A week in history: May 7-13

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Remembering the extensive impact Fairchild Air Force Base has had on the Air Force and operations around the world is important during our 75th year of providing responsive, precise air refueling and operational support for the full range of military operations.

May 7

The Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942, was the first naval battle in which the opposing ships, beyond visual range, attacked each other entirely with aircraft. Both the U.S. and Japan lost an aircraft carrier, but the battle thwarted an invasion of Port Moresby, New Guinea, from which the Japanese could have invaded Australia.

In 1983, the 92nd Bombardment Wing became the first Strategic Air Command base to deploy its assigned aircraft while the flight line received a badly needed facelift. This deployment was nicknamed “Busy Moses.”

May 8

Celebrated in both Great Britain and the U.S., Victory in Europe symbolizes the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. Cities in both nations put out flags and banners, celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany. The day is known as V-E Day around the world.

May 10

A Fairchild B-52 Stratofortress deployed to Anderson AFB, Guam, 1969, and crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft plunged into the Pacific Ocean after reaching the end of the runway. All six crewmembers were pronounced dead after an intensive search failed to show any sign of survivors.

In 2000, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing flew the first active duty KC-135 Stratotanker compliance mission into Russia and was the first Fairchild crew to take a Black 30 Pacer CRAG jet overseas.

May 12

The 92nd Bombardment Group lost a B-17 flying Fortress and 10 crewmembers during a bombing mission over Merseburg, Germany, in 1944.

The group then flew Operation Revival missions the following year, transporting formers prisoners of war from Barth, Germany, to U.S. military control.

In 1968, Lt. Col. Joe M. Jackson landed his C-123 Provider aircraft at a special forces camp in Vietnam that was being overrun by the enemy. Despite intense hostile fire, Jackson rescued a three-man combat control team and earned the Medal of Honor.

Cambodian gunboats seized the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez and its 40-man crew in 1975, 60 miles from the Cambodian coast. In response, Military Airlift Command transported U.S. Marines and equipment from the Philippines and Okinawa to Thailand. The crew was released on May 15, ending the last major American military action in Southeast Asia.