Stationed at Korat RTAFB, Thailand during the following periods
- 18 December 1964 – 25 February 1965
- 21 April – 22 June 1965
- 19 – 29 October 1965
- 25 April 1967 – 9 October 1969
- 10 October 1969 – 10 December 1970
The 44th TFS began to make a name for itself in the air war over Southeast Asia shortly after its arrival at Korat RTAFB in December 1964 as one of the first F-105 units to deploy on temporary rotation to Thailand. The unit flew combat missions during two more deployments to Korat. On 15 May 1966, the 13th TFS was activated at Korat, but was actually almost entirely made up of 44th TFS pilots and aircraft.
The 44th TFS remained at Kadena AB, Okinawa and assignment to the 18th TFW, but on 31 December 1966, it became only a paper organization without aircraft. The high loss rate of Thunderchiefs in the two combat wings mandated several non-combat units to turn in their jets, so that Korat and Takhli could keep on dishing out punishment to the enemy.
The 44th was a “paper organization” until 25 April 1967, when it returned to Korat absorbing the personnel, equipment and resources of the 421st TFS. After its reactivation at Korat the 44th proved itself to be an effective unit of the 388th TFW, flying daily combat missions against communist targets in North Vietnam.
The 44th was basically a strike squadron, flying the single seat F-105D, until October 1967 when it absorbed the mission and makeup of the wing’s 13th TFS. The latter was being transferred to Udorn RTAFB to become an F-4D Phantom II unit.
The 44th then absorbed the two-seat F-105F aircraft that formerly belonged to the 13th TFS, and the unit now possessed both D and F model Thunderchiefs. The squadron’s primary mission became one of flying escort to the wing’s regular strike force to suppress anti aircraft artillery (AAA) and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
Another special mission the 44th TFS inherited from the 13th was the “Ryan’s Raiders” night radar bombing flights in specially equipped F-105Fs.
On 10 October 1969, the Vampires moved to Takhli RTAFB, flying a full 10 combat sorties that same day. Their Weasel birds were distributed throughout the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing and they began flying strike missions again.
The 44th Vampires flew out of Takhli until 10 December 1970.
Squadron Photos
Ted Lowery, Curt James, Don Kilgus (RIP), Fred Claussen, Roy Dickey SQ Commander, Ron Crozier Ops Officer, Mike Chervenka,
Ray Hout, JJ King.
Standing, straight across -Mercer Richardson, drawing a blank, Henderson, Gus Sonderman, Russ Bartlett, John Newhouse, Sonny Lane, Dan Berry, Joe Land (RIP), Charlie Brown, Sam Houck, Ed Fansler (RIP), Dick Simon, Dick Gunkel, Roy Brenner (RIP), Don Kutyna
