Fiftieth anniversary of a MIG kill

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  • RED
    Very Senior Member - OFC
    • Aug 2009
    • 11689

    #1

    Fiftieth anniversary of a MIG kill

    The National Air and Space Museum posted an on-line blog today describing VF-31?s aerial victory over a North Vietnamese MiG-21 on June 21, 1972. Today is the 50th anniversary of that shoot-down.

    The blog was authored by Michael W. Hankins, PhD, who is the NASM Curator for US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps post-World War II Aviation. Dr. Hankins collaborated with Bill John, Nick Strelchuk and Dave Arnolds to set an overall framework for the narrative. He and NASM Director Christopher Browne then sat down for a face-to-face interview with Bill, Nick, and Dave after the luncheon at Udvar-Hazy during our recent reunion celebration at the Westin Washington Dulles. The result of everyone?s efforts is a great story that is well told.

    For the crews of US Navy Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31, the “Tomcatters”), June 21, 1972, was the last day of their first line period of sustained operations onboard the USS Saratoga before a scheduled week off. That day proved to be one of the most significant in the squadron’s history. Discover why.


    FWIW, I was at that reunion.

    Do you know of any military unit that has had a 50th anniversary where nearly 70% of the still surviving attended. It was certainly at the top of Navy Fighter Squadrons at the time, 1970 - 1972.
    Last edited by RED; 06-21-2022, 05:33.
  • lyman
    Administrator - OFC
    • Aug 2009
    • 11296

    #2
    I would imagine it would be a combo of MOS/Branch, (how may ground pounders or grunts that trudged thru the various Agent Colors are still here 50 yrs later)

    and the positive side of modern medicine

    Comment

    • barretcreek
      Senior Member
      • Sep 2013
      • 6065

      #3
      Well Done.

      Thanks for posting.

      Comment

      • RED
        Very Senior Member - OFC
        • Aug 2009
        • 11689

        #4
        Originally posted by lyman
        I would imagine it would be a combo of MOS/Branch, (how may ground pounders or grunts that trudged thru the various Agent Colors are still here 50 yrs later)

        and the positive side of modern medicine
        It is not how many that have survived that wows me, it is how many that were not only able but willing to spend the amount of time and money it takes to fly fly to DC and spend 4-5 days in a first class hotel with great food and a open bar.

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