USAF ROTORHEAD Members

James Foster

27 June 1960, at Stead AFB, NV. with the 3638th Flying Training Squadron and 3635th Flying Training Wing (Advanced) (ATC) for Helicopter Pilot Training Course, H-19/H-21.

8 December 1960, at Forbes AFB, KS. with the 815th Operation Squadron and 815th Combat Support Group, 21st Air Division, 2nd Air Force (SAC) on the H-19, H-43, H-13, UH-1B, and Vertol 107.

27 May 1963, at Beale AFB, CA. with the 456th Strat. Aerospace Wg, (SAC) then reassigned to the 456th Cmbt. Spt. Gp., 14th Strat. Aerospace Division, 15th Air Force (SAC) as a H-19 Instructor Pilot.

31 May 1965, at Minot AFB, ND. with Hq. 862nd Cmbt. Spt. Gp., 810 Strat. Aerospace Division, 2nd Air Force (SAC) as a Pilot on H-19’s and UH-1F’s.

16 May 1966, Test Pilot for Bell Helicopter Co. Textron, Ft Worth, TX. on UH-1B, C, D, E, F, H, & AH-1, TUG, 47G-3, and 204, 205, & 206.

31 Jul 1967, at Sheppard AFB, TX. with the 3637th Fly Tng. Sq, 3630 Flying Tng. Wg. (ATC), “C” Flt. as a Pilot on TH-1F’s & CH-3C’s.

14 Mar 1969, with the 20th Sp. Op. Sq., 14th Cmbt. Spt. Gp., 14th SOW, (PACAF) APO, San Francisco, CA, 96316 and 20th Sp. Op. Sq., 14th Cmbt. Spt. Gp., 14th SOW, (PACAF) APO, San Francisco, CA, 96205 as a Pilot on UH-1P and UH-1F.

13 Apr 1970 at Indian Springs AAF, NV. with Det. 1, AF Sp. Wpns. Cen., (AFSC) then Reassigned to Det. 1, 4900th Test Group (FLIGHT TEST) (AFSC) as a Pilot on UH-1F’s, UH-1N’s.

31 Jan 1972, at Randolph AFB, TX. as IPIS with 3511th Fly Tng. Sq, 3510th Fly Tng. Wg. (ATC), Reassigned USAF Instr. Flt. Cen., 12th Fly Tng. Wg. (ATC) as a Pilot on UH-1F’s.

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Foster, James W. RIP 2024, Dec 09

James Welton Foster, USAF (Retired)
March 02, 1938 – December 9, 2024

James Welton Foster, age 86, of Mary Esther, Florida, passed away on December 9, 2024.

Jim was born on March 2, 1938, to Charles and Hazel Foster in Russell, Kansas. After Jim graduated in 1956 from High School in Flora, IL, he developed a great passion for flying and was selected for the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program.

In 1958 he graduated from Basic Training at Lackland AFB and first served as a military policeman in Iceland while waiting for assignment to his Flight Training class. Jim was assigned to Aviation Cadet Training in 1959 where he flew several types of fixed-wing aircraft in basic and primary flight training and graduated in class 60-G at Reese AFB. In 1960, he reported to the Air Force Helicopter School at Stead AFB for advanced flight training and upon completion served in missile support at various Strategic Air Command bases. He left the Air Force in 1966 to become a test pilot at Bell Helicopter in Hurst, TX. Jim rejoined the Air Force in 1967 to become a helicopter instructor at the Air Force Helicopter School at Sheppard AFB. In 1969 he was assigned to fly helicopters in Vietnam with the 20th Special Operations Squadron (Green Hornets). Upon his return he served in support of atomic tests at the Nevada Test Range and at the USAF Instrument Pilot Instructors School at Randolph AFB. In 1974, he was assigned to the Air Force Communications Service until his retirement in 1979 at Scott AFB. He began a new career as a flight instructor for Flight Safety International for 18 years until his retirement.

In 1961, Jim met Nora Kathryn Hunt in Clay City, IL and together they enjoyed 62 years of marriage.

Jim spent his retirement years in Mary Esther, Florida and Denver, Colorado. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family, traveling, reading, and caring for his pets.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Charles Foster and his mother, Hazel (Barbee) Foster. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Foster; daughter, Terri (Chris) Hodge, sons, Brett Foster, and Brian (Patricia) Foster; 4 Grandchildren, Steven Foster, Lauren Foster, Kathryn Hodge, and Hunter Hodge. He leaves behind his sister, Marla Hart.

Burial will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Save our Cats and Kittens (SOCKS), saveourcatsandkittens.com.

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As a Captain, James W. Foster served a tour in the Vietnam War as a UH-1F/P pilot with the 20th SOS “Green Hornets” in the 1969-1970-time frame.

Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned

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