Checkpoints September 1981

TALLMAN RETIRES

KELLEY ASSUMES COMMAND

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"At the foot of Pikes Peak"

100 Years of Traditional Service To Colorado Springs Guests

As a past "resident” of Colorado Springs, there is little need to reintroduce you to the Antlers' 100 year reputation as "Little London's" premier downtown hotel.

This year the Antlers is proud to host another local tradition, the Air Force Academy, in their homecoming weekend October 1-4, 1981. Located in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, the Antlers promises immediate access to a wide range of fine shopping and dining for your leisure time activities. Likewise, the many services of the hotel are at your disposal including:

• The London Grill from Crab Meat en croute Beurre Blanc to the famed Pepper Steak a la Antlers, the Grill provides a perfect answer to your most exotic dining temptations all served table-side.

• The Piccadilly Bar Colorado Springs' premier nightclub offering musical entertainment for your after dinner pleasure orjust for fun.

• The London Fog a quiet pub for those enjoying the company of good friends.

• The BROADMOOR, our sister hotel for a round of golf at BROA DMOOR South, an evening respite at one of their many night spots orjust casual daytime browsing. (Complimentary shuttle service is available hourly from the Antlers' doorstep.)

In a nutshell, welcome to the Antlers, a peerless hotel tradition.

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Operated by The BROA DMOOR Management Co.

If you’re a military officer, no matter whether you’re on active duty, in the ready or standby Reserves or National Guard, retired (whether or not you’re drawing retirement pay), or even a candidate for commission or warrant, you’re eligible for membership in USAA. And you’re eligible for the preferential insurance protection, savings and service that go with membership in this elite group. Former USAA members may also reapply for insurance at any time. With USAA, you’ll have a world of insurance at your command. Complete coverage from your ear, to your home, and even vour life.

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Signature

Editor Jim Wheeler, ’64

Staff

Mrs. Freida Weber

Mrs. Kathy McCann

Mrs. Gerry Schultz

Ms. Leslie Weber

ATTENTION IN THE AREA

SABRES FOR SALE - In cooperation with the Cadet Store, the Association of Graduates office is now in a position to offer a limited number of Cadet Sabres for sale. Plaques for mounting the Sabres will be available only from the manufacturer. The AOG office will provide ordering details when Sabre orders are fulfilled. Sabres will be available for pick-up in the AOG office on a “first come, first served” basis for $80. Sabres will be available on a mail-order basis for $90, including postage and a nominal fee for handling. If you care to order a Sabre from the AOG, please forward check and all mailing instructions. Your Sabre will be forwarded as supplies allow, but delivery may take several weeks. The AOG hopes to get an additional supply in the Winter of 1982, with subsequent orders to be filled on approximate six-month intervals. Initially Sabres will only be available within the CONUS.

RETURN ENVELOPES - In response to requests received from the membership, the AOG office plans to provide self-addressed return envelopes in future mail-outs. Since postage handling fees make return postage prohibitive, current policy is to not provide prepaid return envelopes for use by the membership. It has been the experience of the AOG office that, in the first place, the postage paid envelopes are often not used for their intended purposes; and secondly, the premium that has to be paid to the post office for this service would inevitably lead to a membership dues increase.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP - As was announced during the 1981 Membership Drive, the Board of Directors, pending a total review, has suspended the sale of Life Memberships for the time being. Economic realities related to double-digit inflation and escalating postage and printing costs, make it impractical to offer Life Memberships at the previous $350 level. A partial review has been conducted by the Board; and, after the newly elected Board is able to complete the analysis, a revised Life Membership policy will be announced to the AOG membership.

SCHWANK TAKES COMMAND - On 1 June 1981 Colonel Jock Schwank, Class of 1960, tenure Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, assumed command of the Academy Prep School. He is the sixth commander and the first Academy graduate to hold this position. Schwank is both a Command Pilot and a Navigator. His background includes C-130’s in Tactical Air Command, Rescue Helicopter experience while in Thailand, and eight years service at the Air Force Academy on the faculty.

COMPUTER CAPABILITIES - In 1982, the AOG hopes to transition to a new computer system which will enable the staff to provide some services repeatedly requested by members. Specifically, membership labels will show membership expiration dates for annual members. This will facilitate administrative interaction among members and the staff. Additionally, an automatic billing system for all annual members will be devised and implemented as soon as the computer capabilities are available for AOG use.

MAIL OUTSIDE THE CONUS - AOG members living in countries other than the U.S. wish to receive their AOG publications just like everyone else. After all, the CHECKPOINTS and the REGISTER are for many members their only link with Classmates and the Academy. While the AOG would like to accommodate, the fundamental problem lies in the cost of airmail outside the CONUS. If the publications are mailed by surface, the cost is variable, but it can take weeks for the mail to arrive. Some costs comparisons make this argument more understandable. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, the magazine which goes by surface costs 46 s ; by air, $5.10. The REGISTER, by surface, costs $1.66; and by air, $13.96. Even in Canada, surface mail for a magazine is 89"; airmail, $4.40; and the REGISTER would jump from $1.66 to $9.96. With these examples in mind, it becomes obvious why it is impossible for the AOG to provide airmail service to graduates outside of the CONUS.

GOSSAMER FALCON - Lt. Col. Will Stackhouse, ’64, Associate Professor of Engineering Mechanics, guided the efforts of 32 Cadets in Engineering 430 to design a manpowered airplane, the Gossamer Falcon. On its second flight, June 25, in the Cadet Field House, the Gossamer managed to soar 4'A feet above the artificial turf and to stay aloft for 15 seconds. Thus, the Gossamer Falcon set an altitude record for manpowered flight. It had in fact flown at 7,254‘/2 feet. The aircraft with its 98-foot wing span weighed approximately 80 pounds. It was pedal-powered and the pilot was Staff Sergeant Bob Sanders of the Engineering Lab. The aircraft was flown inside because of its fragile construction. It was estimated that any kind of wind stronger than four miles per hour would have demolished it outside.

1981 BIOGRAPHICAL FORMS - The cutoff date for 1981 Biographical updates to be included in the 1981 Register was 3 August 1981. If you have an address change subsequent to that date, please forward it to the AOG immediately. This will insure that all AOG correspondence is received without interruption. If other items in your biographical sketch change, please wait until the 1982 Biographical Data Form is sent to you in May 1982. Information received out of cycle will not be fed into the computer until next summer. Thus, it is easier for you and us if you simply wait and utilize the Biographical Data Form for an annual update rather than piecemeal updates throughout the year.

WATCH CALENDARS - In 1979 and 1980, stick-on watch calendars were provided to all AOG members. This was a gift from the AOG and did not result in additional charges for members. In 1981, it was decided to omit the calendars due to a cost increase. It you have strong feelings, pro or con, on this particular little extra provided by the Board of Directors, please get in touch with the AOG office to express your point of view.

VICE COMMANDANT TRANSFERS - Colonel Billy J. Rhoten, Vice Commandant of Cadets since 1979, has been reassigned from USAFA to become the Commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Colonel Rhoten has been a hard worker, an avid supporter of the Academy, and a friend of the AOG. His talents will be missed by those who have had an opportunity to work with him closely.

RETENTION STATISTICS - The Class of 1981 graduated with 58.2% of the original entering class. Men attrited at a 40% rate, and women at a 58.3%. The Class of 1982 has attrited at 40% through their first three years. The Class of 1983 has lost 30.9% since their admission in 1979. The Class of 1984 lost 246 men and 47 women during their first year for a composite loss of 18.3%.

STOP-OLT UPDATE - Last year the Academy initiated a StopOut Program for members of the Class of 1982. Sixty-nine applicants were approved for the Stop-Out Program which enables individuals to drop out of the Academy for one year. Seventeen of those approved changed their minds and decided to remain at the Academy; fifteen are still at the Academy. Fifty-two Cadets actually entered the Stop-Out Program. During the academic year, three of these Cadets returned early, one formally resigned, and 29 have indicated they will return this summer. Eighteen decided they will not return. Since all Stop-Out participants were individuals who had originally decided to leave the Academy, this program was able to retain better than 50% of those that participated. Academy officials have decided this is a success ratio that is worth pursuing and the program is being offered this year to Cadets in the Class of 1983.

OBITUARIES “The Gone But Not Forgotten” portion of the AOG Magazine is one that all Graduates review with interest and respect. Many times individuals that are included are not personally known to the AOG staff; therefore, if you are interested in penning an obituary for a friend, squadron mate, or a Classmate, please contact the AOG office. Our experience to date indicates that next of kin appreciate the personal touch that only a good friend can lend. If you have the time and interest, please contact the AOG office for guidelines.

1964 - Belmont, Browning, Douglass, Madl, Wolfe

1965 - Kennedy, McConnell, Pilsch, Scarborough

1966 - Dunne, Oakes, Thompson, Wheeler

1967 - Cole, Stovall, Vernamonti

It seems as though it was only yesterday that the 1980-81 school year ended and hard to believe that we are thinking of the upcoming football season. Fall is just around the corner and, I believe, so is what could be one of the best seasons for our football fans with five great home games.

This will be the second time around for the Falcons in Western Athletic Conference competition. We finished the season with a 2-9-1 record and a 1-6 league mark. However, eight of those games were on the road and the 1981 schedule is more favorable to the Falcon cause with five games of 11 at home.

Last season, we had a very young and inexperienced team. This season, we have 34 returning lettermen, including 15 starters from last year. In this group of returnees are several key performers from the 1980 squad, including the leading tackier, the top placekicker and scorer, the number one punter and the leading rusher.

Two of our top returnees are on defense and will rate as the Falcons’ top candidates for all-star honors this fall. Senior safety Johnny Jackson figures to be one of the top defensive backs in the nation this fall while senior linebacker Mike France is a top candidate for All-WAC honors.

Last season, Jackson came up with 99 tackles, second best mark on the squad in addition to coming up with 15 pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and two pass interceptions.

Another top performer who I’m sure the fans will want to see is Mike France at the linebacker position. France led the team in tackles with 157, including seven for losses.

With the return of all the running backs, this could be an exciting season for our fans. Sophomore Ted Sundquist returns at fullback after an outstanding rookie season while returning at halfback are senior George James and sophomore Charlie Heath. Sundquist led the Falcons last season with 583 yards rushing and a 4.8-yards per carry average. His best game was against Illinois when he picked up 142 yards on 17 carries, including a 63-yard touchdown run.

In addition to our returning players, we are very excited about the incoming recruits. With the fine efforts of head

coach Ken Hatfield and his staff, this has been one of the finest recruiting year’s ever. Many of our freshmen may see varsity action and with experience will make the Falcons’ future a bright one.

As excited as we are in the athletic department about our players this season, the 1981 football schedule will bring top talent to Falcon Stadium. Highlights this year include Notre Dame, Army, Wyoming, Colorado State and Tulane (WAC designated game).

I invite all of you to come out this season and support the Falcon football team. This season under head football coach Ken Hatfield will be challenging but with your support, can be the turning point for a winning future.

I realize at this time of the year we are channeling our energies toward the upcoming football season. Although we are looking to the future, I believe I would be remiss if I didn’t look over the last year’s accomplishments and give credit to the individual athletes and teams who continued our fine Air Force record.

During the past year, Academy athletes

continued to excell against some of the finest competition in the nation. Nearly 1,000 athletes of 41 intercollegiate teams competed in 582 contests and came up with a winning percentage of 66.3.

Six varsity teams posted undefeated seasons women’s cross country (3-0), men’s indoor track (8-0), women’s indoor track (6-0), men’s swimming (14-0), men’s golf (19-0) and men’s outdoor track (7-0).

For the third-straight year, the most productive team was the women’s swimming team that took second place in the AIAW Division II national championships and had 13 All-Americas. The Falcons were led by sophomore Patty Martinez, who won two national championships.

For the second straight year, the Air Force boxing team won the National Collegiate Boxing Association title. In addition to the team title, the Falcons had five boxers win national titles - Mike Cox at 125 pounds, Ricky Graham at 139 pounds, Bob Steigerwald at 156 pounds, Larry Stueck at 180 pounds and Clay Vertrees at heavyweight.

MOST VALUABLE A THLETE -Basketball’s Reggie Jones (center) was named the Most Valuable Athlete for the 1980-81 season. Presenting the award is Maj. Gen. K.L. Tollman, former superintendent and Col. William Carr, representing the USA F Academy Liaison Officers.

Other team accomplishments include league or regional titles by women’s cross country, soccer, pistol, rifle, women’s swimming, women’s outdoor track and lacrosse. Pistol ranked among the top teams in the nation while women’s gymnasties and women’s fencing teams competed in national meets.

The men’s swimming team extended its winning streak to 50 and posted its fourth straight undefeated season while the men’s golf team stretched its unbeaten streak to 32 and took second in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Golf Association tournament.

Individually, junior Barbara Fauklenberry won the national collegiate women’s racquetball championship for the third-straight year.

Air Force entered Western Athletic Conference competition for the first time last year and eight athletes won league championships including Bret Hyde, Alonzo Babers, Ted Holloway, Lamont Scott and Dan Yancy in track. Gary Chadwick and Dale Walters won league wrestling titles while John Sayre was a WAC swimming champion.

There were a number of outstanding individuals during the past year and 24 earned All-America recognition during the past nine months, the most ever won in a school year. That brings to 183 the number of cadets who have received AllAmerica honors.

The women’s swimming team again accounted for the most with 13, headed by diver Janet Peterson for the fourthstraight year. Other swimmers include Patty Martinez, holder of two national records, Sandy Maloney, Diann Christian, Linda Telkamp, Shawn Whitson, Nancy Burdick, Kim Bentler, Karen Burton, Tiiana Landschulz, Mary Keller, Kim Hillen and Nicole Anderson.

The nationally ranked pistol team had six selections. Both Mike Behling and Pat Saunders were named for the second year while Brian Meir, Mark Torres, Steve Jones and Carl Claus were selected for the first time. Women’s outdoor track had two selections in Rita Burr and Gail Conway. Burr also repeated as a cross country All-America while another repeater was Michelle Johnson in basketball, being named to the college division AllAcademic women’s team for the secondstraight year. Earning All-America honors for the first time were Heidi Croeber in women’s gymnastics and Tim Roberts in indoor track.

In its 25 years of varsity athletic competition, Air Force has won 4,319 contests, lost 2,160 and tied 54, giving an overall winning percentage of 66.5.

During the latter part of May, the Athletic Department sponsored the 26th annual Athletic Awards Banquet. This event has always been colorful and has become one of the highlights of the year within the athletic community. This year’s

The Goal for 1981

gala event was no exception. Lt. Gen. K.L. Tallman, former superintendent, was our honored guest. General Tallman has always been a great supporter of cadet athletics and his personal involvement, leadership and commitment to one of the finest intercollegiate programs in the nation, will be remembered for years to come.

During the presentation of awards, senior Reggie Jones was the big winner. Reggie was the top rebounder in Air Force basketball history and was selected as the most valuable athlete.

Jones, a senior from Los Angeles, set career records for rebounding and blocked shots while lettering four years as a center. He had 776 career rebounds and a total of 164 blocked shots during a varsity career that saw him play in 101 games. He also finished as the 19th all-time leading scorer with 712 points.

Besides being selected as the Most Valuable Athlete, Jones also was winner of the Most Valuable Basketball Award for men.

Another multiple award winner was senior Michelle Johnson of Spencer, Iowa, who was named the Most Valuable Basketball Player and received the Scholar Athlete Award that goes to the graduating varsity athlete who has shown excellence in both academics as well as athletics. A four-time letter winner in women’s basketball and a Rhodes Scholar, Johnson had a 3.95 cumulative average (4.00 is perfect) entering this semester as an operations research major.

Senior Bret Hyde of Osburn, Idaho, also won two awards. Hyde was the winner of the Most Valuable Cross Country Runner Award for men besides receiving the Athletic Leadership Award. Hyde, who was captain of both the cross country

and men’s outdoor track teams, was one of the finest distance runners in school history and set an Academy record by winning 11 varsity letters, one more than the old record. Hyde lettered four times each in cross country and outdoor track and three times in indoor track. He is also the first athlete to win a WAC individual track title, capturing the 3,000-meter steeplechase two weeks ago.

The Athletic Excellence Award was won by senior Tim Harris of Wheeler Air Force Base, Hawaii, the Academy’s alltime leading scorer in men’s basketball. Harris, an All-WAC second team selection, finished his career with 1,550 points and was the first Academy men’s basketball player to score at least 600 field goals and grab at least 600 rebounds during his collegiate career.

Another double award winner was junior Johnny Jackson of Paramount, Calif., who was named the Most Valuable Football Back and the Most Valuable Football Player. The starting safety last year, Jackson had 99 tackles and was one of the finest defensive backs in the region.

FAREWELL - Western Athletic Conference Commissioner Joe Kearney presents a farewell momento to Lt. Gen. K.L. Tallman during the 26th Annual A wards Banquet held May 25.

LOOKING BACK

LIEUTENANT GENERAL K. L. TALLMAN

As most of you know, The United States Air Force Academy had a Change of Command Ceremony on the 16th of June and I retired effective 1 July 1981. Everyone who participated in those ceremonies performed magnificently and made an “Old AOC” feel very proud. This was a fitting way to finish what in my mind was easily the high point and the most personally rewarding tour in my 35 year military career. It is also fitting at a time like this to stop and reflect.

1 have spent approximately two-thirds of my life in the Air Force. If I had it to do over, I would do exactly the same thing; I would just try harder to do it better. Life has been good to me, and the Air Force has been good to me. I feel that I have enjoyed more than my share of success, and 1 have received great wealth in terms of opportunities, experiences, friendships, and lasting memories. No matter what I do in the future, I’ll always feel a part of the Air Force Academy and maintain an interest in its accomplishments. When each of you reach those points in your lives that call for reflection, I hope you enjoy the same feelings of accomplishment, contribution, and service to country, that I am currently experiencing. For the moment I would like to share my more recent reflections - and those which might most interest you - on our Academy’s progress over the past four years.

To start with, I need to describe in general terms the characteristics of this Institution which is committed to excellence. The first characteristic is age - or lack thereof. We are a young Institution and, as such, have not been bound by tradition in the early years. Which leads to the next characteristic, of being innovative and progressive in every area. This of course connotes change, and to accommodate change without chaos requires flexibility and discipline. Our Academy possesses both of these traits. It can also be characterized as dynamic and as possessing that special vitality that only the dedication of the finest professionals could inspire. With these traits, and with a spirit of responsibility and sense of duty, we have accomplished a lot over the past four years. What we’ve done falls in the category of dynamic evolution not revolution. I like to think of this as progress; however, time will provide the test and others will be the judges.

Shortly after 1 became Superintendent in 1977, we established the USAF Academy Flonor Review Committee to do an in-depth evaluation of the concept and administration of the Cadet Honor Code. In the process, the entire spectrum of cadet life was reviewed and more than 200 specific recommendations were developed. Many of the changes, much of the progress we’ve had since then was a result of the fine work done by this committee. (Incidentally, more than half of the members of this committee were Air Force Academy Graduates: Erv Rokke, ’62; John Fer, ’62; Tom Eller, ’61; Jim Wheeler, ’64; and Jerry Boesche, ’69). Some of the areas addressed were: Jury System for Honor Code Administration, Sanctions for Honor Violations, Honor Education, Academic Procedures, Cadet Privileges, and Cadet Wing Regulations. We made each of these areas more effective by either better definition or by simplification. For example, the volume of Cadet Wing Regulations was reduced by about 75 ff/o. Another example is more explicitly defining the Administration of the Honor Code by both Cadets and the Institution. The role of the Air Officer Commanding was examined in detail and the Cadet Privilege Package was completely modernized. This entire process was a healthy experience - one designed to improve every aspect of the Academy.

Lt. Gen. K.L. Tollman, 8th Superintendent of USAFA, retired after 35 years of distinguished service.

B./G. Bob Beckel, Commandant of Cadets, leads the Officer, NCO, and Cadet Squadrons as they “Pass in Review” to honor General Tollman.

Maj. Gen. Robert E. Kelley assumes the USAFA Command and becomes the 9th Superintendent.

We have made good progress in the Academic area, which is attested to by our continuing production of top scholars and recipients of an impressive number of prestigious graduate scholarships and fellowships. The Curriculum Review Committee is continuing to evaluate the courses we offer and looking at the requirements out to the year 2000. We are reducing the academic core requirements to give cadets more latitude in course selection and are on the verge of making academic majors optional. To increase the challenge offered to the cadets who have special abilities and interests in particular areas, we have implemented an Honors Program. On the other hand, to accommodate cadets who may have different rates of learning, our 4-5-1 Program allows selected cadets to underload during their freshman year and subsequently pick up the credit during a Summer Academic Session. In addition, A “Stretch-Out” Program will allow a few cadets to take an extra year to complete the academic requirements. A recent proposal is under study which if implemented would permit accelerated graduation for those select few who, due to a combination of their total ability in all areas, and probably their previous backgrounds, are able to master the Academy “Body of Knowledge” in less than 4 years. In 1979, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools again accredited the Academy, citing the high quality of the teaching program, the strength of the Faculty, the strong Administrative team, and the magnificent support structure that has been organized in terms of services, equipment, library, laboratories, and physical plant. So, as you can see, the Dean’s area certainly enjoys those institutional traits I mentioned earlier - particularly the progressiveness and vitality.

We have made significant progress in the athletic area as well. In spite of the less than impressive records you may be aware of in football, across the board the Academy still had better than a 70% overall win record in Intercollegiate Athletics. Probably the most significant change we’ve had though is joining the Western Athletic Conference. Entry into the WAC allows us to interact with Colleges and Universities in our region of the country, gives our athletes the opportunity to be selected for all Conference Honors, and permits the Academy to compete with other schools for Conference Championships. Membership in the WAC gives us an opportunity to be recognized at a level that is commensurate with the abilities of our athletes. We will maintain the traditional Non-WAC games such as the Service Academies and Notre Dame, but now have new challenges with such teams as the University of Hawaii and San Diego State (who we will play this year in Tokyo in the Mirage Bowl). We have expanded our sports involvement further by hosting such events as the National Sports Festival and Council Internationale Sports Militaire (CISM) Worldwide Judo Championships. In addition, the Summer Sports Camps Program is making a meaningful contribution to youth development in sports.

On the military side of the house, our Commandants have made remarkable strides in cadet training, military studies, and the airmanship programs. We now have a coherent Military Training Program that starts with basic cadet training and progresses through the four class structure. Each succeeding year builds on the previous year’s experience and is consistent with a well defined set of professional development objectives. Some of the less productive “rites of passage” have been replaced with

positive leadership methods that will be carried forth to a cadet’s officer career. The Program is still tough and demanding but in a more positive sense. Cadets must pass professional competency examinations at various stages of the training. To help determine progress and ensure quality in squadron performance, the commandant has established a standardization and evaluation program which is administered by both officers and cadets. The first year’s result of this program are very encouraging.

Upon the recommendation of the 25th Anniversary Review Committee, we instituted a Professional Development Review Committee which meets frequently. This committee is chaired by the Deputy Commandant for Military Instruction (now a permanent Professor) and has as members, faculty and athletic department representives. The group has designed a phased and integrated professional military training program. Military studies are now on a level with academic courses and the overlap and gaps between mission element instruction are being eliminated. As a step toward keeping pace with societal changes, we authorized second class cadets to own cars starting with the Class of 1981. A new grading system for military performance called the Military Performance Average (MPA) was developed to parallel the Academic Grade Point Average (GPA). In conjunction with this, a Military Review Committee was established with functions similar to the four Class Committees in the academic area. To make the transition from cadet to lieutenant smoother we instituted a transition period for the senior class which lasts from the end of Spring Break to Graduation. During this “Brevet Lieutenant” period the second class runs the Cadet Wing while the graduating class enjoys most of the privileges of an officer. They are required only to attend class and fulfill any other personal obligations. Finally, we have had a tremendous expansion of our airmanships programs aimed at giving every cadet the opportunity to solo in a sailplane (“Soar for All”) by the end of the third class year, and all interested cadets the chance to earn the Parachute Badge. Our summer programs are experiencing the evolutionary change also. For example operations “Non Comm” and “Third Lieutenant” are being combined into operation “Air Force” so we can reinstitute a concept similar to the ZI field trip experienced by earlier graduates. It should be obvious that the commandant’s area has also exercised that dynamic evolution and vitality that is characteristic of the Academy.

We have been aggressively working the retention/attrition issue without compromising the high standards which are so essential to this Institution. An attrition task force has studied every aspect of this tough problem and has offered some innovative solutions. The “Stop-Out” Program allows third class cadets in good standing to voluntarily leave for 1 year without pay and be readmitted if they desire. Sixty-three percent of the 52 who stopped out the first year returned. Initial results are encouraging. The interaction with active Air Force units has been dramatically increased both at the Academy and through visits to bases and exercises elsewhere. We are looking at admissions criteria and experimenting with “non traditional” criteria which may be more indicative of staying power and motivation to the military rather than just impressive academic or high school performance. Many of the other changes and progress in each mission element are expected to have a positive impact on retention. So again, you can see evidence of progressive thinking and determination to improve every aspect of this great Institution.

Gen Lew Allen, USAF Chief of Staff congratulates USMA ‘46 classmate Lt. Gen. Ken Tollman on the occasion of his retirement.

The report of the 25th Anniversary Review Committee published last year said the Academy is a strong, high quality Institution which has met and is meeting its difficult missions with a high degree of success. It went on to say that the strength of the Academy and of its leadership is illustrated by the degree to which the leadership encourages both internal and external review of policies and programs. However, that distinguished group of peopie had some sound suggestions for improvement in all areas; and the Academy is progressing toward implementing many of those recomendations.

I would be remiss if I neglected to mention one of the major milestones and the establishment of an important tradition that

MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT E. KELLEY

Major General Robert E. Kelley became the ninth Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy on 16 June 1981.

General Kelley was born Nov. 3, 1933, in Albany, N.Y. He was raised in New Canaan, Conn., graduated from high school in 1951 and attended Peekskill Military Academy before entering Rutgers University. He received his bachelor of science degree and commission in the Air Force in June 1956. He was a distinguished military graduate of the Rutgers University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. General Kelley earned his master’s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair, also in Washington, D.C.

