|
49 F-106s were assigned the 48th FIS at Langley AFB VA from 15 Sep 60 to Mar 82.
The 48th FIS was activated at Dow Field in November 1946 with P-47s. In October 1947 a transition into P-84Bs was completed. These were flown until the unit was
temporarily deactivated on 2 October 1949. The 48th FIS was reactivated in November 1952 at Grenier AFB in Manchester NH with F-47s, replacing the New Hampshire ANG's 133d FIS. A
relocation to Langley AFB was completed in early 1953 along with a transition into F-84Gs and then F-94Cs in the fall of 1953. In the summer of 1957 the squadron completed a
transition into F-102As followed by another in the fall of 1960 to F-106As. The 48th FIS flew F-15s from 1982 to 1991, where many of the F-15 were transferred to the
Missouri ANG, the Hawaii ANG, and 3 or 4 going to the Boneyard. The squadron is now the
48th Flying Training Squadron flying T-1A Jayhawks out of Columbus AFB Mississippi.
ADC Air Intercept "Pilot Scope"
Sequence
Osan AB, Republic of Korea, 1968
The entire 48th FIS, minus planes and equipment, relieved the 318th FIS of thier Korea duties sometime between Nov- Dec 1968.
The 48th FIS served a 180 day tour plus an extension, and were relieved in mid summer of 1969. The aircraft remaining at the
48th FIS home went to the 318th while the FIS members were deployed and it is beleived the 48th FIS pilots flew thier's back home to the
states and picked ours up and returned to Langley [Gary Chaney SMSgt (Ret)]
|
|
 590147 at Osan AB, Korea Jul 1968 with 318th FIS markings, but actually taken over by the 48th FIS while in Korea. The 500lb bomb load was a practical joke played on visiting ADC commander Lt Gen Agan [Gary Chaney SMSgt (Ret) collection]
|
 Gary Chaney, assigned the 48th FIS working on 318th planes, is seen with a Korean orphin (Gary Chaney Collection)
|
 318th FIS Alert, Osan AB Korea. A nose dock is being moved over to work on 59-0059. (Gary Chaney Collection)
|
 318th FIS Alert, Osan AB Korea. A nose dock is being moved over to work on 59-0127. (Gary Chaney Collection)
|
Tazlanglian DevilsBackground info thanks to TSgt (Ret) Bob Cope
The 48th FIS was known as the "Tazlanglian Devils."
I know, I know; it don't sound right, but that's the way Lt Col Dick Stultz,
Taz's author, named the mascot -- probably had something to do with copyright
infringement. I remember that huge, flaming red character painted on the
weapons building wall. It had an abnormally large set of... hanging from
between its legs as it stood there grimacing and clutching in one of its hands
a devil's trident. Lot's of wives complained, even to high ranking
officials at TAC Hqs., but Taz endured. If that wasn't enough, we even
had a Taz Suit ( complete with the aforementioned armament) that we put
someone in at squadron parties, and at random times he would come "swing'n in"
to add his own special contribution to the fun.
Series from Robert (Bob) Pelletier, served with 48th 1978-83, Bob is pictured in the Load Crew shots.
59-0145 Submitted by Bob Wegeman Jun 2003, taken Jul 1980 at Langley
Series submitted by Capt Doug Henson, Jan 2002
Doug writes: "I was stationed with the 48th FIS at Langley AFB, VA from
April 1973 until June 1975. Detachment 1 was located in
Wilmington, NC and Det 2 was located at Homestead AFB, FL. Each
pilot spent two weeks at home, followed by one week on alert at
Homestead. A typical alert week provided several opportunities for
active air scrambles against everything from Cuban Migs, to drug
smugglers, to sightseers flying along the Florida Keys, to Navy P-3s
entering the ADIZ after a twelve hour sub hunting mission. In
addition, President Nixon flew in and out of Homestead AFB when he went
to his retreat in Key Biscayne. Each time he arrived or departed
the area in Air Force One, the base was closed to other air traffic, so
we were assigned airborne alert. Homestead was a hotbed of
activity for our F106 air defense mission."
While exploring your website, I was excited to see that “my” airplane is
still in existence at Warner Robins awaiting restoration. Here’s a photo
of S/N 590123 on the ramp at the 48th FIS at Langley AFB circa 1974.
Notice the drag chute canister lying on the ground. The plane is
fueled and ready to go. Also notice the tail marking at that time
was a simple 48th squadron flash.
Here’s a closeup view with me and my crew chief. We were showing off our
new artwork. Notice the dark blue band on the nosewheel door. It
reads “Pilot 1LT D. R. Henson” on the top line with “Crew Chief A1C C. J.
Willard” on the bottom line. At that time in the 48th ’s history, the only
markings other than the standard USAF stuff was the 48th flash on the tail.
I was interested in a little morale boosting, so wanted to start putting names
on the aircraft. Our maintenance officer wasn’t interested, so one day my
crew chief and I decided to take matters in our own hands. I found a
stencil machine while he found a can of spray paint. With others looking
on in envy, we strutted out to the flightline and branded our names on the
canopy frame. Turns out that everyone liked the idea, so the maintenance
officer decided to go with the flow and standardize things. The nosewheel
door markings were designed and all aircraft were marked with pilot and crew
chief names. |
|
