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Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1/29/91 [OA 8321]
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Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1/29/91 [OA 8321]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13744
Folder ID Number:
13744-013
Folder Title:
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1/29/91 [OA 8321]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
21
2
4
Col. Dalliger
Robert Rocco
354 TFW/CC
Myrtle BeachAFB, SC
29579
1/29/91
NO NSC or MIL
Myrtle Beach, SC
Col. Dalliger (803)828-4119
branch: AirForce
where are the men? Air base in eastern 8A
when were they shipped out? 2nd string leaving soon?
Aug. 20
no rotation right
2/3 squadrons sent
now
any poignant family or personal stories that come to mind?
will call
deaf family
any Support groups we should mention?
will call
base nicknames? no
basealmost got closed
on closure list.
what kind of missions? going for suids, close air
search
support weapons
PJ Johnson Randy Goff rescued
attacking
downed flyer (Nay F-114)
a place where everyone meets to talk?
town mtgs every other night Since 1/16
also had twicelwak shee Aug. 20
once a month during slow the
any MAs : no
January 29, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR MARY KATE GRANT
FROM:
CAROL BLYMIRE
SUBJECT:
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.
Myrtle Beach, S.C. is an Air Force base. The men are now on
an air base in eastern Saudi Arabia (that's as specific as he can
get). Their missions range from "going for scuds", close air
support weaponry, attacking armored vehicles, and search &
rescue. The two airmen who rescued the downed Navy F-114 flyer
were from this air base. Their names are P.J. Johnson and Randy
Goff.
So far, there are no MIAs from Myrtle Beach. Two of three
squadrons were shipped out on August 20th. They are not on a
rotation schedule right now. The base has no nicknames, but
something interesting is that they were on the base closure list
before this all started. I don't think we can say anything about
that in the speech, I just thought I'd let you know.
Col. Dalliger will be calling me back about personal stories
and support groups. He mentioned that there was a family who
helped a deaf woman cope, and he'd get me the details. If this
is true, we'd better get a sign language interpreter at this
event.
The base has held "town meetings" every other night since
1/16. They also sponsored them twice a week when the troops were
first shipped out. I think, with the type of audience expected,
we should use the language from the President's address on 1/16.
It was very down-to-earth and understandable, rather than some of
the stuff coming out of NSC. These people care about their
spouses and parents and kids, not cold, hard stats.
To CAROL
Date
Time 1:03
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
M Bill
of
Phone
Area Code
Number
Extension
TELEPHONED
PLEASE CALL
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
RETURNED YOUR CALL
Message
JPS
Operator
AMPAD
EFFICIENCY®
23-020
DRAD
Rob Rocco
354TFW/CC
MB APB,SC
29579
354TFW/CVV
TEL : 748-6175
Jan 29,91
14:09 No. 005 P.01
2
1. NUMBER OF PAGES
TELEFAX ELECTROMAIL TRANSMITTAL
12
2. FROM: (Unit, FAS, Location)
3. TELEPHONE NUMBER
4, CLASSIFICATION
354 TFW/CCE
AV 748-7673
UNCLASSIFIED
FOUD
5. TO: (Unit, FAS, Location)
6. DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION
Carol Blymire
Speech Inputs
7. REMARKS: (Indicate additional on-base distribution which will be made by the agency shown in Item 5)
Hope this does the trick !
Tax F 202-456-6218
IT IS MISSION ESSENTIAL THAT THIS DOCUMENT BE TRANSMITTED VIA FACSIMILE
8. DATE OF TRANSMISSION
9. TIME OF TRANSMISSION
29 JAN 91
1300
10. Robert RELEASER'S SIGNATURE 7 Rocco
TAC
FORM
APR 64
272
*U.S. GPO1 1990 737-002/92118
354TFW/CVV
TEL : 748-6175
Jan 29,91
14:11 No .005 P.02
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
DEFENSE
HEADQUARTERS 354TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING (TAC)
MYRTLE BEACH AIR FORCE BASE SC 29579-5000
THEY
REPLY TO
ATTN OF:
354 TFW/CCE
29 JAN 1991
SUBJECT:
Inputs for Speech
TO:
MS CAROL BLYMIRE (202) 456-7750
Follows is a list of facts you might find helpful:
1. In the Base contracting office, there is a worker who is a
deaf mute. Her husband is currently serving in Saudi. We've
made special arrangements to translate her morale calls -- giving
her twice the allotted time to allow for translation. She is the
inspiration of her office.
Her name: Mrs Vicky Perry
His Name: Sgt Jimmy Perry (Deployed Aircraft Maintenance NCO)
2. PROJECT SOLO (Send Our Love Overseas)
A local cable TV company sponsored a campaign to send over 500
care packages to the unmarried deployees (October timeframe).
