"Jersey Devils" reunite in Myrtle Beach this week
"Jersey Devils" reunite in Myrtle Beach this week to celebrate their 51st anniversary of being assigned to the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base back in 1968. The city welcomes the group with a ceremony at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 19, at Warbird Park on Farrow Parkway. Here's a brief history of the "Jersey Devils" and the unit's service to our country.
"Jersey Devils" 177th Fighter Wing Reunion Association...
In January 1968, the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard Atlantic City, was called to active duty by the Federal Government. At first, the unit was going to go to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base as a unit. That changed by mid-February. Approximately 55% would go to Vietnam, 10% to Korea, around 5% to other US bases and the remaining 30% to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
Some of the Airman were in route to Myrtle Beach AFB when the change orders were issued. Some of those airman had to turn around and go back to Atlantic City for deployment to Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam. Others went from Myrtle Beach to Phu Cat. The Wing's F100s were mostly kept at Myrtle Beach AFB for training of pilots who were going to Vietnam.
After the activation ended in 1969-70, most Airman returned to Atlantic City. Others remained in the Air Force. Many of those who returned to Atlantic City talked of forming a group that would remember this activation because of the breaking up of the 177th Fighter Wing's components. Finally, in 1991 an organization was formed by six or seven Master and Senior Sergeants.
The organization was called, “The Jersey Devils” 177th Fighter Wing Reunion Association. Membership was open to all who had been a member of or worked for the 177th Fighter Wing at any time. The organization currently has 804 members. In 1994, a year after Myrtle Beach AFB closed, the organization had its first Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach and has continued to return for the reunion each year. (The arrival of Hurricane Florence last year forced a cancellation of the Devils' 50th anniversary.)
"Jersey Devils" 177th Fighter Wing Reunion Association...
In January 1968, the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard Atlantic City, was called to active duty by the Federal Government. At first, the unit was going to go to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base as a unit. That changed by mid-February. Approximately 55% would go to Vietnam, 10% to Korea, around 5% to other US bases and the remaining 30% to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
Some of the Airman were in route to Myrtle Beach AFB when the change orders were issued. Some of those airman had to turn around and go back to Atlantic City for deployment to Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam. Others went from Myrtle Beach to Phu Cat. The Wing's F100s were mostly kept at Myrtle Beach AFB for training of pilots who were going to Vietnam.
After the activation ended in 1969-70, most Airman returned to Atlantic City. Others remained in the Air Force. Many of those who returned to Atlantic City talked of forming a group that would remember this activation because of the breaking up of the 177th Fighter Wing's components. Finally, in 1991 an organization was formed by six or seven Master and Senior Sergeants.
The organization was called, “The Jersey Devils” 177th Fighter Wing Reunion Association. Membership was open to all who had been a member of or worked for the 177th Fighter Wing at any time. The organization currently has 804 members. In 1994, a year after Myrtle Beach AFB closed, the organization had its first Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach and has continued to return for the reunion each year. (The arrival of Hurricane Florence last year forced a cancellation of the Devils' 50th anniversary.)