Ron Dickneite

The 59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (59 FIS) was an active unit of the United States Air Force, originally constituted during World War II. Activated in 1941, it participated in the defense of Alaska during the Aleutian Campaign, primarily flying P-40 Warhawks and later P-38 Lightnings. During the Cold War, the squadron was reactivated and stationed at Goose Air Base in Newfoundland, where it operated jet interceptors such as the F-89 Scorpion and F-101 Voodoo to defend North American airspace against potential Soviet threats. The 59 FIS was inactivated in 1967, marking the end of its distinguished service in air defense operations.

The **310th Bomb Wing (310 BW)** was first activated in 1942 as the 310th Bombardment Group, part of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The unit flew B-25 Mitchell medium bombers in combat across the Mediterranean Theater, participating in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Southern France. After World War II, the unit underwent several redesignations and periods of inactivation, eventually becoming the 310th Bomb Wing under the United States Air Force. In the postwar era, it operated various aircraft and served in the Air Force Reserve, contributing to the strategic deterrence mission and training aircrews for future conflicts.

The 318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS) was a distinguished unit of the United States Air Force, primarily assigned to the Air Defense Command (ADC). Originally activated during World War II, the squadron was reactivated during the Cold War to provide air defense for the Pacific Northwest and later the West Coast of the United States. Throughout its service, the 318th FIS operated various aircraft, including the F-94 Starfire, F-102 Delta Dagger, and F-106 Delta Dart, reflecting the evolution of interceptor technology. The unit was inactivated in December 1989, having played a vital role in continental air defense during its decades of service.

The 20th Tactical Fighter Wing (20 TFW) was originally activated in 1947 as part of the United States Air Force. The unit served prominently during the Cold War, stationed at various bases in Europe, including RAF Wethersfield and RAF Upper Heyford in the United Kingdom, where it provided air defense and tactical fighter capabilities for NATO. Flying aircraft such as the F-100 Super Sabre, F-111 Aardvark, and later the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the 20 TFW participated in numerous training exercises and maintained a high state of combat readiness. In 1993, the wing was inactivated at RAF Upper Heyford but was later reactivated at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, continuing its legacy as the 20th Fighter Wing.

The 2854th Air Base Wing (ABW) was a unit of the United States Air Force, primarily active during the Cold War era. It was stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where it provided essential base support functions, including security, logistics, and facility management for tenant organizations and operational units. The 2854 ABW played a vital role in supporting the missions of Ogden Air Materiel Area and later the Ogden Air Logistics Center. The unit was inactivated in the late 1970s as part of an Air Force-wide reorganization of base support structures.

The 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (9th SRW) was activated on November 25, 1965, at Beale Air Force Base, California, as part of the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command. Tasked with conducting high-altitude reconnaissance, the unit became renowned for operating the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft in the world. Throughout the Cold War, the 9th SRW provided crucial intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities, supporting national security and strategic decision-making. In 1991, the wing was redesignated as the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, continuing its legacy of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with aircraft such as the U-2 Dragon Lady.