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JS&ndX. Sandi Poole Office (703) 549-8700 Home (703) 768-1943 TOLL FREE 800 - 336-0276 YES! I would like to be Washington Posted by receiving my free copies of the Post, plus information on the area. Name Address City State Zip Phone (Office) Home Date of Arrival Mail to: Sandi Poole oMOUNT^VERNON ‘REALTY - V. iNCOKPOflATIO 428 S. Washington St. Alexandria, Va. 22314 —Air AcademyNational llaiik IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER. DESIGNED FOR YOU! The “Home Bank” of the Air Force gives fast personalized banking services by mail, by phone, by wire, in person and family-type personalized service designed for graduates around the world. Your continuing support permits us to meet your requirements for hasslefree service. Signature loans up to $5,000.00 are available at competitive rates to graduates on active duty who maintain an active Air Academy National Bank checking account and who are on the Sure Pay Direct Deposit Program. Home Bank rates are better than ever. Get the facts, compare and save. Inquiries invited (303) 472-1094 Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Association of Military Banks USAF Academy P.O. Box 8 Colorado Springs, CO 80840
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“The Cadet Falconer” is an exclusive handcast Old English Pewter sculpture. Internationally acclaimed sculptor Michael A. Ricker created this handsome limited edition workfor the U.S. Air Force Academy Athletic Association. Each six-inch casting is hallmarked with a numberfor registration and each sculpture will be automatically registered at the time ofpurchase. A certificate of casting will be sent to you by the Ricker-Bartlett Casting Studio within six to eight weeks of purchase to authenticate the sculpture as a work of Michael A. Ricker. By purchasing thisfirst in a planned series of annual valuable collectibles, you can join in supporting Air Force Academy athletics.
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ABOUT OUR COVER
The
by photographer Mr. Bill Madsen, Academy Public Affairs specialist, from behind the line of the Air Force Academy Honor Guard waiting to fire the rifle volleys in honor of graduates who died during the year. For more on Homecoming and the memorial ceremony, see our story on page 12.
CHECKPOINTS
3 Executive Director Richard M. Coppock, ’61
Director/Editor
Associate
AOG Staff
Chairman
the Board James E. Spittler, Jr., ’65 BOARD OF DIRECTORS To Serve Until 30 June 1985 E A Zompa ’61 L C Harmon ’63 L R Kruczynski ’65 G T Matsuyama ’65 W J Weida ’65 J R East ’67 J E Schofield ’67 (Vice Chairman) C J Yoos ’68 T J Salmon ’69 M G Sorenson ’70 W P Witt ’70 R A McFarland ’71 R S Fraser ’73 K S Samelson ’73 J W Spencer ’75 To Serve Until 30 June 1987 A W Biancur ’60 J C H Schwank ’60 R A Cubero ’61 M J Quinlan ’61 J F Wheeler ’64 (Treasurer) R B Giffen ’65 A W Grieshaber Jr ’65 A E Blumberg Jr ’68 R C Schutt Jr ’69 P A Irish III ’74 R A Jensen Jr ’74 W A Yucuis ’74 S J Vreeland ’75 R L Smith ’77 B D Silver ’82 To Serve Until 1 June 1984 D D Moore ’83 CHECKPOINTS VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 FALL 1983 ARTICLES PAGE 1983-84 AFA Fund Drive Launched 7 Superintendent Tries Ballooning 9 Recent Grads Do Research at Academy 11 Homecoming 1983 Sets Attendance Record 12 Jabara Winners Honored 14 Superintendent Meets the Press 15 Airmanship Facilities Expanded 16 Graduate Colonel Promotions/Airmanship Jobs Open 18 Gen. Harmon’s Retirement Remembered 19 Fairchild Hallways Reflect Airpower Themes 20 PhD’s Effect on 0-6 Promotion Studied 22 Guest Speaker Program Motivates Cadets 29 AOG Medical Chapter Suggested 30 DEPARTMENTS PAGE The AOG Boardroom 5 View from the Top 8 Letters to the Editor 10 The Secret Life of Waldo F. Dumbsquat 21 Falcon Sports 26 Chapter News 31 Gone But Not Forgotten 32 Class News 33
President and
of
Homecoming 1983
Graduate Memorial Ceremony during
is captured
is published quarterly by the Association of Graduates, USAFA Academy, Colorado Springs, CO 80840 and printed by Graphic Services of Colorado Springs. It is provided as part of an annual membership package which costs $20. Second-class postage paid at the USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the Association of Graduates, its officers or the editorial staff. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Association of Graduates of the products or services advertised. Copyright © Association of Graduates of the United States Air Force Academy, Fall 1983. ISSN 0274-7391 POSTMASTER: If this magazine is addressed to a member of the Militan Service, no postage is necessary for forwarding (see Postal Manual. Section 158.4). If no forwarding address for this militan member is asailahle, send Form 3579 to Association of Graduates, USAF Academe, Colorado Springs, CO 80840.
Mail requests to:
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THE AOG BOARDROOM
James E. Spittler, Jr., ’65, President/Board Chairman
Since the last Checkpoints there have been a number of items which have come up that should be of interest to our members. Among them are:
26th Annual Academy Assembly. As in past years, the AOG, working through the Olmstead Foundation, anticipates that it will again provide $2,500 to assist in funding the Assembly. In past years, the Ford Foundation, through the American Assembly of Columbia University, has funded a substantial amount of money in support of the Assembly. That funding is not available for this year, and coupled with the surcharge in messing facilities, has caused a considerable shortfall in funding for the Assembly. Your association has committed, as the funder of last resort, to support the Assembly with another $2,000 if it is needed. One-half of this additional funding has already been raised through a grant from Rockwell International.
Employment Advertising Policy. Printed in the “Letters to the Editor” section of this issue is a letter dealing with the issue of companies (some of which have graduate involvement; some of which do not) that are interested in placing advertisements in Checkpoints to recruit potential employees from the ranks of our members. It has been our editorial policy, based upon guidance from the board of directors, that we do not accept this type of advertising. The underlying reason for this is that the board has felt that we do not want to be perceived as encouraging our constituents to leave the service earlier than they otherwise might have. There has certainly been a minority opinion that by doing this we are not serving all of our constituents. The board realizes that at some point in our evolution, at a minimum, we are going to have to provide some type of formal or informal employment matching service for our members who are looking for a position in the civilian community. You are encouraged to make your views on this subject known so that they can be considered in future discussions of this issue.
Ceremonial Uniforms. Another issue on the “Letters” page is the recent Air Force mandate concerning ceremonial uniforms. Again, the AOG will certainly act on behalf of its members, to the degree our charter allows, to make the views and wishes of the membership known at whatever level possible. Obviously, this can only be done if enough members make their views known.
The Board Works for You. Your board of directors is always looking for new ways to serve the membership. We are constantly on the lookout for new, quality products and services which the members would appreciate. We are open to considering any proposals which the membership might have and encourage you to make your wishes known to the AOG office, members of the board, or officers of the association.
Unauthorized Use of the Register. It has come to our attention that a few of our graduates are using address information from the Register of Graduates for commercial solicitations. Using the Register as a mailing list for commercial ventures is clearly not the intent of printing the book and is not sanctioned by the AOG. The association has not authorized the use of these addresses for any commercial mail campaigns. While we understand the enthusiasm many of our members have for their particular individual ventures, we request that the Register be used in the spirit it is created: to keep track of other graduates; and not for personal gain. The Register is formally certified annually with the Register of Copyrights, Library of Congress. As noted on the title page of the book, “Information contained herein is intended for the private use of individuals entitled to receive the Register of Graduates. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or used for commercial solicitations without written permission from the Association of Graduates.” If you return any impersonal, obvious form letters that are addressed, “Dear Fellow Graduate,” with a discouraging note to the writer, it would seem that the situation will gradually take care of itself. The AOG has sent letters to those involved, discouraging this misuse of the Register.
New Mailing Labels. Through the efforts and cooperation of the Academy’s computer resources people, a member’s expiration month and year now appear at the top right of the mailing label. The graduate identification number, which used to appear there, is now at the top left of the label.
5
Dewey Lestico (center), long-time bookkeeper for the AOG, is bid farewell earlier this summer by Dick Coppock (’61), A OG executive director, and Col. Jock Schwank (’60), former acting executive director. Dewey was presented with an AOG mug and certificate of appreciation for his four years of dedicated work on behalf of the association.
Mr. Judd H. Grace, right, representative of Rockwell International Corporation, makes a $1,000 contribution from that corporation’s trust to Mr. James Spittler, Jr., (’65) president and chairman of the board of the Association of Graduates. The money will be used to support the Academy Assembly which brings together undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the nation to discuss issues ofnational and international importance. Cadet Secondclass Wendie Link and Cadet Firstclass Doug McNary represent the Academy Assembly. (U.S. Air Force photo by A 1C Toma Tagliarini-Locati)
MEMBER 6 RELQ PAUL HAMILTON COMPANY REALTORS A NEW TRADITION IN COLORADO SPRINGS SHIELDS Class of ’60 Broker Associate Call Toll Free: (800) 525-5077 during business hours Office: (303) 576-3600 Home: (303) 633-9487 1299 Lake Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80906 NATIONWIDE REAL ESTATE SERVICE. Please clip and mail coupon below. □ Moving to Colorado Springs and desire information on homes. □ Moving from present area and desire relocation assistance. □ Request information on investment property in Colorado Springs. □ Request information on land in Pike’s Peak area. □ NAME PHONE ADDRESS CITY STATE
New Recognition Program Established: 1983-84 AFA FUND DRIVE LAUNCHED BY AOG
By A1 Blumberg, ’68 Chairman, Annual Fund
The second annual Air Force Academy Fund (AFA Fund) was officially launched at the 1983 Homecoming on Sept. 24, following an extremely successful 1982-83 fund drive that raised $31,379 for Academy and Cadet Wing enhancement projects. (The AFA Fund year runs from July 1 to 30 June.) The target for this year’s drive is an ambitious $50,000!
Last year’s proceeds helped fund two major Academy projects and established a major AOG service program. A Cessna 150 aircraft, highlighted in this year’s fund brochure, was approved for the Cadet Competition Flying Team. Funds were also approved for the construction of a Cadet Trophy Room, so that the many awards won by competitive cadet clubs and teams can be displayed in one permanent area.
The AOG Board of Directors also established a Humanitarian Fund to assist families of graduates and cadets in need due to a life-threatening situation or death. The program will provide assistance for lodging and other services to help alleviate the financial burden of staying at the Academy during a time of sorrow.
Greater detail concerning these projects and others funded by the 1982-83 fund drive is available in the summer edition of Checkpoints or from the AOG office.
NEW RECOGNITION PROGRAM
While recognizing that the primary motivation for contributing to the AFA Fund is to provide improvements to the Air Force Academy, the AOG Board of Directors also instituted a major donor recognition program to provide additional incentives for the support of the fund. The program is designed to show the association’s appreciation to those graduates, parents and friends who contribute in a given year, and also over a period of time.
All donations to the fund will be recognized, based both on the size of the individual donation and the number of years a donor has contributed to the fund. The categories of recognition will be:
Contributor: Up to $49
Donor: $50 to $99
Sponsor: $100 to $499
Patron: $500 to $4,999
Benefactor: $5,000 and more.
All contributions regardless of size will be acknowledged by letter. As in last year’s campaign, all donations will be published in Checkpoints by category unless otherwise requested. Additional recognition will also be made for the following categories of contributions.
The Donor category will receive a small token of appreciation from the association and a letter from the AOG executive director. This acknowledgement will vary each year to provide a continued additional incentive for giving.
Sponsor status will be noted through a larger, more permanent form of recognition in addition to the gift sent to Donors, along with a letter from the association president.
Patron status differs from the other categories in that it may be achieved with one qualifying gift of $500 or more, or with accumulated gifts over time. As long as each gift is at the Sponsor level ($100) or higher, fund participants may be named a Patron if they contribute a total of $500 or more in two or more consecutive
years. Recognition will be in the form of the AOG fine art White Gyrfalcon print while supplies last, or an alternate acknowledgement of comparable quality. The Patron will also receive the items sent to the Donor and Sponsor categories.
The highest category of recognition, that of Benefactor, has been attained by only one individual during the 1982-83 campaign a member of the Class of 1967 who wished to remain anonymous. Benefactor status may be obtained with a gift of $5,000 or more, or through accumulated gifts of $500 a year or more in two or more consecutive years. All Benefactors will be recognized in a unique and permanent way and will also receive the acknowledgements sent to the other categories of donors.
To hold down expenses of the recognition program, only gifts of $100 or more will be retroactive to the 1982-83 fund. These donations will qualify as multi-year gifts in the Sponsor, Patron, or Benefactor category of this year’s fund. Corporate matching funds will not count toward individual recognition, but the appropriate acknowledgments will be given to corporate participants.
The Academy Fund Committee is finalizing all recognition choices for this year’s drive at the present time and they will be highlighted in a future issue of Checkpoints.
IT’S UP TO YOU!
The Air Force Academy Fund fills a unique and vital role at the Academy. All projects are funded with the approval of the AOG Board of Directors from a prioritized list provided by the superintendent and his staff. All Academy agencies may request funding through the superintendent of projects for which federal funds are unavailable or which have a minimal chance for federal funding. No AFA Fund proceeds are used for association operational expenses, except for those directly related to administering the fund itself.
We urge all graduates and friends of the Academy to be as generous as possible this year. There are many worthwhile projects at the Academy requiring AFA Fund contributions. The extra margin of excellence is up to you!
Academy Needs Instructors
Qualified officers are needed to teach in the Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership at the Academy for summer 1984 and beyond.
A master’s degree is desirable in experimental psychology, human factors engineering or organizational behavior. However, highly qualified applicants with bachelor’s degrees in those disciplines can apply through AFIT programs toward a master’s degree, with a follow-on assignment at the academy.
Volunteers should have between three and 10 years of commissioned service on assignment to the Air Force Academy.
Vacancies are filled about one year in advance and it’s not too early to apply for 1984 and later. Call Maj. Joe Evans, HQ USAFA/DFBL, Ext. 3860 for more information.
7
BEST AIR FORCE JOB! W W W
Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott Jr., Superintendent
Although I’ve met and had the pleasure of working with a large number of Academy graduates over the years, this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to the Academy’s alumni as superintendent. And speaking of my new duties, I am not the least bit bashful about telling people that I have the best job in the Air Force. So that may tell you something right away about how I feel about my new duties here in Colorado Springs. To say the least, I am most honored to be the tenth superintendent.
I thought I might make this first article in Checkpoints a kind of informal potpourri of initial thoughts and impressions I have at this point in my tenure. Like any new guy on the job, I’m learning and listening and looking, although the Air Force Academy is certainly not a new place to either me or my family. I’ve been a frequent visitor here with two sons graduating with the Classes of ’76 and ’78. Another son is a member of the Class of 1985. Thus, Sally and I have watched this remarkable institution through the eyes of proud parents, not to mention the fact that I have seen it through the eyes of an Air Force professional. But you still need to catch up and do a lot of learning when you assume command of an organization like the Academy.
What are my impressions? Good, of course. The Academy is a showplace. It’s the number one tourist attraction in the state of Colorado but, more importantly, it should be the showcase of the Air Force. The problem is, however, I am not sure everyone in the Air Force thinks of it that way. Perhaps showplace is the wrong word it is the mission of the Academy which should be in the forefront of every Air Force officer. Thus, I want to help with the idea of making the Air Force Academy more “visible” in the eyes of the Air Force, closer to the “soul” of the Air Force. Believe me, as I receive briefings and watch the daily activities of our faculty and staff here, I can tell you that the Academy deserves to have that place of honor in the Air Force. The results have been evident to me in the field while working with its grads.
People here (officers, NCOs and civilians) are working very hard at the business of training cadets to be the best possible career Air Force officers, and I want to make it crystal clear that this is truly the central mission of the Air Force Academy. All of our programs, be they academics, military training and studies, or athletics, are designed to achieve that end. The very future of our country depends on how well we do that job here depends on the quality of the professionalism these young people exhibit after they are commissioned and on duty. I’m very forthright and upfront about our mission.
As long as I’m on the subject of academics, military training and athletics as a foundation for what we do here, I’d like to mention a fourth pillar, if you will, which should be regarded as equal in importance in terms of the Academy’s professional training. I believe the fourth pillar is that of spiritual training. Students must achieve in the classroom; they must learn the ways of the military life and they must develop themselves physically; but all of this is for naught if cadets do not develop spiritually as well. Ultimately, it is the spiritual side of an officer the essence of character, moral fiber, integrity and compassion which makes the difference in a leadership situation. Therefore, just as we build the intellect and body, so must we have high regard for the spiritual development of our young people. Spiritual development should be a part of everything we do. I believe it will make, in the end,
the final difference in how a graduate of this Academy will perform when the real tests arrive.
The Air Force Academy finds itself in exciting times. We are in a period wherein our nation seems to have had a resurgence in terms of scientific aspiration, educational excellence and even a return to a commitment to the older and more solid American ideals. That makes for a good environment, one which has flourished here at the Academy even though the candles were burning low elsewhere. I believe the Academy can serve as a role model in this new era, for we have been doing many of the things superbly here that the rest of the nation seems to want to reinitiate. Our core curriculum, for example, has always been dedicated to the “basics,” the three “Rs,” so to speak. We have a core curriculum that gives our students just the right balance of the best to be learned from both the sciences and humanities. I’m constantly reading in the literature of higher education that schools all over America are turning back to that kind of undergraduate curriculum. It has served us well. Just look at our record: 25 Rhodes Scholars and scores of other scholarship winners. We truly have something going for us in the area of undergraduate academic instruction.
Also, our country is again turning to commitment to country. Young people are actually wanting to serve their nation in some capacity. We are a model in terms of urging commitment to ideals, and the increased interest by young people in all of the service academies certainly proves my point. Media interest is running high these days with the networks and major newspapers coming here to see what it is that is now attracting so many potential candidates. As graduates of this institution you know very well what the attraction is and you know how very special it is.
In a nutshell, I’m visiting every corner of this institution and speaking with everyone I can. I’m pleased and eager to help our people continue the great work that’s done here. And I’m also eager to carry their accomplishments and their message to the larger Air Force and American publics.
I’ve also been getting acquainted with the Colorado Springs community and the greater Colorado Springs/Denver/Pueblo area. I’ve been traveling all over the Front Range. I’m interested in this region because it is our “host” community and most deserving of our attention. I want the Air Force Academy to be a good neighbor and I find the local community to be very receptive to that. We were welcomed here some 30 years ago, and I know you’ll agree with me that this part of the country and the city of Colorado Springs in particular has been a wonderful place to be a part of. There’s a great deal of mutual respect and affection between the Academy and its neighbors, and I think all of us have a responsibility to keep that flame of friendship and cooperation burning brightly.
I’ll also tell you that I do not limit my travel to just the Colorado area. I have been to many other areas on both the east and west coasts and I haven’t ignored the Midwest, either. And I’ll continue to travel. My plan is to meet with parents’ groups, AOG chapters, and leaders of the American educational, business and media sectors. It is essential that the Academy maintains contact in all of those important areas. I said I wanted us to be visible and
(Continued on next page.)
8
View From The Top: A a a
Superintendent Tries 'New’ Ascent
By Bill Madsen Public Affairs Office
As some 65 multi-colored hot air balloons ascended into blue Colorado skies Labor Day, nearly 10,000 ecstatic spectators cheered the sight at Memorial Park.
The occasion was the annual Colorado Springs Balloon Classic headed by Paul Paak, president of the local balloon club. Theme of the three-day event was the Bicentennial of Air and Space with the official bicentennial balloon on display here from Washington, D. C. It was tethered in the park and short rides were given to hundreds of youngsters.
A number of Academy members were involved in the colorful activities. As a passenger in the “C’est Moi” balloon, Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Jr., superintendent, made his first balloon ascent as the guest of pilot-owner, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Pete Peterson, of Colorado Springs. A second passenger on this balloon was myself.
At the termination of the flight in a pasture 10 miles to the southeast, Colonel Peterson and his wife, Charlene, assisted by their ground crew, welcomed the two neophytes into the ballooning fraternity with an appropriate induction ceremony.
Appropriately, the Peterson’s son, Cadet Firstclass Bradley, Cadet Squadron 29, won the “Hare-n-Hound” event. Flying a lavender, white and green balloon, he dropped his marker within four feet of the ground target.
Capt. Bob Tracey, ’71, Air Force liaison officer for youth activities at the Academy, arranged a 10-kilometer Bicentennial of Flight Volksmarch as part of the celebration.
On Saturday morning the Academy’s “Wings of Blue” parachute demonstration team entertained the crowd. After the balloons departed, the field was cleared and the jumpers came streaming from their jump plane. Trailing plumes of scarlet smoke, they traced loops and swirls in the sky, before landing in a grassy area.
Jack Cole, of the Academy printing plant, team manager and announcer for the Hi Country RC Barnstormers, described the aerial aerobatics performed by radio-controlled model airplanes. Flown by skilled club members by remote radio signals, the small aircraft did loops, Cuban eights, snap rolls, flew upside down and landed smoothly on the grass.
Col. John M. Fabian, an aeronautics faculty member (1974-78), was guest speaker at a banquet Saturday night. He delighted the balloonists with his account of the recent flight of space shuttle Challenger 7, of which he was a crew member. His
VIEW FROM THE TOP:
(Continuedfrom previous page.)
I’m personally going to be part of that. Don’t be surprised if I drop in on your group someday. And don’t you hesitate to tell America’s “opinion leaders” about the Air Force Academy, either. We’re all in this together, and there are no better spokespeople for the Academy that those whom we’ve trained and graduated.
Before I close, I’d like to expand my view even further and mention for just a moment what I know to be the ultimate reason why there is an Air Force Academy: To provide professional warriors who will be charged with the protection of this nation. There is no question that the United States is constantly threatened by adversaries who would take our freedoms and our way of life from us. It is the military officer who ultimately is charged with preserving that freedom. I tell cadets that they must be ever conscious of the fact that they well may be called upon to fly, fight and win should the worst happen in terms of international politics. And this is a responsibility and commitment they must learn and make here. It must permeate every aspect of our cur
son, C1C Mike, CS-25, and an aeronautics major, enjoyed a balloon flight on Labor Day a quiet, peaceful flight, quite different from his father’s trip onboard the shuttle. (The Falcon Flyer)
Upward bound
riculum and training. One only needs to study the progress of recent world history to understand the urgency of that responsibility.
For now, I’ll end my remarks. But my dialogue with you, the distinguished graduates and alumni of the Air Force Academy, will be ongoing. You are vital to the ongoing success of this institution, vital to the Air Force we have all dedicated ourselves to.
I welcome your comments, your help, your support, your participation and anything you might do to ensure the success of our ongoing mission. We are more than the buildings here more than marble, glass, aluminum and concrete. We, all of us, are flesh, blood, idea and commitment. You are an integral part of this wondrous mix of mission, people and ideals, and I want you to know how highly we regard your ongoing contributions. I will need your help and I hereby solicit it.
I met many of you this past Homecoming Weekend I look forward to meeting and talking with more of you, and you have my solemn pledge that I will do all I can to keep “our academy” the great institution it is to continue to graduate the finest air officers the world has seen.
9
Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Jr., superintendent (right), and Bill Madsen (left), Academy public affairs specialist, lift off in a hot air balloon during the annual Colorado Springs Balloon Classic. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
GRADS RECOGNIZED
Dear Col Schwank,
I just read the article in the spring issue of Checkpoints on Steve Sturm’s fellowship with the Council on Foreign Relations. It triggered my memory that Colonel Dale. E. Stovall, ’67, currently at HQ USAF/XOX, has been selected also as a Military Fellow to the Council on Foreign Relations starting in August. You may recall that Dale is a past Jabara Award winner and Air Force Cross recipient for the 1972 rescue in North Vietnam of Roger Locher (E&E for 21 days). Dale’s career has been a great story of combat ops, airlift ops, command and staff experience. In each, he has excelled. His accomplishment in being selected for this prestigious fellowship also warrants Checkpoints attention.
Also, 1 want to advise you of my own recent good furtune in being selected as this year’s recipient of the Albert M. Kuhfeld Award as the Air Force’s Outstanding Young Judge Advocate of the Year of 1982. This award was presented on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon on 18 May 1983 by Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Bruton. I’m particularly proud of the fact that I’m the first USAFA grad to receive this award in the 19 years of its existence. Grads have long been recognized for excellence in operations matters, and with this award, grads have begun having a recognized impact in yet another area of Air Force endeavor. I’m glad to have had the chance, through receipt of the Kuhfeld award, to bring this bit of recognition to USAFA.
Thanks for your fine work on behalf of the AOG.
Thomas J. Fiscus, ’72
Major, USAF
EMPLOYMENT ADS
Mr. Jim Spittler
President, AOG USAFA
Dear Jim:
We are writing to you to bring an important issue before the membership of the Association of Graduates. We work in the Colorado Springs office of R & D Associates. RDA provides technical support to several DOD agencies such as Space Command, the Air Force Weapons Laboratory and the Defense Nuclear Agency. We are in need of additional technical staff members with military experience in the areas of operations research, communication engineering and
software engineering. We are a small office (eight professionals) and each individual we add is especially important to us. Based on our backgrounds (seven in the Air Force, five Academy graduates), we naturally look to our peers to find the best qualified candidates. To this end, we called the editor of the AOG magazine to ask about placing an employment advertisement. To my surprise, we found that it is against the policy of the AOG to allow this type of advertising. We were, of course, shocked. The only reasons given for this policy were that the AOG did not want “to appear’’ to be enticing people out of the service and that neither West Point nor Annapolis does it.
Needless to say, we don’t feel that this paternalistic reasoning is appropriate. The AOG has a growing number of members who are retired and looking for a second career. We are not interested in enticing anyone to leave the service, but if they have already chosen to leave, we at RDA would like to be able to offer them the opportunity to continue to serve the country in a civilian capacity. We ask that the AOG Executive Committee review the policy concerning employment advertising in the magazine and revise it in line with the association’s service obligation to the membership. We also encourage the membership to express their opinions on this subject to you so that the board can be aware of any concensus on this matter.
Thanks for your continued service to the AOG.
Bill Hodson, ’60
Don Washburn, ’63
Warren Langley, ’65
Brian Esterby, ’65
Larry Williams, ’71
CEREMONIAL UNIFORMS
Dear Executive Committee:
I write to discuss an issue which will sooner or later affect all active duty graduates and to solicit your support in identifying this problem to senior Air Force leaders.
The Chief of Staff has directed all general officers and field grade officers to purchase ceremonial uniforms (HQ USAF/MP Msg 060255Z Aug 83). All the graduates that I have talked with feel like we have been “steam rolled.’’ The introduction of this uniform seems to be a departure from Air Force tradition and ignores the importance of developing support/consensus for the action.
Since its founding 36 years ago, the Air Force has pursued simplicity and utility in
its evolutionary uniforms. (The bush jacket/bermuda shorts combination being a notable exception.) Air Force Chiefs of Staff have resisted the pressures of the other services to match their dress codes. Heretofore, Air Force uniform policies (the bush jacket was never made mandatory) have met with wide acceptance. For instance, the new mess dress has met with enthusiastic acceptance and has the added bonus of saving the new lieutenants a few dollars on uniform costs. The ceremonial uniform, on the other hand, has been in AFM 35-10 for some time and has met with minimal acceptance even in the Washington area.
I submit that the blue polyester knit service uniform is totally adequate for the functions for which the ceremonial uniform is intended. In the new dress white uniform, we will be confused with Naval officers or the Jello Pudding pop salesman. Acquisition of ceremonial uniforms will not enhance our ability to defend the country one iota. What concerns me most (aside from the $400 spent on uniforms worn once a year) is that it won’t be very long until local commanders will specify the ceremonial uniform for all officers at parade/change of command ceremonies. These commanders will use the rationale that all officers in the Army, Navy and Marines already have these uniforms and that the Air Force must keep up with the competition. This will not impress most company grade blue suiters, and you will see a widespread negative impact on morale.
Perhaps the Executive Committee does not wish to politicize the AOG on this matter. It may not fall within the charter. But, I submit that something which will eventually hit every Air Force officer in the pocketbook for $400, and which will have an adverse impact on morale, certainly deserves whatever questioning/ request for reconsideration of policy that the AOG can provide.
Sincerely,
William H. Cathey, Lt Col, USAF Class of ’65
(Editor’s note: While the AOG Board of Directors has gone on record on a few Air Force policies in the past, such as supporting the continuance of the Air Force Thunderbird Aerial Demonstration Team after the 1982 accident, it felt that in this case it would be more appropriate to publish Colonel Cathey’s letter and elicit the graduate community’s response to the ceremonial dress uniform issue.)
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Recent Grads Do Research at FJSRL
For most of the graduates of the Class of 1983, the time they spent at the Academy ended with hat toss on June 1. They then enjoyed 30 days of leave followed by their first assignment. However, not all first assignments start immediately after leave, particularly undergraduate pilot training and assignments to go on to graduate school. Hence, many graduates go on to casual status at their UPT bases. However, in spite of that sort of opportunity, several of the new lieutenants found themselves here for the summer while awaiting the start of their first assignments.
Many of these second lieutenants were assigned to the Frank J. Seiler Research Laboratory. The mission of the laboratory ineludes conducting basic scientific research at the Academy with an eye toward potential future payoff for the Department of Defense.
Thirteen new lieutenants served at the Seiler Lab this summer. The six chemistry and computer science majors assigned to the Directorate of Chemical Sciences had summer jobs which involved both experimental chemistry and computer simulation of chemical processes.
2nd Lts. Tony Jaslowski and Kent Garner performed experiments with Maj. Salvatore Bosco, director of operations at FJSRL, to measure properties of molten salts being examined at the lab for use in batteries while 2nd Lt. Hal Sommer ran computer simulations for Lt. Col. Chet Dymek, FJSRL deputy director of chemical science, to find out more about the characteristics of these complicated compounds.
Another experimentor, 2nd Lt. Eric Smith, working with faculty member Maj. Walter Avila, associate professor of chemistry, kept busy studying a new technique for bonding the element fluorine to various compounds in an effort to make more energetic explosive materials. In another effort, under the direction of Capt. Larry Davis, assistant professor of chemistry, and as far from the explosives lab as they could get, 2nd Lts. Mavis Compagno and Chris Lisanti were assigned the task of modifying several very complicated, large computer programs to predict results of actual chemical experiments more accurately.
