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F-106A 59-0123, 48th FIS circa 1974 with simple tail flash markings on the ramp at the 48th FIS at Langley AFB [submitted by Capt Doug Henson on 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."

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 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.
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