Checkpoints June 1984

Mr. & Mrs.

Alvin E. Blumberg, Jr. Class of 1968

Cres Shields '60

Mary

To

A

J

R

M

J

A

R

P

R

W

S

R

B

’82

30 June 1987

To Serve Until 1 June 1984

D D Moore ’83

The Air Force Academy Fund Sponsor plaque, photographed by Mr. Bill Madsen, is sent to all donors of $100 or more to the Air Force Academy Fund. The solid walnut plaque bears metal castings of the Air Force Academy and Association of Graduates crests, and year plates are provided for each fund year in which a similiar donation is made. The 1983-84 fund year will end on June 30 and the 1984-85 fund year begins the next day. Donations to the fund endow projects prioritized by the superintendent and the association’s board of directors. Donations are tax-deductible and may be sent at any time to: The Air Force Academy Fund, Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 80840.

CHECKPOINTS is published quarterly by the Association of Graduates, USAF Academy, Colo. 80840 and printed by Graphic Services of Colorado Springs, Colo. It is provided as part of an annual membership package which costs $25. Second-class postage paid at the USAF Academy, Colo. 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, Spring 1984.

ISSN 0274-7391

POSIMASTKR: If this magazine is addressed to a member of the Military Service, no postage is necessary for forwarding (see Postal Manual. Section 158.4). If no forwarding address for this military member is available, send Form 3579 to Association of Graduates, USAF Academy, Colo. 80840.

“Teamwork is the answer— teamwork and confidence.”

Col. George L Jones, IJSAF, Korea, March 29th, 1953

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

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.

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.

Heading for home, Coi. 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 1-800-531-8040 (in Texas call 1-800292-8040). 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.

We’ll be proud to serve you.

THE AOG BOARDROOM

James E. Spittler, Jr., ’65, President/Board Chairman

It was with considerable regret that your board of directors accepted the resignation of Jeff Schofield, ’67, as vice-chairman of the board of directors. Jeff was an extremely important member of the team and made the recent transition in AOG and Academy leadership much easier for all of us. Jeff worked long and hard on our long-range plan, and on current plans to make the organization more effective. He was a source of constant and consistent good advice throughout his term as vice-chairman. We wish him well in his new assignment at Grand Forks, and look forward to having Jeff, Anne and the boys back in Colorado soon.

We are pleased to announce that Randy Cubero, ’61, was elected as the new vice-chairman by acclamation. Randy has done a tremendous amount of excellent work in setting up the Humanitarian Fund, working the long-range plan, and numerous other projects. He will continue to work hard on behalf of the membership.

The Academy recently hosted the 26th annual USAFA Assembly, at which the topic was “Improving American Innovation.” As usual, the assembly was a resounding success. The AOG is fortunate in having staunch supporters such as Frank and Harriet Hendrick, and the Rockwell Corporation to help defray the expenses of this event. Their help was especially appreciated this year when other funding which has been available in the past was not forthcoming. The Assembly is also endowed by grants from the American Assembly, the Olmstead Foundation, and the Association of Graduates.

As reflected elsewhere in this publication, the Academy Annual Fund has been underway for several months. We’re hopeful that

Make an investment in your future. JOIN THE CREDIT UNION that serves AFA graduates worldwide.

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the somewhat low statistics in terms of the number of participants by class will spur that old competitive class pride, and that the level of participation will increase substantially. If we get enough participants, the fund will be successful even if the individual donations are not particularly large. However, if you look at the list of participants, there are some very generous donors out there.

Dick Coppock is going to be bringing to market some high quality, very classy USAFA silk ties. They will be available around “May” Week and will be worth waiting for.

It was recently announced that President Reagan will be the graduation speaker, so any of you who will be in the area should plan to attend what will surely be a dry and sunny graduation (no warranty implied).

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIPS. The AOG invites graduate and cadet parents and other individuals interested in Academy programs to join the association as associate members. The annual membership is $25 and includes all membership privileges except voting and holding office.

ACADEMY BLAZER PATCHES. Distinctive Academy blazer patches are now available from the AOG for $25. The patches are three and a half inches high, hand-sewn in silver, blue and black silk, on a black background. The patches and the new USAFA silk tie will be portrayed in the next magazine.

NEW BRIGADIER GENERALS. Biographies and new assignments on our 13 new brigadier generals will appear in the next issue of the magazine.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

TOTAL FORCE

James E. Splitter, Jr. ’65: President/Chairman of the Board Officers of the Association of Graduates U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840

We are all aware of the term “Total Force” as it applies to the vital importance of the reserve forces continued participation in national defense. For instance, the Air Force Reserve provides 50 percent of MAC’S strategic airlift aircrew capabiltiy, 35 percent of its maintenance, approximately 40 percent of tactical airlift, 35 percent of WC-130 weather reconnaissance force, 31 percent of the HC-130, HH-3, and HH-1 rescue and recovery force, 100 percent aerial spray capability, 64 percent of MAC medical crew capability, 47 percent of wartime capability for aerial port organization, 10 percent of the fighter force, 50 percent of the AC-130 gunship mission, 50 percent of the KC-10 aircrews and 4 percent of the KC-135 refueling mission, 58 percent of the combat logistics wartime capabilty and 14 percent of civil engineering capability. These figures were current as of 1 Jan 1981 and since have increased in some areas. Future increases are planned. The reserve forces are no longer forces in reserve. They are front line forces frequently first on the scene during a contingency operation.

As I thumbed through the latest issue of the Register of Graduates I noticed that there are several graduates pursuing careers on the reserve side of the Total Force equation. Some, in fact most, have kept pace with their classmates and a few are in key MAJCOM staff positions, or in positions as group commanders or operations officers of units flying much of the same equipment, performing the same mission as the active force (i.e., KC-135, A-10, F-16, C-130, C-5, C-141, etc.). Some of these graduates are filling Air Reserve Technician (ART) positions, wearing the blue uniform every day, doing virtually the same job as they would if they had remained on active duty. I believe that graduates who are active members of the reserve forces should have their current rank and reserve assignment listed in the Register. This would provide more accurate military information, conform to the purpose of the Register and certainly comply with the spirit of Total Force. I realize you can only include that which is received on the biographical form mailed out each year. Flowever, 1 know some who have included their reserve data

on the form, but only part of it is included in the Register. Frequently it excludes current rank and job. Request the committee consider my suggestion favorably and inelude this proposal in the 1984 complete Register.

Sincerely,

Warren D. Snyder, Colonel, USAFR Class of 1962 Commander

Hq, 927th Tactical Airlift Group (AFRES)

Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan 48045

(Editor's note: We are in full agreement with Colonel Snyder concerning the contributions made by graduates serving with the Air National Guard and the Reserves. Within our present computer capability, however, for those graduates who are not full-time members of the Guard or Reserves, we list the component, location, and rank of the individual after his fulltime job, when it is provided to us. This is due to a computer space limitation in the “current job”field. If a graduate is a fulltime member of the Guard or Reserves, we list all information provided to us concerning component, location, rank, job, type of aircraft, and the like. Again, this information is only as good as provided by each individual graduate. We are continuing our efforts in this regard as noted in our last magazine by recently finding sources for promotion information from the Air National Guard Support Center and the Reserve component. The listing of part-time Guard or Reserve job informabion in the Register sketches is one of many computer-related challenges we will continue to work.)

RESEARCH ON GRADS WHO LEAVE SERVICE

Editor, Checkpoints magazine

Dear Tom,

After reading the “Employment Ads” letter to the editor from Messrs. Bill Hodson, et al in the Fall ’83 Checkpoints, I would like to add some first-hand research observations to the concerns of the AOG that employment ads “lure” service academy graduates out of the service.

After five years of ongoing research and first-hand interviews with over 100 USAFA and USMA graduates who voluntarily resigned from the service, I have yet to find one service academy former officer who left the service because he was offered a better civilian job. Interviews with over 40 graduates still in service shows that nearly all of them were offered

lucrative jobs on the outside and turned them down. The decision sequence an officer goes through usually look like this: 1) decide to resign, then 2) search for a new career. Furthermore, in about 35 percent of the cases, officers resigned without the foggiest idea of what they were going to do as civilians. Bill Rosenbach and Bob Gregory of USAFA’s own DFBL found similar decision patterns among former military pilots who joined commercial airlines.

In fairness to Bill Hodson and his colleagues at R & D Associates, the AOG must allow that these academy graduates who resigned their commissions are adult men who are capable of making their own career decisions, and no amount of slick advertising is going to lure anybody to do anything he or she hasn’t already decided to do.

If anybody desires any more information about the civilian career patterns of academy-educated former officers, please write me at:

Fred Malmstrom, USAFA ’64 MS9F-40(BAC)

POB 3999

Seattle, WA 98124 (Editor’s note: We have asked Dr. Malmstrom to do a feature article for the magazine concerning his research on career departure patterns of service academy graduates which will appear in a future magazine.)

CEREMONIAL DRESS

Dear Executive Committee,

Ditto to Lt. Col. Cathey’s comment on the new ceremonial dress. Perhaps USAF/MP thought that with the national attention focused on a $300 billion-plus defense budget that a $400 item would escape attention. I also find it interesting to note that as the Army now seems to stress the wearing of the BDU (Battle Dress Uniform), the Air Force is going in the opposite direction. I also suspect that there must be a link between Project Warrior and the new ceremonial dress. After all, as 19th Century armies showed, an army without color plumage and pageantry is hardly an Army at all. (sic) Come on Air Force, we’ve passed this stage. I wholeheartedly support any AOG effort in this area!

Mark G. Ewig, ’70

To the AOG:

OK, per your request in the Fall-83 Checkpoints count me as one of those opposed to the mandatory ceremonial uniforms.

Also, being assigned to a joint DOD activity, I did not receive Hq USAF/MP Msg 060255Z. I have had no formal notification of the requirement, unless you count the Air Force Times newspaper.

Maj. Gary L. Hoe, ’69

MISUSE OF REGISTER

Mr. Jim Spittler President, AOG

Dear Mr. Spittler,

Like most graduates, 1 enjoy reading Checkpoints but am usually “too busy’’ to contribute anything meaningful to its fine format. The other day I received the enclosed solicitation from a grad’s wife who works as a realtor. I do not know her or her husband and while 1 do not know for certain how she got my name and address and also knew that 1 am a graduate, 1 strongly suspect it was obtained through the AOG Register of Graduates. As you can read, the letter is cordial and “low key,” but I am very bothered by the apparent misuse of the Register, i.e., to obtain names and addresses of a large number of graduates for personal gain.

If 1 am wrong, please correct me, but if 1 am correct in my assumption 1 would appreciate your making a general statement about the proper and improper use of the Register so this sort of practice does not get out of hand without an official statement from the AOG. I realize that little can be done to cut out the improper use of the Register but I also believe the AOG should restate its position in Checkpoints.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Michael J. McCarthy, ’71 Major, USAF, MC

(Editor’s note: We are in complete agreement with Major McCarthy. Using the Register of Graduates as a mailing list for commercial ventures is clearly not the intent ofprinting the book and is not sanetioned 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 business 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. We encourage our members who receive these solicitations to write a personal

discouraging note to the writer and inform us of the mailing. The AOG sends letters to anyone involved in this type of Register misuse asking them to immediately cease the practice.)

LESSONS LEARNED

Editor, I recall learning that the time to disagree with a policy change is while it’s still in the proposal stage. Also, that the preferred method of disagreement is direct contact with someone capable of effecting modification of the proposed change. I also recall that if the proposed policy change affected a vital moral or ethical issue then you would be justified indeed, duty bound to “go to the mat,” no holds barred, for your position. Perhaps these things I learned have become blurred by the narcissistic, selfserving rhetoric of some of those we serve, but I suggest that the servants don’t enjoy the master’s prerogatives.

Going “public” in the letters to the editor column of Checkpoints to solicit

support for an anti-ceremonial uniform position demeans the writer, his position and his group. Indeed, going public implies that the writer has asked the question and doesn’t like the answer. To compound the problem, the ceremonial uniform is not a moral or ethical issue, it’s an authority, economic and emotional issue we don’t like being told how to spend our money, particularly when the object of the expenditure is perceived widely to have marginal utility and will receive such infrequent use.

Nevertheless, the decision has been made. We must each make one of two choices: (1) Buy the uniforms or (2) Don’t buy the uniforms. Choice one may require some pride swallowing and money spending but it’s by the book. Choice two entails playing the game and willingness to accept the consequences if you’re caught. Make your choice, but let’s stop this handwringing and whining about the ceremonial uniform. Act like officers, not like children.

Sincerely,

Cy Young, ’67

Graduate Donations Urged: AFA Fund Passes $30,000 Mark

PATRON $500 to $4,999

Mr F Scott Jackson

Dr. & Mrs. Robington J O Woods

SPONSOR $100 to $499

Mr & Mrs James W Alexander

Mr & Mrs Logan H Babin

Mr & Mrs Alvin E Blumberg, Jr

Lt Col Don L Brooks

Maj John P Carson, 111

Maj Daniel B Cecil

Mr & Mrs William H Coltrin

Mr James M Cryer

Lt Col & Mrs E S Fraser, Jr

Capt Bruce H Fritzsche

Mr & Mrs William R Gaddis

Mr & Mrs J Bruce Gilman, Jr

Mr & Mrs James F Glaza

Lt Col Carl M Hatlelid

Col Donald J Heacox

Capt Clarence D Jones, Jr

Mr Klem F Kalberer, Jr

Mr James C Lipham, Jr

Mr & Mrs David J MacArthur

Lt Col & Mrs Kenneth E McAlear

Mr John W Reho

Mr & Mrs John Sakulich

Mr & Mrs George M Shirasago

Mr Richard A Shutack

Mr William H Simpson

Maj John V Sullivan

Dr & Mrs Robert M Wells

Mr & Mrs Ross J Wilson

Rev & Mrs John Ziegler, Jr

DONOR $50 to $99

Mr James F Barrall

Maj Thomas J Black

Col Stephen B Croker

Capt Thomas F Fleming

Capt Deane Y Harimoto

Mr Harold A Jacobs

Mr Allen C S Kim

Maj Robert A Reyling

MSgt (Ret) & Dr F E Russell

Mrs Ruth P Somerall

Capt James W Spencer

Mr & Mrs Lawrence A Storm

Maj Mark L Sucher

Mr John J Whitt

CONTRIBUTOR UP TO $49

Col Kenneth J Alnwick

Mr & Mrs Norman R Andersen

Maj Gerald E Becker

Capt A Kirk Bodary

Mr & Mrs Thomas G Bowie

Mr & Mrs Donald F Brown

Mr & Mrs Raymond T Burger

Mr & Mrs John E Casey

Capt James C Chamberlain

Mr Gary A Corbett

Mr & Mrs Joseph Czabajszki

Rev & Mrs Benjamin F Davis

Capt Brian D Dobbert

Mr & Mrs George Eherts

Mr & Mrs Frank Fidler

Mr & Mrs Lincoln T Fish

Maj Ralph A Froehlich

Mr Douglas H Frost, Jr

Mr Stephen J Goettler

Mr Robert W Goldin

Dr & Mrs John B Gworek

Mr & Mrs J M Hamed

Col James T Hannam

Mr & Mrs Robert E Hare

Mr Wendell J Harkleroad

Mr & Mrs G Robert Harriett

Mr Brewster C Herrstrom

2Lt Dunning Idle, V

Mr & Mrs Shinicki Kaneshiro

Mr & Mrs Lary H Krull

Mr & Mrs Joseph N Kruppa

2Lt Kenneth W Kuhr

Maj Gen & Mrs H J Lavell

Maj (Ret) & Mrs Pierce R Leavitt

Capt Calvin R Lott, Jr

Lt Col James E McArdle, Jr

Lt Col Francis X McCann

Col James L McCleskey

Mr Robert J Mestemaker

Lt Col Peter S Miner

1 Lt Gregg Montijo

Mr Ronald L Moran

Mr & Mrs Robert B Morrison

Mr & Mrs Roger H Nagel

Capt Richard D Newton

Mr & Mrs Lowell Northrop

Mr Jack R Pitman

Capt Jeffrey A Remington

Col Paul K Robinson, Jr

Mr & Mrs John R Scanlon

1 Lt (Ret) & Mrs E Scheffelin

Capt Scott B Schofield

MSgt (Ret) & Mrs H H Schrupp

Mr & Mrs Otis E Short

Capt Paul K Spendley

Maj & Mrs Richard Spinner

Capt Clarence D Smith, Jr

Lt Col Lee T Smith

Lt Col John A Stith

Lt Col Frederick W Strong, 111

Mr & Mrs James Y Suizu

SMSgt (Ret) & Mrs W Swarsbrook

Mr & Mrs William L Troy

Mr & Mrs John T Turner

Dr Frank S Vahovich

Maj Lewis S Weiland

Col & Mrs Harold W Wesley

Mr & Mrs Charles M Williams

Mr & Mrs Leonard A Wissman

THE TOP FIVE CLASSES

(Note: The percent of donors is calculated by dividing the number of gifts by the number of living alumni. Totals include gifts received between December 14, 1983 and March 6, 1984. Gifts received after March 6 will be included in the next magazine.)

Dean Rokke Discusses Academy Issues

(Editor’s note: In August, C2C John Hilbing, the co-editor of Talon, the cadet magazine of the USAF Academy, interviewed Brig. Gen. Ervin Rokke, ’62, who was named the Academy’s dean of faculty last July. Our appreciation to the Talon and Cadet Wing Media staffforpermission to reprint the articlefrom the October 1983 edition of their magazine.)

Brig. Gen. Ervin Rokke Dean of Faculty

HILBING: Sir, what are your perceptions of some of the changes that have taken place since you graduatedfrom the Air Force Academy?

THE DEAN: I Think the major change is the size of the cadet wing. 1 don’t recall exactly how many were here, but I would guess that it was on the order of a thousand cadets. Now we have 4,500. And that shift in size has made it more difficult to maintain a sense of community. Certainly not impossible, but 1 think it is more difficult now for you to know all of your classmates. 1 knew all my classmates—there were only 298 of us who graduated. Not only did we know our classmates, but we knew the names in many cases and were certainly familiar with the faces of nearly everyone in the wing. We could do that when there were only a thousand. So, because of that dramatic increase in size, maintaining a sense of community is more difficult.

Another difference has to do with the opportunities that are available to cadets today—far more than when 1 was here. For example, my opportunity to participate in airmanship programs was limited to a two or three week period one summer when members of my class went to various pilot training bases where we were each allowed eight or nine hours in a T-37. As I recall, we also received one ride in a T-33 and one ride in a F-102 on a field trip. That was the entire airmanship program for my class. Now, of course, you have T-41, powered sailplane, parachute programs, and such. And I think that’s good. It provides cadets today with more opportunities—pleasant opportunities 1 would say—than what we had back then.

The curriculum has also changed. Classroom contact hours, for example, have declined substantially—indeed, they have declined by over 30 percent for graduates today relative to those who graduated in 1970. That decrease in contact time was necessitated

by the advent of programs such as T-41. In order to make room for the T-41 program, we had to cut back in the classroom. And I support that decision. I think it is important that the Academy provides hands-on airmanship opportunities and 1 see the T-41 program as filling that need. Despite these changes, however, the essence of the Air Force Academy—its purpose—and similar programs has remained unchanged. The fact that cadets are here to become Air Force officers is precisely the same as it was back then. The cadet honor system also is a fundamental that we have today, and it’s one that we had when I was here.

Sir, on the topic of the change again, I read what you said in “The Falcon Flyer” about emphasizing continuous evolution rather than revolution. In talking to cadets, a lot of them are concerned with the core program right now. Sir, would you care to comment at all?

I’m not familiar with what the nature of their concern is. It’s true that I have no intention of altering in any substantial sense the core curriculum.

Let me give you some of the rationale for that core curriculum. First of all, the core has evolved over a very long period. The first study groups that were put together to provide a philosophical foundation for the Air Force Academy were formed in about 1948, and they were very substantial, academically powerful groups. They concluded that the curriculum at the Academy should be broadly based and evenly balanced between the social sciences and the humanities on the one hand, and the basic and engineering sciences on the other. We have adhered to that. The core curriculum, of course, has been substantially reduced from when I was here. In essence, the core curriculum was the whole curriculum—there were no options. Today, we provide cadets with a reduced core as well as the option of selecting from among 23 academic majors.

But I maintain that the core is our “real major” and that it is designed to provide professional military development as well as intellectual growth. Indeed, every course in that core has a role to play. And I’m not speaking only of courses like military history or defense policy courses which have an obvious relationship to the military profession. I’m speaking of core courses in astro, math, physics, English, and so on. Indeed, with English, the fact that we have four core courses was essentially dictated by the Air Staff, who said that we want officers who can write better. They were dissatisfied with the quality of writing on the part of the officer corps. The large math component we have in the core reflects the Air Force’s concern that we also have people with abilities in that area.

So the curriculum is designed to provide a broadly based intellectual background for cadets and an accredited degree. By law we are required to give a baccalaureate degree. With that comes the corollary requirement that the degree be accredited. And with accreditation comes certain requirements. We don’t have total flexibility. So what you see in the core curriculum has evolved over the years and evolved in such a fashion that it simultaneously provides the professional military development that we think is essential and accreditation.

Incidentally, that core with its broad coverage enables us as an institution to allow cadets to choose their own major. Because the core covers what is required for second lieutenants in the Air Force and because the core does that so well, we don’t force a certain distribution of cadets in terms of their academic majors.

So after having said all that, the question remains: “Are you going to throw out individual components of the core curriculum?”

My response is probably not. The courses are there for a reason and are interconnected. They tie together in terms of building blocks for cadets. You simply can’t go in and extract one or another course without creating a ripple effect throughout the whole core.

I do, however, see every single course in that core changing virtually every year. The body of knowledge changes, and in order that we maintain currency with our curriculum we must insure that what transpires in terms of the student-teacher relationship in those individual classes reflects excellence and the current state of knowledge. That’s a long way of saying “No, 1 don’t anticipate major changes.” But it’s important that cadets consider the courses that they take here to be relevant as well and qualitatively good. If we have a problem in terms of perceptions on the part of cadet, we want to work on it.

Sir, moving away from academicsfor a second, what has been your most interesting assignment outside of the Air Force Academy?

I’ve really had a variety of fascinating assignments—they have all been very, very good. 1 suppose the assignment that was more helpful in terms of my development both as an Air Force officer and as an individual was my first assignment to a reconnaissance technical squadron in Japan in the early ’60s.

I ended up as operations officer in that squadron and was worked to a frazzle. That was during the Vietnam War, and we were exploiting the aerial photography that had been flown in Southeast Asia among other places, generating intelligence reports and so on. There was a premium on both accuracy and timeliness because of the war.

When 1 first received my assignment to Japan, 1 hardly knew how to spell “Japan.” But I found the assignment very challenging and rewarding. I learned to operate in the context of an Air Force squadron during war. I learned to work with not only fellow officers but also with NCOs. It was my first real experience with NCOs. As you know, our experience with NCOs at the Academy is limited. And, of course, I enjoyed living in a foreign culture. That first assignment was very important to my growth in the Air Force. Obviously, subsequent assignments have also been challenging.

Sir, what about your work as an air attache in London?

1 enjoyed it. First of all, London, is a delightful place. But more importantly 1 was there at a time when a variety of interesting things were happening. An attache’s job is primarily related to insuring that his own service understands what is happening in the host government’s service. My first year and a half in London was a time during which the British were reevaluating their force structure. They were faced with severe monetary constraints and were asking themselves hard questions about the minimum required force needed to achieve national objectives. The answers to those questions were very important to the U.S. because of our close ties to the U.K.

My job was to insure that an accurate portrayal of where they were going as they went through their defense review was sent back to the proper authorities in Washington. I found that absolutely fascinating. Indeed, as I sat down to prepare a cable, the intellectual process was not unlike sitting down to do a lesson plan. In both cases, I had an issue—something I wanted to protray—and there was a premium on portraying that issue in a concise fashion that would be understandable to the reader. Indeed, the major difference between teaching and what I was doing in London is that in teaching, one verbally communicates information. 1 was communicating in most cases with a pen when 1 was in London.

During my last several months in London, 1 was almost totally involved with reporting on the Falklands. It’s always tragic when you’re observing someone at war. But being able to watch closely

another society come to grips with a problem like the Falklands was fascinating and an experience that I won’t forget.

That was London. From a substantive point of view, it pushed me as far as I could go. 1 used every ounce of grey matter that I had developed not only here as a cadet, but in graduate school and back here as a member of the faculty. 1 could have used more than I had.

An air attache in London is also in a position to help in terms of USAF resources which happened to be stationed in the U.K. Indeed, about 40 percent of NATO’s air punch, and I’m speaking now largely of the two F-l 11 wings, is located in the U.K. So the U.K. is a very important ally in terms of providing host nation support and real estate for major Air Force weapons systems. In addition to the F-l 1 Is, we had the largest USAF wing of A-lOs as well as KC-135s going in and out. We were also successful in gaining British approval for the permanent stationing of two SR-71 aircraft at Mildenhall. Finally, we gained British approval for the stationing of TR-ls. The process by which you gain approval from your allies to literally place your weapons systems on their territory is fascinating. I enjoyed making the case to the best of my ability for the presence of USAF weapons systems over there.

General, shifting back to the Air Force Academy, you have emphasized both academics and military development. Do you also feel that athletics are important?

I certainly do. I’m a product of this institution. Even though I’m not a prize athlete, I did carry away useful skills in several athletic activities which have helped me remain physically fit. Sooner or later, if you don’t care for yourself physically, you adversely affect everything you do not only as an Air Force officer but as a member of society. So I consider the athletic program at the Air Force Academy very important.

Also I think it’s important to win our share of intercollegiate contests. The institution gains, for example, when we have a football season like we had last year. Going to a bowl game gives us good publicity and means that we are in a better position to attract high quality cadets.

Sir, how do you feel about extracurricular activities?

As I suggested earlier, cadets today have a marvelous smorgasbord of opportunities for extracurricular activities. I would hope that cadets look at that array of opportunities and partake of them to the extent they can without hampering their academic, military, and athletic requirements. Extracurricular activities are, in the last analysis, extracurricular activities. Hopefully, cadets will govern their time in such a fashion that they are able to absorb first what is offered in the regular academic, military, and athletic programs.

Sir, both you and Brig. Gen. Anthony Burshnick have mentioned that you do eventually plan to put computers in cadet rooms. How far down the road can we expect this to take place?

I hope that it’s not down the road too far. Ideally, we will see a three-phase program which first involves putting personal computers in the faculty and staff areas during the next few months.

The reason I would like to see the personal computers there first is that we need to insure that the faculty has a good handle on what they expect the cadets to do with those computers. Faculty expertise and faculty commitment to the use of computers doesn’t happen overnight—it takes time, just like it takes time to train cadets in the use of computers. So I would like to see at least 40 computers distributed to the faculty early next year. Faculty members in each department can then develop computer assisted instruction applications relevant to their own particular disciplines.

The second phase I see involves the wiring required to network the cadet and faculty systems. There is no way we can avoid this wiring if we are serious about creating a useful automated system.

While this wiring is underway, we may wish to provide one common use area in each dormitory where we could have perhaps as many as 50 personal computers which cadets could begin to use.

The third phase, assuming the first two happen, involves simply putting one personal computer in each cadet room. 1 would hope that all of that might happen in three to four years.

Sir, what advice wouldyou give to cadets who do happen to fall into academic difficulty?

First of all, only about seven or eight percent of our cadets leave because of academic deficiencies. My own feeling is that virtually all cadets who are successful in entering the Academy could make it through academically. In fact, 1 have yet to come on more than one or two cases where I felt the cadet simply didn’t have the academic ability to graduate. So I encourage cadets who think they might be headed for academic difficulty to make contact with their instructors right away.

Don’t wait until the hole that you have dug is so deep that it would take virtually “A” work to bail you out by the end of the semester. When you first sense a problem, that’s the time to go in and sit down with the instructor. All of the instructors are in every day. There should be no problem in gaining access to an instructor—if there is, I want to hear about it.

Explain to your instructor that things are not going well in the course and that you need help. In addition to seeing your instructor, make sure you ask yourself the question, “Am I studying in this course?’’ If you are having trouble in a particular course and have spent less than 30 minutes preparation for each class, an obvious answer to the problem might be in budgeting your study time. For some cadets, it’s very effective to work out a schedule where you designate what time will be spent studying, what time will be spent having fun, etc. You’ll be amazed at how much time there is in a week.

My experience here also suggests that most courses are structured in such a fashion that they build on concepts. Accordingly, if you drop a few building blocks along the way, that will adversely affect you throughout the remainder of the course. So that’s why I say don’t wait until you have blown a series of tests. As soon as you sense a difficulty, go to your instructor.

Sir, are there any changes expected in terms of educational opportunities available after graduation?

I think the current Air Force program for advanced degrees is a very liberal program. I don’t know precisely what percentage of my class have master’s degrees but I think it’s over 60 percent and 1 think about 15 percent of my class have doctorates. That reflects, in my judgment, an Air Force that is interested in advanced degrees and in improving the educational qualifications of its officer corps. I have no reason to anticipate that this situation, which I consider to be very good, will change. There is a question, of course, concerning whether cadets should go to graduate school immediately after graduation. My personal feeling is that a cadet is well advised to pursue a line assignment first. I say that for a couple of reasons. First of all, I think that it’s important for an officer to serve his or her junior years in a line organization. That gives them, in my judgment, a very important foundation for the rest of their Air Force careers. That’s really what 1 was talking about when I said that my most valuable assignment was my first assignment as a lieutenant and junior captain in a squadron in Japan.

There’s a more pragmatic reason as well. That first operational assignment gives the Air Force an opportunity to look an individual over and decide whether he or she is an individual on whom the Air Force wants to spend a substantial amount of money for an advanced degree. If the answer is yes, fine. If the answer is no, the officer involved may be disappointed but the Air Force hasn’t wasted taxpayers’ money.

Let me conclude by saying that there are some graduate school opportunities which I consider to be “exceptions to the rule.” One obvious program is the Rhodes Scholarship. Take a look at what our Rhodes Scholar graduates have done, and you will find that they have made very substantial contributions to the Air

Force. And, indeed, we as an institution gain from the favorable publicity we get when our cadets win Rhodes Scholarships, just as we do when our football team wins bowl games. We also have several other nationally recognized, very competitive scholarship programs which cadets are eligible for. What all this means is that about 20-25 of our graduates win prestigious scholarships and go immediately to graduate school each year. And I think that’s about the right number.