The project also included a letter writing campaign by several
local school children. All 500 packages were packed, addressed,
shipped and received in country within 5 days.
3. THE FREEDOM TREE
Readiness is our Profession
354TFW/CVV
TEL : 748-6175
Jan 29,91 14:11 No.005 P.03
Surfside Beach, SC is decorating a Tree with Red, White and Blue
ribbons one for each of the MBAFB deployees. (Surfside Beach is
one of the towns the base helped most during Hurricane Hugo
Recovery)
4. Air Transportable Hospital (ATH)
The first Fighter Squadron deployed on 15 August (Led by our
Commander, Colonel Sandy Sharpe).
The ATH deployed with 120 people on 5 September. The ATH de-
ployed 9 out of 12 of the wing's doctors and 17 out of 18 nurses.
Our ATH is a 50 bed M.A.S.H. like operation.
5. HEROES
The first two American Heroes of the war were members of the
354th Tactical Fighter Wing. Captain Paul Johnson and Captain
Randy Goff assisted in last weeks rescue operation deep inside
Iragi territory. Their actions resulted in the successful rescue
of a downed Navy A-6 aviator.
-2-
Extended Page
3.1
6. OPERATION VITTLES II
The MB Junior Chamber of Commerce (JAYCEES) sponsored a program
in conjunction with our Family Support Center to raise food for
the base food pantry (Food for families having financial
trouble--sort of like our own version of free food for our own)
They raised over $500 worth of food
7. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Over $5,000 worth of goods (sun tan lotion, munchies, writing
materials, bocks, etc.) was collected for distribution to our
overseas location.
In addition, dozens of local business' have begun catering to the
needs of military dependents and active duty folks still here.
Military discounts, discounts on utilities, etc. The town is One
Thousand percent behind us and what we're doing!
8. LOCAL RADIO STATIONS
-3-
354TFW/CVV
TEL:748-6175
Jan 29,91 14:11 No.005 P.04
Several local radio stations are offering free "Proud to support
the 354th" type bumper stickers. Also, they have sponsored large
room size Christmas cards that were huge morale builders to the
folks in Saudi. I'd estimate each card had over a thousand
messages/good luck type slogans.
9. PETERSON OUTDOOR ADVERTISING (BILLBOARDS)
This company has donated space on over a dozen BillBoards in the
MB area. All have a patriotic/support the troops/Good Luck MBAFB
theme.
10. WING HISTORY
- The 354th fired the last shots and dropped the last bombs
during the Vietnam war.
- The 354th was the Pioneer Mustang Group (1942) during WWII.
- We had more Aces then any other wing
- Air Offensives During WWII: Europe, Normandy, Northern
France, Central Europe, others
-4-
354TFW/CVV
TEL : 748-6175
Jan 29,91
14:11 No 005 P.05
11. RESERVES/GUARD/AUGMENTEES
Hundreds of Reservists, Guardsmen and Augmentees have deployed to
support the wing (over 70 this week along)
12. BENEFIT SHOW
The Dixie Jubilee (MB Version of the Carolina Opry) put on a show
for military and dependents. Over $3,500 raised donated to the
base chaplain's fund.
13. NUMBERS
TOTAL DEPLOYED: Over 2,035
Total Tonnage: 3,495,400
Total Aircraft (MAC): 62
54 C-141; 7 C-5; 1 747
Manhours supporting deployment: Over 22,500
14. MICKEY SPILLANE
Mickey spillane, a mystery novelist (WW II pilot, local area
resident) wrote the "Myrtle Beach Mystery" for the deployed
members of the 354th. Very well received both here and there.
-5-
354TFW/CVV
TEL 748-6175
Jan 29,91
14:14 No. 005 P.06
15. LEE GREENWOOD
Country Music singer Lee Greenwood spoke at the first town meet-
ing after Desert Shield began. His reassuring words helped calm
a lot of nervous dependents. He also had his photo taken with
"everyone" and went above and beyond in the "Good guy" category.
16. Some Facts:
The 2 deployed fighter squadrons: The 353rd Panthers and 355th
Fighting Falcons. They were led in our deployemnt by our wing
commander Colonel Ervin C. (He goes by Sandy) Sharpe.
I hope this helps. Please call me at (work) (803) 238-7673/1 or
(home) (803) 626-1943 if you have any questions.