The seven second lieutenants working in the Directorate of Aerospace Mechanics and Sciences included three physicists, a computer science major and three engineers: one aeronautical, one astronautical and one mechanical.
2nd Lt. Steve Brown, Karl Kuschner and Frank Rand worked with Mr. Bill Simmons, FJSRL associate electrical research engineer, and Capt. Gerry Shaw, chief Guidance Control Division at FJSRL, on an ongoing research project at the lab with the goal of improving the accuracy of ring laser gyroscopes for use in guidance and control systems on airplanes and missiles.
In a related effort, 2nd Lt. Mark Matthews analyzed the vibrational response of a large structural system in the lab designed to
isolate part of the floor of the lab from earth vibration due to everything from earthquakes in Africa to trucks rolling down 1-25. The Isolation Pad will be used for fine tuning the world’s largest passive resonant ring laser gyroscope which will be built on top of it.
Also involved with laser related research were 2nd Lts. Devin Cate and Ron Meyer. Their work under Maj. Terry Deaton, FJSRL program manager for optics research, and Albert Alexander, FJSRL director of aerospace-mechanics science, was directed toward building an iodine laser to be used in quantifying the damage that the high energy light beams do to the optical components in laser systems.
Finally, 2nd Lt. John Wood was assigned to the Mechanics Division under Capt. Vic Villhard, chief of the FJSRL Mechanics Division, where he spent many hours working on a sophisticated interactive computer graphics program that looks a little like a video game. The program designs and simulates the performance of advanced technology gas turbine engines. It will be used by the Aero-Propulsion Lab at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio to evaluate the payoffs of proposed improvements in engine component technology and at the Seiler Lab to evaluate the potential payoffs of the AIR-ACE engine concept invented by one of our own researchers. Based on previous, less sophisticated studies, the AIR-ACE engine promises a seven to 10 percent advantage in fuel consumption over projected advanced technology engines while providing more thrust from a smaller sized engine at the same time.
Although the lieutenants were not here for long, they made a substantial contribution to the amount of quality work done by the lab. Clearly, these summer TDY assignments to Seiler provide a meaningful alternative to graduates awaiting their first assignments. (The Falcon Flyer)
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2nd Lt. Devin Cate works on a laser used in quantifying the damage that high energy light beams do to optical components in laser systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locali)
2nd Lt. Eric Smith tests a new techniquefor bonding the elementfluorine to various compounds in an effort to make more energetic explosive materials. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
Homecoming 1983: ATTENDANCE
Homecoming 1983 has been entered into the record books as a resounding success with the most graduates and guests ever returning to the Academy to share the traditional weekend. Some 400 graduates from the reunion Classes of 1963 and 1973 returned to their school for three days of celebration and emotional reminiscences. More than 50 graduates from non-reunion classes attended Homecoming events and the overall registration for graduates and their guests totaled 800.
Festivities began on Thursday evening as each of the reunion classes hosted an informal party. On Friday, many of the graduates ate lunch in Mitchell Hall with the cadets, visited former squadron areas, and attended some classes for old times’ sake. Other participants spent Friday on the golf course competing in the Homecoming golf tournament.
Early Friday evening graduates began arriving at the Four Seasons Motor Hotel in Colorado Springs for the 16th annual Colonel James Jabara Airmanship Award presentation and dinner. This year marked only the third time in the 16-year history of the award that dual winners of the award were named. After cocktails and dinner, Superintendent Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Jr., presented the Jabara Award to astronaut Colonel Karol J. Bobko, Class of 1959, and Major Neal D. Coyle, Class of 1972.
Colonel Bobko, who piloted the Space Shuttle Challenger this past spring, is one of the Air Force’s astronauts assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He earned the award for the Challenger flight and his numerous other achievements as an Air Force officer.
Major Coyle, the nominee from Strategic Air Command, was named winner of the award for his superior airmanship and ability to perform flawlessly under the stress of a critical B-52G inflight emergency in which serious flight control imbalance occurred. His professionalism is credited with saving the aircraft and its 10-man crew.
In remarks following the presentation of the award, Colonel Bobko said, “I know many of you have experienced the thrill of flying at 30-thousand feet. 1 only wish I could share with you the exhilaration of flying at a million feet.” Major Coyle, after accepting the award from the superintendent, said ‘‘I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for the countless people who during my life and career took the time and made the effort to mold my life into what it is now. 1 thank them one and all.”
The award presentation ceremony followed a concert by the Academy’s Cadet Chorale, led by the venerable Mr. Roger Boyd, chorale director, who invited graduates who were former members of the chorale, to join the chorale for the final few songs. The evening was capped with dancing to music provided by the Falconaires.
SETS RECORD
For those who have never attended a Homecoming, probably the most impressive and emotional event is the Graduate/Cadet Memorial Ceremony which took place on Saturday morning this year. The Association of Graduates annually invites all next-ofkin of graduates who have died during the year to attend this ceremony. This year 28 members of deceased graduate families attended.
The memorial ceremony takes place on the terrazzo with the dignitaries, graduates and guests, and next-of-kin gathered in front of the Class Wall. The graduates assemble directly below the Class Wall and the cadets form in their normal squadron formation. The ceremony is highlighted by a roll call of deceased graduates who died during the year, accompanied by a muffled drum roll. As each deceased graduate’s name and squadron are called out, a cadet currently in the squadron responds, “ABSENT.” This cadet response to the roll call represents the continuing bond the Cadet Wing and graduates have with our departed comrades-in-arms. Following the roll call, the ceremony is closed by a prayer, a rifle volley, an aircraft flyover in the missing man formation, and taps.
The flyover this year consisted of F-16s from the 63rd Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at MacDill AFB piloted by four graduates: Lt. Col. Henry Kramer, ’63; Maj. Jeff McCarthy, ’63; Capt John Kuconis, ’73; and Capt. Pete Bonanni, ’77. Their
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Memorial Ceremony Graduates gather beneath the Class Wall to participate in the annual Homecoming Memorial Ceremony which honored 21 deceased graduates this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by A 1C Donna Tatro)
flyover and the memorial ceremony commemorated the lives of 21 graduates who died during the year.
From the memorial ceremony, graduates and their guests departed to their respective tailgate parties to swap more stories from the past and prepare for the Air Force Academy - Brigham Young University football game. It was unfortunate that our opponents did not share the Academy Homecoming spirit and allow us to win the game. However, the contest did provide a location for another Homecoming tradition as members of the Academy’s Wings of Blue parachute team jumped into Falcon Stadium with the Class of 1963 flag which was presented to the Class of 1987 prior to the game by Col. Bob Rohatsch, ’63.
As in all Homecomings, many individuals and agencies shared in making the weekend a success. The Air Academy National Bank cosponsored the reception prior to the Jabara Banquet by providing funds to offset the cost of the food at that event.
As Homecoming is an event which is cosponsored by both the Academy and the Association of Graduates, the excellent support received from the superintendent, the commandant, and the dean, along with their staffs, was vital to the successful weekend. Special thanks are due the Academy’s Protocol and Public Affairs Offices for their direct support in both the planning and execution of the weekend, and to the Directorate of Audio Visual Support for their assistance with the Jabara Award and photography.
The contributions of Capt. Wade Kearns, ’73, and CMSgt Joseph L’Hereault insured a flawless Memorial Ceremony, while the Cadet Wing Hostess Office assured professionalism for all Arnold Hall activities. Special thanks to Louise Brown, hostess, and her assistant Karen Mandel. Class of 1963 wives Mrs. Marti Harmon and Mrs. Janie Rohatsch are also recognized for their fine work on the Jabara Banquet and Ball, and Friday Arnold Hall luncheon, respectively. The contributions of the many other graduate wives who helped with the numerous facets of Homecoming, are also most appreciated.
Recognition is also due the Cadet Chorale, its director, Mr. Roger Boyd, and its officer in charge, Lt. Col. Larry Thacker, ’63, as well as the Falconaires and all the Academy Band units which performed during the weekend under the direction of Lt. Col. John McCord, band commander.
Lt. Col. Thacker also served as the 1963 Reunion Committee chairman while Capt. Bob Fraser, ’73, did an excellent job of pulling it all together as the overall Homecoming project officer
Deceased graduates remembered
To emphasize the common bond between the Cadet Wing and the graduate community, the wreath during the memorial ceremony is laid in front of the Graduate War Memorial by a cadet and a graduate. Representing the Association of Graduates this year was Dr. (Col.) Lloyd C. Harmon, Class of ’63, a member of the AOG Board of Directors. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Mike Carter)
and the 1973 Reunion Committee chairman. Ably assisting the chairmen were numerous individual project officers:
1963 Reunion Committee
Johnnie Hall
Lloyd Harmon
Don Troutman
Corwin Kippenhan
Jim Gaston
Bob Rohatsch
Everett Vaughn
Joe Hanes
1973 Reunion Committee
Chip Frazier Wade Kearns
Jack Glavan
Steve Cristiani
Chris Flynn
B.J. Stanton
Chris Cross
Dave Shanahan
Brian Jones
John Pretz
HOMECOMING PHOTOGRAPHS
George Pollard
Paul Pitcovich
Dave Shanahan
A1 Maurer
Mark Loper
Rich Comer A1 Howey
(Editor’s note: Unfortunately, many of the Homecoming photographs were not available due to our deadline and will be published in the next issue. If anyone has personal photographs which would be appropriate forpublishing, please send them to the editor. They will be returned after the winter issue is published.)
In early September, in a simple ceremony, the Cadet Wing rededicated a familiarphrase that has been installed above the west portal of the terrazzo. That phrase contains the 14 words that make up the Honor Code. Academy Chief of Staff Col. Charles L. Henn summed up the occasion with these words: “With the security of our nation at stake, it is easy to see why the Honor Code is so important. Working together in a spirit of trust we can achieve unimagined goals. The key to it all is a spirit of integrity that is founded in a simple phrase, ‘We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Mike Carter)
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Support recognized Association ofGraduates president Mr. James E. Spittler, Jr., ’65 (at left) thanked representatives of the Air Academy National Bank for their generosity in cosponsoring and providingfundsfor the reception prior to the Jabara Banquet this year and for their financial assistance for Homecoming in previous years. Representing the bank are Ms. Dottie Endsley, vice president of the bank; Mr. Jack Webb, president; and not pictured, Lt. Col. James T. Hargrove (USAF, Ret), executive vice president. (U.S. Air Force Photo by SSgt Angie Vigil)
Honor Code rededication
JABARA WINNERS HONORED AT HOMECOMING BANQUET
COLONEL KAROL J. BOBKO
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Colonel Karol J. Bobko, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959, is named winner of the 1983 Colonel James Jabara Airmanship Award. Colonel Bobko distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an astronaut-pilot, Air Force Element, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, from 4 to 9 April 1983, as the pilot on the maiden voyage of Orbiter Space Shuttle Challenger. In addition to being the first graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in space, his many other accomplishments as an astronaut include service as a crewmember on the Skylab Medical Experiments Attitude Test, a member of the support crew for the Appollo-Soyuz Test Project, and a member of the support crew for the Space Shuttle approach and landing tests at Edwards Air Force Base, California, serving alternately as the capsule communicator and prime chase pilot. In preparation for the initial Space Shuttle flight, Colonel Bobko served as the lead astronaut in the test and checkout astronaut group at the Kennedy Space Center. Colonel Bobko’s significant contributions to the U.S. Space Program and his superior achievements as an Air Force officer, make him a most deserving recipient of the 16th annual presentation of the Jabara Award for Airmanship.
MAJOR NEAL D. COYLE
Startegic Air Command
Major Neal D. Coyle, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1972, is named winner of the 1983 Colonel James Jabara Airmanship Award. Major Coyle distinguished himself by his flawless performance under the stress of a critical B-52H in-flight emergency in which a serious flight control imbalance occurred. During a touch-and-go landing, the right spoiler group became jammed in the fully extended position after the airbrakes were extended. As the aircraft began a rapidly accelerating movement to the right, Major Coyle applied left lateral and steering control inputs while checking engine instruments. With all eight engines operating normally and the aircraft rapidly moving toward the right side of the runway, he committed himself to flying the aircraft rather than abort. With full left lateral control and full left rudder at approximately 100 knots, Major Coyle applied full back pressure and advanced engines number 7 and 8, which stopped the aircraft motion to the right. After assessing aircraft controllability at a safe altitude and airspeed, he then executed an uneventful full-stop landing. Major Coyle’s superior airmanship during this emergency is credited with saving his aircraft and the lives of his 10-man crew. His actions make him a most deserving recipient of the 16th annual presentation of the Jabara Award for Airmanship.
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Graduate aviators share annual trophy Astronaut Col. Karol J. Bobko, ’59, and Maj. Neal D. Coyle, ’72, flank the permanent Colonel James Jabara Airmanship Award. The award, administered by the Association of Graduates and permanently displayed in Arnold Hall, was presented at the Homecoming banquet by Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Jr., superintendent. From left are Mr. James E. Spittler, Jr., president and chairman of the board of the Association of Graduates; Lt. Gen. George Miller, vice commander-in-chiefofStrategic Air Command; Maj. Coyle, Col. Bobko, and Lt. Gen. Scott. (U.S. Air Force Photo by SSgt Angie Vigil)
Superintendent Meets the Press
By Sgt. Dick Blair Public Affairs Office
More than 300 years ago, Miguel Cervantes wrote, “No man is more than another if he does no more than another.” Today, giving that extra effort are members of the Air Force, who are charged with responsibilities central to the very survival of our country.
Displaying this sense of commitment, objective and professionalism was Lt. Gen Winfield W. Scott, Jr., superintendent, as he confronted head-on such issues as the Soviet downing of a Korean airliner, attrition, micro-computers, drugs and the Academy.
The general encountered these issues and others in early September, during his first news conference since becoming the 10th Academy superintendent.
The general, who has spent several tours in Korea, was asked his thoughts concerning the Soviet downing of flight 007. Replying he said, “I think probably more than anything else, what the incident has pointed out again to free people, is what a barbarous nation the Soviet Union is. You can say they made a mistake in shooting down an unarmed civilian airliner, but I can’t find any reason that would excuse that action. But what is more appalling, is the Soviet Union continues to say that if similar circumstances occur, they would shoot down another plane of the same type.”
Relating an almost reversed incident prior to his assignment to Alaska, as commander of the Alaskan Air Command in 1978, the general continued. “One of their (Soviet Union) planes was conducting ice reconnaissance when due to some type of malfunction they ran out of fuel and landed on St. Lawrence Island, one of our large islands between Alaska and the Soviet Union. We provided them gasoline and allowed them to take off and leave the island. They just don’t conform in any way to civilized international laws. They only understand one thing, and that is power power and strength.”
Focusing on the Academy, the general was questioned on what he felt was the largest problem here. “First, I would rather call them issues than problems,” said General Scott. “But one of the greatest issues from my viewpoint right now is the attrition of the classes here.” He added that the attrition rate has decreased over the past several years from 40 percent to down around 34 percent. He did emphasize that he would not be satisfied until it reached “somewhere around 25-27 percent.”
Pointing out positive aspects surrounding attrition the superintendent discussed several factors. “Ideally, I would like not to have any attrition, but that’s idealistic and some attrition is good. Plus, we are bringing in a higher quality person as the attrition rate goes down, said the general. It also will help us reach the goal of having two cadets per room.” Currently there are some rooms which house three cadets, according to General Scott, who feels this often inhibits studies.
Expressing this another way the superintendent explained, “We have found that the attrition of the cadets who live three in a room is considerably higher than the attrition of those cadets living two per room. This is one of the really important issues that I see that we want to work hard.”
Already working this obstacle the general discussed several avenues of approach. One is in the form of recruitment by attracting the “right people.” The other is military training.
“Everything we do in military training should focus on one thing,” stated the general. “That is graduating the best Air Force officers possible.” Citing an example, General Scott continued, “This summer the cadet cadre for Basic Military Training was given one more week of training and by doing this we found the attrition of new cadets during the summer period was considerally
less than in the past.” He added that the attrition rate for this summer was around 60 whereas previous summers, it had been in the hundreds.
When posed with the question concerning drugs and alcohol problems at the Academy, the superintendent’s reply was swift and stern, “This is one thing we just absolutely don’t condone. If any cadet is caught smoking or admits to smoking marijuana, he or she will be on their way out just as fast as we can process the paper work.” The general also stated this policy also affected all officers and enlisted members stationed here.
Speaking on the other side of the issue concerning alcohol the general said. “If the cadet makes a commitment to get well while he or she is here, we will put him or her through an AA program. The program has been very successful and we have had cadets graduate who were reformed alcoholics.” He also noted that no cadet would even be allowed to enter the Academy if there was prior knowledge of a drug or alcohol problem.
“There has been no large problem here since I’ve been here,” General Scott said. “But I’m certainly not going to stand here and say that we won’t have one in the future. It is one area that we work very hard at.”
Looking at programs and the additions to the Academy the general shared news about a current program which is in its first phase. “By the summer of 1986, hopefully, we will have a microcomputer in every cadet room,” said General Scott. He noted that the cost of this program will run around $23 million but stated, “As Air Force officers in this day and age, we must have a real computer literacy.” (The Falcon Flyer)
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Superintendent Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Jr. addresses world and Academy issues at the press conference. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Mike Carter)
Soar-For-All Program: Airmanship Facilities Expanded
By Capt. Chris Flynn, ’73 Soaring Flight Commander 94th Airmanship Training Squadron
(Editor’s note: On Oct. I, 1983, the Airmanship Division attained squadron status and was designated the 94th Airmanship Training Squadron. The following article was set prior to that date due to printing deadlines. References to the Airmanship Division should read 94th A TS and references to the Soaring Branch should read Soaring Flight.)
Next summer the Soaring Branch of the Academy’s Airmanship Division will initiate the third and final phase of its expansion to give every third class cadet the opportunity to solo a glider. The long-awaited ideal of providing every cadet at the Air Force Academy “hands on” flying experience will finally be realized for the Class of 1987 and succeeding classes. The introduction of the Soar-For-All Program, as it has become known, will represent the culmination of years of staff work, millions of dollars of construction, and an expansion of over 100 percent in the manpower and aircraft assigned to the Soaring Branch.
FLYING PROGRAMS AT THE ACADEMY
The concept of a flying training program at the Air Force Academy emerged in the early 1950s and has changed considerably over the past 30 years. Initially, navigator training was an integral part of the Academy curriculum and cadets graduated as rated navigators. In the late 1950s, a proposal to replace navigator training with pilot training was abandoned due to a lack of facilities and funds. The desire to move away from navigator training and the inability to replace it with pilot training caused a slow erosion of the emphasis on flight training during the 1960s and early 1970s. “Stardust” missions, soaring, and the T-41 Pilot Indoctrination Program provided flight experience to cadets that was either limited in scope or enrollment during this time period.
Increasing attrition rates during the 1970s caused the Academy Board of Visitors to review motivational factors in cadet life in an effort to retain more cadets until graduation. In 1976, the board of visitors reported, “Virtually all cadets cite the airmanship program as one of the most motivational experiences in the total
Academy program. The board is of the opinion that there is a very direct relationship between this program and cadet motivation. Further, this program provides a direct link with the flying mission of the Air Force.” With the elimination of the T-37 Jet Flight Program in the late 1970s, the Air Staff began to look for a suitable, less expensive alternate to flight indoctrination. The Soar-For-All proposal first surfaced at this time and in 1978 the Air Staff directed the expansion of the more cost-effective Soaring Program.
The potential of Soar-For-All was immediately grasped by the board of visitors. In 1979 the board reported, “If cadets can spend a significant amount of time actually piloting aircraft, they will be better prepared to join the office corps (even in non-flying duty), feel more a part of the Air Force, and, consequently, be more motivated to complete the Academy program. The board believes that airmanship must be an integral part of the cadets’ day-to-day lives.” A five-year plan of airmanship expansion was adopted by the board of visitors and approved by the superintendent in 1979.
THE MOTORGLIDER TRAINING CONCEPT
The realization of a Soar-For-All Program would require a substantial increase in soaring operations expanding from approximately 300 solo-qualified cadets to approximately 1,200 solo-qualified cadets each year. Using the “all sailplane” concept of training (where all training is conducted in sailplanes), the maximum attainable student output each year was recognized to be approximately 800 with the built-in constraints of available runway, airspace and cadet time. The only way to increase production was to decrease the number of flights required for a cadet to solo a sailplane. The best training system to accomplish this was an integrated motorglider/sailplane concept which was being pioneered in several Western European countries at the time.
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A Schweizer SGS 2-33 sailplane soars above the ongoing construction of new hangars and additional staff space for the Academy’s airmanship program. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Paul Nadeau, ’83)
Construction worker John Vukcevich welds the new trim in place on one of the new airmanship hangars. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Paul Nadeau, ’83)
Under this concept, the motorglider complements the training that takes place in the sailplane. The student is given three or four flights in the motorglider to learn the effect and use of controls and basic attitude flying. The obvious advantage of the motorglider is that it does not require a tow plane. It can taxi under its own power, take off, and climb to soaring altitude. Once at altitude, the engine is retarded and the instructor can intensify training in gliding flight by remaining aloft with the use of power and flying multiple approaches at the landing site. With this foundation, the student is then ready to transition to sailplanes and can solo with fewer required sorties. Tests indicated that a savings of approximately 50 percent of the sorties required in an “all sailplane” training concept could be realized with an integrated motorglider/sailplane syllabus of instruction.
PHASED APPROACH TO EXPANSION
In 1979, the Soaring Branch embarked on a three-phase plan to increase its solo production from 300 to 1,200 cadets annually. Phase I consisted of improving the quality of existing programs and, through optimum scheduling, increasing the capacity of each course. Phase II involved expanding operations under the allsailplane concept from 300 to 800 solo-qualified cadets each year. Phase III called for the development and implementation of an integrated motorglider/sailplane program with the capability to solo approximately 1,200 cadets annually.
During Phase I, cadet instructor upgrade courses were improved and the enrichment programs (mountain wave, aerobatic and cross-country soaring) were expanded. The capacity of Airmanship 451, the basic solo course, was doubled from 150 to 300 cadets through phased inputs and integration with the basic parachuting program during the summer.
In Phase II, cadets began to participate in AM-451 during the academic day. In the past, this had been the principle constraint to offering more cadets the opportunity to solo a glider. Phase II was initiated in 1980 and had achieved its maximum output of 800 cadets each year by the end of the spring 1982 semester. This second phase of the expansion was scheduled to continue indefinitely until Phase III was ready.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TG-7A
During Phases I and II, work progressed on how the integrated motorglider/sailplane training concept would be implemented at USAFA. The original plan was to obtain an “off-the-shelf” motorglider (already in production) that was compatible with USAFA requirements. The Soaring Branch was looking for a motorglider with side-by-side seating, a good climb rate at highdensity altitudes, and gliding characteristics compatible with the Schweizer SGS 2-33 sailplane (the glider used for solo training at the Academy). A review of specifications and test flights revealed that no production motorglider would meet the necessary climbrate criteria for operation at the Academy’s high-density altitudes. Bids were then accepted from aircraft and sailplane manufacturers throughout the world for a new design that would meet USAFA specifications. The contract was awarded to Schweizer Aircraft Corporation of Elmira, N.Y., in September 1982.
Schweizer’s motorglider, designated the TG-7A by the Air Force, was first delivered to the Academy in April of this year. The aircraft’s specifications are:
Construction:
All aluminum alloy except for a fabric rudder and fiberglass cowling.
MOTORGLIDER SYLLABUS OF INSTRUCTION
The motorglider syllabus of instruction was first tested in 1979 with a representative cross section of cadets in a turbocharged SZD-45 Ogar and a Scheibe SF-25E Super-Falke (foreign-built motorgliders). A second test was run this past July in the TG-7A. In both tests, students were able to solo a glider in significantly fewer sorties than an “all sailplane” syllabus (10-15 sailplane sorties under the motoglider syllabus versus 18-25 sorties in sailplanes). In proposed Phase III operations, each cadet will fly three motorglider sorties, 45 minutes in duration, and will solo the sailplane in 10-15 sorties. Highlights of the motorglider syllabus are:
Flight instruction will concentrate on effect and use of controls, attitude flying, turns, slow flight, stalls, and traffic patterns.
No instruction will be given on the powered aspects of flight. (These will be flown by the instructor pilot.)
Instruction will be aimed at the similarities and differences between the motorglider and the sailplane.
Initial takeoffs and full-stop landings will be interfaced with existing sailplane traffic on the west runway of the Academy airfield. Pattern practice will be conducted at an auxiliary field to be constructed between the eastern edge of Jack’s Valley and Interstate 25, northeast of the north gate.
No landing practice will be conducted in the motorglider due to dissimilar landing characteristics when compared to the training sailplane.
17
Length: Height: Empty Weight: Engine: Usable Fuel: Stall Speed: Maximum Speed: Takeoff Distance: Landing Distance: Range (at 75% Power): Endurance (at 50% Power): 59.5 ft 27.4 ft 7.8 ft 1,260 lbs 112 hp Lycoming 0-235-L2C 14.2 gal 48 mph 133 mph 800 ft 580 ft 246 miles 3.5 hours
Wing Span:
Capt. Chris Flynn, ’73 (right) and Capt. Doug Hagedorn, ’78, check out one of the new Schweizer TG-7A motorgliders which will enable cadets to solo a glider in significantly fewer sorties than before.
Leon Essex, an aircraft mechanic assigned to the Academy’s Soaring Maintenance Section, adjusts the propeller of the first powered sailplane to arrive at the Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Guido Locati)
CURRENT STATUS OF THE EXPANSION
The expansion of the Soaring Branch is proceeding close to schedule. All eight motorgliders have been delivered and are housed in a new motorglider hangar which was finished in May of this year. Construction is nearing completion on a maintenance dock for the aircraft and a new classroom-administration building to house the soaring staff. At this writing, construction has yet to begin on the auxiliary runway even though the appropriations have been approved. A tow-plane hangar is the only other construction project that remains to complete the facilities expansion.
The assigned soaring staff has expanded from six officers in 1978 to 14 at present. All are checked out in the motorglider and half of the attached motorglider staff is currently undergoing upgrade training. The total number of aircraft assigned to the Soaring Branch has increased from 13 in 1978 to 27 at present. Soaring maintenance personnel have increased from two to five during the same time period. Validation tests have been run during the summer and the fall semester which prove that the integrated motorgider/sailplane training concept works.
So, what are we waiting for? Several problems still remain before we begin Phase III. First, the auxiliary runway must be completed to allow the necessary pattern training within the specified syllabus time. Secondly, some computer scheduling problems remain to be resolved so that every third class cadet will be routinely scheduled for AM-451. And finally, check-out of the attached motorglider staff will not be completed until the spring of 1984.
Barring unforeseen difficulties, these problems will be resolved within the next six months. Then that lofty ideal of having every cadet at the Air Force Academy solo a glider will have become a reality.
OFFICERS NEEDED FOR AIRMANSHIP JOBS
The Academy Airmanship Division has a continuing requirement for highly motivated career officers in the grades of first lieutenant and captain, with exceptional military records, to serve as staff personnel to accommodate the expansion program. The positions involve soaring, parachuting or light aircraft flying and require considerable experience in at least one of these areas.
Soaring applicants must be rated Air Force pilots. An FAA Commercial Glider Rating is desired but not required. The Soaring Branch has incorporated the Schweizer TG-7A powered sailplane into its program. Parachute applicants should be experienced and current in free fall parachuting. A USPA C license and military parachutist rating is also desired, but not required. Applicants for the light aircraft positions will work with the Cadet Aviation Club and require extensive experience in general aviation. They should have an FAA Commercial Pilot Rating. Interested personnel should review the Air Force Academy Assignment Handbook (Project Falcon) or contact Capt. Scott at Autovon 259-2495 for additional information. Application procedures are outlined in Air Force Regulation 36-20, chapter 8.
Joseph
Dennis
18
4* 4* 4* 4* •T*
1983 0-6 Promotions (USAFA Graduates) Class Primary Zone Secondary Zone Select Non-Select Select 59 7 60 18 61 9 62 2 29 63 45 45 64 9 2 7 65 9 3 5 66 8 1 7 67 1 3 68 1 TOTALS 74 114 23 Secondary Zone Selectees
1966
J. Davis Jr. James L. Higham Lee A. Downer John O. McFalls 111
L. Golden Alfred H. Nader Jr.
R. Hooten Patrick W. O’Brien
Manekofsky Paul E. Stein
A. Wells Gary A. Vanvalin
O. Westover Robert A. Walker
1967
B. Dixon Ralph B. Femrite
T. Garner John M. McBroom
GRADUATES SELECTED FOR COLONEL
1964
John
John
Byron
Harvey
Rodney
Timothy
1965
Wesley
John
M. Henderson Jr. Monroe S. Sams Jr.
C. Short 1968
Michael
A. Smith Ralph E. Eberhart
Join The ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES • Become Involved • Keep Informed • Support AOG/USAFA Programs
Looking back: General Harmon’s Retirement Remembered
By Major Ed Swinney USAF Retired
It was July 27, 1956 and the late Donald A. Quarles, then secretary of the Air Force, had come to Lowry Air Force Base to attend retirement ceremonies for the first superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy at it’s temporary site. Mr. Quarles was in the middle of a press conference when a gust of wind rustled the trees outside and the fresh odor of the first rain drops swept through the room. “Well,” said Mr. Quarles with a wry smile, “looks like we brought some rain with us.” This turned out to be the understatement of the year!
The sky looked so threatening when the Quarles party arrived at the Academy parade ground that rumors of cancellation swepth through the crowd. The parade was, in fact, delayed for several minutes while decisions were reached and made known. Then the Academy Band sounded off “The Adjutant’s Call” and the parade began.
The cadets had hardly massed on the parade ground before the first torrent struck. The sky went black and the wind howled like a thousand demons. The people in the crowd, who had come to pay honor to a great general, cast longing looks at the nearby buildings of the commandant of cadets.
It was not a shower; it was as though the gods had turned their bathtubs upside down—all at once!
But the parade had started now and the reviewing party, apparently taking their cue from the man being honored, stood their ground. Shortly after the deluge began, someone came up with a raincoat for General Harmon. It was the wrong color but at least it would keep him from being drowned.
On the parade ground, the air training officers sloshed through the parade ritual without a hitch. The squadron commanders reported to the wing adjutant, the band sounded off and trooped the line, and the rain fell harder!
It was so dark now that the spectators could hardly see the wind blow the hats off several ATOs, the make-believe upperclassmen to the first and second class to enter the new Academy. The hats sailed across the wet parade ground and the young officers watched them tumble along, but from the corners of their eyes. But they stood fast in the driving rain.
