
In December 1966, the 435th TFS based at Udorn, Thailand, reached a total of 1706 flying hours which is today still a record which has never beaten anymore as F-104 squadron. At an average speed of 500 knots per hour this time is equivalent to over 34 trips around the world. This is a lot of flying time for a single squadron with only 18 Starfighters!!! Several individual high time records were established along with the squadron grand total during the period. Other pilots who broke the 100 hour mark were: Capt Roger J. Wichers (32) with 123,55 hours, Lt Thomas P. Mahan Jr. (24) with 113,15 hours, Col. Vernon H. Sandrock (41) with 111,55 hours, Capt William J. Sedor (32) with 110,10 hours, Capt Joe N. Fulton (32) with 106,50 hours, Lt Col. Robert H. McIntosh (39) with 110,10 hours, Major Richard B. Hunt (41) with 100,05 hours and Major Karl H. Hofmann (38) with 100,05 hours. |
Lt Col. Vernon H. Sandrock stated "This was a great deal of time to generate in a squadron in one month. Generally an entire tactical wing consisting of four squadrons will fly a similar amount of time. So you might say a single squadron was doing a wing sized job!!!" |
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