Scope and Contents

Two CD-ROMs with combat search and rescue documents detail the Vietnam War service of Major Al J. Roberts, Jr. with the United States Air Force, 1954 - 1977.

Biographical / Historical

Albert J. Roberts, Jr. was born on 15 May 1934 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1954 he volunteered for the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet, beginning a total of over twenty-two years of service. From February 1968 through February 1969, Major Roberts served as an A-1 pilot with the 56th Special Operations Wing (SOW), 602nd Fighter Squadron, 602nd Special Operations Squadron (SOS), first at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) and then at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) RTAFB. During this time he was involved in 167 combat missions and 14 opposed Search & Rescue (SAR) mission and served as an instruction pilot and standardization evaluation flight examiner, a Strike Flight Lead (Fire Fly Lead), and an SAR Low Lead (Sandy Low Lead) Mission Commander. He was then transferred out of Southeast Asia, but returned in October & November 1971 during his TDY with the 1st SOW, 4407th Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) at Saigon & Bien Hoa, Vietnam, and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, before being transferred to Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, and then Hickham Air Force Base, Hawaii. In 1977, Roberts retired form the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel, having received two Distinguished Flying Cross Medals and nine Air Medals. After his service he worked for the Departments of Law Enforcement and Transportation for the State of Florida for 23 years, until retiring in January 2002. Roberts is a member of the A-1 Sky Raider Association, the Society of Combat Search & Rescue, and the Red River Fighter Pilots Association.