Checkpoints December 1998

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PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VIII of the Bylaws of the Association of Graduates (AOG) of the United States Air Force Academy, an election of directors will he held during odd numbered years. Results of the 1999 election will he received and certified by the Association’s Board of Directors at its meeting on 22 May 1999 at 9:00 AM (MDT) in Doolittle Hall at the USAF Academy CO.

Six (6) directors will be elected to four-year terms commencing on 1July 1999. The Nominating Committee, chaired by Larry D. Fortner, ‘59, has recommended, and the Board of Directors has nominated the six (6) candidates listed below for elec¬ tion to directors’ positions.

Graduate and associate members who do not plan to attend the 22 May 1999 meet¬ ing are requested to return this proxy to arrive at the offices of the Association of Graduates not later than noon (MDT), 30 April 1999. Faxes, copies or e-mail bal¬ lots will not be accepted.

The undersigned appoints the President and Chief Executive Officer, or his duly appointed representative, as proxy to appear and vote in the name of the under¬ signed at the 22 May 1999 meeting of the Board of Directors the choice (s) listed below.

1. Vote for not more than atotal of six (6), including write-ins. Write-in candidates must be both eligible and willing to serve.

DIRECTORS (to serve from 1July 1999 through 30 June 2003) (See page 14 for biographical sketches on candidates.)

[]William W. Maywhort, ‘68

I]John T. Moore, ‘78

[]David J. Palenchar, ‘70

[]Jody A. Price, ‘89

[]AlanV Rogers, ‘64

[]James PUlm, ‘61

2. The absence of voting instructions above will result in the undersigned’s proxy being voted FOR the election of the entire slate of candidates.

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Board Chair

David H. Roe, ‘62

Board Vice Chair

Larry D. Fortner, ‘59

President &CEO

Richard M. Coppock, ‘61

Secretary

James W. Brown III, ‘59

Treasurer

Jerry L. Smith, ‘62

STAFF

President &CEO

Richard M. Coppock, ‘61

Vice President, Services

Jock C.H. Schwank, ‘60

Vice President, Development

James A. Shaw, ‘67

Administrator, Information Services

Charles A. Denham, ‘67

Director of Publications

Tom Kroboth

Director, Constituent Services

Wayne

Designated

ABOUT OUR COVER

Our cover photograph was taken by Academy photographer Charles Elms during the missing-man flyby at the Homecoming 1998 Memorial Cer¬ emony on Oct. 2. Our thanks to the photo lab and Academy Spirit stafi for their continued support of our photographic requirements. For more on the Homecoming Memorial Ceremony see page 32.

CHECKPOINTS (ISSN 0274-7391) USPS 898-080 is published quarterly in February, May, August and November by the Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy. (Phone: 719-472-0300, DSN: 333-2067. FAX: 719-3334194, E-mail: aog@aog-usafa.org) It is provided as part of amembership package of which the magazine subscription annually accounts for $10. Single copies of CHECKPOINTS for members $2.50. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO and additional mailing offices. POST¬ MASTER: Send change of address to CHECKPOINTS, Association of Gradu¬ ates, Doolittie Hall, 3116 Academy Dr., USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475.

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 adver¬ tisements 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 U.S. Air Force Academy, Fall 1998.

AOG Annual Corporate Report Presented

By Dick Coppock, ‘61 President and Chief Executive Of fl cer

GENERAL: The fiscal year for the Association of Graduates (AOG) ended on 30 June 1998. David H. Roe, ’62, became AOG Board Chair on 1July 1997 and guided the association through another busy and rewarding year.

The association welcomed Rear Admiral John E. Kirkpatrick as its newest honorary member and grieved at the loss of Senator Barry Goldwater, long-time honorary member and former chair of the Academy’s Board of Visitors.

Sumner Suites of Colorado Springs, Jostens, Inc., United Parcel Ser¬ vice and Northwestern Preparatory School became the newest corpo¬ rate members.

FACILmES: Our alumni house and headquarters facility, Doolittle Hall, continued to serve us well, with ahost of AOG, Academy and pri¬ vate functions rounding out ayear-round schedule of events. We tended to the daily maintenance needs of the facility religiously; hope¬ fully ensuring the small problems won’t multiply. Our facility man¬ ager, Dave Pfeil, scrupulously foOows adetailed schedule of inspec¬ tions and preventative maintenance and keeps our greatest asset in top-notch condition.

Paver purchases and placements around Pegasus continued at a steady pace, and the area has become abeautiful site for commemoration/memorialization. It’s particularly gratifying to hear the com-

fUNifEDmTES 'POSTAL SERVICE,

ments of returning graduates as they express pride in the design and care lavished on their alumni house.

