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A Paratrooper assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division provides a situation report during Exercise Panther Storm at Normandy Drop Zone on Fort Bragg, N.C., August 11, 2020. Panther Storm is a brigade-level training exercise designed to sharpen Paratroopers ability to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours, fight and win against U.S. adversaries.
The F-105 Thunderchief, which would become a legend in the history of the Vietnam War, started out very modestly as a proposal for a large, supersonic replacement for the RF-84F Thunderflash tactical reconnaissance fighter in 1951. Later this was expanded by Republic’s famous chief designer, Alexander Kartveli, to a nuclear-capable, high-speed, low-altitude penetration tactical fighter-bomber which could also replace the F-84 Thunderstreak.
The USAF liked the idea, as the F-84 had shown itself to be at a disadvantage against Chinese and Soviet-flown MiG-15s over Korea, and ordered 200 of the new design before it was even finalized. This order was reduced to only 37 aircraft with the end of the Korean War, but nonetheless the first YF-105A Thunderchief flew in October 1955. Although it was equipped with an interim J57 engine and had drag problems, it still achieved supersonic speed. When the design was further refined as the YF-105B, with the J75 engine and area ruling, it went over Mach 2. This was in spite of the fact that the design had mushroomed in size from Kartveli’s initial idea to one of the largest and heaviest fighter ever to serve with the USAF: fully loaded, the F-105 was heavier than a B-17 bomber. The USAF ordered 1800 F-105s, though this would be reduced to 830 examples.
Almost immediately, the F-105 began to be plagued with problems. Some of the trouble could be traced to the normal teething problems of any new aircraft, but for awhile it seemed the Thunderchief was too hot to handle, with a catastrophically high accident rate. This led to the aircraft getting the nickname of “Thud,” supposedly for the sound it made when hitting the ground, along with other not-so-affectionate monikers such as “Ultra Hog” and “Squat Bomber.” Despite its immense size and bad reputation, however, the F-105 was superb at high speeds, especially at low level, was difficult to stall, and its cockpit was commended for its ergonomic layout. Earlier “narrow-nose” F-105Bs were replaced by wider-nosed, radar-equipped F-105Ds, the mainline version of the Thunderchief, while two-seat F-105Fs were built as conversion trainers.
Had it not been for the Vietnam War, however, the F-105 might have gone down in history as simply another mildly successful 1950s era design. Deployed to Vietnam at the beginning of the American involvement there in 1964, the Thunderchief was soon heading to North Vietnam to attack targets there in the opening rounds of Operation Rolling Thunder; this was in spite of the fact that the F-105 was designed primarily as a low-level (and, as its pilots insisted, one-way) tactical nuclear bomber. Instead, F-105s were heading north festooned with conventional bombs.
As Rolling Thunder gradually expanded to all of North Vietnam, now-camouflaged Thuds “going Downtown” became iconic, fighting their way through the densest concentration of antiaircraft fire in history, along with SAMs and MiG fighters. The F-105 now gained a reputation for something else: toughness, a Republic hallmark. Nor were they defenseless: unlike the USAF’s primary fighter, the F-4 Phantom II, the F-105 retained an internal 20mm gatling cannon, and MiG-17s which engaged F-105s was far from a foregone conclusion, as 27 MiGs were shot down by F-105s for the loss of about 20. If nothing else, Thud pilots no longer burdened with bombs could simply elect to head home at Mach 2 and two thousand feet, outdistancing any MiG defenders.
If the Thud had any weakness, it was its hydraulic system, which was found to be extremely vulnerable to damage. However, it was likely more due to poor tactics and the restrictive Rules of Engagement, which sent F-105s into battle on predictable routes, unable to return fire on SAM sites until missiles were launched at them, and their F-4 escorts hamstrung by being forced to wait until MiGs were on attack runs before the MiGs could be engaged. The tropical climate also took a toll on man and machine, with the end result that 382 F-105s were lost over Vietnam, nearly half of all Thuds ever produced and the highest loss rate of any USAF aircraft.
The combination of a high loss rate and the fact that the F-105 really was not designed to be used in the fashion it was over Vietnam led to the type’s gradual withdrawal after 1968 in favor of more F-4s and a USAF version of the USN’s A-7 Corsair II. An improved all-weather bombing system, Thunderstick II, was given to a few of the F-105D survivors, but this was not used operationally.
