Thermon P. Fowler

STORY: It was in July of 1956 that I took my first flight in the B-36. It was late in the afternoon or early evening that we took off for Bomb Comp. at Loring AFB, Maine. Anyway, the highest I ever flew was about 12,000 feet in an airliner and when the Peacemaker reached somewhere I would say in the 20,000 range, the blister started to frost. Being an old Arkansas boy from the cotton patch, knowing damn well that this is not right in July, I was becoming worried. Also, not knowing what altitude we were climbing to, I was becoming a bit concerned about that also when they called out passing through 40,000 feet and greatly relieved when they called out leveling at 42,000. I spent about 5,700 more hours in the air during my career but nothing compared to that first couple of hours in the Big Stick.

DISTINGUISHED AWARDS

5-Air Medals

DID IT MY WAY: I retired from the Air Force in 1975 as a Master Sergeant with 20 years of service, 119 combat misions, 5 Air Medals and a total of 5,788.8 flying hours. If I had a life to live over, I would do it the same way.

KC-97, KB-50, KC-135 Boom Operator: 1958-1975

T.P.'s TANKERS

Air Force Organizations:

• 7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association
• Air Force Gunners Association
• Society of the Strategic Air Command
• Air Force Sergeants Association
• 310th Bomb Wing Association
• IFR Association
• TAC Tankers

Date of Birth: January 31, 1938
Present Location: Benton, Louisiana (Bossier Parish)
Education: High School
Occupation: Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Married: December 23, 1958
Wife: Cathrine (Cathy)
Children: Douglas Erwin (born at Tachikawa AB, Japan, 24 July 1964) & Melissa Marie (born at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, 16 May 1966 (married to Oswaldo Flores)
Grandchildren: Carmen Marie & Dustin Scott (both Milissa's)

Email TP-Tango Papa

The B-36 backround is from site of Brian Lockett