in november 1957, the 321st and pinecastle were host to the medium bombers participating in the annual sac bombing navigation and reconnaissance competition. during the competition, a b-47 aircraft mishap north of downtown orlando took the lives of colonel mccoy, group captain john woodroffe of the royal air force, lieutenant colonel charles joyce and major vernon stuff during preparations for the event. despite this tragedy, the 321st wing, under the direction of its new commander, colonel robert w. strong, jr., won the top honors of the meet, including the coveted fairchild and mccoy trophies, distinguishing the 321st as the top b-47 wing in sac.