Bert Bookout
Bert Bookout, Col., USAFRet Born to Anita
and Bertram Bookout in Almiranti, Panama Oct 1928 Resided in Panama, Costa Rica and
Ecuador for 20 years Language Fluent Spanish Education: Degree in Business Administration
Graduate of The Citadel, class of 1951
25 years as on officer U.S. Air Force retiring as a Colonel.
Pilot - Flew combat missions over Korea, Laos and North Vietnam.
Tactical aircraft flown and combat ready in: F-86 A, E, F, D, L and K Saber series, F-106
Delta Dart, F-104 Starfighter, F-4 Phantom.
Bert was born in Almiranti, Panama. His Mom and Dad were from Texas and Mississippi respectively. His Dad worked for the United Fruit Company thus the reason for his being born in that region of the world. Bert lived in Panama for six years and eventually moved to Costa Rica where he spent 18 years as a resident of Puerto Limon and Quepos. Later his Dad was transferred to Guayaquil, Ecuador retiring four years later.
Upon graduation from The Citadel in 1951 Bert entered the Air Force as a young 2nd Lieutenant assigned pilot training with the class of 52-H. Upon receiving his Wings he reported to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada where he underwent fighter jet training in the F-86 Saber jet in preparation for a tour in Korea. While in Korea Bert flew with the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter Group located at Suwon Korea, flying combat missions over the skies of North Korea.
Upon completion of his tour in Korea Bert was assigned to the 497th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Geiger Field, Spokane, Washington where he was assigned as a fighter Interceptor pilot flying F-86D all weather interceptors.
He was later selected to enter phase testing at Edwards Air Force Base on the first Mach 2 aircraft built for the Air Force inventory, the F-104 Starfighter. Upon completion of Starfighter phase testing Bert was assigned to the 538th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Larson Air Force Base, Moses Lake, Washington as a new Captain. He flew the F-104 for a year and a half both as a combat ready pilot and maintenance flight test pilot.
Following a fruitful assignment flying 104s Bert was sent back to Spokane assigned to the 498th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flying the F-106 Delta Darts both as an Interceptor pilot and maintenance flight test pilot.
His days as a fighter pilot were cut short when he was assigned to Albrook Air Force Base, Panama where he assisted in training Latin American Air Force Officers in aircraft maintenance procedures.
During his tour in Panama he was assigned temporarily with the USAF Thunderbirds as a Spanish speaking narrator touring throughout all of South and Central America. He was later invited to become a full fledged member of the team but was unable to accept the assignment due to Air Force overseas policies. Bert continued flying C-47's and C-54 aircraft on flights all throughout Central and South America for the remainder of his tour.
He was later assigned to Headquarters Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs serving four months as a staff officer. The smell of jet fuel led him to be the Maintenance Control Officer at Peterson Field, Colorado where he continued his flying career in T-33 trainers and T-39 Executive Saber Liners.
Bert was later notified that he would enter the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon completion he was to report to Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. He would later undergo combat crew training in the F-4 Phantom subsequent to reporting to the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron, at Danang Air Base, Vietnam where he flew combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam.
Upon returning to the States Major Bookout was assigned to the 551st Airborne & Early Warning Wing at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts where he was assigned duties as a Maintenance Control Officer for the C-121 Constellation, an Airborne Early Warning version of the commercial Lockheed Constellation. During that period Bert was promoted to Lt/Col. Following a two year assignment at Otis he was assigned to the U.S. Military Group in Maracay, Venezuela as an aircraft maintenance advisor to the Venezuelan Air Force as well as a flying instructor in the F-86K all weather interceptor.
During his tour in Venezuela Bert was promoted to Colonel and shortly thereafter assigned temporarily to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida to undergo upgrade training in the F-4E Phantom subsequent to reporting to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Korea as Deputy Commander for Logistics. For his outstanding management ability in logistics while with the 3rd TAC Fighter Wing he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Following a thirteen month assignment at Kunsan Air Base Bert was assigned to the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico as Deputy Commander for Logistics, later becoming the Vice Wing Commander of the largest Fighter Wing in the Air Force inventory at that time.
Bert retired and moved to Fort Walton Beach with his wife Nancy and their four children, Jack, Heidi, Mary and Linda all of whom are either married or in business. His most memorable accomplishment was being the first 1st Lt. to fly the first mach 2 manned aircraft ever built in the U.S., the F-104 Starfighter.
Besides flying, his favorite pastime is fishing with light tackle. Bert has held nine peacock bass world records and presently holds three that have not been beaten as yet. He said he is proud of the 25.5 lb IGFA world record peacock bass caught on a flyrod, but will never forget the fight a 600 lb black marlin put up off Costa Rica's Pacific coast in 1952. Bert is currently a partner in fishing lodges located in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Although no longer seeking world records, he is an active light tackle angler who has been the proud owner of a beautiful 43 foot Post Sport Fisherman. His offshore adventures while associated with the Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club for the past consecutive 25 years has made him the proud recipient of every award the Club has to offer including the Oar and coveted Dick Dutton Awards.
He served in several Club Offices during his membership. Bert was elected annually as Club Secretary serving nine years, Club Commodore for 2 years, President for one year and served on the Board of Directors for 10 years.