The local press was out in force to see the Cadet Wing pay it’s final tribute to General Hubert R. Harmon. Once the
rain started, most of the press headed for their cars. A 35mm movie crew from Los Angeles threw a canvas cover over their $7,500 camera and didn’t even try to film the scene.
Academy still photographers couldn’t get a reading on their light meters and the light from their flash units seemed to get lost among the raindrops. Every negative shot after the parade got underway was either under-exposed, blurred by water on the lenses, or otherwise unusable.
But the parade continued. Out on the field, the khaki-clad cadets looked like they’d just come in from a dip in the surf, and the reviewing party, including the state governor, looked no better. In the stands, Academy personnel, their family members, and cadets’ girlfriends were soaked to the skin. More and more fled for cover, but quite a few remained ’till the soggy end.
That night, at a formal dinner in honor of General Harmon, many of the officers showed up in the same uniforms they had worn at the parade. Many of them were still damp in spots; others looked like they’d been slept in after having been ironed dry for the occasion; still others, in the middle of summer, showed up in formal winter attire.
But that afternoon, most everyone’s thoughts were on the small gentleman with three stars on his shoulders. They knew he was suffering from cancer, and he looked haggard from his 41 years of service to his country.
And yet General Harmon did not move, nor did Secretary Quarles and the other members of their party. They stood at at
tention while the Cadet Wing, in spite of near typhoon conditions, paid final tribute to the father of the Air Force Academy.
They stood there, until the last squadron passed the reviewing stand, though soaked to the skin. Each cadet looked like a drowned rat but each member of the Class of 1959 and the Class of 1960 marched straight as a ramrod for the retiring superintendent. And as the Academy band struck up the familiar “Air Force Song,” the Cadet Wing broke into song.
Cadet James O’Rourke, Class of 1960, was asked in 1958 if, when he stood out there in the driving rain, he wished the parade had been called off. His answer was emphatically negative.
“We were in high spirits that day,” he said. “All of us were. The parade was for General Harmon. The rain didn’t make any difference at all.”
Nobody knows for sure, of course, but General Harmon probably sensed this. Perhaps that’s why he stood his ground in the middle of a cloudburst and took the parade, even though he was gravely ill. Those were his boys out there and they were doing this for him! It probably never occurred to him that by standing there, he was setting an example in fortitude that those 575 cadets will never forget!
Epilogue: General Harmon died of lung cancer at Lackland AFB, Texas on February 22, 1957. He was cremated and his ashes were interred on September 28, 1958—the first burial in the Air Force Academy cemetery, with full military honors.
19
Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, second from left, retired as the first U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent in July of 1956. He is shown here with other members of the Academy Site Selection Committee being greeted by Gen. Curtis LeMay, right, at Strategic Air Command Headquarters, Omaha, Neb. Other members, from left, are Dr. Virgil M. Hancher, Brig. Gen. Charles A. Lindbergh, Merrill C. Meigs, and Gen. Carl A. Spaatz. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
Fairchild Hallways Reflect Air Power Themes
Second floor corridors and hallways in Fairchild Hall have taken on a new aerospace look and were officially dedicated and named after aircraft, historic air battles and operations during ceremonies earlier this year.
Assisting the Academy in promoting Air Force heritage in the naming of the corridors and hallways were the General Dynamics Corporation, which donated a scale model of the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” aircraft, and the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, which donated a scale model of the C-141B “Starlifter.”
The aircraft are displayed, respectively, in Falcon Hall, which runs the full length of Fairchild Hall on the west side, and Starlifter Hall, which runs the full length on the east side. Descriptive plates are mounted under each aircraft describing its function, capabilities and performance.
In dedicating Falcon Hall to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Maj. Gen. Robert E. Kelley, former superintendent, said the success of the F-16 demonstrates the advances the United States has made in airpower technology. The fighter aircraft’s abilities are indicative of the qualities shown in the Academy’s own mascot the falcon, General Kelley said.
“The named hallways, we hope, will serve as a reminder to our cadets that the mission of the Air Force is dependent upon all the aircraft in its inventory. It is dependent upon the Military Airlift Command transports as well as the fighter aircraft and bombers,” said Brig. Gen. William A. Orth, former dean of
Where will this hang?
Artist Bob Jensen, left, and Joe Modrich of Training Devices Branch, hold a model of the F-16 “Fighting Falcon aircraft. Beneath are the signs which now identify six east-west hallways on the second floor in Fairchild Hall. The corridors were named after air operationsfamous in Air Force history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mr. Bill Madsen)
faculty. “Just as the C-141B is a vehicle with which we achieve our goals in peacetime and also in conflict, so I think it is education that is certainly part of the vehicle that will carry these cadets toward their career goals and their eventual participation in our Air Force mission.”
Six of the eight corridors running east and west on the second floor of Fairchild Hall were named after significant air victories and operations famous in U.S. Air Force history. Included in the commemorative hallways are names from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam conflict and a great airlift of the Cold War era of 1948-1949.
St. Mihiel Hall immortalizes the great achievement of the U.S. Army Air Service in World War I in September, 1918. Under the leadership of Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell, some 600 American and nearly 900 allied aircraft won control of the air over the St. Mihiel salient in France and aided the great ground offensive that resulted with the surrender of the German Army on Nov. 11, 1918.
On April 18, 1942, Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle led the gallant crews of sixteen B-25 bombers from the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Hornet in a spectacular low-level attack on Tokyo early in World War II. Doolittle Raid Hall commemorates this heroic flight which profoundly affected Japanese strategy, pressuring them to extend their defensive perimeter to keep American bombers beyond reach of the home islands.
Big Week Hall commemorates Operation Argument “Big Week” staged Feb. 20-25, 1944, when the Luftwaffe furiously attacked 3,500 USAAF bomber sorties directed against the German aircraft industry. USAAF P-47 and P-51 escort fighters doggedly fought off the attackers and broke the back of the German Air Force. Thereafter the allies commanded the skies over Europe making strategic bombing possible.
(Continued on next page.)
20
Fairchild hallway dedication Cadets Fouthclass Patrick Poppert and Dave Sumner take time out to view the C-141 model that was added to the second-floor corridors of Fairchild Hall. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALDO F. DUMBSQUA T
By Don Hall, ’76
C/4C Waldo F. Dumbsquat’s room was invaded by the squadron athletic officer. Waldo, Warren Heels, and “Regs” Buch all quivered at attention and rammed in multiple chins.
“I’ve got some good news and some bad news for you smacks,” grinned the firstie. “Which do you want first?”
Waldo gulped.
“Sir, we would like the bad news.”
“Bad news, okay. None of you made the volleyball team. Now for the good news. You all made the squadron kick-boxing team,” chortled the upperclassman. “You guys better get ready for the evening meal now.”
The doolies stood in shock as the athletic officer exited the room.
“I guess it could be worse,” sighed Waldo, “we could be on the cereal-eating team.”
“Speaking of food, what’s the menu tonight?” asked Warren.
“Well, it’s Thursday night. .”
“Steak and lobster?”
“No, quiche!” said Regs.
“I forgot to get the cigars today,” moaned Waldo.
“Now we’ll never get to sit at rest,” whined Warren.
“You know how Hardnose Harrigan likes her cigars,” Regs reminded Waldo. >|c $ $ )fc
After singing The Air Force Song 33 times, the Wing sat down to eat dinner.
“Cadet Harrigan, ma’am, may I ask a question?”
FAIRCHILD HALLWAYS:
(Continuedfrom previous page.)
After World War II, West Berlin became an island in the Russian Zone of Occupied Germany. In June, 1948, when the Russians isolated West Berlin by cutting off all rail and highway traffic, the Western Powers resolved to supply by air the necessities of life to the military community and two million Germans living there.
Berlin Airlift Hall memorializes the airlift, under the command of Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, when the U.S. Air Force’s Operation Vittles, from June 1948 into September 1949, delivered 1,783,000 tons of supplies to Berlin and kept the city free.
MIG Alley Hall honors the United States air power efforts which completely dominated the skies during the Korean War. American fliers faced their stiffest challenge in a small corner of northwest Korea known as Mig Alley. Fierce gunfights above the Yalu River kept the Chinese Air Force out of the skies over the United Nations ground forces and permitted Air Force, Navy, and Marine fighter-bombers to conduct critical interdiction strikes. Air superiority played an important role in the outcome of the Korean War.
Linebacker II, the great effort to end the Vietnam War and bring American prisoners-of-war home, began Dec. 18, 1972. Linebacker II Hall memorializes the last mighty strike of the American military in the Vietnam War, an effort which forced a resumption of peace negotiations and ended America’s active in
“You just did, Dumbsquat. What do you want?”
“May the fourthclassmen sit at rest?”
“I don’t see even one cigar up here. Why should you sit at rest?”
“Cadet Heels has a gross joke to tell.”
“Dumbsquat, do you ever see Steve Canyon telling gross jokes?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Can’t you think of anything clever artistic?”
“Cadet Buch knows a rugby song.”
“I said artistic not animalistic.”
Waldo was running out of ideas. He wished he had bought the cigars. Waldo ducked down behind the coffee pitcher and peanut butter jar. He uttered the magic phrase “jock ramps” and transformed into Colonel Dumbsquat, a man who never ate garden salads. The colonel stood the table commandant up in a brace.
“The freshmen are to sit at rest. Cadet Heels tells a great joke.”
“Yes, sir!”
Waldo once again assumed his freshman identity and the doolies enjoyed the rest of the meal. The squadron athletic officer strolled over to the table.
“You wads can forget about the kick-boxing team. The way you are packing the food away makes you starters on the cereal team. Practice is tomorrow morning at breakfast. We’ll start you out on ten boxes of Captain Crunch each!”
Waldo gagged on his quiche. $ $ $ >fc
volvement in the Vietnam War. The operation, ordered by former President Richard M. Nixon, was an all-out air offensive using B-52s, F-Ills, F-4s, A-7s, EB-66s, carrier fighter-bombers and support aircraft.
Personnel of the Department of History researched the events for which the halls were named. In the Training Devices Branch, artist Bob Jensen and Joe Modrich put the finishing touches on the art work, pictures, plaques, frames and signs which decorate and identify the displays and hallways. The dedication added another bit of heritage from Air Force history as part of the environment for the Cadet Wing.
“The Air Force Academy has certainly started a very fine tradition here,” said General Orth. “We hope that this is one step that will make more apparent to the cadets the great tradition shown by the airmen of the past and carried on now by the airmen of the present. This tradition of airpower excellence will most assuredly be carried on and greatly enhanced by the airmen of the future many of whom will come from this institution.”
In closing the dedication ceremonies, General Orth stated that the dedication of these hallways, the presence of the models and the plaques will serve as a constant reminder to cadets and everyone who passes through the corridors of “the necessity of our mission in an increasingly complicated role.” {The Falcon Flyer)
21
PhD’s Effect on 0-6 Promotion Studied
By Col. Ruben (Randy) A. Cubero, ’61 Acting Head, Foreign Language Dept., USAFA
The Problem
Although the majority of the military promotion literature supported the contention that graduate education was career enhancing, no studies have been conducted which demonstrated the unique long-term effects that attaining a PhD has on a military career. Most of the studies reviewed analyzed doctoral degrees along with master’s degrees under the single variable, “graduate education.” However, because there were many more master’s degree holders in the Air Force than PhD holders, the results of those studies tended to obscure the individual impact of a doctoral degree on the promotion process.
Those who encouraged doctoral study and those who made decisions about pursuing doctoral study faced a problem: Was a doctoral degree a help or a hindrance in reaching the rank of colonel? Was the doctoral degree perhaps a greater (or lesser) advantage in certain fields, in conjunction with certain assignments, or if completed in a short period of time?
The Purpose
This study examines whether a relationship exists between the attainment of a PhD while in the military and the promotability of United States Air Force Academy graduates to the rank of colonel. The first part of the study ascertained the overall effect of a doctoral degree relative to the effects of other training and performance variables (Academy graduation order of merit, aeronautical status, officer effectiveness ratings, etc.) on the promotion of USAF Academy graduates to colonel. In the second part, the study analyzed the discriminating role of specific characteristics related to the attainment of a PhD (the length of time in pursuit of a PhD, the discipline of the PhD, PhD-related assignments, etc.) on the promotion of USAF Academy graduates to the rank of colonel.
Part I
The First Hypothesis: The corresponding first hypothesis (HI) was: There was a positive discriminating effect of the doctoral degree variable in differentiating membership between three groups of United States Air Force Academy graduates; those promoted below the zone (BTZ), those promoted on time (ONT), and those passed over (PDO) to the rank of colonel. The literature review revealed that the attainment of a PhD would probably enhance promotion opportunities to colonel for Air Force Academy graduates.
The Population (HI): The population dealt with all the Air Force Academy graduates who competed in the primary zone or were selected in the secondary promotion zones to the rank of colonel. The names of 587 graduate officers were obtained from the historical records of the Association of Graduates (AOG) at USAFA. The population consisted of 161 Academy officers promoted below the zone (28%), 277 Academy officers promoted on time (47%), and 149 Academy officers passed over for promotion (25%) to colonel. The sample for the analysis of HI included the entire population.
The Data Sources (HI): The variable data for the research population were obtained from the personnel records at the Office of Registrar (OOR), and the AOG at the United States Air Force Academy. The population data bank contained preAcademy, Academy, and Air Force career information on each individual, and was extracted from the Academy’s computer data bank, the Educational Research Data Base (ERDB). Diagram A listed the final variables that were included in the analysis of the first hypothesis.
The relationships between variables were, in most cases, predictable. For example, the individual’s prior academic record (HI SCHOOL) had a noticeable correlation with both cadet academic (ACAD MERIT) and graduation order of merit (GRAD MERIT) at r .37, and r .38, respectively. Looking at the other precommissioning variables, academic order of merit (ACAD MERIT) had a near perfect correlation with graduation order of merit (GRAD MERIT) at r=.96, and a moderate correlation with academic higher education (HI ACAD EDUC) at r= .35. Those individuals who excelled academically at the Academy were the ones who pursued graduate education in the service.
The continuing training subcategory variables also displayed anticipated results. The non-rated members (NONRTD) of the study showed a substantial negative correlation with medals and decorations (MED DEC) at r -.34, and with combat duty (COMBAT) at x--.ll. On the other hand, pilots (PILOT) had a high positive correlation with medals and decorations (MED DEC) at r .37, with combat duty (COMBAT) at r .25, and had a negative correlation with the PhD variable (PHD) at r -.25.
In the effectiveness and achievement subcategories, combat duty (COMBAT) was correlated with medals and decorations (MED DEC), but not to the degree expected (r .25). In addition, the officer’s OER average (EFF RTG) was negatively correlated with the number of controlled 3 ratings (CTRL 3 RTG) at r -.62. With such a high correlation one could surmise that the controlled 3-ratings accounted for much of the discriminating power of the OER and that a controlled 3 on one’s record would be dificult to overcome.
LISTING OF FINAL ERDB VARIABLES
(Diagram A)
ERDB VARIABLES
Precommissioning Training
—MIL MERIT (Military Order of Merit)
—MIL SERV (Prior Military Service)
—ACAD MERIT (Academic Order of Merit)
—GRAD MERIT (Graduation Order of Merit)*
—HI SCHOOL (Prior Academic Record)
—ENGLISH (English Entrance Score)
—MATH (Mathematics Entrance Score)
Continuing Training
—NONRTD (Non-rated)
—NAVIG (Navigator rating)
—PILOT (Pilot rating)
—ASTRO (Astronaut rating)*
—HI MIL EDUC (Highest PME level attained)
—TOT MIL EDUC (Combined number of PME schools)
—HI ACAD EDUC (Highest education level attained)*
—MASTERS (Master’s degree)
—PHD (Doctoral degree)
—LANG (Foreign language proficiency)
Effectiveness Measures
—EFF RTG (Average of last 10 OERs)
—CTRL EFF RTG (Average of controlled OERs)
—CTRL 3 RTG (Number of controlled 3-ratings)
Achievement
—MED DEC (Weighted total/medals and decorations)
—COMBAT (Combat service in SEA)
Note: Eliminated due to overlap or lack of data
22
Of special interest, considering the correlation matrix as a career profile of the PhD officers, the interrelationships were revealing. The PhD variable (PHD) was correlated to academic order of merit (ACAD MERIT) at r .28E negatively correlated to the pilot rating (PILOT) at r -.25, and to both PME variables (HI MIL EDUC, TOT MIL EDUC) at r -.20, and r -.14, respectively. The latter negative correlations were of practical significance in that they indicated important tradeoffs between the PhD and other military endeavors, specifically, with being a pilot and with the completion of professional military education. Also, the lack of a meaningful correlation between the PhD and any of the performance variables (EFF RTG, CTRL 3 RTG, CTRL EFF RTG) would seem to assert that the PhD was inherently neutral in the promotion process, ie., there was no discernible pattern of PhD officers receiving consistently poor or outstanding effectiveness ratings.
Not surprisingly, the single most significant variable in deciding promotion success was the average of the officer’s effectiveness ratings (EFF RTG), followed by the highest level attained in professional military education (HI MIL EDUC), not being a navigator (-NAVIG), and not having any controlled 3-ratings (-CTRL 3 RTG). Of secondary importance were the attainment of a master’s degree (MASTERS), and the officer’s military order of merit (MIL MERIT) as a cadet. The last two selected variables of the combined number of professional military courses completed (TOT MIL EDUC), and the weighted total of medals and decorations (MED DEC) provided discrimination but were not significant.
FINAL RANK ORDER OF ALL 19 DISCRIMINATING VARIABLES FOR THOSE OFFICERS PROMOTED AND PASSED OVER TO COLONEL (Diagram B)
Training Performance
Precommissioning Continuing Effectiveness Achievement
6.
9.
Note: p greater than .05*; .01**; .001***
Diagram B shows the rank order of the 19 independent variables according to their selection in the discriminant function procedure. As illustrated in the diagram, the PhD variable (PHD) had an overall ranking of eleventh. Moreover, since the PhD proved to be a significantly negative factor by itself, and was not statistically significant in discriminating between any of the criterion groups tested, the first hypothesis was rejected.
Part II
The Second Hypothesis: The second hypothesis stated that there were differences in the specific characteristics related to the attainment of a PhD for three groups of United States Air Force Academy graduates; those promoted below the zone (BTZ), those
promoted on time (ONT), and those passed over to the rank of colonel (PDO). Although the literature did not provide any guidance to the directionality of the second hypothesis, idiographic data suggested that the specific characteristics related to time (see Diagram C) would significantly discriminate between the criterion groups.
The Population (H2): The population for the second hypothesis consisted of 51 Academy graduates who attained their doctoral degrees and were either eligible for primary selection or were selected below the zone to colonel. The sample for the analysis of H2 included the entire population. Of the total 51 PhD officers who were eligible for promotion to colonel, 10 retired from active duty prior to their primary zone consideration, and were eliminated from the analysis. Three others were eliminated because they were selected as permanent professors at the Academy and were awarded the rank of colonel through congressional legislation. In only one case was an officer not contacted because of an unknown address. Of the remaining 37 cases, 33 responded for a response rate of 89%
The Data Sources (H2): The ERDB and the biographical narratives were thought to contain the needed career information to allow quantification of the specific characteristics. However, a cross check revealed that the information was, in many cases, incomplete. Thus, a questionnaire was devised which requested the needed information for the analysis. The final specific characteristics used in testing the second hypothesis were included in Diagram C.
The matrix was modified to highlight the characteristics that would generally pertain to an Air Force Academy graduate. A specific sequence of events, starting with Air Force Academy sponsorship (AFA), being stationed at the Air Force Academy before pursuing a PhD (CMD BEF AFA), completing all PhD requirements during the AFIT tour (COMPLETE), being stationed at the Air Force Academy after completing the PhD (CMD AFT AFA), and the officer’s attitude toward the effect of the PhD on promotability to 0-6 (ATTIT) were all reflected in the modified correlation matrix.
THE FINAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS RELATED TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THE PHD (Diagram C)
THE TIME GROUP
Age at PhD Completion (AGE).
—Total Commissioned Time at PhD Completion (COMM TIME).
—Academic Time in Pursuit of PhD (ACAD TIME).
—Total Time in Pursuit of PhD (TOTAL TIME).
—Total Academic Time as Student (STUD TIME).
—Total Academic Time as Instructor (INSTR TIME).
—Consecutive Academic Time/Stud and Instr (CONSEC).
THE PERFORMANCE GROUP
—Discipline of PhD (DISC-).
—Humanities (DISCHUM)
—Engineering (DISCENG)
—Social Sciences (DISCSOC)
—Basic Sciences (DISCSCI)
—Other (DISCOTH)
—AFIT Funded PhD Tour (AFIT).
—AFA Sponsorship (AFA).
—Completion of all PhD Requirements/AFIT Tour (COMPLETE).
—Command Before PhD Tour at Academy (CMD BEF AFA).
—Command Before PhD Tour in Operations (CMD BEF OPS).*
—Command After PhD Tour at Academy (CMD AFT AFA).
—Command After PhD Tour in Operations (CMD AFT OPS).*
—PhD Related Assignment at Academy (PHD AFA).
—PhD Related Assignment in Operations (PHD OPS).
—Officer’s Attitude Toward PhD and Promotion (ATTIT).
Note: Eliminated due to overlap with other characteristics.
23
1. EFF RTG*** 2. HI MIL EDUC*** 3. (-)NAVIG*** 4. (-) CTRL 3 RTG***
MASTERS**
5.
MIL MERIT* 7. TOT MIL EDUC
MED DEC
8.
ACAD MERIT
HI SCHOOL 11. (-) PHD
MATH
MIL SERV 14. PILOT 15. NONRTD***
ENGLISH 19. LANG
(-)COMBAT 17. CTRL EFF RTG
10.
12.
13.
18.
16.
Of particular interest to the United States Air Force Academy were the negative correlations between Academy sponsorship (AFA) and the completion of the PhD (COMPLETE) at an r -.400, and between Academy sponsorship and the individual’s attitude of the PhD toward promotion to colonel (ATTIT) at r ..414. These strong negative correlations indicated that the individuals who were being sent for their PhDs from the Academy did not complete their degrees during the AFIT graduate tour, and generally, felt that the doctoral degree was detrimental to their careers. On the euphemistic “positive” side, the Academy sent more senior officers (AGE) for their PhDs, r=.509, with more total commissioned time (COMM TIME) at r= .522.
The correlation between the command before the PhD assignment at the Academy (CMD BEF AFA) and the age (AGE) of the individual was an r .685, and for total commissioned time (COMM TIME) an r .658. This relationship indicated that older officers with more commissioned time were the ones generally sent for their PhDs from the Academy assignment. Moreover,
CMD BEF AFA’s high correlation with Academy sponsorship (AFA) at r .534, and with total academic time as an instructor (INSTR TIME) at r= .564 inferred that those individuals sent for their PhDs from an Academy assignment, were logically sponsored by the Academy, and, generally, accumulated the longer periods of academic instructor time on their records.
Investigating the completion characteristic (COMPLETE) revealed negative correlations at r -.448 with the total time in pursuit of a PhD (TOTAL TIME), at r -.516 with total commissioned time (COMM TIME), at r -.554 with the social science PhDs, and at positive r .311 with the attitude variable (ATTIT). The data indicated that the individuals who completed their degree requirements during their graduate tours were junior officers who were sent early in their careers, and who spent a shorter time in pursuit of the PhD. In addition, those individuals were the ones with a positive attitude toward the PhD’s influence on their military careers. Moreover, the officers who sought a doctoral degree in the social sciences were not completing their requirements during their graduate tours.
Looking at the characteristic of being stationed at the Academy after completing the PhD (CMD AFT AFA), there were strong positive correlations with total instructor time (INSTR TIME) and consecutive academic time (CONSEC) at r=.486, and r .462, respectively. There was also a high positive correlation with Air Force Academy sponsorship (AFA) at r .410, and with having a PhD-related assignment only at the Air Force Academy (PHD AFA) at r= .395. These last two correlations showed that Air Force Academy sponsorship (AFA) generally meant that the officer was being assigned back to the Academy immediately following the attainment of the PhD, and that the Academy would probably be the only assignment requiring the officer to operationally work in the PhD capacity.
The last characteristic of the individual’s attitude of the PhD toward promotion to colonel (ATTIT), showed a strong negative correlation with the humanities PhD (DISCHUM) at r -.365, and with a PhD related assignment at the Academy (PHD AFA) at r -.358. This appeared to mean that Academy graduates who pursued their PhDs in the humanities had a more negative attitude toward the influence of their doctoral degree on their promotion opportunities to colonel. Moreover, if their PhD-related assignment was only at the Academy, the chances were greater that they also perceived their degree as a negative factor on their promotability to 0-6.
In the multivariate discriminant function analysis, the specific characteristics were selected as discriminators for only two criterion groups of officers; those promoted and those passed over to colonel. The significance levels of the characteristics selected indicated that they provided surprisingly strong discrimination between criterion groups. In the final analysis, the positive discriminators were: completing one’s PhD during the AFIT schooling tour (COMPLETE), and being stationed at the Air Force Academy directly before pursuing a PhD (CMD BEF
AFA). The negative characteristics were: long periods of academic time as an instructor (INSTR TIME), excessive academic time in pursuit of the PhD (ACAD TIME), a PhDrelated assignment in operations (PHD OPS), and a long period of consecutive time as either a student or an instructor (CONSEC).
Diagram D divided the characteristics into positive and negative categories, and rank-ordered them according to their discriminating power. The criterion groups considered for this last analysis, again, were those promoted and those passed over to colonel. Diagram D was constructed as a “horseshoe” continuum to demonstrate graphically which characteristics, related to the attainment of the PhD, were career enhancing, and which were career detracting. In addition, the asterisks indicated the various significance levels associated with the specific characteristic’s ability to add discriminating power to the previously selected characteristics. In sum, the specific characteristics related to time did provide significantly negative influences to the criterion groups tested. Moreover, they were included in the majority of selected discriminiators in the multivariate analysis. For those major reasons, the second hypothesis was accepted.
FINAL RANK ORDER OF ALL 20
SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS FOR THOSE OFFICERS PROMOTED AND PASSED OVER TO COLONEL (Diagram D) ( + ) (-)
Career Career Enhancing Detracting
1.
2.
3.
6. CONSEC*
7. AGE
8. DISCSOC*
9. DISCENG
10. DISCSCI
15. DISCOTH
17. PHD AFA
19. ATTIT
Note: p greater than .05*; .01**; .OOl**"
Conclusions
11. AFIT
12. AFA
13. COMM TIME
14. CMD AFT AFA
16. TOTAL TIME
18. DISCHUM
20. STUD TIME
The most fundamental concept to emerge from this study was that “the military rewarded military behavior.” This behavior was seen to extend from the time an individual left secondary school until that person was eligible or was selected for colonel. The positive aspects of this military orientation were reflected in the promotion success of those graduates who, early on, gained a solid military indoctrination as evidenced by their high class standing in military order of merit at the Academy (MIL MERIT). This positive military orientation continued throughout a graduate’s career with the “on time” completion of all recommended professional military education (HI MIL EDUC, TOT MIL EDUC), consistent outstanding performance of duty (EFF RTG), and the frequent recognition of their professionalism in the form of awards, medals and decorations (MED DEC). Simply stated the Air Force promoted those individuals who devoted their energies to the successful accomplishment of all military endeavors.
24
COMPLETE**
AFA*
CMD BEF
INSTR TIME***
ACAD TIME***
PHD OPS***
4.
5.
Unfortunately, the military endeavor which did not fit the model described by this research study was being a navigator. One could not help but be concerned with the significantly negative effeet the navigator specialty had on the military promotion process to colonel. Certainly, if the Air Force needs navigators to accomplish its flying mission, this professional discrimination should not exist. If this study’s findings accurately depicted the promotion difficulty of navigators, every effort should be made to probe into the navigator-promotion dilemma to correct this seemingly unjust career “pitfall.”
The second major conclusion was that the officer effectiveness ratings’ average (EEF RTG) did exert the most powerful influence on the promotability of Academy graduates to colonel. Clearly, the entire military promotion process was heavily dependent upon an accurate evaluation of the officer effectiveness ratings. As such, the OERs did reflect many of the other variables postulated as having an effect on the promotion process. This most probably accounted for the OER’s inordinate discriminating power with all the criterion groups tested. Interestingly, however, the correlation matrix inferred that the OER’s discriminating power was due, primarily, to the controlled OER ratings (r= .62). This could further lead one to hypothesize that in the event promotion boards were no longer able to differentiate between individuals due to the “inflated” nature of the current OERs, a second controlled OER period could become a reality. Another possibility might be that situational factors, such as OER indorsements, personal sponsorship, and job responsibility could become the significant promotion discriminators as the OER rating loses its ability to discriminate.
Finally, in addressing the PhD controversy, one could conclude that the PhD variable, by itself, was a statistically negative factor in the promotability of Academy graduates to the rank of colonel. However, considered with all the other postulated variables, the PhD variable proved to be a weak non-significant discriminator of the criterion groups tested, and, consequently, of little practical significance as a predictive variable to colonel. However, because this study’s findings showed that the PhD variable was divisible into specific characteristics, certain strategies emerged which indicated that the negative impact of the PhD on promotability to colonel could be overcome.
Timing, tradeoffs, and attitude in pursuing a PhD seemed to be the general characteristics which determined the ultimate “real” effect of the PhD on the promotion of graduates to colonel. The results yielded by this study which correlated highly with promotion success pointed to attaining a PhD early in one’s career and in the shortest possible time in order to devote the major portion of one’s service time to more “visible” military endeavors. In contrast, if the attainment of a PhD became a substitute for admission into pilot training, the completion of professional military education, or the attainment of awards, medals, or decorations, the effects of a PhD were of negative value to a suecessful long-term military career.
As an interesting aside, there almost appeared to be a “selffulfilling prophesy” syndrome attached to the attitude
NAMED TO POST
Brig. Gen. Richard F. Abel, director of public affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, D.C., has been elected vice chairman of the National Board of Trustees of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
General Abel first became involved with the FCA during the mid-1960’s when he served as assistant coach of the U.S. Air Force football team. His volunteer participation continued during his duty in Hawaii.
