Obtained th:ouah the AUG 1 0 1987 ] : va FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT by the Sw —_— Arme Race and Nuclear Wetpons Reseerch Project lastitute for Polisy Studies DATE January 31 February 1-29 7-8 March Washingtoa, D.C. 1980 \ Tan &! 4 CHRONOLOGY 9TH STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE WING EVENT Additional funding became available to support U-2 training requirements at Beale AFB. Aircraft swapout accomplished at Det 2. Senator Howard W. Cannon of Nevada visited the 9th and received an orientation flight aboard an SR-71. The 9SRW was involved in a Short Sprint Exercise which included an Operational Readiness Inspec- tion. A U-2C aircraft belonging to the 9th crash landed approximately 35 miles Northwest of Beale AFB. The pilot suffered only minor in- juries. Wing personnel were able to reduce the Feb 80 gasoline consumption as compared to Feb 79 by six percent on a gallon per day basis. This exceeded the reduction rate prescribed by Presi- dent Carter's energy conservation program. The SAC Inspector General conducted a Management Effectiveness Inspection at Det 2, 9SRW. The results were satisfactory. A survey conducted by the three wing maintenance squadrons revealed the reasons for not reenlist- ing in the Air Force given by Ist term airmen who were separating in alarming numbers. An airman from 90MS, TDY to Det 2, Osan AB, Korea was killed when hit by a POV while walking on a roadside near the base. Three other people, two assigned to the 9th and TDY to Det 2 were in- jured in this accident.
3-7 10-13 12 15 April 15 17 21 24 Hq SAC MSET visited the 9SRW Maintenance complex. All squadrons and the wing itself were rated satisfactory. A 9SRW U-2R flew the primary Gallant Eagle 80 reconnaissance mission over the Fort Irwin, California area. Mr. Frank Fishburne, Deputy Comptroller of the Air Force, visited the 9th and received an ori- entation flight aboard an SR-71. An SR-71 assigned to the wing flew a reconnais- sance mission in support of the Readiness Com- mand Gallant Eagle 80 exercise. The 9SRW was tasked by higher headquarters to increase operations at Det 4. Col Shelton received word of increased opera- tions at Det 1. Hq USAF requested that Hq AFLC take action to store 3 U-2C aircraft at Palmdale, CA. No word of funding for the remaining 9SRW U-2C had been received by the end of the quarter. Personnel, equipment and an SR-71 aircraft were deployed in support of the first Giant Reach operation of 1980. Mission results were good. The Air Force officially announced its intentions to put a new reconnaissance aircraft, the TR-1 into the active inventory. Col Shelton reported the 9SRW sortie capability in support of increased Glant Scale night flying to Headquarters SAC. The 9SRW participated in a base wide Short Sprint exercise. The 9th perfromed satisfactorily over- all, but individual areas reported some problems. A U-2R returning from an aborted mission at an overseas location, crash landed. The pilot received only minor injuries, but the aircraft was seriously damaged.
May 18 2] 31 31 3] 31 June 2-12 15 Mr. Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson, designer of both the SR-71] and U-2 aircraft visited Beale AFB and Participated in a 9SRW dining out held that day. An SR-71 from Beale AFB was caught at Fair- child AFB, Washington, when Mount St. Helens erupted. The aircraft was protected from the ash fallout and was able to return to Beale on 23 May. The first of two SR-71 sorties around the Mount St. Helens area was flown to aid the U.S. For- est Service in dammage assesment. The second mission was flown on 29 May. The 9SRW along with the IOOAREFW hosted the 1980 Beale AFB Open House. Wing participation in- cluded SR-71, U-2 and T-38 static displays in addition to flyovers by these same aircraft types. By this date, the number of combat ready U-2R crews reached 30, matching the number author- ized for the first time in over a year. An SR-71 aircraft assigned to the 9SRW ingested some hardware that resulted in $50,000 worth of engine damage following seven FOD free months. The OSRW maintenance complex was rated marginal in all areas of the wing MSEP program for the month of May 1980. Detected Safety Violations were the primary cause for this low rating. The 1CEVG from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, visited the 9SRW for a no-notice inspection of the wing Stan/Eval Program and to evaluate wing aircrew members . Maj David M. Peters of the 1SRS was notified that he was the 1979 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy winner awarded for his save of an SR-77 aircraft. Gen Richard H. Ellis, CINCSAC, visited Det 1 on this date. While there, he was briefed on the SACMET study that indicated an additional 28 authorizations were required at that location.
20-29 22 August 10 14 September . ] The second annua! Globai Shield Exercise commenced at 1659 hours local putting the 9SRW in an in- creased state of combat readiness. Wing aircraft flew a Giant Clipper sortie. Col David G. Young assumed command of the 9SRW from Col Franklin D. Shelton, who was reassigned to Headquarters SAC. Col Thomas S. Pugh, form- erly the Deputy Commander for Operations commenced duties as Vice-Commander. The second July Giant Clipper sortied was com- pleted. The citizens of Pen Valley, California held the first annual Beale AFB Appreciation Day. A large crowd, consisting of people from both Penn Valley and Beale attended. Lt Gen James P. Mullins headed a 15AF Staff Assistance visit to Beale AFB on this date. While here, the General participated in the POW cell dedication, a part of the Beale AFB Heritage Program. For the third consecutive quarter, personnel assigned to the 9SRW participated in a Short Sprint exercise. Improved performance in most areas was reported. Lt Col Phillip L. Bostur assumed the position of Deputy Commander for Intelligence, replacing Col Ruel K. Branham, who was reassigned. The 9th's lone operating location was redesig- nated as a detachment on this date. Col Lonnie L. Liss arrived on station and as- sumed the duties of Deputy Conmander for Op- erations. Colonel Pugh had been performing these duties in addition to the responsibili- ties of the wing vice-commander since 15 July.
22-26 30 October 5 31 November 14 24 December 1-8 10 SR-71 aircraft and associated personnel de- ployed in support of a Giant Reach Opera- tion which lasted until the end of October. Both the SR-71 and U-2 aircraft, as well as many wing personnel deployed and participated in the SAC wide Busy Prairie exercise. Fiscal Year 1980 closed out on this date. Once again the wing managed to balance its budget and end the financial year with relative ease. A U-2R aircraft crashed while on an operational mission at Det 2. The pilot received minor in- juries but the aircraft was totally destroyed. Lt Gen James P. Mullins, 15AF/CC, officiated over the dedication of U-2C #714 in Beale's new Heritage Park. Wing officials published a European Bed-down plan. Over 20,000 visitors crowded the flightline area to view various displays and the USAF Thunder- birds during Beale's Open House/Conmunity Appre- ciation Day. A change in U-2 C-Ratings was reported. Wing personnel participated in a Short Sprint exercise. Several problems were noted in the exercise report. U-2R #338 became the first such aircraft to fly over 10,000 hours on this date, while assigned to the aircraft inventory at Det 2. The SAC Inspector General visited the 9th and con- ducted Operations] Readiness and Management Ef- fectiveness Inspections. Results were good. Another Giant Reach deployment commanced and con- tinued through the end of the year into 1981.