Relative to the F-4 Phantom II, 12 TFW, or Vietnam
(From the Sandscript, Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN, 18 Aug 67)
Can you top this? What is believed to be the most combat experience flown in a single jet fighter strike during the Vietnam conflict was completed here when a four plane mission from the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing here flew into the IV Corps area to neutralize a landing zone for friendly troops.
Each crew member in the four F-4C's of the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron had recorded or was nearing his 200th combat sortie. The combined combat experience totaled 1,507 missions, one-third of which had been flown over the North.
On the record setting mission the crews destroyed four miliiary structures, one sampan and four bunkers. In addition, two military structures and three sampans were damaged and the Forward Air Controller (FAC) estimated eight enemy dead.
"We were all excited about flying together and we wanted a good target," said Major James T. Boddie, Jr., the flight commander. "It was a matter of pride to place our bombs on the target and we did." Boddie went on to say, "It was a real good mission. and we enjoyed flying together on this one."
The record setting crew members (with individual combat sorties in parentheses) were: Major Boddie (200); 1st Lt. Martin W. Savinsky (181); Major Edgar R. Grischkowsky (204); 1st Lt. Charles R. Edwards (172); Captain James D. Kittinger (202); 1st Lt. Gregg R. Oliver (199); Major Robert F. Johnston (194) and 1st Lt. William E. McMahon (155).