Sir, would you care to comment on the new Cadet Accountability System?

The reason we have shifted to the new CAS system quite simply is that the old CAS system didn’t work. With the old CAS system, we had created a rather large bureaucracy to answer a rather simpie question: Why is the cadet not in class? Unbelievably, the system didn’t work—we didn’t know whether cadets were in class with the other system, to say nothing of an equitable system for dealing with those who intentionally skipped class.

The fundamental issue really has little to do with the CAS system. The fundamental issue is whether we have compulsory class attendance. This institution has answered that question in the affirmative. Therefore, I would submit that this institution is responsible for a monitoring system that enforces its decision. And that system should be as simple as possible. The problem with the old system was that it was too complex.

What really happened was that it would sometimes take three weeks to a month before the CAS clerk found out that a particular cadet missed a class. At that point, the cadet couldn’t remember why. The new system cuts through all the bureaucracy. It simply has the instructor, when a cadet is not in class, put a circle in his book. When the cadet next comes to class, the instructor asks for a USAFA Form 78. On that form the instructor is told by the cadet whether the cadet’s absence was authorized or not. Hopefully 99 percent of those absences will be authorized. On rare occasions, cadets will cut a class. Now, there’s a price for cutting a class—it’s clearly laid out. I’m hoping that this new, rather simple system is one that will work.

It is, of course, a system that requires an application of good judgement and common sense. 1 don’t want the system to be perceived as a hassle for the great majority of cadets who attend classes as they should. Conversely, if those few cadets who decide that they want to skip a class consider this to be a hassle, I say great. That’s exactly what I want. My own prediction is that we will find a very small number of cadets who are penalized by virtue of the new system. Cadets are too smart to play games with a system that actually works.

Sir, in closing, what advice would you give to cadets as they become junior officers in the Air Force?

To all cadets here I would say extract whatever you can—make the most of your experience at the Air Force Academy. This really is a first-rate institution. I’m speaking not only of our academic program, but of our military training program and our athletic program. All things considered, there is no undergraduate institution in the United States that I would consider better than the United States Air Force Academy. As you look toward your career in the Air Force, there is bound to be a certain amount of uncertainty, and indeed, a certain amount of fear about the future. But experience suggests that while such uncertainty is understandable, it should be sprinkled with a heavy dose of optimism.

The Air Force is a challenging organization. It’s an organization which has a very important mission. It knows how to perform that mission very well, and it needs the best people it can get. When it gets good people, it makes use of those people.

So I would say to cadets who are looking toward graduation, make sure you absorb what is offered at the Air Force Academy. As you look toward the future, look with an open mind and a spirit of optimism. There are any number of challenges out there with your names on them. All you need to do is gain that commission, grab those challenges, and the rewards will come!

Vice Dean to Retire: Col. May, ’61, Named to Fill Post

Col. John P. Wittry, vice dean of the faculty, has announced his intention to retire from the Air Force this July. He will be replaced by Col. John May, ’61, who presently serves as permanent professor and head, Department of Physics.

Col. Wittry will retire after nearly 33 years of active, commissioned military service which includes more than 20 years of service as a military educator at the Academy. He will continue his career in education, having been selected to become the academic dean at the California Maritime Academy (CMA).

CMA is a small four-year technical college which educates and trains young men and women for careers in the maritime industry. The CMA offers two accredited bachelor of science degrees in marine engineering technology and nautical industrial technology, as well as numerous special training and continuing education programs and is located near Vallejo, Calif.

Col. May, who will begin a two-year absence from the Physics Department this summer to serve as vice dean, was a member of both 5th and 9th Squadrons as a cadet. After attending undergraduate pilot training, he began a series of assignments with the C-130 aircraft, the first with the 41st Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C. During this four-year tour he progressed to instructor pilot and in 1967 was assigned to the 39th Aerospace Recovery and Rescue Service at Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, where he flew the HC-103P, the tanker version of the C-130. The 39th’s mission was to coordinate rescue efforts for downed pilots and to perform aerial refueling of rescue helicopters.

In 1968 Col. May was sponsored by the Department of Physics to attend graduate school at North Carolina State University where he earned an M.S. in physics in 1970. After two years on the faculty at the Air Force Academy he returned to North Carolina State, earning a Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics in 1974. His return to teaching lasted only two years because of the new “gate” requirements for flying.

He describes his next assignment as being thrown back into the briar patch the 6594th Test Group at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where the job was aerial recovery of objects as they were descending by parachute. In this assignment he qualified as an aerial recovery aircraft commander, instructor pilot, flight examiner, and finally chief, Office of Standardization/Evaluation. He was active in the flight testing of a Head-up-Display for aerial recovery and made the first live recovery with this system.

In 1979 Col. May was assigned to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Bolling AFB, Wash., D.C., where he was the program manager for Air Force basic research in particle beams, plasmas, and pulsed power. He held this assignment for only a year and in July of 1980 he was appointed permanent professor and head, Department of Physics, the second graduate to be selected as a permanent professor.

GRADUATE EARNS INTERNATIONAL JAYCEE HONOR

A 1971 graduate of the Air Force Academy, now serving as a course director and instructor in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, was named one of the ten outstanding young persons of the world for 1983, in an event sponsored by Jaycees International.

Maj. Felix Sanchez was recognized by Jaycees International for significant career contributions to the U.S. Air Force and for his many religious activities. The award, presented in Taipei, Republic of China, this past Nov. 9, follows recognition of Maj. Sanchez as one of the 10 outstanding young men of America, an award sponsored by the U.S. Jaycees in 1983 for his accomplishments while assigned to Hill AFB, Utah, as flight test director of the Ground Launched Cruise Missile Test Program.

Maj. Sanchez is one of three Americans cited in this, the first year of the international award. Seventy-four other nations’ Jaycees organizations entered contestants.

Sanchez was assigned to the Academy in June as an instructor and director of the “Aircraft Stability and Control Course.” He majored in aeronautical engineering at the Academy and received his master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology under the Air Force Institute of Technology Scholarship Program.

Maj. Sanchez called the award an honor he was surprised to

receive. “I was shocked at first,” he said. “I’m flattered, obviously, but it seems unfair to be rewarded for having so much fun. I don’t think you can truly select the outstanding people of the world. We’re really just representative of many others who work hard at their professions and are involved in their communities and churches. Countless other people were equally qualified for this honor.”

Sanchez contributed much to the Air Force and to his church to qualify for the recognition. In addition to his assignment at Hill AFB, he has served as an aeronautical engineer at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., where he determined the effects on aircraft’s aerodynamics and stabilty control characteristics due to various aircraft modifications. He also served at Tinker AFB as a member of numerous aircraft accident investigation teams and was named the Junior Officer of the Year there in 1973.

His assignment to Hill AFB came after he completed Air Force Test Pilot School as a flight test engineer at Edwards AFB, Calif. After serving at Hill as the test project manager on multi-mission remotely piloted vehicle flight tests, he directed flight test engineering for the Ground Launched Cruise Missile Program, designated by the president with the highest national priority. (Academic Call to Quarters)

Col. May

Col. Wittry

First Wave of Micro-Computers Arrives

By A1C Scott R. Aldrich Public Affairs Office

The program to provide micro-computers for every cadet room has recently taken its first step past the planning stage. Over the Christmas holiday 50 Zenith Z-100 computers were delivered to the Academy. They are currently being placed in faculty offices and common use areas where faculty members can gain familiarity with the system before they are made available to cadets.

“The computers we have just received will be used by faculty for administrative tasks and the development of computer-based education systems,” said Lt. Col. Thomas E. McCann, director of Research, Studies and Analysis. “More than 120 of these computers will be installed in common use areas next year for use by faculty, staff and cadets. Our plans call for 1,225 microcomputers to be installed in cadet rooms by July 1986 and another 1,025 computers to be installed in cadet rooms by the summer of 1987,” Colonel McCann said.

Let me show you how

Brig. Gen. Ervin J. Rokke, dean offaculty, demonstrates one of the 50 new Zenith Z-100 micro-computers. The computers were made available to the faculty before similar systems are installed in cadet rooms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sgt. Donna Walrath)

“Our current computer-based education system and the 40 terminals associated with it are saturated. Many faculty members have been waiting for these micro-computers so they could develop educational materials which could be delivered to cadets on this system, or one similar to it, in the future. I expect that within the next year we’ll see many educational software items developed by the academic departments.”

Colonel McCann said there is a study currently underway to determine the best way to tie the faculty and cadet computers into a central processing unit. “What is being looked at now is what is known as a mass storage unit. It will have information files stored on large disks which can be down-loaded into the memory of the cadet’s micro-computer. The cadet will then execute the program and reload it into the mass storage unit. Also, we’ve got our mainframe computers in operation now that cadets will have access to. This will enable them to use large programs that may exceed the storage capacity of the micro-computer.”

Eventually, the entire computer network will be tied into the Cadet Library, which is planning to put the bulk of its reference material on computer files. A faculty member or cadet would then be able to use their computer to get titles or author names under a subject listing and even a card catalog number on a certain publication.

To support the large amount of information flow that would result from all of these computers operating at once, miles of coaxial cable will be laid around the cadet area.

“The cable which will be laid will be tied to the mass storage unit, the mainframe computers and the cadet and faculty microcomputers. The library’s information system and various audiovisual links will also be carried over the cable, enabling cadets to view TV transmissions of courses and other productions in their rooms,” Colonel McCann said.

“There are other civilian colleges involved in similar computer projects, but the best of our knowledge, this is the largest institution-funded project of its kind.” (The Falcon Flyer)

Col. Royer Named Permanent Professor

In October of last year, Col. Erlind G. Royer became the Academy’s 19th Permanent Professor. Colonel Royer is department head and professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering. “It is definitely an honor to be inducted into this program,” said the colonel.

Through a selective process, an elite group of Air Force educators are offered the opportunity to remain at the Academy until their retirement. Their presence here provides guidance and direction in the Academys’ educational programs.

Having a strong background in education, the colonel received his PhD from the University of Illinois in 1970 and has attended Squadron Officer School (distingished graduate), Armed Forces Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and National War College.

Prior to arriving here in August, Colonel Royer was deputy chief, Command and Control Branch, Operations Division, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO in Belgium. “The main area of work was writing a command and control improvement plan for all of NATO for the next 10 years,” explained Colonel Royer.

The colonel’s list of accomplishments during his 22-year career spans a wide horizon of research and education. A gratifying ex-

perience for all educators is to know their instruction and teaching are paying off. “An interesting fact is that of the 10 faculty members on my staff who are Academy grads, five were former students of mine who I remember well as cadets,” noted the permanent professor. (The Falcon Flyer)

Civilian Earns Award

At a ceremony in the Cadet Library, Brig. Gen. Ervin J. Rokke (’62), dean of faculty, presented Donald J. Barrett with the Department of the Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Medal. This marks the first time that such a high ranking award, equivalent to the Air Force Legion of Merit, has been presented to an Academy civilian employee.

Mr. Barrett, assistant director for Public Services for the Academy Library, was cited for his exceptional skill in guiding the $4.5 million library expansion project from initial planning phase through final completion from January 1977 to March 1983. The certificate was signed personally by the Honorable Verne Orr, secretary of the Air Force.

Academy’s role examined:

Professionalism Instead of Careerism Urged

By Colonel Gene H. Davis, ’61

Anton Myrer in his book, Once an Eagle, portrays stereotypes of a military careerist and a military professional. He places his characters in a confrontational and competitive setting. Both the hypotheses and conclusions which underly Mr. Myrer’s novel are important for today’s Air Force and its officers.

While I do not agree with the association of a careerist with staff duties, and professional officers with field or operational duties as described in the book, I do essentially concur with Myrer’s derived definition of a careerist as one who pursues his own advancement to the detriment of or without regard for the mission and goals of his service and the country. The professional, on the other hand, is one whose basic aim is the legitimate pursuit of the fundamental interests of the service and the nation, even at considerable expense in terms of personal sacrifice and career “opportunities.”

Where do we stand in the Air Force today with regard to professionalism versus careerism? While 1 believe that today’s force is as professional as any since the U.S. Air Force became a separate service, 1 also think there are trends which are worrisome in the context of leadership development and the errosive effect of prevailing careerism within the officer corps.

Since the end of the Vietnam war, many factors have combined to enhance the growth of careerism in the Air Force. Among these are a reduction in force, changing economic conditions, changing societal values, and internal management measures. Efforts will have to be made to account for these factors and to actively promote professionalism if the Air Force is to avoid a future force dominated by a careerist mentality.

There is little question that wartime and peacetime operations of a service are different. This in itself tends to bring about changes that may foster careerism. Peacetime values and requirements differ from wartime values and requirements. Prerequisites for advancement vary between the two situations. Reductions in force bring about different standards for controlling the “quality” of the force. Since the end of the Vietnam conflict, a reduction in force coupled with a volunteer force has led to high standards in terms of performance (including educational accomplishments) and a highly competitive environment for advancement.

Gradually over the past few years, a pattern for advancement to the highest levels of Air Force leadership has developed that emphasizes professional military education (PME), academic degrees, “correct” duty assignments, and below the zone (BTZ) promotions. Combat experience is a declining factor as the era of Vietnam becomes more a memory than a reality. Peacetime requirements and standards prevail.

Economic conditions, particularly in the last two to three years, have exacerbated the careerist tendencies by enhancing Air Force recruitment and retention, allowing the Air Force to be more selective in its promotion process and intensifying the competition for promotion. The factors mentioned in the previous paragraph become more and more predominent. The officer concerned with advancement becomes more and more preoccupied with obtaining the required academic degrees, PME credentials, and a “promotable” duty position and less and less concerned with the unit mission and its accomplishment. Professional hedonism careerism results.

Changing societal values have also impacted the Air Force and the perspective of its officer corps. While the anti-military sentiments of the late 1960s and 1970s have diminished considerably, the “me first” and “I’ve got mine” philosophies may have even been reinforced by recent Air Force policies and personnel management techniques. Concepts of integrity and duty to coun

try (or the “social contract” in the larger national context) continue under attack, as evidenced by governmental/congressional “scandals,” questionable business practices, and the conduct of the population at large in areas such as the payment of income taxes.

Moral and ethical practices are challenged and denigrated. Chapel attendance becomes “optional” at the Air Force Academy. A court suit is filed to keep astronauts from mentioning God in their transmission from space. And traditional observations, derived from our national heritage, must be stripped of all religious connotations in public ceremonies. Top-level officers who provide advice to governmental leaders based on concepts of “Duty, Honor, Country” are accused by members of the press and even members of government of being guilty of dealing in “duplicity, horrormongering, and conflagration.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Colonel Davis

Colonel Gene H. Davis presently serves as assistant deputy for operations with the 60th Military Airlift Wing at Travis AFB, Calif He was born in Sacramento, Calif, graduatedfrom the Air Force Academy in 1961, and earned a master’s degree in Latin American studies from San Diego State University in 1972. His professional military education includes Squadron Officers School, the Naval War College Command Staff Course, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. During his early Air Force career he served as an aircraft commander on C-133 and C-130 aircraft and held various squadron staffpositions at Dover AFB, Del., and Ching Chuan Kang AB, Taiwan. In 1972, he graduatedfrom the Spanish language course at the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, Calif, after which he served as air operations officer (advisor) in Buenas Aires, Argentina. From 1975 to 1978, Colonel Davis was a C-5 aircraft commander andflight commander for the 22nd Military Airlift Squadron at Travis AFB. He then took the Portuguese language course at the Defense Language Institute and served the next two years as political advisor to the commander of U.S. Forces, Azores. From 1980 to 1983, he served in various positions at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, including operations staffofficer, Long Range Plans Division, Directorate ofPlans; assistant chief of the Long Range Plans Division; and chief of the Western Hemisphere Division, Directorate of Plans. Colone! Davis and his wife, Judy, have a son, Christopher, who is a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1985, and a daughter, Cynthia, who is a high school senior.

A consequence of many of these shifts in societal mores is the pursuit and defense of individualism, at the expense of the common good, whether it is attempting to provide for the defense of the nation or to warn of the perils of not providing for such defense. Controversial figures (who today are just about anyone speaking out on a major defense issue) generally run a high risk in terms of career advancement.

As stated earlier, the Air Force may have contributed to careerism through its own internal policies and management concepts. This is particularly true with respect to the one, two, three officer effectiveness rating (OER) system and the strong emphasis on BTZ promotions.

The one, two, three OER system, which placed strict limits on the availability of top ratings for officers, had the unfortunate characteristic of placing officers (even within the smallest integral unit) in open and fierce competition with one another. An element with three officers could place one officer in the top 23 percent of all officers in his grade Air-Force wide, a second could be within the next 27 percent of all like grade officers, and the other would be in the bottom 50 percent of all officers of the same grade. These limitations applied, often in variance with the quality of individual performances. In such an environment, harmonious action and cooperative effort are difficult. The situation is analogous to telling three members of a winning Superbowl team that one is, indeed, a member of the Superbowl team, the second that he will be considered a conference team winner, and the third that he is a member of the league and that they will be provided commensurate recognition and rewards. After a season or two of such proceedings, team play is likely to be missing.

With respect to the BTZ system, it is easy to dismiss any criticism as “sour grapes,” especially if the critic did not benefit from the system. There are, however, serious considerations which need to be analyzed with respect to the system and the concept.

The concept, of course, is a noble one: to recognize top-level performance and potential with rapid advancement in grade. With an expanded force, reasonable advancement opportunities for most officers, and a resulting balanced, varied leadership, the BTZ system provides a true incentive and a productive management tool.

Where, however, this becomes a prime method of selecting top leadership within the organization, questions are raised concerning depth and experience, the quality of the individual’s contribution to his unit (especially where square-filling assignments are involved), and professional versus careerist motivation. I have encountered several (too many) officers in recent times whose driving motivation seems to be filling the right squares and fastburning to the top. These officers are more concerned with where they are going than what they are doing. Their success in achieving their goals is counterproductive in terms of the motivation of the larger number of officers, who often provide the steady, work-aday leadership of the operational and support elements of the Air Force. A leadership composed almost exclusively of individuals described above would certainly be a manifestation of careerism prevailing over professionalism.

The Air Force Academy represents a special consideration in the development of professional officers. The factors that I have described so far come into play once an officer enters the active force. But the Academy officer should bring to the service a high sense of professionalism and serve as a role model for his contemporaries. The question then is, “Does the Academy program encourage careerism or professionalism?” My feeling is that greater efforts need to be made to promote professionalism in the graduates of that institution.

One of the greatest detractors from the development of an Air Force Academy cadet as a professional military officer is the overemphasis on academic prowess and achievement. No one questions the value of a good, solid academic background as a prerequisite for today’s professional military officer. However, since its inception, USAFA has stressed the academic to the detriment of military and leadership development.

Academics is an individual effort. The Honor Code ensures that this is even more true at the Academy. Thus, the emphasis on academics, with the consequential competition among the academic departments for the heart and soul of the cadets, shortchanges the development of a team spirit and leadership training for our future military leaders. From recruitment to the allocation of cadet time, it is apparent that academics is first, foremost, and (this is the danger) almost exclusive. Methodologies must be sought which will rekindle the sense of class belonging, military ideals, and the pursuit of team efforts to accomplish a common goal.

De-emphasis of academics, combined with expanded military programs and a return to a challenging “system” will all help to provide an atmosphere for the development of professionally oriented officers. One idea which has merit would be to keep the fourthclass cadets at the Academy during the Thanksgiving holiday period. They would have free reign of the grounds and be responsible for running the wing. Such a training period would allow for the development of a class identity, a sense of future responsibilities, and a goal requiring cooperative effort (the suecessful management of the Cadet Wing).

The metamorphasis of the main character in the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the observations on a recent ABC Nightline television program which chronicled the developmnent of a professional leadership attitude among students in high school military academies have application for USAFA. I think a major conference on professionalism and the Academy cadet involving the entire spectrum of USAFA graduates would be a worthwhile endeavor to develop more ideas based on service experiences for cadet leadership development.

What is needed to promote professionalism in the Air Force?

First, of course, measures should be taken at USAFA to actively promote the ideals of professionalism over careerism. A like approach must be considered throughout all commissioning programs in the Air Force.

As a follow-on, the Air Force leadership needs to evaluate current policies and programs to determine if careerism is being promoted at the expense of professionalism. An active effort must be made to ensure that evaluation, assignment, and promotion systems work toward instilling and reinforcing the ideals of professionalism in our officer corps. Project Warrior is an embryo idea toward that end. Officers who reflect the ideals of professionalism must be brought into leadership positions, with or without the present requisite square filling.

What can you as an individual officer do to create professionalism within the Air Force? The basic contribution that all of us can make is to do our jobs to the utmost of our ability guided by the principle of mission accomplishment instead of personal aggrandizement or career enhancement. In this critical time in our nation’s history, our Air Force needs professional officers, not careerists.

Col. Daley Retires

Col. Daniel H. Daley, permanent professor and head of the Aeronautics Department, retired at the end of March after some 40 years of active duty military service.

Initially assigned to the Academy in 1961, Colonel Daley was responsible for the early development of the Academy’s aeronautical engineering curriculum. He returned to the Academy in 1967, when he was selected as a permanent professor of aeronautics, at which time he also became head of the Aeronautics Department.

“I especially enjoyed my position as a permanent professor and the opportunity to work with such a good group of people,” Colonel Daley said.

President to Speak at Graduation

For the first time since 1969, a president of the United States will deliver the graduation address at the Academy. This year’s graduation is slated for May 30.

President Ronald Reagan has officially announced that he will deliver the graduation address. Previous presidents who spoke here were Richard M. Nixon in 1969, and John F. Kennedy in 1963. Last year’s speaker was U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona, chairman of the Academy’s Board of Visitors.

The events on graduation day in Falcon Stadium (weather permitting) will include the march-on of graduates at 9:30 a.m., the graduation ceremoney starting at 9:45 a.m., the commencement address by President Reagan at approximately 9:55, the awarding of diplomas and commissions at 10:15, and a flying demonstration by the Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Thunder-

birds, at approximately 11 a.m.

The ceremony is open and free to the public. No tickets are required. The gates will open at 8 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, graduation will be conducted in the Cadet Field House and attendance will be by invitation only.

More than 1,000 cadets are expected to receive bachelor of science degrees and commissions this year, with the majority of the graduates going on to undergraduate pilot and navigator training programs.

The Class of 1984 is the largest to graduate in the history of the Academy. The current Class of ’84 members will bring to more than 17,600 the number of graduates of the Academy. (The Falcon Flyer)

Admissions Director Receives Fellowship

Lt. Col. Larry Thacker, ’63, director of Academy Admissions, was selected recently by the American Council on Education to become an ACE Fellow in Academic Administration. Colonel Thacker has served in his current position since 1983 and was previously an associate professor of English.

The ACE fellows program each year selects 32 American college professors to study administration methods at the college of their choice for one year. The program evolved in the mid 60s as a result of campus unrest that resulted in the dismissal of many college presidents across the country. As a result, the ACE decided to establish the fellowship program to help outstanding professors learn more about college administration, a position they may one day hold.

“The whole purpose of the program is to give educators a chance to understudy a college president,” Colonel Thacker said. “The ACE fellow is able to watch the entire decision-making process the budgeting, planning and integration of various campus departments.”

Professors are nominated for the program by their college president. Colonel Thacker was nominated in November of last year by Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Jr., superintendent. From the initial group of nominees, 100 are selected by an ACE board of college professors to be interviewed at various locations across the country. Finally, only 32 professors are named ACE fellows each year.

After being selected for the program, the individual will decide which college or colleges to visit, depending on what he or she hopes to learn during the year.

“I will be looking for schools with many diverse elements of higher education,” Colonel Thacker said. “I will be seeking quality schools schools that have established quality because that is what we have at the Academy.

“The key is to find a school where the chief executive officer is willing to take on the role of a mentor, a place where the college president will let me observe the entire administrative process.”

Colonel Thacker is currently contacting schools nationwide to determine suitable locations.

“I hope to learn things that will help me in my job after returning from my sabbatical. As director of Admissions, I’m concerned about attrition. The current emphasis among college administrators is to address the problem of attrition as a campuswide effort. We are not well structured for that now at the Academy. Perhaps I can learn something that will help the Academy ensure that all areas are working together to improve cadet retention.

“Another area I would like to study is how other colleges use their alumni in recruiting students. We don’t have much of a program for that at the Academy because we don’t have that many alumni yet. However, it’s time for us to start developing such a program so we can use alumni in our recruiting efforts effectively.”

Colonel Thacker is the third Academy member to be named as an ACE fellow. By coincidence, all three were at one time professors in the English Department. Col. Mike Mendelson became the first ACE fellow from the Academy in 1966. He is now chancellor of the University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla. Lt. Col. Bill Wallisch, currently the executive officer to the superintendent, served as an ACE fellow from 1982-83.

The success of the ACE fellows program is demonstrated by the number of the program’s alumni who have achieved top positions in college administration. Eighty-three have become college presidents, while more than 450 have become vice presidents, vice chancellors, provosts or deans. (The Falcon Flyer)

Lt. Col. Thacker

FALCON SPORTS

18 Academy Athletes

During the winter sports season, the Air Force Academy received a total of 18 All-Americas, giving the Falcons a total of 22 for the year.

The women’s swimming team accounted for 10 while pistol had three and women’s gymnastics had two. Men’s swimming, men’s indoor track and women’s indoor track teams had one apiece.

Led by senior Karen Burton and sophomore Beth Haney, the women’s swimming team gained 10 individual All-America honors and a total of 20 All-America certificates at the NCAA Division II championships in Long Island, N.Y.

C1C Karen Burton

Burton led the way with a national title in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:31.0 to set a NCAA Division II record. Burton, a four-year All-America, also earned certificates in the 500-yard freestyle and the 1,650-yard freestyle.

Haney received five All-America certificates at the championships. Earning All-America for the second-straight year, she was fourth in the 200-yard individual medley, fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke and sixth in the 200-yard individual medley. Haney also was on the 200 and 400-yard medley relay teams.

Named All-Americas

Sophomore Barb Smith received All-America honors for her second-straight year, placing in the 100-yard butterfly and was a member of the 200 and 400-medley relay teams.

Tiina Landschulz copped All-America honors for the fourthstraight year in 3-meter diving while Dana Strong received honors for the second year in the 1-meter diving and for the first year in the 3-meter diving.

Other All-Americas in swimming were Jean Heffernan (100-yard butterfly and 400-medley relay team), Heidi Croeber (1-meter diving), Susan Bier (200-medley relay), Nicole Berry (400-yard medley relay) and Judy Hupp for the second-straight year on the 200-yard medley relay team.

Based on their overall competition throughout the year, seniors Bradley Robert, Brian Meir and Eddie Norris were selected as AllAmericas in pistol. Robert was named both in air and standard pistol for the third-straight year. Meir and Norris were selected in air pistol while Meir was an honorable mention in the standard pistol.

Sophomore Mike Brown finished in ninth place in the 200-meter butterfly at the NCAA Division I Swimming championships in Cleveland, Ohio, to earn All-America honors. His time of 2:01.71 qualified Brown for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Junior Marci McGlinn won the national championship in the vault with a 9.2 score to earn All-America honors at the NCAA Division II championships in Springfield, Mass. In addition, sophomore Cynthia Tallmadge also won All-America honors with a fifth place in the uneven bars with a 8.95.

Senior Gale Conway placed second in the women’s 500-meter run at the NCAA Indoor Track campionships in Syracuse, N.Y. Conway, the first Falcon woman to receive All-America status in indoor track, was timed in 1:11.35.

Senior Dan Rojas, the first Falcon to win a WAC indoor track championship, took second place in the 800-meter run to earn All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Track championships in Syracuse, N.Y. Rojas was a close runnerup to Iowa’s State’s Gareth Brown, 1:49.47 to 1:49.52.

WINTER SPORTS POST 67.6 PERCENT WIN RATE

Another successful winter sports season has been posted by Air Force Academy athletes. The 14-varsity winter sports teams had an overall percentage of 67.6, winning 183 contests while losing 87 and tying 3.

Women’s gymnastics placed sixth in the NCAA Division II championships while women’s swimming was 11th in its championships. Women’s gymnastics also won the regional title while women’s swimming won its conference title.

Both pistol and rifle won regional titles while women’s basketball took second in the Continental Divide Conference. The women’s indoor track team was the only team undefeated this season with a 7-0 mark.

Swimming led the winter sports in All-Americas with 10 paced by Karen Burton winning a national title in the 400-yard individual medley at the NCAA Division II championships. Junior Marci McGlinn won a national title in the vault at the NCAA Division II Gymnastic championships. Seniors Dan Rojas and Gale Conway earned All-America honors with second place

showings at the NCAA Indoor Track championships in Syracuse, N.Y.

Although not a varsity sport, boxing won its fifth Midwest championship with seven boxers advancing to the National College Boxing Association championships in Berkeley, Calif.

A summary of the winter sports follows:

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Falcons posted an 8-19 overall record and compiled a 3-13 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) record. Air Force competed in two tournaments, the IPTAY in Clemson, N.C., and the Music City Invitational in Nashville, Tenn. The Falcons were 1-1 in the IPTAY tourney, losing to Marquette 80-60 but downed Wagner 70-58 in the consolation game. In the Music City Invitational, the Falcons fell to Vanderbilt 69-52 and Texas A&M 44-42. Maurice McDonald led the Falcons with a 13.1 average for the season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL After a second-place finish in the Continental Divide Conference championships, the Air Force

women’s basketball team closed its season with a 13-13 record. The Falcons advanced to the finals in the CDC championships defeating Colorado College 65-64 but lost to Denver 69-63 in the championship game. Falcons Theresa Blad and Stacey Goss were selected to the all-tournament team.

MEN’S FENCING With a 16-1 record, the men’s fencing team ended the season with a second-place finish in the Western Regionals. The Falcons were second behind Stanford. Falcons Stu LeBlanc and Erv Sheets qualified for the NCAA championships held in Princeton, N.J. LeBlanc competed in epee while Sheets was in foil.

WOMEN’S FENCING With a third-place finish in the Western Intercollegiate championships, the Air Force women’s fencing team ended the season with a 7-6-1 record. Sophomore Chrissy Dickerson qualified for the NCAA finals with a 6-2 record at the Western.

MEN’S GYMNASTICS Ending the season with an 11-10 record, the men’s gymnastics team completed its season with a fourth-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference Invitational in Provo, Utah. Senior Bob Monday was the top Falcon performer with a fourth-place finish on the rings and qualified for the nationals in that event.

WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS With a 19-4 record, the Air Force women’s gymnastics team finished the season with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division 11 national championships in Springfield, Mass. Junior Marci McGlinn won the national championship in the vault with a 9.2 score to earn All-America honors. In addition, sophomore Cynthia Tallmadge also won All-America honors with a fifth place in the uneven bars with an 8.95. Air Force finished with 167.30 points while Jacksonville won the team honors with a 173.40 score.

C2C Marci McGlinn

ICE HOCKEY The Air Force ice hockey team ended the season with an 8-16-2 record, including an 8-8-1 home stand. The Falcons ended the season on a winning note, defeating Hamline 5-4 in the final game. Sophomore Frank Daldine led the scoring attack for the second-straight year with 31 points on 17 goals and 14 assists. He also topped the team in power-play goals with 10. Freshman Matt Crandall led the goalies allowing 89 goals for a 5.3 average.

MEN’S INDOOR TRACK Paced by All-America Dan Rojas, the men’s indoor track team took fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference championships held at the Academy. Rojas became the first athlete in Academy history to win a WAC indoor title, capturing the 880-yard run in a school record 1:48.33. Rojas won All-America honors in the NCAA Division I championships in Syracuse, N.Y., finishing second in the 800-meter run.

WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK With a 7-0 record, the women’s indoor track team took first place in the Kearney (Neb.) Invitational. The Falcons also participated in the Kansas and Florida Invitationals, both non-scoring events. Gail Conway qualified for the NCAA Division I nationals and took second place in the women’s 500-meter run, giving her All-America honors, the first ever by a member of the women’s indoor track team.

PISTOL Sporting a 20-3 record, the Air Force pistol team won the Intercollegiate Sectionals hosted by the Air Force Academy. The Falcons defeated Northern Colorado in three matches air, free and standard for the title. Seniors Brian Meir, Bradley Robert and Eddie Norris received All-America honors for their overall season average.

RIFLE With the most wins during the winter season with a 31-7 record, the Air Force rifle team won both the small bore and air rifle at the sectionals held at the Academy. Freshman Tommy Arthur qualified for the NCAA championships, finishing 39th in the competition.

MEN’S SWIMMING After a sixth-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference championships, the men’s swimming team completed its season with a 14-2 dual meet record. Mike Brown posted the highest Falcon individual finish in the WAC with a third-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly event with a school record of 151.82. Garrett Thompson also set a school record after winning the 50-yard free-style consolation rate in 21:01.

WOMEN’S SWIMMING

Ending the season with a 17-3 record, the women’s swimming team placed 11th at the NCAA Division II championships in Hemstead, N.Y. Senior team captain Karen Burton won the 400-yard individual medley in a meet record of 4:31.0. In addition to Burton, Jean Heffernan, Dana Strong, Tiina Landschulz, Heide Croeber, Susan Bier, Nicole Berry, Judy Hupp, Barb Smith and Beth Haney won All-America honors.

WRESTLING

The wrestling team ended the season with a third-place finish in the WAC championships and compiled a 12-3 dual meet record. The Falcons, also were seventh in the Mountain Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (MIWA), sixth in the Wyoming Invitational and eighth in the Falcon Invitational. Heavyweight Terry Maki and 142-pounder Doug Wells qualified for the NCAA national championships. Major Wayne Baughman was named Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Ouch!

Chris Moreland and Steve Donovan exchange blows simultaneously during the Academy Wing Open boxing championships held in the Cadet Field House in early March. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Mike Carter)

First USAFA-Army Football Clash: It Was Different In Those Days

By Rich Mayo, ’61

West Point was the parade ground of almost mythical heros who thundered out of the East with awesome power. Pennants hung in their banquet halls that proclaimed National Championships to be their standard fare. Each autumn the Black Knights of the Hudson forayed out of their castle for the jousts to unsaddle pretenders who dared to vie for power, Heisman’s or recognition by their queen, the Eastern Press. Along with them this day rode MacArthur, Eisenhower, Blake, Blanchard, Davis, Dawkins, Carpenter and Anderson; their armour gleaming and their mounts prancing and blowing clouds of steam toward the moist turf of Yankee Stadium.

But, the western sky brought no pretenders this time. Tempered in the crucible of the unbeaten year their first season, the second edition of the Falcons sliced through the gray New York sky armed, trained and ready.

Cubero of Brooklyn was brilliant in front of his hometown crowd and Jan.

Rawlins of Texas keyed on Bob Anderson the All-American running back, and Army infantry gained only six yards the second half.

Deke Johnson and Howie Bronson played offense and defense like the combat heros they would become.

Quinlan of Minnesota was the heart of the team. He was a running back, receiver, defensive back, punt returner and special teams player the fighting Irish of the Air Force.

Hardage of Mississippi was the Snake at his best, knifing between blockers and creating chaos in the Army Camp.

Wagner of California fought like the fighter pilot he is against the grim Army line.

Lane of Texas combined the courage and skill he used to take the season’s opening kickoff as a freshman against UCLA.

Pupich of California faked the field goal that led to the tying touchdown.

Brickey of Utah made an impossible catch between two defenders off the fake field goal to keep the fourth quarter scoring drive alive.

Monte Moorberg scored the first touchdown the Falcons ever

Honor Earned Twice

Former Falcon quarterback Marty Louthan, who, in 1983, led Air Force to its winningest football season ever (10-2), won the Colorado “College Athlete of the Year” honor for the second straight time a rarity in the Hall of Fame’s history.

Louthan, who is most noted for being a crafty wishbone quarterback, guided the Falcons to two consecutive winning seasons, including two straight bowl victories (36-28 over Vanderbilt in the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl, and 9-3 over Mississippi in the 1983 Independence Bowl). Also, he helped lead his team in winning two consecutive Commander-in-Chief Trophies (1982 and 1983).

This marks the third consecutive time an Academy player has earned the award. Johnny Jackson, former Falcon safety, and now a first lieutenant assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, was 1982’s honoree.

Air Force’s 1983 football team was honored with a special citation for its accomplishments. (The Falcon Flyer)

scored in inter-service rivalry.

Tom Walker played the only way he knew how: with the reckless abandon that left him spread-eagled on the field almost every game his nickname was “Canvas Back.”

John Gursky and Tom Bakke were assistant coaches that stalked the sidelines and loved us.

Burke Morgan and Vic Apodaca were the team managers whose enthusiasm was as great as the players’.

Chris Dixon cheered us on from Colorado because he wasn’t on the traveling squad.

Charles McCain gave all that he had, just as he would for his country some years later.

In King Arthur’s day the magician Merlin often took the form of a Falcon. On the 13th of October Merlin again disguised himself as a Falcon named Ben Martin. Ben, wizard of tactics, architect of the unbeatable Cotton Bowl Team, coach of the year, and leader, enchanted the medieval hosts and 70,000 more with a 13-13 victory.

It was different in those days.

The sky was a lighter blue.

The Thunderbolts were smaller.

The Black Knights roamed the countryside unchallenged.

But, now there is a new power in the west growing, maturing and nurturing the young of each year.

Many of that team still share this nurturing task in our limited mortal way; but some of us: Monte Moorberg, Tom Walker, Chris Dixon, Charles McCain, Burke Morgan, Vic Apodaca, John Gursky, and Tom Bakke have not joined our own host of fallen Warriors that buckle on their helmets and fly top cover in case we need them. They played and cheered and cajoled and leaped with joy that 1959 October in New York and then in another time in a more hostile arena they could not return.

The sides are even now. Strong with legends, heros and traditions.

So, our gathering Host and their West Point counterparts from that year and many other years, we say “Thanks and God Bless You.”

Classroom First; Then Football

While Ole Miss was busy concentrating on football and getting ready for the Independence Bowl, the Air Force Academy had a different pre-game activity that Thursday morning. Barksdale AFB had a base tour planned for the football team, but the Falcons had to decline the invitation.

The reason? The cadets were taking examinations in their hotel.

While other colleges strive for excellence on the gridiron and their players have visions of professional football, the cadets at the Academy accept sports in a different fashion. No Academy graduate has ever gone on to play in the National Football League, but that’s not important.

One particular cadet senior fullback Ted Sundquist spoke for his teammates and classmates after the game when he said, “I didn’t come here just to play football. I will take the lessons learned here and apply them to my Air Force career. Sure football was fun, but I am really looking forward to my career as an officer in the Air Force.” (The Falcon Flyer)

Topic: “Improving American Innovation”

AOG Helps Support 26th Academy Assembly

By Maj. David Palenchar, ’70 Department of Political Science Director, 26th Academy Assembly

Springtime in Colorado. A time for gardening, window washing, and golf. Right? How about snow drifts, gale-force winds, northbound 1-25 closed at the South Gate, and “next year I’m getting a snow blower!” Besides the latter, spring also means its time again for one of the Academy’s oldest continuing programs, the United States Air Force Academy Assembly. This year’s assembly, the 26th, addressed the topic “Improving American Innovation” from March 6 through 9 and was a striking success.

For those of you old enough to have sons and daughters at the Academy let me refresh your memory a bit. The Department of Political Science conducts the assembly for the superintendent under the auspices of the American Assembly of Columbia University. Established by Dwight Eisenhower while president of Columbia, the assembly program addresses issues of national importance and publishes a consensus final report, including policy recommendations. The American Assembly sponsors several professional-level assemblies each year. Ours however, is the only conference conducted at the undergraduate level.

Our assembly is a very demanding program and includes two days of round-table discussions on a set agenda of questions, chaired by professionals from academe, business, government, and the military. The final day of the conference provides time for the delegates to reach the required consensus on the issues and write the final report. Evening sessions allow the delegates to hear a range of views on the assembly topic from professionals in the field. The final report and associated “proceedings” are published and distributed nationally.

This year’s assembly brought together 100 undergraduate delegates from 29 states representing 75 universities and colleges to address the issue of “Improving American Innovation.” Twelve of our best cadets, from a range of academic majors, participated as well, along with cadets from the other service academies.

Cadet Chairman C1C Douglas McNary

The delegates’ final report defined innovation as a highly complex process of developing a new product, process or idea, and bringing it to realization. It addressed several issues including: the nature of the problem; the American climate for innovation; government, industry and university relationships; and methods of improving innovation. Improving American innovation was seen as a public policy problem of major significance. The delegates agreed that innovation could not be narrowly defined as “technological.” Rather, it must embrace innovative approaches

to social organization, dislocations in the labor force, and improving the quality of life.

Donald Hornig, Johnson administration science advisor and currently director of Interdisciplinary Programs in Health at Harvard University, was our keynote speaker. Robert Frosch, vice president for research at General Motors and former NASA administrator, was the speaker at our closing banquet. The commandant of the National War College and former member of the Department of Political Science, Maj. Gen. Perry Smith, participated in the evening panel discussion. Bruce Davidson, Major General (USAFR) and dean, U.S. Naval Academy, observed this year’s proceedings.

The Academy Assembly experience is a unique one. Not only are cadets involved as delegates, they also operate the entire program. This year’s cadet chairman, C1C Douglas McNary, CS-15, managed a staff of 40 cadets who together were responsible for messing, housing, transportation, protocol, subject matter, special activities, finance, and public relations. Their experiences and frustrations in learning “how to” organize and run a program of this size provided invaluable leadership lessons.

Another special feature of the assembly format allows for a very high level of interaction between the college delegates and the Cadet Wing. For four days the delegates live with cadets in the dormitories and eat with them at Mitch’s. The communication opportunities this fosters (“are you sure this is meatloaf?”) do wonders in breaking down preconceived notions and civilian and military stereotypes. It is an assembly by-product that offers us the potential for benefits far into the future.

Although the assembly is funded in part by the Academy, it could not continue to operate without the generous support of many public and private donors. This year’s contributors included the Association of Graduates, the American Assembly, The Olmsted Foundation, Rockwell International, and the Hedrick Endowment Fund.

The assembly is an important part of our Academy heritage. It is an exciting, challenging, thought-provoking experience that captures the attention of the entire Academy community each spring. Planning for next year’s assembly is already underway. “Canadian-American Relations” will be the topic, and we’ll have our golf shoes and snow shoes ready for the 27th time!

Students search for consensus during one of the many roundtable discussions at the 26th Academy Assembly.

CHAPTER NEWS

NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER

Another successful year was kicked off for the North Texas Association of Graduates with their annual business meeting on Jan. 19, 1984. Bill Reemtsma (’63), 1983 president, concluded his term by starting the meeting only 53 minutes late and well after the keg had been tapped. Bill gave the official “start the meeting’’ signal when he put on his AFA propeller hat. He mentioned that we now had 105 members and more were expected. Our treasurer, Ron Hale (’71), crossed his fingers and reported that we are still solvent. The surprised audience applauded Ron’s creative accounting techniques. Bill then announced that this year’s Formal Dinner and Dance would be held March 31, 1984, at The Summit Hotel in Dallas. All graduates, both in and out of the North Texas area, are invited to attend. Please call Bill Reemtsma (’63) at (214) 357-5502 for details.

Tom McNeil, a West Pointer who helped us establish the North Texas Chapter, attempted to explain why his alma mater lost the recent golf competition. He also discussed how our chapter, and AFA graduates in general, could have a greater impact on the future of the AFA.

Again this year the most important item of business was electing three new directors to our board. George Kuzmiak was nominated to replace Walt Herter who moved out of the area. Manny Cardenas (’64) and Jerry Ahman (’63) were nominated to succeed Bill Reemtsma and Bob Staib (’62) who completed their

three-year terms of office. All nominess were unanimously elected. The new board then elected Ron Hale (’71) as president, H. Ownby (’69) as vice-president, John DeFilippo (’70) as secretary and Manny Cardenas as treasurer.

Chuck Richardson (’68) wrapped up the meeting with a discussion of AFA sports programs and a great film of AFA football highlights. The meeting was adjourned sometime late that night but not before all the “war stories” were told and the keg went dry. (John DeFilippo)

ITALIAN FIESTA

The annual fall get-together in October for the North Texas Chapter of the Association of Graduates turned out to be a clean sweep of a doubleheader. Bob and Marianne Staib, ’62, hosted this year’s informal dinner, and as always the affair was well attended and very enjoyable. The Staib’s hospitality, expert planning by the board of directors, after-dinner “storytelling” by Denny King, ’63, and various types of spirited spirits combined to make the evening a great success.

Perhaps the most significant and longlasting “feat” of the party was performed by Kathy Bjorkland (B.J., ’70). While playing tennis on the Staib’s court, Kathy’s unorthodox style of trying to confuse opponents by performing acrobatic stunts on the court resulted in a broken foot and an off-white plaster cast trophy. (Do you think she was jealous of all the attention the golfers were getting with their newly-acquired trophy, a beautifully mounted wooden-handled old-time golf putter?) (John DeFilippo, ’70)

GATEWAY CHAPTER

The Gateway Chapter of the Association of Graduates, USAFA, came into being with the ratification of a constitution this past October. Soon thereafter, the following individuals were elected to the board of directors: Marty Amelung, ’72; Nancy Bettis, ’80; Kurt Bock, ’75; Jim East, ’67; Andy Gessner, ’72; Mike MeCoy, chairman, ’74; Pat Patterson, ’68; John Reddy, ’69; Dan Schellinger, treasurer, ’74; Chuck Thomas, vicechairman, ’61; John Verling, secretary, ’74; and Vic Williams, ’67.

Our membership drive went into full swing and we currently have more than 40 members. Anyone in the greater St. Louis area interested in joining should contact any board member or write to: Gateway Chapter—USAFA AOG, P.O. Box 8, Scott AFB, 111., 62225.

ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER

The Orange County (California) Chapter of the Association of Graduates was organized in May of 1983 with the primary purpose of establishing ways to enable local graduates to help USAFA candidates from our local communities. At a recent organization meeting, the chapter bylaws were reviewed and officers and directors were elected.

Named to the board of directors were: E. Thorson (’67), president; K. Needham (’62), first vice president; R. Najera (’67), second vice president; C. Johnson (’70), third vice president; K. Wentzel (’64), treasurer; and S. Jackson (’67), secretary. Committee chairmen are W. Ross (’69), membership; S. Shay (’71), candidate advisory; M. White (’70), programs; and B. McClain (’59), athletic recruiting.

The chapter hosted Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, Academy superintendent, on a visit to Orange County in August of 1983. Eric Thorson and Dave Phillips (’59) separately hosted two very nice receptions for General Scott with many of the chapter’s members meeting and discussing current USAFA issues with him. We again hope to host General Scott sometime this summer.

Any graduate living in Orange County, Calif., who is interested in joining the chapter, should contact Eric Thorson at 3521 East Spring St., Long Beach, Calif. 80906. His phone number is (213) 595-4318 or call Craig Johnson at (714) 832-8067. We look forward to hearing from you.

Omaha Chapter gift Brig. Gen. Charles A. May, Jr. (’59), at right, presents a photograph of the Academy to Brig. Gen. Ervin J. Rokke (’62). General Rokke, Academy dean offaculty, was the guest speaker at the Omaha Chapter’s kick-off dinner in November of last year. General May is director of Command Control, Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.

SOUTHWEST OHIO CHAPTER

The Southwest Ohio Chapter has elected new officers for 1984. They are: president, Maj. Chuck Daley (’71), vicepresident, Capt. Geno Cuomo (’73), secretary, Lt. Rod Wilkinson (’80), and treasurer, Lt. Leona Flores (’81). Other members of the board of directors are: Lt. Col. Hank Howe (’61), Mr. Jerry Westerbeck (’63), Lt. Col. Jim Turinetti (’65), Lt. Col. Ivy Cook (’66), Capt. Bob Knarr (’73), Lt. Ray Cannon (’81), Lt. Rob Skeans (’82), and Lt. Chris Washer (’82).

Planning is underway for the State of the Wing Dinner to be held on 6 April 84 in the Wright-Patterson AFB Officers Club. Brig. Gen. Ervin J. Rokke (’62), USAFA dean of the faculty, will be our dinner speaker. Lt. Col. Jim Wheeler (’64) will be the master of ceremonies. Lt. Rob Skeans is heading the committee setting up the dinner.

Other events for 1984 include a summer picnic tentatively set for August and a beer call/annual meeting in September.

Information on the Chapter can be obtained by contacting a member of the board of directors or by writing to:

Southwest Ohio Chapter, USAFA AOG, P.O. Box 36, Building 10, Area C, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433.

USAFA-AOG

P.O. Box 418 Randolph A.F.B., Texas 78148

The Alamo Area Chapter of the Association of Graduates held its annual membership dinner at the Brooks AFB Officers’ Club on January 28. We had an excellent turnout and a fine time was had by all. The following slate of officers was elected during the dinner:

President Jim Brown, ’59

VP Civ. Affairs Skinner Simpson, ’63

VP Mil. Affairs Jim Olsson, ’63

Secretary Mickey Roth, ’63

Treasurer Larry Freeman, ’61

Brooks Rep A1 Parmet, ’72

Kelly Rep Mike King, ’68

Randolph Rep Bill Ardern, ’63

Lackland Rep Skip Cox, ’65 We are planning a super special event for April. We have a table at the Hyatt Regency Hotel that is right on the river for the evening of the Fiesta River Parade. It promises to be one outstanding evening. Plans are currently coming together for a mid-May membership meeting and dinner.

WESTERN WASHINGTON CHAPTER

The Western Washington Chapter of the Association of Graduates recently held it’s spring organizational meeting. The chapter is still in a formative phase with a small but highly enthusiastic core of active members. We are making every effort to publicize our presence to all active-duty and civilian grads in the Washington-Oregon area.

Besides seeking additional memberships, the chapter has two other broad, immediate goals. The first is to provide an opportunity for grads to gather together and pursue social and professional objectives begun at USAFA. The other is to assist local Academy liaison officers in presenting an accurate picture of the benefits and rewards of Academy attendance to local youths. The Western Washington area has a large population of outstanding young people who are interested in the military. We have many grads who are willing to take the time to present the USAFA story to these young men and women.

Any graduate interested in the chapter should contact Capt. Forrest D. Price, Jr., (’71), 2701 Rigney Road, Apt. C-21, Steilacoom, Wash. 98388. Telephone numbers are (206) 584-4449, or (206) 984-5194 (autovon prefix is 976).

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALDO F. DUMBSQUA T

By Don Hall, ’76

C/4C “Regs” Buch squared a corner and proceeded down the squadron hallway. As he approached the foosball room, he heard somebody humming Pinball Wizard somewhat off key. Opening the door, Regs found Waldo F. Dumbsquat honing his offensive skills against Warren Heels.

“It’s like dueling with an unarmed man,” grinned Waldo.

“He’s making me play using my feet,” whined Warren.

“Yea, and I’m only three points down!” Waldo chortied.

“Earth to Space Cadet Dumbsquat,” called Regs. “The Dark Ages are over, guys. USAFA Beach is open and the Cadet Store just sold out of bikinis.”

Warren welcomed the chance to end the slaughter. “Sounds like time to go bag some rays!”

The freshmen hurried down the stairs to the quadrangle. Despite a slight chill in the air, cadets tanned themselves between patches of snow. From a firstie’s window a speaker blared Surfin’ USA.

“Talk about hardcore .”

“It’s still too cold for me,” replied Waldo to Regs. “I think the Blue Magnet is calling me.”

Waldo jogged back up the stairs. He attempted to sneak past the CQ.

“Dumbsquat, get your puny body over to the trunkroom and clean it out,” ordered the CQ without looking up from her magazine.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The trunkroom door creaked open. Waldo chocked the door open with some luggage. A single bulb weakly illuminated the shadowy room. AWOL bags, dusty stereo boxes, and popcorn poppers cluttered the shelves. Waldo moved a box and discovered an unshaven doolie, Mule Gibbons.

“Thank goodness you found me! I came in here to get my luggage and the door locked behind me. That was two months ago!”

“We thought you were on a choir trip. How did you survive?”

“Dust balls grow wild around here.”

“Wow,” said Waldo intelligently.

“Well, if I hurry I can still make the next trip.” The doolie grabbed his bags and hurried out the door.

The door slammed shut.

Waldo sighed and began collecting dust balls.

’59 Prepares First 25-Year Reunion

Members of the Class of 1959 will return to the Academy from June 21 through 24, 1984, to celebrate their 25-year reunion. In addition to graduates and their families, many early Academy staff members are looking forward to renewing old acquaintances during the four-day event. Total attendance in excess of 600 is expected to celebrate this historic milestone in the Academy’s history.

The highlight of the Class of 1959 gathering will be the presentation of a Founder’s Recognition gift a bust of the Academy’s first superintendent, Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon. The ceremony to unveil and dedicate this magnificent gift will occur in the Honor Court, east of Harmon Hall, on Saturday, June 23.

On Friday, June 22, the Classes of 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962 the original and only four classes to inhabit the temporary Lowry AFB site will present an appropriate momento to Lowry officials for inclusion in the Lowry Heritage Museum. The museum, housed in Building 880, the original “COMM Shop,” will include a wing dedicated to early Academy memorabilia. Attendees are invited to bring to the Friday ceremony any appropriate items they would like to donate to the musuem.

Headquarters for the ’59ers will be the Raintree Inn in Colorado Springs. Personnel desiring additional information regarding registration or reunion activities may contact the Association of Graduates office at (303) 472-2067.

All graduates from the classes of 1960, 1961, and 1962 who are in the local area during the Class of 1959 reunion gathering are cordially invited to attend the Friday, June 22, Lowry brunch and Heritage Museum ceremony as well as the Friday evening USAFA Officers’ Club dinner and following festivities at Arnold Hall. Contact the AOG office for prices and registration information.

PROPOSED EVENTS FOR ’59 25-YEAR REUNION

Thursday, 21 June 1984

1300-2100 Registration Raintree Inn

1900- Informal Gathering Raintree Inn

Friday, 22 June 1984

1030-1330 Poolside Brunch Lowry AFB OOM

1345-1415 Heritage Museum Ceremony Lowry AFB, Bldg 880

1900-2115 Dinner USAFA OOM

2130-2400 Theater Program/ Arnold Hall Dancing Theater/Ballroom

Saturday 23 June 1984

0900-1100 USAFA Tour Airmanship, Thunderbird Overlook, Fairchild Hall, Library, Vandenberg Hall

0915-1100 Staff Briefings Arnold Hall

1115-1145 Founders’ Recognition Ceremony Honor Court

1210- Lunch (Gentlemen) Mitchell Hall

1230- Luncheon (Ladies) Antlers Hotel

1245-1345 Class Meeting Fairchild Hall

1315- Golf Golf Course

1900-0030 Dinner/Dancing Broadmoor Hotel

Sunday, 24 June 1984

0900-1000 Chapel Services USAFA Chapel

1015-1130 Brunch Mitchell Hall (All Attendees)

Planning Underway for Homecoming ’84

By Tom Kullgren ’64 Bill Yucuis ’74

The plans for Homecoming 1984 are moving forward. The tentative schedule of events is listed below. The classes of ’64 and ’74 are reminded that their classes have a separate registration in addition to the basic Homecoming registration. Therefore, members of ’64 and ’74 classes MUST REGISTER TWICE. The basic registration forms for all classes will appear in the next Checkpoints. The special registration forms for the classes of ’64 and ’74 will be mailed directly to those individuals. The first mailing was sent out by ’64 and ’74 in March. If you haven’t received one yet, please contact your class homecoming chairman:

’64 - Tom Kullgren AV 259-2531/2196

’74 - Bill Yucius AV 259-2503/4110

The two classes have reserved blocks of rooms in local hotels. Anyone desiring lodging must call or write to make their own reservations. When calling, be sure to mention that you are part of the 1984 USAFA Homecoming.

’64 - Hilton Inn ($42/52); (303) 598-7656

’74 - Holiday Inn Central ($28/36); (303) 473-5530

If you have any other suggestions or ideas, contact either Homecoming chairman.

Thursday,

Hilton Inn ’74 Registration, Holiday Inn Central

1900

Friday, 28 September 1984

0800-1500 All Class Registration, Arnold Hall

1300-1550

Afternoon

Saturday, 29 September 1984

0800-1130

All Class Registration, Arnold Hall 0830-0930

Coffee and Doughnuts, Arnold Hall 0945-1030 Memorial Ceremony on the Terrazzo

1330-1700 Football Game, USAFA vs CSU

1830-2200

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Robert S. Schaumberg,

Colonel Robert S. Schaumberg, Class of 1962, a model for any member of his class or other graduate to emulate and a man for whom “duty, honor, country” was more than a motto, died unexpectedly on December 12, 1983. For his many lifetime friends, for those who knew him best on the job, and for the family that Bob placed above all else in his heart, the inspiration of his professional successes and his uncompromised personal integrity will survive whatever lies ahead, providing an unforgettable standard by which to measure the value of our own lives.

Bob made success a way of life. With what seemed like effortless ease, he excelled in every endeavor that warranted his commitment. Sports all-American at high school level and leader of our only two NCAA-contender basketball teams. Career a natural flyer whose personal qualities marked him for command at every level: AOC, Student Squadron, Flying Training Squadron, and the soon-to-be Combat Support Group. Family admired and loved by all who knew them, marked by openness and continual growth, and fueled by an active, visible love.

Beneath the cover of this giant’s quiet dignity lay the fires that propelled him through life with such success an aggressive determination to support and defend the values that make America great, an unmatched love affair with the joys of flight, and an open respect for the ethics that make human beings something special. One final quality patience added value to Bob’s life and adds even more to his memory. Despite his own capabilities and successes, he always had time for the other guy, and was never too busy to listen and respond to the other viewpoint. His openness and ability to communicate made him even more effective as a leader, and so easy to admire.

Bob is survived by his wife, Roberta, whose enthusiasm and support for Bob and the things for which he strived made them a truly unique team; his son Terry, his daughter Jill, and his mother Mrs. Tollie Schaumberg. Beyond his survivors, however, lies even another of Bob’s legacies a shining example of what a man can be when, despite the challenges, he keeps courage, integrity and a love for others at the top of his list. Each of us who knew Bob and called him friend will cherish that memory and that example for a lifetime. (Brig.

Gen. Butch Viccellio, ’62)

Peter M. DeFilippo, ’72

Peter M. DeFilippo, Class of 1972, died of cancer just before Thanksgiving, 1983. Peter died in his home in Toms River, N.J., with his loved ones close by, after fighting the disease for more than five years.

While at the Academy, Peter was a member of the 10th and 23rd Cadet Squadrons. He majored in civil engineering and was a member of the wrestling team. He served in the Air Force as a civil engineer before being medically retired.

Peter was an inspiration to those he saw during these last years. He fought hard, but always had time for what he considered most important—other people. He became a “big brother” to fatherless boys, began work in a crisis center as a telephone counselor, and became an information resource for other terminally ill cancer patients. Throughout this time, Peter stayed the same caring person that we all remember.

Perhaps our feelings about Peter are best summed up by what was written about him by one of his classmates:

“Pete was your friend as soon as you met him. He brought a feeling of balance and common sense to those hectic days of growing and learning. Pete knew when to lead, and when to laugh, and taught all of us that true leaders must do both. He had time enough for everybody, and to all was a true friend. Pete was not afraid to do things in his own way, or to stand up for what he believed. And what he believed was that friends, family, and life are too precious to be wasted.”

Peter is survived by his wife, Tonya; his children, Dominic and Kathryn; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marino DeFilippo; two sisters, Victoria Lutzer and Paula Tews; and his brother, John DeFilippo. (John DeFilippo, ’70)

Roderic G. Gress, ’77

On February 28, 1984, Captain Roderic G. Gress, Class of 1977, died in a C-130E crash while participating in joint training exercises with Spanish Forces, at night, in the mountains near Zaragoza, Spain. Rod, the Combat Control Team jumpcommander, was assigned to the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, at the time of his death.

Rod, an Eagle Scout, graduated from Boyle High School, Homestead, Pa., in 1972. He was senior class president, a member of the National Honor Society, and sports editor for the school yearbook. His high school athletic achievements included the Student-Athlete Award, Area All-Star in baseball, and letters in football, basketball, and baseball. Following high school Rod enlisted in the Air Force Reserve.

After completing basic training Rod entered the U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School. There he continued to excel in leadership and athletics. He was Winter I squadron commander and played the rover position on the Huskie football team.

Robert S. Schaumberg, ’62

Peter M. DeFilippo, ’72

Roderic G. Gress, '77

’62

Michael D. Jablonovsky, ’78

As a cadet, Rod was squadron commander of 13th Squadron and studied business management. His achievements included successful completion of the Army’s parachute program at Fort Benning, Ga., the Navy’s Underwater Demolition Training program at San Diego, Calif., and the Academy’s parachute and T-41 programs. His free time was spent skiing, parachuting, hunting, scuba diving, and improving on his life’s experience through traveling the world Space-A.

