Then Captain Jacksel M. Broughton next to his Korean war model P-80.
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Jacksel Broughton graduated from West Point in 1945 with his wings and Army Air Force second lieutenant bars. He was assigned to Europe, and flew P-47s and P-51s until his return to the US in 1948. He joined the jet set while opening Nellis AFB and founding the Air Force fighter gunnery and bombing training and evaluation program. His multiple aircraft gunnery proficiency proved valuable in the hurry-up panic to prepare repalcement pilots for combat in Korea, and to lead them in combat. he flew a tour in P-80s, and a second tour in F-84s that included the experimental Oerlicon anti-tank rocket. He held various operational positions within the combat crew training program before accepting command of the Thunderbird demonstration team in 1954. As the only leader to show in three different aircraft he led in straight wing F-84s, swept wing F-84s, and converted the group to the first supersonic aerobatic team in the F-100C. After Air Command and Staff College and Air Defense Command weapons evaluations assignments, he served as an advisor to the Turkish Air Force. Back in the US, he coordinated west coast Air Force, Navy and Air Guard defense activities out of Hamilton AFB before heading for Minot, ND to spend three winters commanding the Spitten Kittens of the 5th Fighter F-106 squadron. Upon National War College graduation he proceeded to Southeast Asia for two tours commanding and flying the F-105 during Rolling Thunder attacks against Hanoi. Colonel Broughton retired from the Air Force in 1968 with 43 separate awards and decorations, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Silver stars and the Air Force Cross, the Air Force's fighest award for individual heroism in combat. His proudest accomplishment was being combat ready in every Air Force fighter from the P-47 to the F-106. His books Thud Ridge and Going Downtown discuss the air war over Southeast Asia. He has since held various flying, operational and supervisory positions within aerospace and associated developmental industries. |
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