News>Air Force fighter squadron celebrates 90th year
Photos
The F-22A Raptor takes off with afterburners during a demonstration Aug. 20 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The demo was the closing event of the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary. The aircraft was flown by Maj. Paul Moga, the Air Force's sole F-22 demonstration pilot. He is assigned to the 1st Operations Group at Langley AFB, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)
Staff Sgt. Brian Sarafin finishes suiting up to perform an inspection of the F-22A Raptor's intake exhaust before the demonstration Aug. 20 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The demo was the closing event of the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary. Sergeant Sarafin is assigned to 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)
Airman 1st Class Michael Herman of the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Flight refuels the F-22A Raptor after a demonstration Aug. 20 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The flight helped to celebrate the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)
Maj. Dave Elliott talks about the being a member of the 90th Fighter Squadron with Ted Parsons Aug. 17 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Mr. Parsons was assigned to the then-90th Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1974 when its home station was Clark Air Base, Philippines. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman De-Juan Haley)
Capt. Brad Spears talks to retired Lt. Col. Bill Haynes about the capabilities of the F-22A Raptor Aug. 17 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Former and current 90th FS members celebrated the squadron's 90th anniversary Aug. 17-20. Colonel Haynes was commander of the 90th FS during the Vietnam War and Captain Spears is currently assigned to 90th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman De-Juan Haley)
by Staff Sgt. Francesca Popp
3rd Wing Public Affairs
8/23/2007 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- An F-22A Raptor demonstrated its air power during the wrap-up Aug. 20 of the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary.
Former and current members of the 90th FS gathered here Aug. 17 to 20 to recall the squadron's past and look forward to its future.
"It is very humbling to be part of a squadron with such a great legacy," said Capt. Matt Byrne, 90th FS F-22 pilot and youngest member of the squadron. "I am excited to join the 'Dicemen' as we start a new and important chapter of the squadron."
The 90th was initially activated Aug. 20, 1917, as the 90th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field in San Antonio. During the first few months of its existence, men trained there for World War I operations. Nearly two months later, the men arrived at Le Havre, France as the initial cadre of officers and enlisted men to prepare the infrastructure necessary to support their flying mission. The air contingent arrived soon after this first group.
In its 90 years of existence, the Air Force's fourth oldest fighter squadron was renamed 14 times and inactivated for nearly two years in the late '40s to early '50s. Its members have flown biplanes, attack and cargo aircraft, bombers, and fighters for the last 34 years. The squadron, "Pair-o-Dice", has had 41 home stations in its time. The Dicemen, as its members are known, have participated in many major conflicts, including World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm/Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Bill Haynes, a retired lieutenant colonel, was one of the former members who attended the event. He was the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron commander in Vietnam in 1967-68 and flew 187 combat missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Shortly after arriving at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, in June 1967, Colonel Haynes was appointed the squadron commander. The squadron flew F-100s then.
"In spring of '68, I was appointed Bien Hoa deputy base commander, reluctantly relinquishing command of the 90th, but continued to fly combat," he recalled.
He said that attending this reunion and being back with the 90th was the high point in his life, second only to commanding the squadron. "It was unbelievable ... the 'Dice' are in good hands," he said getting choked up.
Colonel Haynes, who retired from active duty in 1970, was the keynote speaker at a reception for the 90th. As the eldest member of the 90th FS attending the reunion, he was able to express the feelings he has toward all the Dicemen then and now.
"Airplanes come and go and we surely do get attached to them, but people are people," he said. "Unquestionably, 'Whats' are important in life, but the 'Whos' are what really count in the end. The 90th seems to have always been blessed with special 'Whos'," Colonel Haynes said.
No one knows what the next 90 years will bring to this squadron. Its members, however, are "extremely motivated to live up the long tradition of excellence that precedes us," Captain Byrne said.
"Clearly, it began on those muddy fields in 1917, and continues to this day. It behooves us all to see to it that (this tradition) continues as long as America needs the Dice," said the former commander. "Dice then, Dice now, Dice forever!"