Following graduation, he was temporarily assigned to Lackland AFB, Texas, as a training officer. In recognition of his leadership skills, the training instructors presented Rod with the much coveted and seldom presented “bear hat”, making him an Honorary Military Training Instructor. Rod left Lackland and underwent further training in preparation for an assignment at SAC Headquarters.

At Offutt, Rod was assigned as a computer systems analyst for the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff developing programs and integrating software in support of nuclear strategy. He spent his free time fulfilling his commitment to personal development and his dedication to love and assistance for people. He attained his greatest athletic achievement when selected as brakeman for the Air Force Bobsled Team in the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, N.Y. He competed in both the two-man and four-man categories. He also coached youth football and soccer and visited the elderly, assisting them in yard chores.

Throughout his life, Rod went for the gusto; continuously challenging mind, body, and spirit in his search. Early in his career he determined that only one Air Force job could satisfy his needs: combat control. Rod volunteered and was selected for training as an Air Force Red Beret. He quickly mastered the skills necessary to operate as a Combat Control Team (CCT) leader. As a leader and role-model, Rod accomplished the unbelievable: every member of his training class successfully completed the formal course of training (a CCT first). As a Red Beret in Germany, Rod’s dedication to excellence was recognized by his German, British, French, Norwegian, and Jordanian counterparts. Rod was extremely happy as a combat controller. He was dedicated to the Air Force and he sacrificed his life in the service of God and his country.

His first and most important love was his family. A mutual support existed with his parents, brothers, and sisters which provided the strength to overcome hardships and succeed in life. Rod had a tremendous impact on many. His loss will be felt by all. Although short-lived, his life as a son, brother, friend, leader, and soldier was a job well done!!

Surviving are Rod’s parents, Mr. Stephen G. and Dorothy L. Gress of Munhall, Pa.; four brothers, Steve (’74), Randy, Charlie, and Eric; and three sisters, Michele Wooleyhan, Connie, and Vicki.

Funeral services for Rod were held at St. Theresa Church in Munhall on March 9. Burial with military honors followed at Calvary Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The family wishes to thank all those who offered their prayers, sympathy, and support; a great comfort during a time of great loss. They also ask that any contributions in his memory be made to Boyle High School Alumni Fund, c/o Mr. Steve Gress, 185 Roberta Dr., Munhall, Pa. 15120. (Capt. Steve Gress, ’74)

Michael D. Jablonovsky, ’78

Captain Michael David Jablonovsky, Class of 1978, lost his life near Zaragoza, Spain, on February 28, 1984, when the C-130 aircraft on which he was Hying went down during a training mission. Michael was serving with the 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Rhein-Main AB, Germany, at the time of the accident.

Michael came to the Academy from Grove City, Pa. He was a member of Cadet Squadron 7 and was best known for his participation in intramural football and boxing. He majored in general studies. Following graduation and undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB, Okla., Michael was assigned to C-130s at Rhein-Main AB, where he and his wife have lived for the past four years.

Michael was an amicable, quiet person who was liked and loved by all who knew him. His love of flying and his industriousness enabled him to achieve the status of aircraft commander qualified to fly Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) missions. He was a kind and loving husband who frequently assisted his wife at local German horse shows. His passing has left a great void, but his memory lingers. James Whitcomb Riley says it best:

I cannot say, and I will not say

That he is dead. He is just away.

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand, He has wandered into an unknown land

And left us dreaming how very fair

It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you oh, you, who the wildest yearn

For an old-time step, and the glad return,

Think of him faring on, as dear

In the love of There as the love of Here.

Think of him still as the same. I say,

He is not dead he is just away.

Michael is survived by his wife, Amy Louise; his parents, Frank and Gail; and his sisters, Melanie and Marta. Contributions in his memory may be sent to: Memorial Fund, 37 TAS, Rhein-Main AB, APO New York 09057.

I miss you Michael. (Amy L. Jablonovsky)

Dyke H. Whitbeck, ’78

Captain Dyke H. Whitbeck was a member of the 36th Cadet Squadron in the Class of 1978. After graduation he attended undergraduate helicopter training at Fort Rucker, Ala., where he finished first among his Air Force class and received his choice of helicopters the UH-1N.

Dyke H. Whitbeck, ’78

His assignment was to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla. He was quickly upgraded to an instructor pilot and was one of the best pilots in the squadron.

Dyke was one of the pilots who flew rescue missions during the MGM Hotel fire in Las Vegas, Nev., in November of 1980.

On May 1, 1983, Vice President Bush tasked the Drug Enforcement Agency and the 20th Special Operations Squadron to intercept incoming drug shipments into the United States through the Bahamas. On the night of January 9, 1984, Capt. Whitbeck’s crew was scrambled on an incoming DC-3 aircraft. After finding the DC-3, he and his crew flew back toward Nassau. On the return flight, just 10 miles north of Nassau, the UH-1N he was flying lost both engines. Five of the nine people on board were able to get out of the aircraft but four of them, including Dyke, lost their lives.

Dyke is survived by his wife, Susan, and two daughters, April Marie and Stephanie. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Whitbeck and has one brother, Craig.

Donations in his memory may be made to a scholarship fund set up for Dyke’s daughters and sent to the Capt. Dyke H. Whitbeck Memorial Fund, c/o 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 32544.

Dyke gave his life so that the lives of our children would be better. He was one who put the “special” in special operations. (Capt. Thomas E. Hull, ’78)

George C. Boudreaux II, ’81

First Lieutenant George C. Boudreaux II, Class of 1981, died in an A-10 aircraft accident 25 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 24, 1984.

Lt. Boudreaux was born in Houma, La., and was the 1977 valedictorian of Taegu American High School in Taegu, South Korea.

While at the Academy, he was a member of the soaring team and a soaring instructor. He graduated a member of the 1st Cadet Squadron with a degree in aeronautics.

He attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, Miss., and graduated in June, 1982. He was a graduate of Squadron Officer School by correspondence and the Electronic Combat Pilot School at Hurlbert Field, Fla. He was assigned to the 353 Tactical Fighter Squadron “Black Panthers” at Myrtle Beach AFB, S.C., at the time of his death.

Services were held at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base chapel on Feb. 28. Burial with military honors was at the Air Force Academy on March 5.

George will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him. His constant desire to excel in everything he did set him above his peers. He was a good friend and confidant. His love of flying was surpassed only by his love for his wife and family. We will all miss you, George.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn, of Myrtle Beach; his parents, CMSgt (USAF, Ret) and Mrs. George Boudreaux, of Lubbock, Texas, and his brother, John, also of Lubbock. (Lt. Pat Ross, Class of 1981)

William W. May, ’83

Second Lieutenant William W. May, Class of 1983, lost his life in a T-37 aircraft accident on Dec. 8, 1983, near Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.

Bill came to the Academy from Las Vegas, Nev., and graduated from Cadet Squadron 24 with a degree in international affairs. After graduation, Bill entered undergraduate pilot training at Williams Air Force Base and at the time of his death was in the process of fulfilling his life’s dream of flying.

Bill will always be remembered for his easy-going personality, great sense of humor and perhaps most of all, for his helping hand. He dwelled on the good aspects of life and was a good influence himself on the lives of all who knew him. His wish for us was probably best written within his own ring. It was something he always did and would expect us to continue doing “endure.”

Bill is survived by his parents, SMSgt (USAF, Ret) and Mrs. Nelson L. May; a brother, Bob; and two sisters, Cathy and Debbie, all of Las Vegas.

Bill’s undergraduate pilot training class (84-04, Williams AFB) proudly wears a class patch designed in his honor. We miss you Bill. (2Lt Alan L. Gailey, ’83)

At presstime, the Association of Graduates had learned of three more deaths of graduates whose obituaries will be published in the next issue of the magazine. Capt. Michael B. Borish, ’78, died on Feb. 17 in Montgomery, Ala., from injuries received as the result of a motorcycle accident. Capt. David K. Peth, ’78, was killed on March 13 in the Owhyee Mountain Range of Idaho when the F-111A aircraft he was flying crashed. Capt Alan Lombardi, ’76, was killed in a motorglider crash at Edwards AFB, Calif., on April 11.

Our sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of these graduates.

CADET PRESUMED DROWNED

Cadet Firstclass Jeffrey T. Abromaitis, Cadet Squadron 13, was declared missing and presumed drowned in Lake Powell, Utah. The incident occurred March 26, during spring break, while several cadets and a diving instructor from the Cadet Scuba Club were on a diving trip to the lake. Memorial services were held at the Academy.

Cadet Abromaitis is the son of Mrs. Marie C. Roush, Columbus, Ohio, and Andre T. Abromaitis, Eria, Pa.

George C. Boudreaux II, ’81

William W. May, ’83

CLASS NEWS

R. L. Penn 7968 Hiddenbridge Dr. Springfield, VA 22153

(703) 455-5620

WINTERS, GOETZE, FORTNER and CARR earned the big promotion! Two percent of the class made brigadier this year, and more to come, no doubt. Would you have named those four 25 years ago? Yes! the years of dedicated service since have resulted in the appropriate recognition. I hope they will all be at the reunion to accept personal congratulations. Dick GOETZE left Washington immediately for Wurtsmith to be A.D. commander. Larry will be AD/CC at Blytheville. Dick CARR likes his wing commander job, and will stay as long as he can. Pete WINTERS has to stay on as Systems Command IG ’till he gets the hang of it. He’s lucky I got him out of the cockpit and into a desk job or he woulda’ never got promoted. When Dick went before the promotion board, he told ’em he’d never heard of me, so he got by. Mike REARDON and Don LIVINGSTON made colonel in the AF Reserve. Were there others?

Bonnie JEFFERSON likes the Washington area so much that she found a job here which Wayne may be able to handle. His project is to straighten out JCS communications. Shouldn’t take long, now that the problem has been identified. I agree with Bonnie, this is a good place, and the nirvana of the ’59er. Lots going on here. Jimmie and Judy J. laid on a Texas-sized chili party for the Washington area folks. There should be a picture, but no camera was capable of capturing the grandeur of 33 assembled ’59ers and wives.

And, of communications, ’59er input to the scribe remains below the paltry level. Except for Jim REED I don’t mean he’s above the paltry level, I mean he wrote me a letter. As previously reported, he is indeed at CINCPAC, hawking military wares to foreigners. Jim and new bride Sheila spent a couple of months touring the U.S. to ascertain how it compares with China. Jim has a problem to report: a small fire destroyed many of his personal records, and he’s forgotten who are the three classmates to whom he owes large sums of money. Also, he’s lost many addresses, so if you’ve not heard from him lately, that’s no doubt why.

One advantage of living near so many classmates is that those who can’t write can provide oral accounts. One such holds that Robert Sidney Franklin (NM1) JENNINGS (do I know every ’59er’s full name?) is holding out at Wright Field; so is Craig O. SCHAUM, and his sidekick, Mr. Flack WILLIAMS (yeah, so what’s Flack’s first name?).

Pete TODD is recovering fom a serious heart attack. At this writing, he’s still in Germany. Keep plugging, roomie, we look forward to seeing you and Wendy at the reunion. Professor GARVEY still can’t find honest work. He may have to be recalled to active duty ’till his attitude improves. 1 was able to learn that he has a beard IAW Princeton Faculty Regulation 35-10, and a haircut similar to mine. Must strike an impressive pose.

From Joe’s latest estimate, over 50 percent of the class, and many faculty and staff, will be at the reunion next month! It looks like a good program, but of course the very best part is seeing so many good friends again after so long an absence. Ed MONTGOMERY claims he can still get into his cadet uniform, besides pith helmet and raincoat. Anyone else who can wear any part of the original uniform should do so. Perhaps we can have a clothing formation.

Fly safe, and keep in touch with your friends.

Bruce Mosier 9016 W. 105 Terrace

Overland Park, KA 66212 I L /

ipClem DOUGLASS did stop overnight in Kansas City again since the last issue of Checkpoints and, voila, we now have a guest columnist.

First of all, congratulations from the class to Earl VAN INWEGEN! He was promoted to brigadier general in February and serves as the deputy chief of staff, intelligence, for Space Command and NORAD in Colorado Springs.

Another of our general officer classmates, Richard HEAD, transferred from the Pentagon to Italy as the USAF general at 5th ATAF, NATO’s southern group, if I am correct. If not, someone please correct us for the next issue.

Last August, while traveling on a TWA trip, I left the plane at St. Louis to change flights, and walked into Dave SWEIGART outside the jetway. He had just made a statement to his wife, Camille, that with all our classmates working with the airlines, he had never seen any of them at airports. Then I walked out of the jetway and surprised him! He thought that we never worked. Dave has been transferred from Scott to Kirtland AFB where he will be the base commander, if I remember correctly. Dave also invited me out to Scott AFB for an association dinner preparing for a new AOG Chapter at Scott. Tony BURSHNICK was the guest speaker for this organizational dinner, and we were the only ’60 grads in attendance. It was a very enjoyable and informational evening as Tony spoke of the many changes in the Cadet Wing over the years. After the dinner, Dave and Camille extended their hospitality by giving me a comfortable place to spend the night, and after a pleasant breakfast at the Scott Officer’s Club with Dmve and some of the brass at Scott to see Tony off, I also had to leave for St. Louis and Chicago.

Speaking of bumping into classmates in airports, I had just transferred to New York in late 1980 or early 1981, and was walking through the gate area at LaGuardia, when I literally walked into Jerry FARQUHAR, Delta captain extraordinaire, who currently lives in Lighthouse Point, FL, where he has charter sailboats to rent in his spare time. Maybe we should all descend on him at one time and see what kind of sailor he is.

During early January this year, I attended the “Dynamics of International Terrorism” course at the Special Operations School, Hulburt. I talked with Aaron THRUSH in Fort Walton Beach, where he is a stockbroker/investment counselor at A. G. Edwards. He offered to give a tip on the stock market if you would call him personally. No guarantees, of course. Aaron mentioned that Billy DELONY was currently in the Orlando area working for a think (!) tank organization with the initials BMD, but I don’t know what that is. Aaron also said that John KUENZEL is in the Dallas area working as a progam development manager for Vought Corporation.

Derry ADAMSON and his beautiful wife, Faith, are still living in Destin, FL, where his lovely family is all busy in college and school activities. After homesteading between Hulburt and Eglin for the last seven years, they have become accustomed to a home atmosphere without periodic moves. That is the way to handle military PCS moves, isn’t it? just transfer from Hulburt to Eglin, and the biggest part of the move is filling your briefcase to change desks. (It seems like just a couple of years have passed since I was in their wedding at Eau Claire, WI. Their children can’t possibly be of college age already, can they? Or yours and mine?)

On my airline travels I periodically catch Ed HAERTER passing through St. Louis (everyone goes through St. Louis at least once on a domestic sequence anymore). Ed is a squadron commander in the Illinois ANG KC-135 unit at O’Hare in Chicago and is also currently flying F/O on the 727 out of Chicago. Ed’s son, Chris, is the first of the second generation from our class to graduate from USAFA. Chris finished last year and is now in pilot training at Columbus AFB and evidently showing Ed how it was supposed to be done. Ed says that his son is really enjoying flying T-38s and is first in his class at present. You must ask Ed sometime about his son, Chris, as a firstie, taking care of Mac MACFARLANE’s son as a doolie.

Also with TWA, Bert CROFT has checked out as F/O on the Boeing 767 and is commuting from Kansas City to his St. Louis base. Bob ODENWELLER is flying as F/O on the Boeing 727 out of JFK, NY; he is also becoming famous as an internationally-known philatelic judge. Bob has published some works on the stamps of New Zealand for which he was elected to the Royal Philatelic Society, London. The last time that I saw Bob, he was studying Japanese on a break in Chicago; his plans were to attend exhibitions in Buenos Aires and Bangkok or Tokyo, all during a ten-day spread!

I received a very nice letter in February from Jerry de la CRUZ, who tells me that he retired from the AF last Dec. 1st. Fie is working for a company called Analytic Services, or ANSER, in the D.C./Virginia area, and still lives in Arlington. Jerry said that after three tours of Joint Staff work in the Pentagon, he had to retire just to work for the AF again! His company is a not-for-profit organization that serves the AF primarily. Betty and Jerry are doing very well and have their children off to college; I believe that both of them are in college now. Again, it seems like just a couple of years have passed since Betty and Jerry came from Zaragoza to Soesterberg to be stationed with us in the Netherlands for our last two years in Europe.

Jerry has also filled me in on current happenings in the D. C. area. He reports that Ken ALNWICK is working in a research position at the National War College. Tom BURKE has retired from the AF and is working for Decision Science Affiliations in D.C. and he is also active in the D.C. Chapter of the AOG. Mike A. CLARKE has the aircraft procurement division in the Pentagon. Since we old pilots couldn’t fly new airplanes before we left, and the AF is currently manning old aircraft with pilots younger than their craft, is there any logic in manning these new aircraft with old pilots, Mike?

Jerry also reports that Ron YATES looks like the typical teenage general; he moved right from the Steve Canyon image to young general without even looking back! Russ CURREY is also retired and very happy with Pratt & Whitney in Florida. George ELSEA has a Command & Control Division in Hq. USAF and is responsible for both strategic and tactical C3 after a recent reorganization. B/G Leon GOODSON has taken over AF Studies & Analysis and is doing very well. Norm HALLER is now working with the DOE after a long stint with DOD PA&E. Joe HIGGINS has moved from a Hq USAF job to the OSD and is working on the hardcore personnel problems and benefits issues; call Joe only if you have a solution, he doesn’t need any more problems for quite a while!

Ralph LALIME works on Strategic Defense issues in the JCS. Russ MACDONALD was last observed working in the JCS J-5 Directorate. Ted STUMM is with the Air Staff and has a division in Manpower. George LUCK is also on the Joint Staff. With this number of our class still active in the Pentagon, we should be able to get excellent guidance on our next visit to the puzzle palace.

Doug REKENTHALER is vice president of BDM Corp. of McLean, Va. (I wonder if Billy DELONY’s think tank group BDM, is any part of this; maybe we got the initials mixed up?) And finally, Jerry’s report mentioned that Bill TAYLOR was still in Hawaii as chief of Checkmate Division, PACAF Air Combat Operations Staff.

I recently talked with one of our long lost classmates, Charlie FOLKART! He has moved from Virginia Beach, VA, to Duxbury, MA. Charlie and his wife, Joyce, are both ordained ministers and pastors of a small church in the Boston area. Charlie had completed an MBA at Harvard during a furlough from TWA, and both he and Joyce continue to teach at the collegiate level. Charlie retired from TWA (we have the possibility of early retirement at age 45), to devote full time to his ministry and teaching. So Charlie can now be moved from the lost to the found column!

And I spoke with my roomie of Firstie days, Ed LEONARD, just yesterday. Ed has been retired and completed law school at the U. of Texas, and is now a practicing attorney (keep practicing, Ed; someday these lawyers will get it right and quit practicing to do the real thing) in Austin. He is starting his real estate empire with a strip shopping center and some duplexes in Austin. He reports that Austin may be the next growth center of Texas, expecting to double in the next 20 years or so. Somebody is always inflating one Texan or another! Ed’s current favorite quote is “Have you hugged your lawyer today?” I preferred his bumper sticker that said “Lawyers do it in their briefs.” (He didn’t think I would write that.)

Last year I received my orders as a mobilization augmentee in the USAFR, where I am assigned as an air operations officer in the J-3 at US Southern Command Hq in Panama. I spent five weeks there during the year in both active and inactive duty status. I am currently working with Bob ESTUS, ’66, who is the chief of the J-3 Exercise Division and in the Current Operations Division. This is my first experience with the Joint Staff work after almost 22 years of flying fighters on active duty and in the ANG. It is extremely interesting in an area of constant tensions, and I have enjoyed the duty very much. I just returned in February from my annual tour of two weeks active duty. While on a brief stop in Atlanta, I attempted to call Jon MCCLURE at his home, but he was out on a trip with Eastern. Jon is also an attorney in Atlanta; maybe the next time through there, he will be home to give us a further update.

During June 1981, I had the pleasure of attending the First Summer Alumni College with my family and 33 other graduates of various classes, and their families. The experience was outstanding, but evidently interest

has waned since the cadet quarters are no longer available for this purpose. I heartily recommend that any of you who are able, attempt to attend one of these functions if they can generate the interest to start again. It was highly beneficial to return in that status after a period of 21 years and see firsthand the changes that occurred over the length of a career. Anyway, my purpose in mentioning this program is that we had hoped to begin some sort of endowment that would enable the Academy to bring in high caliber speakers for programs that might develop into another Academy Assembly or Military History Symposium, primarily sponsored by the graduates. Alumni College attendees envisioned some type of program sponsored by graduates and enabling graduate participation. Since the Alumni College program seems to be on hold at the present time, we have a small fund being held by the AOG. Any ideas from the class would be welcome for defining a program of this type; in the meantime, it has been suggested that the funds go to the AOG fund drive to be used for the purposes mentioned in the AFA Fund. At this time, I would have to lend my support to this idea, but also propose that we consider the ideas for the near future of beginning some kind of graduate endowment.

Jim GLAZA’s wife, Linda, is working for the AOG and has some information to begin planning for our 25th reunion next summer (1985). Linda also reports that Fred PORTER’S daughter, Pam, will be getting married in the Cadet Chapel this May. Also, Dick SCHEHR is now working for GE in Colorado Springs and is building a new home in Monument. Clem DOUGLASS has mentioned the plan of a mini-reunion with ’59, ’61 and ATOs from the Lowry brownshoe days; be aware of these functions and please try to make an appearance, if at all possible. Also, Clem says that cards, letters, visits and calls (collect?) are appreciated for the class news. Clem’s address is 1846 Baywood Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84117. Phone (801) 277-1239. Take it away Linda! * * * * *

Can you believe that 24 years ago the class was preparing to receive class rings, become “firsties”, and receive an abundant $36 a month? Now is the time to start thinking about returning to the “Ranch” to celebrate our survival, and, of course, our 25th Reunion.

Your classmates in Denver and Colorado Springs have had a few meetings to get things started. The date has been set for 3-6 October 1985, the weekend of the USAFA/Notre Dame football game. A few of the activities that have been mentioned are an informal get-together Thursday night to chat and get reacquainted; a sit-down dinner/dance on Friday; get-togethers before and after the game; chapel services and brunch on Sunday. The emphasis is on maximum “quality” time together. We need your views, ideas, etc, on these suggestions or others that may be brewing in your heads. Write or call now. Contacts are Jim Glaza, 1-800-525-2223; A1 Johnson, AUTOVON 926-3102; Gordy Savage, (303) 771-9280 (home) or (303) 793-5068 (work); Dick Schehr, (303) 596-2414; Fred Porter, (303) 599-5548; or Linda Glaza, AUTOVON 259-4513 or 2067. It only happens once, so get in touch with one of us now before it slips your mind.

Our class fund is in dire serious trouble at this time there’s a grand total of $35 in the fund. We’ll need seed money for mailings, various events, and souvenirs for the reunion. Any ideas on how we can increase the fund? An “assessment” from each class member (tax deductible)? A pre-registration amount?

We also need inputs from all of you as to special guests to be invited, projects to be considered, such as a gift to the Academy from the class; and anything else any of you would like to see considered. Call or write today!

See you, if not before, in October 85.

Randy Cubero

7163 Wintery Loop

Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Home: (303) 598-7155

AV: 259-3820

Well good people, when I wrote my first newsletter I stated that this would be a period of making general or retiring from the service for many of our classmates. It seems that for this newsletter anyway that was a very prophetic remark. The last BG list came out and lo ’n behold the Class of ’61 has six new flag officers (the most of any class on the list, by the way). Who was the whiz who thought of our class motto, “For us the Stars.” All I want to know now is where’s mine?

Congratulations to all our new BGs and their families; Stu BOYD, system manager of the F-16 at Hill AFB, UT; George Lee BUTLER, cmdr 6BW at Dyess AFB, TX; Harold Norm CAMPBELL, deputy direc-

tor of Int. Programs, DCS/PER HQ USAF, Washington, DC; Richard D. SMITH, DCS/Contracting and Manufacturing, HQ AFLC, WrightPatterson, OH; Dale C. TABOR, cmdr 81 TAC Fighter Wing, USAFE; and Frank E. WILLIS, cmdr 317 TAC Airlift Wg, Pope AFB, NC. Just a small tidbit of information on Academy graduate general officers, Dick COPPOCK tells me that collectively we have 27 BGs, 3 MGs, and the class of ’61 has a total of nine BGs. That’s an impressive statistic.

On another unrelated matter, Dick tells me that Joe DESANTIS ’59 called up to confirm the dates for ’59’s 25th Class Reunion. The yellow tags are proposing that the first four classes have a Lowry “bash” to commemorate our illustrious stay in Denver prior to our move to Colorado Springs. If all goes well, selected representatives from all four classes (’59-’62) will dedicate a plaque or a photo montage in the old Commandant’s building. My suggestion was to plant a tree right in the middle of the building and let the branches grow out of all the windows. Dick didn’t think that was too funny.

On the personal side, Mike QUINLAN has retired as of the 1st of April, 1984. Mike and I go way back and I was absolutely overjoyed at his returning to the Academy two summers ago. He made his mark in the short time that he was the assistant athletic director and we can only imagine what could have been with Mike as AD. Mike’s career spanned 23 years primarily as a fighter pilot with professional highlights as an F-4 squadron commander in Korea, and four years as a liaison officer to the House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Mike is joining forces with John STAPLES, ’62, and will be forming an investment branch of Staples Realty specializing in limited partnership opportunities here in Colorado Springs. I can’t think of a more honorable individual to handle my money. If only Jan would give me some.

Mike and I recently met the “ugly bunch” (MAYO, HARDAGE, BRICKEY, HINKLE, BUCHNER, B. JONES) for the 4th annual “Derelicts and Winos” ski weekend at HARDAGE’s condominum in Aspen. BEST and CROLL were also invited but couldn’t make it this year. What a time! As you can see by the picture, the snow was terrific, the Jacuzzi was hot, and BRICKEY’s sex change operation really doesn’t look that bad. (Wives don’t get excited, it’s really Rich’s friend.) 1 apologize for my glasses but I wanted to remain incognito with that group. For the time we were there, B. JONES provided the wine, and the first bottle he uncorked was a “doozy.” He had his wine maker prepare a special bottle that had eight times the acid content of his normal brew. That first sip hit my lips and my tongue slapped to the back of my head in absolute horror. So there we were all nodding our heads in approval with tears filling our eyes. Finally, when MAYO asked if this batch of grapes was from a very early or very late picking, Bruce almost died laughing revenge is so sweet.

On classmates outside the local area if you can believe it some of these updates go back to last Christmas Chuck CROLL is now flying for Northeastern Int Airways in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and is upgrading to captain. In the two years that I used the Chin’s condo in Denver to go to DU four days a week, I waited and waited for those wild crew parties that I heard so much about. Unfortunately, a wild night at the Croll condo was watching Charlie in his BVDs wash his golf clubs in the kitchen sink. The next one, I swear, is a true story. For a year I watered the plants in Charlie’s apartment because I saw how irregular his flying schedule was. Then one day Charlie asked me how much water did I think would get up into those plastic leaves? Heck, and I thought they were looking better all the time.

Tom SUTTON, my predecessor, writes that he, Lorraine and kids are thoroughly enjoying his job as DO of the 374 Tactical Airlift Wing at Kadena! John KOHOUT, XPX at Offutt AFB, had a delightful gettogether with the CARSONs, BLAISDELLs and the OREARs. On the East Coast front, Hector NEGRONI was complaining that John MOORE, OPS/MX from Scott AFB, had come to Bolling to inspect his base. Hector wanted to know how a guy who kept his cadet room in such a shambles could be so critical about Hector’s base. He couldn’t talk too long because there were 600 families at Bolling who experienced a power outage and it seemed they were all on the phone blaming Hector. I know for a fact Hector didn’t do well in EE. It’s amazing how these things come back to haunt you later on. I called up Clyde O. (Neal) WESTBROOK who’s the 443 Mil Airlift Wing VCO. Says he’s working for a great boss, Dick MILNES, Wing CO. That might a a “first” two classmates as CO, and vice. Neal’s boy Cliff is coming to the Academy this summer (’84) and, hopefully, I’ll get to tee the entire WESTBROOK family then. Speaking of the Academy, I do believe that Cadet Firstclass Thomas WILSON, ’84, will be the first sibling to graduate from the Class of ’61. It’s nice to know that we continue the tradition and that ’61’s bloodline is into the second generation.

Some late-breaking news at the Academy and the local area, John MAY, permanent professor of physics, was selected as the new dean of vice of the faculty. Sorry, that’s vice dean of the faculty. John actually held that post on an interim basis under General Orth some years ago but has it now for the next two years. That’s a formidable combination with Brig. Gen. ROKKE, ’62, and Col. MAY, ’61, heading the academic flagship for the Academy. Another newsworthy item is that Sheila and John will be marrying off their daughter Leslie this summer to a firstclassman. A little bit of “deja vu” for those of you who can remember back that far. Charlie NEAL and Linda came back to Colorado Springs in late February. He’s a division chief at ADTAC, and heads the office that deals with the contract negotiation and maintenance of the majority of radar sites in North America. Lots of TDY with winter parka, according to Charlie. He and Linda look great but in all those intervening years, he hasn’t grown an inch. Finally, Jim HINKLE and Peg are still in Denver. Jim stayed on with Continental Airlines through their crisis period (Continental’s, not Jim and Peg’s). It proved a good move because Jim was recently made a captain in the 727 (with no pay, of course). He’s doing great and still has the lowest golf handicap in the class for those who would like to challenge him to big money stakes.

Well good people, this issue will probably come out in July, so 1 hope your summer tan looks great and that the prospects for new and exciting assignments or directions in your lives are all realized. I had the occasion to read the VFW Magazine for February, 1984, and noted that the lead article, “Freedom Flyers Take to Air Again,” was about Hayden LOCKHART’S pilot requalification program as part of Operation Homecoming. One particularly poignant passage talked about the POW’s “Champagne” flight, which was their first flight in the T-38 and was designed to duplicate what each returnee’s last flight in SEA should have been. The 560th FTS gave each Freedom Flyer returnee this special “Champagne” flight to celebrate that long-awaited safe landing and return to loved ones and to their beloved country. That was such a beautiful idea. I just wanted to share it with you. May the good Lord continue to keep you safe and happy, and please don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers.