He was elected to the Board of Trustees in January of 1980, and is currently serving as a member of the board’s Program Committee. General Abel served at the Air Force Academy from 1956 to 1961 and is a long-time supporter and associate member of the Association of Graduates.
characteristic (ATTIT). Officers who believed the PhD to be career enhancing were promoted in greater numbers than those officers who believed the PhD to be career detracting. Studies in the literature review supported the contention that positively oriented individuals probably viewed the PhD as merely one more stepping stone in enhancing their careers. In other words, these individuals placed the greater emphasis on “careers” and not on the “PhD.” This type of “positive” individual was more inclined to insure that all other requirements for promotion were met, and would, generally, consider the attainment of a PhD as added insurance for promotion rather than a personal goal to be achieved for its own intrinsic value.
On a final personal note, the research findings concluded that the Air Force was not so much interested in a PhD, as it was with “effective” performance of duty. If the PhD allowed the officer to perform more effectively, so much the better. The “litmus” test, however, was not in attaining the academic degree, but rather in the officer’s performance and, more importantly, in the supervisor’s evaluation of that performance. This appeared to be a consistent and powerful imperative when applied to the “quality” evaluation of officers for promotion. Although the military promotion system is not free from inconsistencies, the high regard for outstanding performance as the basis for advancement is both sound and warranted. This research study reinforced the simple truth that “the military rewarded military behavior.” Unfortunately, this simple truth is often obscured when personal goals are confused with career goals.
25
^ ^ ^ STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.5.C. 3695) 1. TITLE OF PUBLICATION CHECKPOINTS A PUBLICATION NO 2. DATE OF FILING 2 3 Sep 83 8|<j|a|o|9|o| 3. FREQUENCY OF ISSUE Quarterly A NO OF ISSUES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY A B ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $10 4 COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION (Straat. CHy. County. Stata and ZIP Codo) (Not printon) Association of Graduates, USAFA, USAF Academy GO 8084(1 (El Paso County) 5 COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF THE HEADQUARTERS OR GENERAL BUSINESS OFFICES OF THE PUBLISHERS (Not prlnlan) Same as Item //A. 6. FULL NAMES ANO COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF PUBLISHER. EDITOR. AND MANAGING EDITOR (ThN Horn MUST NOT bo blank) PUBLISHER (Nama and Complata Mailing Addraat) Lt. Col. Richard M. Coppoek, USAF (Ret) (Address the Item #4.) EDITOR (Nama and Complata Mailing Addraat) Thomas J. Kroboth (Address the same as Item //A.) MANAGING EDITOR (Nama and Complata Mailing Addraat) Same as Publisher 7 FULL NAME COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS USAF Academy CO 8P8A0 TOTAL AMOUNT OF BONOS MORTGAGES OR OTHER SECURITIES (It thara to itata) FULL NAME COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS 9. FOR COMPLETION BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AUTHORIZED TO MAIl (V (2) f—l HAS NOT CHANGED DURING [“] NAS CHANGED DURING LlI PRECEDING 12 MONTHS 1 PRECEDING 12 MONTHS AT SPECIAL RATES (Sactlon (II changad. pubiit 111 X DMM only) 10. EXTENT AND NATURE OF CIRCULATION AVERAGE NO COPIES EACH ISSUE DURING PRECEDING 12 MONTHS ACTUAL NO COPIES OF SINGLE ISSUE PUBLISHED NEAREST TO .,.0 com,,, 9,A 71 9,18A 8 % AO? 8,801 C TOTAl FMO CMCULATION «'->«•» 8, A02 8,801 ^^‘s,cT-v;r,H%^r; c t,7K.^rco%r,,*N5 6 82 11 1 9,08A 9,112 C?o“ic?T u« STl?f"tU over unaccounted spoiled 187 72 1 ? 1 1 5 9, A 7 9,18A certify that the statements made by M^aocn'apnnM* y U,M Publisher me above are correct and complete // **'
FALCON SPORTS
ACADEMY BASKETBALL, ICE HOCKEY TEAMS GEAR UP FOR 1983-1984 COMPETITION
Optimism is the word in the camps of the Air Force Academy’s basketball and ice hockey teams for the upcoming season. The men’s basketball team finished 10-17 last year while the women’s team finished with an 18-6 record. Although the ice hockey team finished a disappointing 5-23, they will have 12 returning lettermen.
In Falcon men’s basketball, four starters from last year have graduated so the team will have plenty of new faces for head coach Hank Egan. The highlight of last year’s season was the 66-60 victory over Utah, the team that upset Illinois and UCLA in the NCAA post-season tournament.
Gone are forwards Rick Simmons (a second team All-WAC pick and Air Force’s fourth all-time leading scorer), Pete MeCaffrey and Mike J. Edwards and guard Erwin Washington. The lone returning starter is guard Todd Beer, a sophomore who averaged 5.1 points and 2.0 assists last year.
Egan, in his 13th year at Air Force, will have to draw on the experience of five returning lettermen in starter Beer, guard Dale Grupe, the only senior on the team; Tim Lewis, a 6-7 junior forward; Maurice McDonald, a sophomore forward; and junior guard Jon Jordan.
The WAC will hold its first post-season tournament in March. All nine teams will compete in the league tournament with the winner earning the automatic NCAA tournament berth.
In Air Force women’s basketball, new head coach Marti Gasser will also begin with a young team and a host of new faces. The lady Falcons lost three starters but return two key players from last year’s team along with six other letterwinners. In addition, there is a talented group of newcomers, including five freshmen.
The biggest challenge initially said Gasser, “will be to mold a cohesive unit from a squad that lost its top scorer and rebounder in All-American Mary Manning.” An All-American in track and field, Manning decided to concentrate more on the discus and shot put events in track this school year.
Leading the list of returnees is 5-11 junior starter Theresa Blad. Blad was the top rebounder last season with 192 and the secondleading scorer with 308 points. The other returning starter is junior Tammy Jones, a 5-9 guard who averaged 11.2 points a game. Also returning are letterwinning sophomores Liz Almeida, Wendy Griffin and Stacey Goss at the guards and forwards Kathy Benka and Stephanie Holt.
Top newcomers include freshmen guards Barb Fogel, Margaret Duffy and Amy Hartfield while Kelly Latimer will play forward and Eileen Seeman will be at center. The lone senior on the team is Sue Niemeyer, who played two seasons with the Falcons before sitting out last year. Also returning is forward Terry Curtright who played for the Falcons as a freshman.
The Falcon ice hockey team lost only four seniors to this year’s squad. Gone are Mark Manney, Steve Saari, Dave Leibbrand and Pat Kilbride. However, the high-scoring second line of Tim Hartje, Bruce Umland and Frank Daldine return this year intact. Daldine is a sophomore who led the team scoring with 37 points on 16 goals and 21 assists. Umland finished as the third-leading scorer with 30 points on 13 goals and 17 assists. At left wing, Hartje, a sophomore, finished fifth in scoring with 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points.
Junior center Charles Morrison, the only one remaining from the first line, came on strong in the final two games against
Alaska-Anchorage with three points and an assist. Morrison finished the season with 10 goals and four assists.
Seniors Bob Sullivan and Jim Mackey return with needed experience. Sullivan, a two-year letterwinner, finished with nine points after missing the last nine games due to a leg injury. Mackey, playing center on the third line, finished the season with five goals and six assists.
Ice hockey head coach John Matchefts looks at the team’s potential positively with the return of five lettermen on defense and two returning goalies vying for the starting position.
CSU’s mascot nabbed
Prior to the Falcon’s first away football game, two members of Cadet Squadron 2 apparently got Colorado State’s goat. Cadets Firs(class Russell S. Barker and Brian D. McAllister delivered the CSU ram to the Falcon football luncheon at the Academy’s NCO club the Wednesday before the game. The team also beat CSV 34-13. (U. S. A ir Force photo by TSgt. Mike Carter)
Up through the stands
26
The Texas Tech football team and the head of their mascotfell prey to the Falcons during the home game opener this year. Members of the Cadet Wing pass the head of “The Red Raider” up through their ranks during the game which the Falcons won 28-13. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
Falcon Stadium: The place to be in ’83
Falcon Stadium was built into the base of the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains and is considered one of the most functional sports stadiums in the country. The concrete structure, built in a natural bowl, has 46,668 permanent seats and can hold more than 50,000 spectators with additional temporary bleachers.
There were many exciting moments in the stadium during last season, including Sean Pavlich’s last-second field goal which beat Navy, 24-21. Then there was the 30-17 “upset” of Notre Dame in the final home game. A crowd of 46,712 witnessed that game the fifth largest crowd in the stadium’s history.
There is one level of seats on the east side and three tiers on the west, each serviced by two concession stands and restroom areas. All seats are within easy walking distance of the 11,400-vehicle capacity parking area that surrounds the stadium on three sides.
It took construction crews approximately one year to build the stadium. It was completed in the fall of 1962, at a cost of S3.5 million financed by donations from Air Force members and civilian sources.
Falcon Stadium opened Sept. 22, 1962, when a crowd of 41,350 saw Air Force defeat Colorado State, 34-0.
The attendance record was established Nov. 4, 1967, with 49,536 spectators on hand when Army won, 10-7.
Falcon Stadium was built solely for football, although some non-athletic events such as the annual graduation ceremony are conducted there. Also, earlier this summer the stadium was the scene for the official opening ceremony for National Sports Festival V.
All seats in the stadium are close to the action and face the 50-yard line because of its bowl-like structure. The first row of seats is seven feet above the playing surface at midfield, rising to
’83 Football at a glance
Following is a look at the Falcons’ offensive and defensive depth charts:
twice that height in the end zones. Of the 30,000 west stand seats, 20,000 are between the goal posts.
Top 10 crowds
The top 10 crowds for home football games are as follows: 1. 49,536 vs. Army, 1967; 2. 48,671 vs. Notre Dame, 1972; 3. 47,191 vs. Colorado, 1972; 4.46,801 vs. Navy, 1966; 5. 46,712 vs. Notre Dame, 1982; 6. 45,477 vs. Colorado, 1970; 7. 45,055 vs. Southern Methodist, 1971; 8. 44,802 vs. Army, 1971; 9. 44,384 vs. Notre Dame, 1964; and 10. 43,204 vs. Notre Dame, 1975. (The Falcon Flyer)
Specialists
Long snapper 53—DEREK BROWN*; 86—Dan Sherman*
Placekickers 2—SEAN PAVLICH***; 1—Carlos Mateos*
Punters 39—JEFF KUBIAK***; 5—Tom Ruby; 10—Dan Behne*
Returning 1982 starters in CAPS Denotes number of varsity letters won.
LHB 3—
FB 30—
RBH
LE
NG
RT 99—
RE 37— CHARLIE HEATH*** 59— Tim DeRuyter*
LLB 36— SHAWN SMITH*** 57— Jeff Rouser**
RLB 58— TOM STANBURY** 52— Dick Clark*
LCB 16— Greg Zolninger** 23— Rod Vernon
SAF 29— Scott Thomas*
RCB 33— CHUCK PETERSEN*** 7— Dwan Wilson*
FAL 18— A.J. SCOTT** 8— Tom Huggins**
Flexbone magician
Falcon Quarterback Marty Louthan has been twice named “Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week” this year. He earned the first honor during this Texas Tech game where he is enroute to a 38-yard touchdown. He was named top offensiveplayer again for his performance during the Navy game which the Falcons won 44-17. Following the play is running back Mike Brown, number 3, while Chaplain (Col.) William W. Campbell shouts encouragement. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
27
Offense
First unit Top reserves
82— MIKE KIRBY*** 84— Jeff Huff*; 9— Kevin Fleming*; 9— Tom Coleman** LT 76— John Weigand** 65— Kraig Evenson LG 66— Fred Buttrell* 71 Jason Rouse* OC 51 Don Oberdieck* 55— Dave Sutton RG 78— Mark Melcher* 70— Joe Jose RT 61 SCOTT WACHENHE1M*** 63— Roger Teague TE 80— VIC BORTKA** 63— Jerry Rose* QB 11 MARTY LOUTHAN*** 6— Brian Knott; 4—
Pos.
WR
Bar Weiss
BROWN* 28—
MIKE
Greg Pshsniak*
KERSHNER** 38—
JOHN
Ted Sundquist**
Simmons* 13—
42—
Defense
25— Jody
Von Cameron*;
Mike Hoolihan*
49— CARL D1EUDONNE** 48— Pat Malackowski
CHRIS FUNK** 68— Brian Bullard; 88— Bob Avila**
LT 96—
Larry Nicklas* 50— Steve Kelly*
62—
Steve Rafferty* 74- John
Ziegler
Another homecoming.
Derek Foster, former Falcon halfback, returnedfor the Brigham YoungAir Force Football game after being severely injured in an auto accident at the Academy last December. Foster, shown here with his father and brothers, served as the honorary captainfor Air Force and walked to midfield with the support of his former Falcon teammates for the coin toss. While the outcome of the game was not what Foster wanted (BYU 46 -Falcons 28), his appearance and rugged determination since the accident drew an emotional standing ovation from the fans, cadets, and both teams. (Photo by Bill Madsen)
“Big John” makes yardage
Fullback John Kershner takes the ball from quarterback Marty Louthan and bangs his way into the Texas Tech defensive line, following a super block from guard Mark Melcher. Running back Mike Brown trails the play. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
Memorial space shuttle
Mrs. Deena Pineiro takes a ride on the new miniature space shuttle which was dedicated in memory of her husband, Capt. Frank Pineiro, Jr., ’77, during the Air Force-Texas Tech football game this year. Capt. Pineiro died in an F-16 aircraft training accident in November oflast year. Money donated from her husband’s memorial fund and the Association of Graduates purchased many needed partsfor the shuttle model. Capt. Linda Palmer of the Department of Astronautics pilots the vehicle which began being built by Engineering 430 and was finished by Capt. Palmer and Phil Camera and George Westfrom the Academy’s Training Devices Division after the graduation of the Class of ’83. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
Advertising Falcon fever
The Academyfloat, replete with the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, the Hall ofFame Bowl Trophy, the Academy mascot, and the homefootball game schedule, participates in the 20th annual Pageant Parade of the Rockies. Ninety-six units entered the parade which drew more than 100,000 spectators. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
HI Graduate Wins Top Honor
A 1977 Academy graduate, Capt. Paul A. Dettmer, was selected from among eight finalists as the 1982 Junior Officer of the Year for the Electronic Security Command headquartered at Kelly AFB, Texas. His current assignment is commander, Detachment 1, 6994th Electronic Security Squadron, Howard AFB, Panama.
Captain Dettmer’s selection was announced by Maj. Gen. Doyle E. Larson, ESC commander, during banquet festivities at Lackland AFB, Texas.
Captain Dettmer was picked for the honor because of his single-handed efforts in setting up a new unit at Howard. In just
four months, he wrote and coordinated a host-tenant support agreement, established security procedures, arranged for a technical survey of a future facility and standardized operating procedures. While performing his daily commander’s duties, Captain Dettmer also served as the liaison officer to the Southern Command and Southern Air Division.
After graduating from the Academy, Captain Dettmer attended the Air Force School of Applied Cryptologic Science, Goodfellow AFB, Texas, until December 1977. He then spent the next four and one-half years in ESC assignments at Offutt AFB, Neb., Korea and Alaska. (The Falcon Flyer)
28
Commandant’s Leadership Series: SPEAKER PROGRAM MOTIVATES CADETS
The Commandant’s Leadership Series is a guest speaker’s program designed to increase interaction between cadets, senior active duty officers and distinguished civilians. These people focus their remarks on key issues pertaining to professional military leadership and support the curriculum in Professional Military Studies and Professional Military Training.
The majority of the presentations are conducted in a seminar format. Occasionally, speakers address an entire cadet class and they often conduct seminars for staff and faculty members.
Speakers are invited by the superintendent after selection by the commandant. They are chosen on the basis of their ability to bring a current perspective on today’s leadership issues. More than 30 recognized military leaders and distinguished civilians have spoken since the program’s reactivation in the fall semester of 1981.
General Richard E. Cavazos accepts a gift of a falcon statue for his participation in the Commandant’s Leadership Series from CIC Michael J. Holcomb. (U.S. Air Force photo)
One of the more recent speakers, General Richard E. Cavazos, commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, elicited this letter from a cadet to the commandant which enforces the idea that the leadership series has a positive impact on cadets:
“Last night at your Leadership Series, I regained something that has been lost in the years of Academy regimen. Listening to General Cavazos’ closing remarks, I felt something that I have not felt since I stood in Arlington Cemetery in the spring before entering this institution. I felt again the awe for so many men who died for this country and I remembered why 1 came here and why 1 cried at the sight of endless white crosses.
“Ideals are fragile things. So often we lose them through mistakes, disappointments, and disillusion, never to find them again. Thank you for last night. We (cadets) complain, we gripe, we act like we don’t care but it only takes one time, one man, to touch the core of why we’re here, and to shame us into the realization that we’re deluding ourselves, cheating ourselves and our country, by pretending we don’t care, that everything here is a haze.
“I pray that I will have the courage to face myself for what 1 am and to do what must be done.”
General Cavazos spoke on “Leadership in War and Peace.” His choice of these two vehicles to get at leadership was obviously very effective. Speaking of how to overcome in battle, he said,
“If I had my choice of four brave men who were very competent but didn’t know each other well and four equally brave men who were less competent but knew one another’s capabilities very well, I’d choose the latter.”
He went on to discuss a question often asked in war and peace: “Why doesn’t ‘the system’ get off my back and trust me?”
General Cavazos’ answer set out four conditions which he felt must be met before that can happen. “I can’t trust you,” he said, “unless I know you have technical competence.” Do you know your job and can you do it? “You must have empathy for those you work with and those you lead. You must care about your peopie and get out there and nurture their self-esteem.”
Next, the general said he would discuss honor and integrity. He cautioned his audience not to tune him out but to listen to what he had to say. “Integrity is involved in the oath you took it’s not an Army oath, or in your case, an Air Force oath. It’s an oath taken to the Constitution and taken without reservation. You must understand the degree of commitment involved.”
He continued by saying, “But integrity goes even farther than that. I’m talking about integrity with yourself.” He elaborated further by discussing the topic of role playing. “We all do it,” he said, “to one degree or another. We walk around with tarnished halos, however, and must always be honest with ourselves.” He then related an incident when he was a first lieutenant and an NCO “saw right through me and told me things about myself I though I alone knew.”
His last point dealt with the fourth element of trust ideals. His voice cracking with emotion, he provided several examples of soldiers who gave their lives in battle after facing tremendous odds. He made a point about the difference between ideas and ideals. “These soldiers died for ideals,” he said.
General Cavazos, a distinguished ROTC graduate of Texas Tech, while laying on the turf as a young football player, told himself, “Get up, Dick Cavazos... get out and make something of yourself. Be the best you can be in your profession.” General Cavazos certainly followed his ideals.
Another guest speaker in the series earlier this spring was General Thomas M. Ryan, Jr., commander of Air Training Command. He told the cadets that effective leaders create a climate where people want to do their best. You can direct people to do most anything, but if you’re looking for excellence, it takes more
(Continued on page 48.)
29
Gen. Thomas M. Ryan, Jr.
Graduate Doctors: AOG Medical Chapter to Form
Homecoming 1984 will see the formation of the first specialty chapter of the Associates of Graduates. Those graduates who have become doctors of medicine will form the Medical Chapter and have their organizational meeting just prior to the usual Homecoming meetings. The purpose for forming a Medical Chapter of the Association of Graduates is to sustain the knowledge among M.D. graduates of developments in medicine, in the Air Force and in the Cadet Wing. Other goals envisioned for the chapter are to promote social interaction among graduates who have a unique additional common area of interest and to develop avenues of professional communications among active duty and non-active duty physician graduates. All graduates who have become doctors of medicine are invited to become charter members of the new chapter. Steps are being taken to obtain continuing medical education credit in Category 1 for the scientific program to be presented. At least part of the cost of attending Homecoming will, therefore, qualify as a deductible expense.
Since the late 1960s the Air Force has sponsored two or three percent of each graduating class in medical school. However, every class since 1959 has produced at least one M.D. Graduates from earlier classes usually found it necessary to resign their commissions in order to attend medical school. Air Force policy then restricted people with aeronautical ratings from being allowed to seek medical training. Since almost all of these early graduates were rated as pilots, navigators, or both, a desire to gain an M.D. degree meant at least temporary departure from the service. Most of these graduates from the first four classes also needed an additional year of college before entering medical school, since the early USAFA curriculum did not include the biological sciences. There are approximately 300 M.D.s among graduates of the Air Force Academy. Almost every specialty from anesthesiology to
urology is represented. Many graduates have distinguished themselves in the Air Force as flight surgeons and in other specialties.
It has been proposed that the new chapter be named for Colonel Wilbert H. McElvain, the Air Force Academy’s first flight surgeon. Col. McElvain, a fighter pilot during World War II, was universally respected and loved by the members of those classes for whom he cared. Though he was a flight surgeon, Col. MeElvain (“Major Mac’’ when the Academy opened) was proud of his secondary AFSC of fighter pilot. He provided a sympathetic ear for the harassed among new cadets but at the same time he was the prototype of the strong, self-confident fighter pilot who just happened to like being a doctor. He inspired many a young cadet to stick with the program. He also inspired many graduates to follow him into medicine. The name of the chapter, scientific program, and organization are among the items which will be decided at the organizational meeting.
Those graduates interested in participating in the formation of the Medical Chapter of the Association of Graduates, may contact:
Dean L. Bristow M.D. ’60
50 S. Medical Drive, Payson, Utah 84651 (801) 465-2511
Colonel Wayne F. Kendall M.D. ’60
Qtrs. 4148, USAFA, Colo. 80840 (Aut. 259-5125)
Further news concerning the formation of the chapter will appear in future editions of Checkpoints or will be mailed directly.
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA CHAPTERS SEEK EXPANDED GRADUATE MEMBERSHIP
Alamo
Home: (512) 654-6358
AV: 487-2197/5103
Arizona Chapter
Chris
Ark-La-Tex Chapter
Hal Higley, ’68
27 Echo Ridge Circle Haughton, LA 71037
Home: (318) 949-9144
AV: 781-3227/4379
Black Hills Chapter
Walter R. Washburn III, ’76
9994A Onge St.
Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706
AV: 747-2049/2552
Capital Chapter
Johnny Whitaker, ’73
USAFA AOG/P.O. Box 2712
Springfield, VA 22152
Colorado Chapter
A1 Blumberg, ’68 19 N. Tejon, Suite 304
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Home: (303) 599-5693
Work: (303) 636-3844
Illinois Chapter
Tom Kane, ’74
Hq MAC/CSP
Scott AFB, IL 62225
Northeast Arkansas
D. K. Freeman, ’76
148 Richmond Ave.
Gosnell, AR 72318
Home: (501) 532-5780
AV: 637-7301
Northeast Regional Flash Wiley, ’65 29 Fort Avenue Roxbury, MA 02119
Home: (617) 427-5012
Work: (617) 542-1211
Northern California Kelly Alexander, ’73 130 Kiowa Court Vacaville, CA 95688
AV: 837-3727
North Texas Chapter
Bill Reemtsma, ’63 3226 Leahy Dr. Dallas, TX 75229 (214) 357-5502
Orange County Chapter
F. Scott Jackson, ’67 1935 Port Laurent PI. Newport Beach, CA 92660 (714) 752-8585
San Diego County
Don Rushing, ’70
Gray, Cary, Ames and Frye
2100 Union Bank Bldg. 525 “B” St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Home: (619) 488-4171
Work: (619) 699-2732
Southwest Ohio Chapter P.O. Box 36 Bldg 10, Area C Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433
Washington Chapter
Forrest Price, ’71
AV: 976-2906
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Area Chapter
Brown, ’59 626 Candleglow Drive San Antonio, TX
James W.
78239
Campbell, ’74 4734 W. Purdue Ave. Glendale, AZ 85302
CHAPTER NEWS
The Alamo Area Chapter celebrated a slightly delayed Founders Day on May 14. The guest of honor was Col. Karol J. “Bo” Bobko, astronaut, and his lovely wife Diane. Those who attended were treated with an outstanding slide and movie presentation by Bo. The shots we were privy to were nothing short of out of this world. The opportunity to get together and discuss the events of Bo’s trip with him on a one-to-one basis during the cocktail hour was a privilege enjoyed by all. The dinner following the cocktail hour was outstanding and we thank Gen. McDermott, Col. Ferrari and USAA for the use of their facilities and all their able assistance in making this Founders Day a memorable occasion. Many thanks to Bo and Diane for joining us and to NASA for their able assistance with the arrangements.
On September 14, the chapter hosted a luncheon at the Randolph AFB Officers Club. The guest speaker was Brig. Gen. Yoram Agmon, air attache of Israel. Gen. Agmon first visited San Antonio in 1967 when he was among the first six Israeli fighter pilots to check out in the F-4. This San Antonio connection drew to the luncheon a number of San Antonians who had met Gen. Agmon at that time and have since followed his career. In addition, there was a heavy turnout from area grads and many others who were drawn to his presentation on recent air operations in the Middle East. This excellent program included slides and videotapes. The visit of Gen. Agmon was coordinated with ATC Headquarters, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. It turned out to be an outstanding event that encompassed much of the San Antonio community.
Our next meeting will be our annual membership dinner in mid to late January. As in the past we will not have a guest speaker; however, we will hold our annual election of officers and have some fine door prizes. Date, time, and place of this event will be announced in a future local newsletter.
SOUTHWEST OHIO CHAPTER
The Southwest Ohio Chapter of the Association of Graduates hosted its fifth annual State of the Wing Dinner earlier this year. Brig. Gen. Tony Burshnick, ’60, commandant of cadets at USAFA, was the guest speaker. Some 175 folks attended and heard the general’s informative talk. Next year’s dinner is planned for April 6 or 13 at the Wright-Patterson AFB Officers Club. Brig. Gen. Ervin Rokke, ’62, dean of faculty, is scheduled to be the speaker.
By Theurer, ’61, completed his year as president of the chapter and has informed the membership that the chapter’s class representative program may have to be restructured to improve the chapter’s communication with Southwest Ohio graduates. One of the possibilities would be an area representation system in which each representative would be the communications link for the graduates in his building or adjacent group of buildings.
The chapter is also changing its income sources slightly. Chapter memberships are now available on an annual or multi-year basis, with a cost saving to the member. Similarly, the chapter is charging less for chapter members than for non-members for their functions. The price break on activities was established as an incentive to join the chapter, although all events will remain open to members and nonmembers alike. For more information contact the Southwest Ohio Chapter, USAFA AOG, P.O. Box 36, Building 10, Area C, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433.
NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER
On Sept. 10, 60 cheering NTAAFAG members, wives, and kids gathered at the Holiday Inn in Richardson, Texas, to watch the Falcons give a football clinic for Texas Tech. Complementary hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, and all the trimmings furnished by the hotel encouraged our liquid refreshment consumption. However, another great Air Force victory was the ultimate treat for everyone.
Watch your TV Sports schedules for the next AFA game—we intend to do it again.
Plans for our almost legendary fall informal adult dinner “Italian Night” at the home of Bob and Marianne Staib, ’62, are finalized for Oct. 15 to coordinate with the first Tri-Service-Academy Alumni Golf Tournament earlier that day.
Any new arrivals to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, please call Bill Reemtsma, ’63 at (214) 357-5502 to join the fun for 1984.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS CHAPTER
The new chapter centered at Blytheville AFB, Ark. is off and running and looking for new members. If you live in the surrounding area (southern Illinois or Missouri, western Kentucky, Mississippi or Tennessee) and have not been contacted, please call or write if you’re interested in joining. The chapter is planning an active program for 1984 and wants inputs from as many graduates as possible. Drop a line to D. K. Freeman, ’76, 148 Richmond Ave., Gosnell, Ark. 72319. The phone numbers are (501) 532-5780 or AV 637-7301.
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USAFA AOG
Guest of honor at the Alamo Chapter’s Founder’s Day dinner was astronaut Col. Karol Bobko, Class of ’59. From left are Brig. Gen. (Ret) Robert F. McDermott, president of USAA and the Academy’s second dean offaculty, Mrs. McDermott, Col. and Mrs. Bobko.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
First Lieutenant Anthony Lewis, Class of 1980, died on June 28, 1983 in the crash of a C-130 aircraft near Cedar Pass on the Nellis AFV, Nev. navigation range. Lewis was the navigator on the aircraft assigned to the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, which was assigned on temporary duty to Nellis.
The crew of the C-130 had just completed a simulated heavy equipment drop when the plane crashed about 110 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The aircraft was participating in a simulated combat mission and had taken off from Nellis about 90 minutes earlier. Five other crew members were also killed in the crash.
Lewis was a graduate of Edison High School in Lake Station, Ind. He graduated from the Academy with a degree in civil engineering. Services were held at the Cadet Chapel on July 7 with burial in the Academy cemetery. Gary Riker, minister at the Christian Church in Abilene that Tony attended, delivered the eulogy pointing out that Tony lived one day at a time, doing each and every day what he felt to be God’s will.
Tony’s wife, parents and other family members attended the services and noted that each person they met at the Academy and many people since have introduced themselves with the statement that “Tony was my best friend.” That statement repeated over and over to them was a very strong comment on the quality of life that Tony lived on a daily basis. Tony strongly believed in doing God’s will each day and also, in doing it cheerfully. He got his message and strength from the bible.
Tony is survived by his wife, Angela, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Lewis of Lake Station. Other survivors include his sister, Mrs. Christina Havard of Lake Station, two brothers, Gregory of Monticello, Ind., and Army Cpl. David Lewis, now stationed in Germany, and his grandmother, Helen Marinos of Lake Station.
At presstime, we had received notification that three additional graduates had died in separate incidents. Their obituaries will be published in the next issue of the magazine. Capt. Thomas W. Fishburn, Jr., Class of 1970, was killed in the crash of a T-33 aircraft off the coast of Los Angeles, Calif, while flying for the Air National Guard on Sept. 13. Lt. (USN) Thomas J. Beauclair, Class of 1977, died in a mid-air crash at sea while piloting his Navy F-14 on Aug. 30. On Sept. 15, Capt. Paul M. Kelly, Class of 1979, was killed in an avalanche while mountain climbing in Switzerland. Our condolences to the families of these graduates.
The Academy Cemetery
The only active Air Force cemetery in the United States is located at the Air Force Academy.
It was established in September 1958 and since then 400 people have been buried in it. Of that number 172 are Academy graduates. The Academy usually averages 20 burials a year.
Those eligible for burial in this cemetery include cadets, Academy graduates, and Air Force members assigned to the Academy at the time of death. Also eligible are active duty and retired generals and lieutenant generals, former superintendents, commandants, deans of faculty, chiefs of staff, athletic directors, appointed registrars, and permanent or tenured professors. Air Force military members assigned to the Academy between July 11, 1955 and Sept. 10, 1957, and husbands, wives and dependent children of those eligible may also be buried in the cemetery.