The Thud soldiered on another decade in Air National Guard and Reserve units until February 1984, when the type was finally retired in favor of the F-16, and its spiritual successor, the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
One of the more famous Thuds still left, F-105D 62-4301 joined the USAF in 1963 and was immediately sent overseas to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Itazuke, Japan. In 1965, 62-4301 was one of the first F-105s to go to Southeast Asia, first with the "temporary" 6441st TFW at Takhli, then later in 1965, reverted to the 355th TFW. It would fly well over 200 combat missions, many over Hanoi, from 1965 to 1968, and became a "MiG killer" of sorts: at some point during Operation Rolling Thunder, it strafed an Il-28 Beagle medium bomber at one of the North Vietnamese air bases. Though never officially credited with a kill by the USAF, 62-4301 would carry a kill mark for the rest of its career.
In 1968, with the end of Rolling Thunder, 62-4301 finally left Southeast Asia and returned to Japan, flying with the 18th TFW at Kadena, Okinawa. In 1972, it finally returned to the United States and was assigned to 507th TFG (Reserve) at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. In 1980, 62-4301 made its final stop, as many Thuds did, with the 508th TFG (Reserve) at Hill AFB, Utah (later the 419th TFW). There, it was painted an interesting wraparound scheme of gunship gray and green, with subdued insignia, and got the name "My Karma." After "Thud Out" in 1983, "My Karma" made its last flight from Hill to the Aerospace Museum of California at McClellan AFB.
Though its Hill scheme was pretty cool, it's understandable that the AMC would want to preserve 62-4301 in the Southeast Asia scheme that most Thuds wore during their career. "My Karma's" name is displayed on the nose just below the canopy, but like the rest of the aircraft, the paint has faded. Faintly, it still carries the rattlesnake patch of the 419th TFW at Hill (as indicated by the nose wheel door), and very faintly, the tailcode "ZA" of the 18th TFW can also be made out on the tail. One thing that hasn't faded is the kill mark beneath the canopy. It is displayed with two underwing drop tanks (which the Thud looks very naked without) and a Mk 82 Snakeye bomb to the right.
Though I wish it was in better condition, seeing "My Karma" was my main reason for visiting the AMC. My dad may have photographed this aircraft back during its time at Tinker, shown here: www.flickr.com/photos/31469080@N07/51091441058/in/photoli...
Soldiers of 508th Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, listen as Sgt. Scott Repetto, center, 659th Maintenance Company, 264th Sustainment Battalion, explains the safety, maintenance and operation of a crane on Seay Field during a familiarization training.
photo by Lucille Anne Newman/Paraglide
080520-A-2013C-014 Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division's Division Special Troops Battalion and the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, take a flying kick at the ball during the final match held during All American Week, May 20. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Micah E. Clare)
080918-A-2388D-090 The 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team recognized Department of the Army Civilians Sept. 18 at the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Dining Facility on Carentan Street, Ft. Bragg, for making the new DFAC possible with their hard work and dedication. The DACs included members of the Directorate of Public Works on Ft. Bragg, and the 82nd Abn. Div. Headquarters. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stephen Decatur)
508th Military Police Detention Battalion Change of Command Ceremony with outgoing commander LTC Christopher Hodl, and incoming commander LTC E.J. Kesselring, June 24th, 2021 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (US Army Photo by Sid Lee, Enterprise Multimedia Center, JBLM).
090226-A-2388D-276 A forward observer and platoon leader from 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, observer an impact area during a joint live fire exercise Feb. 26 on Fort Bragg. The exercise was conduted with th 14th Air Support Operations Squadron and field artillery units from the 82nd Airborne Division to train junior leaders on the intricacies of fire support operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)
47th CSH quarterback Turan Boyd, right, passes to receiver James Glover Sept. 21 during a Blue League intramural flag football game at Cowan Stadium on JBLM Lewis Main. 47th CSH defeated HHC 508th MP 33-6.
A heavy dropped item of equipment descends onto Normandy Drop Zone during Exercise Panther Storm on Fort Bragg, N.C., August 11, 2020. Panther Storm is a brigade-level training exercise designed to sharpen Paratroopers ability to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours, fight and win against U.S. adversaries.
081017-A-2388D-54 A former Paratrooper with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment lights a candle in memory of the unit's fallen Paratroopers during the 508th PIR Association's reunion dinner Oct. 17 at the Officer's Club on Fort Bragg. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stephen Decatur)
After a photoshoot William Rasool, Fort Bragg Mobilization Deployment Brigade, takes a ticket from Sgt. Scott Wolfe, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, to enjoy a movie and a chance to win a door prize at the free showing of "Rollin' Along" at the Main Post Theatre Saturday.
photo by Lucille Anne Newman/Paraglide
Retired Col. Keith Nightingale greets George Shenkle, left, and other veterans during an airborne monument dedication June 8, 2014, in Sainte-Mère-Église, France. Shenkle is a D-Day veteran of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Blackburn, himself a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division, had the idea for a monument to honor the fight for the liberation of the first town in Normandy by U.S. paratroopers. (U.S. Army photo/Senior Airman Alexander W. Riedel)
Pfc. Shane J. McVey, makes a pass down the detection lane Friday, shortly before testing on the equipment. McVey and other members of Co. A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division received the training to better prepare them to detect mines and possible improvised explosive devices during deployments.
