Bruce Calvin Byington

Bruce Byington of Chino, Ca. passed away on September 9, 2012 peacefully at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Patsy, son Gary, daughter Shellie, seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Bruce was born in Reno, NV. in the 1930s, learned at a young age what work and dollar was worth, and brought up handling cattle and hanging beef for aging. After finishing High School Bruce joined the Air Force and finishing basic training in Wichita Falls, TX in 1953. Bruce's first duty station was Castle Air Force Based (AFB), CA. as a flight crewman on board KC-97s providing air to air refueling capabilities at the beginning of the cold war conducting missions along the Russian border from a forward deploy base in Alaska. Bruce and Patsy were married in 1954 in Reno, NV while continuing to support this role.

By 1959 he was assigned to Andrews AFB, Washington DC and Speckled Trout. Speckled Trout was one of three KC-135s (Boeing 707) delivered to the Air Force which included Air Force One. Code named Speckled Trout, the aircraft provided support and flights for John F. Kennedy, senior White House executives, Congress, General Curtis LeMay, and Allen B. Sheppard on his return flight from the Bahamas after orbiting the earth.

In 1961 Bruce was assigned to Edwards AFB, CA working the X-15 program. As a crewman on the B-52 mother ship Bruce providing preflight from the blister window for the X-15. At the end of preflight he would shoot the middle finger and hit the launch button. Astronauts included Bob White (Awarded the first Astronaut Wings), Neil Armstrong, Joseph Walker, John Young, Gordon Cooper, and Bob Rushmore to name a few.

By 1963 the family move to Athens AFB, Greece. During this period Bruce ran the fight line for DC-3s (Goony Birds) hauling the needs of the Air Force throughout Europe. Here Bruce introduced Gary his son to engine overhaul, taxiing of aircraft and general maintenance. He was transferred to Upper Heyford AFB, England in 1964 and began working C-130 transports in a Special Operations Capacity.

Relocating to Langley AFB in 1966 Bruce continued to support C-130s transport aircraft and the Special Operations community. Conducting Operation Brownie, Bruce continued this program until 1968. He was assigned to Lockheed Aircraft in 1968 working Special Operation programs which included several assignments to Vietnam. Bruce was a part of Special Operations and the Combat/Air Commandos until his retirement from the Air Force in 1973. His awards included Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with three strikes, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct, Good Conduct, Vietnam Service Medal and Nine Letters of Appreciation to name a few.

Bruce returned to Lockheed working, modifying and building Special Operation Aircraft until June of 1996 when he retired. Bruce continued to support the community through assisting in the Chino Band review and volunteer work throughout the community.