General Kelley entered primary flying training at Bainbridge Air Base, Ga., in August 1956 and completed basic Hying training at Greenville Air Force Base, Miss., earning his wings in September 1957. Combat crew training in the F-86F and F-100 followed at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

His first operational assignment was as an F-100 pilot with the 461st Fighter-Day Squadron of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn Air Base, Germany. In May 1959 he joined the 53rd Tacdeal Fighter Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and served as special weapons officer.

Returning to the United States in 1961, General Kelley was checked out in the F-104 with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing at George Air Force Base, Calif. He deployed to Germany in the fall of 1961 as part of the United States response to the Berlin crisis. In January 1962 he was selected to help form the 443rd Combat Crew Training Squadron at George Air Force Base. This unit trained allied instructor pilots in the F-104G as part of the Military Assistance Program.

From 1964 to 1967, General Kelley served in the department of athletics at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., as the administrative assistant to the director and coached varsity lacrosse and skiing. During this tour of duty he qualified as an airborne parachutist at Fort Benning Ga.

Following three years at the Academy, General Kelley completed F-4 combat crew training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. He remained at Davis-Monthan as an F-4 instructor pilot and served as executive officer of the 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing until December 1968, when he joined the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, En route to Southeast Asia, he completed the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons Instructor Course at Nellis Air Force Base. While at Da Nang, General Kelley completed 119 combat missions in F-4E’s before being assigned in November 1969 as executive officer of the Tactical Air Control Center, Seventh Air

Looking Back (cont.)

occurred during my tenure - the graduation of the first women from the Academy. There was naturally some controversy with regard to whether women should be admitted to service academies. 1 think it’s time for that controversy to be forgotten and to get on with the programs designed to ensure that women get that equal chance. I am very proud of the progress we have made at the Air Force Academy, but 1 would never say that we have it made. Women have done very well in every aspect of this experience but unfortunately we still have some who do not accept women in the Academy and the Air Force. We have to work with that and never become complacent.

Our success at attracting and graduating well qualified blacks, hispanics, and other minorities is also something of which I am proud but not willing to be satisfied or complacent. These are issues we must always pay attention to and work hard at so that everyone truly has that equal opportunity.

Force, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.

On his return from Southeast Asia in June 1970, General Kelley became an operations staff officer in the tactics branch of fighter operations, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. From August 1972 to July 1973, he attended the National War College.

Assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., in 1973, he served as chief of the Fighter Forces Branch in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations. He was a member of the Tactical Fighter Force Modernization Study Group convened by the chief of staff and charged with developing a modernization strategy for the 1980s.

General Kelley became assistant for general officer matters, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, in June 1974. He was appointed vice commander, U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in June 1977. A year later he became commander of Tactical Training, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. In March 1979, General Kelley was appointed commander of the U.S. Air Force Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, Nellis AFB.

He is a command pilot with over 4,000 flying hours. Fighter aircraft he has flown include F-86s, F-lOOs, F-104s, F-4s, A-7s, A-lOs, F-5s, F-15s, F-llls and F-16s. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class.

He was promoted to major general Sept. 1, 1979, with date of rank Dec. 1, 1975.

General Kelley is married to the former Margaret Elizabeth Odell of Maplewood, N.J. Their eight children are: Patrick (deceased), Michael, Christopher, Karen, Kathleen, Robert Jr. (deceased), Diana and Colleen.

This farewell has gone on much longer than 1 anticipated and I’ve just scratched the surface of my recent reflections. It has been an exciting four years and I hope you all share the same sense of enthusiasm that I have for the United States Air Force Academy. This great Institution is strong, vital, and healthy. The momenturn is positive and it is so important for all of us to continue to work to maintain that momentum.

As I said earlier, this last Air Force assignment has been the most rewarding of all. Although none of us should ever be totally satisfied, 1 feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction at what we have accomplished together. I also have great confidence in my successor, Major General Bob Kelley who brings with him a wellrounded background of staff and command assignments. With your help, 1 am sure he will continue the excellence for which the Academy is noted.

Farewell - and best wishes to you all.

Earl Saunders, ’61

The Monday morning activity on the second floor of Vandenberg Hall was a bit bizarre. Instead of the familiar “cadet cavalcade’’, small children raced up and down the halls. Mothers draped in bathrobes scurried to the latrines with toddlers in tow. Dads, some in “civs,” some in UOD, congregated at the 7th Squadron CQ desk for morning coffee. Groups of families began to cluster to join in the long trek across the terrazzo to Mitch’s for breakfast before beginning the day’s activities. The first USAFA Alumni College had begun.

This year’s Summer Alumni College was a “smashing success” in every way! After more than a year of planning and preparation, the concept of an “alumni experience” in the cadet environment became a reality. A week-long program offering a variety of educational and recreational activities provided ample opportunity for enrichment and enjoyment by all participants.

The response to the announcement of an Alumni College in the Fall 1980 CHECKPOINTS brought more applicants than we could accommodate due to limited dormitory space. A selection process yielded a group of 31 grads from the classes of ’60 through ’76. A blend of active duty officers, reservists, national guardsmen, and plain civilians constituted the first Alumni College class. Twenty-eight grads brought their wives, and 63 children of ages 3 months through 18 years rounded out the group. (“Where does a 3-month old child sleep in the dorm?” you ask! “In one of the many cribs we set up in the rooms, of course!” You should have seen the potty chairs in the latrines, too!) All in all, the class was a very amicable group which began with but one common bond and quickly congealed into a “family unit.”

Daily activity included numerous events, each tailored for particular age groups. Adults were normally occupied by the academic program while children engaged in less formal activities.

The adult academic offerings consisted of a prescribed curriculum and an elective curriculum. The prescribed curriculum was masterfully designed by Chuck Yoos (’68) who neatly (amost magically) combined 19 academic disciplines into a unified presentation entitled “Deshocking the Future.” A program of four interdisciplinary seminars surveyed the frontier of what we know, and then considered an unforeseeable future by engaging

in structured speculation. The first day’s inquiry focused on Energy Futures and resource depletion. Life in the Dawning Electronic Epoch, the second day’s offering, investigated the technical and societal impact of mass telecommunications and data processing systems. The third day examined Global Political and Economic Systems based on the hypothesis that democratic institutions are jeopardized by scarcity of materials. The final seminar, with Colonel Malham Wakin as featured lecturer who presented Awakening from the American Dream, focused on the demands of a changing society. The total program was challenging, thought provoking, and entertaining. The response from most participants was that it was “rewarding.”

The elective curriculum was designed to accommodate the varying individual interests of participants. We offered a variety of 17 mini-seminars, geared for small groups, on topics such as Personal Estate Planning, Values Expressed in Literature, Diet and Cardiovascular Health, and Home Computers.

When “school” was over for the day, it was “fun time.” Golf, tennis, horseback riding, and many other recreational activities filled the bill. A few social events brought the group together in a congenial and relaxed atmosphere. A buffet/mixer on the opening evening provided an opportunity for the group to get to know one another. At midweek, we gathered at the golf course for a steak cookout. The week ended with a banquet at the Officers Club. General Kelley, who had only been on station three days, took time out of his busy schedule to join us. He offered congratulations on our first attempt at an alumni college and promised full support for future efforts. The Alumni College was honored to have Brigadier General Bob Beckel (’59), Commandant of Cadets, a man of many “firsts,” as our guest speaker.

Children were well attended during the entire week. There were a number of activities provided for children of any age. We even established the first child care center in the dormitory. The Alumni College Nursery School was set up in room 2A25 of Vandenberg for children aged 3-5. Older children were included in the USAFA Day Camp, which met every day, or in our Junior Seminar Series which offered instruction in computer science, astronomy, or Investigating the Shroud of Turin. A group of 20 youngsters climbed the trail to Stanley Reservoir and spent an evening eating marshmallows and “burnt” hamburgers before bedding down under the stars for “a night in the wild.”

It was a week to be remembered by all. Everyone who attended experienced some deeper appreciation of the Academy. The Alumni College has been an experiment to extend the Academy experience beyond graduation. It is an opportunity to reinforce the bond between graduates, the institution, and families. Coming home means a lot of different things to a lot of people, but coming home is always—coming home!

We hope that the Alumni College will be repeated next year.Watch your fall CHECKPOINTS for an announcement.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Alumni College I was a success by any standard. Earl Saunders and his able assistants are to be congratulated. Additionally, the active support of B./G. W.A. Orth, Dean of Faculty, Col. M.D. Bacon, Director of Research and Continuing Education, and the entire DF staff is publicly acknowledged with gratitude.

On the following page are two letters received shortly after Alumni College I. These letters say it best plan now to attend a future Alumni College.

ALUMNI COLLEGE I

To Grads in the Rocky Mountain Region:

Most of you who live in or near Colorado must have thought “Who needs an Alumni College? I’ve been back for a visit in the past couple of years and 1 know what’s happening there.” For those who felt that way, reconsider before the registration deadline for the Second Annual Alumni College.

True, one day was devoted to a current programs orientation and a facilities tour (Jack’s Valley and the airfield), but even a person assigned to the AFA could learn much during these orientations. For example, the Honor Code discussion was an eyeopener for all except those most intimately involved with the Code’s administration. The real value of the week, however, lay in the four days of prescribed academics and electives and in the friendships, new and renewed. The academic presentations were uniformly superb and intellectually stimulating, capped by Col Wakin’s eloquent soliloquy on morality. At several dinners the attendees, many of whom are now civilians, had time to meet the other seventy grads/spouses and rub elbows with the new Superintendent, the Dean, and the Commandant. The kids were well cared for, also, with nursery school, day camp, hiking, overnight camping and other programs, all designed appropriately for the various age groups. Of course one of the highlights was allowing the spouses to (legally) experience the “luxuries” of V-berg dorm living!

Grads and spouses were virtually unanimous in considering the First Alumni College a very meaningful experience. You can be certain that when ex-cadets are that uniformly positive about the program, there must be significant merit to the college. So, set aside now a week next June and attend the Second Annual Alumni College, even you grads, civilian or military, who live in the Rocky Mountain region, and even you who are assigned at USAFA. It will be an extremely worthwhile experience you are not likely to forget.

STEVE LANDERS, ’67, Department of Chemistry, USAFA First Annual Alumni College Attendee

Dear Earl,

Brett, Tia, Judy and I are somewhere over Eastern Colorado as we wing our way home to New England, but my thoughts drift back to the rewarding and enriching week that we spent as a family at the First Alumni College.

By week’s end our seven year old son Brett, who having grown up in a civilian environment was proudly pointing to a picture saying, “Look Dad, it’s an F-4 Phantom”, the information of which he somehow picked up during his stay. A stop at the visitors center as we departed found the children picking out AFA shirts, patches, and rings to wear along with a few other rememberances.

However, the most heart warming reward of the entire week was the powerful influence the quality of instruction had on my wife, Judy. While a cadet we had dated and naturally championed our own school. Now, some nineteen years later she had an opportunity to experience firsthand the professionalism and academic excellence that the Academy offers to our young men and women. Prior to this experience her belief in our school, though strong, was not particularly championed. But now 1 see her re-vitalized with a desire to pursue her own education, and with a strong belief in the Academy - much stronger than when we were an Air Force family. In this firsthand experience that a nonAcademy graduate can experience I feel lies an important message.

The Academy needs the best of our youth for our country’s leadership roles. What better way is there to encourage the youth

of today towards an Academy education than thru firsthand knowledge of the school being presented to them by those of us who have established ourselves in communities in all lines of endeavor. We belong to various civic organizations and deal regularly with the community youth as well as parents. Through this constant direct community contact we can help the Academy obtain well qualified cadets, and each voice that the Academy can add throughout our country is a voice in the Air Force’s favor.

As for me, the week was one that will always be with me. It was a week of chasing memories - a week of pride for me to have my children experience where their “Daddy” went to school. It was a week of trying to comprehend the school’s changes - locked cadet doors - Doolie recognition in March - honor code words unchanged but with profound changes in interpretation - “Sanitary bag disposal only” containers in latrines - cadet rooms with fur rugs, hanging plants, wild colored bedspreads - waterless air gardens -cadets with more privileges in one year than we had in four - a week of academic stimulation - a week of renewing and finding new friendships.

For us the Alumni College was highly successful. It is different to highlight what meant the most to us. It all flowed so nicely together; living in Vandenberg Hall, meals at Mitch’s, academics in old and new surroundings, social get togethers in Arnold Hall, taps and reveille, and on and on. But the reason for such a suecessful Alumni College is easy to find, and the reason is you, and your fellow officers and their wives who worked so hard so that we could enjoy.

We thank you Chuck Yoos for organizing our program. Thank you Rob Donohue, Dan Burkett, and Steve Hazle for being our hotel managers and catering to our many requests. Thank you Dennis Topper for running the day camp and spending so much time with our children. Thank you Brad and Debbie Shafer for your financial planning and running Vandenberg’s first nursery. Thank you Jay Connery for taking care of the meals. Thank you Bruce Anderson for being Mr. Fix-it. Thank you Ron McKelvy, Mark Ewig, Rob Hussey, and Bill McKinnis for the hike and all you did for us. And thanks to the AOG for their support and spreading of the word.

Thank you Earl; it was marvelous, you really brought an immeasurable amount of joy to my family. Simply put, on a scale of 1 to 10 the First Alumni College scored about 946.

If you and your family, or any of the fellows and their families get up New Hampshire way please stop in and see us, you’re always welcome.

Sincerely,

Guy Dennis, ’64

Professional Competence

“Professional competence is more than a display of book knowledge or of the results of military schooling. It requires the display of qualities of character which reflect inner strength and justified confidence in one’s self.”

General Maxwell D. Taylor

CHAPTER NEWS

SOUTHWEST OHIO CHAPTER

The Southwest Ohio Chapter held a “Welcome” beer call in July to honor arriving lieutenants of ’81 and to welcome all incoming grads to the WrightPatterson area. We’re happy to have so many new faces in our crowd.

If you are new to our area or are moving here in the near future, contact us so that you can become a part of our Chapter. Check us out to see if there is something we can offer you or if there is some experience that you can share with us. Call David Chaffee, ’77, at (513) 433-0663 or write to the address below.

Unfortunately, this summer also means the loss of several of our key Chapter players. The PCS cycle is drawing some of our most active members away from Wright-Patt. We offer our salute to those who are departing, with wishes of good luck at your next destination.

SW Ohio Chapter USAFA AOG

5163 Scarsdale Dr. Kettering, Ohio 45440

ALAMO AREA CHAPTER USAFA - AOG P.O. Box 418 Randolph A.F.B., TX 78148

The Alamo Area Chapter held a “June Week” luncheon on 4 June 1981. The turnout was excellent as was the food, fellowship, and the spectacular view of San Antonio from the Plaza Club high atop the Frost Bank Tower in downtown S.A.

Our guest speaker for the luncheon was Brig Gen Thomas C. Richards, Commander of the USAF Recruiting Service and in the recent past, Commandant of Cadets at USAFA. Gen Richards prior career assignments also included an earlier tour as an exec, Squadron AOC, and Group AOC at USAFA which gave him an in-depth insight into the growth and progress of the Academy. Our heartiest thanks to Gen Richards for his frank and open views on the academy’s progress, to date, and his most candid opinions on its future. All in attendance found the discussion to be most enlightening.

Speaking of attendance, in addition to the grads and their wives, it was indeed a

pleasure to have one of our Honorary Members, Gen McDermott, join us for the June Week luncheon. Also, among the guests who helped make our event so successful were: Gen Vandenbos, Commander of Wilford Hall Medical Center; Col Jack Williams, Chairman of the Division of Surgery at WHMC; Col (Ret.) Vic Ferrari, USAA, Senior Vice-President for Human Resources and Services and an old friend of the early Classes at the Academy; Maj (Ret.) Joe Vizzone of Group Plans at USAA and the father of Capt Raymond T. Vizzone of the Class of ’76; Cadet/MSGT’s Clint Bennett and Jon Casello, both members of the Class of ’83 and future members of the AOG.

Gen Stillman had planned to join us but 4 June found him convalescing from surgery. He is doing just fine and should be fit as a fiddle by the time this issue of CHECKPOINTS is on the street.

The Chapter is busily planning for our fall social event to be held on Sunday, 13 Sep 81. As a change of pace we are working on a family affair which will include an afternoon golf tournament, tennis tournament, and family swimming followed by an outdoor family style Barb-que at the Brooks AFB Officers Club. As with most of the Chapters events, this one is open to not only members but all graduates and friends of USAFA. Anyone interested in more information on the Sep event or on either graduate or associate membership in the Alamo Area Chapter please feel free to contact either Jim Brown (Randolph AFB ext 5103 - Home -654-6328) or Larry Freeman (Randolph AFB ext 4219 - Home - 494-4827).

JIM BROWN President

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER

The organizing committee for formation of a N. California Chapter has drafted a proposed constitution and selected a slate of officers for approval at a charter meeting/dinner in early September at the Travis AFB Officer’s Club. If you haven’t received a flyer and are interested in joining this new chapter, contact Ron Love ’69, 155 Stirling Drive, Vacaville, CA 95688, (707) 448-4645.

NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER

...on a hot sunny Texas afternoon in May, the Sixteen Horsemen of the Metroplex rode again... and their names were Walt Herter ’62, Doug Tice ’62, Mike Gibbons ’63, Bill Reemtsma ’63, George Kuzmiak ’66, Ken Bowers ’68, Bob Dailey ’68, Rick Bjorklund ’70, Dave Brigman ’71, Ron Hale ’71, Bill Mino ’71, Joe Kreimborg ’71, Rick Barton ’71, Tom Stiles ’72, Carl Dofelmier ’72, Jim Struble ’74,

Amply supported by the cheering of wives, girl friends, and children, not to mention an unlimited supply of beer, the North Texas Association of Air Force Academy Graduates once again proved its worth by defeating the alumni associations of Army and Navy in the annual round-robin softball doubleheader, thereby winning the coveted silver trophy and combination drinking chalice.

The festivities began with Army, decked-out in their fearsome black and gold, arriving two-hours prior to game time for practice. The sound of “Play Ball” sent a chill through the crowd equaled only by that of reaching in the icechest for another cold beer.

As Army and Navy took the field for the first game, the wiley Air Force Alumni lay in the shade and planned strategy. Army proved their practice paid off by defeating Navy, thereby establishing Navy as the first opponent for the “high” flying ex-Falcons.

FORM AN AOG CHAPTER

It only takes some interest to get an AOG Chapter organized. The AOG office can assist and the first step in the process is to contact the Executive Director for a kit that may help you in your initial efforts.

A victory by the AFA Alum’s over Navy would ensure the much anticipated AFA-Army championship game. After a somewhat slow start, the zoomies launched their attack and the final score was AFA-11, Navy-0

The obligatory R&R period between games was highlighted by toasting the sinking of Navy as the two championship

’81 GRADUATES

The ranks of Air Force Academy graduates grew to more than 14,000 as 858 members of the Class of 1981 graduated during June Week festivities.

Caspar W. Weinberger, Secretary of Defense, was guest speaker, and Verne Orr, Secretary of the Air Force, was on hand to bestow awards. Culminating the colorful graduation, the Thunderbirds performed their traditional show over Falcon Stadium to the amazement of the crowds of well-wishers.

This year’s class is the 23rd group of new officers commissioned from USAFA since the first class graduated in 1959.

Among the graduating cadets were 113 minority members: 43 Blacks, 41 Spanish-Americans, 26 Asian-Americans, and three American Indians completed the four years.

Some 275 of the graduates are continuing a military tradition in their families. As might be expected, the largest group of military parents comes from the Air Force, with 195. Among this number, two are general officers, 115 are other officers of various grades and 78 noncommissioned officers.

The new second lieutenants in the Class of 1981 will be reporting to a variety of assignments. A total of 544 will go to pilot training and 25 to helicopter training. Eighteen members of the class have received scholarships for graduate studies and another 18 will go on to medical school.

But as we all know, June Week isn’t just statistics. It is a blend of excitement at the prospect of finally graduating, sadness at the same prospect, weddings, parties, and a great feeling of accomplishment. Fortunately, the new officers commissioned on May 27 also gained more than academic knowledge in the four years they were here. They leave with pride in what they can accomplish as individuals and a humility necessary to learn the lessons to cope with what lies ahead.

Chapter News...

game opponents questioned each other’s ancestry and exchanged other pleasantries.

“The Game” began! Air Force, designated as hometeam, entered the last half-inning trailing 4-2. Combining power hitting, aggressive base-running, and the shear determination which would be expected of AFA-exs, the winning run crossed the plate with two out, and the final score of 5-4 is now history!

As the silver chalice was filled to overflowing, the victors celebrated as might be expected. The gracious Army team, maintaining dignity in defeat, invited us to assist in floating their keg. We accepted their generous offer and the reverent scene of weary warriors gathered around the barrel of beer will long be remembered.

As true sportsmen, we intend to defend our crown next year. In the meantime, the North Texas Association of AFA Grads will be able to admire the two-foot silver trophy, signifying our ability to drink beer and play softball in 95° heat.

Bill Reemtsma

The North Texas Warriors

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED BY

You of the Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps are somewhat unique here at the Air Force Academy. You have chosen to travel down a different road than most of your cadet contemporaries. By participating in the Drum and Bugle Corps you have separated yourselves from the mainstream of cadets through hours of practice and frequent trips away from school. I have seen you studying in the back of cramped C-130s, on noisy Air Force buses, and in many other equally unsuitable locations. I know you have taken graded reviews in hotel meeting rooms, Air Force base theaters, and National Guard briefing rooms all over the country. You have distinguished yourselves in hot uniforms, on long parades with sore feet, after early wake ups, and through 19-hour days. But you are different from your fellow citizens back home in a much more important way.

You have chosen a career in the United States Air Force! You have not merely selected one of many alternatives. You have not chosen the Ivy League over the Big Ten, Ford over General Motors, accounting over law. You have made a radical decision. You have separated yourself from 99% of your peers. Indeed, you have chosen a road less traveled by.

1 am reminded of the poem The Road Not Taken by that great American poet -Robert Frost. Let me share it with you:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long 1 stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

1 doubted if 1 should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and 1

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

As you walk this road together, it is easy to forget how different, how unique, how special you are. Oh, you may feel it when you are at home.

You may feel it when you tell your folks how you low crawled to dinner every day of your fourth class year. How you spent each meal at rigid attention answering

repetitive questions of useless knowledge while upper class cadets gorged themselves on various epicurean delights.

You may feel it when you discuss with friends the months you spent in Basic Cadet Training; doing thousands of pushups, running hundreds of miles, eating mountains of dust - all while residing in the luxurious squalor of Tent City in Jack’s Valley.

You may feel it when telling acquaintenances of the harrows of survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training. How they locked you up in a box and beat you about the hands and face while screaming at you in some unintelligible “foreign” language. But, most of the time you tend to lose sight of your uncommonness.

While here, you see only your traveling companions. Roughly 60% of your class will graduate with you. It is the minority who drops by the wayside, who changes paths to travel down one of life’s other roads. And so, you forget you have chosen the unique, the radical, the road less traveled by.

Many of your friends from high school will marry their high school sweethearts, settle down in your hometown and live out their lives.

You will move every two to four years. You will have at least two tours outside the Continental United States and you face long separations from your immediate family.

Some of your high school classmates will taste the fruits of capitalism, become wealthy and live a life of relative ease.

You will change jobs more than ten times in a 20-year career and will struggle in middle-class anonymity no matter how successful.

Your childhood friends will walk picket lines, organize unions, participate in demonstrations, sit on school boards and run for political office.

You will work for Democrat and Republican alike. You will be more interested in weapon systems built by foreign nations thousands of miles away than in the price of corn in Illinois.

Your childhood friends will go to work in offices, in factories, and on farms. You will fly airplanes at more than twice the speed of sound; you will live and work in countries your friends back home may have never even heard of; you will travel into space with the ease and casualness with which men now fly piper cubs - and, unless you are different from every generation of airmen before you; you will fight a war in the skies over foreign

shores. You, my friends, have chosen the road less traveled by.

General Douglas MacArthur made the same point, much more eloquently than I on the occasion of his farewell speech to the corps of cadets at West Point. Let me quote:

Others will debate the controversial issues, national and international, which divide men’s minds. But serene, calm, aloof, you stand as the Nation’s war guardians, as its lifeguards from the raging tides of international conflict, as its gladiators in the arena of battle. For a century and a half you have defended, guarded, and protected its hallowed traditions of liberty and freedom, of right and justice.

Let civilian voices argue the merits or demerits of our processes of government: Whether our strength is being sapped by deficit financing indulged in too long, by Federal paternalism grown too mighty, by power groups grown too arrogant, by politics grown too corrupt, by crime grown too rampant, by morals grown too low, by taxes grown too high, by extremists grown too violent; whether our personal liberties are as firm and complete as they should be.

These great national problems are not for your professional participation or military solution. Your guidepost stands out like a tenfold beacon in the night: Duty, honor, country.

This is not the guidepost of the civilian world from which most of us come. As I look down that road as far as I can see to where it bends in the undergrowth I see a far different guidepost. Flashing in the garish illumination of a neon light -money, prestige, self.

Instead of devotion to duty at all costs; I see a hunger for material wealth at any cost. Instead of a belief in honor as the foundation for all relationships between men and the institutions they build; I see a perverse need to be thought of highly in the eyes of others - no matter the truth. Instead of a belief in country that transcents ones own purposes; 1 see a generation rising up as one with a common refrain - what’s in it for me? As Air Force officers, you have chosen the road less traveled by.

You have chosen 24-hour days in God forsaken places. You have chosen low pay and little appreciation. You have chosen to fight your countries wars; to lead others into battles from which many will not return; to send your comrades to die -so that others may live, in peace and freedom.

The profession of arms is like that of a physician who is entrusted with the care and survival of a human life. As an of-

(This speech was given by Captain Terence J. Swan to the USAF Academy Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps’ 1981 Dining-Out)

ficer, you will be intrusted with the care and survival of a way of life. The continuing existance of that way of life will be your reward. There will be precious few others - for you have chosen the road less traveled by.

As I look at each and every face here tonight, I hope and pray that like the poet, you will be able to look back at your career, “ages and ages hence”, and say “That has made all the difference.”

But you must begin now by making a difference in your self, by making a difference in the cadet wing, by making a difference in the Air Force - so that when the time comes you can make a difference for your nation.

General Billy Mitchell was just such a man. General Billy Mitchell believed in a principal of war known as air power. He believed so strongly in that principal that he was willing to face the derision of his peers and the condemnation of his superiors rather than betray his conscience.

