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Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame Announcement, 11/6/2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Colonel Gaillard R. Peck, Jr., a distinguished member of the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame (NVAHOF) Board of Directors and a 2013 enshrinee. Colonel Peck was enshrined for his pivotal role in the highly-classified U.S. Air Force program known as CONSTANT PEG.
Colonel Peck’s leadership and vision were instrumental in establishing this program, which covertly utilized Soviet-built aircraft to train U.S. fighter aircrews for aerial combat. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, select U.S. fighter pilots, trained in Soviet tactics, flew these aircraft from the remote Tonopah Test Range in central Nevada. The training provided by CONSTANT PEG prepared U.S. aircrews for the challenges of air combat, giving them the edge needed to prevail in real-world engagements by simulating encounters with enemy forces.
The unit, eventually known as the 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron "Red Eagles," flew MiG-17, MiG-21, and MiG-23 aircraft. These aircraft, restored and maintained to full operational status, were flown with precision by pilots as skilled as the technicians who supported them. Colonel Peck not only conceived and developed this groundbreaking program, but also oversaw the construction of the Tonopah airfield and served as the first commander of the Red Eagles.
Colonel Peck's legacy will forever be remembered for his contributions to our nation's air superiority and for the indelible mark he left on aviation history. His dedication, leadership, and service to the aerospace community will be deeply missed.
Nellis AFB will host a celebration of life on November 7, 2024.The Peck family will host a memorial service at the US Air Force Academy on November 14
Dr. Daniel Bubb. Ph.D.
Director
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