![]() ![]() officials hoped would force North Vietnam to abandon its efforts to overthrow South Vietnam. The air war heated up on March 2, 1965, with the beginning of Operation Rolling Thunder, a campaign of continuous bombing that U.S. Vizcarra was credited with eight combat missions on that deployment. The squadron mainly provided air cover for search and rescue efforts to save downed aircrews. “Our combat missions were very limited during this deployment,” Vizcarra said. 30, 1964, and remained there through December. The 80th TFS deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on Oct. 5 ordered airstrikes against North Vietnam. 2, 1964, three North Vietnamese vessels attacked a U.S. 31 with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron, part of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. His next stop was Itazuke Air Base in Japan on Dec. In 1963, Vizcarra received orders for an F-105 assignment and reported to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada that August. In November 1961, Vizcarra graduated from a six-month program at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona, to train him for the F-100 Super Sabre fighter-bomber.Īfter advanced training he was assigned in April 1962 to the 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. Then it was on to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas, for basic flight training and his pilot’s wings. He was called to active duty in March 1960 and went to Spence Air Base in Moultrie, Georgia, for primary flight training. In January 1960 Vizcarra joined the Air Force through the ROTC program at Loyola University in Los Angeles. He was the greatest influence in my life.” pilot in training He finished his combat tour with 153 combat missions. “I was in awe of him and wanted to be just like him. “My dad would tell me stories about what Gil was doing in the war so I wouldn’t forget him,” Vizcarra recalled in an extensive interview for this article. 13, 1936, in Los Angeles, learned of his brother’s heroics through talks with their father. Army Air Corps in 1942 and became a fighter pilot in World War II. Vizcarra’s journey to Vietnam began with admiration for his brother Gilbert, 15 years his senior, who enlisted in the U.S. Thomas Norris: The Navy SEAL Who Led a Bold Rescue of Two Airmen Saving Captain Vizcarra: A Downed Fighter Pilot's Rescue from North Vietnam Close ![]()
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