In 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, though we were sadly lacking, we still had an Army Air Corps and we still had an aircraft industry that would later produce airplanes at a rate never thought possible. General Billy Mitchell made a difference.

General Douglas MacArthur was just such a man. He too faced humiliation and disgrace over a principal. He believed that “in war there is no substitute for victory.” Had his country listened better we might have avoided the debacle known as the Vietnam conflict. But there are those now in high places in government and the military who harken back to the echoes of General MacArthur’s words. They are preparing their nation so that we will never again accept a substitute for vietory. General Douglas MacArthur made a difference.

Captain Lance P. Sijan was just such a man. Captain Sijan believed in the American fighting man’s code of conduct. He spent 45 days in the Vietnam jungle, with no food and little water propelling himself backwards on his elbows and buttocks toward what he hoped was freedom. After capture, seriously injured and terribly weakened, he escaped once and plotted continuously. Though tortured for hours, he told only his name. Lance Sijan finally gave his life in support of the principals embodied in the code of conduct.

In doing so he became as a light shining into the darkened recesses of Hanoi’s prisoner of war camps. And he became a hero to an Air Force and a nation badly in need of one. Captain Lance P. Sijan made a difference - and so can you!

But you must begin now by choosing duty over friendship, honor over expediency, and country over self. My friends don’t allow the all too numerous, mundane, trivial details that seem a necessary part of cadet life to blind you to the opportunities for personal and professional growth that are available to you here at the Academy and in the Air Force.

Take chances, go out on a limb. Volunteer for the tough jobs in the squadron, in the classroom, or down on the athletic fields. Take that staff job that nobody else wants because its all paperwork.

To you who are about to be commissioned: Set standards worthy of the time, money, faith, and trust invested in you here at the Academy. If you go to pilot training or tech school, set your sights on graduating first in your class. It takes guts to aim for first. Because the odds are you’ll fail. But I guarantee if you set your sights high and fail you will learn 100 times more than you will ever learn by aiming for the mean.

Remember, every officer, every NCO, every enlisted man or women you meet will expect more from you because you are a graduate of the Air Force Academy. Don’t disappoint them. Don’t disappoint those who have gone before you. Men like Lance Sijan, Carl Richter, and General Bob Beckel.

If you do these things - if you prepare diligently, if you set high standards and challenging goals for yourself and those who may serve under you, you will be worthy of the road less traveled by. You will make a difference.

^ *JL» ^ ^ ^ ^

The Author...

Captain Swan is a 1970 graduate of the University of Mississippi and a Distinguished Graduate of Officer Training School. He served as an Air Weapons Controller in the 26th NORAD Region, Phoenix, Arizona; the 619th TAC Control Squadron, Republic of Vietnam; and the Office of the Inspector General, North American Air Defense Command. In 1972, he was selected as the Junior Officer of the Year for Tan Son Nhut AB, Republic of Vietnam. He holds a Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and is a graduate of Squadron Officers School and Air Command and Staff College. Captain Swan came to the Air Force Academy in 1978 as a Course Director in Military Studies. In 1979, he served as Chief of Summer Programs and in 1980 he became the Air Officer Commanding for CS-26. He was recently selected for promotion to Major. He has been awarded the Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal First Class, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star.

WOMEN CADETS AT THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Sue Slavec, Class of 1980*

When President Ford signed Public Law 94-106 authorizing the admission of women to the United States service academies, speculation increased about how this change would effect the Air Force Academy’s academic and military programs. Now that two classes of women have graduated we can begin to draw conclusions to support or to dispell predictions made in 1976 when the first class of 157 women entered. This review of women at the U.S. Air Force Academy encompasses the admissions qualifications of the classes of 1980 thru 1984, the academic and military performance of these classes, and attrition through June 1981. The average admissions scores, performance measures, and attrition of men and women cadets are compared and possible reasons for major differences are provided.

Admissions Qualifications. The admissions process for USAFA places heavy emphasis on prior academic background. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) scores and rank in high school class are reasonably good predictors of a student’s ability to handle the Academy’s academic load. Average SAT Scores for the classes of 1980-1984, shown in Table 1, indicate that, compared to men, women candidates generally have had higher verbal aptitude scores and lower math aptitude scores and, with the exception of 1980, men’s combined verbal and math SAT scores have been higher than women’s. In these five classes 83 percent of the women were in the top 10 percent of their high school class compared to 65 percent of the men.

Another aspect of an applicant’s background considered in the admissions process is leadership potential. Table 2 shows two indicators of leadership potential, serving as high school class president and citizenship awards. Men cadets tend to be high school presidents more often than women, but more women cadets received citizenship awards in high school. These differences in scholastic and leadership activities can be compared to society in general. Generally women perform well in humanities while men score higher in math aptitude. SAT scores for cadets are consistent with differences in the general population. In leadership and extracurricular activities, except for cheerleading, until recently few high schools had major extracurricular and athletic programs for women. Therefore, a major portion of women’s time in high school has been spent in studying and community involvement rather than in athletic and leadership positions that men high school students typically pursue.

The Academy uses a number of academic and leadership criteria similar to those discussed above to assess how an applicant will do at USAFA. To obtain the very highest quality in each entering class, the Academy seeks applications from a very large number of young men and women. Table 3 shows the total candidates, qualified candidates, and entrants. The number of candidates has been reasonably stable throughout the years, due in large part to the allocation of nominations by congressional areas. The number of qualified men and women candidates has risen in recent admissions cycles, thus assuring a more competitive pool from which to choose cadets. The percentage of women admitted each year averages about 12 percent and is expected to remain at this level.

*Appreciation is extended to the Office of Institutional Research, Office of Admissions and the Registrar, for help in the collection of data for this article. The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s and do not reflect those of the U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Air Force.

Cadet Performance. After the admissions process is complete and the new cadets arrive at the Academy, the real test of their potential begins. Academics play a large part in cadet life, and often performance in this area is a determining factor in how active one can be in military and athletic activities. Table 4 compares men and women’s cumulative GPA’s in the classes of 1980-1984. With the exception of the Class of 1980, women’s cumulative GPA has been slightly lower than men’s. The higher GPA for the class of 1980 women may be attributable to their higher verbal and math aptitude (Table 1) and to the fact that a number of women in this class had prior college, were older, and were highly motivated.

In the classes of 1980 and 81 women’s cumulative GPA improved by a greater amount between their fourth class and first class years than did men’s. A similar pattern is shown in Table 5 which compares the percentage of men and women on the Dean’s List. The percentage of women on the Dean’s List increases the longer a class is at the Academy. In the first three semesters at the Academy, compared to men, a smaller percentage of women were on the Dean’s List. After the third semester no consistent pattern of comparison between percentage of men and women on the Dean’s List appears. One possible explanation for the poorer performance of women in the first three semesters in all classes is that as women integrated into and adjusted to a traditional male environment the lack of acceptance of the women in the cadet wing caused many stressful situations that may affect academic performance. But as women adjusted and adapted they probably experienced less hostility and found an atmosphere more conducive to academics.

The evaluation of military performance measured by the military performance average (MPA) is often a subjective appraisal that may carry more credibility with those who do well in military duties than with those who don’t. Yet the MPA is a tangible indicator of performance in the military training. In showing the distribution of women by quarters of the military order of merit (MOM), Table 6, indicates that over time women tend to achieve higher than proportional representation in the top quarter and top half of the MOM. In the third and fourth class year there

is a relatively smaller percentage of women on the Commandant’s List compared to the second and first class years (see Table 5). This trend may be due to the fact that by the second and first class years there have usually been only one or two women per squadron in each upper class, and their actions, however small, are readily observed and noted, as compared to their male counterparts who might easily blend in with the woodwork while performing in a similar manner. Of course, this type of attention may be as detrimental to the woman cadet as it may be beneficial. Also contributing to an improved MPA over time for the women cadets is the improved GPA in the upperclass years, since a better academic standing allows for more active military participation.

During the last two years, women cadets have held a number of responsible positions in the cadet command hierarchy. Table 7 summarizes the percentage of these positions held by first class women cadets in the classes of 1980 and 81. While women are under-represented in these command positions in relation to their members in the Cadet Wing, it appears that women cadet leaders are beginning to move beyond the “tokenism” stage. However, until more first class women have had the opportunity to serve in leadership positions, it is premature to assess this aspect of women cadets’ military performance.

Cadet Attrition. Before women ever entered USAFA, attrition was closely monitored and analyzed. Table 8 shows generally greater attrition by women than by men, with the exception of 1980. This has been attributed to the “pioneer” spirit of the first class of women as well as older, more career-oriented women in this class. The women in the class of 1981 had an unusually high attrition rate. A number of reasons have been offered: not enough attention to the women of 1981 compared to 80, lack of upperclass and officer role models, a large number of marriages to 1978, 79 and 80 men graduates, and the absence of glamour that the news media portrayed with the class of 1980. In addition, a large number of the women dropouts with each class has been due to a conflict in marriage versus career, the unattractiveness of joint spouse careers in the military, and general loss of motivation to continue the program.

In looking back to 28 June 1976, and the subsequent four years and remembering all the news media, photographers, and hostile upperclass that surrounded the 157 new women in the class of 1980, I cannot help but recall the words of many men cadets that

About the author:

Lt. Sue Slavec is a Denver native and served at USAFA in RR for one year following graduation. While a cadet, Sue was in CS-19, majored in Behaviorial Science, and served as a Flight Commander.

TABLE

PERCENT OF MEN AND WOMEN ON MERIT LISTS

women didn’t belong at USAFA and that women would ruin the Academy’s high standards and infringe on this last bastion of male dominance. In view of the facts presented above, I believe that women have added a totally new dimension to the Cadet Wing. The U.S. Air Force Academy now has a much more realistic atmosphere, similar to the rest of the Air Force; admission to the Academy is as competitive as ever; academic and military standards have been improved; and cadet life is certainly more interesting. But the most important benefit of bringing

women into the Cadet Wing is the development of a new source of highly trained and qualified officers for the U.S. Air Force, and producing officers of the highest quality has been and continues to be why the Air Force Academy exists.

TABLE 7

(as of 27 June 81)

FALCON HUNT

Dick Ellis ’68

It is that time of year to again appeal to the graduate community for support in recruiting top high school athletes from across the country. Recently, Coach Ken Hatfield sent a blue card to each graduate asking for help in identifying top football recruits. The response was encouraging and each graduate who volunteered will be contacted by a member of the football staff with details on what you can do to contribute to the Academy’s program. This recent effort to solicit graduate help in recruiting is not new. In fact, articles by Terry Isaacson and John Lorber have appeared in the AOG magazine before. Unfortunately, the responses to these past articles have not been overwhelming.

As we start a new appointment cycle and recruiting year, let me briefly explain the Academy’s athletic recruiting program, and what you can do to help. It is a well known fact that recruiting is the life blood of a successful athletic program. The Air Force Academy from its beginning has actively recruited top high school athletes and has aided in their appointments. It should be understood that though the Academy is involved in the appointment process for these recruited athletes, each individual athlete has to meet the minimum academic, leadership, and physical standards established for all Academy appointees. The main difference between the athlete appointees and the normal appointees is that the athlete has to be sold on why the Air Force Academy is a better college opportunity than the athletic scholarship he has at Stanford, Penn State, or Texas A&M. This is, of course, the heart of athletic recruiting.

The first, and most important part of recruiting is to identify those top high school athletes. The Academy recruits on a national basis which puts us at a disadvantage when competing with colleges and universities within each state. The Office of Candidate Counseling run by Mr. Jim Bowman each year sends out thousands of search letters to high school coaches across the country asking for recommendations on top players who can qualify for appointment to the Air Force Academy. Combined with the efforts of many of the Liaison Officers, this search letter

program is effective in identifyfhg many top prospects, but is in no way complete. Every year, we receive high school coaches’ recommendations on athletes who “are not good enough to play for Notre Dame, UCLA, Washington, Texas Tech, etc., but are good enough for the Air Force Academy.’’ What these coaches fail to understand is the Air Force Academy plays these schools and if we are going to have a chance to beat Notre Dame, UCLA, Washington, or Texas Tech we need to recruit the same kind of top athlete these schools are recruiting. This is where you can help. If you are aware of a top athlete in your area please send his name to us. Don’t assume we already know about him. In many cases, we might know about the top high school quarterback in your area but have not heard of the All State woman swimmer. If you don’t keep up with the sports in your area you can still help us by sending newspaper clippings which highlight the top athletes in your area.

Once the top athletes are identified, transcripts are sent for by Mr. Bowman’s Office and a thorough check is made on the individual’s academic and leadership qualifications for appointment. If the athlete is qualified, the second phase of recruiting begins. Letters, catalogs, and Academy brochures are sent to the athlete. Every effort is made to show the athlete what we believe is the unique opportunity of becoming an Air Force cadet. However, the winning edge in recruiting is the personal involvement of Academy coaches and your support in selling this unique opportunity. It is in this area that you can have a tremendous impact. If you can write a letter or make a phone call to a prospective Academy athlete please let us know.

To summarize, the Academy needs your help in 1) identifying top high school athletes, and 2) telling the Air Force Academy story. If you can help in either or both of these areas please contact:

Mr. Jim Bowman

Office of Candidate Counseling (AHD)

USAF Academy, Colorado 80840 TABLE 6

HOMECOMING ’81

1-4 OCTOBER

14th JABARA AWARD MEMORIAL CEREMONY USAFA vs CSU CLASS OF 1971 TEN-YEAR REUNION

SPECIAL EVENTS

Preliminary Schedule

Thursday, 1 October 1981

1800- ’71 Dinner Antler’s Plaza

Friday, 2 October 1981

0930-1130 Open House Cadet Dorms

1200-1245

1300-1550

1300-1700

1620-1820

1730-2000

2000- Informal Get-togethers

Saturday, 3 October 1981

0830-0930 Coffee Arnold Hall

0945-1030 Memorial Ceremony Terrazzo

2200-2400

Sunday,4 October 1981

THURSDAY

Class of 1971 Reunion Banquet. Start the best ten-year reunion ever with cocktails beginning at 1800 in the Colorado Room at the Antler’s Plaza. Renew old acquaintances and swap war stories before settling down to a delightful dinner in the Antler’s Grand Ballroom at 1930. After dinner, join the class in remembering the Good Old Days.

FRIDAY

Open House. Take your wife on a tour of the Cadet Area. Both dormitories and the Chapel will be open, so drop by your old squadron and reminisce about when USAFA was really tough.

Lunch at Mitchell Hall. Join the cadets for one of Mitchell Hall’s famous Friday lunches. This activity is limited to 200, so make your reservations quickly; adults only please.

Golf Tournament. If golf is your game, you will certainly want to play in this exciting tournament with real prizes. Limited clubs and carts will be available.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

REGISTRATION

Send the completed registration form and your check to the Association of Graduates.

Registration packets, tickets, and name tags can be picked up at the Antler’s Plaza Hotel registration desk on Thursday from 1600-1900, or at the registration desk in Arnold Hall, 0900-1500, 2 Oct and 0900-1100, 3 Oct.

Registration fee for AOG members is only $14 per person. Registration fee for non-AOG members is $16 per person. The fee includes hors d’oeuvres at the Friday cocktail party, the Saturday morning coffee, the pre-game lunch, and the Saturday evening reception, banquet, and dance.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Headquarters for the Class of 1971 ten-year reunion is the Antler’s Plaza Hotel. Rooms may be reserved by completing the room reservation form in the Antler’s advertisement or by calling or writing the Antler’s Plaza Hotel, Chase Stone Center, Colorado Springs, Colo 80903. (303-473-5600) Members of the Class of ’71 will receive a room reservation envelope in a separate mailing. If you write or call the Antler’s be sure to tell them you are with USAF Academy Homecoming. Rates are $40 single/$44 double (children free).

Rooms are also available at the Rodeway Inn, 2407 Pikes Peak, Colo Spgs, Co 80909 (303-471-0990) and the Falcon Inn, 1865 Woodmoor Dr, Monument, Co 80132 (303-488-3010). Call or write to obtain reservations. Also, see the Sheraton Inn advertisement on page 4.

SPECIAL EVENTS (continued)

Volksmarch. Take your family on a leisurely stroll around the Academy grounds and enjoy the natural scenery.

Afternoon Activities. Attend those classes you slept through when you were a cadet. After classes, visit that varsity sport you played as a cadet or cheer on your squadron’s intramural team.

Social Hour. Meet at the Officer’s Club for a cool drink and review the day’s activities. Stay for dinner at the newly remodeled club.

SATURDAY

Memorial Ceremony. Share a moment to honor the memory of our lost friends and classmates.

Room reservations should be made NLT 1 September 1981 to ensure availability. One night’s deposit is required to guarantee reservation.

Rental cars may be reserved by completing the back of the Reservation Form.

DRESS

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings - suit or sports coat and tie for men; dress or pantsuit for ladies.

Friday activities with Wing and Memorial Ceremony, - Combination 1 is recommended for all active duty.

BABYSITTERS

The Base Nursery will be available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night for children between the ages of three months and ten years. Indicate your requirements on the back of the Registration Form.

CANCELLATIONS

To insure a refund for fees paid in advance, cancellations must be received by the AOG office before 1500, Monday, 28 September 1981. Cancellations received after this deadline cannot be guaranteed. Cancellations may be made by mail or phone - autovon 259-2067 or commercial (303) 472-2067.

• Cancellation of room reservations should be accomplished directly through the hotel/motel with which you made reservations.

Pre-Game Lunch. Rekindle that old football spirit at a super lunch in Arnold Hall’s Richter Lounge. We can plan our last-minute winning strategy.

USAFA versus CSU. Cheer the Falcons to victory against an arch-rival WAC foe.

Jabara Reception/Banquet/Ball. End the day with a lavish meal, followed by the Jabara Award presentation. After the banquet the party continues at Arnold Hall with dancing and a performance by the Cadet Chorale.

SUNDAY

Chapel. Even though chapel services are no longer mandatory, ending Homecoming with a chapel service is quite appropriate.

BASE NURSERY:

I will be bringing (#) children, ages and will need Nursery/Babysitter services for them during:

All Thursday, Friday and Saturday Name Activities

All Friday and Saturday Activities Class

Saturday Activities Only Home Phone

Other (Specify)

*Nursery requires immunization records for each child.

RENTAL CAR

Arrangements have been made with Budget Rent-A-Car and Thrifty Rent-A-Car for rental car reservations. You may pick up the car at either the Colorado Springs Airport or the Denver Airport or at the Antler’s Plaza Hotel. (The Antler’s provides transportation to and from the Colorado Springs Airport.) Please indicate the type of car you want to reserve, the rental agency you prefer, and the location at which you will pick up the car.

Note: Budget maintains offices at the airports. For Thrifty Rent-A-Car, you must call the local office upon arrival at the airport and they will pick you up.

RATES:

Subcompact

Compact

Intermediate

Full Size

Budget $25 per day $27 per day $29 per day $31 per day

Thrifty $23 per day $25 per day $27 per day $29 per day

ALL RATES INCLUDE UNLIMITED MILEAGE

Pick up Car At:

Return Car:

( ) Please reserve a rental car for me with

( ) Budget

( ) Thrifty

( ) Subcompact

(

) Compact

( ) Intermediate

( ) Full Size

JOB STRESS AND EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Col. R. George Trexler

Lt. Col. Harry P. Wetzler, ’67

INTRODUCTION

The organizational symptoms of job stress are low productivity, absenteeism, and high staff turnover. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that “stress related conditions are responsible for 10 to 20 billion dollars annually in loss of industrial productivity.” Jere Yates, in the American Management Association’s publication on managing stress, feels that the productivity losses are closer to 60 billion. Other symptoms of job stress include cardiovascular disease and mental illness, thus, it is important for businessmen and medical personnel alike to understand stress and stress related conditions.

DEFINITION OF STRESS

Stress is any situation which requires the body to change or adapt. Since life involves physical and mental growth, it is by definition a stress because change (stress) is an integral part of life. Although the term “stress” generally has an unfavorable conotation, “stress” may be either good or bad depending upon one’s reaction to it.

The secret to managing stress is being able to separate good stress from bad stress. In a physically mature individual, good stress can be defined as psychological growth, and a general satisfaction with one’s achievements as worthwhile to one’s self and to one’s “significant others.” Bad stress can best be defined as a threat to one’s physical or psychological well-being. Whether or not one views a situation as worthwhile or as a threat is mainly a matter of perception. Some of us would view having to bail out of an aircraft at 30,000 ft. as a threat, while paratroopers and sky divers would consider this a worthwhile experience.

STRESS AND DISEASE

Scientists have repeatedly demonstrated that stress lowers one’s resistance to disease. Vivid proof of this was shown by Holmes and Rahe. They showed that the stress of life changes was additive by documenting these stresses with a life change scale.

Their research shows that if an individual has accumulated 150 points or more in the past year, that he/she has a 50% chance of being hospitalized with a serious illness in the following 2 years. The individual with 300 points or more has better than an 80% chance of hospitalization.

Stress has also been related to heart disease, the number one killer in our country. The American male has a one in three chance of dying from a heart attack during his lifetime and a one in two chance of dying of a disease of the cardiovascular system (stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, etc.).

There are no symptoms during the build up of disease in our blood vessels until a clot forms within the artery. If the artery supplies a vital organ (such as the heart) with blood, this clot means either the death of a piece of heart muscle or the death of a patient. In the Air Force, 50% of those who have their first heart attack do not survive.

TYPE A BEHAVIOR, STRESS AND HEART ATTACKS

Individuals exhibiting Type A behavior are often described as extremely competitive, achievement oriented, hard driving individuals with a sense of time urgency and a tendancy towards aggressiveness and hostility.

shown that

of

as people with Type B behavior

the

with

A

experience more job stress than individuals with Type B characteristics.

Not all Type A characteristics produce bad stress. Hard driving, goal-oriented people striving for peak performance in themselves often get promoted. Friedman and Rosenman feel that it is the hurry (time urgency) and hostility (anger) in the Type A individual which are most closely correlated with heart disease. The Type A individual most often manifests a sense of time urgency by trying to work on two or more projects at the same time, and in extreme cases, trying to think about two or more thoughts at the same time. Other aspects of the Type A’s life such as friends and hobbies are neglected for their work. Type A’s find it difficult to take leave, fearing the consequences of their absence. Type A’s eat, work, and move rapidly, and talk fast and explosively.

Type A hostility is manifested by becoming irritated by minor things such as waiting in line in the commissary and getting caught in a traffic jam. Type A’s are also irritable and impatient with those around them. Type A’s tend not to trust others, and take on excessive responsibilities because they think their co-workers cannot handle their responsibilities nearly as well as they can. Type A’s try to fight battles they know they will probably lose and then become upset when they lose. As their hostility builds, they begin to feel lonely, and find it difficult to confide in anyone. They become isolated from their family, friends, and from their work group.

As a result of this behavior, the Type A individual has trouble delegating job responsibilities and relating to family members in order to solve family problems. Most detrimental to the management of stress by Type A’s is that they feel guilty about relaxing when they finally have the time to do so.

The National Institute of Health has now recognized Type A behavior as a valid risk factor which increases one’s risk of heart attacks. Physicians and patients concerned about the prevention of heart attacks should consider stress in conjunction with the other risk factors for heart disease such as blood cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, and obesity. The problem is that while we can quantitate cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking and obesity, we know very little about quantitating stress.

MEASUREMENT OF STRESS

Some progress is being made. We can now diagnose Type A behavior in our patients, and the Holmes-Rahe scale gives us some indication of family stress via life-change events. But to date no one has successfully quantitated job stress, much less Air Force job stress.

While the exact definition of job stress is not totally clear, there are known factors which contribute to job stress.

TABLE 2

FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO JOB STRESS

Time pressures and deadlines

Exorbitant work demands

Role ambiguity

Thwarted ambitions

Information overload

Lack of participation in the management of the organization

Responsibility for people

Role conflict

Poor relationships with peers, subordinates and boss

Threats from below

Bureaucratic pettiness

Pressures toward conformity

The current view of job stress is that it is the result of the perception of the job stress factors as a threat by the worker. The perception of the job stress factors within his/her work environment as a threat is directly related to the components of the worker’s personality, i.e., degree of conformity, inner directedness, rigidity, flexibility, achievement orientation, and degree of Type A behavior. One major difference between the Type A and Type B individual may be their perception of stressful situations. The Type A may perceive a particular event as a threat, while a Type B may perceive the same event as an opportunity to grow and achieve.

EFFECTS OF JOB STRESS

While the degree of job stress has thus far been difficult to quantitate, the effects of job stress have been well documented and are much more easily measured. Research by Cooper and Marshall have indicated that poor physical health, poor mental health, low productivity, absenteeism, and high staff turnover are directly related to the amount of job stress in an organization.

It is possible that an analysis of the retention rates in Air Force officers may give some indication of executive job stress in the Air Force. The last issue of CHECKPOINTS contained part three of the AOG 25th Anniversary Survey. This survey contains data which may be valuable indicators of Air Force job stress factors, according to a previous article in CHECKPOINTS describing the survey, there was a 50% response rate to the AOG Survey which was fairly representative across classes and duty status. Very few (88) of the non-active duty respondents were retired. Of those that were no longer on active duty, 50% were pilots, 10% were navigators, and 3% were missile officers. Approximately one fourth of those graduates who left are still involved in active Reserves or National Guard. Almost 90% of the non-active graduates were company grade officers and 9% were field grade.

The data is a report of the differences in attitudes of active duty vs. non-active duty Academy graduates. We have selected the responses that showed approximately twice the differences in attitudes between the two groups. We have ranked the responses by the greatest number of graduates who responded to the particular question.

TABLE 3

Major differences in attitudes between Academy Graduates still in the Air Force and those no longer on active duty

Non-active (n 1380) Active (n 4534)

34% Dissatisfied with future promotion

26% Strongly felt AF supervisors did not provide necessary recognition

24% Did not have trust and confidence in their immediate supervisor

24% Immediate supervisor strongly against listening to their ideas

24% Last supervisor too busy with own career to help with subordinates career

22% Last supervisor insensitive to personal problems

21% Decision making opportunities did not exist

19% AF job was not rewarding

18% Strongly felt they were not treated fairly by their supervisors

13% Last supervisors difficult to talk to about work related problems

6% Thought AF Generals were concerned about their problems

4% Felt promotion based on job performance

15% Dissatisfied with future promotion

11% Strongly felt AF supervisors did not provide necessary recognition

8% Do not have trust and confidence in their immediate supervisors

9% Immediate supervisor strongly against listening to their ideas

10% Supervisor too busy with own career to help with subordinates career

9% Last supervisor insensitive to personal problems

12% Decision making opportunities did not exist

7% AF job was not rewarding

5% Strongly felt they were not treated fairly by their supervisors

7% Last supervisor difficult to talk to about work related problems

15% Thought that AF Generals were concerned about their problems

8% Felt promotion based on job performance

In a previous study of executives in the Air Force, Hendrix found that job dissatisfaction was the major predictive indicator of staff turnover. Job dissatisfaction is a major symptom of job stress. The wife’s opinion of the Air Force and the perceived equity between the Air Force job and a comparable civilian position were also important factors.