Some of those who rest in the Academy cemetery include Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, the first Air Force Chief of Staff; Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, Lt. Gen. James E. Briggs and Gen. William S. Stone, the first, second and third Academy superintendents, respectively.
The cemetery covers approximately 10 acres and is divided into three sections. One is set aside for infant children, one for older children and the other for adults. In addition, a memorial section is set aside for placing memorial markers for those individuals whose remains have not yet been recovered. Those persons who choose cremations and have their remains scattered are also honored in this section.
Each gravesite may accommodate three burials from the same family. The assignment of grave space and the maintenance of burial records are the responsibilities of the Academy’s mortuary office.
Air Force policy concerning the Mortuary Affairs program is found in Air Force Regulation 143-1 and states, “The Air Force will care for the remains of all deceased persons for which it is responsible in keeping with the highest standards and traditions of the Air Force and the Armed Forces.” (The Falcon Flyer)
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Anthony W. Lewis, ’80
Honor guard SMSgt. Ken Moore instructs AlCs Pam Edwards and Val Mendence on their duties prior to the honor guard’s participation in a funeral. (U.S. Air Force Photo by SSgt. Guido Locati)
CLASS NEWS
R. L. Penn
7968
Hiddenbridge Dr. Springfield, VA 22153
WREUNION: Those of us who were there in ’79 don’t need any exortations, but ya’ll who missed the last one best be making plans for June ’84. The planners think this one may be even bigger and better than the 20th—190 rooms have been reserved at Raintree. I want to be a part of that; there’ll not be many more of these.
MEMORIAL: The memorial committee, Jim BROWN, Steve GALIOS and Jon GALLO, need an immediate response by all ’59ers. Their proposal is a traditional sculpture of General Harmon as representative of the founders who made it all possible. The necessary information is in the letter, but they need immediate responses so that any changes can be accommodated.
It’s a bit late now, but MPC pays attention to me. I’m sure ya’ll remember my complaint in the last letter that Pete WINTERS has been flying too much; well he’s now out of the cockpit as AFSC/IG. You guys better be affording me more respect! Still herding crowds around inside aluminum overcasts, Don LIVINGSTON is the new commander of a Reserve C-141 squadron at McGuire. George CLARK has gone to Hawaii; he’s hosting a practice reunion in February. Jack HOWELL is in New York City with the Society of Mechanical Engineers. Emil CWACH or Lou KINGSLAND I would believe, but I doubt if Jack can even pronounce it, much less spell it.
Lyons WILDER has moved back inside the beltway—he’s a consultant, vicinity the Pentagon. Kent and Diane MONTAVON have returned from their extended vacation in Greece; Monty is now a heavyweight thinker in OSD. Our man at the State Department is Jim BLACKWELL, military advisor to the Secretary. We need to hear from our own Foreign Service Officer, Sam STARRETT (formerly known as the skinniest man in the Cadet Wing). Ed MONTGOMERY got to JCS to work Middle East problems just as Lebanon blew up, but I doubt he caused it. T.I. ANDERSON labors on the JCS Chairman’s Staff Group. Dave GOODRICH stands vigil at NMCC. (For those of you out of touch with modern military machinery, that’s something like being Cadet CQ at the National Military Command Center.) Well now, is the defense establishment in good hands?
Yet another “First” for the First Class! M/G Bob DWYER is, of course, the first graduate to be a state Adjutant General (’member Lieutenant TAYLOR “Groooooup!” Well, try that with, “NEVADA ANG!” Also notice that ole Bob never made colonel.) A distinct embarrassment to such gentleman as CRO MAGNON MAN and CANVAS BACK, Cadet DWYER was thu meanest rassler on thu team. There’s an old story that 2Lt Dwyer rolled a T-37 after takeoff on his first night solo, but I don’t believe it. Jets had not yet been invented when he was in flying school. Fly safe, general; keep the sharp end pointed forward and check six!
Look at all those hard-to-spell names up there. Editor has been on us scribes about correct spelling of names, which explains why Larry wrote so much about the likes of Casey K or Reb and Dick RHEE. He liked to write about troops with short names and long accomplishments. Denny C is with AF/IG in charge of exposing waste, fraud and assorted malfeasance; word is he got the job because he knows so many of the second class cadets so well. Jim WEST is still in SLC, I suppose hauling crowds for WAL. And also, is Ron FOX still hauling crowds to Europe for Pan Am? Curt COOK has retired from the AF and will be OIC housing for our reunion, but I don’t think that’s his full-time job.
Leigh HUNT is a planner at CENTCOM. (If you’re noncurrent, that’s the hotbed of U.S. foreign intervention emanating from Tampa.) Jimmie J has retired, moved into my neighborhood, and married a lovely lass, Judy. I’ve already called the sheriff and sworn out a peace bond to keep him on his side of the fence. Welcome aboard, Judy! Take care of Jimmie, he may yet amount to something. Bob and Gloria OAKS are also very close by. This D.C. area is a seething pit of ’59ers. Freddie WYNN is
doing an excellent job as Daddy Rabbit for this group. If Pete TODD would do something new, I’d write about him. I’ve still not met his wife, Wendy—perhaps an assignment from Germany to the Pentagon would alleviate that discrepancy.
I’m still not getting much poop, so Editor said I could make up some stuff. It may get worse. If anyone can make up a good story about a classmate with a short name, please find someone who can write and send it to the above address. I’ll get Ironjaw and Sandy MAY transferred here from HQ/SAC to read my mail for me, if I ever get any.
C.T. Douglass
1846 Baywood Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84117 (801) 277-1239
1 L, 1 1 1
(Editor’s note: This column was writen by J.C. O’Rourke, guest scribe.)
Tom BURKE sent a very welcome and news-filled letter about himself and many classmates in the D.C. area. Tom is director of Command and Control Studies for Decision-Science Applications, Inc. in Arlington, VA working in advanced radar systems and general military operations research. He and Mary Ellen live in Springfield, VA with six children: Kathleen, Beth, Aileen, Jennifer, Katie and John. Tom is currently serving on the board of directors for the D.C. AOG Chapter, setting up a graduate services index for the area to keep track of all local grads and their duties. He would welcome any ideas on the subject, and at a guess would not turn down a helping hand or three. Write him at 6003 Nassau Drive, Springfield, VA 22152. Presumably Tom will use a computer to try to keep track of the many changes. His personal computer crashed when he tried to get it to write a letter, and C.T. DOUGLASS was gracious enough to anoint me as guest scribe just at that time, so I had to put up with handwriting almost as hard to decipher as my own (true poetic justice). Tom’s list of ’60s in the area are: George ELSEA, Mike (A)
CLARKE, Richard HEAD, Joe HIGGINS, Steve HOLT, Jerry DE LA CRUZ (hi, roomie), A1 JOHNSON, Ted STUMM, Karl JONES, Ron PATCHETT, Russ MACDONALD, George COLLIER, Bob WEINAUG, Doug REKENTHALER and Norm HALLER. This list he knows is not complete, but it was all he had when writing his letter.
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Who is this warrior and what is he defending. Prize for the best answer.
Norm HALLER writes that he and Liz have a family of four, from teens through 21, two girls and two boys. He is the executive assistant to the chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In my travels through the airports of the world, 1 ran into Doug REKENTHALER and family in Atlanta. He reports that he is blessed with two sons and a daughter, all of whom are fine examples of their generation. (Heck, with a father that big, I would have been too!) Doug and Vicki live on a horse farm at 3400 Jennings Chapel Road in Woodbine, MD with eight horses and a new 50-foot pool to loll in. One of his six thoroughbreds starts racing in a couple weeks. Doug works for BDM Corporation in the fields of intelligence and defense studies, and has a team working with Jim WELCH (’59) at NASA trying to get the space telescope back near estimated costs and time of completion. Doug’s company sponsored a table at a banquet, and he sat with one of our “star” classmates, George LUCK, who is back in D.C. again. Doug also talks often with Denny O’KEEFE in Seattle. Denny is in the export-import business, which is about as nebulous as you can get. How ’bout a letter, Denny?
Gary VAN SINGEL has a computer that does write (take that, Tom) and it sent a summary of his past 20 years. 1 can’t read Fortran, but my trusty slide rule worked it out for me. Gary and Marilyn have an 18-yearold son and a 13-year-old daughter, live about 35 miles north of Grand Rapids, MI and he works for Rapistan Corp. Those airline folks among you will recognize that name as baggage conveyors you non-airliners may still have a bag circling on one somewhere. They have covered about 70 percent of North America in their motor home during their spare time, and stopped in on the Jim BUJALSKIs just above Folsom Prison in California.
Ed LEONARD is now an attorney in Austin, TX having attended the U. of Texas after retiring in ’80. He has heard from Bob BADGER, who is practicing law in Louisiana. Jon MCCLURE, when not flying for Eastern, is a lawyer in Atlanta. He has promised to write a letter to C.T., so more on him next issue. Ken ALNWICK moved back to the D.C. area from Maxwell. Hardy LEBEL, who retired medically in ’78, has moved to Rhode Island. The Derry ADAMSONS have three daughters and one son. He teaches at the Special Ops School at Hurlburt Field. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Ben FURUTA?
The eligible full colonel board has just met. May there be good news for all of you still wearing the blue!
Personal note: Garth COOKE, write a letter or else we’ll make up some news about you next time. Thanks to all of you who did write this time. You make this job quite pleasant by doing so. C.T. tells me that Bruce MOSIER has volunteered to write the next column even if he has to find out by reading it here.
Randy Cubero
7163 Wintery Loop
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Home: (303) 598-7155
AV: 259-3820
I was working in my garage when Jan yelled to me that Tom SUTTON was on the phone. Now, why in heaven’s name was Tom calling me? Shortly into the conversation he tells me that he and Hector NEGRONI got together and decided that I was the “man for the job.” They had selected me to write the newsletter for the class. What an honor! To think they could have chosen from so many classmates and they ended up with MY name! Just remember when it comes time to unload uh, I mean, find another honored classmate, I’ll expect an affirmative answer to the question, “How would you like to write the class newsletter?” (Watch out NEGRONI!)
I know I speak for the entire class when I say that Tom SUTTON has provided us with 10 years of excellent reading and commentary on what’s happening out there with the Class of ’61. I’ll try my best to keep up that tradition and the first complaint I hear, I’m quitting. As 1 look upon my coming tenure as editor, it seems to me that we are entering the retirement/star stage of our careers. It should be a very dynamic period, and I really could use a lot of help. My first request, therefore, is for peopie in the class to contact me directly with any news (autovon 259-3820). After a while it would be great to have a representative from the east, west, and middle coast; one for Europe, and another for Asia. The representatives could provide me with news about classmates in their areas, and we would get fantastic coverage. If it doesn’t work out,I’ll just make up stories and you can try to sort them out. Mike QUINLAN who is our deputy director of athletics has been gracious enough to take the east coast (AV 259-4008). Speaking of Mike, if you happen to be in the local
area I’m selling tickets to tour their new home. It is positively one of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen. All the credit goes to Susan no matter what Mike tells you. After their housewarming 1 demanded to know from Jan why we were living in our ghetto dwelling. Back to the issue at hand, Dick COPPOCK, our new executive director of AOG, will see to it that 1 receive all the changes of addresses, and promotion/retirement notices. Recently, Dick sadly informed me that John C. WEAVER, Jr., died on 22 Aug. 1982. John retired on 31 Oct 81. Unfortunately, the AOG did not become aware of John’s death until March of this year. Our sincerest condolences to Mary and the rest of the family.
In rapid-fire fashion, I would like to give you all an editorial update on many members of the class: Dick MILNES, CO, 443 MAW, MAC at Altus; Marcus ANDERSON, (BG) will become DCS/Plans, USAFE, Ramstein, Germany; and Hector NEGRONI, vice CO, 1100 ABW, Bolling AFB. Hector just returned from a TDY to Honduras, and the good news is that Honduras has not severed relations with the United States. Jim AHMANN, retired, is a math teacher in Roosevelt H.S. in San Antonio, TX. Claire CARLING is retired and as yet not gainfully employed. (That’s probably not true, but that’s what my copy sheet tells me.) Claire and family are living in Bountiful, UT. Snoopy THOMAS is the wing DO for the 375 AAW at Scott AFB. Ron WEEDEN is the director of civil engineering, HQ ESD at Hanscom AFB. Larry FREEMAN, retired, is vice pres for Financial Records Management Systems, Dallas, TX. Jerry GILL is the asst for command data automation, USAFE, Ramstein, GE. Vic MAXWELL is dir of telemarketing, SATELCO, San Antonio, TX. John MOORE is dir ops and maint, HQ MAC, Scott AFB. Phil LANE has his same old job as the San Angelo lawyer, only this time they changed the name of the law firm to Hall and Lane. (I wonder if it’s the same Lane?) John KOHOUT is dir for plans, HQ SAC, Offutt AFB. Wayne JONES is asst dep for space navigation systems, NAVSTAR, LAAFS, CA. Bob DINGLE is resource mgt div chief, Directorate of Material Mgt, Hill AFB. Paul DEAN is a pilot for Global International. George BUCHNER is retired in Phoenix, AZ.
Tom BROPHY retired this summer on the 29th of July after a distinguished career in SAC, PACAF, and TAC. The picture shows Tom with a well known celebrity of the class of ’61 waiting for the pass-inreview. (The guy is everywhere!!)
Sorry folks, I have other names, but they will have to keep until the next issue. On a few personal notes, Tom ELLER retired last year from the Air Force. We really appreciate his many years of selfless service as president, and just about every other job in the AOG. I’ve had a long working and personal relationship with Tom over the years, and believe me he has always made the class of 1961 “look good.” I also received word from Tommy Wilson Jr. that his dad, and my roomy, Thomas Wilford Carmen WILSON is the new director of store management for CUB foods in Stillwater, MN. (They promised to name a child after me, but I guess a store will do until that little devil comes along. No, Judy is not expecting.) I also talked to Pete LANE who is the chief, Western Hemisphere Div, Air Staff at the Pentagon. Pete tells me that after the first week he still hasn’t been able to locate the nearest bathroom. Talk about “pressure” at the Pentagon. He also registered some surprise at my being the new class editor; he wasn’t sure if I could write. (I know, I know—now he’s sure.) I’ll tell you something, his name comes right after NEGRONI’s for the next editor.
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Another guy I ran into was Steve HO. Steve was nice enough to remove some excess bills I had in my wallet after 18 holes at the Norton Golf Course. I should have known when everybody and his brother said hello to Steve on the way out to the first tee. He was always such a nice cadet.
Now, for some late-breaking news—John MAY tells me that Sheila is employed full time at the University of Colorado Health Science Center and is also working on her PhD in microbiology. Since Sheila practically lives up in Denver, John is taking applications for a temporary wife. Any interested party need only send a short bio in an unmarked brown envelope to John c/o the AOG. No details given, and no details requested.
Finally, Lillie called Jan to let us know that Earl SAUNDERS is retiring this year on the 1st of October. The SAUNDERS have been dear friends ever since Earl and I married our respective brides an hour apart some 22 years ago. It will be strange for me to think of the Air Force without Earl. As with all our retirees, I speak for the active duty members of the class in wishing you every success in your new endeavor. Well, good people, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected. As a matter of fact, 1 really had some fun and if you smiled just once then I’m satisfied. We’re a great class because of YOU. Take care till the next issue.
John W. (Jack) Jamba
Chief, Missile Systems Safety Div. (ESMC/SEM)
Patrick AFB, FL 32925
Home: (305) 784-6073
AV: 854-4340/7077
HI REDTAGS!
Congratulations to our first general, Erv ROKKE. There was an article in the latest issue of Checkpoints about Erv’s appointment as the new dean of faculty. The class is very proud of his achievement. We wish him well in his new job.
Got a letter from Larry GOOCH in late June: “Dear Jack. Just a note to confirm that after seven years at Space Division in L.A. the system is transferring me to a “northern assignment” at Vandenberg AFB where I will become WSMC commander on the 27th of July. I am looking forward to getting back to the real Air Force community life after living in the civilian community. I think Penny and the girls will like it. I’m sure I will get to interact with you more now as we transfer lessons from early shuttle operations from the Cape (Cape Canaveral) to VAFB. It’s a super time to be in the SPACE business. Be seeing you.”
Got another call from Charlie HALE who also talked to Larry. They plan on a get-together at Vandenberg during the summer and a minireunion in San Diego for the USAFA football game there in November. (More about that in a moment.) Charlie has also seen Jerry MACLENNAN who is a pilot in the 924th Air Refueling Sq there at Castle. Charlie also said that he ran into a former cadet named Bob Bumen. Bob was Charlie’s roommate before losing a battle with the Mechanics Dept and subsequently graduating from Ball State University. He is a Lt Col on the 14th Air Div staff at Beale.
I mentioned a mini-reunion in San Diego. It is covered in a letter from Stan PATRIE’s wife, Mary Ann, as follows: “Greetings from the LA Airport. Stan and I are on our way to Germany foi two weeks. Tried to call but there was some mix-up with phone numbers. If it’s not too late, could you put a blurb in the next newsletter about the San Diego StateAFA game on Nov 26th? The QUINTONs and Stan & I would like to invite anyone interested to come and we’ll try to work out a tailgate party and maybe another party during the weekend. The game is at 1:30 at San Diego Stadium—tickets are $9 each. Anyone interested contact Mike and Judy at 2615 San Clemente Terrance, San Diego, CA 92122 (phone: (619) 453-2729) or us at 10745 Red Cedar Drive, San Diego, CA 92131 (phone: (619) 271-8092). Saw Kathy and Steve METTLER while in Atlanta this summer. They look great. Steve has a beard and is working at Bell Research Labs. Kathy is in her third year of residency in internal medicine. They have three great kids. The HALEs are back in California at Castle AFB. The QUINTONs are great. Thanks for the picture at Christmas.”
Unfortunately this issue of Checkpoints will not be on the newsstands by the middle of November. So I’ll have to call Stan to let him know. I inelude the letter here as a brain-tickler for all of us to plan similar minireunions when the occasion presents itself. Also consider that this column can be used to announce such events but a several-month lead time is needed. My deadlines for future issues will be 10 Sep, 10 Dec, 10 Mar and 10 Jun. The Checkpoints issues hit the streets about two months later, so plan accordingly.
I attended a class at Lowry in July for on-scene commanders. A fellow student in the class was Lew SVITENKO, currently the vice commander of the 7th Bomb Wing at Carswell. Lew says he is constantly on the go and loving every minute of it. His wife, Shirley, is fully employed as a CV’s wife supporting the many functions that require her participation. Son, Steve (20 yrs), will be in his second year at Saddleback Jr College in El Toro. Son, Paul (19 yrs), will enter Stanford on a football scholarship, hopefully playing linebacker. Son, Sam (16 yrs) plays T-ball and soccer. Lew also told me that Steve NIELSON had left Barksdale to become the vice commander at Wurtsmith. Congratulations on the new job. Lo and Behold! Lew said that the wing commander at Wurtsmith is none other than Minter ALEXANDER. So Minter and Steve have teamed up at the 379th. I think this represents a “first” for our class in which a wing commander and his vice have been from our class.
The Military Airlift Command has the MAC Affiliation Program, in which each MAC wing provides support to bases in its region for mobility commitments. The 437th at Charleston supports Patrick. So in August, the 437th commander, Paul LANDERS, paid a visit to Patrick and gave us a briefing. It was great seeing him again after all these years.
In September, I went TDY to Sunnyvale and called Owen HAWKINS. I went over to his house for a lovely dinner and evening of reminiscing with Owen and Connie. They were heartbroken at having to miss the reunion but a chance-of-a-lifetime trip with Owen’s parents was something they couldn’t refuse. So I spent the evening recalling some of the reunion highlights for them. Then they gave me an update on the status of their family. Son, Greg (20 yrs), is enrolled at the Univ of California at Irvine. Daughter, Kimberly (17 yrs), is at Blair Academy in New Jersey. Son, Chris (16 yrs), is a junior in high school playing defensive end. Son, Colin (10 yrs), and son, Cory (8 yrs), are big soccer players and they sometimes would rather be playing soccer than taking piano lessons. Owen is the head of the soccer league referees and tries to match up the parents who are referees with the games their children are playing so they can cut down on travel time and see their own children play while they referee. He recently sold his Budget Rent-a-car franchise and is semi-retired. However, he looks restless and I think he’ll be looking for something else to do very shortly.
Now for a summary of change-of-address cards. Jim WHITTED has moved from Escondido to Woodland Hills, CA. Don HEACOX has moved to Dayton, OH from Chelmsford, ME. Looks like a new assignment at Wright-Pat. Duke GREEN has finished six years in USAFE and been assigned to Kelly AFB, in electronic security in the Directorate of Operations shop. John LUEBBERMANN has been reassigned to Washington with quarters at Bolling AFB. Morris SMITH has moved from Kissimmee to Key Biscayne, FL. Dave ROE has left the NATO organization to return to Burke, VA for what appears to be a Pentagon job. A reminder. When you send your change-of-address cards to the AOG, please include something in the remarks section, telling me what your new job is and any other comment that would help me in writing the column. That’s it for now. Keep the letters and calls coming.
Skip Lee
1024 Rota Drive
APO San Francisco 96334
Home: Country Code (671) 362-1111
AV: Pacific Code (317) 366-7251
Apologies appear to be in order. That is one heck of a way to start writing anything; however, I am in trouble on three counts. First, if you see me at the reunion festivities I will be AWOL—my boss sent my ops officer to Airlift Operations School at Scott AFB for three weeks beginning 13 September. Murphy’s Law! Not only will I miss the gathering, I will also forego my date for the weekend—a lucious 5’9”, brunette coed from Colorado University. My second and third hits stem from poor habit patterns and bad memory—how do you think they got me to come to Guam twice to fly typhoons? Anyway, I failed to include two terrific items in the last Class News Column. They follow in order of receipt. Early last winter, Rog SORENSEN assumed command of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. As far as I know that is a first for the Class of 1963—any arguments? The article sent to me by Rog says he is the 20th commander in the 26-year history of the 354th TFW. Of course, y’all know the 354th calls Myrtle Beach home and flys the A-10 “Thunder Hog.” Rog’s last assignment was vice commander of the 56th Tactical Training Wing at MacDill AFB, FL.
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Mike HARLEY’s letter also did not make it into the last issue. The letter speaks for itself—I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I think you would too. So, 1 quote—more or less: “Dear Skip, Since it’s about that every third year time again, I figure it’s time to write. I finished my stint as a “deputy dog’’ about this time last year so 1 can giggle about BORL1NG being a Base C.O.! (John BORLING has moved again. See below.)
Blew into the D.C. area last June so I’ve seen a number of Yellow Tags—mostly grinning, around the five-sided nightmare. I followed Jim JAMERSON through the Commander’s Option (in lieu of SSS) master’s program at Georgetown. Kind of a nice break but we had to go to school three days a week! What a pace. JAMERSON went off to the Pentagon to sell airplanes to unsuspecting non-English speaking jocks and he is TDY to some pleasure spot everytime I stop by his office. Barry MEUSE and Jo took Evie and me to schlup Greek food in Old Town Alexandria before he left for a new assignment—except he hasn’t left yet. Bob MURPHY is in XOOTS. I sat in on a briefing his folks were preparing on how to bomb jungles or some such thing. Saw Rob POLLOCK briefly several months ago, just after he’d arrived to work somewhere in the basement. Bud GILLIGAN is as happy as the proverbial pig in a pile—doing his thing with wargames in JCS. Bud gave me the grand tour of his hideout— I’d never find it again by myself. I run into Jack MCTASNEY now and again—I think Jack just acts as hall monitor (I see him in the halls).
“I just graduated from the School of Government with an MA in international affairs. What I’ll ever do with two master’s degrees is beyond me. I’ll start finding out though on 30 June when I go to work on the Air Staff. I’m to be deputy division chief in the International Negotiations Division, XOXXI. I guess I’ll get to know a bit about ‘START’ and ‘INF.’
“Am looking forward to our 20th reunion—hope to see you there. This will be the first reunion I’ve attended. Hope 2nd Squadron guys show up—of course they (we) are never on time for anything, so...!”
Thanks Mike. I do appreciate all the good words and look forward to your 1986 letter.
Bill POVILUS sent a short update of his activities; he will also miss the reunion due to duties and distance. Bill is DCS operations for the Alaskan Air Command. He claims this most recent move was his 13th PCS since graduation—that’s three ahead of me. While checking out in the A-10 enroute to Elmendorf, Bill ran across Ray FULLER at Holloman. Ray and Ann had been living in the desert for nine years now and, reports Bill, they love it. According to the Register, Ray has finally given up desert life for a tour as an ALO in the Far East (Korea). How’s that for staying on top of things? Bill invites all Yellow Tags to “America’s Great Frontier,” especially if they are partial to driving Eagle jets, Hogs, playing staff weenie or like to fish, hunt, etc. Sounds Super!
Short Notes: Received a copy of Bob SHUTACK’s biographical data form with two items of interest. First, Bob is a Delta Airlines captain flying the Boeing 727 and, second, Bob’s son Scott is a member of the USAFA Class of 1987. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else in ’63 has an offspring at the Academy. Other changes include John BORLING as the 86TFG commander, Dick RADER as the Altus civil engineer, Danny ECKLES to Montgomery, Garet NENNINGER as the 7th BMW DOC, Frank BLACK to McLean VA, Gary WALLACE to Indiana University as the PAS, and Barry WALRATH from Offutt to Burke, VA.
Hugh (Ken) WEBB is back home again in (Franklin) Indiana, Bob DE SANTO moved to Randolph and Ruf HARRIS is at Columbus AFB, MS. Additionally, my contacts tell me two of our guys are holed up in USAF/XOXP. They are Mike CRISTY and Bob BRENCI. My source also reported Bob works for Mike.
Two last minute inputs from the field: Lloyd PROBST sent in a correction to last quarter’s article. I reported Lloyd’s activities as an Aero Club specialist. Aero Club “bum” were his words. And, work in the aero club he does; however his primary money-producing efforts center around being a full-time pilot for a major contractor in Montgomery flying a Citation II and a Rockwell Turbo Commander. He challenges anyone to match flying time—over 140 hours in his log book for August. Flying is obviously Lloyd’s life. He boasts ownership of his own aircraft—the most recent was a ’46 Chief—as well as more ratings than one wallet can hold. For example: ATP, CFI, CFII, CFI-MEL, CFI-SE SEA, Glider, etc. Thanks for all the poop Lloyd and I apologize for the mis-information. Still, the old adage, garbage-in garbage-out, holds.
To close, I want to say that every now and then I am pleasantly surprised by a letter from one of our never-heard-from-before classmates. This time the mailman brought a letter from Charlie PARKER. Currently a student at the Air War College, Charlie’s last assignment was squadron commander of the 18 TFS at Eielson AFB flying the A-10. When they PCS’d this past summer heading for Alabama, the Parker clan—Sandie, Dan (10) and Joey (7)—travelled via the ALCAN highway from Fair
banks to Montgomery. That is an experience I want to try. Charlie reports Dean HESS is their class president and other AWC golfers include Danny ECKLES, Mark ANWAY, Bill GABEL, Ray HAMILTON, and Mike O’CONNELL.
That’s it for this issue. Thanks again for all the cards and letters. You guys do good work! Hope everyone has a grand time at the big 20th bash. I’ll be there in spirit. For sure!
ATTENTION IN THE AREA! ATTENTION IN THE AREA! CLASS OF ’64 REUNION!
TIME: Football Season 1984 (Someone knows exact date, I don’t.)
PLACE: C’ Springs, USAFA or there abouts
DIRECTIONS: TBD
DRESS: As Appropriate
ACCOMMODATIONS: TBA
SCHEDULE: Later
You’ll be happy to know that we have at least one among our number who has his act together—Tom KULLGREN, currently in the Mech Dept at USAFA, has tagged onto the ’63 Reunion Committee as an observer to get a heads up on the planning for next year. Tom can’t carry the load alone for the World’s Greatest Reunion and needs a little assistance (not much, just a bit from us all). At this point please forward all ideas, WAGS, photos, attaboys, volunteer statements, or thoughts to Tom at 909 Burns Rd., Colorado Springs 80918. More to follow next issue.
In the best interest of trying to get organized since assuming my current duty, I constructed in my den several large bags to sort the anticipated reams of mail. Although the tidal wave has yet to strike, all bags gathered something other than dust.
From the Mail Bag: Rather than letters I found several AF Forms 610 which disclosed the whereabouts of Roger DUNN as chief of safety at the 84th FITS, Castle AFB. Hugh WHATLEY recently moved to HQ ESC, Kelly AFB. (Don’t know what he’s doing there.) Dan TRIAL and Jim LEMON have relocated to Maxwell AFB where I assume they’re on sabbatical at AWC. Bruce FISTER is at Fort Bragg, NC working with the Army, and Ed HARVEY has moved overseas to APO NY 09121. (Not sure what that is.) Dick SLYE’s address is eampton, VA but don’t know what his job is—could be in TAC HQ or the fighter wing. Finally, Ray ROGERS notes that he is now at sunny Minot AFB but like most everyone else didn’t mention his position.
Phone Bag: Last month’s article prompted phone calls from A1 MATECZUN and Tom McNISH. A1 traded his AF for Navy blue after completing med school a few years ago. He is now an ophthalmologist at Bremerton, WA where he lives with his wife and two-year-old son. Tom McNISH, also an M.D., but still with the AF, has one of the all-time good deals. He is one of only two or three flight surgeons in the AF to be able to fly. He is now completing figher lead-in training at Holloman and as of 1 December will be flying A-lOs at Myrtle Beach. Yona and the children are loving it too. Congrats, Tom! A1 ROGERS has called a coupie of times from Minot where he is Wing CO of the SAC wing. (Saw where Al’s outfit scored excellent on a recent ORI. Super!) Rog HEAD is at AFSC HQ and active in the Capitol Chapter of the AOG.
Rumor Bag: Pretty sparse—Rog mentioned that Ray BLUNT is in the Washington area with the Veteran’s Administration. Are you really there Ray?
