MAJOR NORMAN CONANT

After primary training at Malden AB, he was assigned to Webb AFB, Big Spring, Texas for jet training on the North American T-28 and the Lockheed T-33.

Conant graduated in July 1953 and was assigned to Nellis AFB, NV for combat training in the North American F-86F jet fighter.

After Nellis, he was assigned to the 434th Fighter Day Squadron, 479th Fighter Day Wing at George AFB, Victorville, CA, flying the F-86F.

In May, 1954, Conant volunteered to transfer to the 21st Fighter Bomber Wing, also at George AFB, which was being reassigned to Chambley AB, France in 1955. His squadron assignment in the 21st FBW was with the 531st Fighter Bomber Squadron flying the F-86F.

In January 1955, he and the squadron departed George AFB and flew their F-86F's across the Atlantic to Europe.

While in Europe Conant flew with on missions throughout the Continent, the Middle East, North Africa, Scandinavia, and Saudi Arabia.

Following a three year tour in Europe, he was assigned to Webb AFB, TX as a T-33 Flight Instructor in the USAF Pilot Training Program from January 1958 to May 1961.

In May, 1961, he transferred to the 3552nd Pilot Training Squadron at Moody AFB, GA. At Moody AFB Conant was Chief of the squadron Check Section administering check flights to student pilots in the Cessna T-37, the Lockheed T-33, and the Northrop T-38.

In June 1965, he was reassigned to Osan AB, Korea as a Forward Air Controller.

In July 1966, Conant was transferred back to Moody AFB where he became a T-38 Flight Commander in the 3553rd Pilot Training Squadron. It was during this assignment that he was the flight commander of the flight in which Lt. George W. Bush received his USAF T-38 flight training and his rating as an Air Force pilot.

Conant retired from the Air Force in January 1971.

After retiring from the Air Force, he bought the fixed base operation at the Valdosta Municipal Airport and operated that until January 1991 when he sold it and retied once again.