Since the majority of the non-active duty respondents were company grade pilots, it would be quite easy to explain away the loss of highly trained Academy graduates on the hiring practices of the civilian airlines.

Rosenbach and Gregory, from the Air Force Academy, studied the question of why pilots leave the Air Force and join the civilian airlines. They studied 2,256 civilian pilots and 3,297 Air Force pilots. While many airline pilots said they could not support their families on Air Force pay, their major reason for leaving the Air Force was not the Air Force salary. This finding was consistent with the comments critical of the Air Force by active duty Air Force pilots. Of the negative comments, 30% faulted personnel policies and the system, 27% complained of leadership, management, and supervision, and 22% of the complaints were on pay and benefits. Many of the airline pilots who left the Air Force reported leaving because they could not look forward to a full and yet successful career of flying.

In 1979 a study by Millard of the factors that affect the career decisions of Marine Corps pilots found that the greatest influences were: (1) personnel management; (2) family; (3) job content; (4) economics.

EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR JOB STRESS

A closer look at the factors from the AOG Survey in Table 3 shows that 7 out of 12 items are directly related to subordinatesupervisory relationships. Of the remaining five, three may be indirectly related to the attitude of the supervisor.

If one agrees that the AOG Survey suggests reasons for labor turnover in USAF officers, and one also agrees that labor turnover is a symptom of job stress, one could then suggest a prescription for job stress that could be carried out by supervisors of Air Force officers. Supervisors may feel powerless to change the personality of the worker or the characteristics of the “system,” but they can control, to a great extent, the perception of their leadership abilities by their subordinates. Thus the Air Force may be able to retain more highly trained officers at little extra cost by improving subordinate-supervisory relationships.

Supervisors could: (1) try to treat their subordinates more fairly, (2) try to insure that their subordinates have trust and confidence in them, (3) listen to the ideas of their subordinates, (4) be sensitive to the problems of their subordinates, (5) try not to be so involved with one’s own career as to neglect the career of one’s subordinate, (6) provide recognition to subordinates for a job well done, and (7) be available to talk to subordinates about work related problems.

While stress is necessary for growth in becoming a psychologically mature individual, excessive stress has serious effects upon the mental and physical health of the worker and the effectiveness of the organization. There is a distinct relationship between stress and performance (see Figure 1).

It is obvious from this relationship that a superior officer should not attempt to reduce all stress in his/her subordinates. Rather the superior officer should attempt to opitimize the subordinates’ stress for maximum performance (Point A) with some flexibility to handle peak stress periods (Point B). If the subordinates’ performance is low because he/she is at (Point C), adding more stress will only decrease performance.

Other actions that can be taken by Air Force executives to reduce job stress in subordinates are:

1. Learn how to increase communication skills. This will not only help the superior improve relations between the subordinate and supervisor; it will also help the superior make better decisions.

2. Practice principals of time management so that you will have more time to interact with your subordinates.

3. Use management techniques which promote effective delegation to allow your subordinates to make more decisions.

4. Consider assertive training for subordinates so that they will be less fearful of relating their needs to you as their supervisor.

5. Review the Holmes-Rahe scale which lists major causes of family stress with your subordinates. Recognize that family stress and job stress are additive.

In summary, stress is part of life. Good stress is necessary for career growth and psychological maturity. Although we cannot quantitate job stress, the effects of job stress such as heart disease, mental illness and staff turnover are measurable and can weaken an organization. If we agree that job stress and staff turnover are related, it is cost effective to try to minimize job stress by looking at the major reasons for staff turnover and by improving subordinate-supervisory relationships.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Col. Troxler and Lt. Col. Wetzler prepared this article exclusively for CHECKPOINTS. Interested readers will also want to see their recent article in A.U. Review. COMMITTED TO

Figure 1.

ONE POINT OF VIEW

Over the last several years, numerous articles have appeared in the AOG magazine expounding the merits of various program changes initiated at the Academy. Among the collection which I methodically saved for my files are “25th Anniversary Review Group,” “USAFA Update...Results of the Honor Review Committee,” “Professional Ethics Training,” and most recently “Honor Code Changes” in the Winter 1981 issue. All of these articles touched on areas that deeply concern me, but it was a group of seemingly unrelated statements in “Honor Code Changes” that finally prompted me to respond to what I perceive to be dangerous undertones in the direction that training and discipline at USAFA are moving (and by the way, I am actually aware of the tendency to generalize that “Back in the old days, when things were tough...”).

The first statement which raised a warning flag noted that “there was growing dissatisfaction over the trivial nature of some of the (honor) cases; cadets were being separated from the Wing over seemingly insignificant circumstances.” I assume that this is, in fact, true, because that is the way the Honor Code was set up. The Code is not only “a statement of minimum acceptable ethical conduct,” as pointed out by Col L. Ralph Chason in his article, “Professional Ethics Training,” but it is also a very stiff test of selfdiscipline and a means to assess how individuals can withstand stress over an extended period of time. To compromise this rigid standard of discipline and its severe consequences that even a minor violation incurs is to compromise the basic principles on which the Academy was founded.

Other articles also brought out further compromises of discipline, e.g. the elimination of confinements in lieu of a system that gives a cadet full use of the Academy facilities, including the gym. I can think of no better way to be punished than to head down to the gym for a couple of hours of handball and then head on over to Arnold Hall for a tall milkshake and a movie. Another example of a seemingly insignificant change of procedures was the relaxing of room arrangement requirements for the upper classes. This, too, was a regulation of a trivial nature, and I mumbled about it as much as the

CHANGES AT USAFA

next guy when I went through. But it required the cadet to endure yet another rigid discipline for four years, and that’s what makes the Academy a tough place to survive (or should I say made). To think that we are giving someone who cannot hack the program a year off to “think it over” mocks the credibility of the system itself, especially in light of the greatly reduced emphasis on rigid personal discipline. In war as well as in the flying game, there are a lot of stark realities. People die for some apparently insignificant reasons and others die because they failed to maintain a required discipline in their particular operation. Very few of these victims get a second chance to think over their mistakes or desire to be an Air Force officer. Why not start the cadets off right with the cold, cruel world of hard knocks?

The second statement which concerned me talked about the new concept of suspension as an alternative sanction for Honor Code violations. It read, “Briefings were given to the Cadet Wing and after thorough discussions of the issue, a vote was taken which resulted in approval, by a narrow margin, of suspension as an alternative sanction.” 1 already covered the reasons why I disapprove of the option itself, but the means by which it was brought into effect troubles me even more. I have nightmares thinking about what type of disciplinary system would exist in the military if we all sat around and voted on what pleased us the most. That makes about as much sense as the prisoner “unions” we read about in the paper where inmates who are confined for violating the rights of others sit around and protest about the amount of TV they are allowed to watch. The military could not continue to function if every regulation were voted on and I feel that this practice is a very negative reinforcement for what the cadets will encounter when they “hit the streets.” Other regulation changes appear to have been implemented more on the basis of popularity and accommodation than on the basis of instilling discipline among the cadets. That fact is probably the key to what bothers me the most. All changes in the Academy program in the past several years reduces the stress put on the cadets during their four years of training (it is a training program as opposed to an educa

tional program), and it correspondingly reduces the self-discipline needed to endure through to graduation day. The “USAFA Update...” article referenced the loss of pride in the cadet wing. I must say that it cannot possibly match the embarrassment that I feel as a USAFA grad when someone shows me a copy of the Airman magazine depicting life at the Academy with its frilly comforters on the beds and posters on the wall.

We can teach the cadets all of the right concepts, as Col Chason pointed out in his excellent article, but if the same cadets do not experience those principles or they live under a different set of rules, then the book knowledge is all in vain. The situation parallels closely that at Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, etc. where a large portion of the curriculum is textbook theory which does not keep pace with operational realities. Consequently, the Air Force ends up with a superb group of theoretical managers who have difficulty leading the troops under their command outside of the textbook environment. Four tough years of stress-physical, academic, and emotional- cannot be replaced by all of the theories in the world. Teach the cadets the rules, but keep the school tough. I and many other grads could care less how many Rhodes Scholars graduate from USAFA or how high an attrition rate the school has as long as the quality remains high. Yes, there have been some “bad eggs” make it through, but with the easing of discipline at USAFA, the sampling has been increasing proportionately.

Lastly, the third statement which brought me to the typewriter proudly proclaimed that “...it should be noted that the Honor Code itself has not changed, nor has the cadet administration of the Code.” To this I can only add that the Constitution of the United States has also not changed very much over the years, nor has the number of judges on the Supreme Court. However, very few people recognize the Court’s decisions today as having come from the same document that was penned nearly 200 years ago. The words are the same, but the interpretation and enforcement are different. The same is true of the Academy’s Honor Code and other regulations. The Academy staff appears to be leaning toward an attitude that draws perilously close to that written in

1981 JABARA AWARD FOR AIRMANSHIP

On 23 July, Major General R. E. Kelley, USAFA Superintendent, announced that Captain William T. Gillin, Class of 1973, had been selected to receive the 1981 Jabara Award for Airmanship.

The Jabara Award is awarded annually by the Academy and the Association of Graduates in behalf of the Jabara family to honor a “USAFA graduate whose contributions are of such significance as to set him apart from his contemporaries.’’ Captain Gillin was selected as the recipient for distinguished airmanship as pilot of an HH-3E helicopter during missions to rescue survivors from the burning Dutch oceanliner “Prinsendam’’ in waters off Alaska. He will receive the Jabara Award at USAFA during the Homecoming 1981 Banquet on Saturday, 3 October 1981.

The total list of 1981 Jabara Award nominees follows:

Graduate USAFA Class Nominating Committee

Cpt. M. V. Ely 1976 ATC

Cpt. W. T. Gillin 1973 MAC

Cpt. S. J. Hogan 1976 AFLC

LTC. D. W. Milam 1963 AFSC

Cpt. D. L. Moody 1974 PACAF

LTC. G. E. Musselwhite 1963 TAC

Maj. W. H. Thurston 1968 SAC

Congratulations from the AOG to each nominee.

Gillin, ’73, Named Winner

Point of View...

the third precept of Humanist Manifesto II which says that “moral values derive their source from human experience,’’ i.e. we should do what the majority of the people find easiest regardless of the proper standard of conduct. The fact that dormitory hallways must be secured like a prison camp during class hours is the most graphic testimony of a changed attitude toward the Honor Code. It is also, perhaps, just a reflection of society in

general (of which the Academy draws a fairly representative cross-section). If so, then the need exists more than ever to keep the standards as tough as possible. Thus endeth my case. You might just label me a concerned grad, but I’m one who has been in the operational arm for nearly 13 years. I’m thankfully not a manager but a pilot with more than 4,000 hours in five different aircraft and I’ve had ample opportunity to see a large

EDITOR’S NOTE:

sampling of the product that flows forth each year from beneath the proud portal which once said, “Bring Me Men.’’ The Academy is now breeding a generation of managers and academicians that too closely parallel the product that comes from other civilian schools and it worries me. Is this what we want from a military academy? What about you and some of the other grads?

All Readers are reminded that opinions expressed in “One Point of View” are solely those of the author. The AOG does not endorse or refute the perspectives adopted by graduates writing in this feature of CHECKPOINTS. The sole purpose of the column is to encourage a dialogue among graduates on topics of general interest. If you would care to share your “Point of View”, please contact the editor.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Benjamin

B. Frederick, ‘63

Words can never express the sorrow and loss of a close friend. We all lost a great friend on 6 May 1981 when an NC-135 crashed near Fredricksburg, Maryland. Ben is survived by his wife, Beverly, a son Scott, and a daughter, Jennifer, 2140 Crystall Marie Dr., Dayton, Ohio, 45431; and by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Frank D. Frederick, 1024 E. Schuykill Rd, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, 19464.

Ben (gentle Ben - as he will always be to me) was a true gentleman who believed in doing things first-class, whether it was work, play, fathering, or being a loving husband. Known in his cadet days as the “Pinochle Kid”, Ben had a ready hand for pinochle, bridge, or poker. He was a member of the bridge and chess clubs, the foreign language club, and was a member of the protestant choir. Following graduation from 22nd Squadron, Ben completed navigation training and had a tour in KC-135’s at Westover, followed by a tour in the 343 Strat Recon Squadron at Offutt. Following two difficult (difficult to work in golf and poker) years at AFIT (Astro ‘72), Ben had tours at DaNang and NKP, SAMSO, and the 4950th Test Wing, WPAFB. Ben did it all in a first class way: 2DFC’s, MSM, 6AM’s, 2 AFCM’s, SOS, ACSC, and ICAF. He gave at the office just as he gave in his personal life. His lovely wife and children have shared an unfortunately shortened life of a super guy. All of us who knew Ben will surely miss him.

Memorial services for all crash victims were held at the Air Force Museum on 8 May 1981 and a Dedication Ceremony was held at WPAFB on 17 July 1981. The dedication included presentation of a plaque, the planting of 21 trees, and a flyby.

Funeral services were held at the Valley Forge Chapel, Valley Forge National Park, Pennsylvania, on 13 May 1981. Burial was in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Contributions in his memory may be sent to the Benjamin B. Frederick Memorial Fund, Association of Graduates, USAF Academy, Colorado, 80840. (Jim Diffendorfer, ‘63)

Charles E. Gratch, ‘78

First Lieutenant Charles E. Gratch, Class of 1978, was killed in a EC-135N aircraft accident that took the lives of two other Academy graduates on May 6 near Walkersville, MD. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gratch, 615 Turin St., Rome, NY 13440.

Charlie was a member of the Seventh Squadron and majored in Engineering while at the Academy. He was stationed at WrightPatterson Air Force Base at the time of his death.

Frederick E. Schulz, ‘79

Lt. Frederick E. Schulz, Class of 1979, passed away in an 0-2 accident at Howard AFB, Panama. Fred was a member of 11th Squadron and graduated with a degree in computer science. He was very active in the Cadet Rugby Club and enjoyed playing intramural football for CS-11. Fred also served with the RECONDO committee for two summers. Those of us who knew Fred remember the “go get ’em” attitude he always displayed in boxing. He continued with this winning attitude in UPT at Laughlin, TX where he was recognized as a very competent and aggressive pilot.

Fred was stationed with the 24th Composite Squadron, Panama at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Teresa of Calumet, MI; and his parents, Col. and Mrs. Gerhard Schulz of Austin, TX.

Burial services were held 1 May 1981 at the Air Force Academy. Above all else, Fred was a good soldier and we should remember him as such. Donations to the Memorial Fund may be sent to the Association of Graduates, USAFA, CO 80840.

(Paul J. Weaver, ‘79)

Walter T. Lusk, ‘71

On May 6, 1981, Captain Walter T. Lusk, Class of 1971, was killed in a EC-135N aircraft accident near Walkersville, MD. The explosion of the missle tracking jet also took the lives of two other Academy graduates. Walter is survived by his mother, Mrs. Alpha C. Lusk, 2012 Ousdahl Rd., Lawrence, KS 66044 and his father, Mr. Jerome D. Lusk, General Delivery, Olmitto, TX 78515.

Walt was a member of the 27th Cadet Squadron and majored in Aeronautics while at the Academy. He participated in track and fencing as well as Ski Club, Aero Club, Photo Club, and Saddie Club. As a Second Lieutenant, Walt served with a unit of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. He was assigned to the 4950 Test Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB at the time of his death.

CORRECTIONS: The Spring Issue of Checkpoints contained an incomplete address and a misspelling that need to be corrected. Specifically, the name of John Jarecki, ‘72, was unintentionally misspelled and the address for Major Donahue’s parents should have read:

Col and Mrs. V.J. Donahue

Division Security Manager

Pan American World Airways Patrick AFB, FL 32925

Benjamin B. Frederick

Charles E. Gratch

Frederick E. Schulz

Walter T. Lusk

Douglas R. Withers, Jr., ‘67

Major Douglas R. Withers, Jr., Class of 1967, was killed in a F-4 Aircraft accident near Nurenberg, Germany on March 23, 1981. He is survived by his wife, Janice, daughters Jennifer and Alisa, all of 7130 W. 42nd Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033; and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas R. Withers, Sr., of 4942 Gaylord Dr., San Diego, CA 92117.

Doug was a member of the 19th Cadet Squadron while at the Academy. He majored in Engineering Sciences. Doug was on the Comm’s List during his entire Cadet career; as well as being an Honor Rep and participating on the Ring Committee. He was the Most Valuable Track Competitor in 1966.

After graduation, Doug entered pilot training at Williams AFB, AZ. He was later assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB for specialized aircrew training in the F-4 Phantom II.

Funeral services were held in the Protestant Cadet Chapel on April 2, 1981. Burial was at the USAF Academy Cemetery.

Randall W. Vaeth, ‘64

LTC Randall W. Vaeth, Class of 1964, was killed on 17 April in a military aircraft accident near Nellis AFB, NV. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Sarah; a son, Andrew, all of 4201 Gregg Lane, Austin, TX 78744; and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. William Vaeth, 24 McIntosh Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.

Randy was a member of the 2nd Cadet Squadron and majored in Humanities while at the Academy. He was active in the Ski Club, Hunting Club, Cadet Forum, and the Gun Club.

Randy was a RF-4 Phantom II Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft pilot in Southeast Asia and later with the 1st Strat Recon Sqdn at Beale AFB. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bergstrom AFB, TX, and TDY to Nellis AFB.

David L. Hauck, ‘71

On 9 May 1981, Captain David L. Hauck, Class of 1971, was killed while performing as a USAF Thunderbird pilot in an air show at Hill AFB, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and two daughters, Heather and Brandy, 3948 Topawa Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89103; two brothers, William Hauck and Greg Hauck of Ohio; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William L. Hauck of 423 Summitt Ave, Mingo Junction, OH 43938.

Nick had accomplished much more than most men his age, and drew the respect of all those he came in contact with. As a cadet, he held several key squadron positions and served as Deputy Wing Commander. He was consistently rated near the top of the class militarily, and deservedly so. Nick was a pillar, very strong and an inspiration to others.

Flying was what it was all about to Nick and during his AF career he flew F-4s, OV-lOs, F-15s, and reached the top as Number 6 Opposing Solo pilot for the Thunderbirds. He was truly one of the best.

Nick was a private individual, but all of us who knew him were affected by his presence. His words in the 1971 Polaris say much about the man we called Nick:

Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope....those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

Nick sent out a lot of ripples and the current will be felt for a long time. All of us are better for having known Nick Hauck.

Funeral services were held at the USAF Academy Chapel on 15 May 1981 with burial in the Academy Cemetery. (Bob Fretzs, 1971)

Orrin Watson, ‘71

Captain (ANG) Orrin Watson, Class of 1971, was killed April 6 in an automobile accident in Wichita, KS. He is survived by his parents, Lt. Col. (RET) and Mrs. W. Watson, 470 Dartmouth St., Westbury, NY 11590.

Orrin was a member of the 7th Cadet Squadron and was a major in General Studies while at the Academy. After pilot training he flew bombers and was a B52 Commander at Blytheville Air Force Base. He was separated from the service in 1978 to fly with American Airlines. He joined the DC Air National Guard in 1979.

A quote from the 1971 Polaris sums up Orrin’s positive attitude toward life: “Everyone likes to be remembered, so it’s unfortunate that my shy, quiet manners will not long be remembered, save by those who knew me best; and if they will remember me as I’ve really been, then I think I can’t complain.”

Craig Barry, ‘72

Captain (ANG) Craig Barry, Class of 1972, died on April 6 as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident in Wichita, KS. He is survived by his wife, Sharen and his son, Shawn, both of Rt. 1, Box 133G, Palmerton, PA 18071; and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Barry of Rt. 3, Box 453, Lehighton, PA 18235

Craig was a member of the 28th Cadet Squadron and majored in History while at the Academy. He was also active in the Ski Club, the Math and Saddle Clubs, and the History Club.

At the time of his death, Craig was on active duty with the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing, McQuire AFB and was TDY to the 184TFW, McConnell AFB, KS.

Douglas R. Withers, Jr.

Randall W. Vaeth

Orrin Watson

David L. Hauck

Craig Barry

CLASS NEWS

As this is written, San Antonio is having one of the worst gully-washin’, frog-stranglin’ thunderstorms you’d ever want to see. My fearless German Shepherd, Amigo, is quivering at my feet, trying to get under the table. Thunder’s crashing, lightning’s flashing, and if the power goes out, I’ll be forced to take the rest of the day off, because this is an electric typewriter. As they say around here, “Nowhere But Texas!’’

I received an excellent letter from Bill TELFORD, bringing me up to date on his recent activities. Bill’s now the Vice Commander of the Defense Personnel Support Center in Philadelphia. (I think it was W.C. Fields who said, “I’d rather be dead than be in Philadelphia.”). In his very entertaining letter, Bill reports that he’s been getting in a lot of marching time - has acted as Commander of Troops for a retirement parade while he was back at Wright-Patt and another one right after he reported there to DPSC. He has another one coming up soon for a Change of Command. Bill, you gotta’ keep doing it ’til you get it right! Bill also reported that Jay MITCHELL had just been assigned to WrightPatt, but he wasn’t sure what his job was. Bob JENNINGS is also there, at ASD, as the KC-10 SPO. Bill says that Art SHUMATE was the Vice Commander of the Test Wing when he left, and we both assume that he’s still there.

Bill’s letter was not only enjoyable but very welcome. If I could get two or three more like it, this newsletter would be a lot more newsy. Thanks, Bill.

I’ve just heard that Norm QUIGLY has resigned his civilian job at Kelly AFB, and will be taking over a similar job with Martin Marietta in Denver. He’s an acknowledged expert in the ECM field and will now be getting paid what he’s worth. We’re sorry to have Norm and Carolyn leave San Antonio, but if you have to leave, Denver ain’t bad. While on the subject of our San Antonio contingent of ’59ers: we had another excellent get-together at Jim BROWN’S home, co-hosted by the Ed ROSANEs. It was a pool-side party in honor of Dave PHILLIPS and his bride Lindsey. They were passing through on their way back from a business meeting back East. Dave’s obviously been staying in shape - he looks very fit. Also in attendance were the Bob BUCKLES and the Dean WOODS.

Don MADONNA has been getting a lot of national TV exposure associated with the recent Space Shuttle flight. He was interviewed at least twice on ABC, and it made me feel good that our class was so well represented. I expect I’ll see much more of that sort of thing from Don and others in the years to come.

In the last issue, I mentioned that Dave GROARK was the editor and publisher of his own magazine, National Tax Shelter Digest. Dave has since sent me some copies of his magazine, and it is a classy, informative, professional production. For those of you that have money to invest, or just want to drop Dave a line, his address is 9550 Forest Lane, #604, Dallas, TX 75243.

I’ve heard indirectly that Tom JOZW1AK is retired and working for a heavy equipment company in Las Vegas, where he and Mimi have a beautiful home. Joz has always been one of my favorite people, and Ed ROSANE tells a great story about him. Seems that good ol’ Joz, easygoing as he is, was sometimes hard to get fired-up during a football game. To inspire the required controlled fury, during a pile-up at the line of scrimmage, his own teammates would gouge him, poke him in the ribs, and pull out the hair on his legs. It must have worked - Joz was a pretty good football player. Once he got mad enough.

I’ve received change-of-address cards, some with brief notes attached, for the following: Leigh HUNT, who will be back flying the F-4E as ADO at Spangdahlem; Tom STACK, newly assigned to SHAPE/SHOC - OPS, at APO NY 09055 (?); H.T. JOHNSON, Ass’t DCS/Plans for Opera

tional Requirements at Offutt; Mike CARNS, Cmdt, Fighter Weapons School at Nellis; Dick GOETZE, to Mather AFB; Brock STROM, Ass’t Dep for Space Defense at Los Angeles AFS; Jim CHAPMAN, upgraded to Captain with Delta Airlines, in Bedford, TX; and Chuck FERRARI, now an engineering test pilot for United Airlines in Denver. That’s admittedly skimpy information on these troops, but you don’t get much news from a change of address card.

I had a great telephone conversation with Brad HOSMER, who is the Wing Commander at Moody. His Wing had the F-4 squadron that was selected to deploy to Egypt last summer during the Afghanistan affair. Brad tells me that his people were the first U.S. forces in Egypt since WW II, and that it was a text book perfect deployment. He also found it hard to suppress a proud giggle when he told me that his Wing, which is a primary air-to-mud unit, went down and won the air-to-air William Tell competition. Brad says he occasionally sees Hank CANTERBURY, Wing CO at MacDill, when they get together for CO’s conferences.

Received a nice letter from Jim CARPENTER and promptly lost it, but I do remember that Jim is with Brock at the Space Division in L.A. Now that my filing system is organized, I won’t lose any of the Hood of mail 1 expect to receive from all of you.

Fly Safe.

C.T. Douglass

3305 Edgemere Ave., NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 (612) 781-9721

1 L / 1 1 1

Howie WHITFIELD is back flying as CO of a CH-46 Marine Medium Helicopter squadron in Orange County, Calif, after 4 years of staff work and Air War College. Says he’s feeling the urge to settle down and civilianize and is in a quandry with DOPMA requirements if he’s promoted to full bull. Does that sound familiar to any others? My rude awakening to the civilian world came when, upon separation, 1 found I was almost too old to get an airline job, then, after getting hired, found myself furloughed for 20 months during a recession. Do any of you have similar tales of civilianizing you’d like to share?

Rumor has it that Howie BRONSON is moving from DO at Bitburg to DO at HQ USAFE. PJ SMITH wrote from Torrejon that Willie GOODSON is his new Wing CO they hadn’t seen each other in 18 years. You’re guaranteed a good time in Madrid-just call PJ at home at 741-0129. He has two kids in college-does anyone else?