Qut 2. am
ROBERT F. ROCCO, First Lieutenant, USAF
Executive Officer to the Wing Commander
6
354TFW/CVV
TEL 748-6175
Jan 29,91 14:14 No. 005 P.07
FROM: CAP+ Don Langille
CSG Exec
ON 22 SEPTEMBER 1989, HURRICANE HUGO STRUCK MYRTLE BEACH AND
SURROUNDING AREAS. ONE OF THE WORST HURRICANES IN 30 YEARS, THE
IMPACT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WAS DEVASTATING. HERE ON MYRTLE
BEACH AFB, THE FOLKS WERE READY. IMMEDIATELY UPON GETTING THE
ALL CLEAR NOTIFICATION, MEMBERS OF THE AIR FORCE STARTED ASSESS-
ING DAMAGE, PRIORITIZING WORK AND AGGRESSIVELY STRIVING FOR 100%
MISSION CAPABILITY. NOR DID THEIR EFFORTS STOP ON BASE, THE
SUPPORT RENDERED TO THE CIVILIAN COMMUNITY WAS OUTSTANDING.
DETAILS WERE FORMED FOR CLEAN-UP AND POINTS OF CONTACT ESTAB-
LISHED FOR THOSE IN NEED. IN DECEMBER 1989, AGAIN NATURE HIT
MYRTLE BEACH WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED SNOW FALL. IN MINIMUM TIME,
THE AIRFIELD WAS CLEARED AND AGAIN SUPPORT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
WAS FREELY OFFERED AND ACCEPTED.
A LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THIS BASE AND THE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITIES EXIST. WHEN POSSIBLE CLOSURE ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED,
IT WAS THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHO RALLIED AROUND THE BASE. SUCH
STRONG SUPPORT ONLY COMES WHEN ONE IS GOOD NEIGHBORS AND WHEN
BOTH THE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT
EACH OTHER.
IN AUGUST OF 1990, MYRTLE BEACH AFB AGAIN RESPONDED TO A CRISIS.
THIS TIME TO DEPLOY TO SAUDI ARABIA IN SUPPORT OF WHAT WOULD
BECOME OPERATION DESERT SHIELD. THIS WASN'T AN EXERCISE, THIS
WAS WHAT THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 354TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING
354TFW/CVV
TEL :748-6175
Jan 29,91 14:14 No.005 P.08
HAVE BEEN TRAINED FOR, PRACTICED FOR, AND STOOD READY FOR. THE
CALL WENT OUT. MEMBERS ON LEAVE CAME BACK, TDY'S WERE CANCELED
AND EVERYONE PUT FORTH 100% EFFORT TO MEET THE TASKING. AND MEET
THE TASKING THEY DID. A-10 THUNDERBOLTS WERE DEPLOYED, SUPPORT
FOLKS, MECHANICS, AND ENOUGH EQUIPMENT TO BUILD A SMALL CITY.
ALL DONE WITH SPEED, PROFESSIONALISM, AND YES, PATRIOTISM.
SUPPORT FOR THE 354TH DID NOT STOP AFTER THE PLANES LEFT THE
RUNWAY. NOW, WITH A LARGE PART OF THE POPULATION GONE, IT WAS UP
TO THE FOLKS LEFT ON BASE TO KEEP THINGS GOING AND PROVIDE A
SUPPORT SYSTEM WHICH THEIR DEPLOYED FOLKS COULD RELY ON. OPERA-
TIONALLY, THE FOLKS AT BASE X PERFORMED IN AN OUTSTANDING MANNER.
FROM THE SANDS OF SAUDI THERE NOW IS AN ACTIVE MILITARY COMMUNITY
WHICH HAS SET THE STANDARD DURING THIS DEPLOYMENT OF HOW TO DO
THE MOST WITH THE LEAST.
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE WAY THE 354TH HAS RESPONDED. IT WAS
A TEAM EFFORT, BUT WHAT A TEAM. FOLKS LIKE:
ON THE SUPPORT SIDE OF THE HOUSE, MYRTLE BEACH AFB HAS ALSO SET
NEW STANDARDS FOR THE CARING OF THOSE LEFT BEHIND. ALMOST FROM
THE FIRST DAY OF THE DEPLOYMENT, THE FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER HAS
SPONSORED TOWN MEETINGS FOR THOSE SPOUSES LEFT BEHIND. ISSUES,
ANSWERS AND HOTLINE NUMBERS WERE PROVIDED TO HELP EVERYONE DO
8
354TFW/CVV
TEL :748-6175
Jan 29,91
14:16 No.005 P.09.
WHAT WAS NECESSARY TO KEEP GOING.
THE CIVILIAN POPULATION RALLIED AROUND THE BASE. HUNDREDS OF
CALLS CAME IN WITH OFFERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO HELP SUPPORT
OUR FOLKS BOTH HERE AND AWAY. YELLOW RIBBONS, BUMPER STICKERS,
AND EVEN BILLBOARDS ARE CONSTANT REMINDERS OF THE MUTUAL SUPPORT
AND FRIENDSHIP ENJOYED BETWEEN THE BASE AND THE COMMUNITY.
