That First Flight through Weather

The weather reported from Itazuke Air Base, Japan, was forecast to be 1700 feet overcast and three miles visibility. While on a cross-country flight from Korea to Japan, 2nd Lt Donald Hedstrom was appointed by the flight leader to lead the four F-86s.

Due to radio difficulties the original flight leader was unable to do the job. After penetrating the weather, Lt. Hedstrom discovered the ceiling and visibility to be much lower plus the fact that Ground Control Approach (GCA) and Ground Control Intercept (GCI) lost them at a critical time.

In addition to an effort to avoid mid-air collisions with other aircraft in the area many other hindrances still prevailed. The air strip was situated in a deep valley, and the other two pilots (including Lt Hedstrom) were also second lieutenants just out of flying school.

They finally broke out at 400 feet and all four aircraft landed successfully. This was Lt Hedstrom's first experience flying in weather, and also the first flight he had led.

Lt Hedstrom first entered the service in 1951 as an enlisted man. Immediately after basic training he was sent to Newfoundland as an administrative clerk for 18 months. In March of 1953 he was assigned to Selfridge AFB, Michigan where he applied for aviation cadets.

Shortly after he was commissioned from Bryan AFB, Texas, he attended a special weapons school at Nellis AFB, Nevada. He was sent to Korea in October 1955 for a year flying F-86Fs. When he returned from Korea he was assigned to Bunker Hill AFB, Indiana, and when the wing was deactivated he was assigned to the 614th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in Alexandria, LA., where he flew F-lOOs.

Lt Hedstrom exited the Air Force in Januar, 1959. He was married to Marguerite and had four children, and finally settled in San Bernardino, CA. He folded his wings April 26, 2010, at the age of 79.