Kevin J. Cheney

By zthanson, 17 November, 2022
First Name
Kevin
Middle Name
J.
Last Name
Cheney
Birthdate
Hometown
Flushing, NY
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a U.S. Air Force uniform.
PreCapture Description

Kevin Cheney was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Lackland AFB, Texas, on September 24, 1968, and then attended Undergraduate Pilot Training. After leaving flight school, Lieutenant Cheney completed Undergraduate Navigator Training and was awarded his Navigator Wings at Mather AFB, California, and then completed survival school and F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training. His first assignment was as an F-4 Weapons Systems Officer with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from September 1970 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on July 1, 1972.

Post Release Image
Older gentleman in a collared shirt.
Post Release Description

Captain Cheney was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 28, 1973. He then was accepted for Undergraduate Pilot Training at Moody AFB, Georgia, where he was awarded his pilot wings in October 1974. After completing F-4 Combat Crew Training as a pilot, Major Cheney served as an F-4 pilot with the 7th and 9th Tactical Fighter Squadrons of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, followed by service as as an F-4 pilot with the 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing at Torrejon AB, Spain. His next assignment was as Director of Operations and then as Commander of the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at NAS Keflavik, Iceland, during which time the squadron switched from F-4's to the F-15 Eagle. Colonel Cheney served as Chief of the Operations Training Division for the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Homestead AFB, Florida, and then served on the staff of Headquarters Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia, from September 1988 to October 1991. His final assignment was at Robins AFB, Georgia, where he retired from the Air Force on January 1, 1995.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release