Stationed at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, 27 November 1965 – 10 December 1970
The 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, known as the “Bulldogs,” was reactivated at George Air Force Base, California, in 1962 as part of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. The squadron remained at George AFB until mid-1965 and deployed on temporary duty assignments to Southeast Asia during the summer of that year, flying its first combat missions in the region.
In November 1965, the Bulldogs relocated permanently to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, alongside the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron. During their first month of operations, the squadron flew more than 400 combat sorties. Although one aircraft was lost, its pilot was successfully recovered.
Combat operations intensified throughout 1966, and the 354th experienced some of the heaviest losses of any squadron operating in Southeast Asia. During one particularly difficult two-month period, nearly 40 percent of the squadron’s pilots were lost. Despite these sacrifices, the Bulldogs continued to carry out their missions with determination and effectiveness.
The squadron also achieved significant success in air-to-air combat. Pilots of the 354th were credited with shooting down eight North Vietnamese Air Force MiG-17 fighters and damaging four additional aircraft.
One of the squadron’s most distinguished aviators was Major Merlyn H. Dethlefsen, a Wild Weasel pilot who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on 10 March 1967. After sustaining damage from intense enemy fire, Dethlefsen repeatedly attacked and ultimately helped destroy a surface-to-air missile (SAM) site, demonstrating extraordinary courage and determination beyond the call of duty.
In 1968, the Bulldogs participated in the first F-105 strike missions into South Vietnam. These operations, along with numerous missions throughout Southeast Asia, became increasingly common as adverse weather conditions and the bombing halt over North Vietnam, implemented on 31 October 1968, reduced opportunities for operations in the north.
When not flying combat missions, members of the 354th maintained a strong sense of camaraderie and esprit de corps. Off duty, pilots and aircrew were often found unwinding together, dressed in their distinctive blue “shit-hot” suits and wearing their trademark “peace-not” medallions, symbols that reflected the squadron’s unique culture during the Vietnam War years.
Squadron Photos
354th TFS Wild Weasel crew Maj James L. Davis and EWO Capt Phillip H. Walker completed their 100th mission on 12 Feb 1968
354th TFS Wild Weasel crew Maj James L. Davis and EWO Capt Phillip H. Walker completed their 100th mission on 12 Feb 1968
354th TFS Wild Weasel crew Maj James L. Davis and EWO Capt Phillip H. Walker completed their 100th mission on 12 Feb 1968
354th TFS Wild Weasel crew Maj James L. Davis and EWO Capt Phillip H. Walker completed their 100th mission on 12 Feb 1968
354th TFS Wild Weasel crew Maj James L. Davis and EWO Capt Phillip H. Walker completed their 100th mission on 12 Feb 1968
354th TFS Wild Weasel crew Maj James L. Davis and EWO Capt Phillip H. Walker completed their 100th mission on 12 Feb 1968
354th TFS Wild Weasel crew Maj James L. Davis and EWO Capt Phillip H. Walker completed their 100th mission on 12 Feb 1968
354th TFS at Takhli RTAFB around ’67
Capt Forrest S. “Trees” Winebarger flew 100 missions with the 354th Takhli in late ’67
Sitting (L to R): Capt. Bob Davis, Capt Ralph Hanson, Maj Homer Villarreal, LtCol Don Asire (Sqdn Cmdr, KIA 8Dec66), Maj Lowell Vose (Ops Officer), Maj Glenn Davis, Maj Jim Fuller Kneeling (L to R): Capt Bill Hoeft, Capt Randy Plumb, Capt Frank Buchanan, Capt Joe Strow, Lt Glenn Gidel, Maj Art Mearns (MIA 11Nov66), Lt Roger Ayres, Capt Max Brestel (2 MiG kills on 10Mar67), Capt Bob Keller, Capt Vic Viscarra Standing (L to R): A1C Dan Raven, Capt Jack Hoover, Maj Fred Green, Maj Vern Frye, Capt Bob Spielman, Lt Lowell Stein, Maj Bob Taylor, Capt Bob Bradshaw, Maj Jim Hiteshaw (POW 11Mar67), Lt Bruce Melton, Capt Kevin Duff, Maj Harold Bingaman, Maj Gordon Mickelson, SSgt Calvin Nix
F-105Ds 355 TFW (354 TFS) Thuds, top off before heading North
354th TFS standing left to right: Captain Ralph Stearman, EWO; (not sure on this next one) possibly Capt George C. Wilson, EWO; Captain Roger Elmer, EWO; Major Gene Goodwin,Weasel pilot; unknown; Captain Phillip ‘Phil’ Walker, EWO. Kneeling, left to right: Major Bob Huntley, Weasel pilot; Major Harold ‘Bud’ Homan, Weasel pilot; Major James ‘Jim’ Davis, Weasel pilot; unknown; Major Malcolm Winter, Weasel and Strike Force pilot
Republic F-105D-31-RE Thunderchief 62-4284 was a triple MiG killer. Captain Max C. Brestel shot down two MiG-17 fighters with this airplane, 10 March 1967. Captain Gene I. Basel also shot down a MiG-17 while flying this fighter bomber, 27 October 1967.
nose art for F-105D 61-0159, 354th TFS, 355th TFW, Takhli RTAB, 1970.
F-105D 62-4338 354 TFS Takhli RTAFB ‘Alice’s Joy’ flown by Col. Jack Broughton
“There is a Way” (meaning to achieve 100 missions and rotate back home, instead of ending up as a POW or worse before completing 100 missions) In front of F-105F 63-8351, Pilot, Major Bob Huntley & EWO, Capt. RW Stearman, “Red River Showboat” 354th TFS.
Col John Wright, 354 TFS in front of 61-0071 at Takhli RTAFB. He flew an impressive 140 combat missions
354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli RTAFB 10th of October 1966354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli RTAFB 1968
354 TFS F-105F 63-8311 ‘Sam Fighter’
Capt Jack Graber and Capt Steve Penny 354 TFS
EB-66B and F-105’s from the 354 TFS pushing North
Two F-105D’s from the 354th TFS taking on gas while heading North, F-105D 62-4230 was lost on the 16th of March 1970 after being hit by small arms fire over Laos and crashed in Thailand.
What appears to be a 100th mission celebration on the 354th TFS ramp at Takhli RTAFB. From left to right. Capt. Dave Hatten (TDY from Yokota 80th TFS) unkown, unkonw with bottle, Capt F. Owen Hawkins 34 TFS (white slacks) and capt. unknown.
F-105D 62-4294 getting ready for another one. 294 was sadly lost Apr 25, 67 in Route Pack 6. Lt. Robert Weskamp who was flying 294 at the time is MIA.
354th TFS Life Support at Takhli RTAFB
Lt. Bruce Cox October, 1969 354th TFS Takhli RTAFB Thailand
The “Grim Reaper/Hell’s Angel” F-I05D from the 354th TFS, 355th TFW, flown by Lieutenant Chuck De Vlaming.
354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli RTAFB date unknown
