This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Thomas LaRoe (Birddog)
to remember
Franklin, Irl (Leon), Lt Col USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
I am an independent instructor pilot as well as a ground school instructor for the Norther Nevada Community College. I supervise the adminisration of FAA examinations. I am Deputy Commander of a Civil Air Patrol Squadron. I also fly many search and rescue mission as a qualified Mission Pilot for CAP. ------ From DD214: SAMER.CRM.NDSM.AFEM.AFOUw/3OLC.RVCM.VSMw/4BSS.AFLSAw/OLC.RVN Gal Crsw/Plm.MSMw/1OLC,GB-62,HqTAC,74.AFCM,G-563,Hq7AF,67.AMw/11ILC,G2380,Hq7AF,68.SS,GB-985,DAF,70.MSMw/2OLC,Gb866,DAR,78 ------
Other Comments:
From 7th SOS:
The 7th Special Operations Squadron was activated on 1 July 1964 as the 7th Air Commando Squadron (7 ACS/USAFE) at Sembach Air Base, Germany. The original cadre came from Hurlburt Field, Florida, in March 1964, as Detachment 4, 1st Air Commando Wing. The new squadron was equipped with 4 C-123s, 6 C-47s and 2 U-10 aircraft, and had 265 personnel authorized. In February 1967, the 7 ACS was designated as the unit to receive the new C-130E(I) Combat Arrow aircraft. In May 1967, command of the squadron was transferred from USAFE to 17th Air Force. Today the squadron flies the MC-130H Combat Talon II at RAF Mildenhall, England. -------
1972-1974, C-131 Samaritan
From Year 1972
To Year 1974
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
C-131 Samaritan Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The CV-240/340/440 series was used by the United States Air Force for medical evacuation and VIP transport and was designated as C-131 Samaritan. The first model Samaritan, the C-131A, was derived from the 240 model, and was delivered to the USAF in 1954. A trainer model, designated the T-29, was also based on the Convair 240 to instruct navigators and radio operators. The T-29 was eventually replaced by the T-43. A planned bomber training version of the T-29 (designated T-32) was never built. The 340 model was used for most C-131Ds.
The U.S. Navy used the Samaritan as the R4Y. Nearly all of the C-131s left the active inventory in the late 1970s, but Air National Guard units operated a few into the mid-1980s. The C-131 was eventually replaced by the C-9 Nightingale.
A Samaritan was the first aircraft used as a flying gunship testbed in mid-1963, in a program known as Project Tailchaser. A C-131B (#53-7820) was given a gunsight for the side window, but instead of guns it had cameras in the cargo area. Eventually the C-131 was ferried to Eglin AFB in Florida and a General Electric SUU-11A/A 7.62 mm Gatling-style Minigun was installed. Live ammunition was used and both over-water and over-land tests were successful.
