Maj Robert D. Sutherland USAF

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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Laurie Case

Sutherland began flying in the Air Force Flight Indoctrination Program in November,1964 while attending the University of Wisconsin at Superior. He entered active duty with the Air Force in October 1965 at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas. In pilot training, he flew the T-41, T-37, T-38. He graduated in November, 1967 as a Distinguished Graduate.

Assigned to F-4 aircraft post pilot training he moved to Davis-Monthan AFB, Tuscon, Arizona, in January, 1967. He trained in the F4-C while assigned to the 4453 Combat Crew Training Wing as a pilot systems operator. In December 1967, he was transferred to Eglin AFB, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, (TFW), 4 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS). The 33rd TFW was the first operational F-4E wing.

In April 1969, the 4th TFS was assigned to 366 TFW at Da Nang VNAFB. The 366 TFW Gunfighters had three squadrons of F-4Ds, the 389th , 390th and the 480th TFS's . When the 4th TFS deployed from Eglin AFB, FL to Da Nang AB, the 480th TFS was assigned to the 37 TFW at Phu Cat. To maintain a level of combat experience in each squadron, half of the 4th squadron, in which Sutherland was included, was switched with half of the 389th TFS flying the F-4D.

On June 15, 1969 the 389 TFS was transferred to the 37 TFW at Phu Cat VNAFB to replace deployed F-100 Air National Guard aircraft returning to the United States. Major Sutherland's combat flying was curtailed in February 1970 at 202 combat missions.

In May 1970, the Major was assigned to the Torrejon AB Spain in the 401st TFW 613 TFS flying the F-4E. Operations consisted of maintaining combat readiness; rotating units to other bases in Europe or the Middle East and participating in various United States Air Force, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Spanish, and Iranian Air Defense exercises.

In July 1974, he was transferred to Eglin AFB, FL to Tactical Air Warfare Center TAWC to the 4485 Test Squadron flying F-4Ds F-4Es and RF-4Cs. There the Major flew Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) tests flights. A few of the systems flown: ARN-101 LORAN system, AIM9-J1 with DSU laser fuse, improved guidance, and reduced smoke motor. During the AIM-9 test, thirty missiles were fired, one with live warhead, during which five QF-102s were shot down. (Ace of Duces.)

In May 1978, his assignment was at Osan AB Republic of Korea,
314 Air Division. During that tour he Conducted Five Cope Jade Air Defense Exercises (combined US and Republic Of Korea Air Force) and Team Spirit Exercise/Fire Power demonstrations, which included a competition between A-7 and A-10 for the President of Republic of Korea.

Jun 79-Jan 82. Eglin AFB FL, 3246 TW. Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AIM-120) AMRAAM Joint Test Force (Air Force and Navy). Test team conducted evaluation on two AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile designs and selected the best design for production.

Jan 82-Jun 82, Eglin AFB FL, 3246 TW. Chief AGM-109 Medium Range Air to Surface Missile (MRASM), a version of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. The missile was designed to bust runways. Sutherland left when rated supplement tour was complete.

Jun 82-Jul 86. Eglin AFB Fl. TAWC/DO. Responsible for test schedule and flying hour fuel (POL) program valued over 32 million dollars and over 14000 sorties. Was part of the initial TAC Air Command computer program.

Sutherland joined the civilian workforce in July, 1986 by conducting target vulnerability and weapons lethality studies through computer studies. He additionally developed weapons systems safety footprints for weapons training ranges for the US Air Force, Navy Marines in addition for the Air Forces of Australia, Germany, and Great Britain.

As of 2017, Mr. Sutherland is still an active pilot. Through the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Young Eagles Program, the number of young folks he has introduced to the thrill of flying is approaching two hundred.