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Freedom Shield

An exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, all-domain, and interagency operating environment. This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the various military services.

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Video by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
Veteran F-100 crew chief lives quiet life on Iowa Farm after Vietnam
185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard
Nov. 5, 2023 | 3:21
Studio lead:

This Veterans Day as the nation commemorates the service of U.S. military members, Vince De Groot has the story of long time Iowa farmer and Veteran U.S. Air Force F-100 crew chief who recalls his service and has not forgotten the aircraft he maintained in Vietnam over fifty years ago.

Story:

Air Force Veteran John De Groot has been content to stay on his farm near Sioux Center, Iowa since leaving the military over 50 years ago.

The situation was quite different for De Groot in early 1960s, when leaving home for military service was not optional.

The United States was at war and after talking to some friends, De Groot decided to join the Air National Guard in Sioux City in 1964.

“We thought that sounded better than getting drafted.”

De Groot was assigned as a F-100 Fighter Jet crew chief where he says he has still not forgotten his assigned tail number “9-8-6” even after 50 years.

“That and your service number, you will never forget that,”

When North Korea seized a U.S. Navy intelligence ship, the USS Pueblo On January 23, 1968 De Groot’s Air Guard unit was activated within days. The 185th Tactical Fighter Group was in formation in Sioux City listening to the activation order before the end of the month.

By May of 1968 About 350 Airmen from the unit’s 174th Fighter Squadron arrived in Vietnam where they immediately began flying combat sorites. Slow days saw only a couple of sorties, most days however saw a third or fourth launch.

“The regular Air Force had F-100s too, but they had a lot more problems than we did because ours were in pretty good shape,” “Theirs had a lot of wear and tear already”.

After the year-long deployment De Groot decided not to reenlist, instead choosing a much quitter life at his home on the farm.

It turns out that De Groot’s old aircraft, tail 54-1986 has also been living a quiet life after it was transferred to the Air Force Armament Museum outside Eglin EGG-land AFB in Florida where it is still on display.

The plaque by the display explains that the aircraft was painted with a different tail number in honor of the historic F-100 Misty Squadron.  The aircraft’s original tail number can still be seen below the horizontal stabilizer confirming that is indeed De Groot’s old tail number.

The plaque also explains the pilot’s name on the side of aircraft of a fellow Northwest Iowa Native, and Medal of Honor recipient written simply as “Major Bud Day- Misty 1”. 

This Veteran’s Day as De Groot finishes another harvest, he is looking forward to another peaceful winter on the Farm. Fifty years after his service he can also find some solace in that a piece of his military history is being well preserved honoring a significant figure in Air Force history. 
In Sioux Center, Iowa I’m Vince De Groot
 
Lower Thirds:
00:00:00 – 00:00:10 Sioux Center, Iowa
00:01:49 – 00:02:01 John De Groot former F-100 Crew Chief
00:02:09 – 00:02:24 Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
00:03:00 – 00:03:10 Vincent De Groot reporting
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VietnamIowa Air National GuardF-100185th Fighter GroupPhu CatVeterans Day
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Press Information

Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes

Press Release
Mar. 20, 2025
Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes
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A combined assault force of U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations personnel conduct a direct action raid on a time sensitive target in an underground facility during a multiday training event associated with exercise Freedom Shield 25 at a training site located east of Seoul, on March 17, 2025. The training event served as a capstone to two-weeks of various training that maintained the combined readiness and lethality of U.S. and ROK special operators. The routine training enables a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region through a strong deterrent force. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Zacherl)

U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct r...

News
Mar. 19, 2025
U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct routine combined training during exercise Freedom Shield 2025
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Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, and the Acting President of the Republic of Korea, Sang-Mok Choi, take a group photo at Command Post Theater Air Naval Ground Operations, March 18. The acting-ROK President’s visit focused on discussing the importance and progress of Freedom Shield 2025 and the future of joint ROK-U.S. operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo, USFK Public Affairs)

ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TAN...

News
Mar. 18, 2025
ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TANGO During FS 25
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The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, U.S. Air Force, and the Republic of Korea Air Force train during Exercise Freedom Shield 25, a defense-oriented, annual exercise featuring live, virtual and field-based training that engages alliance forces and governmental agencies.

Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Na...

News
Mar. 15, 2025
Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Navy Conduct F-35 Air Integration Training during Freedom Shield...
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F-35 Lightning IIs from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Republic of Korea Air Force flight in formation over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during integration training for Freedom Shield 25, March 13, 2025.

USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25

News
Mar. 14, 2025
USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25
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A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II with the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, takes-off from Cheongju Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 12, 2025. The full-scale rehearsal of Republic of Korea Air Force and Seventh Air Force capabilities at the tactical and operational levels guarantees the strength of the combined air component to defend and defeat any threat to the Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25

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Mar. 13, 2025
USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25
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Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25

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Mar. 12, 2025
Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25
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Seventh Air Force begins air component operation...

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Mar. 10, 2025
Seventh Air Force begins air component operations in Freedom Shield 25
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U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert "Todd" Brown, 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division, deputy commanding general, learns the control interface of a commercial aquatic drone during Freedom Shield 25 at a training area near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, March 11, 2025. The demonstration showcases the capabilities of cutting-edge underwater vehicles to enhance operational readiness. Freedom Shield 2025 is a multi-domain military training program that integrates ground, air, naval, space and cyberspace elements, enhancing readiness through realistic combat situations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner)

2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater...

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Mar. 11, 2025
2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater drone for Freedom Shield 25
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ROK Soldiers assigned to the 5th Corps Engineering Brigade River Crossing Company and Soldiers assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division ROK/U.S. Combined Division, complete construction on a joint bridge, during a combined wet gap crossing exercise, near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do from March 11-20, 2024. ROK and U.S. Army units utilized aviation, armor, air defense, chemical, biological and defense capabilities to train the security and protection of the site during the exercise that was designed to verify interoperability through the construction of a joint pontoon bridge. (U.S. Army photo by Pak, Chin-U)

Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shiel...

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Mar. 10, 2025
Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shield 2025
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The Republic of Korea and United States announce...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025
The Republic of Korea and United States announce Freedom Shield 25 exercise
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COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference ...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025
COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference for Exercise Freedom Shield 25
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