Bag Drag: Haven’t travelled much outside the halls of the building since I last put pen to paper but did manage to visit Ramstein where 1 discovered several Blue-Tags. Jeff LEVY is holding forth in the DO complex. As I recall, he has been there only a few months and has been in as many jobs. Jefh—have you found a home yet? John GRAVES is a deputy in USAFE/DC with the enviable job of trying to straighten out NATO Communications. Saw Tom and Bev RAUK. Tom recently completed a tour as commander of the MAC Sq there and is now the ADO. Bev holds forth in a neat gift shop in the Ramstein club. Seems that classmates are everywhere and its great to renew acquaintances. Ed MECHENBIER showed up at the Air Force Association convention where he was running the Fairchild booth. He’s still in Dayton, flying with the Guard in his spare time and loving it.
Penta Bag: Late summer always brings new faces to the building and this years crop features Bill DOUGLAS, Rob TARNOW, Paul BEL-
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MONT, Mike ROBBINS and Bob HOVDE. I’m sure there are others who I just haven’t found yet. Between now and the next deadline will be the Navy game and the ’64 happy hour the night prior. So I’ll save most of the local gossip ’til then just in case the mailman who is carrying all the cards and letters fails to find my place.
Finally, the Rag Bag: (Hello Dave SAMULES, wherever you are.) How can we forget the most infamous rag—the DoDo. I thought you might get a kick out of a nostalgic peek at a previous ’64 Halloween. (If nobody sends pictures, I’ll have to improvise.)
Don’t forget to write. Tom KULLGREN and I could both use some ideas. CHEERS!
Scott Duncan 5620 Herberts Crossing
Burke, VA 22015
Home: (703) 978-6545
AV: 225-4602
NOTES FROM THE EAST: As we near the end of two months of record heat and humidity, one fondly recalls those days spent in cooler climes, such as the Rampart Range. Apparently one of our classmates has returned to the region of his youth! Dick SCHLOSBERG was recently named the publisher and chief executive officer of the Denver Post.
Dick left active duty in 1969. Following MBA studies at Harvard, he was a manager with DuPont Corp., Wilmington, DE. In more recent years, he and Kathy and their two children, Richard and Debbie, have called Corpus Christi, TX, home. His most recent position in the Texas community was senior vice president of the Harte-Hanks Corp., operators of radio, television and cable televion systems. Congratulations and best wishes to the SCHLOSBERG family!
FACES IN THE CROWD: I’m sure most of you have seen our classmates, astronauts John BLAHA and Roy BRIDGES, during the many events which surround the launching of a space shuttle mission. Looks as though they’re both working hard and enjoying themselves at the Johnson Space Center near Houston. Leroy SCHROEDER, B-l
pilot, was among those honored by the Air Force Association at that group’s annual convention in Washington, DC. The B-l test team was cited for their work in the deployment to the Farnborough Air Show in England. Had the pleasure of swapping tall tales with Tom PILSCH as we both caught the same bus home recently. Tom is working hard representing the airlift community in AF/RD. He says it was hard to leave Ft. McNair and the academic life, however. If anyone has compared work schedules on the other side of the 14th Street Bridge with those in the “building,” I’m sure you’ll understand Tom’s sadness at having to move!
BROUGHT BY THE POSTMAN: Tony MRAS reports a move from Little Rock to the Pacific. Jim KLEIN, late of Edwards AFB, now calls Eglin AFB home. Howard ROSE has moved from Omaha and Offutt AFB, to Kirtland AFB, NM. Another lucky fellow getting to view mountains again! Rated types beware! Lee ALTON is now in a position of strength at Hq USAFE in the personnel world. It looks as though he’s going to have some say in where many of you hang your flight suits in the future!
Bob DAVIES has moved all the way from Andrews AFB, across the well-worn Wilson Bridge (those who haven’t experienced this, just call) to Alexandria, VA. This may mean added longevity for Bob’s cars, if they can avoid the potholes over the Potomac. Former squadron associate John GROSS and family have returned to the Los Angeles area, now living in Fountain Valley, CA. John may recover from sticker-shock over the housing costs in time for retirement!
George DUNKELBERG shows a summer move from Rapid City, SD, home of the Black Hills and other scenic sites, to Springfield, VA, recently named as the location of the worst intersection in all the greater Washington metroplex! Should be a case of culture shock in the making. Larry STONE is a student these days, “working” with Tack HAMBY and others assigned in academe at the Army War College. From reports, this is where the “gentlemen’s” courses still exist!
Dave COOPER, who once resided in scenic Montgomery, AL, has moved to the Tidewater area of Virginia, listing a Yorktown, VA address. This, as many who’ve lived and worked in the area know, is where the swamp meets the sea, a land of scenic wonders, historical value, fantastic seafood, and insects beyond belief! Ed DUFF, once a student at ICAF, is now assigned at Electronic Systems Division (AFSC), Hanscom AFB, MA. The DUFF family makes their home near Harvard.
Vic GRAZIER has moved from the Pacific to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Brian WAGES has left England and the RAF exchange program for duties in the wild West at Holloman AFB and the 479th TTW in New Mexico. Bruce LEONARD is still in Europe, although he appears to have moved from England to Germany.
That’s all the mail for this edition. Hope to hear from you in the near future.
Dan Cecil
Box 4598 APO New York 09179 Eriswell 2733 mm ft
I’m surrounded by paper so must be ready to write. This week I greet you from the alert pad. Last time I wrote from Upper Heyford and this time I could just as well be in outer Mongolia. It really isn’t that bad. My family visited me today which is a privilege afforded most free-world prisoners. Actually I like alert and recently Diana and I visited Berlin so have vividly seen why we do this sort of thing. I wonder how many classmates are serving with me this week? That would be an interesting number.
J.D. THOMPSON just returned to Lakenheath from two weeks of goofing off; he claimed he needed the break. His brother, Thomas, was visiting and they did a bunch of stuff J.D. had never done before. He really likes British coffee and scones with jam and a dollop of cream; quick way to gain five pounds! He ate his first Ploughman’s lunch, trooped through several cathedrals and was introduced to numerous antique shops by Cheryl. I’ll tell you, these wives of ours seem to be experts at finding antique shops. They visited Peterborough, Norwich, London and several other interesting spots. All over it sounded like a smashing trip (no dents, that is just an English expression ’ya know).
I talked with a fellow from the Pentagon and he reconfirmed Sid WISE is exec to the vice chief of staff. He also said John CASPER and wife Chris have recently produced a young CASPER. I wrote John, but haven’t gotten a reply yet. Maybe the Pentagon fellow gave me the wrong address. I certainly hope I didn’t get the information messed up like last time I reported on John.
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<^V
Speaking of letters we’re waiting to receive, I have attempted contact with Ronny R1DDHAGNI in Thailand. Maybe some of these replies will come in before next quarter. We did get a letter back from Dorsey PRICE. I couldn’t believe he was really a pianist at Judy’s Ranch in Nevada so I asked him to send a picture of himself at work. He couldn’t supply a picture but did write the following information: After he got out of the Air Force he took a year and visited 30-plus states on his motorcycle “...and really felt like Bronson for awhile there. 1 even turned Bohemian and grew a beard but after looking in a mirror in Luckenback, TX one night I decided that I was destined to be Mr. 35-10 (at least as far as hair goes) for the rest of my life. The present occupation is really a gas. It doesn’t pay much but the fringe benefits are super. I also run the towel and sheet concession for the whole house so I really do make enough to get by...” He’s married to a lady he claims doesn’t know the AF is a separate branch from the army, flies his own airplane back and forth between California and Nevada, and generally sounded very good in his letter. Appreciated the note, Dorsey.
Let’s look at the change-of-address cards. Homer L1CHTENWALTER moved from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia to another interesting spot (I couldn’t even figure it out from the APO number). He has a nice outline of an F-15 on his informal memos. Jim WOODY moved within Colorado Springs. He was appointed professor and head of the Management Department at USAFA but I heard from some source that he was serving as assistant commandant this past year. Maybe someone can set me straight. Anyway it looks like he intends to stay awhile. Mike RHYNARD moved to Monument, CO so I assume he has given up Star Wars flying (F-16 test) to be an academician or maybe he’s in Space Command. Rocky RESTON has been teaching econ at USAFA since ’78; ’bout time for a new assignment there Rocky. Butch ZENT, Charlie ROSE and Lyn DUDLEY moved to Springfield, VA. I’ve noticed that’s a very popular spot over the years. Lyn says he graduated from AWC and has taken over as assistant director for Manpower Requirements in the office of the Secretary of Defense.
Dick BOROWSKI has moved to Beavercreek, OH. He could have joined classmates involved in the ASD process of buying new equipment like Jeb BAUER and Bob JAHNKE, or some who work in the laboratories; Jack KUNZ for instance. I’ll guess Dick is in the test wing along with Phil BRUCE and Joe FAIX. How good is my guess Dick? Ric LINDBERG changed houses but stayed in sunny California. Hugh GOMMEL has made it to Hahn. Gregg SWANSON has left HqUSAF for a flying job at Torrejon where he joins Jamie GOUGH. 1 hope all this info is correct; sometimes I’m making statements based on pretty old information. Gary PALMER left the cushy position of AFIT student and is a system technician for the Dept, of Energy in Germantown, MD. Hoke JONES currently hangs his hat at McConnell, KS. Finally I see Gary VAN VALIN is back in the States and back in school. He’s attending ICAF at Ft. McNair, Wash. DC.
Lew MOORE works for the Interior Dept, in Wash. Jim MURPHY is a transportation staff officer at the Pentagon and Wayne MYERS flies the KC-135 at Loring. Clay OLSCHNER is the F-106 squadron commander at Tyndall. Charlie SARFF is in Plans (capability assessment). Don SHULTIS is in the Fighter Branch of Studies and Analysis and John VAN DUYN is in the Analysis Divison at Personnel Plans, all in the Pentagon. Paul SPENCER and Gary POTTER are intelligence ofhicers, Paul STEIN is in Legislative Liaison, Dick THOMPSON is exec for DCS Personnel and Don WALKER works on space systems all at HqUSAF.
Mike SIMMONS is in operations on the Joint Staff and Bruce SHARER is in charge of Air Force contingency plans for the Washington Liaison Office of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force. A1 STRZEMIECZMY is the avionics maintenance squadron commander at Grand Forks. Paul VIOTTI was the deputy political advisor to CINCUSEUCOM at Stuttgart, but he should be back at the Academy teaching poly sci by now. Chuck VOGEL is a systems analyst at WrightPat and Bob WALKER is assigned to International Security Policy in the office of the Secretary of Defense.
I’m sorry there is no picture to include this time, but I’m afraid 1 got a little behind. As John Denver says, “The days they pass so quickly now, the nights are seldom long.” Except of course on alert. Good hunting.
MOVING NOTIFY THE AOG.
Not everyone gets personally applauded by the president of the United States, but Ray NAJERA recently did. F. Scott JACKSON sent a Los Angeles Times picture of Ray being applauded by President Reagan at an Hispanic economic luncheon. Ray is head of the Hispanic Business and Professional Association in L.A. They also made the network news the night before. Sorry, the picture wouldn’t duplicate adequately.
Pete MILNE is newly arrived at ICAF for a year. That’s at Ft. McNair in D.C., right next to the NWC. He and Linda have bought a home in Springfield, since a follow-on PCA in this area is probable. Linda teaches elementary school, and their son Steve (12) plays soccer. As you can imagine, Pete has some interesting stories about his prior job as C.O. of a services sq.—duties including everything from commissary to mortuary officer!
In August, Glenn and Janice HOWERTON began the air attache course at the Defense Intelligence College, D.C. (That’s just across the Anacostia River from Ft. McNair.) They attend most of the classes together. After completion in December, Glenn will be the primary air attache in Seoul. All of this has developed since May, when the position reopened and a fighter pilot with a degree in Far East specialization was needed. Despite being overseas for the past seven years in a row, they are delighted with this assignment. While in Japan, Janice taught U.S.C. educational skills courses, and in England taught fifth and sixth grades. Their daughter Courtney (11) is into scouting, swimming, dancing, and guitar; and Glenn III (7) loves swimming and Atari.
Glenn reported that Lloyd DUNCAN is at HQ USAFE and Mike FRANCISCO is D.O. at Seosterberg, Netherlands (F-15s). Also, Smokey GREEN has gone from D.O. to S/E to Sq. C.O. at Woodbridge, U.K. (A-lOs).
AOG UPDATES: Tom EVANS moved from PACAF to USAFE in Feb. Larry RATLIFF moved from Abilene, TX (home from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) to Belleville, IL in June. Gene LUPIA left the D.C. area for PACAF in July. John P. SMITH in Nov 82 became the new pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Lauderhill, FL (near Ft. Lauderdale).
Our article is a little short this time because all article deadlines just moved up a month. (Surely it couldn’t be short because only one person responded to my zinger at the end of last article?) My next deadline is 10 Dec, so I’ll say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, now!
Mark Torreano ^ ■_! « a
Box 245
APO San Francisco 96328
Office: AV 225-4283
Home: AV 225-5371
Hi guys and gals! Hope this is the first place you turned to in this issue. If not, write me a letter and help make it the most interesting part of the rag, OK? A lot of this will read like a travelogue since the Torreano tribe spent long hours this summer going to Colorado, vacationing there and working our way back home. I signed out on leave 21 July and we four left Yokota the 25th on a MAC charter flight to St. Louis. We were at Mimi’s folks place in Widefield (south of the Springs) by “that evening” (minus one day for crossing the dateline). These days, Mother MAC charges $10 a head so the trip cost $40 plus airfare from St. Louis.
We remained in Colorado for two very nice weeks. My brother, Mike (Class of ’70), lives in the Springs, and my folks and sister came in from Florida and Ohio to join in a family reunion. We also got the six cousins together for the first time and they really enjoyed it. I went backpacking in the Tarrayal Mountains (west of Woodland Park) with Mike, attended A1 BLUMBERG’s wedding, revisited old haunts with Mimi (Giusseppi’s, Nemeth’s Restaurant, the Bluffs, Garden of the Gods) and celebrated my 37th birthday. Even went to “The Zoo” and visited the Poly Sci Dept, spoke with the new dean, BG ROKKE (’62) who I worked for as a young poly sci instructor, went to the gymnastics room, and toured my kids and nieces and nephews over the 18,000 acres.
I was drawn to the cemetery as I drove by, and stopped to say hello to classmates, fellow cadets and grads who are there in that beautifully quiet
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place. The news of Bob Shumway’s sudden death had shaken me, and 1 couldn’t really accept it as fact until I saw his grave. I walked slowly through the place, recognizing so many names, remembering so many faces, good times, shared hardships. I saw CAUDILL, HAAS, GEORGE, MOXON, GREEN, BOWLES, HALLENBECK, and probably missed some. It was an experience that put a lot of things into perspective.
Upon leaving the Springs on 8 August we went to Denver where Bill and Katie WOOD put us up for the night and got us safely on Amtrak’s Chicago Zephyr headed to California. The ride over the Continental Divide and through western Colorado along the Colorado River to Grand Junction was really breathtaking. We had a family-sized compartment with beds, spent time in the observation car, ate reasonably priced and good tasting meals in the dining car, and found the 30-hour trip to Fairfield, CA (Travis AFB) to be very enjoyable.
At Travis, we stayed with Garry and Tina DUDLEY (see last column) until we caught a C-5 hemded west. We bounced through Hawaii, and then Guam, where we spent 22 hours in the terminal during crew rest (no fun), then got off at Kadena. Three days later, after Typhoon Agnes cleared Yokota, we caught a C-141 home. Total time: 27 days leave, 14 spent waiting for a hop or traveling. A real experience for all of us but glad to have it over and settled in. Kids are back to school, typhoon season is upon us and the nights are cooler. The big event right now is the KAL 007 shootdown. We are in the middle of the search-and-rescue action here and it is interesting. The whole incident is a good example of how much we all, as individuals and nations, are at the mercy of fate, misunderstandings, confusion, and fear. Let’s hope for better.
LETTERS: Don SUTTON, Bobby FLOYD, and Gary HOFFMAN all wrote, but saved postage by making it one letter. They are all at Altus right now. Bobby commands the 57 MAS, which trains all MAC C-141 pilots; Gary is (was) in the Aircraft Commander Course, TDY from his C-141 Sqdn at Travis; and Don is requalifying in the C-141 before going to Wright-Pat to fly for Systems Cmd. Don has just left ACSC at Maxwell, where some classmates (he may have missed some as his memory is ...) of his included: Gene ROSE, Greg SHUEY, Dave MULKEY, Dale FRANZ, Virgil MONTI, and Henry JOHNSON. Dale and Virgil have signed on as instructors. The letter was written during a dinner at the Floyds, so we really have Ann to thank for the opportunity to get this news.
ADDRESSES: Brooke BAILEY to Travis AFB, CA; Dan HITES, Papillion, NE; Bill HOLADAY to Alexandria, VA; Henry HUNGERBEELER now is in Summerville, SC; Dean KOCIAN to Centerville, OH (same for Don SUTTON); Mike LANG migrates back to Colo Spgs; Buck MCCANTS to Lancaster, SC; Bob MIRABELLO to Ramstein AB, W Ger; Dave MULKEY to San Bernardino, CA; Dick NELSON to Schleswig, Iowa; and Bob REYLING to Riva, MD.
JOKE TIME: A USAFA, USNA, and USMA cadet were traveling on summer leave in a small backward country and were mistakenly arrested for a murder and sentenced to die by guillotine. USAFA was first and he was given the option of a blindfold, which he declined. He then selected the “face up” option of head placement and was put in place. When the executioner pulled the rope, however, the blade declined to fall, and the lucky “caydet” was given a reprieve and set free. USNA followed, selecting the same options (respecting USAFA leadership as Middies do) and, lo and behold, the same result—freedom! The USMA grad had by now become quite shaken, but trying to put on a good show, also selected the no-blindfold/head-up option. Then, just as the executioner was about to pull the rope, USMA yells, “Wait, I think I see the problem!”
No photos this time so reread my travelogue section, close your eyes and imagine whatever you want. PCS notices should be coming soon; if any are coming this way, drop a line. Mimi and I would love to see you. Chow (which means “goodby, I’m hungry).
Michael R. Thiessen
Brown & Thiessen, P.C. ^r.4 cj**
Suite 2121 City Center Square
Kansas City, MO 64105 uwlif.i
Home: (913) 642-7692
Office: (816) 474-4114
Ed WEISE provided us with the accompanying photograph. Recognize any of these guys? Try this left to right identification: Bob PAINE, Ed, Jeff SMILEY, Norm KNOX, George DeFILIPPI, Jim CUMMINGS, Woody CLARK, Ted LYNCH, Tom MIKOLAJCIK, Ber REITER, Jack BOGUSCH, Bill KENNEDY, Jim STOREY, Rich HAGELIN and Mike MARTIN. This group gathered at the Key Bridge Marriott in May with 1969 representatives from Annapolis and West Point. The meeting was so
successful that, according to Ed, they will “try it again with ladies next time.” Sounds good to me!
Ed reports that he has been working with the Capital Chapter of the AOG to encourage more participation from ’69 at the chapter functions. Apparently Ed and Pam were the only ’69ers present last April at the Wing Ding to hear the commandant speak. Ed believes we can end the monopoly ’66 and ’67 have had in winning the champagne for best attendance if our ’69 brethren in D.C. and environs come to life. Let’s see an outburst of support from the D.C. area ’69ers for Ed’s challenge of ’66 and ’67! And, while you are all contemplating your involvement in the Capital Chapter activities, drop me a note and bring me up to date on yourselves and our classmates.
Marilyn ROSS reports that Bill was top man in 1982 in retail brokerage sales for his statewide California real estate company. Marilyn and Bill recently moved about 15 miles north of their previous home to 20780 Dogwood Circle, Yorba Linda, CA 92686. They are working on their high school class 20-year reunion which prompted Marilyn to ask me what plans ’69 has for a 15th or 20th-year reunion. I will check with our class leaders to determine whether or not an organized 15-year reunion will occur. Only two more issues of Checkpoints will be published after this one before the fall of ’84 which would be the time for a 15th celebration. If anyone wants to work or is already working on a 15th reunion, please contact me soon.
After writing this column, but before submitting it, the summer Checkpoints arrived, followed a few days later by letters from Dave YOST and Wally BERG. Thank you both for responding to my plea for hard copy! Dave noted that since the mating call of the spider was the only communication going on in my mailbox, he wanted to send me a note. Dave sends his greetings to all ’69ers. Dave also has extended an open invitation to all of us to stop by and see him in Bexley, a suburb or Columbus, OH, which is close to the Columbus airport for those passing through. Dave and Jean (CWC ’69) have two daughters, Jeanie (9), and Annie, (7). Dave is with Kauffman-Lattimer, the largest company in the Alco Standard group which is a Big Board conglomerate. Dave is involved primarily with supplying pharmaceuticals, health and beauty aids to hospitals, independent drug stores, chain drug stores and mass merchandises.
Wally and Art WEYERMULLER are attending A-1Z training at DavisMonthan. In October Art will be at Myrtle Beach and Wally will have arrived at Suwon AB, Korea, for a remote assignment.
Now for the change-of-address cards. Chuck GORMAN and Bill GREEN have both recently arrived in Montgomery, AL. Bill ALEXANDER is in Hawaii. Steve CARTER is an analytical studies officer at HQ USAF/SAGR. Paul DEMMERT is in Papillion, NE. Glenn SCHLABS has moved into San Antonio from Randolph. Cary MARCH is at Warner Robins. Ron LOVE is in Fairfax, VA. Bill BUCKINGHAM is in Springfield, VA. John DeZONIA is at Ft. Leavenworth. Pat SISSON has recently arrived in Ennon, OH from Montgomery, AL. Tom KECK is at 1201 Mango Drive, APO SF 96334. Richard KELLS is in Brandon, FL.
WRITE OR CALL YOUR CLASS NEWS WRITER NOW! THEY NEED YOUR INPUT.
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Michael L. Rose
1011 Venus Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Home: (303) 634-3050
Office: (303) 576-6314
Anyone who visited Colorado Springs during September may have experienced those rapidly changing weather conditions that Colorado is famous for. Our neighborhood swimming pool closed on Labor Day and I drove to work on September 19th in snow flurries. That just goes to show you that some things don’t change even after 13 years have passed.
Speaking of which, we all received a very pleasant letter recently from John PENNEY, a 13-year holdout and a civilian since 1979, who is currently the flight operations supervisor for Lear Fan Corp. in Reno, NV. Lear Fan is building the world’s first all composite, advanced propulsion, executive/corporate, turbo-prop airplane as featured on 60 Minutes. Sounds like a tough life, J.C., but we’re sure you will persevere.
We were very fortunate to receive some information via change-ofaddress cards from some classmates we haven’t heard from in quite a long time. Ritchie GILLESPIE, formerly a physician at Clark Air Base, PI, is now the chief of neuro-surgery at Wilford Hall in San Antonio, TX. Jack SCHNEIDER is a B-52 aircraft commander at K.I. Sawyer AFB, ML Mike POMPHREY is the OIC of the Combat Operations Specialist Course at Sembach AB, FRG and has been in that position since October 1981. Congratulations, Mike, on your decision to join the AFAOG again. Congratulations are also in order for Roy ALMEIDA who received an M.S. in microbiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Other relocations include Carl BANG to Tempe, AZ; David BOYLES to Montgomery, AL; Charles BROWN to McHenry, IL; Joe CORSETTI to Litchfield Park, AZ; Frank HEMING to Dayton, OH; Mike KELLER to Skidmore, TX; Kurt SCHLAEFER to a new address in Littleton, CO; Gary SCHMIDT to APO NY 09109; Terry SILVESTER to Gunter AFS, AL; Charles SMITH To Hickam AFB, HI; Blake SMITH to Fairbanks, AK; Richard TUSETH to APO NY 09012; and Carl UPSON to Herndon, VA.
My only request before signing off is for two letters next time instead of only one; this job is becoming much too easy. GO FALCONS!
Ralph Getchell
Quarters 4506 C, USAF Academy
Colorado Springs, CO 80840
Home: (303) 472-6958
AV: 259-4548
Editor’s Note: Several of the dozen or so regular readers ofthis column have noted with some concern the seemingly unfair abuse regularly heaped on a certain ’7ler by the usual contributor, Ralph Getchell. While we have reasons to believe that author’s intelligence sources are generally accurate, we have agreed, in the interests offairness to all, to allow Steve DEHA VEN to write this issue’s column. Anyone wishing to contact Steve about HIS comments should contact him at 472-5152 (A V: 259-5152) or (303) 475-2743.
First of all, I want to go on record by saying that I don’t like Getch! I never did, even when we were cadets, and I probably never will. In fact, the only reason I talk to him at all is to find out where he’s going, so I’ll know where NOT to go. His wife, Mary, complains that he’s so inconsiderate that he won’t even mention her or their three kids in his column. The only reason he flies single-seat jets is because the Air Force can’t find anybody to fly with him!
Second, I don’t like the way he writes his column; all those cute little phrases at the beginning of each paragraph. Don’t you know he’s just doing it to take up space? For example, instead of starting with “ON THE LOCAL SCENE,” he could just say that Homecoming ’83 was OK. A few of the local ’71ers, including Getch, Bob LOWE, Larry SMITH, Steve SMITHERMAN, and Tom BERRY went down to the cocktail party on Friday. Not too many of the folks from outside USAFA showed up, although it was nice to see Dan MATTIZA. Dan is currently working at SAC Headquarters. Larry CASADA, who has been a regular at Homecoming for the last few years, used his bennies as an airline pilot to fly in for the occasion. 1 also had a report that Mike ROBINSON was in town, although I never could establish visual.
For those of you who can’t wait for the Register to come out, other ’71ers stationed here include John BLIND (Mech), John BROCK (Econ), Bill RICHARDSON (ComSci), Mike DZIEDZIC and Sky FOERSTER (PoliSci), Maj/Dr Vern FRANCIS (Mgt), Tom MAHR (Public Affairs), Dave RENNEKAMP (Nav), Bob TRACEY (Scouting Liaison), Mike SPATOLA (Math), Felix SANCHEZ (Aero), Tom PERROT (Aero), and Mike HITE (Airmanship).
Another thing I don’t like about Getch’s column is the way he lumps people into categoriies instead of devoting one paragaph to each person. I mean, if you only move once every four years, that ought to be BIG news, right? I mean, if I wrote this column, I wouldn’t just say that John TORBLAA, A1 MCLELLAN, and Jim SANDSTROM are at ACSC, I’d write about why anybody in their right mind would want to go back to lower Alabama. I’d also mention that Mark LEWONOWSKI is at Armed Forces Staff College and Ned SHELGREN is getting greened at the Army’s Command and General Staff College. Skip PEPE is in real estate in Houston and has some interesting ideas about a grad’s version of the Dodo. Stand by for news on that one.
If there’s one thing my skinny friend is right about, it’s the dearth of info on the change-of-address cards. I know the Post Office finds it interesting that Dick REYNOLDS moved from Montgomery, AL to Quartz Hill, CA, but what’s he doing there? Jim KATORA did a little better; he’s at Kirtland with the AF Test and Eval Center.
The prize for best change card this issue goes to Lou SIMKINS. Lou recently moved his wife (Ginny) and three kids (Brian, Beth, and Jeffrey) from Minneapolis to Houston. Lou runs the Management Information Services Department for Apache Oil and claims that life in Texas is the “overseas assignment I wanted in the USAF but never had!” Sorry Lou, you’ll have to go to Turkey to collect the prize.
Well, that’s it sports fans. Getch keeps telling me about how hard it is to write this column, but I knew it wouldn’t be that tough. Therefore, I’d like to offer my services to the class. If you’d like to see your name in print, but can’t handle calling Getch on the phone, send me a card and I’ll take care of it. Remember, if you want it done right, you do it yourself.
I have this theory, see, about holidays. Let’s say Bill KASSON drops into town on 4th of July weekend, which was after the deadline for the last ’Points. When do I get a chance to share this with you all? Right! Christmas. And the Easter news comes out around Labor Day. And the New Year’s news should make good reading for Memorial Day. So next year, why don’t you all send me Christmas cards for publication herein—like on Bastille Day.
Great system—these are the people who came up with the idea of uniform lights.
Anyway, KASSON was at Lowry for a class (he was the distinguished grad, of course) but spent most of the time playing golf. We fried a few fish at Chuck and Shelly WINTER’S before Willy went on his way to LAX for his space job; but not before he and others found their names on the 0-4 list, for which congrats are in order.
Imagine my surprise when I find in the Rocky Mountain News a threeline story about one Neil D. COYLE being named the Jabara co-winner. A quick call to my AOG gave all the details on how Jacksonville’s favorite son put out all the garbage on his Buff. The ultimate cover-youraft of all time, and thereby saved his crew (not the least of whom was the Major himself)- It’s about time one of you guys did something newsworthy.
How about nine and a-half years (that’s 228 paychecks, folks) in Rapid City? Well John WICKHAM finally got orders out of Ellsworth, and he’s on his way with Nancy, Natalie and Nicole to Hahn AB, Germany. He sent a nice note which was appreciated more than those change-of-address cards.
Piedmont must be the “take-a-chance” airlines—putting two ringknockers in the same cockpit, especially when one is Drew RIOLO. (Drew is the one behind the “I gotta fly-a my-a aeroplane” mustache. The other distinguished looking fellow is Ernie WHALEY, ’60.)
From the mountaintop, Steve and Jackie O’NEILL have settled in to their mountain home and have given birth (well, Jackie has, anyway) to a daughter, Megan. They invite the world up for a beer (four-wheel-drive suggested).
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Also making liars out of us all are Jay and Tammy CAMALICK, expecting a tax deduction early in 1984.
Among those dropping in at the O’NEILL’s housewarming were Mark and Cathy OINESS, and former classmates Norm SMITH and Jimmy McCLOSKY, who has developed into an accountant since he exercised his O-U-T option. I also spotted non-grad classmate Bill DEELY at Denver’s 26-Club this week. (Gee—what guys-about-town we are). And Ron GOLLEHON was up in the office for some excellent legal advice from one of our 150-some attorneys.
We got a correction. Pete PETERSON did not end up in the Marine Reserves. Day before it was fish or cut bait, he got an AF Reserve slot out at Dover. Hope that keeps him out of Beirut.
My wife ran into Robin HILL, who says Doug is enjoying his job flying with an executive airlines—they fly only super first class out of LAX. Chuck and Shelly WINTER have departed Denver for Chicago and a new exec-type job with Autotrol Computers.
I got a note from Dave KERBER, a JAG in D.C., before a quick trip he made to Denver. Unfortunately, the note got lost when I moved offices. (OK, I’m sorry.) Anyway, Dave and I had lunch this week, and he didn’t mention anyone who was in the letter. So really, how important could it have been?
