440th FIS Wheelus AB Tripoli, Libya F-86 Sabre 1956-58

[@peterhunt2723]

As a 17 year old lad from England I was on holiday in Tripoli in 1958 with a school pal and we were lucky enough to visit Wheelus Field, it ,to say the least, impressive. Sitting here in Nottinghamshire in 2022 the memory of that is still so vivid. That pal and I were recently chatting about that .

[@dnehasert]

I was in the 440th from Nov. 1957 to Aug.1958 . i then went to Wheelus as part od Det. 1 86 FIW. a long 10 months there.Fun to watch after all these years. Doug.

[@vietnamized523]

My father, LTC E R "Buddy" Haydon and his XO MAJ Ross Carson were instrumental with the reorganization of the 440th FIS a Geiger AFB in late 1952 -early 1953 at Geiger AFB, Spokane, WA. They and the flyers of the 440th ferried the 86Ds to California for the long boat ride to France in 1953. My Dad's recollection of the first flight of four aircraft from Washington to California suggests that the flight commander, "Black Bart" Bartlett may have been the first airman to successfully use the jet stream at altitude to conserve fuel...the D-model didn't have enough range to make that distance without refueling, but they did. Ross Carson's son, C "Chance" Carson and I are still good friends, and Buddy and Ross remained friends and even business partners after they retired. The 440th changed the perception of the allied air capabilities in Europe in the 1950's and changed the Cold War there. Fly high and fast, Mad Dogs!

[@masfarboznan6878]

thank you very much>>>iam from libya

[@richardreed8913]

I was stationed at Wheelus AB from Nov. 1958 to Nov. 1960 assigned to the 1615th Air Support Sq. Saying "Hi" to Jerry Reel, Bob Price, John Hoskins, Larry Smith, & Jim Cross.

[@1938dmkdz]

I visited was at sidi slimane 1957-1960 and I visited roman site. We had blue buses and we would tour on sundays.The Atlas Mountains were cooler se we looked forward to these trips.

[@granskare]

I transitted thru wheelus in 1957 on my way to Turkey...nice to see t his,

[@clydecabreana6199]

was there 1957 for 18 mos. I believe it was the 1950th AACS. Pretty impressive for a 18 yr old kid who never strayed far CA.

[@mohamedalfasi1969]

This base was renamed as Mitiqa to honour the memory of Libyan child killed by the US Airforce. This airbase was freed from the occupation when Gaddafi overthrow the puppet king. As Libyan I am very proud of freeing Libya from all foreign forces. I hope all Armies just stay in their countries.