VOLUNTEERS WERE RECRUITED AND MATCHED WITH NEEDS. EVERYTHING
FROM LAWNCARE TO BABYSITTING WAS PROVIDED. THE CHAPEL ON BASE
RECEIVED TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FROM DOWNTOWN AND THIS YEAR, THEIR
FOOD DONATION PROGRAM WAS THE LARGEST EVER.
NOW THAT WE HAVE TRANSITIONED FROM OPERATION DESERT SHIELD TO
OPERATION DESERT STROM, THE FOLKS FROM THE 354TH ARE DOING THEIR
MISSION, DOING IT WELL, AND DOING IT PROUDLY.
HERE ON BASE, WITH ALL THE NORMAL ROUTINES TO ATTEND TO, THE
FOLKS STILL INSURE THAT THEIR FRIENDS AND COWORKERS OVERSEAS
RECEIVE THE BEST SUPPORT POSSIBLE AND ALSO INSURE THAT THE ONES
THEY LEFT BEHIND ARE PROVIDED FOR TOO.
@
354TFW/CVV
TEL 748-6175
Jan 29,91 14:16 No.005 P.10
FACT SHEET
VITA
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
354TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING (TAC),
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION (803) 238-7552 AV748-7552
354th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 354th Tactical Fighter Wing is headquartered at Myrtle
Beach, S.C., where it was activated as a Tactical Air Command
unit on Nov. 19, 1956.
The wing traces its lineage to:World War II when it was first
established as the 354th Fighter Group at Hamilton Field,
Calif., on Nov. 15, 1942. The 354th was one of the first U.S.
Army Air Corps units to fly the P-51B Mustang aircraft in
combat, earning the nickname "Pioneer Mustang Group".
During the group's short combat life of 17 months and eight
days, the 354th flew 1,383 missions and produced 38 aces. It
achieved the highest air-to-air combat record of any fighter
group, downing more than 701 enemy aircraft and destroying
255 more on the ground. The 354th also destroyed 150 armored
vehicles, 584 locomotives, 55 bridges, 113 gun sites, 15
ammunition dumps, 37 hangars, 834 buildings, nine airdromes,
34 horse-drawn vehicles and 5,282 railroad cars.
Maj. James H. Howard, 356th Fighter Squadron commander, was
the only fighter pilot of the European Theater of Operations
to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Major Howard earned the
medal for singlehandedly warding off more than 30 enemy
single and twin-engine aircraft as they attempted to shoot
down U.S. B-17 bombers.
The 354th returned to the United States on Nov. 15, 1945, and
was inactivated at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C., on March
31 the following year.
The unit was reborn as a fighter-day wing at Myrtle Beach in
1956 and was redesignated as the present-day 354th Tactical
Fighter Wing on July 1, 1958. Initially equipped with B-25s,
C-45s and SA-16 aircraft, the wing received F-100D Super
Sabres between February and June 1957. During the next 13
years, units of the wing participated in training exercises,
pulled rotational duty in support of North Atlantic Treaty
Organization commitments, took part in several crises, and
saw action in Southeast Asia. Near the end of the period, all
of the wing's tactical fighter squadrons were deployed
overseas (Spain, Japan and Vistnam), and the wing was
transferred without personnel and equipment to Korea.
(Current as of March 1990) -more-
MYRTLE BEACH AFB, SC. 29579-5000
Jan 29,91 14:16 No.005 P.11
354TFW/CVV
TEL : 748-6175
In June 1970 the 354th returned to Myrtle Beach, converted
from the F-100D to the A-7D Corsair II, and subsequently
became the first operational A-7D unit in the United States
Air Force. In October 1972, the wing deployed to Korat Royal
Thai Air Base, Thailand, and introduced the plane into
combat. On Aug. 15, 1973, two A-7Ds assigned to the wing
fired the last shots and dropped the last bombs expended by
U.S. forces in the Southeast Asia war, When the wing ended
its Thailand operations on May 24, 1974, some 10,000 sorties
had been flown. The wing was back at Myrtle Beach flying
combat training missions by the end of the same month.
In early 1977 the wing began conversion to the A-10
Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft, becoming the first
operational A-10 wing in the U.S. Air Force by October 1978.
Since the conversion the wing's flying units have
participated in training exercises in the contenental United
States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, Cuba, Germany,
Korea and Egypt.
The mission of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing is to maintain
the capability to deploy worldwide and to provide close air
support and anti-armor operations in a low, medium or high
threat environment.
Its flying units are: 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (Black
Panthers), 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Fightin' Falcons)
and 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Green Demons).
-30-
1.1