Heritage Highlight

Brief overview of the significance of the Khobar Memorial located within the 33 FW campus on Eglin AFB, Florida.

Espisode is a brief explanation of the Nomads participation in Desert Storm 1991.

References:
UNSCR.com
33d TFW HIST, Jan -Dec 1991

The airmen of the 33d Fighter Group enter combat operations during WWII 8 November 1942. Participating in the largest amphibous assualt to date: Operation TORCH

33 FW Brief history is a foundational epsisode. The 33d, the "Nomads", history spans a period of over 70 years. Warning: The episode may seem a bit boring...for the most part due to the narrator; however, it provides a foundation for future podcasts and further understanding of the wing from its beginning to that of the modern day.

On 29 July 1944 Capt. Arthur "Art" Jeffrey made aviation history becoming the first pilot in the world to shoot down a rocket propelled aircraft. Art went on to become the 479th's top fighter Ace with 14 scores to his name and the recipient of the Silver Star for heroism in combat.

Lt's Harold E. Goettler and Erwin Bleckley epitomized what it means to place one’s service before self. Their skill and effort meant a cut-off and “lost” division of U.S. troops were found before being overrun by the enemy. They earned the nation’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor for their efforts on 6 October 1918.

On the morning of 10 August 1944, Lt Col Kyle Riddle, the Commander of the 479th Fighter Group, was leading his pilots on a strafing mission targeting marshaling yards in an area located about 40 km northeast of Paris. His P-38 was hit by enemy fire; Lt Col Riddle was forced to crash land. Surviving the landing, he successfully evaded being captured by the Germans through the aid of the French resistance.

On 23 June 1944, B-17 Bombardier, Lt. David Kingsley earned the nation’s highest honor bestowed on a military member, the Medal of Honor, by sacrificing his life for others.

This episode highlights the Air Force airman that holds the longest successful evasion behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War: Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) Capt. Roger C. Locher.