A Jumpmaster assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conducts a Jumpmaster Personnel Inspection on a fellow 'Panther Brigade' Paratrooper during Exercise Panther Storm at Green Ramp on Fort Bragg, N.C., August 11, 2020. Panther Storm is a brigade-level training exercise designed to sharpen Paratroopers ability to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours, fight and win against U.S. adversaries.
HHC 508th MP's Joshua Doughty, left, fends off 47th CSH's Jeremiah Scollon as he looks for room to run Sept. 21 during a Blue League intramural flag football game at Cowan Stadium on JBLM Lewis Main. 47th CSH defeated HHC 508th MP 33-6.
A Paratrooper assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division sets up communication equipment during Exercise Panther Storm at Green Ramp on Fort Bragg, N.C., August 11, 2020. Panther Storm is a brigade-level training exercise designed to sharpen Paratroopers ability to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours, fight and win against U.S. adversaries.
Members of the Friends and Family of the 508th PIR Association and the 2nd Bn., 508th PIR FRG pose with the ceremonial check representing funds donated as of Nov. 8, by the association to aid with Operation Christmas. photo courtesy of 508th PIR Association
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment conduct M4 Known-Distance Qualification training, Nov. 21, at Fort Bragg. The training helps the Soldiers verify their weapons skills as they transition from individual to collective training.
Spc. Jordan Folmar familiarizes himself with the Minehound hand-held detector Friday in Fort Bragg's training area. Folmar and more than 20 other members of Co. A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment spent a week training familiarizing with the equipment before being tested Friday.
090114-A-2388D-229 Paratroopers of Company A, 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division maneuver to their next challenge during the unit's "Sapper Stakes" competition Jan. 14 on Fort Bragg. The Paratroopers competed to see which squad had the best combat engineer skills. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephen Decatur)
Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment conduct M4 Known-Distance Qualification training at Fort Bragg, Nov. 21. The 2Fury Soldiers shoot from various distances, including 300, 200, and 100 meters to sharpen techniques such as accuracy and trigger squeeze before progressing to collective live-fire training.
Paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division prepare to board a C-17 aircraft during an prior to an airborne operation at Fort Bragg, N.C., Feb. 6, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jill People/82nd CAB PAO
The 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Soldiers and the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion Soldiers, both of the 4th Brigade Combat Team try to tap the volleyball over the net to make the point and take the lead. David Savage, the volleyball official, watches to see if anyone touches the net.
Pfc. Brad T. Meetze, 1st platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion 508th infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division yells back to his squad during search and attack training at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La. Meetze is a native of New York City.
Spc. Ross Gage, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, seasons one of the four turkeys to be served at the 4th BCT’s Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday.
Paratroopers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division run to secure an objective during a combined arms live fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. The CALFX was the culmination of months of training the company has undertaken to prepare itself for its upcoming support to 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. during a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, La. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)
U.S. Army Soldiers with the 508th Military Police Company, 117th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 42nd Regional Support Group, New Jersey Army National Guard, listen to Col. Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, in the passenger terminal at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Nov.15, 2024. The more 60 Soldiers returned from a nearly year-long deployment to the southwest border where they supported U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (New Jersey National Guard photo by Mark C. Olsen)
47th CSH quarterback Nicolaus Puga, middle, intercepts a pass intended for HHC 508th MP's Bradley Mester, left, Sept. 21 during a Blue League intramural flag football game at Cowan Stadium on JBLM Lewis Main. 47th CSH defeated HHC 508th MP 33-6.
A Paratrooper assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division loads a magazine during Exercise Panther Storm at Green Ramp on Fort Bragg, N.C., August 11, 2020. Panther Storm is a brigade-level training exercise designed to sharpen Paratroopers ability to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours, fight and win against U.S. adversaries.
Paratroopers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division fire their weapons during a combined arms live fire exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. The CALFX was the culmination of months of training the company has undertaken to prepare itself for its upcoming support to 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. during a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, La. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hewitt/Released)
photo by Pfc. David Hauk/4th PAD
Sgt. Vu Nohn, center, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, pulls a casualty to safety while conducting an improvised explosive device course training exercise during his unit’s rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. April 9.
080911-A-2388D-176 Paratroopers of A Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment run on Ardennes Street during a run with all of the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team Sept. 11 on Ft. Bragg. The run was held to commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments of Paratroopers and Americans in general since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stephen Decatur)