4450TH AGS/First Sergeant, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada
Senior Master Sergeant Russell D. Roberson was First Sergeant of the 4450th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Tonopah Test Range, NV. As the First Sergeant, he maintains a liaison between the squadron commander and the enlisted force assigned to the 4450th AGS. Sergeant Roberson advises the commander on enlisted force issues and maintains a constant vigilance on matters affecting the health, morale, and welfare of the force. The 4450th mission involves the test and development of the F-117 Stealth Fighter. The USAF acknowledged the existence of the F-117 in October, 1988.
He graduated from Gaffney High School, Gaffney, South Carolina in 1968. He entered the Air Force in 1968, and has held a variety of management positions in the Logistics career field before becoming a First Sergeant.
EDUCATION:
NCO Leadership School (Correspondence)- 1972
NCO Academy, Robins AFB, GA-1976
First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL -1981
Senior NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL-1988
Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Al
Eastern Washington University, Charleston AFB, SC
St. Phillips College, San Antonio, Tx
ASSIGNMENTS:
3708 BMTS, LACKLAND AFB, TX SEPT 1968
832ND TRANSPORTATION SQ, CANNON AFB, NM OCT 68-JUN 69
TUSLOG DET 3-2, SAMSUN AS, TURKEY JUN 69-MAR 70
TUSLOG DET 94, KARAMURSEL CDI, TURKEY MAR 70-JAN 71
6940TH TRAINING WING, GOODFELLOW AFB, TX JAN 71-APR 72
474TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, TAHKLI RTAFB, THAILAND JUN 74-NOV 74
388TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, KORAT RTAFB, THAILAND NOV 74-JUL 75
2955TH COMBAT LOGISTICS SUPPORT SQ, ROBINS AFB, GA JUL 75-JAN 80
437TH MILITARY AIRLIFT WING, CHARLESTON AFB, SC JAN 80-NOV 82
DEFENSE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE (DOD), LACKLAND AFB, TX NOV 82-JAN 86
4450TH TACTICAL GROUP, TONOPAH TEST RANGE, NV JAN 86-JUL 89
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and with 4 Oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ star device
Humanitarian Service Medal w/numeral 2
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 oak leaf clusters
USAF NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Air Force Military Training Center First Sergeant of the Year 1983
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman October 1968
Airman First Class April 1969
Sergeant November 1970
Staff Sergeant November 1971
Technical Sergeant April 1977
Master Sergeant October 1981
Senior Master Sergeant November 1986
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark Length 73.49 ft | 22.40 m Width 62.99 ft | 19.20 m Height 17.13 ft | 5.22 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-111 turbofan engines generating 25,100lbs of standard thrust each. Empty Weight 47,840 lbs | 21,700 kg MTOW 100,002 lbs | 45,360 kg Max Speed 914 mph | 1,471 km/h | 794 kts Max Range 2,900 miles | 4,667 km Ceiling 57,907 ft | 17,650 m | 11.0 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 5 Armament 1 x 22mm cannon
Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:
* F-111A - Initial Production Model Designation; 23 pre-production models produced; Total of 158 at production end fitted with 18,500lb TF30-P-3 powerplants; 42 converted to EF-111A Ravens. * F-111B - Cancelled Fleet Defense Variant of which 5 pre-production models were produced. * F-111C - Australian Export Models of which 24 were produced. * F-111D - 96 Production Models fitted with TF30-P-0 powerplants generating 19,600lbs of thrust each. * F-111E - 94 Production Models of this type. * F-111F - 106 Production Models of this type fitted with TF30-P-111 capable of 25,100lbs of thrust each. * EF-111A "Raven" - Electronic Warfare Model Designation based on converted F-111 "A" models; retired in 1998. * FB-111A - Strategic Model Designation of which 76 were produced; fitted with 2 x additional hardpoints, increased wingspan and TF30-P-7 powerplants generating 20,150lbs of thrust; improved electronics. * F-111G - Converted FB-111A Models for European Theater use; RAAF usage of this model as well. * EF-111A - Electronic Warfare Conversion Models of F-111A series; 42 converted in this way.