History 1963

4453rd CCTW History

1963

As the USAF was ramping up to take delivery of their first F-4 Phantom II the 4453rd CCTS was activated at MacDill AFB, Florida, to serve as the Phantom II transition unit. Activation activities spanned the period between 1 Jan. and 30 Jun. The squadron was organized and assigned to the USAF Combat Crew Training School, which was likewise activated at MacDill AFB on 1 Jan.

During this period the initial cadre of USAF transition aircrews were undergoing Phase I upgrade training, presumably via the U.S. Navy's Replacement Air Group (RAG) training squadrons, VF-101 at NAS Oceana, Virginia and VF-121 at NAS Miramar, California. Following completion of this transition training these pilots served as the Instructor Pilots (IP) for the first dedicated classes of USAF Phantom II aircrews. The maintenance personnel were likewise attending USN technical schools at these two Naval Air Stations and elsewhere. When this initial cadre of personnel returned to MacDill AFB they brought with them USN-style manuals which were used during the tenure of the USN F-4B and the early years with the USAF-ordered F-4C.

One of the given facts of service life is the inter-service rivalries--when USN personnel learned that the "land-lubbing Blue Suiters" would be arriving at Navy bases at least one suitable cartoon was created to commemorate the ceremony. Herman R. "Buck" Seibert, attending the J79 Technical School at NAS Miramar, recounts his encounter--

"Imagine our surprise when we found the following drawing on one of the first pages of the Navy Flight Manual. [see Humor on home page] Our Commander, Col. Frank Everest, had it enlarged and it hung behind his desk for quite a while. It shows two Air Force F-4's attempting to land on a carrier. The Captain has left the ship in his skiff and the crew is jumping overboard. Classic humor in uniform. I always wondered if this drawing was inserted only in the manual we received, or was in all the manuals including those issued to the Navy."

The mission of the 4453rd CCTS, as directed by the 836 Air Division (836 AD), was to give initial transition and instrument training for the F-4 and RF-4C aircraft instructor pilots and aircraft commanders. In addition, they were to train F/RF-4C aircrews to meet operational readiness dates of the converting tactical fighter units.

USN F-4B Inventory

The 4453rd CCTS hold the unique place in Phantom II history as the only USAF unit to actually equip with the Navy F-4B. The USAF-ordered F-4C would not be rolling off the St. Louis production line in time for initial training so the USAF "borrowed" 27 USN F-4B's fresh off the production line, with a few USAF-specific modifications, to equip the 4453rd CCTS.

On 4 Feb Col. Stanton T. Smith, Commander, 836 AD and Lt. Col. Jerry F. Hogue, Headquarters, TAC, ferried the first F-4B in from the production line to MacDill AFB. A total of 27 F-4B's were delivered between February and July.

By late in the year the issue of the aircraft traffic and ramp space became an issue. The 12th TFW and 15th TFW, both equipped with the F-84, had priority for facility assignments. The ramping up of the 4453rd CCTS was creating a genuine traffic jam. The over-crowding became bad enough that by July it was necessary for the new operating location for the 4453rd CCTS to be established. Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, was selected and preparations got under way for the move.

A rare treat for the troops was enjoyed on 18 Nov when President John F. Kennedy paid a visit to MacDill AFB.

First F-4C

The first two USAF-ordered F-4C's arrived on 20 November. BGen. Gilbert L. Meyers, Commander, 836 AD and Col. Frank K. "Pete" Everest, Commander, 4453rd CCTS, were at the controls of F-4C's 63-7415 and 63-7416. Lt. Gen. Charles B. Westover, Vice Commander, TAC, was on hand to formally accept on behalf of TAC, these aircraft. Tragically the President was assassinated only days later--the first official mission for the 4453rd CCTS aircrews was to take part in the military fly-over at the State funeral.

After eleven weeks of intensive training the first class of twenty-four USAF F-4 Pilot / Pilot System Operator (PSO) graduated on 6 December. The graduation ceremony was attended by Gen. Walter C. Sweeney, Jr., Commander, TAC, and BGen. Gilbert L. Myers, Commander, 836 AD. Following a tight diamond formation fly-by and personnel review, Gen Sweeney presented the aircrewmen with certificates and hearty "Well Done" congratulations on becoming the USAF's first Phantom drivers.

Four additional F-4C's were received in December for a year-end inventory of 27 F-4B and 6 F-4C. The squadron reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in the F-4C in December.

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