Bio: Thomas, Richard A. – S. Sgt. (1st Special Ops – 1971)

Transcriber: : stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Thomas, Buffington

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 03 Jun 1971

Staff Sergeant Richard A. Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold E. Thomas of R.R. 1, Greenwood (Clark Co., Wis.), is a member of the 1st Special Operations Wing that has been selected as having the best aircraft maintenance complex in the U.S. Air Force.

Sergeant Thomas is assigned at Elgin AFB, Florida, as a jet engine technician with the Tactical Air Command wing and recent recipient of the Daedalian Maintenance Trophy.

The award is presented annually by the Order of Daedalians, an organization founded by World War I pilots, to the unit having the most reliable maintenance and best flying safety record during the year.

The 1st has eight maintenance units responsible for supporting the variety of aircraft ranging from small propeller driven O-1 Bird Dog observation aircraft, A-1 Sky Raider warplanes, and small A-37 jet fighters to C-123 Provider and C-130 Hercules transports and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.

Sgt. Thomas supports 1st operations as part of the TAC commitment to provide combat air assistance for U.S. ground forces.

The sergeant is a 1964 graduate of Greenwood High School. His wife, Elaine, is the daughter of Mrs. Hazel Buffington of Ashby, Minnesota.