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! We have some good news on the promotion line. Bob BAXTER and Butch VICCELLIO were both selected for promotion to brigadier general. Both are currently wing commanders in TAC; Bob is at Homestead and Butch is at Langley. If I remember correctly, Butch used to be assigned to the wing at Homestead, flying F-lOOs, back in the Sixties, and Bob’s previous assignment was vice commander of the Langley Wing. Our congratulation! to both of them. This brings the class total of BGs to three, counting Erv ROKKE, the dean of faculty at USAFA. I would expect some new PCS orders for Bob and Butch this summer. I’ll pass the word when I get it.

When Ken FLEMING visited here last year, I took some notes but misplaced them before the last issue. Found them! Here goes. Ken is the Redtag representative on a four-class committee to preserve the original

Commandant’s Building at Lowry. Plans call for a plea to all classes to donate memorabilia and pictures showing our early years at Lowry. These will be collected for display. If you have any items, please call or write Ken at USAFA, Department of Economics. Ken, by the way, really loves his job. His wife, Betty, manages the Fleming household and enjoys the Academy life. Daughter, Adrianne (11 years old), loves music and plays the clarinet. Son Devin (5 years old) doesn’t do much now but give him a couple more years. 1 am sending a picture of Willie GRAY, Ken, and me, taken at Willie’s house. (I am the one who is the youngest, handsomest, humblest, and largest. 1 also have the best pair of legs, as the dog in the picture will attest to. I’m the one shaking the “stuff” off his foot. Ken and Willie are the two who are laughing.) Moving right along. Willie’s wife, Nancy, manages the Gray household. Willie calls her a domestic engineer. Their daughter, Chris (12 years old) dances ballet and plays the flute. Their son, Larry (14 years old) plays soccer for the Satellite Beach soccer club and baseball for the Patrick AFB Little League.

Willie Gray, Ken Fleming and Jack Jamba at Willie’s house.

Forgot to mention in my last column that Fred and Arlene HENDRYX visited me in October. They were in Melbourne to visit Fred’s parents who are retired there. So Caroline and I had lunch with them one day. Fred recounted the one week’s tour of duty at USAFA in June as a liaison officer and how much he enjoyed it. Jon STAPLES helped them pick out a parcel of land in the area around Colorado Springs for their retirement home. Fred told me that Bob KUCHLEWSK1 was doing very well now. He had undergone eye surgery some time ago but eventully lost his eyesight. So, Bob uses a cane now and can commute by public bus to his office downtown. Bob also manages to be present for USAFA grad functions in the Cincinnati/Dayton area. That-a-way-to-go, Redtag. I was in Denver recently and stayed overnight with Don and Mary Kay EGAN. Don’s business has been doing very well lately and is on the verge of expanding later this year. Good luck on the new venture. While there, I spent some time with Don’s brother, Larry, who got a call for a game from someone who plays racquetball with both the Egan brothers occasionally. None other than A1 SIGMAN. A1 has gone into business for himself. He said he was in the process of relocating his office to the same building where Don’s is. Time will tell whether its for business or recreational reasons. A1 said that George LYDDANE had come to Denver recently and had dinner with him. George had a trainer/simulator class to take at the United Airlines Simulator at Stapleton Field. George is still with FAA. A1 also passed along that Dave SELLERS is now an attorney in Atlanta and had recently run for public office. He also mentioned that Lyle WILSON is flying T-39s in San Antonio. Next time I’m in Denver, I’ll see if I can get in a friendly game of racquetball. Got a call from Tim TRAVIS around Christmas time. As the assistant port director for Tampa/St. Petersburg, he has two areas to cover that are normally separate entities. He has a seaport and an airport. His unique experience as a Navy pilot and a Navy harbormaster gave him the unique qualifications for this job. He said his two girls at USAFA are doing great. Terry is on the Supt’s list and Lea is on the Dean’s list. See photo at right.

I mentioned in the last column that I had talked to Bill BARTLEY back in the fall. I finally found my notes from that conversation. Bill’s daughter is a new student at Northeastern University in the Boston area. Bill, himself, is the regional sales manager for Monolithic Memories. The company makes semi-conductors for computers, i.e., memory chips. Bill covers the region from New York City to North Carolina. In the last

issue, I reprinted a letter I had received from Mike QUINTON. I noticed in the chapter news of the last issue that there is a new AOG chapter in San Diego and the president is Mike, while one of the chapter’s directors is Roger MEYERS. I also noticed that the news item from the Omaha AOG chapter listed Erv ROKKE as a ’63 grad.

I got a phone call at home one night from Joe Bill DRYDEN. He said that 1 had guessed correctly—he had retired. He had gotten a good offer from General Dynamics to continue flying the F-16 for them. Since it was back in good ’ole Texas, who could blame Joe Bill for accepting it. He is an engineering test pilot on the production end of things. He makes production flights. He sees Tuck McATEE from time to time. Tuck works Advanced Programs. However, they both have worked together on the cockpit layout for the Advanced Tactical Fighter. On the 1st of February, the DRYDENs moved into their new house in Fort Worth which is not really new. It was built in 1920 and retains a lot of the old-time style and glamour. Diane is glad to be back in civilization. (They just left Edwards.) Daughter Debi (20 years old) has a scholarship to the University of Dallas as a math major. She had spent the first half of her junior year on an exchange program in Rome. Son Joe Bill (18 years old) is a freshman at Texas Tech. He’s leaning towards a career in sportscasting. It was great hearing from Joe Bill.

A newspaper photo in the Air Force Times showed Howie CARROLL as the vice commander of the 52d Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem, which is a move up from his previous job as base commander there. Also saw that Mike BUTCHKO is the new deputy program director for the B-1B SPO at Wright-Pat. In a recent issue of the AFSCNewsreview, Don HEACOX had written a professional paper in support of a Project Warrior theme. His paper was one of a handful selected throughout AFSC.

Now for some change-of-address cards. First one from T.K. MOORE that I will pass along because it has a note to me. It is so nice to get cards like this. You shall see why. “Retired on Sept 1, 1983, and am now employed by B-K Dynamics, a small business performing engineering and policy analysis here in the Washington DC area—a ‘highway helper’ rather than a ‘beltway bandit.’ Tom BROPHY, from the class of ’61, joined them the month before I did and we share an office in their Crystal City office. So far the transition has been an easy one (from the Air Force to civilian).” Also, his title is now Doctor. And, as you all can see, it doesn’t take much to write me a concise note. “Bunky” REEVES is now at Griffis AFB in Rome, NY. His note says DCS Ops, 24th Air Division (ADTAC), F-106, F-4, T-33. Thanks for the note. John LUEBBERMANN shows his new address as USDAO Mexico City, P.O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78041, effective Feb 84.

The AOG would like an updated list of our class officers. If we have such a list, can someone send it to me?

Got another letter from the AOG. They are initiating another membership drive. Currently, 73 percent of the Redtags are AOG members. This compares favorably to the highest and lowest class percentages of 84.3 and 38.7 percent. The AOG will be sending a letter to all grads soon, encouraging new and renewal membership. They might possibly offer a life membership. I’m asking you for any good words you would like to see in that letter. Drop me a line.

Tim and Jinx Travis share a visit with daughters Lea and Teri (both USAFA Class of ’87) during USAFA Parents Weekend.

Got a letter from Yvonne and J. D. EATON as I was going to press. Seems that some of the Colorado Redtags bought season seats together and had tailgate parties before and after every home game cheese, wine, crackers, etc. See accompanying picture. If any RTBs attend any AFA games at the Academy, just look for the red and white RTB ’62 flag in the north parking lot and come join the group. “There’s always an extra glass of wine.” Thanks for the pictures and letter.

My last item is very unpleasant to say. Bob SCHAUMBERG died in December at MacDill Air Force Base. The news was quite a shock, especially to those of us who had seen Bob and “Bert” (Roberta) at the reunion. The AOG said that an obituary would appear in the “Gone But Not Forgotten” column of this issue. Our sincere condolences to “Bert” and the family.

Well, it’s springtime in the Rockies which, as you remember, means snow four inches as 1 write this in late March.

Newsletters which start with weather reports usually mean there is a paucity of news. This one is no exception. I’ve talked to a few classmates who have called me concerning the admission status of their children or their friend’s children. However, those kind of calls at this time of year don’t leave room for much gossiping. I have a few address changes and some Academy moves to report and that’s it.

Bob MAZET, M. D., has moved from Tempe to 2446 South Playa, Meza, AZ 85202. Peter R. VAN ALLEN’s new address is 21 Ridge Road, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549. Bill EBERT is a student at DLI in Monterey. By September he will be in Tunis as chief, U. S. Liaison Office. Jim DIFFENDORFER called to say he will be in language school in D. C. and then on to Bonn as an air attache. These are interesting times for us as a group. Please keep the AOG or Skip Lee up to date on the new assignments or (dare I suggest?) mid-life career changes.

The Acadmey group that hosted the reunion is moving on. Bob ROHATSCH is now the base commander at Reese. Johnnie HALL is staying here and replacing Bob as deputy commandant for operations. Lloyd HARMON is moving to Travis and Jim GASTON will probably be at ICAF. I will spend the coming year on a sabbatical in San Antonio, Texas.

Last, but not least, Joe COATES will be returning to the Academy this time as vice commandant. Good luck, Joe!

Drop Skip Lee a line at 2212 22nd Drive, Kirtland AFB, NM. His home phone number is (505) 268-3181 and his autovon is 244-9408.

Tom Browning

1117 Moorefield Hill Court \ Q

Vienna, VA 22180

Home: (703) 938-2190

AV: 227-9390

Hello again from D.C.!

W.J/

wAs I sit down to collect my thoughts and gaze at the March snowfall, it occurs to me that this is the spring Checkpoints column and will be the second last prior to the reunion. Consequently, in addition to the Homecoming article published elsewhere in this issue, I’ll pass on everything I know at this point concerning our class events. The dates are 27 to 29 September and we’ll be staying at the Hilton Inn. Highlights inelude our registration and cocktail party on Thursday, the golf tournament and our cocktail party and dinner on Friday, and the memorial ceremony, a lunch with the superintendent, the USAFA versus CSU football game, and the Jabara Banquet on Saturday.

Tom KULLGREN (472-2531) is the guy what’s in charge handling transportation and hotel accommodations also. Wally WOLNIEWICZ is handling the business and financial end of things and Jim WIDGER (598-2929) and Chuck NOYES (471-2644) are in charge of registration and mailing. John BOLES (591-5445) is in charge of the class banquet, Ted SAITO (472-3120) is doing souvenirs, and J.D. MANNING (472-2220) and Louise BROWN (472-3908) are handling special events. The blue tags in the D.C. area will be organizing a “nostalgia trip” presentation for the Friday evening dinner. I won’t make any promises about its grandeur but it will be a trip. By the time you read this we will have solicited inputs but just in case you forgot—send me photos or slides, clearly marked with your name, and attach a brief explanation of names and significance. All materials can be retrieved at the reunion registration desk or will be mailed back to you. Much more to follow in separate mailings.

Gathered under the RTB pennant, from left, Yvonne Eaton, Nancy Gilmartin, chaperone in yellow, Jon Staples, Bob McNaughton, Tim Gilmartin, and Carol Staples enjoy a Redtag tailgate party at a USA FA football game.

In the photo above, Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles A. Gabriel joins, from left, Phil Glenn, Fred Olmstead, and A! MeArtor in celebrating the Falcons’ win at the Independence Bowl. Below, Steve Ritchie joins General Gabriel and Fred. The three were credited with a fair share of MiG downings during the Vietnam conflict.

In addition to the get-togethers I mentioned in the winter issue, the Independence Bowl was the scene for another practice reunion. Fred OLMSTEAD wrote that he, A1 MCARTOR, Phil GLENN and Steve RICHIE tipped a few with their former Wing CC Gen. Gabriel. FREDO is on his way to Houston where the weather might be more fitting for his tennis pursuits. (He’s ranked in the top 50 nationwide for over 35!) A1 dropped a note to say that he’s ready for the reunion and standing by to help.

Unbeknown to many blue tags, the 10th Sq ’64 alumni have an annual reunion via the U.S. Mail. Thanks to Cam COBERLY for forwarding me a copy. Cam and family are settled in Ft. Worth. Terry ISAACSON is completing his hardship tour as a student at AWC. Kris MINEAU is still at Luke AFB. Gabe is living in Auburn, KA, and Ang CAPPUCCIO has settled in San Mateo.

Thad WOLFE is currently at Offutt but 1 see from the schools list that he’ll be moving to D.C. and National War College this summer. Jim VERSTREATE is right down the hall in the basement of the Pentagon. Jack PATTERNO is flying ’106s and living in Medford, NJ. Denny MONTGOMERY plans to PCS away from the Pentagon this summer. Steve CROKER has changed addresses but is still at Blytheville, AR. Rog HEAD is holding up AFSC and Andrews. John LUKASIK is dodging traffic in Boston and holding down a desk at Boston U.

Dick HAWLEY writes that he is the vice of 314th AD at Kadena. Gary ANDERSON dropped a card to let us know that he’s now at Dover. Had a great letter from Joe DRISCOLL who is now at Wright-Pat.

Congratulations to A1 LARSON who just attained two patents for high speed computer devices. A1 lives in Thornton, CO, and works with AT&T in Denver.

Finally, a personal note: my bride, Julie, and I hope to be moving this summer. Don’t know where or when. I’ll try to keep up the column for another year but depending on job demands I may have to shake the stick. If you’re interested, please let me know. Take care. See you in the Springs in September! Cheers.

Scott Duncan

5620 Herberts Crossing

Burke, VA 22015

Home: (703) 978-6545

-/

THE VIEW FROM THE PENTAGON ATTIC: For those who’ve been following Pete FAZIO’s road to recovery, I met him at Fort Belvoir recently and he’s looking great. The mailbag has been empty recently so there’s not much in the way of news. One letter did find it’s way to Virginia. Jesse OVERALL writes of his success as one of the many Air Force Academy liaison officers who work so hard to see to it we have the best young people in the country coming into the Air Force.

Jess OVERALL and John BLACKMAR were honored for their efforts on the behalf of the Academy’s Liaison Program. For the second year in a row, John received an award as the Outstanding Liaison Officer Unit Commander in the Northeast. Jess received his first regional award for selection as the Outstanding Deputy Liaison Officer Unit Commander in the West. Jess and John enjoy the program and their ability to remain active as members of the Air Force team. They also appreciate meeting outstanding young men and women who have the potential to become Air Force Academy cadets and future Air Force officers. They make a joint request of AOG members to refer any fine young people who have this potential to their local Academy Admissions liaison officer. We appreciate and applaud your fine work, Jess and John. Now if you only took better pictures!

Not much to report in the way of PCS moves at this time of the year. I know Mike RYAN, Tim McCONNELL, Tom OWENS and a host of other bright lights must be on the move this summer. But we’ll have to report these new assignments when the Colonels Group gets around to telling them about their new jobs. Stay tuned! Bart CABLE is still in the area, but may have moved across the river from Andrews AFB, as his new address is in Alexandria. Myron DONALD is still in New York State, listing Rome as his new city of residence. Jess OVERALL has moved back to California from Tennessee. Either that, or he never left sunny Southern California in the first place! Doug MELSON has returned to the CONUS from his overseas job and is enjoying Florida. John VICKERY left Williams AFB, AZ, for Europe and NATO’s Defense College.

I appreciate all the help from those who’ve taken the time to write. With the summer season and its moves, I should have more to report in the next edition of the column. Until then. .enjoy!

Lt. Col. Jess Overall and Maj. John Blackmar, Class of ’65, received Outstanding Admission Officer awards at the 1983 Commanders Conference this past November. The conference was held at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs.

Dan Cecil

Box 4598

APO New York 09179

Eriswell 2733

w

We were talking about Bluebards and the Great Firewood Caper when I left you last quarter. You participants in the Great Firewood Caper probably remember it had nothing to do with Bluebards. As I remember, about 10 of us were ordered to procure firewood for one of the all-time great cadet wing Woodsies at Monument. Although forced to miss a SAMI and one of those interesting and exciting parades, we persevered. We got a truck from Ft. Carson, stocked a good supply of Colorado Kool-Aid and spent the day in the mountains. I must recall several of our members were quite philosophical by the time we drove back.Ross GUBSER was on that trip and now he’s on another boondoggle taking wife Sue, and children Jennifer, Peter and Alison to the American Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. Ross and Sue learned French at the Defense Language School in Monterey while the children stayed with grandparents in Colorado Springs. They’ve now settled in a house in Morocco and say they have plenty of room for visitors. Ross said, “Give my best to all ’66ers.” There is some connection between Sue and the Bluebards. Sue was one of the Colorado College girls who acted in our spring plays. The first four were original cadet productions and I’ve sometimes thought it would be fun to replay the first one, Hey Mr. Blue!

One of the writers of the fourth original play was Jeff AYKROYD. I haven’t mentioned him while writing this column so I sent him a note. He must not have received it since I haven’t heard back. He was last reported in San Antonio heading The Aykroyd Co. involved in homebuilding. I haven’t mentioned Tom KINCAID either and he was the music composer after ’64’s Dave MUEH graduated. Tom is currently reported as chief of Airborne Battle Staff Plans at Ellsworth AFB, SD.

We haven’t said anything about our own Hans MUEH for some time either. He is tenure associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, USAFA. I saw Rick PARSONS at Ramstein. He is chief of Fighter Training there. He and his family, Nancy, Rustin (12) and Penn (7), were recently assigned from the French Air War College in Paris. He and Nancy learned French in California two years ago. He was real enthusiastic about the French AWC. I wonder why.

I think this writing style results from thinking called random association. I’m sure Dr. John WALSH could tell me. John was chosen president-elect of the New Hampshire Psychological Association at their recent annual meeting in Concord, NH. He is a certified clinical psychologist and director of Short Term Services at Lakes Region Mental Health Center and is in private practice. He received his doctorate from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, the State University. Congratulations John. I think being named president of your association is a real honor. Jim HERNANDEZ moved again in Seattle, WA. He is still involved with social work, but it looks like he’s working with the Navy. Is that true Jim?

I cannot figure a clever way to share the rest of the news either so will

continue in a random pattern. Lots of classmates were on the Senior Service School list. 1 saw Phil GARDNER, Dave OAKES and Paul STEIN headed for Air War College. John MCBROOM is headed for National War College and Jerry ALLEN and John VAN DUYN were selected for Industrial College of the Armed Forces. The first ’66 picture I’ve seen in the “colonels’ gallery” of AF Times is Mike WHEELER, 321st Strategic Missile Wing, Grand Forks AFB, ND. Am I right. Was his the first AF Times colonel’s picture?

Eddy SHIRLEY received the Legion of Merit! That is absolutely fantastic Eddy. Remember the SHIRLEYs are in their home territory of the Deep South. Faye likes their nice old (1930s) house on Maxwell AFB. She spends her time doing geneology research and continues her study of Southern history. They have two girls. Jennifer (11) is involved in Girl Scouts, choir and horses. Caryn (9) is doing well in school and is devoted to riding horses and likes to design her own fashions.

I see Jerry BECKER moved from Langley to Holloman. If he is going to the AT-38, it will be his second time. In any case, I’ll bet he is headed for a command slot. How can we mention Jerry without talking about Bubba BERRY? Bubba left a squadron commander job at Barksdale AFB for some position in San Antonio. What are you doing these days Bubba?

Dr. Howard MORGAN moved from Texas to Colorado Springs. He is a neurological surgeon. Ed BAILEY moved within Colorado Springs so 1 assume he’s remained associate professor of English at USAFA. I reported Nick KEHOE as DO at Eglin; I must have been in error because I see he’s 1 TFW/DO at Langley. Chuck KENNEDY has moved from A-10 operations at England AFB to a position at Langley. Butch SCHRECKER wasn’t as fortunate. He left his squadron commander job at Beale and ended up at the Pentagon. He is in Air Force Doctrine and Concepts. Mary is teaching special ed and this time I know the names of the children: Byron (16), Kristin (13) and Bronwyn (7).

Let’s talk about overseas guys for a bit. L.T. SMITH is operations officer of the 78 TFS flying A-lOs from RAF Woodbridge. Bob ROMAN is in logistics at Stuttgart. I know that because I ran into Fritz MCDOUGALL at Ramstein. Fritz is a recce guy at USEUCOM. He, Suzanne, and their two children are avid skiers and they have been to just about every snow-covered hill in Europe. I hear Bob DUNSHEE has moved from Ft. Worth to Ramstein to join AFCE. Jan JAEGER has left Spangdahlem for Eglin.

Bob RHAME, 306CSG deputy commander, Grissom AFB, wrote an article about the Soviets slowly achieving their goals. It was printed in the Mildenhall weekly newspaper! It was a well-written article I might add. Arne WEINMAN has moved to Los Alamos, NM.

The Veach family poses for a family portrait. From left are Maile, Alice, Lacy, and Scott, while Boo-Boo relaxes at their feet.

John CASPER wrote and I was going to include most of his letter. He reported on many classmates, sent in a picture and all sorts of good information. We are out of room though so I’ll leave his reporting until next time. One of the things John said was that he would be interested in writing the Class News. We’ve exchanged notes and will “transfer the quill” next issue. You can write John at 600 West Windsor Ave., Alexandria, VA 22302 or HQ USAF/XO-SP, Wash, D.C. 20330.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your letters and reporting about you. I’m sure John will appreciate your continued support. I wish you continued success in all that you do. You hold a special place and much affection in my heart.

The Brandons

Tom BRANDON, Gail, Heidi, Heather and Kathie have returned from Korea to Reese. Tom’s flying T-37s and his family is involved in a bunch of activities including lots of sports. I’ve sent a picture. Heidi is the oldest and Heather is holding Charlotte, the Beagle.

Lacy VEACH is instructing astronaut crews how to land the shuttle training aircraft and is flying T-38s for NASA in Houston. Alice works for an attorney. Scott (12) is playing soccer and Maile (9) is in Girl Scouts. Their dog’s name is Boo-Boo. See photo in next column.

We have some new arrivals on the way. Starr O’BRIEN is expecting. Carolann ELLIOTT is due April 1 and Diana CECIL is waiting for number five.

Len, Betty, Leigh (12), and Lenny (9) VERNAMONTI expect to PCS from D.C. this summer. Len shared several news items. Last fall, Rick and Carmen RODRIGUEZ moved to Frankfort, where Rick is a C-130 Sq. C.O. During the winter, Len saw A1 DAINES who was passing through D.C. from deploying some OV-lOs. Then this spring, Loren SHRIVER’s space shuttle mission was scrubbed again. Currently, the problem with the IUS (Initial Upper Stage satellite booster) is the delay. We’re still pulling for you, Loren.

Doug and Nancy HAWKINS made a brief trip back to the States in Feb. for a family wedding. They are enjoying the area around Heidelberg, Germany. Doug says that alliance staff work is far different from alliance operations. Basically, a particular operation is run by one country’s chain of command with allied units attached within that command line. In contrast, the challenge in staff work is to design a compromise plan or project acceptable to everyone involved.

AOG Updates: Bob DRABANT has changed residences in Las Vegas, NV. John HOLLSTEIN has moved from Morrison, CO, to Denver. In Nov., Rod WEEKS left sunny, smoggy Riverside, CA, for the wide-open (uninterrupted by trees) spaces of Minot. In Dec., John DOUGHERTY moved from New Jersey to Kingston, RI. Bob PASTUSEK is back in the cockpit at U.K., Eriswell.

Well, the expansion on our house is essentially done, and I’ve resumed work on my dissertation. We sold our RV and are shopping for a computer. Hopefully, I’ll be pursuing correspondence a lot more vigorously with a word-processor to play with. If you’ll let me know which computers you’ve bought, I’ll report it in this column; might be we’ll find classmates interested in forming user’s groups. (I’ll think up anything to get you to write or call me!)

DON’T MISS A MAGAZINE. KEEP YOUR ADDRESS UP TO DATE.

Mark Torreano

Box 245

APO San Francisco 96328

Office: x54282/3 Yokota AB Japan

Home: x55371 Yokota AB Japan

Happy Spring to you guys. The plum and cherry blossoms are due to show up any day and my daughter Marcy broke her wrist playing outside today, so it must be spring soon. By the way, our thanks to Dr. Bob KITCHEN (’72) who fixed the little tyke right up. This all happened on 15 March, which is Mimi’s birthday and one day before we were due to go on vacation to the Philippines, so I know now why they were warning J. Caesar about the Ides of March.

The new year brought some of us good news and some of us bad news with the release of the Lt Col board results in late Jan. Out of 165 of us eligible, 131 were selected; a pretty good rate. But anything below 100 percent hurts all of us. Hope next year brings better luck, while we remain thankful for all the good we already have.

Xmas Cards: More cards arrived after I finished the last column. Ed and Karen EBERHART write from Hahn AB, Germany, where Ed is an F-16 sqdn cdr with an ops officer by the name of Tom O’BEIRNE. Ed recently saw Gary DIKKERS and Bob LUTTER at Spangdahlem where they fly F-4s. Steve POLK has returned to the States for F-16 training with a follow-on to Torrejon in Spain. Ed says Terry ZUBROD is due in at Hahn this summer. Denny and Barb FLYNN sent this photo from the D.C. area where Denny is at Bolling with the Air Staff Civil Eng and Services Mgt Eval Team.

Chad and Linda SWEDBERG are at Davis-Monthan where Chad is enjoying his job as chief of QA in maintenance and flying the OA-37. He and Russ SCHWENGELS went through the same OA-37 class. Leaving D-M soon for Los Angeles are Cort and Beth DUROCHER. Bill and Katie WOOD sent a late card which had these great shots of the gang gathering to watch the Falcons stomp Mississippi in the Independence Bowl.

Doug WILSON included a note that he is chief of engineering at the AF office at Martin-Marietta and enjoying skiing, while Mike BERGAMY says they took an Amtrak to Calif in June and enjoyed. Denny and Bill didn’t drop a note, but maybe next time. .? Bill adds that Bill SASZ has orders to Lowry this summer, while Dave HUNN is due to go from Germany to Okinawa. Stop and see us, Dave. Also, Dave KRENEK has remarried and lives with his bride, Mary, in San Jose. And Bill adds that he recently was elevated by Hughes to project manager.

I received my usual nice card and family photo from Tom and Marion VAIL, but Marion did not clear publication. Great looking family, but shy. I mentioned Bob PETERSEN’s card last time, but also received this shot of two cute girls he knows.

Miscellaneous: No letters, but several tidbits. AF Times says the following were nominated to NASA for astronaut training: Frank BIRK, George HOERTER, Kerry KILLEBREW, Roger MOSLEY, Dave PHILLIPS, and Elton POLLOCK. NASA will make final selections in April.

Henry JOHNSON (new Lt Col) has surfaced at Kadena AB where he was asst DO for the 15 Tac Recon Sqdn (RF-4C) until his move in April to Osan AB, Korea, to command Det 1, 18TFW (also RF-4C). Henry and I have already worked on a few projects and its great to have him in theater on the good guys’ side. Also in Korea is Greg SHUEY, who works for U.S. Forces Korea as planner for TEAM SPIRIT, the largest U.S. military exercise.

Locally, John GONDA has arrived here in the ops shop at Fifth AF from Langley AFB, so there are now three ’68ers in the building. John and Bill THURSTON had their Lt Col pin-on ceremony with 5AF cdr Lt Gen Donnelly on 1 Feb. Bill’s daughter took time to lecture Gen Donnelly on the evils of smoking, but Bill got his silver leaves anyway.

In early March, Bill and I were participating in a unit “fun run” when we came across Bobby FLOYD, who was flying his C-141 thru here from Altus. Bobby was running also and joined us, but is in much better shape than Bill and I and lead the class home. Thanks for the “push,” Bobby.

Moves: Bil BEEKMAN to Dayton, OH; John CARSON to Germany; Bob DENNY to Offutt AFB, NE; Mike LANGLEY to Dallas, TX; and Gene ROSE to Del Rio, TX.

Those of you still in blue remember to put another oak leaf cluster on your longevity ribbon 29 June. Its been 20 years!

Denny, Barb and Bryan Flynn

The loyalfans, from left, are Denny Busch, Bill Maywhort, Bill Wood, Mike Burgamy and Doug Wilson.

The real fans, from left, are Dianne Maywhort, Kim (Doug’s friend), Suzanne Burgamy, Katie Wood and Jane Busch.

Emily (6) and Sally (I) Petersen

Michael R. Thiessen Brown & Thiessen, P.C.

Suite 2121, City Center Square

Kansas City, MO 64105

Home: (913) 642-7692

Office: (816) 474-4114

Silver leaves and eagles? Children almost in high school? Can it be? You bet! The mailbox has yielded all kinds of tidbits about ’69ers and their increasingly rank constitution.

Thanks to P.K. CARLTON, those who have not previously been informed are advised that fellow Doolie Niner Jeb HALLET is our first 0-6 selectee. Jeb is chief of vascular surgery at Wilford Hall. (It should be noted that the winter Checkpoints reported that Dick LOBRITZ has been promoted to Reserve colonel. Hopefully additional details will follow.) All ’69ers hail both Dick and Jeb. Here’s hoping that our 0-6 ranks grow swiftly. I urge all of you to refer to page 17 of the winter Checkpoints to see the list of our classmates recently promoted to 0-5 in the secondary zone.

P.K. is chief of surgery at Wiesbaden Hospital. Also at Wiesbaden are Craig HINMAN, chief of urology and John LOCKETT (’70), chief of anesthesia. The picture was taken last Thanksgiving in Vienna and shows six CARLTONs, four HINMANs, and five LOCKETTs.

P.K. also reports that Foot INGEROSLL is the C-9 Squadron commander at Rhein-Main and Don ZIMMERMAN is a pediatrician and chief of Hospital Services at Sembach. Dick WIGLE is a general surgeon at Warner Robins and Paul FARREL is a civilian cardiologist in Florida. The CARLTONs are enjoying their European assignment and the opportunity to see so many of our classmates.

ment are great if you don’t mind the rocks, glass, jellyfish and used Pampers. “To paraphrase the U.S.O. ads, does anybody know we’re here?” Dick MOORE is operations officer for the 6917 Electronics Security Group at San Vito. The photos show Rick with his new Fiat and Rick dining with C-rations at the Combat Casualty Care Course at Camp Bullis in April of 1983.

