Colonel Arnold “Arnie” L. Franklin Jr. (USAF, Ret.) is a distinguished United States Air Force command pilot, recognized for his extensive combat experience in Southeast Asia and for leading the USAF portion of Operation El Dorado Canyon, the 1986 strike on Libya. Born in Franklin, Kentucky, and a graduate of Bowling Green High School (1962) and Western Kentucky University (WKU) (1966), Colonel Franklin dedicated nearly 30 years to military service.
Colonel Franklin was commissioned in February 1967 after attending Officer Training School and earned his silver wings in February 1968 from Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. His initial operational assignment was as an F-111A Aardvark pilot with the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
Vietnam Veteran & Forward Air Controller In 1971, Colonel Franklin deployed to Southeast Asia, serving with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhom Phanom Royal Air Force Base, Republic of Thailand. After completing training in the OV-10 Bronco, he served as a Pave Nail Forward Air Controller and Instructor Pilot, accumulating over 700 combat hours. In early 1972, he returned to Nellis and became recurrent in the F-111A. He deployed again to Takhli Royal Air Force Base, Republic of Thailand, as an F-111A aircraft commander with the 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He logged a total of 782 combat hours across his Southeast Asia tours.
Upon returning to Nellis in September 1973, Colonel Franklin pursued graduate studies in laser physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, graduating in 1975. He then applied his expertise as an electro-optical engineer and assistant division chief in the Electromagnetic Materials Division at the Air Force Materials Lab.
Leadership & “Operation El Dorado Canyon” Mission Commander In 1979, Colonel Franklin attended Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Following graduation, he transferred to RAF Lakenheath, England, in October 1980. During his six years at Lakenheath, Colonel Franklin served as chief of the wing’s Aircrew Replacement Training Unit, operations officer of the 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and in December 1984, became the commander of the 493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron.
While commanding the 493rd, Colonel Franklin was selected to plan and lead the USAF portion of Operation El Dorado Canyon, the retaliatory U.S. strike on Libya on April 15, 1986. This grueling, 14-hour mission, involving F-111F aircraft, demonstrated national resolve against state-sponsored terrorism.
Senior Leadership & Retirement Colonel Franklin returned to the United States in October 1986, assigned to Headquarters United States Air Force at the Pentagon as chief of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia Division in the Directorate of Plans and Operations.
After graduating from the National War College in July 1988, Colonel Franklin transferred to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, serving as Director for Operations and later as Vice Commander. In September 1990, he assumed command of the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
In July 1992, Colonel Franklin was assigned to the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, as a professor of military studies, chief of leadership studies, and deputy chairman of the Department of Military Studies. He concluded his active duty as Vice Commander of Air University at Maxwell in July 1994, retiring in July 1996 after nearly 30 years of distinguished service.
Colonel Franklin is a command pilot with over 3,500 flying hours. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters.
Colonel Franklin was inducted into the Aviation Museum of Kentucky Hall of Fame in 2014. He is also honored at Aviation Heritage Park & Museum with a museum exhibit and also a General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” that he flew during his career, but was also flown by his wingman during the El Dorado Canyon mission.