FINANCES: The FY98 audit by Osborne, Parsons &Rosacker, LLP reflected a$1.4 million increase in total assets to $18.4 million. The interfund loan from the Life Membership Fund to the Building Fund which helped finance construction of Doolittle Hall was reduced from $919 thousand to $658 thousand. The life membership fund balance increased from $6.09 million to $7.01 million.

MEMBERSHIP: 562 graduates from the Class of 1997 were added to the membership. Of this number, 553, or 59 percent of the total class, became life members. An additional 296 graduates and friends also became life members. The association ended the year with atotal membership of 16,296, including 26 corporate and 14 honorary mem¬ bers. Forty-nine percent of all graduates are AOG members.

STAFF PERSONNEL: The association staff numbered 20 full-time and three part-time employees at the end of FY98. This was an in¬ crease of one full-time employee over the previous year.

PUBLICATIONS: Tom Kroboth, director of Publications, and Vikki Rhoden, his able part-time assistant, published the 1997 Register of Graduates in record time using our recently-purchased software, PageMaker. The latter, awelcome addition to our publishing capabil¬ ity, is also now used for every edition of Checkpoints.

MERCHANDISING: The AOG had one of its best merchandising years in recent history, due primarily to sales of the 1997 Christmas and prioryear ornaments. In fact, the 1996 ornament is sold out, and only very limited numbers of the 1993 chapel ornament remain in stock. New product lines added during the year included ascarf for the ladies and aprop and wings necklace.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND: Donations to the 1997-98 Air Force Academy (AFA) Fund reached over $210,000, not including pledges. This represented an increase of $37,000 over the prior year. Donors also increased by approximately 400 to over 5,600. The enhanced sup¬ port for the AFA fund allowed the AOG and Sabre Society, in concert with the Falcon Foundation, to fund the first 18 programs on the Acad¬ emy Needs List.

AOG BUILDING FUND: Contributions to the Building Fund reached $404,000 during FY98 with cadet parents again being the primary sup¬ porters. This generosity enabled the association to significantly re¬ duce its interfund loan.

AOG BUILDING ENDOWMENT FUND: This fund, which provides revenue for maintenance and limited operational expenses associated with Doolittle Hall, was the beneficiary of gifts totaling $75,000. The market value of this critical fund has reached $1.7 million, stUl $800 thousand below the near-term desired endowment.

AGENCY/RESTRICTED/ENDOWMENT FUNDS: The association managed 52 separate agency, restricted and endowment funds during (Continued on page 9.)

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AOG Annual Audit Report

An annual audit of the Association of Graduates was conducted by certified public accountants for the association’s fiscal year 1998 (ljuly 1997- 30 June 1998). The following information is in¬ tended to provide financial highlights. Acomplete audited report may be obtained from or viewed at the association offices at 3116 Academy Drive, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 80840-4475.

(AOG Corporate Report: Grom page 7.)

the year with assets totaling over $3.6 million. Detailed accounting, however, for individual accounts within some of these funds increased the workload dramatically; e.g., the class fund was composed of 43 individual accounts, and graduate/nongraduate memorial accounts numbered 80. Fund uses ranged from lectures, symposiums and cadet awards to postgradu¬ ate scholarships, extracurricular and reunion activities.

SABRE SOCIETY: Sabre Society membership reached 277 by year end, including 15 life mem¬ bers ($50,000 one-time gift). Shortly after the end of the fiscal year, some $300,000 in gift pro¬ ceeds was passed on to Academy programs as aresult of the generosity of members.

SERVICES: The association upped its schol¬ arship grants to atotal of $8,000 for nine de¬ pendents of graduates. Over 70 dependents have now benefited from the Graduate Depen¬ dent Scholarship program.

The AOG, as mentioned in aprevious Check¬ points article, is now responsible for class ring procurement. During the year, it entered into the first extended agreement, athree-year con¬ tract with Jostens, Inc. for the production and servicing of rings for the Classes of 2000, 2001, and 2002. The long-term, vis-a-vis single-year agreement has resulted in cost savings of ap¬ proximately 20 percent for cadets, improved cadet involvement in the design process, and fi nancial support for other cadet programs/ projects.

The AOG also created the Cadet Emergency Fund during the year. This fund, via grants, provides cash to cadets required to travel due to death or illness in the family. Grants are made only if cadets or families cannot fund the travel on their own and are unable to obtain loans from appropriate support agencies.

Our POW documentary film, “Return With Honor,” was completed by the producers, the American Film Foundation, and is currently being aired to selected audiences across the country. The first-person narrative recognizes the dedication and sacri fi ce of Vietnam-era POWs, and was made to create awide public awareness via public television showings in 1999 and beyond. The movie, which will also be used as an educational experience for fu¬ ture officers, has been featured at the Mill Val¬ ley and Chicago film festivals and has also re¬ ceived an invitation to the Sundance Film Fes¬ tival in early 1999.

