Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief"

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" Marker

Inscription. In 1951 Republic Aviation began a project to develop a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber to replace the F-84F. The result was the F-105 "Thunderchief, later nicknamed the "Thud." The prototype YF-105A first flew on October 22, 1955, but the first F-105D did not fly until June 9, 1959. F-105s were produced in the single seat F-105B and F-105D series, and in the two seat F-105F model.

Later, some F-105Fs were modified to become F-105Gs. A total 833 Thunderchiefs of all types were built, including 610 F-105Ds. The F-105D could carry over 12,000 pounds of ordnance, a heavier bomb load than a World War II B-17. Up to 8,000 pounds could be carried internally in the bomb bay. The F-105D was used extensively in Vietnam. It flew 75 percent of the air strikes against North Vietnam during its first four years. The last F-105D was withdrawn from Air Force service on July 12, 1980. This aircraft was flown by Lt. Col. James Risner, Commander, 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, while on tdy to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, January through September 1965. Colonel Risner was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese on September 16, 1965. Eight years later, he was released along with other POWs as a result of the January 28, 1973 agreement.

This aerospace vehicle (Republic JF-105B) is

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a part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1959.

Location. 29° 23.033′ N, 98° 37.363′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is at the intersection of Nellis Street and Barnes Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Nellis Street. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-84F "Thunderstreak" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); F-86A "Sabre" (about 400 feet away); Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Master Sgt. Henry E. Erwin (approx. half a mile away); 43rd Bomb Group Memorial (approx. half a mile away); B-29A "Superfortress" (approx. half a mile away); B-17 "Flying Fortress" (approx. half a mile away); Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of

Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" and Marker

the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate approval and identification is required for access. Visit the museum first to obtain a map of the air park and parking information. The air park is located around the Lackland Parade Field.

Also see . . .
1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Wikipedia

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief is an American fighter-bomber that served with the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1984. Capable of Mach 2, it conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it is the only American aircraft to have been removed from combat due to high loss rates. It was originally designed as a single-seat, nuclear-attack aircraft; a two-seat Wild Weasel version was later developed for the specialized Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role against surface-to-air missile sites. The F-105 was commonly known as the "Thud" by its crews.

(Submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Closeup of the Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

3. Closeup of the Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" and Marker

F-105 “Thunderchief" image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - US Air Force, circa 1960s

4. F-105 “Thunderchief"

Two U.S. Air Force Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs, an F-105F-1-RE (s/n 63-8280) and an F-105D-31-RE (s/n 62-4355), with Mt. Fuji, Japan, in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.