PALACE ALERT SEA - ANG VOLUNTEER CREWS

[firefighter]

This was a project that ran from 1968-70. These were Air National Guard pilots that volunteered to fly combat and bomber escort missions. The USAF had more than enough planes but missed the qualified pilots to fly them.

From what I can find they flew F-102's for a 3 or 6 month tour.

I think the middle symbol is the Chinese character for TIGER.

Patch is U.S. made

[F 106 Pilot]

You are correct I knew several of the pilots that went from my Squadron the 194th at Fresno on the Palace Alert. They were F 102 pilots and they did volunteered to go. They ended up in the 64th FIS and the 509th FIS. If my memory serves me I believe they lost 2 aircraft and 1 pilot. President George W Bush was said to have volunteered for this but did not have all the requirements it took to go when he was with the 111th FIS at Houston. Ben

[firefighter]

You are correct I knew several of the pilots that went from my Squadron the 194th at Fresno on the Palace Alert. They were F 102 pilots and they did volunteered to go. They ended up in the 64th FIS and the 509th FIS. If my memory serves me I believe they lost 2 aircraft and 1 pilot. President George W Bush was said to have volunteered for this but did not have all the requirements it took to go when he was with the 111th FIS at Houston. Ben

 

 

Ben, Thank you.

 

Here is an interesting article on the F-102 & Bush's service in the Texas ANG, including Palace Alert.

 

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0185.shtml