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Retired U.S. Air Force Capt. Bill Robinson, a Vietnam War veteran and the longest-held enlisted prisoner of war in U.S. history, tours a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II while spending time with members of the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 10, 2026. In 1965, while assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron as an HH-43B Huskie crew chief, he was shot down during an attempted rescue of a downed F-105 Thunderchief pilot. Over the next seven-and-half years, Robinson would experience interrogation, torture and solitary confinement as a POW in North Vietnam. After spending 2703 days in captivity, Robinson was released during Operation Homecoming on February. 12, 1973. During his internment, he received a direct commission and continued to serve in the USAF for another 11 years. Since his retirement, Robinson has worked with other POWs to share the message of resiliency, service and sacrifice. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2026 20:37 |
| Photo ID: | 9942753 |
| VIRIN: | 260910-Z-HY271-1024 |
| Resolution: | 6509x4339 |
| Size: | 7.27 MB |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 5 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing hosts former Vietnam War POW Bill Robinson [Image 14 of 14], by Alejandro Pena, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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