Last March John MACARTNEY spent two weeks serving on the major’s promotion board at Randolph, where he ran into Les and Marilyn HOBGOOD. Les will soon PCS from Reese to Lowry, where he will be Deputy Base Commander. (GOOD OLD LOWRY-bayonet training, ATO’s, and shined hatbills and shoes!) Phil COOKE was also on the board and, according to John, hadn’t changed in twenty-one years. (Phil, John and 1 suffered through doolie training together-same flight.) John is leaving AFA for Camp Smith, Hawaii to run an intelligence analysis shop at HQ PACOM...he said Jock SCHWANK is PCS to Air War College. We seem to have lost track of John SCHIRA, Charlie SANDS, Johnnie TOWNSEND and Bill TAYLOR-please let me know about them.

Jim SHIER left active duty in 1975, earned an MBA from U. of Missouri, and now works as a cost accountant for a small company that is a trade shop for the printing industry in Dallas, where he lives with his 14 yr. old daughter. His firm does specialized finishing work for the printers who service Dr. Pepper, Coors, Pepsi, etc. with posters, brochures, etc. used in ad campaigns.

Tom SCHLECHTE has settled down now as the manager for international sales for Atlanta Filter in Lakeland, Florida. He says, “In plain English, that’s selling commercial water refining gear to EPA-intimidated businesses!” He’ll be a grandfather shortly. (And I’ve got a 2 year old!). George FRIES has traveled 16,000 miles by air and another 5000 by car

on a PCS from Korea to EUCOM HQ in Stuttgart, where he will be working with an automated intelligence system for the next three years. George and Tom SEEBODE used to jog together in Korea-Torn is the J-l on the USFK Staff. George just found out that his ex is getting remarried, and that his oldest son will enter the Coast Guard Academy this year; Congrats on Both, GJC.

Mac MACFARLANE called me from Naval War College, VA in response to my query about a change of address he submitted to the AOG. He’s taking his family to Kadena to become ADO (and eventually DO) of the 18th TFW—Congratulations, Mac! One of his four sons will remain behind, entering AFA Prep School this Fall. (He and Rita also have a girl in college, who will be accompanying them to Okinawa a “travel sabbatical.”) Mac had just seen Brian KALEY, an A-10 Squadron Commander for the Massachusetts ANG in Springfield. Seems that Brian is entering local politics in New England.

SHORT NOTES: Jim ALEXANDER to Scott, TJ STUMM from Ankara to Robins, George ELSEA from Kalkar to Pentagon, Bob DAVIS retired, Steve BISHOP (UAL) moved from Miami area to Santa Fe, New Mexico (to fly on West Coast), Wayne KENDALL from F-l 11 in England to Dayton, Ohio, Bob HEIGES from Gilroy, Ca to Beavercreek, Ohio, Don WOLFSWINKEL moved on base at Charleston AFB, Mike LOH from Langley to Alexandria, La.

Please keep responding to the post cards I send out every month so we can keep this column going with good, fresh news.

Thomas L. Sutton

R.R. #1 Box 102R

Collinsville, Ill 62234

Home Phone: (618) 632-6635

Autovon: 638-2047

IPDear friends and neighbors. Miracles do happen. I received a phone call in late May from Charlie THOMAS who promised me some photographs of a big Washington DC class party scheduled for 7 June, our 20th anniversary. Well, I got the photos and much more. Charlie is responsible for the photography and Norm CAMPBELL wrote the rest of this letter. Thanks a lot to Norm and Charlie.

“FLASH: Rumor has it that after 20 years, Class of 61 still likes each other. (Despite the hard time we get from Tom SUTTON for never providing news.)

We decided that it was time to celebrate, or at least remember, the 7th of June 1961. .since June Week is now in May, and since reunions are now at the whim of the great scheduling gods in the sky; the 28 or so members of 61 in the Washington area got together for the great day on the 7th to reminisce, drink, eat, talk, and generally agree that it was remarkable how little we had all changed. We also told other war stories and lies. One thing is sure, and that is that unskilled labor from a group of ugly parents has sure produced a great crop of good looking kids. USAFA, watch out.

Winning the prize for best picnic uniform attire was Paul STEPHEN... who also won the Orson Welles look alike contest. Hugh BAINTER’s kids got the universal acclaim as the best looking group, although there were several others who were definite contenders. Tom BROPHY didn’t bring his whole clan, or he would have been able to stuff the ballot box and win going away. Gene DAVIS’s son begins this year as a Doolie, and consensus is that he’s thus the second grey tag offspring to make it to the zoo.

Charlie STEBB1NS and Hector NEGRONI won the “Bet 1 can recognize you without your nametag” contest, although Charlie cheated... he stood in the sun and the reflection blinded those who were trying to talk to him. Sandi POOLE won the “Best legs in Dallas” award.

Guess she’ll have to go to Dallas to pick up the victory trophy.

The kids took on the parents in a softball game which was characterized by sterling hitting and fielding by Charlie THOMAS, “Snoopy”. He even found a place to hit the ball past the 27 or so kids on the other team.

Ken STATEN reports that he’s seriously trying to become a gentleman farmer but that the cows aren’t cooperating. He and Hanson SCOTT are going to be some of the resident rednecks at NWC/ICAF this coming year.

Darrell KOERNER is on his way to Pope AFB to be the D.O. after a year’s sabbatical. Wayne and Mary JONES both look about the same as always, with Wayne having a job in AFSC which must not contribute to player fatigue. Bob WAGNER took time off from his busy job in the Guard Bureau flying airplanes around to come, and Dick DAVIS and Terry JORRIS both came too late for the famous Barb CAMPBELL

bean dip, but in time to police up the leftovers-which they did quite well.

C.O. WESTBROOK and Bill STACKHOUSE represented the airlift programmers, although Bill has turned in his badge to go into business in the D.C. area. Excepting KARNO, he, Don GRANT, and J.J. WOLCOTT are the first to hang it up after 20 years.

Charlie STEBB1NS reports he’s on the way to Northwestern for 4 weeks to learn how to be an advanced manager. Guess he’s finally going to learn after having done it for so long. Norm CAMPBELL is also on the way to one of those summer fun-in-the-sun schools, but at Stanford, and for 8 weeks, since it takes longer to learn something in California than up in the north country. Lee BUTLER was back in town on his way to being a SAC VC...not a black pajamaed VC, but a vice commander. It should be easy to command SAC’s vices, but good on ya anyway, Lee.

John SULLIVAN came in his weekend “I don’t shave for anyone” costume. Anne GRACE represented the GRACE clan. Bobby was out of town and will return to retire later this summer. Dale TABOR wore his A-10 belt buckle for some reason or other, and kept telling everyone that it’s not true that the A-10 simulator is a Dempsey Dumpster, or that tanks have been known to extend their distance away from an A-10 in a flight.

J.J. KOHOUT is still smiling after all these years. As one of the mushroom farmers in the depths of the puzzle palace, it’s nice to see that his sense of humor is still in place.

The surprise hit of the day was Gina THOMAS’S “Happy Anniversary Greytags” cake, which was a replica of the yearbook cover, although considerably more edible.

If this practice reunion was any indication, the real 20th celebration should be lots of fun. See you in the Springs.”

John W. (Jack) Jamba

Chief, Missile Systems Safety Div. (ESMC/SEM)

: VA7'

Patrick AFB, FL 32925 IV

AV: 854-4340, 4330

Home: (305) 777-3552

mHi Redtags!

One of the high points of my job here is having safety responsibility for our island tracking stations. As such, 1 have to make an annual safety inspection of Grand Bahama Island, Antigua Island and Grand Turk Island where I experienced for the first time in April, snorkeling in the crystalclear waters. I then proceeded to Wright-Patterson for a System Safety Conference. While there, I had lunch with Pete BOBKO. He is currently the Assistant Professor for Operations Research at AFIT. Super job! His three sons, Kit (11 yrs), Josh (7 yrs), and Ryan (5 yrs) are all soccer players. His wife, “Cookie” is a real estate agent with the largest realtor in their town. She was Rookie-of-the-Year in real estate sales. Pete said he saw A1 WYLIE recently when A1 was giving a briefing from the Pentagon. Pete also mentioned that Rip BLAISDELL got a short notice PCS to Nellis. I also stopped by to see Chuck ALLPORT just before I left. He is currently the Deputy Director of the TR-1 SPO. He is shortly moving over to the Deputy Director of the Fighter-Attack SPO. Congratulations on recent selection for Colonel. He has a five acre place to take care of his five children and wife, Sandy. Pam (17 yrs) is a senior in high school; Debbie (16 yrs) is a sophomore; Carri (13 yrs) is in eighth grade and plays soccer, basketball, and softball; Julie (10 yrs) has her own horse; and Brian (1 1/2 yrs) hasn’t made up his mind yet. While sitting at the WrightPat O Club during Attitude Adjustment Hour, I ran into Lew SV1TENKO. He is still the commander of the Speckled Trout outfit at Andrews. He will be pinning on his eagles in June. He said he had stopped at Ramstein and visited with Grant LANNON who has his son, Chris with him. Grant is flying T-39s there. Lew also saw Ed MARTINELL1, wife Bonnie, and children at Yokota. Ed is Chief of Safety for 5th A.F. and is looking for a COT to Europe. While at Wright-Pat I called Herb WEATHERHEAD who was TDY. He returned my call when I got back to Patrick. He is working on the Precision Location and Strike System. It pinpoints SAM radars and strikes them with conventional munitions. It has a sophisticated automated comm package that makes it all work. Herb waited until he was 37 to marry. He and his wife, Ruth, have a boy, Steve (6 yrs). Ruth was a widow and has a son, Mike Doran (18 yrs) from the first marriage. Herb is looking forward to retirement at 20... Got a letter from Bill OROURKE. “Enclosed is contribution to Class Crest Fund. Sorry it took so long, but I just haven’t been paying attention and didn’t know we needed money. I am enjoying recruiting and the Midwest. Of course, I would enjoy most anything after the Pentagon. I agree with John BROTHERS - a plastic crest would be more appropriate for Redtags.” I also got a letter from Phil MERKEL with his class crest donation. “Hope you can put this to good use on the class crest project! You’ve been doing a helluva job as the class secretary (or whatever). All Redtags are indebted to you. Cis and our three girls are all doing fine here in the D.C. area. With two in high school and one 6th grader we stay very busy just getting them to-and-from track, piano, violin, drama, Girl Scouts (the whole bit). I’m now Chief of the F-16 Division at HQ, AFSC in the DCS/Systems. I expect to be here at Andrews another year and then - who knows. Take care and our best to your family. Last time we saw you was at an impromptu swimming party in San Antonio. Take Care.” Thanks for the kind words, Merk. But it’s the letters that keep coming that make the column click. Got a letter from Don SHEPPERD. “Have been in a very procrastinating mood for several months, but finally sent in my “crest $” after you’d met your goal. Please apply it to the reunion fund, or any other worthy project. If you’re in the Tucson area -drop by. A1 MOSHER and I plus some other grads are all in the 152TFS, Tucson ANG, flying A-7s. Not a bad way to spend your old age. Many thanks for your class notes in Checkpoints. Like most people I read everything but never write to anyone.” Thanks for writing this one, Don. I got a letter from the AOG showing us that we are solvent. As of 30 April we had $419.68 in our Class Contingency Fund. Got a letter from Gary BAUGHMAN. “STAPLES isn’t the only one left in Colorado Springs I’m here too. I’ve made the great circle route in Colorado. C-Springs in ’70, Perry Park (25 m. north of C Springs) ’71 -’78, Pueblo ’78-’79 and back in ’80. All the while I’ve been working my way up in the Real Estate industry. For the past 6 years I’ve been with Van Schaack & Co, Colorado’s largest and most successful company. I’m a broker managing Van Schaak’s largest office in C-Springs (there are three in town). Jon was right business is good. Each of my people will average over $2,000,000 in sales in ’81. We’re Hying with the eagles. Sidelight: I was

the one who encouraged Jon to get into real estate. It has been extremely gratifying to me to see Jon do very well. We are close friends even though we are competitors. That’s what is great about this business. I still see Red Tags in my travels: Nick NICHOLS in Shreveport and Owen HAWKINS in Palo Alto in the recent past. What a great fraternity we have. That common bond is like glue.... even after 20 years. Jack, I’ve really enjoyed your columns. You do a great job. It’s been fun to watch you progress up the ladder, too. Keep up the good work and let me know if 1 can help you in any way. Warmest personal wishes, Gary.” I know what you mean by the “great fraternity.” I was strolling through the BX parking lot last week when an Air Force vehicle scooted by me and the driver tooted the horn, waved, and parked the car. I thought 1 was witnessing the Air Force version of the TV commercial that shows Wilt Chamberlin (not a Redtag) getting out of Volkswagen. Lo and behold it was Butch VICCELLIO, here at Patrick to upgrade in the OV-10. We had lunch and then a few cool ones later at the poolside/oceanside O Club lounge. It was good seeing Butch again; last time was in Thailand in ’67. He is now Vice Commander of the 507th Tactical Air Control Wing at Shaw AFB. And he hasn’t shrunk an inch. Still fills up a cockpit! He headed off the next day to visit one of his wing’s units at Homestead where he was going to see Mike MAJOR. I got a call at home right after the last edition of Checkpoints hit the streets. It was Bob HOPKINS calling from Denver. He had recently accepted a position as Director of Marketing for JeppesenAnderson Chart Co. They’re the people that make all the maps and charts that you pilots and navigators use to get around the world. Bob called to let me know that he was back in Colorado and wanted to help out with the arrangements for the Homecoming. He mentioned that he had gotten together with A1 SIGMAN who lives in Englewood. Got another letter from Dennis DEHNE’s Dad. “I am sure other Redtag Dads appreciate the forum you run in Checkpoints. The analysis on retention being published will be of great value in the future. In fact, the morning of the assassination attempt, Paul Laxalt (Senator) indicated that President Reagan was deeply concerned about retention. 1 cited T.W.C. Wilson’s experience reported in Fall 1979 Checkpoints. I had called Tom and commended him on his good results in correction of records last year. That is not the purpose of this letter. The Summer 1980 Checkpoints reported ’Dennis E. Dehne, ’62 wins landmark decision’ having won two appeals. I was premature in that IRS appealed the decision which has now finally been settled. The IRS appeal has been dismissed. So Dehne wins again. Travel expenses between two bonafide employment locations may be deducted in IRS returns. Sincerely, Redtag Dad.”

And now for some changes of address: Murle WILSON is at Kirtland AFB assigned to the 1550th FTS. Austin WEDEMEYER is now stationed at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Jerry SINGLETON has moved to Andrews AFB. Ralph CONLAN got that ROTC assignment he wanted at Lakeland, Florida. Niels JENSEN has changed street address in San Antonio. Tom KENNEDY has a new place in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Warren ROBBINS is at Barksdale. Rick WHEELER left Austin, Texas for an assignment at Holloman. John RAUSCH left Europe and is now in Springfield, Virginia. Duke GREEN has reported to the NATO Defense College in Rome and Bob CONNOLLY’S son Mike has received an appointment to USAFA, Class of 85. That’s all for now. 1 will have more information on the class reunion coming out in a separate letter. Hope to see you all for our twentieth reunion next year.

One of the pleasures of this job is the regular opportunity to pass on outstanding achievements of our classmates. This time is no different: Les DENEND was recently awarded the Arthur S. Fleming Award “for his outstanding contribution to the effective functioning of the National Security Council in coordinating U.S. foreign, intelligence and defense policy making, for the breadth of his technical and substantive knowledge as instructor of pilot training and professor of economics at the Air Force Academy and as NSC staff member, for his quality of leadership as an officer of the U.S. Air Force, and for his personal interest and profound involvement in community activities “At the time of nomination, Fes was Special Assistant to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. An interesting item found in the citation for the award was the amazing fact that Fes has been selected “Outstanding Young Man of America” for three consecutive years!

Andy CHUBATY, in another superb effort, received a Juris Doctor Degree on May 10, 1981. The degree was earned from the always tough Tulsa University Law School. Super work guys.!

The number of notes, cards, letters, visits, and phone calls have been absolutely overwhelming and most encouraging. If this keeps up, 1 won’t have to glean through my other information sources-especially change-ofaddress cards. Best of all, this column remains yours. Mike HARLEY confirmed my remarks about him in the Spring ’81 issue of this magazine and his letter also confirmed my suspicions about Minot AFB, North Dakota. His command, the 23rd Bombardment Squadron, is one of the Two B-52H squadrons that comprise the Strategic Projection Force (SPF) element of the RDJTF. Mike also passed on the whereabouts of Barry WALRATH-commander of a C-135 squadron at Offutt (2 ACCS?); Marv ODEFEY-ADO of the missile wing at Minot; and Kieth LOCKHART in Combat Ops (DOX) also at Minot. Despite all the good words about North Dakota, Mike’s parting words were probably the most descriptive: “-45° keeps out the Riff-Raff!”

Just as 1 was getting ready to leave the office for home one afternoon, I received a phone call from Jerry DRISCOLL. Jerry is/was the Fighter / Trainer Branch Chief for the USAF Safety Center at Norton. This summer he is enroute to Columbus AFB, MS and a T-38 flying assignment. Another phone call, this time from Hank HOFFMAN, was received about two weeks after Jerry’s. Henry is in the Reserves and instructing at

the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards. On the side he flies C-141s at Norton. Other activities included piloting Air California. The following updates come from Hank: Charlie GEBHART is flying for Boeing at Wichita and at Edwards, Dave MILAM in the F-I6 Joint Test Force and Ike PAYNE at the Cruise Missile Test Force.

Bob MAZET wrote from Ann Arbor, Michigan where he is completing a ninth year and hopefully, according to Bob, his last year of medical training. Eventually, he hopes to set up a private practice in an anesthesiology either in Phoenix or Mesa, Arizona. Bob reports having seen Roger SIMS on assignment for CBS News in Ann Arbor. Roger is now a producer for “CBS Sunday Morning” with Charles Kuralt. I have seen Rog’s name on the Credit List many times as “Sunday Morning” is my favorite TV show bar none. Watch it! Bob also added he had had dinner with Bill and MaryLinn WECKER (see item on Bill in the Spring ’81 issue) while Bill was in Ann Arbor to deliver a paper at the University of Michigan.

Linda and 1 had dinner with Bob HAYES when he stopped in to visit AFCC Headquarters enroute to Hill AFB, UT. Bob will assume command of the 1954th Radar Evaluation Squadron at Hill. Another visitor to Scott was “Pappy” FLANAGAN with two Brigadiers in-tow. Their reason for being here was to brief the MAC Staff on ATC’s plans for a dual-track pilot training program.

Bud and Joyce GILLIGAN and children, one of whom is taller than Bud, spent a day in O’Fallon with Dick and Diane SULA back in April. Bud was headed for Loring AFB, ME to assume command of a KC-135 squadron. Just your typical Air Force move from Castle AFB, CA to the most easterly point in the CONUS during April while most kids are still in school etc. etc. Bud added the following update: John HALLIGAN at Beale flying the KC-135, Kieth LOCKHART at Minot, Denny HAYCRAFT still at Castle, and Barney BARTLETT entrepreneur.

CHANGES OP' NOTE: John NORRIS formed his own company, Colorado Productivity Improvers, in Aurora, Colorado; Joe CABUK is Director of Program Control (requirements) for HQTAC; Mike CHRISTY assumed command of the 6910 Electronic Security Wing at Lindsey AS, Germany (our first Wing CDR?); Charlie MORDAN commands the 57 FIS at Keflavik (his second trip to Iceland); Bob DESANTO commands an ATC Flying Training Squadron at “Willy”; and John SHMOLDAS is ADO for the 10th Tactical Recon Wing somewhere in East Anglia.

OTHER CHANGES: Bryant CULBERSON to Hawaii; Terry BOSWELL to Avon Park, FL; Bill HEINLE1N to Newark, CA and NASA’s Ames Research Center-you will also find Jim MARTIN at Ames; Ev VAUGHN, Jesse MURRAY, and George BARNES (USAF Ret.) all in Colorado Springs; Jim JAMERSON to Burke, VA; Grady GAULKE to Elmendorf and the 18 TFS; Joe Lee BURNS to Kadena as the 18 TFW Chief Wing Weapons; Dr. Bob WINNEGAR to Temple, TX; Bill VINCENT to Smyrna, GA; Willy RUDD to Homestead; George PASQUET to Pope; Bob MCBETH to Columbia, SC; and Hank LAVENDER to RFD 2, Athens, GA.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Jim WHEELER (’64), AOG Executive Director, reports the Class of 1963 has $1,596.96 in its Class Contingency Fund. The monies have been invested along with those from other class funds and the interest will be distributed on a fair share basis. I hope the Class Officers also received a copy of the report.

To close, I would like to pass on the Class’s deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Ben FREDERICK. Ben died on May 6, 1981 as a result of an aircraft accident.

Until next time.

MOVING?

To insure that all AOG publications and correspondence arrive without interruption, be sure to send a timely notification of your forwarding address to the AOG Office. Unit addresses are not adequate. Four to six weeks advance notice is preferred if possible.

Party at Gilligans. FR: Bartlett. BR L-R: Halligan, Gilligan, Lockharts (Keith & Linda), Haycrafts (Dennis & Sue).

Jim Graham

12218 Oakwood Drive

Woodbridge, VA 22192

Home: (703) 494-1848

Office: (202) 755-3743

You will no doubt read elsewhere in this issue that Randy VAETH died in an RF-4C crash on April 17, near Nellis AFB. It is with sadness and a real sense of loss that I start the column with this news, feeling that we are once again diminished by the departure of a friend. Our sympathy goes out to Randy’s wife Patricia and his family.

I got a phone call sometime back from Randy JAYNE (’66), who, by the way, is working for General Dynamics in St. Fouis. Randy passed on some good news about a classmate who might be too modest to pass it on himself. He said that Paul KAMINSKI recently made a move from OSD to the Air Staff (RD). In the farewell festivities, both Drs. Perry and DeFauer spoke very highly of Paul’s technical leadership and significant contributions as Special Assistant during both their tenures. High praise from some high levels... for an outstanding effort. Congrats Paul (and Julie), and keep up the good work!

Edgcomb Metals Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has announced that Hugh WILLIAMSON was elected executive vice president and director at the company’s May 12 meeting. Hugh has been with Edgcomb since April 1977 as vice president - marketing, and later as a senior vice president. Edgcomb is one of the nation’s largest metal processing and distributing companies. More good news... onward and upward.

How about some miscellaneous changes of address: Paul MATTHEWS has moved from Pease AFB to 9712 Schmidt Drive, Burke, VA 22015. Greg MIHEVE is now at 3175 Pine St SW, Tacoma, WA 98439. Bob HOVDE’s address is now 8500 Camden St, Alexandria, VA 22308, and Dan FINK has made a move from Corona, CA to 23580 Summit Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95030. Rich FLECHSIG and Joan are now at 9459 Zuni Drive, Boise, ID 83704.

Enough of that for a while. I doubt that anyone in the civilized world (or anywhere) could have missed that beautiful launch, mission, and return of the Space Shuttle Columbia!!! From the standpoint of someone who has put in over three years to see that day (that’s me), it was even better than could be anticipated. As I said several columns back (my first one), I’m helping provide the integrated logistics support for the Shuttle development phase out through the fourth flight, and preparations for the Operations phase, which begins with the fifth flight and continues through at least 1994. As many news media reports have indicated, the Shuttle flight manifest and payload assignments are chock full out into 1986, and our challenge will be to provide a system which can be flown frequently enough and supported economically enough to accommodate that kind of advance booking. I expect to be at NASA Headquarters through August of 1982, which is just prior to the current schedule for the first operational launch. There are a number of other Air Force “detailees” serving with NASA now, including Fred GREGORY at Johnson Space Center (who is impatiently awaiting his turn at the controls of the Columbia,... or the Challenger,... or Discovery,... or Atlantis.... Fred, we’re all pulling for an early flight for you.... STS-2 will be just around the corner by the time you read this!

Moving north, Tom TIETENBERG has been associate professor of economics at Colby College in Waterville, Maine since 1977. Both Tom and Gretchen recently received appointments in a national program supported by the Danforth Foundation. As Danforth Associates, they’ll participate in various conferences and interdisciplinary and interinstitutional activities over the next six years. A real honor for both of them, and an opportunity for even more of what got them this far. Good going, Tom and Gretchen!

Dave and Donna AMMERMAN have moved from Bellevue, WA to San Jose, CA, where Dave is now the Zone Claim Operations Manager for Allstate Insurance Company. Their address is 862 Clarkston Drive, San Jose, CA 95136. Roy MOORE is enroute (at this writing) to RheinMain AB, Germany where he’ll be a pilot in the 37th Tac Airlift Sq. Roy will have TDY enroute at Little Rock (C130 driver’s training) and also the Cl30 adverse weather delivery course at Pope.

There’s a report that John BOLES is at NORAD/DO (Chidlaw Bldg), and lives at 6545 Red Feather Drive, Colorado Springs 80919. Furthermore, Dennis and Mary Jane STILES are now back from two years in Paris (French Air War College), and are living at 101 Arizona, Little

Rock, Arkansas 72076. Denny is the wing assistant deputy commander for operations (ADO) at the 314 Tactical Airlift Wing, LRAFB. Just got a postcard today from Gary ANDERSON, also at Little Rock. Gary said he will be going to Clark as the ADO of the 374TAW in mid-August and Bruce FISTER will be taking over the 50TAS on July 16. Gary also ran into several other ’64 types while on rotation to Europe back during the winter: Ron and Margie DULLEN are at Bentwaters, where he’s ops officer in the 511TFS flying A-lO’s. Bob CROWDER is Hying SR-7LS, and doubling as chief of strat recce stan eval. Gary spent some time with him at RAF Mildenhall...

Thanks a lot for the newsy postcard Gary. It really doesn’t take much to share your latest “run-ins” and rumors with everybody down the Class column line. I’d encourage everyone to consider buying one postcard (cheap!!), put two pieces of news on it, and send it to me! Do it now while you’re thinking of it... Operators are standing by...

All seriousness aside, there are several more things that we need to cover before I turn off this electronic wonder. Rich BEDARF has moved from HQ TAC to Victorville and the high desert... he’s the new Director of Operations for the newly reactivated 37TFW (Wild Weasels). Rich and Gina are at 5 Irving Place, Victorville, CA 92392. Brett DULA and Terri are at Plattsburgh AFB (1184 U.S. Oval, PAFB, NY 12903). Brett’s commanding the 4007th Combat Crew Training Sq (FBI 11 ’s), and they’re living in a grand old post house from the days that P’burgh was a fort or whatever. Brett says he’s got a spare bedroom for any wandering visitor..., just no bed to go in it! I understand that Ken WENTZEL moved in January from El Toro to South Laguna, CA (32512 Azores Rd, 92677). Also Thad WOLFE left the Pentagon back in April heading for Carswell airpatch. He’s now commanding the 9th Bombardment Squadron there.

