WILBUR S. (BILL) FAST (Discharged 1964)

USAF OCS Class 57C, OC MSGT, 1st Group Sergeant Major

I joined the Air National Guard in 1949 at the age of sixteen (I lied about my age). I then joined the Regular USAF in March 1951. I spent my eighteenth birthday on a train to basic training in San Antonio.

My first permanent station was Perrin AFB, Texas. I spent six years in personnel and became the NCO Club Manager, achieving E-6.

Then came OCS, Class 57C.

After OCS, I was assigned to Luke AFB, Arizona for pilot training. I was in the first class that went directly from primary to F-100’s. After that tour, I was assigned to Nellis AFB, AZ, for F-100 Weapons Delivery (qualified as Expert in all phases). Then, I went to Stead AFB, Nevada for survival training (five days outback and three days POW training). Next was Cannon AFB, New Mexico, where I was assigned to qualify pilots in the F-100 until they were operationally ready.

Once that job was completed, and not without personal problems, I went first to Turkey, then to Taiwan for three months, and then to Thailand for six months of interdiction missions in Vietnam. I was then transferred to Weathersfield AB, in England for a three-year tour. I returned stateside from there in 1964 for discharge processing.

From 1965 to 1982, I was in the restaurant business, owning two -- one in Phoenix and one in nearby Scottsdale. I rejoined the federal system in a VA Hospital in 1982, and accepted an early retirement and buy-out at age 61 in 1993.

I have never been sorry. I have been traveling in an RV ever since.

I am very much in support of our class alumni and our organization. Hope to see you all.

Best wishes,

W.S.Fast