Two-war veteran recalls combat

  • Published
  • By Justin Oakes
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  It was standing room only at Club Thunderbolt when retired Col. Billy Diehl took the stage Tuesday.

Colonel Diehl, a veteran of both the Vietnam and gulf wars, addressed an attentive crowd of Luke Thunderbolts, telling his combat experiences flying the F-4 Phantom and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during this month's warrior call.

The colonel's background consists of more than 1,000 hours in the F-4 which includes flying escort missions while fending off MiG aircraft, as well as, 20 years flying the F-16 which includes flying in the first Gulf War-Desert Storm.

"There is one mission during the first gulf war that I vividly remember," said Colonel Diehl. "And, they've actually made a video of it."

On Feb. 24, 1991, a four-ship of F-16's were called upon to provide close air support approximately 100 miles south of Baghdad; the colonel served as flight lead on this mission.

"Our mission was to help an eight-man Army special forces unit from more than 50 oncoming Iraqi soldiers," the colonel said.

The Airmen were able to eliminate a three-vehicle convoy heading in the direction of the special forces unit, but flanking Iraqi ground troops quickly began to hone in on their location.

"Our problem was that we couldn't find the location of the friendlies, and the only thing that all four of us could think about was 'no collateral damage,'" Colonel Diehl said.

Through the expertise of three veteran pilots and one observant lieutenant, they were able to save the lives of the Soldiers.

Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander, concluded the warrior's call by saying, "Remember the timeless nature of what we do in the Air Force, what war is, and that we should always take care of our Airmen and fellow military members in trouble."