Hptm (Capt) Menzel of the Luftwaffe after his first solo in the F-104 at George AFB in Spring 1962

He is congratulated by the Commander of the 4443rd CCTS Maj Claude Crenshaw (left) and his instructor Capt Robert E. Messerli (right)

4443rd CCTS (MAP program)
When the 434th TFS "Red Devils" of the 479th TFW George AFB, 831st Air Division disbanded on January 3, 1962
it became the initial F-104G training squadron and was designated 4443rd CCTS
The 4443rd CCTS of the 479th TFW at George Air Force Base conducted training for German type transition pilots
in about 23 hours training in the F-104D from 1962 until May 22, 1964. (It was noted that they pooled the D's in that squadron).
The 4443rd CCTS moved to Luke AFB and came under control of the 4540th CCTG at Luke AFB, Arizona effective August 1, 1964
with F-104G/TF-104G as the initial MAP/NATO F-104G training unit.
The 4443rd CCTS and the 4540th CCTG disbanded on September 30, 1966.

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