Page 108 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2024 - Online Magazine
P. 108
Homer Whitlow Air Force
Thunderbird Pilot
as told to Larry Williams
This article (from 2023) is the tenth of ten
articles we are reprinting to celebrate Senior
Link's decade of honoring area veterans.
“Upon brain without adequate oxygen is
graduation, I critical.
was assigned
to Nellis “I was in the Aviation Cadet
AFB, NV as class of 53-G, and we started
a Crew Chief our journey as pilots in the T-6.
on an F-86, It was not a friendly aircraft but
omer Forrest Whitlow which was is the ideal aircraft for teaching
was born 30 May 1931, the designated fighter aircraft at pilots to fly. After finishing
Hand raised in West Kress, that time. While I was at Nellis, I basic training in the T-6, I was
TX. He graduated from Kress applied to take the test for pilot transferred to Williams AFB,
High School in May 1949 and training. It was a 5½ hour test. outside of Phoenix for primary
attended Lippert’s Business Many college students were there training in the T-28s and T-33s—
College. The local Postmaster since they wanted to serve in the both two-seat jet trainers. Upon
asked him to work in the Post Air Force instead of the Army. I graduation in November 1953,
Office when first class stamps passed the test and could choose two of us were designated
were three cents and postcards to be either a navigator or pilot. I distinguished graduates and
a penny. He was paid $1.35 chose to be a pilot. were commissioned 2nd
an hour. During that time, the Lieutenants. We could select
Korean War was heating up, and “Anyone desiring to be a pilot any aircraft for training, and
he and a friend enlisted in the in the Air Force had to take the both of us selected fighter pilot
Air Force on 5 January 1951. His Officer Qualifying Test, which training at Nellis AFB, NV where
family drove him to Amarillo is the same test used to select we would attend the Fighter
where the boys were processed college graduates for entry-level Weapons School.
and boarded a train bound for officer positions in the Air Force.
Lackland Air Force Base in San It helps determine which military
Antonio. “It was a frigid winter occupation would fit best for the
night. We were assigned cots applicant. The tests are rigorous
in tents in 18-inch-high weeds. and designed to measure skills
While quartering in those tents and aptitudes based on what the
for 78 days, we were given a Air Force needs in its recruits.
battery of tests to determine our Those who desire to be fighter
skills. Upon graduation from pilots face substantial physical
boot camp, March 1951, I was and cognitive challenges. One
given orders for Aircraft and of the first major challenges
Engine Mechanic School, with is dealing with G-forces.
jet engine module, located at Understanding what these
Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls. forces do to your brain when
That was the start of my 26-year the blood flows down to your
Air Force journey. lower extremities and leaves the
108 Lubbock Senior Link
