 N. Dysart Ave. Goodyear
Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill • 5110 N. Dysart Ave. Goodyear
Ace Hardware • 5110 N. Dysart Ave. Goodyear
Embassy Tanning • 13100 W. Indian School • Goodyear
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Chaplain’s thoughts ...
“You can’t gain weight, unless you overeat!”
This gem of a quote from dear old dad is just one of
many homespun lines of paternal wisdom that marked
my childhood. My dad left little doubt about his opinions,
which of course is the stuff that I dreaded as a child, yet
qualitatively appreciate as an adult.
There are likely some exceptions to my dad’s statement;
yet it highlights a vital principle, namely the necessity
of personal responsibility. He understood that the battle
to lose weight, is won or lost based upon his actions. Not
luck, not someone else, but his own volitional choice to
take the necessary steps to shed a few pounds.
Likewise for us, there is no weight loss fairy that helps
us drop the pounds without any effort on our part. One
must find the balance between diet and exercise that
allows them to maintain a healthy weight and level of
fitness.
Taking responsibility is vital in other aspects of our
lives as well including our professional duties, educational
goals, and religious and moral development. We simply
must take responsibility.
Whatever our goal in life may be, we will make little
headway in achieving it without picking up the mantel
of personal responsibility. We must set aside our excuses
and explanations, even legitimate ones, to pursue our
dream.
As you pursue your dream, do so in a way that reflects
the very best of your values and faith, and in so doing,
leave behind a legacy of excellence to those who follow
you.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Courtesy of Chaplain (Maj.) Larry Fowler
56th Fighter Wing Chapel
Desert Gardens II • 13621 W. Glendale Ave. Goodyear Pizza Hut • Corner of Dysart Ave./Glendale
Air Force Center • 5110 N. Dysart Ave. Goodyear The Cut • 7027 N. Litchfield Rd. #5
Saguaro Pizza • 13821 W. Glendale Ave. Glendale Engraving + Hobbies • 7017 N. Litchfield Rd.
Enochos Sports Bar and Grill • 10892 N 67th Ave. Peoria The Hair Salon • 7029 N. Litchfield Rd.
Holiday Inn Express • 1313 N. Litchfield Ave. Goodyear Falcon Dunes Golf • Camelback Rd. West of Litchfield Rd.
Champs Auto • 5190 W. Peoria Ave. Peoria Takamatsu Sushi • 7019 N. Litchfield Rd. Glendale
Barro’s Pizza • 83rd Ave. Cactus #106 Peoria Coyote Tire & Auto • 13127 W. Glendale
Denny’s Restaurant • 9856 W Camelback Glendale Ashley Furniture • 1479 N. Dysart Ave. Avondale
Desert Gardens Café • 13517 W. Glendale Glendale Circle K • 13843 W. Glendale
Rebel Tattoo • 330 N. Dysart Ave. #103 Goodyear Jack in the Box • 13820 W. Glendale
Circle K • 13110 W. Glendale
Schlotzsky’s • 395 N. Litchfield Rd. Avondale Taco Bell • 6901 N. Litchfield Rd.
Chase Bank • 5006 N. Dysart Ave. Litchfield K Hovnaniau Homes • 9066 W. Nicolet Avenue
Cracker Barrel Restaurant • 1209 N. Litchfield Rd. Dr. Matthew Noll • 9431 W. Thunderbird Rd. Peoria
Macayo Mexican Kitchen • 1474 N. Litchfield Rd. Goodyear Shane’s Rib Shack • 9404 W. Westgate Blvd. Glendale
Village Inn Restaurant • 2700 N. Litchfield Rd. All Smiles Dentistry • 551 E. Plaza Circle # A Litchfield Park
Palm Valley Golf • 2211 N. Litchfield Rd. Aaron’s • 700 N. Dysart Rd. Goodyear
Domino’s Pizza • 14175 W. Indian School Rd. Talecris Plasma Resources • 5949 W. Northern Ave. Glendale
Sage & Sand Grill • 13831 W. Glendale Ave. Ollie’s Omelet House • 5160 W. Olive Ave. Glendale
Omar Barber Shop & Salon • 13722 W. Glendale NYPD Pizza • 1619 N. Dysart Rd. #103 Glendale
Credit Union West • 6777 W. Cactus Phoenix Alameda Crossing Dental • 1619 N. Dysart Rd. #105 Goodyear
Luke Auto Parts • 13722 W. Glendale Ave. Cirra’s Cloud • 15044 N. Cave Creek Rd. Suite 2 & 3 Phoenix
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