Rick GRANJEAN is the clinic commander and director of Base Medical Services at San Vito Dei Normanni Air Station, Italy. Rick has completed Air War College and received an MSM for his work as chief of Family Practice at Mather. Kathleen and the three little GRANDJEANs can’t wait to get back to Texas. Rick says that the beaches near his assign

My three-time Dirty Dozen roomie Jim MCBRIDE is chief of Electronics and Contract Administration support at AFSC/JA at Andrews. Sounds like Jim is heavy into procurement and contract management. Kevin and Katie are enjoying school and Jerie is pursuing her teaching. Jim recently received word that he has been promoted to 0-5. Jerie and Jim both saw the good guys trounce Navy back East last fall.

J.R. RICHARDS is an F-16 IP/flt commander with the 310 TFTS at Luke. He will be leaving in August of 1984 for Ramstein. Wayne WARREN is on the wing staff at Luke. John BUCKNER is at Williams as an F-5 IP.

Ron BROWN is a security assistant at HQ PACAF-XPK. Ron reports that Charles HAMMOND is in PACAF-XPP and he is heading for Ramstein in F-4s this spring. Larry LOUDEN is flying C-130s at Dyess.

Lin MCGUIRK writes from Ellsworth that Denny is a squadron commander for the 77th flying B-52Hs. Denny has been at this job for over a year now. They will be leaving next summer for the Army War College in Carlisle, PA.

From the Capital City, T.J. DOHERTY has provided us with a wealth of information. T.J. was selected to fill a special operations position in the Force Developmental Branch of the Plans Directorate. He is currently doing special operations for force structure analysis and development. Although he is not too sure yet what all that means, T.J. hopes that by the end of his tour in 1987 he will have a handle on it. By the way, T.J. and John BUCKNER were both in the group of ’69ers recently promoted to 0-5 in the secondary zone.

T.J. and Peggy have two kids, a boy (5) and a girl (2). It is good to hear T.J.’s parents are fine. They hosted one of the better parties after the Army-Air Force football game in Chicago during our early years at the Academy. T.J. provides the following “data dump” about other ’69ers. Wildcat PHILLIPS and Steve HARRINGTON are both at HQ MAC in the OPs Plans shop. Apparently, both are wild as ever and planning to stage a coup in the shop. Marty PAGE recently upgraded to captain for Southwest Airlines. He and Gayla live in Plano, TX. Ed LAND works in the Plans Division at HQ USAF along with T.J. Ed is with a special group assessing Army and Air Force missions. Buff TIBBETTS and family (Alexis and Natalie) are at MPC where Buff runs the Joint Departmental Assignment Division. John YOUNGHANSE was in D.C. in February. He is currently in the tactics shop at 9AF, Shaw AB. Matt BRADLEY is busy finishing a new home in Little Rock. Matt is also busy with his publishing company. Bill and Cathy KIEFFER are roughing it in the Hilton Head Island area where Bill is with Merrill Lynch. Mike and Peggy GRENARD have a baby girl, Laura. Mike is an IP at Little Rock AFB. Tim and Stephanie COURINGTON have a new baby. Tim is working at AFTEC at Kirtland AFB.

T.J. has seen the following ’69ers also working in DC: J.P. BOYER, Paul MUNNINGHOFF, C.M. BOSE, Ed WEISE (studies and analysis), Steve CARTER, Don DESSERT (a new Lt. Col. working in the OPs AirLift shop), and Ernie SKINNER (also in studies and analysis).

Harry LAWS is head of the Pediatrics Clinic at Eglin. Harry is continuing to send out the quarterly Alumni Rugby Newsletter. Harry, send me a

copy, I’d like to subscribe again. Val SCOTT is working at 23AF at Scott AFB, having just completed a tour in the Philippines. Also at Scott is Barry CREIGHTON who works in Doctrine at HQ MAC and Tom FAGERSON (Combat Control Team at HQ MAC). T.J. also saw A1 DUNHAM recently at a HQ USAF planning conference. A1 works force structure issues at HQ USAFE, Ramstein.

From the AOG office the following change-of-address cards have been received: Mike BECKER is in Woodbridge, VA; Dave BAUER is at Wright-Patterson AFB; Lee SICILIO is in Grapevine TX; Craig GOLART is at Vandenberg AFB; Jim LEUTHAUSER is in Novi, MI; and Robert NALL is in Fairfax, VA.

My sincere thanks to all of you who took the time or provide the information for this month’s column. Now, how about the rest of you slugs?

Michael L. Rose

1011 Venus Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Home: (303) 634-3050

Office: (303) 576-6314

VTLm c.i-k'

It seems like only yesterday I was sitting here wondering how I was going to put this pile of notes, news releases and address changes together and make the column sound really different. Here I am again and the only difference between that issue and this one is the amount of mail I received. Before 1 get going, though, I need to ask a couple of favors. The first one concerns a request from our editor, who would like an updated list of our class officers. Since the whole idea is news to me, and since I’m the one who writes the news, I’d appreciate any help anyone can give me about our class officers.

The second favor relates to page 255 of the 1983 Register ofgraduates. If you know the whereabouts of any of our classmates with no current address, please let me know. They can’t all be living in Winnebagos and pop-up campers.

Mike TORREANO (The Quiet Company) sent me a business card the other day from John E. VERANDO, Jr. John is an associate professor in contracting management at AFIT (Wright-Pat) and was in town for the Academy Assembly. Mike said that John looks real good (full beard), has two girls and two boys, and is still married to Sue, the best thing that ever happened to him.

I also received a decent letter from Joe (Linda) BOYLES who gave me the rundown on the AFA ’70 contingent at ACSC at Maxwell AFB, AL. The group includes Jim SMITH (faculty), Harold STECK, Skip BENNETT, Loren AINSWORTH, Jim FERGUSON, Rick BEREIT, Craig NORTHRUP, Terry SILVESTER, Bill GORMAN, Gerry SHAW, Fran BUCHAN, Brian MAHER, Bob MCKINNEY, George CATO, Willie SCHEPENS and Chalton WATTERS. Joe, I sure do appreciate the photo and assignment list you promised me for our next issue.

Tom DISTELHORST sent the photo (minus Dave PERRON who was waiting for the movers) of the AFA ’70 members of the Armed Forces Staff College. New assignments are: Mark EWIG, NATO Intelligence, Borfink, Germany; Tom DISTELHORST, C-141s at McGuire AFB; Jack MUELLER, comm shop at USAFA; Bob MARSHALL, Europe or Pentagon; Grant AUFDERHAAR, high-level weather guessing at the Pentagon; and Dave PERRON, unknown (might still be waiting for the movers).

The last letter I received via the AOG office was from Mrs. Rich ALLAIN. Vicki said that Rich is part of an IG team working out of a place near Ramstein, Germany, and hopes to fly the F-16 once a week at other bases. (Once a pilot, always a pilot!) Thank you, Vicki, for letting us know where Rich is.

I also received a news release from The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company announcing that Tom GRACZYK has joined the company as a senior analyst for project management in the general development management department. Tom was previously with Martin-Marietta in Denver. Congratulations on your new job, Tom!

That’s it for now. Please send more pictures and many thanks to all contributing scribes.

Ralph Getchell

Quarters 4506 C, USAF Academy

Colorado Springs, CO 80840

Home: (303) 472-6958

AV: 259-4548

THE RITES OF SPRING: Judging from the stack of change-ofaddress cards I’ve received this time, it looks like ’71 is on the move once more and your scribe is no exception. After three very enjoyable years here at good ol’ USAFA, it’s time to return to the operational world (although at this writing, I don’t know where). Unless someone in the class can’t live any longer without the job, I will continue to write the column.

FROM THE MAILBAG: Happily, I received a few letters this time. The winner this issue comes from Frank MORGAN (Terri) who began his letter: “After all these years, I finally got tired of NOT seeing my name in Checkpoints." I knew the pressure would finally get to him! Frank is stationed in Heidelberg, GE, and works in 4 ATAF’s Offensive Ops Division. Frank and Terri had their first child last December. For all you statisticians out there, the little critter’s name is Ryan Andrew Morgan and he hit the scales at 9 lbs, 14 oz and 21 inches. Way to go, folks.

Another welcome letter came from Sam CLOVIS (LV) who has just finished Armed Forces Staff College and taken up residence in the Pentagon (somewhere deep in the basement near the purple water fountain). With Sam at AFSC (among others) were Ron PAYNE (Laura) and Dave NAGY. Ron and Laura are now on a two-year tour with the F-5 folks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

One of the few to actually use his AOG change-of-address card (I know, you can never find it when you need it), was Pete NELSON. Pete is presently chief of HQ MAC’s Airlift Operations School Operations Division (did I get that right, Pete?). He reports that Tom CHRISTENSEN has come to the MAC LG shop from AFIT and Joe HATELID has transferred to the MAC computer business from C-130s at Rhein-Main. See how much information you can actually squeeze onto one little card?

FROM THE ZOO: It seems the steady flow of ’71ers back to the Aluminum Womb is never ending. The latest arrival is Bob BROWN (Cindy) who will be flying the UV-18 Otter here after a tour in Weasels at George. Bob MANNING is due in this summer to try his hand at the AOC business. Steve WAISS completed his AFIT studies last fall and now is planning the next StarWars for Space Command. Meanwhile, Bob LOWE, who pinned on his silver leaves last March, will become the first ’71 Group AOC! Congratulations, Bob. As Steve DEHAVEN says, “It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy, damnit!”.

SCRAWLED NOTES ON A CLUTTERED DESK: Paul KNOTT called on his way through C-Springs. He has left active duty and is interviewing with some Guard F-4 units. Also out are Jim HOOPER who now works for Softech in Arlington, VA, and Jim SCOTT, who is a sales manager in Vacaville, CA. Paul also passed on that Chip RENY is with 17th AF Plans at Sembach and John STUBBLEFIELD is with the GCI squadron at Dachiamano, Italy.

Another welcome voice at the other end of the phone is Rod BATES who now works in the TAC Rated Assignments at Langley. Other classmates working rated force management issues at HQ TAC include Rick CROSS and Pete TULLY.

The Class of '70 contingent at Armed Forces Staff College, from left, are Mark Ewig, Tom Distelhorst, Jack Mueller, Bob Marshall, and Grant Aufderhaar.

Budge, Beth, Taryn and Travis Wilson play "touri” in Okinawa.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: No column would be complete without a brief run through of the latest address cards, so here goes. Mark LEWONOWSKI is working in the Air Staff’s Intel Plans shop, Dolan MCKELVY has left Offutt for a stint at AFSC, and John WATKINS has moved from Travis to Grand Forks. Jay VAN PELT has relocated from the D.C. area to Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA; Phil MILLER to Hickory, NC; and Mike SMITH from ACSC to Fairfax, VA. Mark WITMAN, who lived in Evergreen, CO, and flies the Continental route from Denver to LA, has apparently decided to try the reverse route for a while and has taken up residence in Corona Del Mar, CA. Bill SMITH is now in Caldwell, TX, and Yu-Lin CHAO lives outside Ft. Worth. Army medicine has taken Steve GREENWELL from Kansas to Lancaster, MA, and Wayne TURK has left the winter chills of Chelmsford, MA, for Oahu, HI. Duane TEHEE PCSd from Grand Forks to Offutt and Larry RANDLETT moved from Nellis to somewhere in USAFE.

BRIEF ON GUARD: As a last note, I’d like to thank all of you who have gone out of your way to fill me in on the latest. To help me keep the news flowing over a busy summer of moving, please send your cards and letters to me in care of the AOG.

T.J. Mancuso

480 South Kingston Circle Aurora, CO 80012

Home: (303) 343-4231

Work: (303) 861-7000

The death from cancer of someone like Pete DeFILIPPO, whom we remember as a robust, athletic person, serves as a sobering reminder of our own mortality. Pete was medically discharged in 1979, and died after fighting a six-year battle. Our condolences to his family.

Dan LOHMEYER writes: “Since I’m sending this to you near Christmas, I should see it in the column, oh, about the 4th of July right?” You guys can check your own calendars.

Dan wrote because, lacking more specific instructions or the benefit of an appropriate AF manual for guidance, he put the wrong address in his change-of-address card. He was in AFPRO at McDonnell-Douglas as an F-4 and F-15 flight acceptance pilot. He followed with an Education with Industry assignment and picked up an MBA at Washington University. After all that, he ends up in Oakwood, OH, at Wright-Pat in the F-16 SPO.

He passes word that Gary STERN is at LAX in Space and Missile Systems Division; Jim JOHNSON is a corporate pilot in Texas; and Stan COKER is a flight test engineer at McDonnell Aircraft in the AV-8 program. Watch out for the puns. (Wow, 1 could have had AV-8?)

Lee ROGERS and Mariel may have the “first child of the year” honor thanks to mom and Luke, born January 13. Lee is doing his best to keep out of USAF stateside assignments. The good doctor was at Tulane; then the Oak Knoll Naval Doctor Place in California. He then got to be chief of pediatrics (i.e., the entire department) at Misawa. Now, he’s at RAF Upper Heyford in a “mega-pucker” command. “The reward of excellence is no immediate increase in punishment.”

I also got a note from Dave KERBER, who has given the big blue legal machine his required six-month notice and is going to practice law here in Denver. (It’s getting so you can’t go to a meeting of the bar anymore without tripping over some ringknocker.)

Those of us who practice law in the field of tax-exempt municipal finance usually find ourselves jumping through hoops the last business day of each year to avoid adjusting to new tax laws, and 1983 was no different. I found myself in Los Angeles (I think it was Los Angeles all I saw was airport, taxi, law offices, hotel, taxi, airport) so I called Bill

KASSON. Well, he was stuck in the ’60s as usually when I called drinking some wine, listening to his new Dylan album, just about to crash. I had a New Year’s Eve breakfast with Rick and Gloria DENNEN in LA. Rick plays a lot of tennis, and his construction business is gangbusters, so all is well in Dennen-land.

On the social scene, my wife’s been invited to a baby shower for Tammy CAMALICK, hosted by Robin (a.k.a. Mrs. Doug) HILL and Tammy’s sister. I guess we were all wrong about Jay, so congrats are in order.

For a bit of editorializing, I’m all in favor of the new Air Force dress uniform (of course, I don’t have to shell out the cash for one). But I don’t think white is the right color. I vote for red and blue stripes, in honor of the bozo who thought that one up.

As for advertising jobs in this magazine, Ron GOLLEHON tells me he ran into Rick KOSKELLA in Washington. Rick works in a think-tank in our nation’s capitol, and they’re looking for a former blue suiter to contemplate whatever is thought about at think tanks. Here in Denver, Martin-Marietta recently held a job fair looking for aerospace experts to jump to the industry side of the military-industrial complex we read about in poli sci.

But finding a job can be tough. Recently, 1 worked late one night and needed to catch a cab home, so I walked over to a local downtown hotel. 1 knew the doorman; he was a grad who had been in my squadron. I guess he wanted to get back in uniform.

Things must be tough in the Air Force though, too. Back home in Indiana, the poor folks were those with a car up on blocks in front of their house. (Of course, the rich folks were those with two cars up on blocks in front of the house.) Well, I noticed the Academy put a B-52 up on blocks on North Gate Road. Probably lets the cadets get motivated to think about flying an airplane that’s older than they are.

From Santa's mailbag came a few change-of-address cards. Greg ANDERSON is now in Oshkosh (B’gosh) WI; Bill GLUSHKO is a B-52 NAV at Barksdale; Ray BARTON is in F-16s at Nellis; and Ron RICHARDS is living in a P.O. Box at APO NY 09238, wherever that is. (I urge you guys again to add a note telling me what that means in longitude and latitude.)

Well, this is the first column I’m writing in 1984, so I wish y’all a happy new year and a joyous 4th of July. Watch out for all those Orwellian prophesies connected with 1984 (love is hate, freedom is slavery, peace is our profession), and be careful out there.

A final note from the AOG: Can anyone name the class officers? If these columns seem shorter, there are two reasons: (1) You folks don’t write enough. (And some photos would be appropos.) (2) The editor of this magazine occasionally exercises discretion in repeating that which I suggest be said.

(Editor’s note: It’s a tough, dirty job, but someone has to do it! Thanks, T.J.!)

STARDATE 100384.6, Captain Peachfuzz of the Intergalactic Trashhauler, “GLADBAG IV,” speaking. Near the end of a three-month mission to seek out any signs of the rare intelligent life form, USAFA 73, the crew grows weary from the dim silence. A small, monk-like node of these creatures was located at an isolated cloud-city in the COS sector; but, beyond that, even the 4PLY sensors have turned up not a scrap of evidence.

“Coptan,” says First Officer Mr. Crock, “a weak transmission is coming in.”

“Tell Stardumpster Command to take it back!” I said. “The last one quit the day after its warranty expired!”

“Captain, it’s a message on the bandwith characteristic of USAFA 73.”

“All ahead, full-slow, Spuddy. We need better reception!” I listened for every snap, crackle and pop.

.Rich ROBBINS (Sue) is at Hanscom Field in intel and is going to AFIT for an operations research degree. He and Sue (also an AF officer type) recently added a baby girl, Adele, to the family the first girl in the Robbins family in generations! (Guess the Robbins don’t pull a lot of “Gs”.) Jim COLLINS (Denise) (started with ’73 and finished with ’74) is a TAC officer (AOC, Army style) at West Point. Mark MAYHEW is an assistant director for recruiting and liaison in the USAFA Registrar’s office, but he is leaving in June to be a T-37 IP at Williams AFB. Wayne

MARICLE is at USAFA as a CE instructor. Don SUTULA (Joan) is at Space Command in Colorado Springs. He and Joan have a new baby boy named James, born 2 Feb 84. Bob MUNSON (Reserve 2nd Lt) is finishing his third year of medical school at Loyola University, Chicago.

WHRRR, BZZZZ. “There’s a lot of garbage starting to come in, Captain.”

“Well, that’s our business, Lt. Ohulahoop!”

“I mean over the transmissions, sir,” she said.

“It’s probably more Slezon jamming,” I reckoned. “Try to break through. .”

.BIZZ, WHIR-RMF. A1 HOWEY (Pattie) can’t sit still. He’s course chairman for History 202 at USAFA and sets up a lot of special history stuff like the Harmon Lecture. Last semester he taught a special course of his own design on the American Civil War and organized a live demonstration of Civil War era uniforms and firepower that made quite a hit. Al’s going back to C-141s at Charleston, SC, this summer. Vince PARISI is in the Aero Department at USAFA as their computer honcho. Bill RAKE is at MacDill in F-16 RTU and will be going to Torrejon AB, Spain. Randy SAGE is leaving Hill AFB in June to be an F-16 RTU instructor at MacDill. Ed FRAZIER is leaving USAFA this summer to return to B-52s at Grand Forks, ND. Frank KLOTZ left Washington, DC, and went to missiles at Grand Forks. Steve DALRYMPLE is finishing Army General Staff College and is going to Washington, DC, where his wife, Kim (currently an AOC) will join him. Alan “Doc” MURPHY is in the Department of Neurosurgery at Clark AB, Philippines. Six, count ’em, six USAFA ’73ers are on the latest Lt Col list: Tony CIRA, Frank KLOTZ, John REGN1, Norty SCHWARTZ, Steve LORENZ, and Joe SOVEY. (And I thought Galactic Garbage was a winning career field!) George RAMPULLA had to eject from an F-15 over the Alaskan wilderness and parachute into the snow.

New Locations: Doug DICK is at Grissom AFB, IN; John LAUTEN and Lee ZIMMERMAN, North Pole, AK; John PAYNE, Oscoda, MI; Chris TUCKER (F-15s), Langley AFB, VA; Byron BEAL, George AFB, CA: Billy OSBORN, Omaha, NE; and Charlie STALLWORTH, RAF Lakenheath, England.

“Keptan! We’re entering the BRILLOBRASSO BELTS!”

“Are you positive, Mr. Popoff?” I asked.

Would I lie to you, Keptan?”

“Just get us back on course, Popoff, or we’ll miss our rendezvous with GRAYELEPHANT III.”

As we steered back, the last faint signals came in.

.BURRRUMP, BURRRUMP. Transmission from Tom SAUNDERS (renowned AOC of CS-29) who hosted the CS-15 WAREAGLE ’73 Reunion. Several Wareagles returned to the old roost: Major Steve LORENZ who is at HQ USAF as legislative liaison; Noel JOHNSON (Agnes), T-39s at Offutt; Steve (Julie) MCCAULEY, C-141s at Charleston; Major “Doc” Jim (Terri) HEIRON1MUS, Nephrology Department at Wright-Patterson AFB (or is that Necrophilia Dept?); Bill (Barb) FRANK from March AFB who left Barb home to keep the kids (you missed a good time, Barb); George (Jackie) TOTA from a job back east he couldn’t talk about (he looks the same as a civilian); and Glenn OTTOFY, who made the football game from Aurora, CO (get a haircut). All in all, the gathering of the Wareagles was outstanding! (Watch out for those reconnaissance types!)

.THE SILENCE RETURNED.

“We’re nearing GRAYELEPHANT III, Coptan.”

“Thanks, Crock, Ready the GIGO controls.” With all systems go and funmeters nearly pegged, our mission to sweep the final frontier goes on. I looked forward to the next excursion and another close encounter of the XV kind.

Mike Carter

2263 Ptarmigan Lane

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Home: (303) 593-1480

AV: 259-4171

VSTARTERS: Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we have some items for the class news this issue. The bad news is that the deadline for submission of the article was yesterday and I just found out that I’ve been nominated to write it. So here goes!

Pat LYNCH, who formerly wrote this column, has been swamped the past few months with his “change in career goals” and has not had the time to produce our Class News. His articles in the past have been extremely interesting and entertaining and I hope I can live up to the standard of excellence he has shown. By the way, 1 am a member of ’74 and

will most likely be remembered more as “Nash” than as Mike, so use whatever name you like. I am currently assigned to the Computer Science Department at the Academy and therefore look forward to seeing a lot of you in person as you return for squadron sponsor trips and the like. Please, please, oh please, send me some good info for each edition of Checkpoints. As you have seen already, I am not the most glib person who could have been recruited for this job, so help me by giving me lots of information with which to fill the column.

HOMECOMING: Perhaps the biggest item on the agenda is our upcoming Homecoming. Most of you should have received an interest survey by now and if you haven’t sent it in please do so. The committee which is headed by Bill YUCUIS is working very hard to provide a fun and memorable weekend. Bill has an article in this issue which addresses some of the activities planned. If you would like to plan squadron activities with your old squadron-mates just drop me a line and I will inelude your name in the summer issue of this newsletter so that you can get in contact with them. Note that there is time in the schedule for this type of activity.

If you have not received a survey, give me a call and I will send one out right away. Note that the survey is just that. It is not a registration form. There will be two registration forms forthcoming. The first is a generic form for all attendees at Homecoming this year regardless of class. This form will be included in the summer edition of Checkpoints. The second form is for ’74 registration and will be mailed separately. Both must be sent back to properly register for Homecoming.

FOLKS: Since I just got the assignment to write the newsletter, I don’t have a lot of news. I thought that it might be interesting if I listed those of us that are stationed at USAFA, so here goes. C. D. SMITH, J. G. PENNETT, Ralph TATE, Jim MCCLURE, Bill YUCUIS, Sam FAZIO, Roy LOWER, Sal ALFANO, Steve DANIELS, Brad HIGGINBOTHAM, Kelvin KEMP, Joe BREZOVIC, Steve WALLINGFORD, Bob MORROW, Jim KEAGLE, Bruce MCLANE, Lowell BOYD, Ken KONWIN, Spike MURPHREE, Bob BISHOP, Steve BOYCE, Mike DELORENZO, Phil IRISH, Bob LIGDAY, Larry VLIET, Don JAMES, Jim BRICKELL, Tom BALDY, Joe TRAFICANTI, and myself. Some of these folks will be leaving this summer so you need to contact them quickly. The Astronautics and Political Science Departments share the honor of having the most ’74 grads in one department at the same time with five each. This may not be all the folks here so if I left you off, let me know and I’ll include you next time.

A few personal notes. Bob and Sue HOOD passed through a few weeks back on their way from Florida to New Mexico. Bob just finished his master’s in computer science and is on his way to AFOTEC. They have three great kids and are really fun to be with. Maggie and I have three boys and have recently returned from graduate school in Nashville, TN (the old hometown, now you all know where “Nash” came from). Rich and Mary Jo DENNIS also have three kids at last count and were last heard from in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Joe TRAFICANTI graduated in 1981 from Creighton University Law School. He is teaching here at the Academy in the Law Department. His wife’s name is Kathi and they have a son named Nathan.

If you want to read about yourself or anybody else in this section of the magazine, you had better send me a note or call. The only official notification we get is change-of-address cards, so please help out.

MAIL: With the homecoming questionnaire having been sent out, we are getting lots of new addresses and information about classmates. From Rob WAYNE we hear that he is enjoying flying duties with Delta. He also says that Scott MURPHY is flying for New York Air. Pete GAVARES is an F-16 flight commander at Nellis. Rob and Kent RAMEY are both in the New Orleans area. Dr. Kent HANCOCK checked in from Houston where he will be until June when he will return to Wilford Hall Medical Center for healing duties. Steve GRESS is now in Virginia and he reports that Steve HANSEN is at HQ USAF Studies and Analysis in the Pentagon. Both Rich NICKELSON and Rich HAYNIE are in the Colorado Springs area.

CLOSING: Well, that’s about it for this time. Please drop me a line so that I can pass it along. Let us know the good things that you’re doing as well as the family events that are so important to all of us. Pictures would also be really nice. My best to you all from Colorado and may God bless each of you and your families.

Joe Stein

820 War Eagle Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Home: (303) 594-6201

AV: 259-4552

Spring has arrived at USAFA and the bad weather is still going strong. 1 think someone forgot to tell the man upstairs to turn off the snow machine. But I’ll try to thaw out for long enough to fill you all in on the latest happenings in '75

MAILBOX: “Boo” BUTALLA is my nominee for the “Most Meaty Letter” award. I’ve never seen anyone fit so much about our class on a single sheet of paper. He, his wife, Chrissie, and their four-year-old daughter, Sara, have spent the last three years at Davis-Monthan. Boo and Chrissie have a second child on the way, and he/she should arrive this May, just before their next anticipated move. Boo has been serving as the flight safety officer and one of the Head Hogs at DM. Being at the RTU put him in a great spot to catch the latest news about ’75 and he was good enough to pass it on so I have something to write about (whew!). If you can remember the old firehose approach the dean used to use, get ready! That’s how this news is going to come.

First, here’s the scoop on DM. Both Mark SKATTUM and Ollie LORENZ have recently joined Boo as Hog Trainers. Jon STAPLEY is working in the hospital out there, and those just passing through for training include Foster BITTON (on his way to Bentwaters) and J.P. OWENS (going to Eielson brrr). Even when Boo went to SOS, he couldn’t get away. It seems Bill DALSON, Dave BARNTHOUSE, and Buzz SAWYER have taken up residence as section commanders out there. In the around-the-world department, Joe CARROLL is an F-16 pilot at Kunsan, Randy DAVIS is a C-5 pilot at Travis (married to Patricia, one each USAF nurse, captain type), A1 COLLEY is in F-4s at Seymour-Johnson, Mike CRIDER is flying F-106s at Griffiss (also recently married Patty), Gary MATSON is a T-43 pilot at Mather, and Rich WILSON is flying RC-135s somewhere in the Pacific.

Boo also gave me a location on Steve GROATHOUSE (see last issue). He’s working with the Ranger unit at Fort Carson. The rest of the bunch include Mike PETERS at Nellis in F-16s, Dan KRAFT doing big-time basketball coaching at Dartmouth, A1 BREADY on his way to Clark as an F-4G EWO, Chuck MOLZEN in T-38s at Sheppard, Steve BLACKBURN instructring in CT-39s at Scott, and Randy MASON acting as an F-16 SPO at Wright-Pat. Finally, Boo passed on some interesting news about A1 LIMANNI, but you’ll have to read further to catch that.

CAMP USAFA: In this area I’ve got some new arrivals, a few who have been here that I don’t think I’ve mentioned before, and a few people passing through or leaving. Scott SMITH is our new arival. He’s now working as a Soviet history expert on the dean’s team. Scott also took a few minutes to stop by and place some folks. It seems Chumley COLLINS is at Wright-Pat working a C-130 test bed. His wife, Jackie, is also working at Wright-Pat in the B-l SPO and they are expecting their first child soon. Speaking of firsts, J.T. WOLTER just completed his first alert tour at Grand Forks. And to think he volunteered for the great northland. If anyone else up there is reading this, have a little talk with him, please.

The last of Scott’s news is that Duck LAYMAN is now working in the missile office at Offutt. Rumor has it he has the smallest desk in the office, but he’s working on it. Others in the area include Bob AKERS downtown working Space Command business, and Mark WELLS, Rich BOWERS, and Doug WILLIAMS working on the dean’s side. Frank DUBUISSON hasn’t made a PCS to USAFA, but he has gotten credit for a TDY tour here. He’s a T-38 instructor at Reese, and recently dropped by on a squadron sponsor visit to USAFA. I bumped into him on the terrazzo just before a cadet parade. I think he was trying to slip into a squadron and march along for old times sake?! Mike ANDERSON also called one day and said he may end up as an AOC a year or two in the future. I think he’s trying to break out of the Wright-Pat mold. My final news in this area concerns Bill SPENCER. He will be giving up his AOC black hat this summer and will be setting sail with Kathleen for Okinawa. We’ll all be sorry to see them go and the class will sure miss his representation on the AOG Board.

MOVERS: Just a quick note this time on those moving on to new horizons. Mark JEFFERSON is on his way to Bitburg; Dave TILLOTSON is still roaming the D.C. area, but has apparently gotten a new job; Charles SCHMELING and Mark NELSON are both on their way to Kirtland; Dave MCCARTHY is heading for Luke; John JENSON to the Pentagon; Terry KEMP to Offutt; Craig CHRISTEN to Scott; and final

ly, A1 STODDARD is shipping his doctor’s shingle to Anchorage. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO. Tom KNABEL took time this month (after being honored in the last issue) to take pen in hand and fill us in on life at Luke and other places. Foremost on his list of news was word on two of the “whatever happened to” clan. Alexi LIMANNI is a doctor working as a flight surgeon at Incirlik. His wife, Linda, is also a doc and the chief of internal medicine there. Here’s where Boo’s earlier news fits in. He sent me a nice article on A1 outlining how he was one of the first three medical folks on the scene at the Beirut bombing. The follow-on with that mission took him aboard the USS Iwo Jima and over to Germany before returning to Turkey. He had some real good words to say about the Marines during that tragic time. Tom also had seen Duke DUHACHEK at Luke. Duke was upgrading into the F-16 and will be leaving Minot for who-knows-where soon.

