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Aaron Clark

34th FS to inactivate

Aaron Clark 388th Fighter Wing historian

Last updated Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 8:40am

A local fighter squadron with an extremely rich and far-reaching history will inactivate this week due to the Combat Air Forces restructuring plan (CAF Redux). In a move to fund a smaller and more capable force, as well as redistribute people for higher priority missions, the CAF Redux restructuring plan will accelerate the retirement of 250 aircraft, which includes 112 F-15 Eagles, 134 F-16 Fighting Falcons and three A-10 Thunderbolts IIs. On July 16, the 34th Fighter Squadron "Rams," assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, will inactivate in keeping with this global plan.

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An Airman's act of courage to remember

Aaron Clark 388th Fighter Wing historian

Last updated Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 9:04am

On Feb. 24, 1969, an eight man crew lifted off in AC-47 "Puff the Magic Dragon," call sign "Spooky 71," at Bien Hoa Air Base on a routine combat night patrol mission over the Saigon region. Little did this crew know that a lowly Airman loadmaster on board would save their lives and become a significant part of the enlisted and U.S. Air Force heritage forever. Airman 1st Class John L. Levitow was airborne on his 180th combat mission.

For Airman Levitow this was a routine combat sortie to aid besieged troops at Long Binh Army Base on the second day of the Tet counteroffensive.

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