This article needs cleanup. Please Japanese war planes, one outfit remained intact. This was the 6th Pursuit Squadron of the Philippine Army Air Corps based in Batangas Field. The young men who made up this squadron were Capt. Jesus Villamor, Lt. Cesar Basa, Lt. Godofredo Juliano, Lt. Geronimo Aclan, Lt. Manuel Conde, Lt. Antonio Mondigo and many others. The Filipino pilots manned the single engine P_26s of the 1930 vintage. These planes could fly 150 mph with a combat ceiling of 10,000 feet, armed with two .30 caliber machine guns mounted directly behind the propeller. Ranged against them were the sleek Japanese Zeroes capable of negotiating speed of 250 mph and armed with 20 mm cannons and several machine guns.
Undaunted by the odds, the 6th Pursuit Squadron fought it out until it was decimated by the ever increasing enemy planes. Lt. Basa was killed in that dogfight. The other pilots survived to fight another dogfight over Quezon City before their remaining planes were ordered destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Today, the main Philippine Air Force Base in Manila has been named in honor of Col. Villamor. Another PAF airbase in Pampanga is named after Lt. Basa.
Kincheloe was quickly recognized as a rare talent, and was transferred to the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, flying F-86Es.
This was the model he had tested back in the States; it offered better maneuverability with its all-flying tail and power-aided controls.
He bagged another the next day near Uiju, and made his fifth in the same locale on the 6th.
"Rivet Amber" (#62-4137) RC-135E of the 6th SRW at Eielson
The mission of the 6th SRW and assigned aircraft were transferred to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
The squadron is assigned to 11th Air Force, headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; however, the 353 CTS is located and operates at Eielson AFB.
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