Description

430th Tactical Fighter Squadron Patch

Pilots and Crew!   Fly again with the 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron with the beautifully embroidered patch. You’ll be able to wear this patch proudly.

• 3.5 inch
• Embroidered
• US Veteran-Owned Business
• Reproduction

The 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron was deployed in September 1972 to Thailand to fly combat missions in the Vietnam War, and was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat “V” Device 28 Sep 1972-22 Feb 1973 and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 28 Sep 1972-22 Feb 1973. It remained a fighter unit until inactivating in 1989.

Deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in September 1972 as a result of the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive as part of the Constant Guard V deployment of the 429th TFS and 430th TFS with 24 F-111As in each squadron.[13] The deployment included 1,487 support personnel and 40 transport aircraft loads of cargo.[14] The enhanced strike capabilities of the two F-111A squadrons (48 aircraft) allowed them to replace the four F-4D squadrons (72 aircraft) of the 49 TFW, which returned to the U.S. This move also resulted in a reduction of total U.S. forces stationed in Thailand.[14] The two F-111A squadrons arrived to support the last month of Operation Linebacker and all of the Operation Linebacker II bombing offensive against North Vietnam, conducted combat operations in Laos including support of Operation Phou Phiang II and Operation Phou Phiang III using the F-111A’s beacon bombing capability in the defense of Long Tieng, and conducted combat operations in Cambodia, again using the F-111A’s beacon bombing capability. They flew deep interdiction strike in good and bad weather when other squadrons were grounded. 430th TFS flew approximately 2000 combat missions with excellent success rates in hitting targets even when visibility was near zero before returning to the United States on 22 March 1973. A total of four 430th TFS aircraft were lost in action with the loss of all crews.[11] The 474th was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat “V” Device 28 Sep 1972-22 Feb 1973[15] and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 28 Sep 1972-22 Feb 1973.[16]

The 430th TFS photo depicts:[17] Front Row Left to Right: 1LT Jeff Sackett, CPT Henry Heinze, CPT Dick Hellier, CPT Price McConnell, CPT Willie Fairfax, CPT Denny Feinberg, MAJ Joe Hodges, MAJ Joe Franco, LTC Gene Martin, CPT Ron Walker, CPT Bob Wendrock, MAJ Dick Skeels, 1LT Tony Sobol, CPT Mark Christman, 1LT Jon Jordan, MAJ Norm Thouvenelle, MAJ Jack Ward. Back Row Left to Right: 1LT Don Westbrook, 1LT Bo Shaw, MAJ Dick Fleitz, MAJ Bill Brummett, CPT Jim Brunsting, CPT Wyn Lawrence, MAJ Larry Crowley, MAJ Pete Gamage, MAJ (unidentified), MAJ AO Philibert, 1LT Mike Hritsik, MAJ Russ Everman, MAJ Bill Young, MAJ John Tillander, MAJ Bill McKOY, MAJ Jim McElvain, MAJ Gordy Amsler, CPT Rob VanSickle, CPT Rowland Stanley, CPT Fred Eddy, CPT Mike Kaye, MAJ Jim Hammelmann. Not Present: 1LT Ken Alley, CPT Glenn Perry, 1LT Brad Insley (R&R), CPT Dan Kallenbach (R&R), CPT Chuck Caffarelli, CPT Ron Stafford, 1LT Craig Mading, MAJ Joe Smith, 1LT Rog Peterson (Jungle Survival Course), CPT Doug Kodak (Jungle Survival Course), 1LT Doug Meier (Jungle Survival Course), CPT Al Comeau (Jungle Survival Course), 1LT Lefty Brett (MIA), MAJ Bill Coltman (MIA),[18] CPT Doug Kracht, CPT Gerry Robinson, 1LT Denis Galbraith, CPT Tom Jones, 1LT Gary Morehead, CPT Larry Wilson, 1LT Jim Stieber, CPT Art Rindell, CPT John Long, MAJ Dave Warman, CPT Chuck Henrdickx, 1LT Don McComb (Jungle Survival Course), LTC Bill Powers (Wing Attached), MAJ Bob Morrissey (Wing Attached)(MIA), MAJ Bob Brown (Wing Attached)(MIA)[19]

Post Vietnam War

430 TFS F-16A Block 10C 80-0492 flying over the Grand Canyon in 1986
Engaged in training new pilots with the F-111A during the mid-1970s, changing equipment to the McDonnell F-4D Phantom II in August 1977 during “Operation Ready Switch”, sending the F-111As to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and sending the F-111Fs from Mountain Home to Lakenheath Air Base in England to replace the departing F-4Ds. Received new Block 1/5 General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft in November 1980 after protractive development period in the 1970s. Conducted routine Tactical Air Command training and deployments from Nellis with the F-16s, upgrading to Block 10/15 models in the early 1980s. Inactivated 1 July 1989.