Do you know that the FIRST, at one time was a unit on the roles of the Air Force, without personnel or equipment?

In the 70's, it was decided, that we did not need overseas MOBs and they proceeded to draw down the FIRST and the SECOND. They pulled the FIRST down completely, but did not want to lose the name. So, the flags were sent to Robins AFB and stored in a closet at the FIFTH. I believe the year was 1975 and the time the flag was at Robins was about a year.

They got the SECOND down to a squadron/operating location size, by transferring the bulk of the people and equipment to Patrick AFB.

We convinced them that some stuff had to stay in Europe. It was decided, that what was left would be an Operating Location of the HQ at Patrick. Obviously, that would not work, for a number of reasons the fixed turkeys could not understand.

During the same time frame, the FORTH at Altus AFB was wiped out.

In an attempt to recover, the flag of the FIRST was pulled out and sent to Europe and the Operating Location of the SECOND was re-designated as the FIRST.

It went back to group size in fairly short order.

They put together a squadron in Korea and named it the FORTH. It was never allowed to amount to much.

Believe me, there was a big difference between the SECOND in Europe and the SECOND at Patrick. The overseas MOBs were always of a different character than the stateside units. The overseas MOBs were more versatile and "can do," than the stateside unit.

You might show the, "no personnel or equipment assigned" time, by putting a blank in the commanders list just before Gerald Block since, you don't need a commander it you don't have anything to command. I may be a little off on the dates, but hopefully, someone will correct it.

- Palmer Rowe, Colonel (Ret), Commander of the First 1985-1988