From the mailbag comes the final bits of tid, in the form of change of addresses. Dave MASTIN is now in Montgomery, AL. Randy SCHMIDT is in (catch this) Khamis Mushyat, Saudi Arabia. Tom MILLER has gone west to Hill AFB, UT. Bob DIERKER is in Springfield, VA. (Read Fort Fumble?) Steve JACKSON is in Payallup (seriously), WA, and Paul LOHMEYER is now gracing Kirkwood, MO.
Mike BORYSEWICZ is now with the 37th TAC Airlift Sq. at RheinMain, Germany. Vern TAYLOR is living in a PSC Box at APO SF 96328. Terry TYRELL is now a mouthpiece for the USAF at Lakenheath, UK, having been an (expletive deleted) for the USAF as an AOC.
Pat MOON has apparently moved out of the Foreign Service Lounge at Foggy Bottom and has a real apartment in D.C. Fran DOYLE moved out of his P.O. Box into a home in Big Harbor, WA. Ken ARCHEY is at APO NY 09012. (Really, you guys, what do APO numbers mean to the rest of us if we haven’t memorized the Zip Code book?) Well, maybe Rich CARSON is a neighbor, at APO NY 09289.
A couple of final notes of irreverence. I noted in the Denver papers that the Supe held his first press conference with the Colorado news media.
The subject, you ask? Man’s flight through life? No. The need to reevaluate “Retraining Week.”
I also noted that my former academic advisor has been named dean at the Blue Zoo. (“But gosh, Captain Rokke, if the Minimum weren’t good enough, it wouldn’t be the Minimum.”)
Hold it, hold it! I found Dave KERBER’s letter, and he passed on word on several legal types in the Litigation Division in Washington. Out of 17 lawyers in the division, four wear identical class rings: Curt BENTZ, Skip MORGAN, Tom FISCUS, and Dave. Ed QUINN is working in the International Law Division. (We’re talking TDY to The Hague. Big Deal! I’m leaving Monday for a county commissioner’s meeting on tax-exempt financing of a development at 1-25 and North Gate Road. Tell me that’s not exotic.) Dave notes that Tom FISCUS won the Kuhfeld Award for being the tallest young judge advocate; I’m sorry, I mean the best young (?) judge advocate.
Dave notes that he recently saw Don MAC NIVEN at the Academy, and I quote: “He is an instructor in the M.T. department. I guess somebody has to do it.”
On a final note, please forward mail temporarily to my office (see above) while I try to trade houses. Merry Christmas, even if it is September.
Hello from Pine Valley, USAFA! Due to a reallignment of deadlines for Checkpoints articles and a two-week stay by the writer in Wilford Hall Medical Center, I’m burning up the typewriter almost as I step off the airplane. Attempts to impress you with literary prowess will be reserved for future issues, so here goes.
While I was at Wilford Hall in sunny San Antonio attempting to have kidney stones “tickled” from my system, I had the fortune of discovering Dr. Maj. Rick HOUK (Karen) was there. Rick is in the Rheumatology Department. This speciality deals with diseases like rheumatism; it is not to be confused with “roomatology,” that science designed to fight the battle to preserve AMI and SAMI in cadet rooms often practiced by AOCs, CCQs, etc. Rick filled me in on several classmates in the medical profession, many of whom he has seen for various reasons through Wilford Hall. The Wilford Hall connection includes the following: Gary PRECHTER, chief resident in internal medicine; David SCHENK, pulmonary staff; Dan ATWOOD, plastic surgery; David LESSER, OB/GYN resident; and Frank SHAGETS, ENT staff.
Other docs: Ed PARRY, dermatologist at Keesler; Skip VOGLER, radiologist at Travis; Charlie HARRISON, OB/GYN at Andrews; Arnie PENIX, orthopedics at Andrews; Bob HAWKINS, rheumatology fellowship at Colorado University; and Mike MAYER, ENT at Williams.
Other docs whose location escape us: Mark COFFMAN, opthamologist; Greg CHAPMAN, radiologist; Don BERDEAUX, internal medicine; Steve DIEHL, radiologist; Don MAZZA, psychiatry; A1 MURPHY, neurosurgery, and Bob ABRAHAM, neurosurgery. Also, let’s not forget our two here at USAFA: Orderia MITCHELL in orthopedics at USAFA Hospital and Mark LOPER in the cadet clinic. (Yes, the place is still packed before parades and Friday afternoon retreat ceremonies.)
1 now have a close contact for the 19th Squadron PLAYBOYS. (It’s now STARSHIP 19. Now don’t feel badly, guys. The Dodo featured your old name and patch in its “Cool Patch” of yesteryear section so you’re not forgotten.) Dave and Sue FULK just moved in right next door to me. Since Dave was a Preppie, he’s a captain over 12 and thus assumed the honor of cluster chief, unseating me. Thanks, Dave. They have two boys, five and three years old. Along with my five-year-old they do their duty to ensure the neighborhood doesn’t become a sleepy community. Dave is USAFA’s first bioenvironmental engineer, and he hopes he’s not the last. He notes that four squadronmates made major below the zone: Denny MAPLE (Debbie) in F-16s at Hill; A.J. BRIDING in the Physics Department at USAFA; Erik ANDERSON (Cindy) who “disappeared” into the Pentagon; and John KUCONIS (Chong Sun), an IP in F-16s at MacDill. (Dave and I figure our problem is just going for “all the gusto we can get.”)
John ROGACKI (Wanda) teaches engineering mechanics here. Dave HANSON (Nancy) is at Ramstein and Don WETEKAM (Suzanne) is at Hahn. John PATCHIN (Sandy) is at Ramstein in the USAFE Surgeon’s Office as chief of medical plans. For those of you who remember the ex-
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ploits of Bud BLAZE (Beth), you will be interested to know he is now a pastor in Kansas and the father of two. Dave BROWN (Karen) is a surgeon at Clark AB, Philippines. (Dave, you’ve been there too long when a T-shirt and shower clogs are the Sunday afternoon standard attire.)
Speaking of the Philippines, Leo AGUINALDO (Rosie) is out of the service and in Elk Grove, CA.
The “Fly Me” bunch: Jim MATEOS (Natalie) and Bryan CLARK
(Connie) both fly out of Dallas/Ft. Worth for American and Delta, respectively. Chris BLACK flies for Delta out of Boston. Fred McNEIL is alive and well and living in Hawaii STILL! Bob HARTMAN (Cathy) is living in southern California as a civilian. Ron JOHNSON is at DavisMonthan, leaving his IP job at Williams. Charles MITCHELL is at Newport News, VA at TAC Operations HQ. Don RAMM (Pam) is a civilian residing in Denver and working for IBM. Don KNIPE is also out and residing in Denver. Dave adds. “RANDOLPH and Vic SINGLETON, where are you?”
The USAFA bunch: John and Sue THOMPSON just moved to USAFA, as John puts it, “from the heat of Texas to the wonderful coolness of Colorado.” John is the director of cost and management analysis. Their new address is Quarters 4207M and they are expecting their first child in December. Kirk SAMELSON (Betty) of the USAFA JAG will be leaving the Force in January to practice law in Durango, CO. Kirk reports Steve HANSEL (Pam) will be spending Homecoming with them. Steve lives in Atlanta and flies for Eastern. B.J. STANTON (Donna) teaches electrical engineering at USAFA and is spending a lot of time helping CS-33. (It’s still Black Magic to me, B.J.)
Boyd and Jan LEASE welcomed their third child in May. Jan reports that baby Timothy fascinates his sisters, Sara and Robin. (That’s the result of settling down and avoiding those TDYs, Boyd. During my first assignment with MAC, my wife’s physician asked her what she used for birth control. She replied quite innocently, “the Air Force.”)
While in San Antonio I visited MPC and saw Bill HARBECK there. Bill got tired of the navigator grind and is now the career monitor for strategic airlift navs and C-5 pilots. Better be nice to navs you Big MAC jocks!
Our latest hero is Don WALKER (Jan), a C-130 IP at Little Rock. The MAC Flyer carried an article describing his handling of a complex inflight emergency that eventually resulted in a safe landing. It sounded like the opening simulator scene from Star Trek II, but Don pulled it out.
Here’s some new addresses that came in to the AOG: Ron IVERSON (Jeannie), Long Beach, CA; Charles PULHAM, Minot AFB, ND; and Kent MAGNUSSON, Quarters 4204G, USAFA, assigned to the Biology Department.
That’s all for now. I’m sure to have plenty of war stories from Homecoming for the next issue. Remember to check out my address and phone numbers at the top of the article. Between some classmates’ fuzzy memories/scribbled notes and my mushroom lifestyle, the facts may sometimes be warped or incomplete. Help me out. Until next time, “happy trails” from all of us in Colorado.
Pat Lynch
4049 Forest Ridge Blvd.
Dayton, OH 45424
Home: (513) 233-5426
AV: 785-6289
W/M
wThe time has come again to bring everyone up to date with the class news. After not having any input last time I have quite a bit of news to pass on to the class. First of all, I want to congratulate all of you who were promoted to major below the zone. It looks like we had a good showing from the class. These promotions were listed in the last Checkpoints issue. I’ve been pretty busy here at AFIT. It is quite different being a civilian. There is a chance that I will be leaving here shortly for Dallas to work for Texas Instruments. More about that later if it happens. I’ve had quite a few letters since the last issue, so I’ll get into that now.
My first letter came from Dan SURBER. Dan and his wife, Sara, are in Lakenheath now. They recently celebrated their fifth anniversary. They have two children. David is two and Katie is eight months and looks to be an early bloomer. Dan and Sara and the children will be leaving soon for Cannon AFB where Dan will be an IP in the F-111D. Dan has lost touch with 25th Squadron so if you get a chance you can get in touch with him at Cannon this Fall.
I next heard from Jim BEAM. Jim and Joyce live in Pennsylvania and he flies for USAir. Karen Hillary is three and a half years old now and
Joyce is expecting another child in October. Jim tells me that there are several others from the class flying for USAir including: Chris VIEWIG, Mike GIESE, Dennis MONACELL, Gary CHAG, Jeff OVERTON, Jim DONALDSON, and Merritt BROWN.
I also had a letter from Kathy VOLLINK. Dennis is an engineer and pilot for Drury Development, a company which puts up hotels around the country. The Vollinks have two sons, Tim and Matt. Kathy also sent news for others. Greg and Lorie BROOKS live in Laurel, MD. Greg is a commercial pilot now. They have two sons, John and Paul. Ron and Sue DIETEL are at Norton where Ron is making movies for the Air Force. Don and Joni DELACH live in Abilene, TX, where Don works in a bank. They have two children, Donnie and Stefanie. Dave and Kathy FUNDAREK live in Montgomery, AL, and have a son, Mike. Dave is an instructor at SOS. Rich and Sheri HAYNIE live in Colorado Springs with their children, Heather and Eric. Rich was a coach at USAFA. He got out of the AF and works with the Navigators now. Jim and Deb MEEKER are in Germany where he flies with an Army unit. They have two children, Jenny and Amy. Dan and Mary PITSKO live in Idaho Falls where he works for Westinghouse. They have three girls, Michelle, Lisa and Christine. Mike and Linda Kay ROBARDS have left an F-15 assignment in Virginia to Arizona enroute to Saudi Arabia. They have two children, Kathleen and Ben. John and Sue VEREB are at Scott with their sons, Bradley and Matthew.
My next letter came from Ed WHALEN. Ed and Marianne are at MacDill where he flies the F-16. They have a four-month-old daughter, Michelle. Others at MacDill are Ron FLY, and Tom PYRCH. Ron and Annette will leave soon with their two girls for an assignment in Turkey. Ed went through the Fighter Weapons School at Nellis. Stationed at Nellis are Pete GAVARES, Ross MILES, Jeff JACOBS, John BAKER, Jim NEMETZ, Steve BOZARTH, Dan CONROY and Hal QUANBECK. Ed has tried to get in touch with Jim SCHOECK at Myrtle Beach and Tony BROZENA at George, but Jim is always playing golf and Tony is out playing his banjo. Steve ANDERSON and Steve RANDOLPH are flying F-15s at Luke, and Tom BALDY is at USAFA. Don CLEMENT is at the Med Center in San Antonio, and Larry DANFORTH, Jimmy SMITH and A1 GLOCK are at Ramstein. Tris SEVDY was in the F-5 at Willy but is on his way to Morocco. Dan GRIFFIN and Bob WHITTON are F-5 aggressors. Out of the AF are Ron SEGA who is a physics professor in C-Springs and Kurt SCHRADER who is an engineer in San Antonio.
My last letter came from Bill YUCUIS. Bill is teaching in the Astro Department. He has been elected to the board of directors of the AOG. Other classmates in the Astro Dept are Mike DELORENZO, Sam FAZIO, Sal ALFANO and Ralph TATE. Jim MCCLURE is teaching English. Kevin KAAN is T-41 instructor and Rod BISHOP is in the registrar’s office. Bill is the chairman of next year’s Homecoming which marks our tenth year reunion. Believe it or not it’s time to start thinking about going back THERE. If you want to serve on a committee or have some ideas about the reunion contact Bill YUCUIS at USAFA/DFAS or Qtrs 42071, USAFA, CO, 80840. Or you can contact me or the AOG office and we will inform Bill.
Here at AFIT we recently had a graduation and several of our classmates received a master of science degree in logistics management. Bill HALSEY is going to Moody to the civil engineer office. Rich HEFFNER is going to ESD at Hanscom. Denny HUGHES is going to the civil engineers at Ellsworth. Jim ORR is going to HQ/MAC at Scott. Jack SHACKLETT is going to AFTEC. Mike SNEDEKER is going to HQ/MAC at Scott.
That is all of my news for now. Be sure to keep in touch. Keep thinking about our reunion next year. Finally, everyone have a happy holiday season.
Joe Stein
820 War Eagle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Home: (303) 594-6201
AV: 259-4552
TIDBITS: You’d be turprised at the things you can pick up as an AOC. Why, just the other day, I learned that one of the thirdclassmen in my squadron is dating Bentley RAYBURN’S sister-in-law. After I retrieved my jaw from the floor, 1 learned Bentley is doing super at Hill in the F-16. He’s also thrilled (obviously) to have been picked up on the last major’s list. Maybe one of these days Bentley will write and let me know what the cadets really think of their old AOC!!
One thing I do know, though, is that cadet ingenuity hasn’t disap-
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peared. This past weekend I staggered in at oh-dark-thirty for a morning run my cadets had planned for a non-training Saturday (about the first one we’ve had so far this year), only to run into problems getting into my office. It seems that all the furniture in the room positioned itself just behind the door, and an almost endless sea of balloons filled the rest of the usable space in the office. I’d forgotten about that old course, HUMAN FLY 101, which teaches cadets how to move along the outside of the building from window to window when faced with locked doors on a birthday. Oh, well—anybody want a balloon?
One last bit of news from this area is that Duane JONES (and more importantly, his lovely wife Laura) has recently joined those of us who have returned to the nest. Duane is now working (?) as a group executive officer, and he’s scheduled to join the AOC ranks next June. He’s already picked up his standard issue of Grecian formula in anticipation of that joyous day.
MOVIN’ ALONG: The passing of summer hasn’t slowed our class down one bit. We still had many of our number pack up their bags and head down the road to bigger and better things. George MCCLAIN started things off with a small move within the city limits of Apple Valley, CA. In the long-distance department, Larry MCGIRR ended up measuring the mileage from Fayetteville, NC to Luzon in the Philippines. Our intermediate distance movers included Don SNELGROVE to Nellis, Mark MCCONNELL to Hill, Mark SCHONING to Offutt, Dave HAUGEN (pilot in 1550 TCHTS) to Kirtland, and Mike ANDERSON to Wright-Pat as the B-1B flight manuals manager for ASD. Jeff PRATER is also starting over again; this time as an EF-111 EWO at Mountain Home. Finally, Greg WHITE (Doctor) has moved his shingle to Upper Heyford in the Department of Radiology.
FROM THE DESK OF JIM BURLING: My only letter this time came from Jim BURLING. But he more than made up for the rest of the slim pickings for the column. To start with, he writes that he’s been spending the last two years training astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. He’s also one of the folks who will be setting up the Consolidated Space Operations Center back here in the Springs, so I expect to be seeing him in the not-too-distant future. His wife, Micci, and a brand new son (Jan 83) take up his time when his head isn’t up in space. Jim also sent word on a whole host of ’75 Zoo escapees. John and Becky GAUGHAN now have three children and they call Grissom home. John earns his daily bread as a KC-135 instructor. Bruce FRITZSCHE is flying 106s at Minot, but manages to thaw out every now and then during TDY visits to Tucson. He and his wife, Nancy, have also been building a family, and they now have two little girls. Bob THOMPSON enjoys the hot weather all year long. He’s flying with the aggressors at Nellis, and spends his spare time running marathons and entering Iron Man competitions. Watch out Gil BRAUN!!
Bill and Peggy HUGHES are back in D.C. for the Air Force Legal Procurement Contracting School, and Chuck and Judy DEMOISY are on their second straight overseas tour (C-130s in Germany). As reported earlier, Jack STORER really has left the fold. He can be found flying for a commuter airline in the wilds of northern Michigan. Charlie BEAM, Dan WOOCK, and Ed ZERAMBO are also members of our civilian flying corps. They all pick up their checks from Southwest Airlines. Finally, Brian DUFFY and Steve PITOTTI have just finished Test Pilot School at Edwards. Brian went to Eglin; however, at this moment we’ve lost contact with Steve. We’ll probably see him one of these days on TV in a spacesuit. That just about finishes the list—whew. My hat’s off to Jim for all his help.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO. The results in this department aren’t so good this time. I only received word on one of our missing men—J. D. BARROWCLOUGH. His father happened to be reading the magazine and sent us words on J.D.’s whereabouts. He’s now flying the weather birds on Guam. J.D. also had some good news on the family side. He’s celebrating the birth of his first child, a baby girl, on 29 June. Since we did so poorly on the last batch, I decided to keep the manhunt alive on those folks for another three months. If you need their names again, here they are: Marinus BOSMA, Paul DESISTO, Mike GILL, Alex LIMANNI, Bob MIGLIN, Bill PENNY, Bob RYAN, Lenny SALVEM1NI, and Steve TIBBITTS. If you know of their location (or of any skeletons in their closets), please write. Even if you don’t know squat about them, write anyway—I need the help. Just remember, my penalty for only taking pen in hand three times in the eight-plus years since graduation was having to write this column. Something equally gruesome could happen to you!
P.S. I didn’t have any pictures this time, so congratulations for muddling through the article anyway. Most of us are only picture-capable when it comes to reading magazines. Maybe someone will send us some to spice things up next time. Until then, fly safe and remember the Dodo!
Wade E. McRoberts
8921 East Linden Street
Tucson, Arizona 85715
Home: (602) 886-1971
AV: 361-4721
fjHfejp
wHi, how’s it going? Another quarter gone by! I’ve heard from many of you, so here’s the poop:
Closing comments from SOS, Class 83-D: It was great to see everyone who was there. We enjoyed getting to know the NEELYs and PORRITTs better. Laura PORRITT asked me not to say anything bad about her, so I won’t. DGs included Wes NEELY, Mike GOULD (top grad in his wing), and yours truly.
Back here at D-M, Craig MANSON left here last spring for Kadena. I sat on a discharge board at which he was the legal advisor. Howard MeCARTHY came through this summer learning to fly the Hog. Carl and Mary REBARCHAK have PCSed to Nellis where Carl is a Fighter Weapons School IP. Steve and Kathy KRIKORIAN are here now in the OA-37.
As I said the last time I had a few letters backed up. I found one which I think I had buried from Jay JOHNSTON. He married Jill a year ago. They’re at Gielenkirchen AB, Germany, in the NATO E-3A. He sent a picture from a Polyester Party at his house when he was at Grissom. Rob PETERSON won the “Most Classic” Polyester Award—that went to the guy whose outfit had the most Polyesters killed to make the clothes. Sorry it took so long.
I got a note from Nancy WILSON, She’s a maintenance officer at Howard AFB. Her husband Mike, who was an AFA cadet, flies the 0-2 down there. He went to SOS in 83-C. Nancy says that Enrique SAA is also in Panama. Mark WILDERMUTH was married in May. Thanks, Nancy!
Karen NEWTON wrote from Randolph where she, Terry, Chad, and Lisa were preparing to go to Monterey for Naval Post Graduate School (follow-on to AFA Math Dept). She says that Ernie, Pam, Sarah, and Rebecca WOOLLARD are here at D-M in C-130s. Bill, Janie, and Kevin MORRIS are in choppers in Panama. Dave, Connie, and Melissa McKENZIE are at Bergstrom in RF-4s; they were expecting a baby in October. Ron and Sherry KIRCHOFF are in AFIT at Wright-Patt. Thanks for writing, Karen.
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Grads at the polyester party include ’76ers Rob Peterson and Bill Troegner, Scott Larsh and Brian Dobbert from ’79, and Jay Johnston and Fran Goelz of ’70.
Anita BALL wrote—she and Tim are in 141s at McGuire. Anita says that Jack and Jill JACKSON had a baby, Michelle Page, in April. They were at Cannon, F-llls, enroute to Lakenheath. Yes, Anita, that info helped—thanks! You other wives—write!
Dave TERIFAY wrote while stopped over at Yokota—he, Linda, Stephanie, and Lindsay send greetings to their friends everywhere. Anyway, they are at Travis, where Dave flies the world’s largest airplane. Other 76ers there are Scott CAVALIER, Bo PALANDRO, Jay BLISH, Don NYLUND, Bob JOHNSON, and Steve RIEWARTS—these guys are all in the same squadron! Dave ran into Ted DIETRICH (C-141s, Norton) last New Year’s Eve at Yokota. They watched the Hall of Fame Bowl with a few other grads. Next day he saw Rico RACOSKY at the Yokota club. Dave was at Osan for Team Spirit in MarchV Some guys he saw or talked to there were Mike ELY and Jack McGEE (both are in F-4s at Osan); Phil JULIEN, RF-4s at Kadena; and Dave VANDAGRIFF, who is a TALO near Seoul. Dave flew in a C-5 two-ship formation from Travis non-stop to Thailand (20.5 hrs) for an emergency arms shipment. He reports that C-5 formation flying is different from formation in the T-38. On his way home from that trip, Dave again ran into Mike ELY. Thanks, Dave, and take care!
Tom FRONK wrote with poop about a big batch of airline pilots. Our guys? Tom flies USAir DC-9s from Boston; Fred and Janice PHILPOT, and Steve and Valeria BERGER are also with USAir, BAC 1-1 Is from Washington, DC; Stu YOUNG is in USAir 737s out of Pittsburgh; and Bruce RASMUSSEN is a Northwest 727 flight engineer in Minneapolis. Jon TREE is an engineer for General Dynamics, and he flies F-16s for the Utah Guard at Hill. He and Ruby live in Ogden. Tom and Mindy DANKENBRING are in Chicago. He flies the Falconjet for Bell Telephone. Scott WOLFMEYER is an engineer for the Gordon Company. He, Marianna, Tim, and Gail live in Richmond, IL. Dave and Becky SUN are in T-39s in Germany. Marc, Chris, and Valerie JACOBS are at Willie in T-38s. Gary BUTDORF is a RT-135 nav at Grissom—he was recently married. Tom ran into Larry ENGLESON and Kurt KAMRAD while they were at the Defense Language Institute. Larry and Kim are at the University of Zarogosa; Kurt, Jerri, and the twins are at Zaragosa flying C-130s with the Spanish AF on exchange. Bud NEVERS is the golf coach at USAFA. Dave and Jocelyn NABOR have gone back to ATC (T-38s at Willie) from B-52s at Griffiss. Tom and Keiren LANGE are at Randolph in T-37s. Terry BORSARE is another C-5 pilot at Travis—his wife Kathleen is a KC-135 pilot. Shaun SIMPSON is at McDill in F-16s. Jamie and Dot BOSWORTH are at McGuire. He flies C- 141s for the Reserves, and DC-9s for New York Air. John HILDEBRANDT is out of the AF in Maryland, and is looking for an airline job. Whew—thanks, Tom!
Bill MUSICK is in his second year at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. He spent the summer as an intern with Citibank’s Caribbean Division, out of Miami. Spent some time in NY City, and all over the Caribbean (he says it was better than 3Lt in Oklahoma). Sounds like fun, Bill—keep in touch.
Had some phone calls, too. Rich KEMPTON called from Annapolis. He’s an engineer for a company there, and does some reserve work. Dave TERNES, USMC, called. He flies A-4s from Kaneohe in Hawaii—he was in Yuma for a pre-deployment conference, and called to say hi. He said that Barry MUHLENBERG, USN, flies A-4s at Barber’s Point, also in Hawaii. Barry and Terry recently had their first child. George BURNETT was at Patrick. Randy CHANG is at Hickam flying C-130s.
Joe MARCHINO called. He and Becky are in E-3As at Tinker. He called to bet on the Ohio State-Oklahoma game. You lost, Joe, and lucky for you I don’t gloat! It was good to hear from you.
Baby info: Steve and Cheryl STOCKDALE welcomed Stacy Jane, their first, on 20 June. John Douglas CATTON was born 15 August. Configuration: 10/10/Gun? The birth announcement welcomed “The Future World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot.”
Thank you all for writing/calling. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and a Blessed Holiday Season. Take care until next time.
Speaking of On the Road: I arrived at RAF Fairford in late June, and just missed seeing Tom RYAN, who left the next day to return to Carswell. Another person I didn’t see was Mark PERODEAU, whose former boom operator was TDY there and informed me that Mark is going to Warner Robins soon. We’ll expect a confirmation or denial from you, Mark.
I left Fairford for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and after two weeks of fun in the sun (that is, if you think melting is fun), 1 returned only to find I had just missed Ken VAN TREUREN who deployed from Fairford to Keflavik, Iceland. Enough of this! Determined to SEE somebody, I took the bus to visit Mike and Rowan LEVENHAGEN in Bury St. Edmunds, near RAF Lakenheath where he flies F-llls. They have two boys: Eric, who is two years old, and Nicholas, who was born while I was in Saudi. Mike informed me that he, Art BIERSBACH, and Bart HIBBARD are in the 493TFS, while Dan JOHNSTON, P.J. LANDWEHRLE, Dave MURRAY (Peggy), and Horst ROEHLER are in the 494th. Thanks again for your hospitality, Mikie and Ro.
Department Fairford, I stopped in Keflavik on the home trip, where I ran into Rick and Kathy NEWTON in the O’Club. Rick has much info to pass along. Terry and Tina FENNESSY are at K. I. Sawyer where he flies the F-106. Phil “Flip” and Sue Feeley are at Hill where he flies CH-53s in the 6514 Test Squadron. Shannon KINGSLEY and Charlie BOWMAN fly UH-lNs out of Andrews. Bill LEROY went from T-37s at Columbus to HH-3Es at Elmendorf. Quay “Trooper” SNYDER is a resident at Malcolm Grow Medical Center, while his wife, Beth, is a doctor at Johns Hopkins. Rick SEARLE is an HH-3E instructor pilot at Kirtland, Mike STANLEY gave up UH-lFs at F.E. Warren for UPT at Laughlin. Actually he gave up UPT at Willy to be near Sandy, a nurse at Wilford Hall, who he eventually married this spring. Bob WESOLOWSKI (Connie) went from Bentwaters to Eielson in A-lOs. Stu WILLIAMS (Julie) moved from T-38s at Reese to RF-4s at Zweibrucken AB, Germany. Rocky VILLAFANE (Janet) went from HH-3Es at Keflavik to UPT at Willy. As for Rick, he is the HH-3E chief of stan/eval at Keflavik, and will be going to ASTRA in August ’84 working in XO (ops and plans). He and Kathy have a son, David, who is two. Kathy is a captain in the Reserves working as a liaison officer for the Academy. Good luck in Washington, Rick.
Incoming: Mark WEBSTER wrote to say he had just finished his MSE in astronautics at the U. of Texas and is now in the Department of Engineering Mechanics (DFEM) at USAFA. He’ll also be an officer rep for the track team this year. Mark reports seeing Lex DODGE (DFEM), Dave EPPLEY (T-41s), Roger SMITH (T-41s), and Lee MONSON (T-41s). Lee, by the way, has since “retired” to civilian life. Good luck in all your endeavors, Lee, and keep us posted
Lynn WRIGHT, Dave’s wife, wrote from Moore, OK. Dave flies E-3As out of Tinker. They have a new addition to their family, Kelsey Shaun, born 3 Feb. Keith HAINES’ wife, Jane, was an OB nurse at the hospital there. Keith is also in AWACS. Lynn says Garry and Janice SHEPPARD are at Offutt and now have a son. Matt and Kathy DALRYMPLE live across the street from the WRIGHTs; Matt’s an AWACS weapons director. Dave saw Frenchy FERNAND in Iceland flying tanks. Frenchy was out of Travis but will be moving to Tinker and AWACS soon. Earl and Candy ENIX hosted a party for ’77 grads at Tinker. Those in attendance were Mark SCHWENDEMAN and wife, the DALRYMPLEs, Mark and Marie STEGELMAN, Brian SUDDY, Buck BUCHANAN and wife, Ben and Mary GOODMAN, and the WRIGHTs. Good food, and lots of “war” stories.
One last hello from Altus, as I prepare to move to Wright-Pat. I’m on alert right now, as SAC drains the last drops of blood from this crewdog body of mine. But in eight days, 12 hours, and 31 minutes I’ll be on the road (not that I’m counting or anything like that).
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Lou and Sonia Michels scuba diving off the North Carolina coast.
Lou MICHELS took some time to write before hitting the books again for the second year at Duke University Law School. Besides working as a legal intern at MacDill, he and Sonia spent his summer “vacation” scuba diving (see photo) and catching most of the attractions of central Florida, including the 18 June shuttle launch. Lou says that Mark SHACKLEFORD is an F-16 IP at MacDill and his wife recently had a baby.
Marc and Patty LINDSLEY wrote from Mountain Home to say that Derek and Kim WILLIAMS had twin girls, Amber Michelle and Elissa Gail, born 12 June. Patty says that their family, including Keith and Kathryn, is doing well also and that they are finally getting settled in their new house.
Mr. Bob VENDLEY wrote from Vacaville, CA following his separation from the Air Force. He will be moving to New Jersey and flying for People Express Airlines. He says that Sam HERCHAK is also out and living near Phoenix. Good luck to you both, and let us know what you’re doing, Sammy.
Greg HOUSTON sent a postcard from Stanford University. He spent part of his summer vaction climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro while visiting East Africa in July with Craig THOMAS.
