In
August of 1952, some 1,143 Aviation cadets, student officers,
student pilots, and pilot officers from virtually every state in
the union and numerous foreign countries began gathering at ten
pilot training bases to form USAF Pilot Training Class 53-F. This
group of young men came seeking the coveted silver wings of a
USAF pilot and the opportunity to join the great fraternity of
the few --- the aviator...+
The
class consisted of 858 American and 285 Military Defense
Assistance Pact students. Of these, approximately 900 succeeded
in gaining their silver wings. The careers that followed varied
from the routine to the spectacular. Many served the mandatory
tour and resigned. Others served for many years, retired and
pursued second careers of varied types. Tragically, many have
died... in combat, accidents, and from health problems. Probably
our most notable classmate, Edward W. White, who became an
astronaut, died in a capsule fire. Many of our Iranian classmates
were assassinated in the coup of 1979.
The
bond formed during the pilot training remains a strong one. A
casual meeting between Jake Watson and Donald Condra in 1990
resulted in a sentimental journey back across the years to
1952-53 that generated desire to gather the class together once
again. Their initial thoughts were to have a reunion of their
training bases - Greenville AB, Hondo AB, and Webb AFB. But the
idea caught on and they were encouraged to include all 20 bases
and all classmates that could be located. So the search began for
53-Foxers. The first class reunion was held at Panama City Beach
in October 1995 in spite of major adversity presented by
hurricane Opal. Tragically, Jake Watson passed on during
preparations for the reunion in 1998. His dedication to the
reunion efforts never wavered and he continued working even on
his final trip to the hospital. He was posthumously selected as
permanent Wing Commander in 1998.
Unfortunately, the whole class reunion has not met the
expectations of many Greenville, Hondo and Webb classmates. As a
result, and in view of polling, it has been decided to continue
with Jake and Don's original ideas and efforts and hold periodic
reunions in addition to the whole class reunions. Since
some in the whole class setup objected to information presented
on the original Fox web, it has been removed and this site
replaces it. Only Greenville, Hondo, and Webb will be included.
Others, of course, are welcome to join this group and post to the
web with proper permissions.
The
search is not complete. The included roster contains 262 names of
entering students and may not include all. Of these, 75 are
deceased, 58 have never been located, 8 have not been responsive
to contact attempts. Address lists at this time is for 121
members. Remember, other Foxes are welcome....
NEWS
BULLETINS, ETC. <click here.
Updated 12-25-2016 Because some information may be personal or
sensitive, this page is now password protected...
*****Click on News Bulletin link above for
important news. If you need user and password, email
doncondra@aol.com
12-25-2016 This web site is still active.
I haven't received much news in the past few months. Don't like bad news
but would
like to keep the deceased list current. If you know of any deceased in
the past 3 or 4 years, please let me know. Don Condra

Major William A. Van Dine
( August 09, 1932 - May 02, 2016 )
William Albert Van Dine, age 83, of San Antonio, passed away May 2, 2016
in San Antonio. William was born August 9, 1932 in New Haven, CT. He was
born to Harold
and Marguerite Eichstaedt Van Dine. He graduated from Hamden HS in
Hamden, CT in 1950. William served in the US Air Force Reserves for over
20 years.
During that time, he flew over 150 missions over Vietnam Reconnaissance
RF101 and RF4C. In 1971, he retired as a Major. He was preceded in death
by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Dorothy “Dottie” Van Dine of San
Antonio; sons and daughters-in-law, William A. Van Dine, Jr of
Woodbridge, VA, Charles
and Janet Van Dine of New Braunfels, Gregory and Karen Van Dine of
Spring, TX; 4 grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Priscilla and
Melvin Redman; brother
and sister-in-law, Harold F. Van Dine Jr. and Maureen. The family will
have a graveside service with Military Honors at the Community Cemetery
in Valley View,
TX at a later date. Memorials may be made in William’s name to Blue
Skies of Texas Hospice or charity of your choice. Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn
Funeral Home.
jw Questions, corrections, suggestions to dardnoc@aol.com AND
CC jjmayton@yahoo.com
Don
Condra
Jim Mayton
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