Earlier this month we were happily surprised by a visit from Mike ROBBINS. As reported in this space earlier, Mike and Les are heading south of the border this summer... enroute to Honduras and the AF MILGRP. Mike has now completed the obligatory language training, (and Les did too), and he’s been the full route in the Pentagon, the various command headquarters, and visits to all the people who have the slightest interest in Honduras, foreign military sales, etc., etc. In July, the whole family will move out in the old maxivan for a three-week “vacation” on the way. Mike told me that he too will have an APPLE II by the time he gets to Honduras. I also heard from Larry MCLAUGHLIN (’63) in Greece, who recently acquired an APPLE, but says that there aren’t too many around that part of the world. How many more are out there?

I guess this pretty well concludes another chapter... Remember what I suggested about those postcards. Hope I hit all the rumors accurately and reported all the ZIP codes faithfully. If I didn’t, let me know. So long for now...

Happy ’64 A WC Graduates: Hal Watson, John Golden, Parke Hinman.

Denny Scarborough

5414 Inverchapel Rd

Springfield, VA 22151

Home: (703) 321-7065

AV: 227-5540

rUrf^

Title this issue, MCCANN’s Swansong. Denny SCARBOROUGH made an offer 1 couldn’t refuse, and he will be taking over the newsletter duty starting next issue.

Denny is currently at the Pentagon in the CSAF Staff Group and is in contact with several members of our class which will help immensely in gathering information for this letter.

Denny also included the following list of 65ers currently or soon to he stationed at the Pentagon or in the DC area:

Jim Alsobrook

John Angell XO Space & Defense Forces

Joe Bleymaier XO Doctrine and Concepts

Joe Britan XO Airspace & Air Traffic Systems

Larry Farrell XO Chief, Capability Assessment Div.

Tom Gorges JCS-J-4 Logistics Procurement

Henry “Tac” Hamby RD CX Program Monitor

Joe Koenig RD Avionics and Armament

Mike Muldoon XO

Denny Murphy MP Exec Officer, Director of Plans.

David Mike Richey CSAF Int’l Affairs

Harold Rust RD Avionics and Armament

Mike Ryan XO Inbound to Checkmate

Don Neireiter XO Capability Assessment Div.

Don Rogers SA Studies and Analysis

Gary Silence XO Munitions Planning

Rich Siner XO Research Associate Brookings

John Warden CSAF

Tim Graves RD

Pete Miner DLA (Enroute to England, A-10 Maintenance)

I’m sure there must be a few others tucked in hidden corners of that place, but in any case it appears ’65 has a major investment in Northern Virginia.

Also heard from Chuck and Mary COLEMAN who are currently at Torrejon, Spain. Chuck is Operations Officer for the 612-TFS and enjoying the heck out of the F-4D. (That noise you hear is me eating my heart out). Chuck mentioned that Bill CATHEY was getting ready to leave Spain for Wright-Patterson and work in the Forward Swept Wing Project. He and Kay were making their final swing through Europe before heading back. Mike LYNCH is completing a remote at Incirlik (where’s that?) and has a follow on assignment at USAFE Hq.

SHORT NOTES: George STETZ is at Patrick AFB, FLA where he is Chief of Space Shuttle Launch and Landing Operations with the 6555th Aerospace Test Group. Jim MCCORRY has moved from Homestead AFB to Dayton, Ohio., I assume Wright-Patterson. Dick CARLBURG has left Colorado Springs for Fort Waltori Beach. John RABY has left Shape Hq for Colorado Springs, ADC/SIO. Charlie THOMAS is back in Las Vegas from Utah. Bill MCLEOD has left “Trigger” in Apple Valley and is at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. Finally, Dave ALMQUIST has changed job title and Co. He is currently V.P. Director of Personnel, Kenyon & Eckhardt Inc. NY, NY.

That is all the word for now. Thanks for your support and if you are in the Boston Area look me up. I speak the Language.

Eddy Shirley

4460 Coldbrooke Court

Alexandria, VA 22306

Home: (703) 765-3717

AV: 225-0939, 227-7524

Hi-

Summer is here again and the Red Tags are on the move again. Fortunately Faye and I will get to “pass” on the moving experience this summer for the first time in several years. Dan CECIL has kindly volunteered to replace me as Class News Secretary and will write all future ’66 columns. Dan has traded in his AT-38 at Cannon for an F-111F at RAF Lakenheath. John GROZIER is Dan’s sponsor and will be his ops officer and Sam PESHUT is also an Aardvark pilot at Lakenheath.

RED TAG ROUNDUP: It is about time for more and more ’66ers to gravitate toward Washington. If you do come here, after you get over the shock of becoming a homeowner, contact Tom LEIB, the president of the AOG Capital Chapter. The organization is very active and provides an excellent vehicle to get together with other grads in the DC area. The “Red Tag Mafia” (RTM) is slowly taking over Luke AFB and the F-15 training business. Charter members of the Luke RTM are: John MARSHALL (squadron commander), Jon MCFALLS (squadron commander), Dick BETHUREM (chief of stan/eval) and Andy FORNAL, (ops officer). If you guys ever find that you are short of students to check out in the F-15, please give us a call in the Pentagon and we’ll be glad to volunteer to help fill up the classes.

Jim HIGHAM was on his way to Columbus AFB to be the T-38 Squadron Commander when he was diverted to Peterson AFB to command the 557th Flying Training Squadron (T-41). Another commander is Ken HACKER, who has taken over a B-52 Squadron at Ellsworth AFB.

There are numerous changes in the Red Tag colony at USAFA. Tom BRANDON goes to 314th Air Division at Osan AB, Korea, Larry BAGLEY is bound for Anderson AFB, Guam as a navigator in the WC-130. Ross GUBSER goes back to the fighter business with an F-4 assignment to Ramstein. Denny FINK is enroute to Patrick AFB for an assignment to AFTEC. Bill RILEY has completed a PhD in mathematics at Texas A&M and is returning to the math department as an associate professor. Hans MUEH has become a tenure associate professor and director of operations for the chemistry department. Rocky RESTON is an assistant professor and director of the Advanced Economic Program.

The Washington Metrobus that I ride to work will approach “critical mass” if any more 66 grads join us. Fred HATHORN runs the computer section for the Army Chief of Staff. Lew MOORE has come from Denver to DC and works in the Interior Department.

RED TAG WANDERING: Harry ICKE is in England at the RAF College of Air Warfare at Cranwell. He saw Wayne SKORA “working” in Reno. Wayne usually works in Safety at TAC HQ. Wayne MYERS goes from the AWACS at Tinker to the RC-135 at Offutt. Rumor has it that Don CRAIGIE is coming to Washington from the AT-38 at Holloman. Ron DAVIS has moved from Kansas City to Denver as the USAF Representative to the FAA. Ron HATCHETT has signed into the Joint Staff in J-5 (Plans). Stan BOYD is the F-15 Program Monitor for AF/RD in the Pentagon. John CASPER is at HQ USAF in fighter operations. Jess COGLEY works for EF Hutton in San Antonio. Rusty GIDEON is coming to Andrews AFB and Systems Command HQ. Jim HAMERNICK is in Real Estate Property Management. Bob HAUGE goes to Hanscom to work in ESD. Chris KOPF is at Kirtland in AFTEC. Mike KELLY is a financial planner in San Diego. Chuck KOLINER is a doctor and professor of Anesthesiology in Morgantown, West Virginia. A1 KONTRICK is at Eglin as a staff officer in TAC’s “Blue Flag” exercise series. Nick LANZILOTTA is an attorney in Augusta, Maine. Ken

LORD is a Recon Tactics Officer at the TAC Fighter Weapons Center at Nellis. John MAYBEE is a DIA branch chief at Fort Meade. Bill MCCORMICK is the president of a management recruiting firm in the Washington, DC area. Russ MORRISON is the Cinclant Joint Recon Center at Norfolk. Clay OLSCHNER is at HQ AFCENT in Europe.

FAREWELL: After four years as the class secretary, I am passing the baton to Dan Cecil. His address is:

United States Air Force Academy Mission: To provide instruction and experience to all Cadets so that they graduate with the knowledge and character essential to leadership and the motivation to become career officers in the United States Air Force.

Daniel B. Cecil

Box 4598

APO New York 09179

Thanks for all the help and support during my tenure. I hope you will assist Dan as he takes over the column. I wish each and every one of you every success in the future. Good luck and Godspeed.

Dan Morgan

7518 Brian Clarke

San Antonio, TX 78240

AV: 240-6800

Home: (512) 680-1132

John McCRILLlS wrote, “finally decided to heed one of those heartrending pleas (common to all class correspondents, 1 notice) for scribbles of any sort.” (Bandwagon, anyone? .) He also noted with glee my typo that said I was working this summer in IMpatient psychiatry. Well, there’s all kinds of nutty jokes about that, to be sure. I have discovered what the physicians mean when they mention 100-hr. weeks, and if that schedule were going to keep up for me, I’d be wishing for greener pastures in an IMpatient manner, myself. In fact, I am due to PCS in September, hopefully to Langley AFB, so 1 can assist effectively in my mother’s care. Yet, we do hate to uproot after only one year. The quality of our home, neighbors, school, work experience, and the mixture of culture and casualness have made San Antonio a glowing experience for us.

John wrote just after applying to get into the Liaison Officer program. He’s hoping to get around his long “dead time” out of service and do some recruiting for USAFA. Seems that Louisville is a little off the beaten path for zoomies but it is heaven for a basketball fan, which John is. He has also been a dentist since 1976; “unlikely” is the mildest word he would have said about that career possibility 15 yrs. ago. The difference which made dentistry exciting for him was realizing that his focus was not so much on teeth as on people, “the profession’s chief joy.” Terrific!

John, Sharon, and their girls recently went through the AF Museum at Wright-Patt. The more they looked at the last display-a collage of MIA photos-the more faces they recognized as people they knew well.

Last week 1 heard that three MIA bodies were returned to the U.S. from Vietnam. Feeling sure that a plethora of available information has not been released by Hanoi continues to grate upon me everytime I hear such news. I imagine all of you noted the K1A declarations on Morgan DONAHUE and Don SHAY last issue. This time, unexpectedly, we have to say goodbye to Doug WITHERS, killed in an F-4 crash near Niirnberg in March. We each have to find a way to say goodbye that allows us to keep on functioning. Yet, we also want to maintain some contact. For example, I was glad to get the AOG notice of a change of address from Esther WOLFE, moving to Pueblo, CO. I know that many of us have the impulse to send a word of comfort to those who feel the loss of these loved ones to the greatest degree, but often we have no idea what to say. Well, grievers tell us that eloquence feels irrelevant, but that contact is very appreciated. Thus, anything we communicate is caring.

Bob and Jean BARNES, with Rachel (8) and Caroline (5) left the Air Force in June. After having been chief of thoracic surgery at Wilford Hall, he’ll be specializing in congenital heart defects with Cardiovascular and Chest Associates, Boise. They had several great visits with the HURTS. Jeff’s law firm in Dallas just opened a D.C. office and is doing well. Bob GILMORE, Nancy, and their 3 girls also visited the BARNES in San Antonio in April and plan to drop by to see them in Boise in late summer. Dan ROPER is also just separated, entering private practice in Ophthalmology in Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Dick LAMOTHE called also, just before leaving San Antonio. He, Anita, Roland (12), and Nicky (9) will be at Patrick AFB in late August for 3 weeks, and then on to Panama. He is delighted to get back into flying as a FAC in the 0-2. TAC sends fighters to Southern Command on TDY rotations, both for deployment and gunnery practice. So Dick will be directing strikes by every fighter in the inventory, a happy deja vu of the good flying he did 10 yrs. ago. He has been with the ATC IG and feels they have been successful in changing to a “white hat” image. He passes on this tip from his IG experiences: The units that function best, have at least one major thing in common, “a strong, consistent manager who lets his people know where he stands, and allows them to do their jobs responsibly.”

Dick reports Ed and Ellie GUNTER, coming from A-7s at England, AFB, LA, to be an IP in the T-37 at Sheppard, exclusively teaching NATO allied students there. He also commented that Ben LAROSA is really enjoying using his degree in his historian job as a civilian at Kelly AFB. Dick enjoyed seeing Laney CORMNEY weekly on the ATC DO staff at Randolph. On a TDY, he encountered Bob BAKER, who is teaching math or computer science in Sacramento. Denny MILLER is doing well in his own Sacramento business, running a service that provides a pool of medical personnel. Dick also found Gordon and Marshia MULCH headed for a new job in North Dakota (I thought only people in the service went there. Good luck, Gordon; let us hear what you’re doing!)

AOG Tidbits: Bob BARNUM has moved to Ramstein AB, Rich BEBEE to Englewood, CO; Peyt COLE to Randolph AFB, TX; Lloyd DUNCAN to England AFB, LA; Randy GRESHAM to Saudi Arabia with the Parsons Company; Jim HASTEDT to Columbus, TX; Tom HEPNER to Carrolton, TX; John HOLLSTEIN to Morrison, CO; Major Larry HOWERTON to Osan AB; Bob RUDIGER to Lakenheath AB; Ken SPROUL to Brazil, IN; J.D. TERRY to Ft. Lewis, WA; and Stuart “Woody” WOOD to the Air Ops Staff, HQ USAFE, Ramstein. Jim GEORGE wrote that he really enjoyed the last 18 months in Panama as an OPS officer, but being overseas for 3 years “really helps you appreciate the U.S.!” He’ll train at Hill AFB all summer in the F-16 before going on to Nellis, and has been selected BTZ for L/C. Congrats! Cheers also for our D.C. contingent: Tom TWOMEY wrote “the Class of 67 had the largest turnout of any class at the Capitol Chapter wingding in March!”

Mark Torreano

8469 Brainerd Ct

Springfield Va 22153

Office: AV 225-6239

Home: (703) 455-4960

Greetings classmates, wives and other miscellaneous “voyeurs” interested in the continuing story of the Class of ’68, one of the greatest vintage years ever produced on the dry, sunny slopes of the picturesque Rampart Range by that master vintner, Monsieur Moorman (“More moan”). Yes, since graduation we’ve developed from a light-hearted, almost precocious, yet determined Class into a full-bodied, robust Class, full of confidence and showing great promise as we mature. I’m not quite sure why my pen wrote that introduction, but it may have been influenced by my consumption last night of some of Ernest and Julio’s products during Fourth of July festivities. The family and I went to Fort Belvoir for bands and fireworks, after a day of rain dampened our enthusiasm for going to the Mall and listening to the free Beach Boys concert. And a good decision that was. We heard the Beach Boys “live” on the radio, and believe me they have peaked out. In carrying the comparison with wine a bit further, I’d say they are like a good wine that has turned to vinegar. Just another disgusting sign that age catches up with us all. Hope everyone’s Fourth was a day of happiness and celebration.

The Torreanos are busy as we prepare for our PCS to Yokota in early September, just after my boss, Lt. Gen. Tighe, retires after 39 years service. In June, 1 carried bags for Gen. Tighe on a trip to Germany that ineluded Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Ramstein, Weisbaden and Bonn. We even visited in Potsdam, East Germany with the U.S. Military Liaison Mission. Talk about a tacky, dreary place! Fitting in all those stops in 11 days was hectic, but Germany was new to me and I learned a lot. At Ramstein, 1 ran into Manny BETTENCOURT, Steve POLK, and Ed EBERHART, and saw Tad DRAPER in Stuttgart. Jim HOGAN, ’69, piloted me to Berlin in his T-39, and I met Bill KORNEMANN, ’67, in Bonn, where he is Asst. Air Attache.

Front Row: Mo Ecung, Ed Leonard, Paul Cousins.

Middle Row: Bill Hoge, Ron Jackson, Jim Johnson, Bob Pauli.

Back Row: Jim Lozito, Larry Evanoff, Fred Bassett, Bill Begert, John Gurley, Mike Thrower.

Kneeling: Mac McConnell (’68), "Disco” Disosway (’70), George Graves (’63).

Standing: Bill Bader (’70), Johnny Deloach (’68), Jess Chalk (’71), Jack Baker (’63).

Then on 24 June, the family and I were in Newport, R.I. for graduation ceremonies at the Naval War College. 1 believe 1 am the first ’68er graduate of the Off-Campus Seminar Program run by the NWC here in D.C. The course involves one night a week for three years, and is very well done and interesting. Those of you who cycle thru D.C. might consider this option to learn about our sister service, or take it by correspondence from anywhere.

1 talked to Bruce GERRITY the other day at “Ground Zero” (center courtyard of the Pentagon). Bruce recalled that Larry MITCHELL had claimed the honor of first ’68er on the Great Wall of China and Bruce wanted to set the record straight that he was in China in 1972 to take the musk oxen over and haul the pandas back, at which time he trod the Great Wall. With this bit of information, it now becomes clearer why the pandas are not having baby pandas - it must have something to do with the harrowing flight to the U.S. with Bruce at the stick!

Bill DRENNAN and Bill ECKERT have recently been selected for new assignments of a very unique nature. Bill D. will serve as military assistant to President Reagan, while Bill E. will do the same for Vice President Bush. Now that’s just tremendous and 1 know all ’68ers take special pride in Bills’ achievements and we can all sleep more soundly knowing they are in place in the White House. I hope we can get photos of our guys and their bosses for a future column. In other local news, Charlie and Marilyn

SEIFERT’s first born, Jenny Marie, arrived in May. And J.B.

SCHROEDER called from Vestal, N.Y. to announce the arrival of his third (first girl), Paige Elise, in June. J.B. toils for General Electric in developing flight controls for Boeing’s 757/767 airlines.

On the personnel front, the AF will take one last potshot at ’68 on 13 July when it convenes the last Regular (permanent) Major Selection Board before DOPMA becomes effective 15 September. Let’s hope the fickle finger of MPC does not point ’68s’ way. And for those of you PCSing this summer, reimbursement will be ’way up, and we won’t lose quite as much on a move as in the past. Thanks, Congress.

LETTERS: Johnny DELOACH sent greetings from all the grads in the Georgia ANG, along with a group picture. Johnny says this is the only reserve “Weasel” outfit and invites all to stop and see him in “hot ’lanta.”

Another great photo came in from Paul COUSINS, down ‘Bama way at ACSC. Seems Mike THROWER had the ’68 contingent over for a burger burn and the troops assembled for this historic photo. Paul asked each guy to write a note and here they are: Paul - Headed back to a flying job in the AWACS at Tinker. Come visit when you pass through. Mike -Returning to the cockpit after a 5 1/2 year absence, flying C- 141s out of McGuire; ’68 visits welcomed. Jim LOZITO - Hitchhiking back to Wright-Pat to fly with the 4950 Test Wing. Don’t forget that ’68 may not be good, but we’re still great! Ed - Bound for Scott (HQ, AWS). Y’all come over to the St. Louis area and watch the corn grow with us. Mo -Asst Prof Aerospace Studies, Commandant of Cadets - Loyola Marymount Univ, Los Angeles. Give me a ring when you’re out to Disneyland. Fred - Staying at ACSC as an FI so I can avoid the Pentagon. I’ll see alot of you guys here next year. Let me know if I can help you get settled. Ron

Survived ACSC, heading for HQ MAC as an instructor at the Airlift Operations School. Hope to see some of y’all up there. Bill BEGERT

-Going back to Dover (for the third time) to fly C-5’s. It’s going to be tough to work full time again after 10 months of a part time job. John

-Returning to the C-130 after 7 years. Going to Pope; stop and see us. Lucie and I are expecting our first child in July. Bob - Going to USAFA as AOC, CS-19, the ultimate turnback position. Wife Sue looking forward to feeding 110 hungry cadets. Robbie, Robin, Rebecca, and Billy will make this a family enterprise. Give me a call when some of you early starters have kids entering USAFA. Jim JOHNSON - Must learn how to fly again after 6 1/2 years of desk jockeying. C-130 training for 6 mos. then on to Rhein Main, Germany for a 4 year tour. Larry - Finally finished my masters at Auburn (MBA). Heading to Charleston to fly C-141’s. Susan has recorded her first record album (contemporary Christian music). She has been busy singing and ministering for the Lord. Bill HOGE - Found another way to avoid Washington, D.C. I’m going remote to Izmir, Turkey to work in 6 ATAF on NATO’s southern flank. Any visitors to beautiful downtown Izmir will be welcomed appropriately.

Also at ACSC, but not pictured, are Mike GILCHRIST, Arnie JULICH, and Gordy WAGNER. Their notes follow: Mike - Heading back to SAC and flying. Thank God for mountains, skiing and fishing. Looking forward to alert, oh yeah!! Arnie - Staying at ACSC on the faculty for 2 years. Anybody coming to Montgomery who needs information, let me know. Gordy - Trying to figure out how to make my house payments in the Andrews area. That wasn’t in the ACSC curriculum. Look to the friendly skies where I’ll be driving a C-9 for the 1 MAS. Paul, that was a fantastic idea. Thanks to all of you for the notes, and best of luck in the new jobs.

Glenn GILLETTE wrote from Denver where he is now a Senior Software Specialist for Digital Equip Corp working on the latest 32-bit computers. Wife Rita’s art career is off the ground and the whole family is going to Hawaii this summer while she attends a workshop on sumi-e. And Denny and Barb FLYNN are back on the mainland after spending just ages in Hawaii. Denny is now Deputy Chief of Installations for NSA at Fort Meade. Thanks for the notes, guys.

The following was gleaned from notes on AOG dues forms, a very easy way to communicate with your classmates: Jim LYONS is now Placement Mgr for Fox Morris Assoc in Houston, TX and Bob and Irene MACALUSO’s first child, Brenden David, was born last August (not only does Bob take a long time to have a child, he waits almost as long to tell us about it).

ADDRESS CHANGES: Jim CAMP to El Cajon, CA; John CARSON from Armed Forces Staff College (AFSC) to Upper Heyford to fly F-lll’s; Dick COE from Rome to AFSC; Dave DRIGGERS to Casper, WY as a civilian and Assoc Prof of Family Practice Residency Program; Kerry KILLEBREW graduates from the Defense Systems Mgt College at Ft. Belvoir here and goes to USAF/RDQT to work fighter requirements; Jim MADSEN is in Tucson, AZ; Guy MCADORY is in Lacedale, MS; Bob MIRABELLO at Alconbury, UK; Hank MOORMAN has departed Jidda and is at home in San Clemente, CA; Dale ODERMAN is Chief, Spt Ops Div, 13AF, Clark, AB; Jim PARKER is with the FBI in NYC; Jon RAND resides in Sandy, VT; Paul RUSSELL has gone to Alconbury. And BG and Mrs. HALLENBECK, Ted’s parents and associate members of the AOG, have left Colorado Springs for San Antonio. I’m sure they’d like to hear from you locals there.

That wraps up this installment. I’ve been trying to come up with a bit of whimsy to close with but my whimsy has went, so I’ll just bid you goodbye as you let go with a collective sigh of relief (spelled R-O-L-A-I-D-S).

P.S. Remember to give your mail more time to reach me in Japan and call if you pass thru Yokota (or if you can capture an open Autovon line). If its too hard to do the column long distance, I’ll need a replacement, so volunteers are encouraged to step forward now.

Congratulations to Mike GUYOTE on his assignment to Oxford University, Oxford, England to study for his PhD in EE. Mike left this June and will be in Oxford until July, 1984. Mike indicates that he and Marilyn will make room for anyone from our class interested in seeing the sites in the area. Thanks for the news and invitation, Mike.

Ron LOVE is at Travis Air Force Base in C-141’s. Mike MAY finished sixteenth in the tenth annual Guam marathon with a time of 3:21:07. Dennis FLETCHER is presently a specialist engineer with Boeing Wichita working on the KC-135.

Reports from Kadena indicate that Tom ALLEN is an F-15 flight commander while Art SCHWALL has been in the Wing Plans at Kadena but is going to ACSC this summer. Tom LUTTERB1E left Kadena in December to go to test pilot school. Matt WALDRON has recently arrived at Keesler AFB to be an instructor in the computer staff officer school. Tracy RHODES is a C-5A pilot at Travis. Tracy reports that he passed Bart TUCKER at Altus recently. Bart had just finished at Edwards enroute to Wright-Patt to test fly C-141’s. Harry LAWS has returned to the US and is at Eglin AFB. Bob PHILLIPS is reportedly at OSAN.

This is all the information available for this issue. Please share any news you have with our Class by direct correspondence with me or in any contact you have with the AOG office.

Idaho), John PENNEY (Reno to Sparks, NV), Skip BOHN, Jim BARRALL (Texas to New Jersey), A1 WURGLITZ (Maryland to Illinois), Harold BOWIE (Tempe to Phoenix), Tom JONES, and Skip BENNETT (to Niceville, FL). As you guys can see, it doesn’t take much to get your name in Checkpoints, but the name of the game is “contact,” so keep in touch.

I’d like to thank Larry VAUGHN for the opportunity to write the Class News and thank all of you great letter-writers in advance.

Hello to all and thanks to those who contacted the AOG since the last issue. Feel free to write me directly (include pictures and mug shots), call collect, or drop a note to the AOG, P.O. Box 160, USAFA, CO 80840 and I’ll be able to let everyone know who’s where doing what to whom.

