Fred Perra

Fred Perra (AKA Fearless Fred)

Pre Columbus AFB

Born and raised in what used to be the Panama Canal Zone until Jimmy Carter gave it away, but that’s another story. After graduating from high school I left the Zone to attend the University of South Florida. I Graduated 5-1/2 years later with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. At this point in my life I had a choice to make: Be drafted or pick my service. Not a difficult decision, I chose the Air Force. Next up was OTS at Lackland AFB followed by a trip to Columbus Mississippi. You all know the rest of the story.

Post Columbus AFB

My assignment after UPT graduation was KC-135’s flying out of Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. After KC-135 School in California and survival school in Spokane, WA, I arrived at Charleston AFB per my orders to hop a flight to Ramey. Checking in for the flight I was informed that all orders to Ramey were cancelled as they were closing the base. I was told to expect new orders shortly and in the meantime, to take leave. So I caught a flight back to the Canal Zone for a long visit with my parents. After about a month I finally got my new orders which put a big smile on my face: EC-135’s flying out of RAF Mildenhall with the 10th ACCS under the command of USAFE. No SAC for me. What a great assignment. I fell in Love with London during that time and visit there often since retirement.

Fred E. Perra, III — “Fearless Fred”

“Fred (Fearless Fred) Perra was known as the terror of the volleyball court and the ace spiker of the front line.

Undoubtedly one of the most enthusiastic students in the history of UPT, Fred is probably the only living student to have survived the T-37 program with 28 IP changes. Fearless Fred, the Air Force’s answer to John Wayne, was best known during the tween phase for his harmonious working relationship with Capt Brian D. Moats.

…The future may well find Fred anywhere in the world, striving ever onward, soaring to unimagined heights in his sleek gigantic, multi-engined Air Force aerospace vehicle.

71-01 Yearbook, page 51.