343rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

Air Force BBS

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Marilynn Laird wrote on February 22, 2022

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City and State: SEATTLE WA

Unit: 2039CS, 92ND BW, 347THTFW, 62ND MAW, 446TH MAW, 14

Service or Relationship: USAF

Comments: Major William M Lennox Jr. 1927-1973. Bill passed from Cancer in 1973. and he slleps at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn, Washington. Bill was from New Orleans Louisiana

Keywords: Belle o fBourbon Street Boeing RB-50 343SRS Yokota AFB Japan

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Marilynn Laird wrote on October 24, 2021

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City and State: SEATTLE WA

Unit: 2039CS, 92ND BW, 347THTFW, 62ND MAW, 446TH MAW, 14

Service or Relationship: USAF

Comments: One of my professors was William Lennox was the Pilot of RB-50 Belle of Bourbon Street whenthe 343rd was in Japan. Bill retired as a Major and last flew the B-47. He passed from cnacer in the Mid 1970s. He was living in Kent Washington. He was a great guy; wish I had been able to get to know him better. Belle of Bourbon Street carried nose art that was a cross between Southern Comfort and Top of the Mark carried by B-29s. He described it as a scantilly clad young lady draped across a champagian glass. He had slides of the aircraft; I lost track with the family but last spoke with Mrs. Lennox she had them. I also would like to know serial number and how they were painted if at all. The 343rd got revenge for the RB-50 that was shot down. North Korea came up short 4 Mig-15s one night!

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Dennis Smalley wrote on May 29, 2017

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City and State: HOLLY MI

Unit: 343 STRAT RECON SQUAD

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Looking for history of a B 29 Belle of Bourbon Street that my dad was a flight engineer on in the Korean War

Keywords: 343rd Strategic Recon Squad

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Michael Bolden wrote on October 11, 2016

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City and State: CUTLER BAY FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hello

I'm seeking info on a aircraft my dad was a crew chief on a B-50 named BELLE OF BOURBON STREET he was stationed at Forbes AFB were I was born also.

Any pics or the serial number of the plane would be greatly appreciated.

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Patrick Railsback wrote on May 31, 2016

Send Email To PATRICK RAILSBACK

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City and State:

Unit: 343RD

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hi Larry,

My dad, Robert Railsback A/1c, 343rd 55th, was in Yakota TDY1953. I have his orders leaving Forbes in August 1953 with a sixteen man crew RB-50. I know you poste 16 year ago but thought I would give it a try.

Pat Railsback

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Walter Lawson JR. wrote on April 26, 2012

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City and State: VIRGINIA BEACH VA

Unit: 343RD STRATEGIC REC. SQUADRON

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am seeking the two sons of the late Major Joseph B.
Camp, Jr. who was lost in a B-50 crash at Offutt AFB
26 February 1952. His sons were John Michael Camp
(approx age 64) and Gregory Camp (approx age 62). My
father was also lost in that accident. Please have
them contact me via email through this site.

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Robert Hastings wrote on January 8, 2012

Send Email To ROBERT HASTINGS

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City and State: VILLA GROVE CO

Unit: N/A

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am a 61-year-old Air Force brat who researches
military-related UFO sightings. My September 27, 2010
press conference in Washington D.C. was streamed live
by CNN and the video may be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jUU4Z8QdHI

At the press conference, seven USAF veterans spoke of
their UFO encounters at nuclear weapons sites. Over
the years, I have interviewed 120-plus veterans with
similar stories to tell.

I am seeking information from former members of the
343rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron who know of
UFO sightings during the Cuban Missile Crisis,
specifically during Operation Common Cause. One
former member has already provided me with his own
account.

Persons who contact me will remain unidentified--that
is, your name will be kept strictly confidential
unless you grant me permission to publish it. All
responses should be sent to me

Thank you.

Robert Hastings
(719) 496-6677

Keywords: N/A

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Walter Lawson JR. wrote on December 29, 2011

Send Email To WALTER LAWSON

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City and State: VIRGINIA BEACH VA

Unit: 343 SRS

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am seeking to reach Larry Brooks regarding the B-50
crash at Offutt AFB 26, Feb. 1952. My father died in
that crash along with 4 others.

Keywords: B-50 crash Offutt AFB, 343rd SRS, Hickham AFB

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Wes Witten wrote on June 11, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State: OKLAHOMA CITY OK

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father was in the 343rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 38th Strategic Reconnaissance, 55 Wing, from 1948 until 1958 when he entered the 717th Bomb Squadron (H). Through the late 1940's and 1950's he was stationed at Remy AFB, Forbes AFB, Mather AFB, Ellsworth AFB, Sheppheard AFB. Most of his work was a combination of being a Raven and Crow. As an electronic Warfare Officer he flew until he retired in late 1962. Flying FERRET missions over Russia, China, North Korea and others. I do not know of any specific aircraft he was in. I know that for some time he was teaching navagition and use of Loran/Shoran units. Books about these men are: By Any Means Necessary, The Tiny Dog and a few others.
The word FERRET means a type of mission. This type of mission is attempting to find out everything it can about the target area. Many of these men were also in Photo-mapping like my father. Back then we had a fleet of new ICMB's and only generalized address' of the enemy targets. Photo-mapping helped to locate the enemy targets with much greater accuracy. If anyone knew my father I would appreciate hearing from them. Thanks, Wes Witten

Keywords: 343rd Strategic Reconnaissance. Ravens. Crows.
ferret. Electronic Warfare Officers, Photo-mapping,Elint, Comint,RB 29,RB-50, RB36, RB47, RC-135, . See also: 38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron,38th Strategic Reconniassance, 338th CTS,55th Wing, Operation Ivy/Mike, USAF Lt.,Capt.,Major,Wesley Witten

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John Sheffield wrote on June 24, 2006

Email Update Needed

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City and State: OOLTEWAH TN

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Im looking for stories from any family members of the the RB-50 Ramey Ramblers crew that flew with my father-inlaw Pilot Estelle doing his time in at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico and or while stationed in Japan. Thanks. Current E-mail address is johnsheffield@centurytel.net.

Keywords: Jungle Jon

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Larry Brooks wrote on October 6, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: LAS VEGAS NV

Unit: 155TH REFULING WING

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: Writing a book on military members from Dakota County, Nebraska and interested in Lt. James T. Bordwell, killed at Offutt AFB on 26 Feb 1952. Anyone who served with him in the 343rd Strategic Air Reconnaissance Sqd at Ramey Field, PR.

Keywords: B-50 from Hawaii crashes at Offutt AFB, Nebraska
26 Feb 52

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Lumpy Lumpkin wrote on September 12, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am looking for information on this aircraft during June 1949 to July 1952. The plane is located at Pima Air and Space Museum,Tucson, Arizona, we are starting to restore her to that time frame.

Keywords: Fairchild C-82-15-FA 44-23006

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Larry J. Martin wrote on November 11, 1999

Email Update Needed

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City and State: WAXAHACHIE TX

Unit: 343RD STRAT. RECON.USAF

Service or Relationship:

Comments: Would like to find any of my crew .Capt. George Pennfield, Pilot, Capt. Cockhern, Co. Pilot.0r any one on that crew or who was with us TDY in Japan 1953

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