Ron JONES is an electronics engineer and member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. John CUS1CK is a senior advisor for planning and new ventures with COMSAT General Corp. in Virginia and does his reserve duty at the Pentagon. Bill BURKE is still with Northwest Airlines except that he has moved from Manila to Taipei. 1 had a phone conversation recently with Bob CAREY. He said Donna and the kids were enjoying California. Bob is a controller for WESPAC Investors Trust, a Real Estate Investment Trust. Jim SPURGEON is a navigator with the 1st Special Operations Squadron at Clark AB, PL Glenn OAKESHOTT is at Hq. 15th AF at March AFB as Chief, EC/KC-135 & E-4 Air/Ground Training. Tim KINNAN is a student at the Armed Forces Staff College in Virginia and said he thoroughly enjoyed the 10th year reunion. J.D. HAAS is with the 909 ARH Squadron in Kadena. Bill and Margaret GORMAN left Elmendorf about a year ago and Bill is now at Keflavik. Mike LACAILLADE is in Alexandria, Virginia and has a new assignment as an international R & D staff officer, HQ USAF/RD-1. Jim JOHNSON is enroute to TAIF, Saudi Arabia as an F-5 instructor. Richard ALLAIN is in Layton, Utah and mentioned that they were expecting their 3rd child. Art MACDONALD said he is enjoying life as an F-16 IP at MacDill. Art also mentioned that other ’70 grads in F-16 at MacDill are Rich HARRINGTON, Ed COLE, Randy HOLDMAN, Robin MCALLISTER and Bill HARRELL. I appreciate the note, Art. I stopped by Moore and Company here in the Springs to visit Tony MARIETTA last month. He said Val is working at the Academy and that they are happy to be back in Colorado. Fred WHITNEY completed an interesting Persian Gulf assignment where he made at least 100 carrier arrested landings aboard the USS Independence and received the Navy Expeditionary Medal. Way to go, Fred.

That about wraps it except for name changes, address changes, zip code changes, and honorable mentions: Paul ORR1N-BROWN, Sam WOOD, Lewis WEILAND (Myrtle Beach to Las Vegas), Tim CAREY (Moody AFB to Spangdahlem?), Terry TABOR (San Antonio to Valrico, FL), Bob STOVER (Casper, WY to Mexico), Blake SMITH (Huntington Beach to Castle AFB, CA), Jack SHAW, Norm RASMUSSEN (Ohio to

Hi gang. Here it is, time for another installment already. As I watched the Class of 1985 enter the other day, I couldn’t help but be nostalgic about our own humble beginnings 14 years ago. Wow, it seems like it was yesterday. I don’t know about you guys, but I remember every minute of that first week. Oh well, on to the news.

With sadness, I must report the loss of three of our classmates this spring. Nick HAUCK was killed on 9 May in the crash of his T-38 Thunderbird during an airshow at Hill AFB. The funeral was held here at the Academy. Nick was the type of professional officer that all of us looked up to, and we are all better for having known him. Our sincere condolences to Linda and the girls. Gino KRAAY and Sonny CHILDERS were here as pallbearers.

Butch WATSON was killed on 6 April in an auto accident near McConnell AFB, Kansas, where he had just begun training in the F4 (ANG). Walter LUSK was killed in the May crash of an EC-135 out of WrightPatterson AFB. Again, our sincere condolences to the families.

On a brighter note, congratulations to John BARRINGER, Dolan McKELVY, Bill RICHARDSON, and Rich W1RTH, who were promoted to Major below-the-zone.

Our planning for Homecoming ’81, nicknamed (by me) the “Best TenYear Reunion Ever”, is proceeding on schedule. By the time you receive this, you should also have received a registration packet. If you didn’t, you can use the registration forms in this issue of Checkpoints. Please try to get your registration in as early as you can. Your prompt response will help us do a better job of planning.

Teddie McFARLAND called to volunteer to be a squadron rep for Homecoming. Teddie is flying F-4s and A-lOs for Systems Command at Eglin. Jon TORBLAA also called from Scott to let me know he’s still a volunteer for 20th Squadron rep. Mike and Jo HITE are recent arrivals at USAFA, where Mike will be teaching in the Behavioral Science Dept. Bob Seltzer has joined the ’71 contingent in the Astro and Comp Sci Dept. John HIGGINS sent me a letter from England where he’s on an RAF exchange tour. John’s getting checked out in the Harrier and then will be going to RAF Gutersloh, Germany, for two years. John GRUESER called to tell me all is well with Martin-Marietta in Denver. Mike ROBINSON and Earl PINNEY are also working for Martin.

Paul McKAY wrote and called to tell me that several members of the class contributed to a fund for Rick KANE, who died last year in a civilian aircraft accident. The proceeds from the fund were donated to our Class Wall Project. Those who contributed are: Dave BRIGMAN, Larry CASADA, J.D. McBRIETY, Bob METCALF, Doug MILLER, Pete BLAKE, Bill PURCELL, Vince LANDRY, Paul MCKAY, Rick BARTON, George BOYD, Bill CUNNINGHAM, John GORMAN, Brian HAGGERTY, Mike HURLEY, John LADD, Jake HUFFMAN, Bill MAKS, Kerry MAYS, Joe RIPPOLE, Greg ROCCO, and Butch WATSON. These guys made two separate group contributions of $100 each.

Dr. Scott BOWEN recently completed studies at Bowman Gray School of Medicine; he will train in orthopedics at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Richard AGNEW separated from the AF in Nov. Rat RAND is now an Action Officer at the Pentagon. Lawrence SCHLESER is an F4E WSO at Ramstein. Chet LADD is flying for Delta and living in Marietta, Ga. Rick GAUSMANN is an Air Ops Staff Officer at ADTAC HQ, Langley AFB, Va. Robert DROWLEY is with the TAC IG Team at Langley. Robert BROWN is a Weasel Pilot at George. Keith BETSCH is flying C-9s at Clark. Walt NYZIO is a section foreman for Corning Glass Works in Rhode Island. Steven GREENWELL graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in May. He is scheduled to do residency with the Army at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. He says the Air Force has too many doctors?

Larry O’REILLY is out at Castle in the instructor cadre for B-52 Weapon System Training. Danny SMITH just moved to Castle from Seymour-Johnson. Gary PAYTON is a Manned Spaceflight Engineer at Space Division and reports a new daughter, Courtney Ann. Larry RANDLETT moved from Seymour-Johnson to Nellis. John GOODALE is a purchaser for Graco, Inc., in Minneapolis and is flying A-7Ds for the South Dakota ANG. Don BRESETT is at Willy as OIC of Flight Test, but was expecting orders back to helos in June. Virgil STAPONSKI is a plant engineer for Frito-Lay in Topeka, Kansas.

That’s all the news for now. Remember to get your Homecoming Registrations in early. See you in October.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Bob Bell’s input for this issue of CHECKPOINTS was not received by the AOG Office. Suggest everyone writes to Bob so the next issue can do double duty - send photos too...

Antonio being a doctor. B.J. STANTON is on his way to MIT for a M.S. in E.E. and then on to USAFA. Rowe STAYTON got out and moved back to Colorado. Don RIGHTMYER is on the Soviet Awareness Briefing Team out of Bowling AFB. Johnny WHITAKER is assigned to the Secretary of Air Force Public Affairs in the Pentagon. Mike TRUAX writes from U.T. at Austin where he is working on a M.S. in Computer Science. He and Judy and daughter Jenny are expecting a new baby in July, assignment in August, and the degree and PCS in December. Ed AVILA and Jim BUCKLEY are also at U.T. working on masters. Greg SENSIBA is at the Pentagon. Ted KAMMIRE and Patti are at Travis in C-141s. Joe MITCHELL and Kathryn are at Sheppard. Mike WILKEN and Karen are now in Europe. Bill FOX and Pam are at Clark in F-4s. Vic BRIGHT and Phyllis are now in Europe also. Roy PENCE and Monica at Travis. George KEHIAS is in Guam. Pat ROONEY and Joyce are at Barksdale in B-52s. Steve WALKER and Deborah are at McGuire. Ray WALLACE is in the reserves and United at Denver. Rich ANSELM is out and in Los Angeles. Mike DENDINGER got out and is now in the Penn ANG.

And lastly from the maybe there is hope department: Bill ORCUTT is now a major selectee out at Mather where he is an I.N. Congratulations Bill!!

So for another quarter I say: THE END.

Pat Lynch

4049 Forest Ridge Blvd.

Dayton, OH 45424

AV: 785-6289

Home: (513) 233-5426 v

The dog days of summer are upon us and the weather here in Dayton isn’t fit for a dog. I just got back from TDY in Oakland where the weather was great and the difference is hard to handle. I received several letters since the last time so I’ll get into the news.

Seems like it is that time again, to let you folks know what is happening. I try to tell myself that I wait until the last minute to do this so I can get in as much mail as possible, but I think it really goes back to an old saying someone said to me the other day: “If God was a cadet he would have slept for six days and pulled an all nighter.’’ Well, I’m laughing! Anyway...

I don’t think this will get out in time but Bryan CLARK says the 19th squadron is having a reunion during the weekend of 24-26 July. I hope somebody takes notes and lets me know how it turns out. John DEASON is now JOHN BRUCKNER, no reason given. Sam BLANCHARD is still flying the F- 111 at RAF Lakenheath and was awarded his first oak leaf cluster to the AFCM, he completed his M.S. degree last June, and is expecting their third child this summer. Bob HORTON got his MBA in March from Northeastern and had Eric Andrew on Dec 9. Anthony KONCEL had a son, Nicholas Anthony in April. Ray PEDDEN had a daughter, Jessica Lynn on Jan 26. Mike SPEHAR, at Ramstein, had a daughter, Elizabeth, born Nov 29. Mike MCGRATH and Jan (the only one to give credit to his wife) had their third child in Jan, Julie Elizabeth; they will be joining the Law department at USAFA in June. Keith HITZEMAN is working on his second Masters degree, this one in taxation. Don WURSTER is back in the AF after trying civilian life, he is with the 1550th ATTW at Kirtland. Anthony STRAWA is at Stanford studying Aero/Astro. Paul TAYLOR is Chief of the Civil Law Division at the Air University at Maxwell. Tom REAM will graduate from AFIT in Dec. with a degree in Ops Research. Bill THORN is at Sembach in the OV-10 but headed for Hill in F-16s. Dennis BOYCE is flying for Emery Express.

Bob TICKNOR called me from the Pentagon. He completed a degree in Ops Research and now is working in studies and analysis. They had twins 18 months ago; Bobby and Brian who are both doing fine. Bob says Randy PUTZ is also at the Pentagon in fighter ops and expecting twins soon. John CRANDLEY is in California now. Dean HAYLETT is at AFIT and Mike TREMONTE is out in Seattle working for Mobil Oil. Wendy JACZINSKI wrote for Jack. They are leaving KC-135s at Grissom and headed for 141s at Norton. They have a two year old daughter. Bob STRATTON writes from DLI where he is learning German so he can go be an Olmsted Scholar. Jim HEIRONIMUS is in San

My first letter came from Mike BALALE. Mike is out of the AF now and works for TRW in Redondo Beach, CA. He sent some news of other ’74 people. Tony FERRARO is in maintenance logistics at Scott. Sam FAZIO is at Sunnyvale, CA. Jay and Caroline JOLLY are at Hill. John and Donna MASTROIANNI are at Kadena where John is in the RF-4. Tom BALDY is a “tweet” instructor at Vance.

My next letter was from Craig ANDERSON. As usual, Craig wrote a big letter about the Dirty Dozen. The big news is that Craig has tied the knot. His new wife, Rite, was a teacher in the DOD schools in Germany. Craig and Rite have left Rhein-Main for Iraklion where he will be the Staff Judge Advocate. Other news from Craig’s letter: Joe and Darlene BREZOVIC have a new son, Joseph Daniel, born Jan 17. Denny and Pam LYONS are the new parents of a daughter, Katie. Steve and Beth STERNE are going to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Steve will be at the university there on an Olmstead Scholarship. Tim and Cheryl LANE have left Robins and he is at Osan. JJ ROMANO has left Germany and is in the F-4 at Seymour-Johnson. Paul and Marsha SHERRY are at Temple to finish his last two years of med school. Marsha is expecting their first child in Sept. Rick and Ellen ROSSER are in Atlanta where Rick is flying for Eastern. Dave DALEY married Tai-Lee on Valentines Day. They are at Kirtland. Tom GREEN is flying the RF-4C in England. One interesting

’74 Grads at W-PAFB during the Southwest Ohio Chapter meeting in April 1981.

note about the old Dirty Dozen is that they probably have the most children out of the 40 squadrons. By September there will be 15 kids among the members of 12th Squadron. If any other squadrons would like to challenge that, let me know.

My last letter came from Bill YUCUIS. Bill and Becky have a new daughter, Bethany Allene, born last October. They are currently at Ramstein but will leave shortly for Purdue where Bill will get his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering. Bill also sent news about some people from 38th Squadron. Gordie DUEY is in the 512 Tac Fighter Squadron at Ramstein. Ken KLIMES is back on flying status after recovering from a broken leg. He’s at Sembach. Will JONES has just left Sembach for Seymour-Johnson. My old neighbor at Rhein-Main, JJ DURAN, is still in the 130 squadron there. JJ also just got married, but 1 didn’t get his wife’s name. Orville LIND is at Ramstein, but will be leaving shortly for the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Thanks to Mike BALALE, Craig ANDERSON and Bill YUCUIS for all the good poop.

A few weeks ago I ran into Bill DIEMAND here at AF1T. He had been on medical retirement for a while. But he is now well and is a Program Manager at Eglin. He hopes to get back in the cockpit soon. Good Luck to Bill. Jim PAYNE just got here to AF1T from England. His wife Jackie is expecting their first child any day now. Jim is working on an Aero degree. John O’NEILL just got here also. On June 29 he became the proud father of a boy, Sean Patrick. How’s that for a fine Irish name?

Now for news from the AOG files. Jim PEPLINSKI got out in Sept and is flying for Delta. Don EASTMEAD is in the Pediatrics Dept at Hahn. Dave BONSI is a KC-135 aircraft commander. He and Mary and children, Kristin and Matt, are at Beale. Mark BELL is the assistant SJA at Wurtsmith. Dwight CORBETT is on an ASTRA assignment with USAF/IG at Norton. He and Shirley have two sons, Jason and Joshua, and will keep trying till they have a daughter. Paul BAUER married Tonya on March 22. John EPHLAND is a 141 instructor aircraft commander at Altus. Alan YOUNG is a representative for IDS and flying KC-135’s with the Washington ANG. Ed LOSKILL is in the F-15 at Kadena. He and Kathy have one daughter, Erica. Mark and Kathleen SHEPROW are expecting their first child in Sept. Steve and Julie HORN have a daughter, Brittany Rae, born Sept 12. They are at Fairchild. Richard WRIGHT is working for a consulting firm in Dallas. He and Diane have a new son named Jeffrey. Gary HOROWITZ is out of the AF and going to med school at the U of North Carolina. Don and Kathy CLEMENT have a new son named Christopher Scott born in Feb. Jim HAYHURST is flying the F-15 at Holloman. He is no longer jumping competitively. His brother Bob (’81) was the Vice Wing Commander at USAFA.

This brings to a close the best column I’ve had since I started this a year ago. It is the best only because of the input 1 got from all of you. So thanks for your support this time. Remember to keep the AOG posted of address changes and update your bios for the register. If you get to Dayton or Wright-Patt, please give me a call. Until next time, take care.

Richard L. Layman

Quarters 14A

F E Warren AFB, WY 82001

Home: (307) 778-2845

Duty: Autovon 481-3891

*

Well, I guess the summer blues have hit the whole world. We haven’t had one single hero in the past quarter. What’s worse is that I’ve only talked to one guy over the phone and have received only one letter. Scotty SMITH was the originator of the phone call. He has his sights set on going to the Academy as an instructor of either history, military training, or something else. He’s still working at the command post at Little Rock for the time being. Mark MARKSTEINER is due to arrive in Little Rock shortly.

The bulk of this article is taken from a letter from Mike ROSEBUSH. “My biggest news is that Gwenda and I had our first child (Clint) on the 20th of March. I’m still an OV-10 pilot at Sembach along with Dave RUDDOCK, Jim SCULLY, Gil BRAUN (who is headed to the Pentagon for ASTRA in July 81) Mike ROZNOVSKY, Pete STRUNK, and Mike RUTH. I’ll be going to teach Psychology at USAFA starting June 82.

MOVING

THE AOG.

Some others headed that way are Jon TURNER (presently getting his master’s at Stanford. Jon and Diana recently had their second child, Ric) and Mike REESE.

“Other recent papas include: Mike and Jan GOYDEN (Jennifer); J.T. and Meg WOLTER (Lindsey); Chip and Mary Lou DIEHL (Branden); Pete and Cindy KROGH (Christen); Bentley and Debbi RAYBURN (Moriah); and Pete and Katie STRUNK (Elizabeth).

“Tom POPP and Vicki are at Myrtle Beach flying A-lOs; J.D. BARROWCLOUGH and Diana are at McChord; Tom and Sheryl McCLAIN are at Osan, Korea. Bran and Carolyn McALLISTER are at ASTRA; Rick and Rosemary PYATT are at Langley. Jack STORER is in Minot and Jon and Joan STAPLEY are at Davis-Monthan; Leon and Stephanie SMITH-HARRISON are at San Antonio’s Wilford Hall Hospital; Jed and Cam VANDEN DRIES are at Holloman Air Force Base and Jay and Patti WALLACE are still at Hurlburt Field.”

Well, that’s the way it is. The only other news and the brightest spot I’ve had all summer was when Chumley COLLINS flew in to Cheyenne, (NOBODY flies in to Cheyenne) just a few weeks after Mickey WRIGHT did the same. I felt real good about it as both had been my roomies at one time or another.

Sharpen those pencils and drop a line!

Wade E. McRoberts

884 Ridgeview Drive

Pineville, Louisiana 71360 / 318-640-6959

75th TFS

England AFB, Louisiana 71301 / 683-5779

Hi. I hope everyone is well. 1 was shocked, as I’m sure everyone was, to learn of the death of Norm MARTEL. Norm was killed in a C-130 accident in the Philippines on 26 February 1981. Our deepest sympathy goes to Norm’s family.

I’ve heard from many guys this time, so let’s get started.

I met a lot more 76ers out at D-M while I was there. There are many of us flying the A-10. Bruce FREUND is an IP there; Jeff BECKER is on his way to Bentwaters; the following were members of class 81-DBD: Mark WELSH, Jim JACKSON, Steve NICKEL, Craig KINNEY, Steve WEAVER, Dave CLARY, and John “Dusty” RHOADES. Steve and John will be coming here to England. New here in my squadron are Jim WILLIAMS and Budd JONES, who is the father of a new baby girl. Jim PHILLIPS is still here as an IP, and Art GEORGE will be at D-M in August -he and Kathy are proud parents of twin baby girls. Also in my squadron are brothers of two of our classmates-Kyle PERDUE (Steve’s brother) and Steve DEAUX (Jim’s brother), both from ’79.

While in Arizona I visited with the CATTONS, WYSOCKIS, and CROWLEYS. John and Bobbi CROWLEY are at Williams in T-38s. They said that Greg J. MILLER is upgrading in the F-16 at MacDill, going back to Kunsan. Buddy LOTT called—he and Phil JULIEN are at Shaw learning to fly the RF-4. Jerry SALAZAR is an IP there.

I received loads of mail. Tom GREENE wrote. He has separated, and is a construction engineer for Mobil Oil in Boston-says he’ll buy a beer for anyone who looks him up. Tom says that Tim LEWIS is in T-33s at Hickam, and Steve PERDUE is at Langley in T-38s: “It’s apparent that both of their wives are good cooks, if you know what I mean.”

Roger WIDHOLM wrote. He and the following are at Spangdahlem: Ken ENGEL, Mike SEMENUK, Jay BARNES, Gary BARBER, Kevin LE1NBACH, Mike SCOTT, and Steve McNAMARA. These guys are all Weasels-no, seriously. Roger says that they go TDY all over Europe. You can talk to Bill VRASTIL about how to beat MPC. He was assigned a B-52 after being an IP at Laughlin. He escaped that by volunteering to T-33s at Keflavik. But when he arrived at Tyndall for RTU, it was discovered that he wouldn’t fit in the cockpit—so they gave a him job flying F- 101s for the Test people there. Some deal! He’s also the last active duty pilot to check out in the Voodoo. He’s run into two F-106 jocks at Tyndall-Joe AMARA from K.I. Sawyer, and Bill WILEY from Griffiss. Way to go, Bill!

Tom GREENE had some poop about some other guys: Howie MeCARTHY is also at Tyndall in T-33s; Hal GETZELMAN is at Langley in F-106s; Dan FOSTER is in B-52s at Mather; Tom YERKE, KC-135s at March; Mark WILLIAMS is at Eglin—he was married in May last year.

Mark FRITH, who I can now call a fellow Hog driver, wrote from Bentwaters, where he and Wanda were expecting a baby in April. Mark, Carl REBARCHAK from Myrtle Beach, and Greg LEWIS, also from

Bentwaters, finished A-10 Fighter Weapons School at Nellis. Mark’s squadron FOL is at Leipheim AB, Germany.

Mark SCF1WING wrote from Barksdale, where he and Donna were expecting their first baby in June. Mark is transitioning from KC-135s to the KC-10 this summer. Also in tankers is navigator Mike SMITH. Buff peopie there are pilots Bill HANSON, Rick CABALLERO, A1 LOMBARDI, and Larry WEAVER; and navs Charlie MORGAN, and Chuck FELLOWS.

Here is what other 76ers are doing: Roger TURCOTTE, ASTRA in June ’82; Herman ANDERSON, F-4s at Spangdahlem; Stan and Mary KASPRZYK are expecting a baby in September; Ed GALLAGHER received the Air Medal for rescuing an American from the Central Atlantic while Hying a C-130E shuttle to Rhein-Main; F-16 pilots include Terry NEW and Mike HAUSER at Hahn, and Tom OWENS at Kunsan; Carl NUZZO will be in F-5s at Alconbury; Bill HOBART is at USAFA teaching EE; Bill DUNN will arrive there as a Flight Surgeon; Rich MINTZ is at RAF Mildenhall in EC-135s; Mike CUNNINGHAM is on the JAG staff at Andrews; Dan and Jean WOODBURY are at Vance where Dan flies T-38s; Brian and Lisa DIEFFENBACH were expecting a baby in June, and separation in August; Glenn DORMAN is a C-130 IP at Pope; Paul SUTLIFF is in T-37s at Vance; Tom KELSO is at AFIT, Space Systems Management; Chuck PRIBYL is at Tulane for his Orthopedic Surgery Residency; Jim VINCZE, B-52H AC at Ellsworth; Jay STEINMETZ is at AFIT, Computer Technology; Jon TENSFELDT is a T-38 ACE IP at March; Chris SULLIVAN is at Northwestern University for his residency in Orthopedic Surgery; Carl WHATLEY is at WarnerRobins, a KC-135 AC; and Mike NICHOLS will be at Rhein-Main in C-130s.

Well, that’s it for now. Hope everybody’s summer has been a cool one. If you didn’t see your name in here, then write to me and let me know what you’re doing so I can tell everybody else. I promised some guys in my squadron that I wouldn’t tell anymore A-10 jokes-but if you can’t laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at? So, here’s one you haven’t heard: How many A-lOs does it take to change a light bulb? If you think you know the answer, write in and compete for a valuable prize. Until next time...

John “Lou” Michels, Jr.

3508 Montrovia Blvd. #122 Omaha, NE 61823

AV: 271-4369/3034

Greetings from the land of heat and humidity. Typing this column is taking a little longer than usual because I have to keep stopping to wipe the condensation off the keys. Hope things are a litle more comfortable where you are.

ON WATCH: Not much in the way of input from the masses this time around, I guess everyone was having too good a time on leave. Or perhaps some of the numerous promotion parties were more rigorous than you’d care to admit. A couple of letters, or a phone call would be much appreciated before the fall deadline, gents.

MAILBAG: Rob VEALE dropped me a line from March where he’s

flying 135’s. Rob included a picture of his wedding and his new bride Christy, who is a nurse at March. Rob says that Paul PIROG, presently flying 52’s at Carswell, is waiting on a law school slot. Good luck, Paul; my experience is that SAC isn’t letting anyone out until their last year. Big Ben ALLEN has now finished his Masters’ in EE from AFIT and is on his way to Los Angeles. Should be a little better weather there than at Grand Forks. Fred SWARTZ (Carmel) is headed to San Antonio after finishing med school. Finally, Kevin GARRISON, who jumped ship to the Army (that’s a classic mixed metaphor), is at Fort Benning after completing a tour in Germany.

The other letter I received (I told you the pickings were slim this time) was from Jack McNULTY. Jack is married to Beth, who is a weather officer at F.E. Warren, and they now have a son, Sean. Congrats to you both.

HUMMING WIRES: Mark LINDSLEY gave me a call before I went TDY to England, proving that at least some of you haven’t forgotten how to use the telephone. Mark and Patty are both doing well, Mark is currently finishing up at Fighter Weapons School. He also told me that Dave EDGINGTON will be headed for Mather as an instructor for ATC.

SHORT STORIES: The following info comes off the biography update forms and address change cards. Any and all elaboration on this stuff would be greatly appreciated!

Lonnie BOWMAN (Janet) has completed radar nav upgrade training at Mather. I understand the Buffs are going to be called out any day now to help with the fruit fly problem. Mark GUNZINGER and Jim EWING are at Minot, also in the 52. Mark HANSON got married last fall to Myra. Tom HECK is now working at PACAF Headquarters at Hickam in engineering, while Dan McNEIL is a Stan/Eval co-pilot in 135’s at Travis. Ken PAGE (Joni) is an IP in UH-l’s at Plattsburgh. He and Joni are the proud parents of a little boy and a little girl. Herb FORET and his wife, Terri, have a little girl. Herb says that he is expecting to leave Laughlin this November, for assignment unknown. I guess even the unknown is preferable to Del Rio. Tom TOOLE is a maintenance inspector for the MAC IG team. Tom was also named the MAC Junior Maintenance Manager of the Year for 1980, congratulations. Jim WILSON (Catherine) should be finishing up at Tulane med school, he and his wife have a little girl. Dale OLINGER is at U of Arizona getting his Masters’ in Optical Sciences. I’ll bet Dale gets the first laser kill on a missile when he gets done. John CHRIST is an AC in 141 ’s at Travis, while Roger SMITH has gone to Keflavik from Seymour-Johnson where he was flying F-4E’s. Vic NUTT got married to Carol in March. Mike REYNOLDS has received his MS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue, and Quay SNYDER has started his residency in Family Practice at Andrews after finishing med school at Duke. Bill PALANICA is now with the 20th MAS at Charleston, flying 130’s. Bill MARSHALL is on his way to Yakota as a CT-39 AC, and Bill ROHLMAN gets the hardship tour award of this issue. Bill is going to Canberra, Australia as an exchange officer. Dave YOUNG got married to Debbie in May, Dave is flying 52’s at Carswell. Paul DUNDAS picked up an MS in EE from AFIT, he’s currently an E-4 Satcom Engineer at Hanscom. Joe FURY (Carol) was involved in the recent Space Shuttle launch, he’s working as an astronautical engineer at Patrick. Finally, one of my Chickenhawk buddies, Mike SELVA, and his wife Karen, had a little girl this spring. What makes this really interesting is that Karen is an ’80 grad, and thus the first graduate to have a child. Congrats to you both.

