Oats - The USAF Fighter Pilot

Colonel Thomas F. Oatmeyer Retirement Ceremony July 14, 1998   Career Summary

Colonel Thomas F. Oatmeyer is the 482 Support Group Commander, Homestead Air Reserve Station, Florida.

Colonel Oatmeyer was born July 15, 1943, in Buffalo, New York. He attended the University of Buffalo on an athletic scholarship, participating in football and baseball while receiving a Bachelor of Education degree in June 1965. He taught one year and coached football and baseball prior to entering military service. Colonel Oatmeyer completed Air Command and Staff College in 1984 and Air War College in 1990.

He received his commission as a second lieutenant September 1966 through Officer Training School and began flight training December 1966. He underwent primary and advanced flight training at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma, flying the Cessna T-37 and the Northrop supersonic T-38 Talon. He received his pilot wings December 1967.

He was assigned to George Air Force Base, California, for Combat Crew Training in the F-4D aircraft and received the Outstanding Pilot award upon graduation. In September 1968, Colonel Oatmeyer was assigned to the 335^th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. In December 1969 he was assigned to Camh Rahn Air Base, Vietnam, then Ubon Air Base, Thailand, flying 130 missions over North and South Vietnam in F-4C and F-4D aircraft. Upon his return to the United States in November 1970, he was assigned to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner training aircrews transitioning to the F-4 aircraft.

Colonel Oatmeyer joined the 915^th Tactical Fighter Group, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida (forerunner to the 482^nd Tactical Fighter Wing) in June 1978 when the unit transitioned from EC-121 aircraft to the F4C. He was Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. Colonel Oatmeyer entered the Air Reserve Technician program June 1981, attaining the position of Operations Group Commander flying the F16 aircraft. In June 1993, he was assigned to Largely Air Force Base, Virginia as the Reserve Advisor to the Commander, Headquarters Air Combat Command. During this assignment, Colonel Oatmeyer maintained currency in the F-16 aircraft flying with the 93^rd Fighter Squadron, Homestead Air Reserve Station, Florida. He was reassigned to the 482^nd Fighter Wing in November 1997, where he assumed his current duties.

Colonel Oatmeyer is a command pilot with more than 3,600 hours of fighter time. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

His civil affiliations include membership in the Air Force Association, the Reserve Officer's Association and the Order of Daedalians. Colonel Oatmeyer is a past member of the Executive Committee for the Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

He was promoted to Colonel on August 1, 1991.