Other news from Luke includes words on Bob LYNN, who’s an IP in F-15s. His wife, Sandy, is going to school while trying to keep up with their three daughters, Carmen, Morgan, and Whitney. The last words from Tom included a claim for a ’75 record. He delivered both of Art and Wendy BILLINGSLEA’s babies. Anyone else had their kids delivered by a classmate?

There’s only one more thing to include before closing out. I forgot to mention earlier that Dave and Nancy SCHMITZ and thier two girls are on an exchange tour at RAF Chivenour, UK. He’s currently flying the Hawk at fighter lead-in and enjoying it. That’s all for now. See you next month.

Hello, ’76ers! I’m writing to you from Gila Bend, AZ. I’m serving as night range officer for three nights. It’s just one of the great things about a Great Way of Life! I got one letter this time, so you get to hear about my Christmas cards too that’ll show you!

Mike KELLY wrote to me. He’s concerned that many of you will misconscrew something I said last time. Mike MANTZ is the guy who may be the first ’76er in space, not Mike. Mike says I had a problem with my antecedents, but I’ve known that for awhile now. That’s a moot point anyhow we used to tell Buddy LOTT that he was the first classmate in space. Mike also said that Bob CORRIE is almost done as a weapons controller in Europe; doesn’t know where he’ll end up. Doug FRY, also a weapons custodian, will depart Belgium for AFIT this summer. Bob OLEKSY has left Dugway Proving Grounds, UT, where he was testing GLCM, to Ramstein, where is a GLCM staff officer. Craig PUZ is a manned spaceflight engineer at LA AFS he may get a shot at the shuttie, too. Jay STEINMETZ has left AFIT and is now in computers at the Pentagon. Burt WADAS is still a logistician at Hanscom, looking for an assignment.

XMAS CARDS: Ho! ho! ho! Jack and Jan CATTON sent one from Kadena. Larry and Martha SMITH wrote from USAFA and the Triple Nickel Plus Two they had a baby boy, Erik, last March. Kevin HENABRY wrote from the Kun’ enroute to Nellis and F-16 FWS glad to be back in the states. John and Bobbi CROWLEY wrote from Willie—John is now out of the AF, and will stay at Mesa, AZ, to get his MBA.

Joe and Nancy WYSOCKI sent a message from C-Springs and Space Command. Nancy is busy with Kim and Mickey. Got a note from Dave and Gail ANDERSON and family over in Sweden on their Olmstead Scholarship. They’ve traveled all over Sandinavia and are having a great time. In July they’ll come back here to finish school (no, not Finnish school). Dave has applied to SAIS, Johns Hopkins, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston. Let us all know where you end up!

Kurt and Karen KLINGENBERGER sent their semi-annual laundry list of half the class from Plattsburg. Anyway, the Ks (that’s an abbreviation so I didn’t have to spell out KLINGENBERGER) will be going to D.C. this summer Karen for ASTRA, Kurt to get a master’s in international affairs somewhere. Next summer Karen will report to USAFA to be a flight or MS instructor Kurt will follow to teach poli sci. Kurt says that Steve and Cheryl STOCKDALE plus Stacy are doing well in Bedford, TX and at TI, K.C. and Liz STEINBAUGH are in Nashau, NH, where he works for Sanders in ECM. Brad and Bert MOFFETT recently returned to Platts-

burg from AFIT he’s in FBs. Kurt saw Tim and Debbie MARTIN in Sacramento Tim was finishing his master’s at Sacramento State; then back to our alma mater to teach English. John SUBIK visited the Ks (them again) at Plattsburg from Loring. Tom and Vicki MALLORY will finish F-lllFs at Lakenheath headed for AFIT somewhere. Brian and Linda SLITTER were trying for AFIT from C-141s at McGuire.

Rob and Nancy Lee PETERSON both graduated from SOS last year he left Grissom recently to be a T-37 IP at Columbus, and Nancy is at ASTRA and will end up at Columbus in October. To show that our college experience was not a total waste, the folks at Plattsburg had a parade last fall to honor the 380th Bomb Group of WW II, the present wing’s ancestors. Rita MOORE’s spouse Danny (Rita is an FMS supervisor) led the SPs; Jim MARG commanded the CMS; and since Kurt is tall and has double-knit Class As (oops, I mean Service Dress), he got to be on wing staff. You short guys will never amount to anything. Thanks to the Ks.

Don and Pat HALL with Sean (4) and Chloe (8 months) wrote from Randolph and ATC Safety. Wes and Cheryl NEELY sent a card. Carl and Mary REBARCHAK and family wrote from A-10 FWS at Vegas we got to see them recently while they were visiting back here in Tucson. Bill and Eleanor LANNING wrote he’s in F-lll Wing Weapons and Tactics at Cannon. Bill participated in BRIGHT STAR last August. He saw Jimmy LOWE in Atlanta last summer Jimmy should finish at Georgia Tech this summer, then back to work. Stu YOUNG spent a night with the LANNINGs enroute to USAir in Pittsburgh.

Gary and Debbie TURNIPSEED wrote from Eglin and F-15s. They expect an assignment this summer. Bill and Patti NASH are now in Rhode Island where Bill works for Peat Marwick International. Buddy and Kathy LOTT were expecting their first baby in April they were back here for SOS early this year, and expect an assignment this fall. The PORRITTs Duke, Laura, and Glenn write from Sembach and OV-lOs. They’ve been traveling and also expect an assignment.

1 reported on Marc FRITH’s letter last time from memory, but I found his letter. When we last left him and Wanda they were at Nellis in the A-10 OT&E. They have two boys, Harrison (3), and Marshall who was born in October. Marc saw Dale “Stump” MILLER, and the ‘SEED at Nellis awhile back. Stump and Jayne had their second daughter, Kristen, (Lindsay is their other) recently. Sorry I misplaced your letter, Marc.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS: John BRUNS, Columbus AFB; Dave JAREO, Castle AFB: John TENSFELDT, Scott AFB; John ERRIGO, Chicago; Rory CHILDRESS, Moody AFB; Steve McNAMARA, Albuquerque. You guys all write to me and tell me what you’re doing.

The AOG wants an updated list of our class officers. Does anyone known who they are? Do we have any? Also, here’s a contest: if you still have your cadet car (or if you don’t), write to me and tell me how many miles you have on it. Also tell me what you’re doing, and update us on everyone you know of in your graduating class. How’s that for subtle?

Not much going on in Tucson. Mark SCHWING was here awhile back on a KC-10 deployment from Barksdale. I found out he was here after he left. Mark, you missed your chance for a free beer or two. ’Til next time. Take, it, Mouse.

Jim “Mouse” Neumeister

281 Royal Oaks Drive Fairborn, OH 45324

Home: (513) 878-1585

AV: 787-6832/3834

Vv*-* w

Back at Wright-Pat again. SOS was real, and fun, but it’s good to be home. However, while at Maxwell, I saw many familiar faces in SOS Class 84B. So many, in fact, that we couldn’t let the occasion go by without at least one mini-reunion. So one Friday night early in the program (while we still had time to get behind), we met at the club to catch up on Who’s Doing What Where (see photo).

Beyen BUSCHKO (Mary Jo) is a T-37 IP at Randolph. Mark and Susan CASTELLANI, and their children Tony and Christina, are leaving Altus and heading for Langley, where Mark will be flying EC-135s. He says that Sammy HERCHAK recently separated and also got married 3 December. Mark also saw Pete GERSBACH at SAC’s Bomb/Nav Competition Awards at Barksdale in November. Tom CONLON (Lauren) is a program manager in the MATE SPO here at Wright-Pat. He said Mike JACKSON (Karen) will be at Maxwell for SOS Class 84C, coming from Tacoma. Tom also heard Bill PATTISON (Jan) is in the Aggressor Squadron and A1 MEZA (Chris) is at Holloman. Mike EBERLE (Karen) is a UPT/PIT T-38 Systems Course Author/T-38 IP at Randolph, but will be going to the Department of Mechanics at West Point in June.

Joe FURY is at Cape Canaveral working Space Shuttle Payload Integration, but expects to transfer to “Shuttleport West” at Vandenberg soon. He and Carol have two children, a boy and a girl. Mark KENNEY is a KC-135 A/C at Loring. P.J. LANDWEHRLE is at RAF Lakenheath as an F-111F A/C. He and Denise have two sons, Kevin and Kyle. Also F-111F A/Cs at Lakenheath are Art BIERSCHBACH (Laurie), Mike LEVENHAGEN (Rowan), Dan JOHNSTON, and Dave MURRAY. Dan and Dave were also with us in 84B. P.J. adds that Tim MALONE and Greg FOWLER are F-111E A/Cs at Upper Heyford.

Bill LEE (Wanda) is a command post controller for missiles at Vandenberg. Marc and Patty LINDSLEY, and their children Keith and Kathryn, came down from Mountain Home where Marc instructs in the F-lll Fighter Weapons School. Dan MCNEIL (Donna) is an EC-135 A/C at Hickam. He says Bernie PETERS and T. PARKER are also there. Bruce PENNINGTON (Monica) is a KC-135 A/C at K.I. Sawyer. Dutch REMKES (Susie) is an F-16 IP at Luke. Mike RUGGIERO (Lisa) flies C-141s at Norton. He says Steve OSBORNE just separated and had an interview with Northwest. Mike also says John MAKUTA is working for Texas Instruments in Dallas. Bert RUND (Chloanne) is a KC-135 instructor nav in the CCTS at Castle.

Vince SHARP (Suzanne) doubles as a C-130 IP and wing tactics officer at Dyess. Ted SHROPSHIRE (Lydia) is a T-39 pilot in the Test Wing here at Wright-Pat, and hopes to fly here for a couple more years followed by an AFIT slot. Since we returned, he learned he’ll be qualifying in ’141s as well. Ted says Ken WHITE recently went to T-41s at USAFA and has a baby girl named Ashley. Joe SMUTKO is an RF-4C pilot at Zweibrucken AB, Germany and says Stu WILLIAMS is also there. Mark STEGELMAN (Marie Celine) flies E-3As out of Tinker.

Steve STOKES (Karen) is a B-52 A/C at Ellsworth and provided a wealth of info. He says Dan VANALSTINE also pilots B-52s there. Bruce JEFFREY is an instructor nav at Ellsworth headed to pursue an AFITsponsored master’s at U. of Wisconsin and then back to USAFA’s Engineering Department. Scott SAMPSON is a B-52 EW moving to B-l Curriculum Development at Carswell. Bill HERZOG flies EC-135s at Ellsworth. Rick COSBY is a B-52 A/C going to FB-11 Is. Chuck GILL is in RC-135s at Eielson. Max D’LAROTTA and I.B. MALTZ are B-52 RNs at Ellsworth. Jim CERNEY is a B-52 A/C at Dyess. Dave GLASEBROOK is a B-52 A/C at Guam. Ray SHEEN is working an AFIT-sponsored master’s at MIT.

Getting back to SOS attendees, Tom UREN came down from Grand Forks. He has been a B-52 maintenance officer, but now works as a missile launch officer. He says Gary ELLSWORTH is also at Grand Forks, and John SCHAUFFERT is in Aviano, Italy. Wes WESOLOWSK1 (Connie) is an A-10 IP/weapon’s officer at Eielson. Derek WILLIAMS (Kimberly) is an instructor WSO at Mountain Home and the proud father of twins, Amber and Elissa. He says Lee BAUER (Joanne) separated in ’83 and now lives in Bethesda, MD.

SUPPORT YOUR ACADEMY AND THE CADET WING. SEND IN YOUR DONATION TO THE AFA FUND TODAY!

Other classmates in 84B included Dave WRIGHT, Tex MAIER, Mike MCKENNA, Jon BAKER, Matt DALRYMPLE, Norm THOMPSON, Garry SHEPPARD, Geno REDMON, Mike STREVELL, Sam DICK, Steve SPIES, Bob RUSSEL, Brian DUCHENE, Bruce BELSER, Frank ANDERSON (stationed at Nellis), Frank SZALEJKO, Andy KROTT, Dan KAMPS, Bob RYAN, Bob HAMILTON, Denny DIETZ, Tom LANE, and Mike COX.

Also TDY to Maxwell was Tony CERVONE, there for the Academic Instructor School. Tony’s an ICBM operations instructor at Vandenburg. Permanent party at Maxwell include Paul SCHUTT, an SOS section commander, and Mark COCHRAN, an analyst in the Leadership & Management Development Center. Jake SIMONS (Carol) is an aircraft maintanance functional analyst at the Air Force Data Systems Design Center across town at Gunter AFS.

Mail Call: Bob MCGRATH wrote from Euless, TX. He resigned his commission in September, but recently joined the AOG so he could stay in touch. He is now working for Texas Instruments in Dallas as a missile and ordnance systems engineer. Tom MARINELLO left Little Rock, C-130s, and the Air Force, and is now attending the Dallas Theological Seminary.

Carlos and Mildred CRUZ, and daughters Ann and Barbara, are completing their overseas tour at Ramstein, where he has worked in HQ, European Communications Division. George and Jerrie BORDON and son Brian are in C-Springs where George is flying T-41s at USAFA. Steve and Gloria DEE announced the birth of their first child, Jonathan, on 9 February. The Dee’s are stationed at Scott, where Steve flies C-9s.

PCS: Steve BAUMGARTNER is at Hickam. Bill LORD is at RAF Greenham Common. Rick and Kandi RASMUSSEN are at Nellis. L.T. SAMPLES is attending the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, AZ. Ron STEVENS is at Bergstrom. Jeff TERRALL lives in El Segundo, CA. Curt YOUNG is a T-37 IP at Willy. Lonnie BOWMAN is living in Littleton, CO. Jim CHAMBERLAIN is at Offutt. Gus LIBY is in C-Springs. Ray and JoLynn LUNGER are in Glendale, AZ. Dewey and Chardell NOVOTNY are at Hill. Mike SASSE is living in Pittstown, NJ. Bob and Nancy VENDLEY are in Revere, MA.

Miscellaneous: I returned a call from Steve SIMON at Norton. He said Dennis BELLAMY’S wife had a boy, Derek, the day after Thanksgiving. John KATONA is leaving Wright-Pat for ’141 requal at Altus and then on to McGuire. While TDY to Holloman, he saw John YANAROS, who flies AT-38s as a Fighter Lead-In instructor. Finally, an SOS sectionmate of mine going to Test Pilot School in July told me Doug PALMER is his sponsor. Doug is attending TPS now to become a flight test engineer. That wraps up the news for now. Have a great summer, and if you’re just passing through the area, stop by or give me a call. Take care, and keep in touch.

WRITE OR CALL YOUR CLASS NEWS WRITER NOW! THEY NEED YOUR INPUT.

Jim Arnold

10708 Hollaway Drive

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Home: (301) 868-4204

It is my sad duty to inform you of the deaths of two of our classmates. Mike BORISH was killed in a motorcycle accident on 17 February. Mike JABLONOVSKI was killed on 28 February in a C-130 accident in Spain. My condolences to their families and friends.

LETTERS: In no particular order, news from that worldwide traveling show: The Class of 1978:

Russ OGRINZ writes from Cape Canaveral where he is a project engineer on DOD shuttle payloads. He works on integration of satellites into the shuttle, just prior to launch. Russ was the 1983 Company Grade Officer of the Year for both ESMC and SAMTO. Russ also writes that Bill CHAMBLEE is still a backseater in F-4s in Korea and looking to go to Germany. Aaron BYERLEY is reported teaching aero at the Zoo. No word on Bill but both Russ and Aaron appear to be happily married. Aaron has two children.

An old squadron mate of mine, Kurt LOBECK, wrote to catch me up to date on his life. He is currently at Sunnyvale with the Satellite Control Facility “interfacing,” as Kurt put it, for AFOTEC. He’s hoping to get to “Falcon AFB,” the new Space Command place in C-Springs.

Teresa MATCHECK, Dean’s wife, wrote to say that Dean is a T-38 IP at Williams on his way to SOS. She and Dean have a 17-month-old son. Dan and Wendi SIMMONS are at Grand Forks and are expecting a baby in March. Bob and Dee STEEL are at MacDill and are expecting twins! Thanks Teresa for the update on the population explosion.

Joe MATTUSKI writes that he’ll be in F-15s by the time you read this. He and wife Renee had a little girl in March 83 so all three will be going to Langley. Greg MARSTON got married to someone, a delirious (with flu) best man Joe thinks was Teresa (later confirmed, JEA). Greg flies the OA-37 at D-M, AZ. Rick MORRIS left the T-37 at Reese and took a C-5 at Travis.

Lou CHRISTENSEN wrote to say he was headed for Plattsburg to trade his B-52 in on an FB-111. He says that he and his wife Sue are not expecting. (I’m amazed, but there is one in every crowd.) Lou also writes: Craig BENDORF (Trish) is headed to AFIT for an aero degree. Craig is currently a B-52 A/C. Dave MAHER married Sheila last fall. He is also a B-52 A/C. Lynn HOLLERBACH married Grace “recently” (?) and is a B-52 A/C. Tom KAMA, another B-52 A/C, married Sue and is headed to Plattsburg for FB-11 Is. Bill KOENITZER and Ken CHARPIE are both married (Jane and Kathy, respectively), naturally, and B-52H radar navs. San KENDRICK is late of T-37 IP duty and now a B-52 pilot at Minot (where everyone else listed also is). Andy COX is an instructor nav in KC-135s, Fred ZEITZ is a T-38 IP in ACE, Tim FURST is chief of STAN/EVAL in the local helo squadron (37ARRS), and Sal GRANDE left Minot and is now at Wheeler. (Lou wants to know: “How’s the beach, Sal?”). Thanks Lou, it looks like you had a large contingent of ’78ers at Minot. Fill us in on Plattsburg when you get settled.

Dan HALPERN wrote me his long overdue letter and opened with the news that he and his wife, Terri, are parents (Jared Daniel), so the baby boom continues! Dan is a T-37 at Sheppard as is Vic SUMMERS (Cheri and baby girl Shannon). Steve DURHAM is a T-37 IP, and he and wife Camille have two children. (Steve just got an F-15 to Langley). Kevin FITZHARRIS, T-37 IP (what else), and wife Cindy have one child and another on the way. Greg ROGGE (T-37 IP) and Lee KOWATCH (T-38 IP) are also at Sheppard as are the following T-38 IPs: John WELLSFRY, Mark HEFFERLY (Terry), Curt QUIMBY (Carolyn), and Brock FROEHLER (Kathy). Dan says Gary STEPHENS (Barbara) is at Laughlin in T-38s, and Dean PROFFITT has an A-10 in Alaska. Thanks, Dan.

PHONE CALLS: I had a couple of these, which was very nice. Please feel free to call. Dave GARNER called to say he is now a Reserve 2nd Lt and attends the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) at Bethesda, MD. In other words he is going to be a doctor. Dave was previously a helo pilot at Davis-Monthan.

My predecessor in this space, Don AVERY, called to say that he is going to marry Fara Hanley on 30 June. Don plans to get out in May and pursue dual masters’ in business admin and health sciences at the University of Florida. Don says his health is very good. He also informs me that Mack McCOLLOM is flying T-38s at Hollomon and may be headed to law school (don’t do it Mack, my grades won’t stand competition). Mike KEELS is at Langley.

Class of ’77 grads attending the 557th Flying Training Squadron Christmas party at the Academy include, front row from left, Doug Banker, Dave Eppley, and Roger Smith. Back row, Ken White, Jeff Stringham, Dennis Kliza (visiting), George Borden, and Mark Woolsey. (Photo by Bill Madsen)

Mike SKOLAUT informed me on our latest call that Jim DURLAK is a civil servant type at the Strategic SPO at Wright-Pat and that Kevin SMITH is an AWACS pilot at Tinker.

VISITS: Better than phone calls. Guy MARTELLE was in town for a short visit and dropped by. Guy is with MX testing at Vandenberg and has two beautiful children.

I’m sorry that all of the proceeding listings were just that, straight listings, but with so much info, its the easiest way to present it and not run the risk of being edited out. So with that disclaimer, here comes the AOG MAILBAG!

Bob CASTIGLIONE from Grissom AFB to APO San Francisco 95230; Rick DICOCCO from Malden, MA, to Santa Monica, CA; Ron FURSTENAU from Lincoln, NE, to C-Springs; Kurt GEARHART, Luke to Las Vegas; Gary HALBERT, Lubbock to San Antonio; Lonnie HENDRIX from Newport News, VA, to Phoenix; Dave KLUCZ1NSKE from St. Pete, FL, to Sheboygan, WI; Eric KIRCHNER from Del Rio to APO NY 09132; Dave McLERAN from Williams AFB to Vacaville, CA: Joe MATTUSK1 from Atwater, CA, to C-Springs; Dean MATCHEK from Universal City, TX, to Mesa, AZ; and Mike PADGETT from Minot to C-Springs (it’s beginning to look like an early reunion).

Also, Curt QUIMBY, Burkburnett, TX, to Phoenix; Mike SPAIN from Barksdale to Sunnimead, CA; Ron TAIT, Laughlin AFB to Homestead; Steve USHER from Myrtle Beach to Randolph AFB; and Mike WILLIAMS to Mountain Home from somewhere. Rick SEARFOSS added a note; he’s married, has a daughter, is on his way to SOS (Feb. 84) and then he‘11 be an F-l 1A RTU IP. Pete SHOCKEY also listed his occupation: KC-135 pilot at Blytheville. The last note, attached to Pete’s is that Terry HAYNES is an instructor radar van in the B-52G.

Well, that does it, thanks for all the letters and other info. Please keep it coming. Meanwhile, let’s be careful out there!

Mike (Anne) HAYES arrived at Sheppard recently from Biloxi. Mike is flying T-37s and Anne is flying Delta. Mike is the only guy I know who goes to Paris for the weekend!

On the C-130 scene, Roho (Pam) HERRERA visited a couple of months ago. Roho told me that another C-130 jock turned steady-eyed killer, Rex (Gabe) KEESE, took another tour in Germany. Rex is now in Special OPs and loving it. Rex, 1 thought that bull kicked you in the backside?

That’s all the news I’ve got so send your info to John COURTNEY at 948 Vintage Dr., Kenner, LA 70065. Until next year, GOODBYE and GOOD LUCK.

Hello ’79ers for the last time from windy Wichita Falls, TX. My 3'/z year stay will be complete next month, so Tanya, my sons, and I are off to USAFA once again. I’m going to be a highly motivated T-41 IP and the wife is going to work at the Academy base contracts. In any case we’re looking forward to getting back to the mountains and scenery, both of which have long since blown away down here.

Tanya and 1 took a trip to Lubbock, TX, last weekend to witness Mike CRANDALL and Leanne Heslin tie the knot. Mike made this decision without aid of EVER CLEAR and I’m happy to report that he’s a lucky man. Leanne is a sweetheart and from all of us ’79ers Congratulations and good luck!

No wedding of CRANDALL’s could be the same without his ole buddy and best man, Fred (Nancy) JACOBSEN. Yes, Fred was loose in Lubbock and as usual we were laughing. Fred and Nancy are leaving Williams AFB in June for Bergstrom AFB and RF-4 RTU. Fred has always been unafraid after 10 beers so he’ll do fine! Also leaving Williams, Robin and (Kim) RAND are looking forward to TAC and the F-16.

From Sheppard AFB comes news that Steve (Dawn) DICKSON and Jim (Carla) CALLAHAN are at Holloman. Steve’s gone to the F-15 and Jim to the F-16. Bruce GEBHARD will leave soon for George AFB and F-4Gs. Bruce and Sue BUSLER left for McGuire AFB and C-141s a coupie of months ago.

A couple of weeks ago Pete HAYS stayed the weekend with me. He was in AC school at Altus AFB and came down for some rest and relaxation. Well, with the wife away, Pete forfeited the rest and relaxation and helped me handle my wild boys. While we were here, Tanya was out at Wright-Patterson AFB partying hearty with Paul and Bonnie DIAMOND. Paul would call long distance to pop a beer tab over the phone just to let me know he was taking good care of my wife.

Out on the East Coast, Bob and Debbie McGREAL figured there was more to life than the Red Sox and Bruins and are now awaiting a new arrival. Congratulations to you both. Bob is an AC now in tankers and ready to leave Loring AFB.

Our class president, Mike (Hooch) VAN HOOMISSEN, has just broken a personal record. He’s been chasing the same woman now for over a year. No predictions from me, though, but I will admit that she’s after a real sweetie.

Alas, as this article reaches you we will all be captains. More pay, more responsibility, and no more using the title Lt as a reason for incompetence. Amazing isn’t it? Four years ago we couldn’t pound sand into a rat hole, and now we are the reason that the populous sleeps soundly at night. No wonder 20 percent of all Americans have insomnia.

I was asked to put in a plug for the AOG this issue so here goes. I am aware that all of those reading this article are most probably members already; therefore, a hard sell is preaching to the choir. Those of us in ’80 who have falcon buddies who are not members should attempt to persuade those derelicts that the AOG is a good deal. The AOG needs our support, money, etc., in order to function. It is the only organization that can keep us grads in touch with USAFA and with each other. It puts out a darn good magazine four times a year, and I think we all can afford to be members. If all of these selling points don’t work, then maybe you should try more unorthodox measures. Here is a list of unorthodox reasons/threats that are approved for coersion into the AOG:

—Real men/women read Checkpoints (their own).

—If you don’t take Checkpoints you won’t learn about our 10-year reunion.

—Checkpoints allows you to sample the literary talents of one Matt Neuenswander. (This is the most important one.)

—If you don’t get Checkpoints then I can say anything I want about you and you will never know.

On a serious note, if you cannot convince those falcon buddies to join the AOG, please get them to update their card so that an accurate Register of Graduates can come out next year. Too many people in our class still have their first training base as their current assignment. We all travel some in our jobs and it is nice to look up a friend if you can somehow find his address.

On with the news. George HEPT wrote from Willy complaining about my articles being long on introductions and short on news. He is now working at the AF Human Resources Lab there and doubling as a T-38 IP. George is helping develop the new simulator for the F-16. Mark FARAONE is in the T-38 Check Station and will probably be in stan eval soon. I wonder if they call the phone room the FARAONE room at Willy too. Dirk HESS and Craig SCHLATTMANN are also in check station, and Jeff WILSON is in stan eval already. Brad BAUER will soon be an FCF pilot and Mark MITCHELL is teaching pre-PIT. Chris MILLER is a new IP on the block after his Rhodes trip, and Jack BARKER is about to graduate and get his wings. Jack is newly married, Derek has been married some time and he and his wife are expecting number two, and Jeff WILSON only acts like he is married (his lady bought him a blender last week).

Jeff FITZSIMMONS has almost completed his master’s at MIT and will be going to Norton to work at the Ballistic Missile Office. Oh, by the way, Tim GULLIVER and Bobby BUEHLER are class commanders at Willy and Howard RATCLIFFE is in Student Squadron. Larry KELLY (’81) was kind enough to write from Langley and send some news on some ’80 grads there. Mike NAYE and J.R. SMITH just arrived at Langley where they fly Eagle Jets. Mike married Lisa Dunn and has never written me a letter. J.C. WITH AM is also at Langley as well as Little Petey BROWN, my poolie lab partner.

John CHRISTOPHER wrote, and he is leaving Bitburg for Langley in March. John enjoyed Europe and sent news on others there. Brian O’CONNOR married Michaela and is going to fly F-15s in Europe. Art TOROSIAN and Steve SMITH will both be in Europe one more year. Paul G. SMITH and Justin CHRETIEN are both married and flying

OV-lOs at Sembach. So Smitty, you finally found a lady that couldn’t outrun you? Mickey PETAK got an F-15 to Langley after flying T-Birds at McChord. He and his wife have a new baby boy.

John GREEN wrote from Eglin. He and Art SMITH and Andy UNGASHICK were all at SOS together. They were all DGs, John and Art “did graduate,” and Andy was a real one. Pam SIMONITSCH (CAR1LLO) cross-trained to maintenance and moved to Phoenix to be with her husband. Ross LATORRA was just married to Janet and is now back in Alaska flying A-10s. Bobby YOUNG married Lynn Botto on Jan 7 and honeymooned in the Bahamas. Keith YOCKEY got married on 21 Jan to Beth Ray. John GREEN got married last year to Jamie, and they should have had their first child by now. Scott TRIMBOLI and wife Lil have moved to USAFA to teach mech.

Jim RIGGINS (Dawn) are at Elgin working in laser R&D at the armament lab. Sue HELMS just got a slot to get her M.S. in aero at Stanford this year. John FRITZ is flying a lot in the back seat of an RF-4. Phil and Debbie GLOTFELTY are leaving Eglin for Wright-Pat this month. Tom SANDERS is an AFIT finishing his master’s in something. Chuck and Tari WOLF are at Kirtland where they built a new home.

As you can see there is a lot of moving going one. Hope every body keeps in touch, and 1 will have more news in three months. Take care and God Bless.

Greetings from the friendly skies of the U.S.A. I’m writing this article as I’m jetting across America on vacation. I just departed sunny Los Angeles for rainy Germany so this article might not be so cheery.

As part of my vacation, I returned to the Academy for an interview with the Political Science Department. The Academy itself hasn’t changed much, but C-Springs is practically unrecognizable. Academy Boulevard is expanding at an unimaginable pace. Shopping centers, theaters, restaurants, and apartments are now knocking at the South Gate. This modern day gold rush is an entrepreneur’s delight.

I want to extend a special thanks to Jay SANTEE for sending me pages of newsworthy information. I look forward to writing the Checkpoints article, and I hope you look forward to reading it. So, keep those letters, cards, and photos coming.

praise of the wing commander at RAF Lakenheath. Seems as though the only WSO the wing commander will fly with is Joe. That’s certainly a positive reflection of Joe’s expertise. Tom MALOOF distinguished himself recently. Tom is a member of SAC’s Aircrew of Distinction for performance during an in-flight emergency while refueling. Yours truly was also recently recognized. I was selected Junior Officer of the Year for Electronic Security, Europe. I’ll now represent Europe in the final stage of my MAJCOM’s competition. ’81ers are certainly continuing a strong showing throughout the Air Force.

It seems to be quite routine that I always have a few marriages to announce. Maybe someday marriage announcements will be the exception rather than the rule for Checkpoints articles. Ken GREEN, Sue WAECHTER (no, this isn’t a misprint), and Maureen O’CONNER got married. Mickey McDONALD is engaged to an AF nurse so he’ll enter the married majority shortly. Bobby SINGER is romancing a colonel’s daughter at RAF Lakenheath, and is majoring in rapid career progression. By the way, Maureen O’CONNER is flying KC-135s at Loring AFB, ME. Ed SHIEMBOB is also at Loring.