Wild Weasels of ’76: Front: Kevin Leinbach, Mike Scott; Standing: Ken Engel, Mike Semenuk, Jay Barnes, Roger Widholm, Gary Barber;

Not Pictured: Steve McNamara

Rob Veale’s wedding. From the left - Paul Pirog and wife Mary, Ben Allen, Christy and Rob Veale, Carmel and Fred Swartz.

OVER THERE: As usual, I encountered the normal group of deadbeats trying to maintain the illusion of useful labor while 1 was in England. Ken HASENBE1N and Gary ELLSWORTH, who are normally denizens of Grand Forks, were never to be found more than a few feet from the bar. It was tougher to get much closer than that due to the somewhat wobbly presence of Barney BALLINGER and Rog GALLET from March, and Tom DETTMER from Beale. I never saw Jeff DOERR except on his way to or from the gym. Actually, all these guys were doing a dynamite job flying in miserable weather and getting gas to everyone who needed it. Including yours truly.

OFF WATCH: Thus closes out another column. A reminder to send in your donation for the class plaque, Steve MILLER informs me that the last response was underwhelming. So let’s get with it. Hope the summer goes well for all of you. Start rooting for the Falcons now, and beat the rush!

Don Avery

3011 Lanny Lane

Panama City, FL 32405

Home: (904) 769-3013

AV: 970-2670

My happy and heartfelt greetings to you all. Though this won’t be read until much later, I am writing the article on the weekend of our country’s 205th birthday. As I observe the world situation 1 can’t help but feel, as I’m sure you do also, an overwhelming pride in being an American and serving this great land. Irregardless of the problems we face, and we do have many, we need to be ever mindful of the hopes, dreams, and prayers upon which this nation was built and also remember our responsibility to carry on the traditions and patriotism of our forefathers. It doesn’t have to be the 4th of July for us to be thankful, and it doesn’t have to be the 4th of July to pray for America, her leaders, and most of all, her people. With this in mind 365 days a year, we can truly proclaim, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

You are all great! Sometimes I have to stretch the input and add my own comments to fill an article - this time I may need to editorialize due to the large number of letters and phone calls. No complaints though. Just a big THANKS!

Mark WERTHMANN finally got his navigator slot and will begin in October. This, of course, will give him a commitment through 1989 but Mark says it’s well “worth” it. (sic) In the meantime, he’ll be attending SOS in residence. Paul CAPASSO called from Langley where he is in communications. He recently got married to Joanne. Congratulations. Also at Langley are Dave KAHLE, communications; and Jack MONAHAN, intelligence. Flying F-15’s there are Pat MARKESANO and Chuck SONSON. Paul informed me that another happy soul in communications is Fuzz VAUGHN who is stationed at Scott.

Hey, I heard from an old cohort of mine from Dirty Thirty. Actually, Steve UST let his lovely wife Donni write. It’s funny how I tend to get more letters from wives. Is that because I’m so charming, or does it have something to do with the fact that most of us guys are lazy when it comes to letter writing? I suspect the latter. Anyway, Steve is a T-37 IP at Reese and he and Donni are the proud parents of a baby boy named Christopher. They are living next door to another “Knight of Thirty;” Bruce CURRY and his wife Lynn. Bruce is a T-38 IP and an academic instructor and he and Lynn are also parents of a baby daughter.

I received a beautiful and encouraging letter from Mike and Robin WHYTE who are living in Ramstein where Mike flies the UH-1N. They love it there so much, Mike is trying to find a way to extend for another 10-15 years. Mike and Robin also experienced the miracle of life with the birth of their son Christopher. Further congrats to Mike for completing his Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling. Again, I thank you both for a neat letter.

Andrea FRYT wrote and filled me in on the happenings at Eglin. Her husband, Mitch, is flying F-15’s there. Also an F-15 jock there is Steve FESSLER (Carole). They both recently finished SOS at Maxwell. Recently Mitch took some time off to go to Arizona for a wedding - his own! He married the former Andrea Millspaugh who among other things is a terrific correspondent! At the wedding there was a mini-reunion with the likes of Mark WYNN, John WINKOPP, and Gary CABRIALES (all IP’s at Willy).

John SYKES, after spending the last couple of years at the Los Angeles A.F. Station working at Space Division, will be heading for Osan, Korea for a year. He is really looking forward to it since he has lived in L.A. most of his life.

Some news from Rhein-Main, compliments of Mike and Amy JABLONOVSKY. Mike, flying C-130’s, just upgraded to LAPES copilot. Mike and Mary COUILLARD arc also at Rhein-Main (C-130) and are expecting a “young-un” sometime this winter. Mike J. has heard from or seen a few other classmates. John KAMAUFF is in intelligence at Templehof in Berlin. He recently tied the wedding knot. Carl and Debbie THOMAS are in Bentwaters, where Carl flies the A-10. Billy NICHOLS is still alive and well - maid, gardener, and all! Steve WHITEHOUSE is in New Mexico working on a missile project. That is when he’s not galavanting around the country, mooching meals and telling old Maine jokes. Apparently Germany is the place to be because Mike and Amy are also thinking of extending. Thanks for all the help Amy!

Roger BERG is still at Ellsworth babysitting missiles, though he seemed to spend more time skiing this past winter than anything else. No problem! One week he went with Joe REHEISER (C-130, Yakota), Glenn SPEARS (KC-135, March), and Ron PARKHOUSE (T-38, Reese). Another time he went with Craig ADLER, Brad CARLSON, Taco GILBERT, Dave KLUCZINSKE, and Barry SARNACK1. Roger could hardly get a word in edgewise with all the ‘war stories’ from all these ‘fighter jocks’ but on the slopes, Roj let his skis do the talking, since the rest of the guys were all klutzes - with the exception of Craig! Some other 78’ers at Ellsworth are Ken BAIER, and instructor in the missile wing; Lance SMITH, a chopper pilot in stan/eval; an in the bomb wing flying B-52’s and KC-135’s are Arp HORVATH, Pete KINNEY, Bob LITTLE, Chris DAHLSTROM, Dave DALLAGO, Bill FREY, and Pete PARK.

While TDY recently to San Antonio, I ran into Jon WEISS, and Kevin HAMMOND who were at Lackland for the ATC tennis tournament. It was great to see them and they are doing quite well and enjoying life as IP’s at Willy.

Flying T-33’s at Minot are Steve FIKAR, Sal GRANDE, and Charlie ROSS. While Sal and Charlie are both married, Steve says he’ll hold off at least for a little while. Apparently marriage has mellowed out old Sal -he’s even staying out of trouble nowadays. She must be quite a lady!

And now a few odds and ends from the blotter. Rick BEERY, a chopper pilot, is back from Osan and is now stationed at Myrtle Beach. Dave BOS, a C-141 pilot at McGuire, married the former Louise Siran. Steve SMITH, stationed at Edwards, is married to Vicki. Bill HADAWAY is flying F-Ill’s at Upper Heyford. Keith BOYER is flying F-4’s in Germany. John PARROT is a member of the Fightin’ Blue Foxes, F-4’s, at Elmendorf. Duce and Donna RICE are stationed at Mather where Duce is a stan/eval officer. They are expecting their first child in September. Bill THOMPSON finished his Master’s in E.E. at Stanford and will be returning to Space Division at L.A.A.F. Station to await his next assignment. There are a whole lot of guys at Plattsburg flying tankers: Dave GROVES, Dave PHILLIPS, Larry LARGENT, Sig NELSON, Terry KELLY, Ed PETRELLA, Mike LINDSAY, and my old locker mate, Tom AVERY.

In closing, an update on my situation and some reflections. Medically speaking, the doctors tell me everything is great and after another couple of years of routine annual checkups, they expect to say I’m officially cured. I suppose that means I’m unofficially cured now! Right now I’m still not sure if I will fly again but that’s okay. I have much to be thankful for, as we all do. I hope each of us can look at many of the many blessings

Sal Grade, Steve Fikar, Lynx (the squadron mascot), and Charlie Ross T-33 jocks at Minot.

’78ers gather at Southwest Ohio Chapter gala.

we receive and take so for granted, and be truly thankful for them. 1 have also learned not to depend so much on circumstances, chance, or myself, but to instead look to the Lord for guidance and direction as He will always provide for my needs. Maybe not my wants and desires, but always my needs! Think about it. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support and mine are also with you. This column would be nothing without all of the terrific help 1 receive. Until next time, God Bless you all and your families.

Salutations Falcon Brothers. 79’ers are now landing (and taking off) in Europe in large enough numbers for me to consider opening a FAMILIES #79. As these words fall from a US Government pen, it’s raining, Wimbledon is on T.V. and I’d give Bev Barge’s left arm for a Leon Gessi’ pizza. Rain on...

Guy WALSH asked me to tell everyone he made First Lieutenant! Guy is flying RF-4s along with Brad NORTON here at Alconbury, and they both just completed RTU at Shaw. Lucky Brad recently married lovely Reta Bienoff and confirms that UK 4-wheeling is alright. Steve “Lumpy”

LOWERY is flying 0-2s at Shaw S.C. Which is also where Vance SKARSTEDT, Sal COLLURA, and Don HOIDA are terrorizing the local populace and striving to further our class’ reputation as ambassadors in blue.

Bob DESMOND is working on his MBA at Babson College while stationed at Hanscom Field, Ma. Ed ZANOW1CZ, Tom YANNI, and Mark CUTKOMP are flying F- Ills at RAF Lakenheath, UK. Steve WHEELESS and his lovely wife Sharon are living in Hawaii. They play tennis, sight see, speculate on pineapple futures and occasionally Steve is able to work some 0-2 stick time into his schedule. Life’s tough, huh? Rob PARSONS and Ed SAUNDERS are flying F-4s at sunny George AFB, Ca.

Irv BENNETT and his wife Janet just bought a house near Castle AFB where Irv flies KC-135s. Rich (CGC) TREADWAY, Russ LARNED, Mike PEPL1NSK1 and Mike BRILL are all stationed at the base voted “the best place for your aircraft break” Nellis AFB, Las Vegas. The latest word is Danny BOYLEN has made so much money in the stock market, representatives of Chrysler Corporation have sounded him out for a possible loan. Dan’s commodity market tip for this issue is “frozen pork bellies” and also consider Cleveland municipal bonds. Mike CRANDALL (WSO), Mike “Omar” BRADLEY (F-4), and Jim MANDZ1ARA (FMO) send their best from an area known for its wurst (excuse the pun), Spangdelham AB, Germany. Omar recently married his sweetheart, Patti. Paul and Toni SCHUBERT just celebrated their first anniversary. Paul is contract negotiator working at the AWACS Program Office.

“Doctor Love” Gary BUSH was last seen drawing per diem for himself and his KC-135 in Alaska. Where are you Gary? Columbus l.P.’s John SALVADOR, D.J. JOWERS (38’s) and Steve CANDETO, and Wayne SEMENOK (37’s) send their regards. Special Thanks to Mike ROLLER (F4—Spangdelham GE) for providing a good deal of poop for this class

update. Mike was top gun at his class at Holloman AFB, N.M. Craig SMITH is busy flying his missions underground at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Uwe BRITSCH and his new wife are making the most of Beale AFB, Ca. Uwe is flying KC-135s. Jimmy and Karen SCHNELLER are living in Omaha, Ne. Jimmy spends most of his time showing top brass the friendly skies via Schneller’s Bell X-l Sabre Liner (attack model).

Scott VAN VALKENBURG is still at med school (Wright State University) and doing well. Craighton CHIN, recently accepted to Kansas University Medical School is waiting for SAC to release him.

Pete “Waste” HAYS is driving C- 141s at McGuire AFB, N.J. Pete is taking part in a new redistribution program. He redistributes his TDY pay at casinos and liquor stores in Atlantic City. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce asked me to relay their thanks. Jerry and Debbie MASONIS have moved into a new house at Travis AFB, Ca. Jerry was the only 2nd Lt C-5 pilot west of the Mississippi. Bob (F.M.) and Debbie McGREAL are settling in at warm and wonderful Loring Maine. They will probably meet Tom STARK, who is also up there flying KC-135s. Dale “scraped his tailcone on an emergency landing” BURTON is carefully flying F-15s at Kadena. Tim FYDA, also at Kadena hasn’t forgotten his Falcon buddies. Tim met a yummy DOD school teacher who was about to PCS to Bittburg, and passed her vital statistics to 79ers there. Thanks for keeping her in the family.

MARRIAGES. Scott AHMIE will wed Jenette on the 17th of June in New York. Les LONG just married Linne Spank.

Bob KRONEBUSCH reports all is well at Bittburg. Best of luck to Mike BOOEN who was accepted to Stanford University and will begin a masters degree in industrial engineering this fall. Mark “Horse” NE1CE and his wife Lesley are proud to announce the birth of a son (91b. 15oz.). Horse what’s his name? Mike VINSKEY is hot dogging C-130’s at Little Rock AFB, Ark. Don McCHESNEY who also made 1st Lt, is down at Charleston, S.C. Mike ROKES is heading to Clarke in the Phillipines. Bill and Jeanie RISTINE are making their way to Bergstrom AFB, Tx. Bill will fly RF-4s. Frank DeFALCO is alive and well and living in Vail, Colorado. David “B.J.” BJORNSON is an AMO at Little Rock AFB, Ark. B.J. was a wild card draw for the World Space Invader Championships at Copenhagen, Mississippi

Jim and Lisa RODGERS are expecting in May. Jim is a DMCCC instructor with the 390 SMW. Russ TOWE is an OV-IO/FAC at Sembach AB, Germany. Ken KRAAK landed an F-15 assignment to Elgin, FI. Bill “Juice” WELCH was selected as the most understanding I.P. at Reese. Juice is the only person in Texas to import Blatz Beer from Minnesota.

HOT GOSSIP: Mike VAN HOOM1SSEN, our class president, was seen in the company of a well known and sexy film actress. More to follow.

It is with great sadness, I announce the death of one of our classmates. Frederick E. SCHULZ died in an 0-2 crash near Howard AFB, Panama on 22 April 1981. Our prayers and condolences are with his family and close friends.

It’s customary for me to thank all the folks whose letters helped me make this article possible. However, since I didn’t receive any...(hint, hint). Please forward any updates or news tid bits to Mike DONATELLI, the class secretary. He will be writing the falls news letter. His address:

Mike Donatelli

703 S. Stough Street Hindsdale, 1L 60521

If your address changes, be sure to notify the Association of Graduates so they can keep the class files current and insure you receive CHECKPOINTS.

Remember as Nino Balducci once said, “there is nothing like good music, good wine, a good meal, and a bad girl.”

Godspeed and good-luck.

AOG RECORDS - Files maintained by the AOG are based on inputs from individual Graduates. The AOG records are not open to the public and are not subject to the “Privacy Act”. Thus, all graduates are encouraged to insure that their AOG files are current. This includes photographs and current mailing addresses.

And the Lord said let there be rain in Enid, Ok., for those UPT students are cynical and refer to God’s country as “Enid by the Sea”. And the Lord sent rain and wind and rain and more rain. And the students did verily get far behind the timeline and have to fly every Saturday until they catch up. And then the Lord sent a plague of large black wheat beetles that covered the land and especially prefer the apartments of students, for only there can they find such delicacies as leftover cheese sandwiches on the sofa. At the present time we are contemplating a human sacrifice in hopes that the skies will clear and dry up this land known as “Enid by the Swamp.” As for the bugs, my piranha loves them. Recently Vance has been over-run by new students who keep asking for the waiters’ name in the O’club (just joking). Seeing familiar faces from ’81 does make one reflect on the year we have been out of the zoo. I trust all of you are happy with the assignments you have and will soon receive. As for me, I will be spending the next three years here in a T-37 screaming “1 have the aircraft!” Here are as many assignments as I could scrape up. I regret that I can’t add where they are from or where they are going, because 1 do have a space limit.

T-38’s: Jim CRUMP, Bill HARPER, Doug OWENS, Gary TESTON, Rick THIELE, Bob YOUNG, Fred AUSTIN, Brad BAUER, Bob BUEHLER, Mark MITCHELL, Tom MITCHELL, Joe ACCARDO, Peggy WALKER, Mark AUDISS, Kelly HUMPHREY, Chrys LEMON, Jim FIRTH, Mike GLEICHMAN, Mark FAIRBAIRN, Joe HEDRICK, Mike KERNAN, Gary GRAY, Art SMITH, Frank BUNTING, Russ HODGKINS, Brian GRIGGS, Bob HOLMES, Ted LAUER, Chris CUELLAR.

T-37’s: Eric BUSSIAN, Dave DUNCAN, Dave ALEXANDER, A1 BAKER, Daryl CONNER, Joseph MACKLIN (79), Ron McCURDY, Clay COX, Steve MATUS, Mark PETERSON, Jim ELBERT, Greg HARSTAD, Tom SPICER, Jim MALEARE, Matt NEUENSWANDER, Rick SCHUFF, Dave ANDERSON, Debby WILCOCK, Larry WALLACE, Tim GULLIVER, Curt HEIDTKE, Mike TARLETON, Bob ENGLISH, Kevin KEITH, Jim POWELL, Bill ANDREWS, Tim MORRISROE.

A-lO’s: Ken McMILLAN, Kelly LEGGETTE, Dayne JACOBY, A1 HAMM, Mike SMOTHERMON, Rod MARSHALL, Dave VOTIPKA, Jim RICE, Ricky COPLEY.

F-4’s: Marv BIENN, Tom GAY, Harry LALUSIS, Scott PEATROSS, Steve SCHUCH, Mike JEFFERSON, Frank SAXON, Jim WILLIAMS, John FLOYD, Bill NOAH, Scott NORWOOD, Joe BIANCO, Steve RAINEY, Bill ROY, Mike STEFANIAK, Mike CARLSON, Mark LINDSTROM, Mike JACKSON, Joe HEBERT, Byron WINN, Harry EDWARDS, Jeff SH1VNEN, Steve SWAUGER, Mack BENN, Dave JETER, Kevin HULL, John PETERSON, Kevin KIMSEY, Paul LAROUX, Kevin NAGIE, Steve WHEELER.

F-lll’s: Mike GERZANICS, Ray BIVANS, Don KNAUF, Mark BOBINGER, Bill HOPMEIER, Eric SHULTZ, William GREGORY (79), Robert WEICHERT.

F-15’s: Brian O’CONNOR, A1 WALLACE, James SMITH, Ted KRESGE, William MILLER, Art TOROSIAN, Jim DUNN, Mike NAYE, A1 REVILLE, John CHRISTOPHER, Reb BYRNE, J.C. WITHAM, Curt ELKIN.

F-16’s: Richard TURNER, Bill WELLS, Scott GERMAN, Rich HARRIS.

T-33’s: Mike LEVITT, Ken RADOSEVICH, Ron WEBER, John HAUSER, Tom JONES, Kevin BUTLETT, Dave FRANCIS.

OV-lO’s: Justin CHRETIEN, Dan SAVILLE, Vince D1FRONZO, John SINCERE.

O-2's: Ali FROHLICH, Paul CARPENTER, Paul FRAPPIER, Jeff WILSON, Bart JACKSON, Joe CORSO, Mike McKENNA, Dan HANCOCK.

B-52’s: Jim BOWLES, Gary MYERS, Pat O’CONNOR, Fred KORNAHRENS, Tom CLAYPOOL, Brian TIGHE, Duane DAVIS, Loren PRYOR, Wamo MONTGOMERY, Kevin REILLY, Tim PAYTON, Jim COLABUFO, Roy CONRAD, Gene BOND, Terry GRIBBEN, Mark MILOSCIA, Dio MORALES, Charly PEREZ, Bruce TOWNSEND. KC/RC/EC-135: Pete WILSON, Dianne MOYER, Toby DEHNERT, Jeff RICHARD, Brian STANAWAY, June MELIM (VANHORN), Steve BRUNSKOLE, Charles MILLER, Mike McLOUGHLIN, Nick DONAHUE, Ed HADZICK, Tom ROBINSON. Dan SMITH, Kathy

JOHNSON, Rich BEESLEY, Kurt GREEN, Allison HILSMAN, Ray LAPORTE, Ken KONICKI, Mark PRATER, Dave QUINN, Chaz CAMERON, Dave PRAHST.

C-130’s: Chuck BLEVINS, Terry PACZOLT, Russ SINGLETON, Tony DEANGELO, Frank KISNER, Rick VANDIVER, Jim SCHNEIDER, Ernie MULLER, Jim HANLEY, Chuck CURRENS, Karl JARANYI, Tim FRYE, Steve HENNEBERRY, Mark LAIUPPA, Ron WILT, Rudy JIRICEK.

C-141’s: Tim SEELEY, John PRAY, Phil PROSSEDA, Karl APFEL, Julie APFEL (RICHARDS), Mike CARDENAS, Randy FRIZZEL, Tom SLOAN, Jim BALAZS, Dave FREEMAN.

T-43’s: Kent JOHNSON.

HONORABLE MENTION IP’s (late entires):

T-38’s: Derek HESS, John KOLKEBECK, James PUTNAM, Howard RATCLIFFE.

T-37’s: Dave BRITTON, Bret LUEDKE, Guy RICHARDSON, Mark STEPHENS. That’s about it for this month. God bless, and keep those cards and letters coming.

Matt

P.S. After reading this letter, 1 realized that it looks like an edition of WHO’S WHO at UPT and I have included very little of what is going on elsewhere. I would like to thank A1 SEARS USN, Scott PAPP (Little Rock), Randy MURPHY USAF Med School, Mark HARMON (Patrick), and Brian CULLIS in wonderful Chanute AFB. Thanks, guys, and I will try to get your stuff in next time.

Now that the hats are tossed, the rings are turned, and leave is over, it’s time for us to begin our adventures in the RAF. But before I go any further, let me explain why we didn’t have an “Exit 81” sign at graduation. Randy WORRALL and Kelly OBERBILLIG had plans to “borrow” the sign from the highway, but a High School beat us to it. Unfortunately, the Highway Patrol confiscated it from the High School and we were unable to obtain it. Once June Week hit, we didn’t have time to coordinate another plan. Sorry about that! Well, there’s always the reunion.

I’m at Lowry AFB for the time being, and I’m enjoying every minute. Maryon WHITENER, Lauri CROSS, Greg PAVL.ICK, Mike DALBY, Terri POBST, Kevin NEUMANN, and Merrie CRAIG (along with others) are here, too. Most of us are here for Intelligence School, but it seems like we’re doing more socializing than studying. Isn’t the Air Force great? J.T. THALMANN just graduated number three from the Contracts course at Lowry, and now he’s getting hitched and going to Alaska.

I stopped at USAFA on my way to Lowry, and let me tell you it’s mindboggling to see the new beaners (Class of ’85) running around with our Class color baseball caps and contrails. The Class of ’85 aren’t the only new kids on the block, however. The new SUPT, General Kelley, has apparently made an impression of being a real hardliner. I guess it’s back to the basics for USAFA. A lot of us wished things would have been tougher and more military at USAFA (as long as we didn’t have to do it), and it looks like it’s going to become reality. We graduated just in time.

You probably notice that I’m rambling and searching for things to say. Believe me, this isn’t easy when you’ve been on leave for a month and out of touch with classmates. So, if you want others to know what you’re up to, or if you know some good info (we all know a good rumor), or if you have some good pictures, drop me a line. Just send me a letter through the AOG office, and they’ll forward it. Once I finish all my TDY assignments and get settled in Germany, you can write directly to me.

I almost forgot - Janet PETERSON, I saw General Humpert at the Lowry BX the other day.

I’m going to call it quits ’til the next issue. Send me some info, and I’ll include it in the next Class letter. Take care and God Bless!

’81 Second to None

AFA in Counted Cross Stitch

Gayle’s Gallery

Post Office Box 471 CSAF Academy, CO. 80840

AOG CHAPTER CONTACTS

Offutt Chapter

Ricardo Cuadros ‘73 2561 Ellsworth Omaha, NE 68123 8/271-3153

Norton AFB Chapter

Herb Bevelhymer ‘64 1630 Henrietta St. Redlands, CA 92373 8/876-5333

Southwest Ohio Chapter

David Chaffee ‘77 5163 Scarsdale Dr. Kettering, OH 45440 513/433-0663

North Texas Chapter

Mike Gibbons ‘63

c/o Architectural Systems Suite 107 13150 CoitRd. Dallas, TX 75240 214/669-9520

Northern California Chapter

Ron Love ‘69 155 Stirling Dr. Vacaville, CA 95688 707/448-4645

Colorado Chapter

Rich Cote ‘71

HQ SQ/AHPAR

USAF Academy, CO 80840 8/259-2895

FORM AN AOG CHAPTER

It only takes some interest to get'an AOG Chapter organized. The AOG office can assist and the first step in the process is to contact the Executive Director for a kit that may help you in your initial efforts.

Bear in mind that a Chapter can fill many different roles— social club, professional forum, recruiting vehicle, etc.

Why not give it a try?

Northeast Regional Chapter

Flash Wiley ‘65 29 Fort Avenue Rosbury, MA 02119 617/427-5012

617/542-1211 (Office)

San Antonio TX, Chapter James W. Brown ‘59

626 Candleglow Dr. San Antonio, TX 78239 8/487-2197/5103/2647

Barksdale AFB Chapter

Hal Higley ‘68

27 Echo Ridge Cir. Haughton, LA 71037 318-949-9144 (Home) 8/781-3227/4379 (Duty)

Capital Chapter

Tom Leib ‘66

6330 Josephine Rd Waldorf, MD 20601 8/225-4817

Congratulations ‘81

On 27 May 1981, the Class of 1981 became the 23rd Class of our nation’s youngest service academy. ‘81 joins over 14,000 other graduates as they embank on a career of dedicated service to their country. Sincere congratulations to the Class of 1981 from all previous Classes and welcome to the AOG.

The Class of ‘81 commissioned aviation artist Rick Broome to create the painting, which is reproduced above, as a Class Gift to USAFA. Additionally, a limited-edition, signed and numbered print was produced and sold to underwrite the Class of 1981 Class Fund. Less than 25 of the 550 prints are available for sale to AOG Members for the special price of $50. Orders will be honored on a “first come, first served’’ basis. Mail orders should add $10 for postage, insurance, and handling.