Cruisin’: Tony BENEVENTO is at Holloman. Jim ALEXANDER is at Yokota AB, Japan. Sam RUPE is in Miami. Dave SHAW is at Little Rock. Harmon WALES is in Citrus Heights, CA. Curt CICHOWSKI is at Ramstein. Frantz DEWILLIS is at Fairchild. Rod GRESS is working in the Combat Control Team at Rhein-Main AB, Germany. Scott HUTT is on an ASTRA tour at the Pentagon. Mark and Donna MATTHEWS are at Elmendorf. Peter MOHYLSKY is at Shaw. Roy NICI and Ricardo TURNER are at Wright-Pat. Bill ROHLMAN is in North Highlands, CA. Ron STEVENS is an assistant to the DO, 325 Fighter Weapons Wing at Tyndall, and his wife had a baby girl last December. Finally, Mark CASTELLANI tells me Doug MARLOWE is with the Oregon ANG flying F-4s out of Portland.
That’s all for now. Thanks for all your inputs. Keep those cards and letters coming. AND PHOTOS, TOO. Hope to see all you AFIT-bound types and anyone else coming to Wright-Pat as we move there ourselves. Take care.
tjfc
Jim Arnold
10708 Hollaway Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Home: (301) 868-4204
No long introductions this month, I have real info for you this time. Letters: D. J. KNUTH sent me a letter from Langley where he is with the Tactical Communications Division. The letter said to verify all the info with Steve OUELLET so I called Steve at Holloman where he is a T-38 IP in fighter lead-in. Steve added a few new pieces of news and confirmed D. J.’s list. The combined list is as follows: Roger HAGE (Carol) is in F-16 RTU at MacDill. Tim BRAY is also on his way to F-16 RTU. Jim ROWLAND is an A/C in B-52s at Carswell. He was also the last B-52D A/C upgraded ever. Herb CARLISLE (Mary) is flying F-15s at Bitburg. Bob HERRIS got an F-16 instead of the F-4, previously announced in this column, so he’s at MacDill also. That’s a nice trade, Bob.
Rick GIER is at Norton in C-141s, John HAWKINS is at Moody in F-4s, Kent BOUDREAU is at Clark in F-4 Wild Weasels, and Greg SCHULZE is flying F-15s at Bitburg. Barry MILLER is a T-38 IP at Columbus. His wife (of recent?) is JoAnn. John HAYES is at Tinker as chief of Current Operations Branch for the 3d Combat Communications Group. Mike BORISH is at Gunter. Gary MEISER is heading to Langley. Pat QUIGLEY is at Barksdale. John FRANCIS is at Pope. Carols DELGADILLO is married and at Carswell. Glen SCHLOTTERBECK is at Mountain Home. Both Kirk PETH and Jack SWARSBOOK are at Cannon. Steve also gave me a list of IPs at fighter lead-in: Phil IRISH, Bruce DUTTON, Doug LEJA, Dan MESNARD, Bob KAY, Mac MCCOLLUM, and Tim ENGLISH.
Steven KNOTT got married July 5th. His wife’s name is Julie and she looked very pretty from the pictures Guy MARTELLE, who was best man, brought when he was through D.C. on a TDY (that was a poor transition, but I ain’t no English major). Guy tells me I told everyone he was at L.A. AFS when he really is at VAN-DEN-BERG. He’s an MX targeting specialist and has to travel a lot, so he might drop in anytime. Mike SKOLAUT (Not SCOLAUT as last issue. Sorry, Mike!) and his wife Kala have a new baby girl, Melissa Ann. That statement allows me to say that Steve OUELLET and his wife, Babs, are expecting their third
child in March, and a month later Pete MARPLE and his wife, Kitty, are due their first child. I’m beginning to see a trend.
I should know better than to get ready to send an article off because the afternoon mail always brings another letter (alright, not always!). Bob HERRIS’ (see above) wife (Alice) wrote to fill us in on a few other classmates: Jim COLLINS is at Mountain Home, Curtis COOK is at MacDill (F-16 RTU), and Mitchel BROWN is at Travis (C-141). Steve RIGGINS is at Loring, Rick STAHL is at Carlswell, Matthew LACOURSE has an F-4 at Homestead, and Jay LINDELL (Cathy) is at Lakenheath, UK. The letter also included the statement (rumor?) that Glenn BAILEY got married somewhere in the wilds of California. Maybe Glenn or someone can be more specific. (1 want names, location; in other words, details!)
AOG Mailbag: Tom TWOHIG, APO NY 09283 to APO NY 09012; Eric KIRCHNER, Del Rio to Glendale, AZ; Mike DAVIS, APO NY 09194 to Mountain Home; Dave MCFADDIN, Del Rio to Plattsburgh; Grey ROGGE, APO NY 09009 to Wichita Falls, TX; Mike ADAMS, Vance to Converse, TX (is that anywhere near Luchenbach?); Dave PHILLIPS, Plattsburgh to APO SF 96230; Roger BURG, Rapid City, SD to Alexandria, VA; and Bill SHAW, Phoenix, AZ to Anchorage (I wonder where I put my long underwear...).
I appreciate the letters and hope everyone will write. Parties, pictures, occurrences, etc., are interesting and are better than these dull lists, but hey, I can only perform just so much magic! Take care and write soon.
Michael F. Van Hoomissen
3316 S. Wakefield St. Arlington, VA 22206
Home: (703) 820-8599
AV: 227-6513
Greetings ’79ers, I am writing you from my new assignment at the Pentagon. I am working Congressional Activities for the deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition. My office’s function in life is to prepare the three-star general to testify at Congressional hearings in defense of the president’s budget. Most of the time I’m up to my ears in alligators and can’t drain the swamp. But boring it’s not.
There are lots of familiar faces around here; old Academy instructors and AOCs especially, and lots of grads most of whom are ASTRAs from the Class of ’76. Remember C1C Randall SPETMAN or C1C Michael SEVER? They are both ASTRAs. Rick REASER, ’78, is working R&D for the space directorate and Tim McCURDY (Laura), ’79, is buying computers here. Mike RHODES (Sarah) is at Andrews AFB. Paul DIAMOND (Bonnie) moved from Andrews to Wright-Pat and Buddy VASQUEZ moved from Fort Meade to Hanscom AFB. Dale BURTON is driving F-15s nearby at Langley. Dale flew one of the eight F-15s sent to Sudan during the recent Chad incident. Dale and I had a few beers and told a few lies here a couple of weeks ago.
Congratulations to Jim and Tanya REGAN who in August had another boy, Ryan. Jim is driving T-38s at Sheppard AFB. I understand through the grapevine that congratulations are soon in order for Rex and Gabe KEESE for their first child. Rex is driving C-130s at Rhein Main, Germany and trying to hook on with the Special Operations Squadron there for another tour. Write me Rex and catch me up.
Hal MOORE (Patty), USMC, wrote me recently. He is deployed to Lebanon flying Cobras. He was right in the middle of one of the first shellings near the headquarters building but escaped injury. He left for Lebanon in May and I’m not sure when his tour is up there. I was happy to read that the Marines were finally granted the combat pay they rightly deserve. Godspeed Hal, and come home soon.
On a very depressing note I relay the very recent death of classmate
Paul KELLY. Paul was killed September 15 by an avalanche while mountain climbing in Switzerland. Paul was assigned to the 26th TAC Reconnaissance Wing, Zweibruken AB, Germany, piloting RF-4s. Details are sketchy and his body recovered only a few days ago. Please remember Paul and his family and friends in your prayers during this time of deep sadness and hardship.
Our class fund is a sizeable sum exceeding $7,000. Much to our chagrin, Jim Wheeler had to leave the AOG executive director job for a position at Wright-Pat. Jim was financially astute and very sympathetic to the financial concerns of our class. I am contemplating removing a large sum or all of our account from AOG management upon maturation of our 15 percent T-bill in the spring of ’84. I am currently investigating the tax implications and machinery by which we could operate as a class. I am interested in any suggestions and comments you may have. Please write.
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i yj-; w
If I can be of any assistance to anyone of you in anyway please call or write. Mike DONATELLI will write the 10 December article. Please write Mike at P.O. Box 4343, APO New York 09755. May the force be with you, good luck and good hunting.
Another issue due already? But my wife hid the letter—she threw it out with the dirty Pampers—it got sucked into the engine of a tweet—“No excuse Sir.” How was I to know that the article was due six days ago? It’s just another all-nighter in the life of a former Falcon Buddie. 1 could write faster, but the base housing is in that nebulous period known as no heat/no cool. This boils down to no comfort. The weatherman keeps talking about how unseasonably warm it is going to be, and I keep looking for different ointments to treat my heat rash. Not much has changed in Enid since last I wrote. My seven-month-old daughter is terrorizing the world in her walker and eating all of my wife’s house plants. We had a dining out and I wrote some poems that will probably be classics someday. The most notable of which is entitled “Ode to the ATC Frog.” I did get some letters to “FAIPS for a Respectable Assignment.” However, those individuals who wrote are looking for one too. I got a letter from A1 SEARS, USN, one of our classmates with poor taste. Although they are not letting him make adventure commercials on the Sea of Japan, he is enjoying his job as an airborne communications officer on an EC-130Q. A1 is stationed at NAS Patuxent River, MD. Joe SAMPLE and Dean WORTHINGSTUN are also in the Navy where Joe is aboard a sub and Dean is stationed on a West Coast carrier. In his travels A1 has seen Shelby BALL at McGuire, Frank SAXON at Pope, Mike PURSZ and Adrian UPSHUR at RAF Mildenhall, Sue DESJARDINS (HARTIGAN) at Keflavik, and little Jerry SIROTE at Rota. By the way, A1 said that although he doesn’t get paid as an 0-3 yet, he is authorized to wear the rank as of September. SALUTE.
John and Cindi PRAY stopped through Vance on their way back from C-141 AC school at Altus AFB. They are doing fine out in sunny California and welcome any visitors. John got my wife laughing so hard telling bogus stories about me that it took a week to calm her down. Ann MARTIN also went to C-141 AC school as well as almost all of the other 141 jocks that didn’t get drafted by ATC. Ann is at Charleston with Margie CLARK (C-141), Mario MASTRANGELI (C.E.) and Jerry SIROTE (C-141). She has been flying a great deal this summer, and was visited by Tim OLWELL and his wife Evelyn and new son. Tim is stationed at RAF Lakenheath. While in Altus, Ann saw Phil PROSSEDA who drives C-141s at McGuire AFB and Ann MOORE who runs the GCA at Altus. Recently Ann saw Steve RAINEY (F-4 at Ramstein), Ed and Cathy FOLSOM (OV-IO at Sembach) and Kory KORNUM who was TDY at Ramstein. Kory finally got his medical school slot, and Ann saw him on a USO tour of Paris. Obviously he was slumming again.
Gary HECKER is flying C-130s at Pope. Terry ARMBRUSTER is flying KC-135s at Kadena and will soon be upgrading to an AWACS bird. Joe MOSCHLER is F-4 driver in England, and after typing all of this stuff from Anne MARTIN’S letter I realized I have been spelling her name without the “e.” Sorry Anne.
Mikey CARLSON stopped through Vance while on his 30 days of leave from Taegu, Korea. Mike is flying F-4E air-to-air and avoids traveling commercial in the eastern skys. Pat DAILY wrote from Clark AFB, PI with some good news about all our classmates over there. Scott STIMPERT is flying F-4G wild weasels there and Brian URBANSCIK, Harry EDWARDS, Walt KIKUGAWA (and his new wife Becky), and Pat are flying air-to-mud F-4Es in the 3rd TFS. Jude VICK is flying F-4Es at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and he married a girl he met in UPT named Kathy. Brian TART married Leslie and now flies F-4s at Ramstein. Pat said that he married a lovely Texas lady named Ardith and they seem happy enough in the Philippines.
Here are some things that Pat is sure of: Debbie SENN ended a long string of broken hearts and married some F-15 pilot at Kadena. My old buddy Mike FORD is flying F-15s at Kadena and I think Mike NAYE and his wife are there. Johann BAUER and Byron WINN are both flying F-4s at Osan. Greg MINEAR is flying F-15s at Bitburg and will leave Europe in May 84.
Matt SEITZ wrote from Hawaii where he is planning a December wedding to a local girl. Also in Hawaii are Dave GRUBER, Jim KENNEDY,
Enjoying other than snow skiing in Hawaii are Matt Setiz, Jim Kennedy, and Dave Gruber.
an Joe CORSO. Dave just got reassigned to Yokota AB, Japan. Finally, Jim DUNN dropped me a line from Florida. He met a good-looking lady from C-Springs in Phoenix (Back off guys, you don’t know her. She never dated any cadets.) and got married. After a bout with some of the AF’s finest flight surgeons, Jim got out of the Air Force and is a young executive in a Florida firm. Jim, have you ever read “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying?” If not, I think my dad has a copy. Best wishes Jim, and keep in touch.
That is all this issue folks. God bless and keep those cards and letters coming.
(Editor’s note: Didn’t receive anything from Tony this time. Perhaps he was TD Y or the postal system misrouted his package. Lookfor a long column in the spring issue.)
This column comes to you from none other than the Aluminum Zoo. I’m out here on leave enroute to Castle for training in the KC-135. I’ve been on the road for about two weeks, and this is just one stop of many along the way. USAFA is much the same as when were were here, but different, too. Right now I’m in the new section of the Cadet Library using one of those venerable old R.C. Allen typewriters. The library addition is quite impressive, but I get lost easily. Nothing is in the same place anymore! This past weekend was a rough one for the cadets. It started Thursday with a parade practice. Friday brought march-on practice followed by a “triple threat” and the football game on Saturday. There was consolation in the fact that we won the game against Texas Tech, making us 2-0 for the season.
You know, I forgot just how beautiful C-Springs is. As I drove in here, I marveled at how blue the sky was and how crisp and clear the air felt. Of course, the mountains will never change, although right now the biggest controversy in town is over the issue of allowing 18 sodium vapor lights on top of Pike’s Peak. One more bit of news on the local scene: The Cohens down at the Coin-Op Laundry say hello. They are doing fine, and A1 just bought a new BMW, so I guesss the wing still does its own laundry.
46
Apology: To Tim COLLINS, wherever you are, I misplaced your letter with the assignments from Sheppard while getting all my stuff ready for the movers. Could you please write again? The letter may turn up when I get unpacked, but that won’t be until January.
UPT class 83-08 did finally graduate from Columbus, and here are our assignments: Ray CRAFT, KC-135, Pease; A1 SHERMAN, HC-130, Eglin; Joe ROMANKO, T-38, Columbus; Billy GRAHAM, who was the top graduate, got an F-15 to Langley; Ed HERLICK (’80), OV-10, Sembach; and Chris KAPELLAS, F-111, Upper Heyford. I hear Chris had quite a problem parting with his cats in anticipation of the overseas move! Mark OTTOSON, T-37, Columbus; J.E. JOHNSON, T-38, Columbus; and Steve VOGT, F-4, Homestead. Steve spent a significant portion of his savings going back to Hawaii after UPT graduation. He went with a couple of the Italian students in our class, and acted as escort and tour guide. Maybe you can get a job as a travel agent when you get out, Steve!
Steve STODDARD will be a T-36 IP at Columbus, but I saw him out here at USAFA two days ago. Seems he got a TDY out here to coach water polo while he waits for his start date at PIT. Jeff HOSKEN will also be a ’38 IP. Right now he’s trying to figure out how to get Godfred DEMANDANTE to return the skillet he kept when he moved out of Jeff’s apartment. Well, that’s okay. I’m still trying to figure out how to get Jeff to return the Coleman lantern he borrowed from me! Finally, yours truly got a KC-135 to Blytheville.
One letter that I do have is from Julie HUGHES. She writes from Germany where she is a comm officer. She says everyone there parties quite a lot, and the whole shop gets along quite well.
Rumor Update Dept: Russ COLLINS is getting married. The date is 1 Oct and the festivities will be in Myrtle Beach.
During all my travels these past weeks, I ran into John WRIGHT. He’s up at Lowry going through intel school, and when he finishes, he’ll go to Nellis. He told me he can expect lots (like 180 days a year) of TDY.
I have a few change of address cards here. Craig OLSON checked in from Fair Oaks, CA and Dave HAGGINBOTHOM is flying T-39s out of Maxwell. Antoine GARTON says hello from Fairchild, and Karen TUTTLE is now in Lompoc, CA wherever that is... Ben HUFF went to Vandenberg, Martha STEVENSON-JONES to Castle, Dean MILLS to Cannon, Bill ERICKSON to Vance, and John MORRISON made it to Holloman.
I got a newsy letter from Jennifer (LAVERTY) KHOURI. I’ll let her tell it: “A quick note from Eglin. Ed KHOURI and I got married in June and we’re busily perfecting a modern commuter marriage (he’s at Tyndall; I’m at Eglin). Nancy (KIYOTA) GORTNEY is also down here working on the AMRAAM program. Sarah (HIMEON) HAMILTON works on WASP. Her husband Joe (’81) flies F-15s in the 33TFW. Pat LEMMERS and Eric BJORN bought a townhouse and instead of chasing beach bunnies, they’re wasting their time in athletics: lifting weights (Eric) and entering triatholons (Pat). Jim SIMPSON is at the Air Force Armament Lab and Larry KIMM works in the Tactical Air Warfare Center.
“Vivian VANUSKA is a communications officer at Ramstein AB, GE, but based on the number of different postcards we’ve received, she’s doing too much traveling to be doing much work. Mary K. MCCONNON is a space ops officer at Planet Houston and she’s engaged to marry an “ROTC Type’’ in November. Stan FLEMING married his high school sweetheart, Denise, last December and they’re stationed at Wright-Pat. Being a comm ops officer isn’t designed for wedded bliss, however, as Stan is always TDY to some hardship area such as Italy, Australia, Diego Garcia (ha!) and L.A. At a recent webbing, Ed and I ran into Chris BRECHIN, who’s a project officer for drones and scoring systems at the Air Defense Weapons Center at Tyndall. We think Chris’ love life should be looking up, since he caught the bouquet.
“Protect Your Knees and Shoulders: Rob CRAVEN finally got into med school. After a year-long struggle in the D.C. area, where he got help from his congressman and a certain familiar major general, he was granted an exception to the rule that requires Zoomies to wait four years before going to med school. He and his wife, Kathy, a registered nurse, are now hitting the books at the University of Arizona’s med school.
“Finally, H.M. HEPPERLEN was going to cut his legs off after he found out he would be a T-37 IP for four more years at Del Rio! We’re talking him down off the ceiling and we think he’ll be all right.” Thanks for the great letter, Jennifer.
Well, that about wraps it up. I’ve put my home address at the top of the column since I don’t have one at Castle yet. Please don’t hesitate to write; the information will get to me. If you’d rather call, directory assistance in Merced, CA should have my number by the time this is in print.
’Tis a privilege to live in Colorado. Life here at the finance center is quite interesting, to say the least. I received a stack of change-of-address cards. One of particular interest from Brian BISHOP. It seems he is living on Professional Drive at Sheppard. I guess some people will stop at nothing to make lLt.
I went back for the Air Force vs Texas Tech football game. There were quite a few people there from Reese. Among them were Jon DURESKY who is going to take the plunge any day now, and Eric HUPPERT and his lovely wife. After the game I ran into Mike VAUGHN, Ric SMITH, and Dave SCHRECK. All three are living together and striving for the record in bad taste.
In one of my few trips over to Lowry, I ran into Dave KLAUDT, Paul JOYCE and John CARTER running up a tab in my name at the club. I guess some people never change. Lt CRONIN was up from Willie to see Dave over the Labor Day weekend and he hasn’t been the same since. Also enjoying tech training at Lowry are Charles P. GARCIA, Nate LEPPER, Kevin GRENIER and Sally PAULL.
Yours truly recently tied the knot. Brian WALSH was able to make the trip down to Miami for the festivities. I also received a congratulatory card from Cecil GRANT and his supporters at Keesler. Cecil informs me that Biloxi is not about to let our class tradition die. It seems that by virtue of having had EE210 and 310, all the Academy grads at comm school qualified for an accelerated version.
GREETINGS TO DEPT: At Columbus, Jeff FIEBIG, Jack POLO, Woody BEALL, Steve MANN, Eldra CARSON, Dave WRIGHT, Mark REINECKE, and Bill VOLKER. At Laughlin, Ray BLUST, Drew WACKER, and Tom “Big Dog” KING. From Laughlin, Andy KOHLAN writes that he heard from Tom KRISE at Vandenberg. Steve CURL and Don MAGEE are also there for missile training. Tom said he is finding the studying very challenging and didn’t think there was much more to learn than: READY AIM FIRE! Andy also mentioned that the flying weather is great and that he was told that there was a girl behind every tree at the lake. Problem is he can’t find the trees. A quick hello to some folks at Williams including Bebe CRONIN, Norm PALLISTER (look for Norm to tie the knot real soon also), and all the rest of my buddies. Best also to all the distinguished graduates who decided not to go to grad school.
LETTER FROM KEESLER: Beate OECHSLE and Susan LUEKEN teamed up on letting us know the going’s on in Mississippi. The class roster for the communications-electronics course includes Marta HEAN, Nancy BURDICK, Karen HENNEBERRY (LAMPI), Marina CARSWELL, Tami BERBERICK, Beate OECHSLE, Susan LEUKEN, Teresa PAQUELET-BROWN, Andrea McINTOSH, and Amy WIMMER. Also Lani SMITH, Bruce LEPLEY, Carol TARR, Patty MARTINEZ, Lori SOUTH, Tonia FLORES, Mike CROY, Pete CONRAD, and Steve MORITZ. Also Pat GIDDENS, Dave GEUTING, Lori PLOSA, Blanche FRIDLEY (GODWIN), Dawn BIZUB, Cecil GRANT, Mike KIEROD, Leif NELSON, Larry COCCIA, John PERICAS and Doug KLIMEK. Also at Keesler were/are engineers, air traffic controllers and some other grads including Stu CONRAD, Robin SNEED, Mark MILLER, Don DOMKOWSKI, Brad FELDMANN, Chris DUFFY, Ray DALY, Carol ANDERSON, Ken TINGMAN and Patty LITTRELL.
According to the letter eveyone at Keesler is spending money on new furniture for apartments except for Ken TINGMAN and Leif NELSON. They discovered that the plastic folding chairs they sit on while eating on their cheap folding card table will also double as lounge chairs if you place them upside down on the floor with a pillow positioned on them just right. Gee, they’re so thrifty!
A contingent from Keesler visits Columbus AFB every weekend to visit husbands, boyfriends, etc. They say Dale FRIDLEY, Chris LIGGETT, Mike GIRARD, Pete JONES, Tony SEBASTIAN, Rex BAILEY, Kevin MAZUROWSKI, Bob FOWLER, Terry SULLIVAN. Kay SMITH and Jeff STANFIELD are all doing well in UPT.
YOUR AFA FUND GIFT NOW!
47
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According to Beate and Susan they spend a lot of time losing beer-ball games to anyone who dares challenge them. The folks in the picture are Pete CONRAD (half of his face), Beate OECHSLE, Cecil GRANT, Mikei CROY, Susan LUEKEN (2nd row), Lori SOUTH, Mike KIEROD, Stu CONRAD, John PERICAS, Leif NELSON, and Andrea McINTOSH. They almost won that particular game but after leading in the 7th inning, were talked into playing nine innings by the other team (a group of Army officers) and lost it in the 9th.
INFORMATION FROM SHEPPARD: An anonymous letter made its
SPEAKER
PROGRAM
(Continuedfrom page 29.)
than that. It takes building a climate that makes them want to excel. Motivation is the key.
He continued by saying that while there were many principles of leadership, each individual must pick what works best for them. His personal list included the following:
Don’t spare yourself. When your people are working long and hard, you should be doing the same.
Be honest. Never lie to your people or attempt to sugarcoat bad news. If you do your people will justifiably question your integrity, the cornerstone of good leadership.
Communicate. Explain how the role of each individual contributes to the unit mission, and how that mission fits into the big picture. Communicate with your people on their turf, not yours.
Delegate. You cannot do everything yourself, nor should you try. The objective is to get your people to do it, not do it for them. When you assign tasks, make sure your subordinates thoroughly understand the goals. Delegate authority to match the responsibility. Then get out of the way and watch. Don’t interfere unless
way to the AOG with information on our class at Sheppard. Ken FRAZIER and Brian BISHOP bought a Hobie Cat 16 so they are always sailing. John HEROUX has a new love in Kansas City. Rob FUSCH1NO and Glenn MALL both had high altitude flame-outs but the engine was restarted without mishap. News flash: our buddy from ’82, Chris ALLENBY, got a buff! So far everyone in class 84-07 passed their initial check ride.
According to the letter there’s a lot of partying going on at Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) and the classes include international students from Germany, England, Spain, Holland, and Norway. One of the classes gave a “Welcome to Sheppard” party where Mark MURPHY was in charge of the burgers while John “poo bear” HESTERMAN made sure that everyone was “aerial refueled” and then promptly jumped into the pool. Can you believe they let poo bear solo?
Class members in 84-07 are Jeffrey BALL, John HESTERMAN, Don LINDBERG, Tom FRITZ, Cliff LATTA, Clint BENNETT, Mike DUNN, Mark MURPHY, Ricky GRAHAM, Rich FULLERTON, Pete MOE, Jim ROY, Darryl ROBERSON and Mark AMIDON. In class 84-08 are Ken FRAZIER, Brian BISHOP, Garry JARED, Dave STINE, Mark KOCH, Jim BIERSTINE, Mike WEESNER, Rob FUSCHINO, and Mike WICKMAN. Also Rich CLINE, Jim SHAW, Ron KLATT, Curt SHELDON, Jeff KENDALL, Glenn MALL, John HEROUX and John JERAKIS. That’s it for the letters.
LEFTOVER DEPT: There are less than 100 days left for 83.5 and we look forward to seeing them in the AF. Rumor has it though that Hugh FUNK has asked to extend at USAFA for a masters in aero. Steve SADLER will write the next column. Steve, please call the AOG and give them your current address—NOW! Well, that’s about all the interesting news I’ve got for you now. You fighter pilots and future AOCs hang in there and stay in touch. Eighty-three best to be.
absolutely necessary.
Make sure your people have what they need to get the job done. This includes training, proper supervision, facilities, materials and tools.
Organize so there’s a single, visible chain of command. Everyone needs a boss but not more than one.
Recognize good performance publicly. If someone is to receive an award, the base theater is not too big a forum. When you compliment someone, do it in front of his peers.
Criticize privately. If counseling doesn’t work, take disciplinary action quickly and fairly. And make sure the punishment matches the misconduct.
When things go wrong, do two things: fix the problem and learn from the experience. Don’t view yourself or your people as failures because you make mistakes. Instead, try to figure out how you can apply the lesson elsewhere.
Above all, care. Demonstrate through actions not words that you care about your people and their living and working conditions, their families, their ideas, their problems, their aspirations before your own.
’64 Graduate Selected for Fellowship
pert on environmental economics and will spend the 1983-84 academic year in Washington, D.C., investigating ways to incorporate economic incentives into air pollution control policy in a manner that encourages technological progress while respecting the need to preserve the nation’s air quality.
Thomas H. Tietenberg, associate professor of economics at Colby College at Waterville, Maine, has been selected as one of only two Gilbert F. White Fellows by the Resources for the Future (RFF) organization.
A 1964 graduate of the Academy, he is an ex
According to Prof. Tietenberg, existing federal legislation is compatable with and encourages this approach. “However,” he says, “current initiatives are still in their infancy and a number of issues, which stand in the way of a transition to a smoothly operating policy, have not yet been fully identified. The purpose of my project is to identify those barriers, to assess their significance and to derive mechanisms for overcoming them.”
The Gilbert F. White Fellowship program is intended for young professionals who wish to devote a year to scholarly work on a social or
policy problem in the areas of natural resources, energy or the environment. It is named after the retired chairman of RFF, a distinguished geographer and internationallyknown statesman of science. RFF is a private, non-profit study institute concentrating on long-range planning on environmental and energy issues.
At Colby, Prof. Tietenberg is co-director of the public policy program and chairman of the interdisciplinary studies council. He is author of the books, “Energy Planning and Policy: The Political Economy of Project Independence” (Lexington Books, 1976) and “The Automobile and the Regulation of Its Impact on the Environment” (University of Oklahoma Press, 1975), and a number of journal articles pertaining to environmental economics. In 1981, he received a Danforth Associate Award for teaching.
48
“Teamwork is the answer— teamwork and confidence.”
Although they didn’t think of it that way, Col. George Jones and Maj Wendel Brady were nearing the end of a test program in the skies over
Col. George L. Jones, USAF, Korea, March 29th, 1953
From 800 feet Col. Jones opened fire, and was suddenly blinded by a cloud of debris, smoke, and oil from the MiG. At the same time he lost power in his engine, and dived to break the compressor stall. At 20,000 feet he regained power and leveled off. Peering through the few clear spots on his oil-drenched canopy, he found Maj. Brady still with him. By radio he learned that the MiG wingman had made repeated passes at him before breaking off. If not for Maj. Brady’s protection, he would have been a sitting duck.
USAA is honored to serve the insurance needs of more than 9 out of 10 officers on the Air Force team, as well as commissioned and warrant officers of all branches of the U.S. Services, whether on active duty, in the National Guard or Reserves, retired, or if a candidate for commissioning.
For two years they and other pilots had been proving the ability of the United States Air Force, in its first wartime operation as a separate branch of service, to carry out its mission. Also they had been proving and perfecting the jet fighter, never before in action jet-to-jet, and new combat techniques to go with it.
But on that day they were about to fall back on an old, tried-and-true technique, one that would make all the other tests prove positive.
With Maj. Brady as wingman, Col. Jones had no trouble finding a target 43,000 feet up in “MiG Alley,” and began to close for the kill. The MiG had a wingman, too, but each time he tried to shoot Col. Jones off his leader’s tail he found himself in front of Maj. Brady’s guns, and banked away.
Heading for home, Col. Jones thought over and over: “Teamwork is the answer—teamwork and confidence.”
It still is. Today Air Force teamwork and confidence are indispensable contributors to the security of our nation and the entire Western World.
For more information, call toll-free 1-800-531-8080 (in Texas call 1-800292-8080). Members call toll-free 1-800-531-8 plus your area code (in Texas call 1-800-292-8 plus your area code). Or write USAA, USAA Building, San Antonio, TX 78288 (PC-3802).
We’ll be proud to serve you.
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