After marriage, the next logical step is parenthood. Of course, we have a couple soon-to-be parents. Kevin and Susie NEUMANN are expecting in April, and Mark and Lori PLOEDERER will also be parents soon.

Tom and Vicki Lawrence

To start with, I have a few kudos to report. Rick ALDRICH and Karen MANOS (TREMBLAY) were accepted for law school. Rick is attending UCLA and Karen is at Duke. Joe ZEIS has captured the attention and

Tony Lorusso and Robin Gaeta tour Langenselbold, Germany.

From the European side of the house, Terri POBST is enjoying free-fall jumping with a local British club and will probably PCS to Ramstein AB soon. Jeff THOMPSON is stationed at Spangdahlem and flying his F-4 to places like Zaragosa AB, Spain, where he ran into Jay SANTEE. As for Jay, he’s still struggling to become an SP. Jeff and Cheryl GROUX are at Zweibruchen AB and are quickly adjusting to stairwell living even though their dog isn’t. Robin GAETA is still flying low in his A-10 at RAF Bentwaters. Robin spent a weekend with me in December and we had a great time romping the German Cogntryside. Mike DALBY is a new addition to the European community. He and his family recently arrived at RheinMain AB where Mike will be an intel officer for the 7405 Opr Sq. Stateside, Guillermo BALMASEDA and Mike MANSFIELD are flying out of Beale AFB to refuel SR-71s. Joe NYPAVER, Tim GALLAGHER, and Gary DOBBINS are flying T-39s at Langley. Larry KELLY is also at Langley keeping America safe in his Air Defense mission. Thanks for the letter, Larry. Zane SHANKLIN is doing his thing in CE at Elmendorf AFB.

Wish I had more news, but I don’t. So as they say in Hollywood, “That’s all folks!” I knew that Universal Studios town affected me somehow. Take care and God Bless. ’81, Second to none!

Okay, I promise this is the last time I’ll change addresses (for awhile). Probably. This one should be good for a bit. I’m finally settled in here at “Hooterville,” and have been declared “Mission Ready.’’ What that really means is “able to pull alert.” As you may have guessed, this column comes to you from deep within the bowels of my second home, the Blytheville alert facility. The recruiters could have a ball with this one: “Spend a week with the boys in an earth sheltered building! Easy access to a major airport! Free maid service and low cost food!” Gee, where do I sign.

Lots of good letters here, some via Christmas cards. First up, Ancient History. If you blow the dust off of the Fall ’83 issue, you’ll discover that 1 owe Tim COLLINS and his ENJPT classmates some assignments. They should’ve been in the last issue, but Tim’s letter (replacing the original, lost in my PCS move) got to me exactly 24 hours after I sent in the winter column. I know, “No excuse, sir.” Anyway, here they are, Tim. You guys will have them in time to read at the ’82 promotion party!

Mike ISHERWOOD, Ardy DAHL and Tim COLLINS all got A-lOs to Bentwaters, while Tom LAVALLEY will be flying the same plane at England AFB, LA. F-Ills to Lakenheath went to Greg NESEMEIER and Norm CAMP. Kevin DUNSHEE and Chris BROYH1LL will pilot OV-lOs at Sembach, and Eric MARTIN will be an Eagle driver at Camp New Amsterdam. Jim BIGHAM and John MORRISON drew F-16s to MacDill.

Now for some almost-as-old stuff. Dean MILLS wrote to say he’s married to Deena Pineiro of C-Springs. He met her while at a friend’s wedding, and as Dean says, “the rest is history.” I like the sound of that: Dean & Deena. Now that he’s through at Cannon, they should have been “Honeymooned” and all settled in at Lakenheath, where Dean Hies the F-lll. He sends an open invite to anyone passing through to stop by for a pint of ale. Some other news Dean included: Phil CONTORNO is Hying C-130s out of Pope. Dave GR1LLEY is a GIB in RF-4s at Shaw, and Bob CARROL is at MacDill in the F-16. Mark MILLER got an F-4 to Homestead, and Mike FLYNN flies the Huey in support of the shuttle at Edwards. Lori FULTON is at Kirtland, and is looking for a PCS. Or maybe she isn’t. Cannon owns Pat FINLEY and Chan FLOYD, who will be in the F-lll there. Elton DAVIS was on his way through Cannon as an F-lll WSO, and he’s headed for Lakenheath too. Dean says Pat FINLEY got married, as did Norm CAMP, and Greg NESEMEIER is soon to follow. Other upcoming weddings include Steve WERNER (F-l 11 WSO to Upper Heyford) and Russ GREEK (UNT at Mather).

John and Chris TURACK wrote from D.C., where John works on the cruise missile project with Dale SONNENBERG. John says he’s working with computers and is halfway to his MBA—two things he thought he’d never do. Another letter (arrived today), says that Chris had a boy on 7 Mar via the Bradley Method. John was effusive about the method, and gave me all the gory details. 1 think he’s a proud father. He’ll be glad to pass the scoop on the Bradley Method to any “expecting” grads. To close, he says there’s no truth to the rumor that, when the baby’s head came out he said, “All the way and then some, go, go, go!”

Another Christmas letter was from Jill STERLING, who is in med school at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, hereinafter referred to as UCHSC. Subjects include “Pathophysiology on Bleeding Abnormalities.” I’m glad 1 chose something simple like EE. Jill was down in San Antonio summer last and saw a few familiar faces. One was Gary Capell, who the EE majors should remember from the USAFA faculty. He’s doing well, and has a new son. Jill also brushed by Bob and Kathy SALLIS as well as Keith LIMB1RD. Theresa STEVENS, Mary K. McCONNAN and Roberta EWART were at the Johnson Space Center when Jill dropped in. Mary K. is now married, but nobody seems to know her new name. Maybe she’ll write and tell me. Bert is now at Oxford studying physics. Jill also sends word that Jeff SCHIEVENIN and Bobby SNEATH will soon join the wedded ranks. Bobby, Jill wants you to know that she lives with Gail Learner’s sister. Never let it be said I don’t include the trivia! Finally, Beth LLEWELLYN is at Wright-Pat working on a master’s and plotting to get into med school.

Gary PLUMB’s wife, Robin, wrote with some news on a few grads. Gary is a Screech IP at Reese, and they had a girl in Sep. Todd HARRISON, also in the Tweet, is marrying a Lubbock girl named Shelly in

April. Danny SANDCAMP (A-10, Myrtle Beach) is finally engaged to his high school sweetheart, and plans a 1984 wedding. Randy LANE got an F-4 to Homestead, and Scott SWANSON evaluates shuttle payloads at Vandenberg. Two other Reese T-37 IPs are Charles ELLIOTT (wife Sandy) and Steve ATKINS (wife Leigh Ann). The ’38 side has Mike and Rose HEPLER, Dean and Kathy WALTON, as well as Kevin BEATTY, Rob GOLDIN and Bob WATERS. Mark YAKABE and his wife, Renee, are at Langley where Mark pilots the F-15, and Mark JURKOWSKI is Hying the A-10 at England AFB. His wife’s name is Julie. Jim PILAR got an 0-2 to Shaw, and Mike SIPOS is in the ’141 at McGuire. To close, Robin told me that Jeff BEENE (wife Carol) is going to Minot to Hy the B-52.

More news from Reese arrived via the pen of Dianna (ANGELINE) ACKERLEY. She and Paul are settled there, with Paul as an IP and Dianna in OMS. Roxann GOETZ (Dianna’s tech school roomie) married Tom FERGUSON, ’81, and both of them are at Reese in a similar situation. Roxann gets to apply a little of her Thermo, as she works in the propulsion branch of FMS. Dianna spent some time in San Antonio and —Wait a minute—HERE IT IS! Mary K’s Last name! She married Dave Dauendauer. One mystery solved. Anyway, while in San Antonio, Dianna saw Jeff MULLETT, Rob SANFORD, Keith TROXLER, Chris CONWAY, Bob RANCK, Kim CORCORAN, Bill ZEMANEK and Donnell SMITH. Donnell recently married his old sweetheart Tanja. Paul DOREMUS is also working in San Antonio, and is making wedding plans for 2 Jun 84. Why is that date so familiar?

Dianna got a letter from Judy MARTINI, who is flying ’141s out at Travis. Her cargo usually includes only wicker furniture, Nikon cameras and china when she returns from the far east. Also, Marge BRYAN (married to Bill PARAMORE) is flying the ’141 at Norton. Gail FRANCIS wrote to tell Dianna of her assignment to Seymour and the KC-135. Gail enjoyed her TDY to Castle, and especially liked the Napa Valley wine tour. Cathy PRIOR married Rich GOODWIN (’80), and both are stationed at Myrtle. She’s in air traffic control, and he Hies A-lOs. Ron MORRELL is also at Myrtle in the A-10, and his wife Sherry is expecting.

Frank MADEKA says hello from Wright-Pat. This is a picture of the results of his expedition to the “Great White North.” Frank is a fracture and durability engineer working on the F101-GE-102 augmented turbofan engine for the BIB. Other ’82 grads up there include Pedro SOBRINO, Joel ZEJDLIK, Dave SCHEIRER and Tom CAVUOT1.

Doc KIMMINAU sent a word-processed letter from Haa-vaad. He’s doing well, and will leave there in June for Lowry and Goodfellow. Once they teach him all he could ever want to know about signals intel, he’ll ship off for Templehof in West Berlin. He says ya’ll should get on the stick and update your addresses with the AOG. All of the people he wanted to write to either listed UPT addresses or home of record in the register.

Jeff HOSKEN dropped a line from PIT, and he enclosed a check for my lantern. Far as I know though, Demo still owes Jeff a pan. By the way, 1 heard that Demo (Godfred DEMANDANTE) is soon to be married. Jeff and J.J. JOHNSON are doing fine at Randolph, and will probably be soloing students by the time you read this.

My last letter was from Dave “Haggy” HAGGINBOTHOM, who wrote to confirm the rumor that he is stationed in “Muntgumry.” He flies T-39s at Maxwell, and tells me that they are the only active duty aircraft in the state of Alabama. He says he’ll be heartbroken when the AF switches to Lear 35s next April. Does that mean you’ll finally get autopilot? He is recruiting planes and crews for an open house on 16 May, but I think this column will appear too late to be of much help. Anyway, RSVP to AV 875-7876. Dave also sends word that Bruce HAUPT will be getting married at Eglin on 30 June. Other people scheduled to attend are Tim KRAMER and Lee “Behind ’Ya Harv’’ HARVEY. To Chris ALLENBY, Dave says, “If he wants to collect his champagne bet, he’ll have to be there to witness the big event. The sunshine and warm air should do that ‘leg’ body of his some good.” Well, Chris, that sounds like an invitation to me!

A phone call from Steve VOGT tells that all is well with him at Homestead where he is coaxing F-4s into the air. He is hoping for an assignment to Germany when he’s done. Tell all your unattached female friends that Steve is still single. Yote passed along that Ross DUBER is engaged, but won’t be getting married until his wife-to-be is done with her master’s. I wonder if he’s going to make her support him? Steve also said that Russ COLLINS will soon be on his way to AFIT, and that Russ’s wife said that the rabbit died. Congrats, Russ!

The last news this quarter comes via the change-of-address cards. Todd JOHNSON now lives in Williston, ND, and Chris WILSON is at MacDill. Naranja, FL, can claim Craig OLSON as a resident, and Steve TALLEY moved to MacDill. Dennis DELANEY moved from San Antonio to Vance, so I’d say chances are pretty good he’s an IP there. Chip DORMAN checked in from Shaw, and Don POWELL is at Bergstrom. Tim HOPE sent a card all the way from Japan. Dave COOLEY said Hi from Mt. Home, and says he’s married to Sheyla AVELLAN, ’83. Bob DEES lists an address of Sacramento, while Mike EAYRS wants his to read Grand Forks, ND. Greg KNIFF is in Navy Special Warfare at NAB Little Creek, VA, and Kevin CRENWELGE now resides in Big Springs, TX. John NORTON is at Pope, Sally DUGGAN is at Bergstrom, and John AMRINE and Sandy MALONEY sent cards from Sunnyvale. Dan HARRIER is now at KI Sawyer, and is married to Lourdes Campos of Del Rio. Kevin CASSIDY lives in Ft. Walton Beach, while Mark SMITH dropped a line from Luke AFB. Bob DIONNE must be at PIT (Randolph address). Ed JARRETT is a Q-model tanker pilot at Beale, and Luke KEALY is stranded on Clark in the PL Steve HERZ1G is stationed at Edwards doing fit test engineering. My last card is from Glenn JAMES, who works in the weapons lab at Kirtland.

As for me, I’m getting right into the rut of things. I rented a house, I’m still working on my old motorcycles, SOS has been sent for, the master’s is in the works, and I can’t wait to enroll in ACE (Advanced Copilot Enrichment, or free T-37s). 1 do fly the KC-135 occasionally.

That’s about all the news and rumors for this round. Don’t be shy about filling my mailbox for the summer issue! Send some pictures, for Pete’s sake! I get five bucks for each one!

chanted Way, Del Rio, TX 78840. If worse comes to worse, just send whatever you have to Tom Kroboth, Checkpoints editor, care of the AOG, and he can get it to the right person. There now, you no longer have any excuse for not sending in your class news! The first batch of UPT assignments should be coming out soon, so please rush them to Ray as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, all of the above comes too late for this issue, so excuse me if this begins to sound like the “Reese Report.”

The classes of 8406 and 8407 are both down in T-38s now. The 06ers are just finishing with their first checkrides, and the 07s are just realizing how slow the T-37 really was. But 07 expresses all of our feelings very well with their class motto, “Terrors In The Sky.” Below is a picture of some of us just before PT (and we thought that mandatory PT was just for dinks!)

GREETINGS FROM THE GREAT DUSTBOWL OF TEXAS: Spring is here and so are the winds. And with the wind comes the infamous “brown cloud” that so typifies Lubbock this time of year. What I would like to know is why, when the strongest winds come from the west, they built the runways north-south! Well, things could be worse—at least we have a few trees around here to break the wind, right Ray?

First of all, a little business. We have been experiencing a great deal of trouble in getting class news to the right people. Right now each issue comes out about a week before the submission deadline for the next issue. With four different people writing this column, it has been a little difficult coordinating the flow of mail. Here is how the system works: Ray BLUST writes the summer issue, and his deadline is June 10th; Kevin CARRENO writes the fall issue, and his deadline is September 10th; Steve SADLER has the winter issue—deadline December 10th; and yours truly (Andy SIZEMORE) takes it in the spring with a March 10th deadline. So whenever you have ANY news of interest to the class, just send it to the appropriate person before the deadline. If you don’t know where that person is, just call the AOG (303-472-4513 or AV 259-4513) and they should be able to help. Ray has the next issue. His address is 412 En

From left to right are Mark “Gonzo” WELLS, Eric “Opie” OPITZ, Carl NORD1N, Bob “the Meat” LALA, Eric “Dirty Eddie” HUPPERT, Tom “Gumby” WEBSTER, Dave ROSS, Scott POPPLETON, W.D. “Senator” McMILLAN, Jim “somewhat obscured” WHITACRE, Dennis D1NGLEY, and Bob ‘yauuggghhhh!” ROACHE.

In others news, Merrill Jarvis “Butch” ALLIGOOD is now engaged to Lisa Eright (Class of ’85). Sounds like a case of frat to me! Also engaged are Scott ASH (to Kim), Will COBLE, Bob ULICH, Chip KOZAK, Steve STECH (to Lori), and Mick GUTHALS (to Karin). Not engaged but trying very hard are Brian GERRITY, Bob LALA, Tom WEBSTER, and yours truly. Newly married are Scott and Kari POPPLETON as well as Pete and Ellen BLOOM. Way ahead of everyone is Eric and Erin HUPPERT who will be enjoying their first child by the time you read this. Also expecting are Sam and Joy GEDDIE. Dave and Sue (NEWHOUSE) ROSS decided to wait on the kids ’til at least after they get their Hying assignments.

John ZAZWORSKY, captain of the D-flight “Red Team” here at Reese reports that Andy WISE and Scott KIMSEY are doing just fine at Williams AFB, and that Mike DAVIS is maintaining his usual academic standards at UT Austin while making wedding plans for May. 1 hear that Brad GUTIERREZ, Mickey MELLERSK1, Rob O’NEAL, and Brian GERRITY got a chance to practice their winter survival techniques when they got caught in a blizzard on a road trip to the Springs.

From Sheppard AFB comes this report. Mark MURPHY apparently did very well down in T-37s receiving “top stick” honors in Tweets. Sounds like some great IP material there! John HEROUX is engaged to be married in May. Jon WENDELL couldn’t wait and has already tied the knot. 1 understand that it’s getting a little crowded now around Jon’s apartment, but Bob BELTIC promises to move out soon. Mark AMIDON is still himself. Below is a picture of 84-07G (is it G for goons?) at Sheppard showing their usual good form. From left to right are Clint BENNETT, Mark AMIDON, Mark MURPHY, Cliff LATTA, Mike “B.B.” DUNN, Rich FULLERTON, and Pete MOE.

1 received a nice letter from Blanche (GODWIN) FRIDLEY down at Keesler. She sent me news of all the recent assignments out of comm school. It seems that their class finished the course in record time due to their extensive engineering background ala the Zoo. The assignments were listed in the last issue of the magazine. Apparently they don’t work too hard in Mississippi. Blanche’s hubby Dale FRIDLEY brought some of his classmates down from Columbus (Kay SMITH, Jeff STANFIELD, Mike FINLEY, Bobby FOWLER, Tim EICHOLTZ), and they all went down to New Orleans to celebrate a long weekend. She also reports that Mike PARKS and Ron POLOMOSCANIK have just finished UNT and are bound for B-52s at beautiful K.I. SAWYER.

From the “better late than never” department Jerry VARNER confirms that, yes indeed, 8407/11 has made it to T-38s. He wanted me to get everyone’s name in so here goes: Earl “the Pearl” CEPHAS, Joe “All Right Hamilton” DEE, Greg “Fish” FISCHER, Vince and Mavis (THORPE) COMPAGNO, Mike MARTENSEN, Brian MAAS, Bill “Captain” COOL, Ted “G-man” FULTON, Tim STRAWTHER, Rand BROWN, Frank CURRY, Dave GARDNER, Randy “The Unit” ZAK, Dave “SMURF” YELKEN, and Bruce “Look at me I’m Married” DEWITT (Bruce got married to Robin over Christmas). Dave YELKEN and Greg FISCHER suffered a case of dejd vu when they first met their T-37 IP—none other than Theodore C. KNOWLES (’81). I guess old wing commanders never die!

A letter and photo came in from Mark SCHARF:

Checkpoints really hasn’t heard from Vance AFB, Class of ’83, so I thought I’d send you a short update on some of the happenings here, along with the help of Doug “Mom” WALTERS.

84-07 has pretty much become an all-Academy class, due to attrition. We have a couple of “Guard Types” with us, and they fit in pretty well, too. Our class hit the ground running with parties, even if the academic/flying half was less than sterling. Mark “stand-up” BOGOS1AN led the class in T-37s with his perfect morning stand-up performance of 0 for 15 or so. Stan-eval got to know him pretty well. Bill HARRIS is learning how to study and drive at the same time, as he commutes between Vance and Sheppard on a weekly basis to visit wife Michele (MILLER). Brandon KING is also getting to know the roads of Texas well, visiting soon-to-be-bride Debbie DEFEBVRE, who is presently working at Randolph.

Rob Cushing and Phil Dismukes

their cross-country in T-37s during a skit at a dining-in at Vance AFB. Rob is the IP!

Other married types that I know about here include Rob CUSHING, who married long-time girlfriend Bonnie Clark from back home; also, Joe PACHECO married a beauty from home, Cindi Shahrokh. Joe hurt himself telling me how to pronounce that name, by the way. Mark WRIGHT married Katie Quinn. Robert GREGOR and Ralinda BOZELLI (’82) tied the knot this summer, as did Sally JACKSON and Art CRAIN (also ’82).

Bob SANFILIPPO and Shiela Nolan (you may remember her from the C-store) were also married this summer, bought two dogs, and have just now begun to realize that dogs and apartments do not mix! Keith MAINES also was married this summer to a Colorado Springs lady, and I can’t remember her name to save my life, and they’re not home now, but they are doing just fine also. Sorry Keith. Undoubtedly there are some I’ve forgotten, and I apologize to those folks, but that’s most of the marriages here.

Marc OLSON is leaning on me to brag about our volleyball team—so I’ll mention the fact that 84-07’s team is presently undefeated, and doing great! Team members include: Tom KASSON, John STOUT, Rickie LOFTON, Brian SCHULTE, Dorothy SIMPSON, Mark SCHARF, Doug WALTERS, and just

about anybody else who shows up looking to have fun. Some other classmates who want to see their names in print include: Carl “read by Braille” ROSENGRANT, Gregg “Mongo” LLOYD, John “over-G” GIRALDI, Phil DISMUKES, Dave “F-16 or bust” TIMM, A1 CASSADY, and Bill LEHRMANN.

Also, Brian CUMMING, Jim CARLEN, Phil AUSTIN, (formerly Radinzel), Clay WITTMAN, Tom JAEGER, Craig HALL are seen loitering about the halls here. Duane WILLIAMS, Paul CLARKE, Poco SINGLETON, and Mark MERKEL are in 84-06, and a few in 84-08 are Dave SMITH, Paul MADSEN, Wade LUJAN, Herb JONES, and Brian PRATT.

Most of us have come to the agreement that Vance is a good base, and that Enid is okay as a town with the possible exception of nightlife. But the folks around town really treat us well, and that is a nice feeling. We generally make up for the lack of nightlife with our own parties and such. Doug WALTERS has gotten into the habit of throwing Strawberry Daquiri (I had to really look to find out how to spell that) parties, and we’ve had several road trips to Tulsa and Oklahoma City, as well as C-Spings for the Falcon football games.

That’s about all the news I have from here at Vance. I’ll let you know as soon as people start getting their assignments, which isn’t that far away. In the meantime, take care. “Scruff.” P.S. If anybody needs some info at Vance, or for whatever reason, my address is: Mark Scharf, 318 S. Rimrock, Enid, OK 73701. Another letter came in close to deadline from Paul AMEN who is at Mather AFB:

There is a little bit of confusion here at Mather AFB concerning the passing on of information about ’83 grads here at UNT and their assignments. We (“We” being those 1 have talked to around here) do not know for sure if you all (“All” being the AOG and the Checkpoints staff) know of all the ’83 assignments out of UNT. We do know for sure that you have the assignments from the Classes of 84-06, but beyond that I have the deepest of suspicion that the list of UNT assignments for the Classes of 84-07 and up are incomplete. Therefore, I, Paul AMEN, have become the “unofficial” official Mather nav assignment informant for Checkpoints.

All but a couple of us have graduated from UNT and received our wings. Most of us are now upgrading into more specialized training for our aircraft. A few others such as Gene PETERSON, Jim BLAICH, Jim OGDEN, Derek COLLINS and others are still in training. All of those, however, whose initial assignment was to Mather have since graduated.

Bob HEAD, who graduated in UNT Class 84-06, has figured out that since he got a C-141 to Norton, which requires little additional training, he will be the first rated ’83 grad to be fully operational at his home base. (What an honor!)

The snow is great in the Sierras near Sacramento and many of us “nav studs” spend our time skiing at California’s many ski areas. 1 have included some pictures showing the before and after of our ski jumping techniques.

“Before”

Assignments from UNT include Chuck ALIBERTO, KC-135, Mather AFB, CA; Paul AMEN, RC-135, Offutt AFB, NE; Rich ARNOLD, RF-4, Bergstrom AFB, TX; Joe BANNA, C-141, Charleston AFB, SC; Jeff BARNSON, RF-4C, Bergstrom AFB;

GAMMON (’82), WC-130, Keesler AFB, MS.

reenact

Bob BEEKS F-4 (ANG) Ellington AFB, TX; Chris CICERE, AL-130, Hulburt AFB, FL; Craig CROXTON, F-4 EWO (base unknown); Darren DURKEE, RC-135 EWO, Offutt /\FB; Dave ENNIS, F-4, Homestead AFB, FL; and Carla

“After”

Also, Brad GANN, B-52H, Carswell AFB, TX; A1 GARCIA, KC-135, Castle AFB, CA; Gary FIOPPER, F-4 (base unknown); Mike KEIDER, B-52G, Wurtsmith AFB, MI; Doug HIGH, RF-4, Bergstrom AFB; Chris HILL (ORZADA), KC-135, Blytheville

AFB, AR; Bob KELLIHER, F-4, George AFB, CA: Stu KOWALL, F-4, Homestead AFB; Tom MAHONEY, F-l 11 EWO (base unknown); Mike MATHER, B-52H, Carswell AFB; Paul MEJASICH, B-52G, Griffiss AFB, NY; and Jeff MURRAY, RC-135 EWO, Offutt AFB.

Also, Ron POLOMOSCANIK, B-52H, K.l. Sawyer AFB, MI; Eugene ROHL (’82), KC-135, Grand Forks AFB, ND; Kevin RUTH, F-4, Homestead AFB; Francis (Bubba) MCILWAIN, C-135, Little Rock AFB, AR; Dale QUEEN, C-130, Clark AFB, PI; Patsy SCHIMMEL, KC-135, Kadena AB, Okinawa; Jerry ROSSILLON and Scctt SMITH, both to F-4s at Homestead AFB; and Henry SHIN, F-4, George AFB.

Also, Jim WALSH, B-52H, Ellsworth AFB; Ramon VEGA, F-l 11 EWO (base unknown); Fred WARREN, B-52 EWO, Wurtsmith AFB; Chet WILSON, B-52 EWO, K.L Sawyer AFB; Darrell WILSON, B-52 EWO, Minot AFB, ND; and Howard WONG, F-4, Homestead AFB.

Jeff MURRAY and Tom MAHONEY both finished #1 in their respective classes. Good job! Apologies to anyone 1 might have missed.

OK, this is Jim back again and I want to thank Mark and Paul for their letters. That’s about all the poop 1 have for now, but PLEASE keep those letters coming. It’s a lot easier to tap dance when you have some material to work with. Many thanks to all those who contributed to this issue.

Cadets Visit Exercise in Honduras

By CIC Vic Culp

(Editor’s note: Operation Exercise is an Academy program which enables cadets to experience the operational Air Forcefirsthand. In November, Cadets Firstclass Vic Culp and Timothy Sakulich went to Honduras to experience exercise Ahuas Tara (the local Miskito Indian name for Big Pine II). The Combined Joint Task Force exercisefeatured both American and Honduran military members. The following story has been edited and condensed.)

As we dropped below the clouds above Central America, the most noticeable feature of the landscape was a dormant volcano. We laughed as we discussed the volcano’s potential for prophecy

two cadets entering an area of the world in which the politics are, like a volcano, a sleeping hotbed of violence. After all, Nicaragua lies to the east, El Salvador to the west. What exactly were we getting into? And, were all the vaccinations worth it?

We were, in fact, enroute to Honduras, the site of Operation Big Pine 11, the latest in a set of extensive American military exercises. We had been sent to observe some of the operations and to gain a better appreciation of what our comrades in arms were experiencing in the field.

We landed in Tegucigalpa, the capital city. It had been a 7-hour ride from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., via a Military Airlift Command C-130 Hercules. We were accompanied by 50 members of the 10th Signal Corps from Fort Campbell, Ky. These soldiers were replacing other members of their unit who had been incountry for three months. They were enthusiastic about the journey, ready to supplement their technical training with practical field experience. We were met by two members of the American military contingent, who advised us that, according to the terms of the Honduran-American agreement, civilian clothes were to be worn in the city at all times, except when traveling to and from the airfield.

As we drove through Tegucigalpa, the poverty of the region became obvious, with most homes resembling decrepit shacks. Honduras has been labeled the second poorest nation in Central America. Also apparent was the high visibility of the military. Soldiers patrolled the streets at all times, an unusual sight for Americans accustomed to seeing only an occasional police officer. The Honduran police patrolled as well, adding to the protective element.

We flew to Comayagua, the location of the Combined Joint Task Force headquarters, the next morning. It was the first of many trips aboard the Army’s transportation network, the H-60 Blackhawk. We were met by Maj. Nathan Bard, a 1971 Academy graduate, who would be our host while at the headquarters.

Comayagua is also the location of the Honduran Air Force Academy, where everything from basic training to flight training is conducted. Not a very sophisticated program when compared to ours (the primary trainer is the prop-driven T-29), but the quality of the graduate is high. The Honduran AFA has a washout rate of 80 percent.

With a journey to Puerto Castillo cancelled because of fluetuating flight schedules, we were shown the next best thing, the Tiger Island radar facility. It is strategically located on the southern edge of Honduras, very close to both El Salvador and Nicaragua. This was the work site for the group of Marine NCOs who had been our tentmates at JTF headquarters, where the living conditions were strikingly similar to those of Jack’s Valley. Our newly-found friends told us to watch our step on the island, since the local inhabitants from both sides were interested in the facility and were making occasional exploration efforts. We were taken back to Camayagua safe and sound, however, with only an intruder alert to add to our personal collection of war stories.

After our return, the opportunity to expand cultural awareness presented itself with a trip to downtown Comayagua, a city rich in history but also very typical of modern Honduras. The people were very receptive to the American military presence and treated military members with friendliness and courtesy, in spite of the evident poverty.

As we boarded the C-130 for Panama and the connections to the United States, we were left with many impressions of the country and the military exercise we had just seen. This land of rugged terrain and tropical weather had been very hospitable, not only from the American, but also from the Honduran side. Our military was accomplishing its goals, both strategic and humanitarian. We felt as though we had seen one of the more realistic versions of military life, along with learning a great deal about such an operation from top planning down to the typical soldier in the field. It is a valuable experience which we’ll carry as one of the more memorable of our cadet careers. (The Falcon Flyer)

•

Desire

Class of ’82 Print •

PRINTS STILL AVAILABLE

There are a limited number of the Class of 1982 print, “F-16 Thunderbirds,” available to aviation art collectors. The prints are signed and numbered, and the original hangs in Arnold Hall as the 1982 Class Gift. The print, by noted aviation artist Rick Broome, is limited to an issue of 750 and the image size is 20 by 28 inches. The “F-16 Thunderbirds’’ may be purchased for $40 by AOG members and $50 by nonmembers. These prices are good until August 3, 1984.

Mail orders to: AOG - 1982 Thunderbird Print, USAF Academy Colo. 80840. Please add $10 for postage, handling, and insurance. Deliveries cannot be made to overseas or APO addresses.