This Day in McDonnell Voodoo History: July 23

In 1961, the Nationalist Chinese air force in Taiwan experienced the first major accident with their small force of four RF-101A aircraft.  Aircraft “5652” was badly damaged in a landing accident and would not be available until the end of the year.  In the meantime, an attrition replacement was provided from the 363^rd TRW in the United States.  

On the same date in 1968, RF-101Gs of the 154^th TRS, Arkansas ANG, began movement across the Pacific Ocean to Itazuke AB, Japan to monitor North Korea after their forces captured the US Navy intelligence ship USS Pueblo in international waters.

Photo: After their retirement from the nuclear strike mission, most remaining F-101A and F-101C aircraft were converted into RF-101G and RF-101H aircraft to replace the obsolescent RF-84F Thunderflash in Air National Guard service.

Photo Credit: Mark Nankivil Collection