Aparting comment on the use of Doolittle Hall: As we planned our headquarters/alumni house, we envisioned afacility of which we could be proud and one which would serve the AOG and Academy community well as meet¬ ing space for awide variety of functions. It ap¬ pears we were dead on in our thinking. Doolittle Hall hosted 204 functions, ranging over one to five days, during the year. Of these, 23 were wedding receptions, 30 were military ceremonies, six were reunion weekends, and the remainder were meetings, symposiums, parties and official AOG-sponsored events. We can all be proud of the manner in which this precious asset serves all facets of the AOG mis¬ sion statement.

THE AOG BOARDROOM

Brig. Gen. (Ret) David H. Roe, ‘62, Board Chair

Dear fellow graduate:

In this report, 1am pleased to announce that at our summer meeting of the board of directors, we elected Lt. Gen. (Ret) Marcus Anderson, ’61, to the position of Chair-Elect. We created this new officer position on the board in the most recent revision to the bylaws of the association to provide for enhanced continuity in board leadership. Having had a distinguished career in the Air Force and having served atour of duty as Commandant of Cadets at the Academy, Mark will be asuperb Board Chair for our association when Ipass the reins to him in the summer of 1999. In the meantime, 1am deiighted to have agraduate with his knowl¬ edge, stature and dedication to the Academy and the AOG on the Ex¬ ecutive Committee of the Board. 1hope you will join me in thanking Mark for his willingness to serve our association as chair and congratu¬ late him on his election.

David Roe, ‘62

As Ihope you are aware, your board, under the leadership of my pre¬ decessor, Jim Him, developed astrategic plan aimed at guiding the fu¬ ture development and activities of the AOG in response to what we gleaned from you, the membership. Andi Biancur, ’60, chaired the com¬ mittee that drafted the plan for board review and approval, and is now leading that committee as it both updates the plan and provides abet¬ ter sense of priorities to guide the allocation of association resources.

The mission of the association, as you know, includes providing “...leadership and service to the graduate community, (and) support for the Academy mission...” We’re doing extremely well on the latter, having recendy gifted over $400 thousand to Academy programs. This was made possible only through the generosity of those who contrib¬ ute to the AFA Fund and those who are members of the Sabre Society.

Our ability to carry out the first part of our mission, however, bears further examination. As the AOG staff and board worked through the FY99 General Operating Fund budget review, we were forced to con¬ front some very real fiscal constraints that significandy hamper our ca¬ pability to maintain and enhance the services we provide to members of the AOG.

To put this matter in perspective, one need understand that the AOG has always been required to operate with current revenue generated to meet current expenses. Unlike the other major service academy

The Association of Graduates U.S. Air Force Academy

Air Force Academy graduates bonded by acommon heritage and an enduring commitment to integrity, excellence and ser¬ vice to country.

MISSION

To provide leadership and service to the graduate commu¬ nity, support for the Academy mission, and preservation of institutional heritage and traditions.

alumni/graduate organizations, we have no multi-million dollar oper¬ ating endowment to generate continuing revenue to fund operations. Additionally, membership dues currently provide only 49 percent of the revenue required in the budget. The remainder must be generated from contributions, advertising, earnings and administrative charges, mer¬ chandising and fees. Our analysis of the fiscal situation showed we ei¬ ther needed to cut out some things we were doing or we needed to find additional sources of revenue. Accordingly, we reluctandy raised our annual dues and the levels of payment required to become alifetime member. Ihasten to point out, however, that AOG finances are in very good order; we are simply seeking revenue to enable continuing growth and expansion of services.

It was in this sense of aquest for additional sources of operating rev¬ enues that 1wrote the fi rst 2,900 life members of the AOG aletter in August asking them to consider aone-time donation to the AOG En¬ dowment Fund. 1wrote to this subset of members because, in retro¬ spect, those of us in this group are receiving areal bargain in return for what we paid for the privilege of life membership in the association. The response to that letter to date has been both heartening and upset¬ ting. The heartening part was that many graduates responded rapidly and generously. The upsetting part has been the reiatively low percent¬ age of our early life members who appear at this time to be responding at all, and asmall number have evinced hostility to my request.

1am well aware that all of us receive too many requests for funds from all kinds of worthy organizations (and even some not so worthy). At the same time, 1regard the low percentage level of response and the hostile responses as alack of understanding about what the AOG has done and is doing for the Academy, our current cadets and our mem¬ bers. Therefore, Iwould like to devote the rest of my allocated space in Checkpoints to put some things in perspective, which Ihope the ma¬ jority of readers will find useful.

When we first launched alifetime membership program for the AOG in the early 1970s, Iwas amajor on the faculty of the Academy and also served as the president of the AOG. (1 was elected to be vice president, but became president when Dick Mathews, '60, the elected president, died.) We had no full-time staff. Our executive secretary was an activeduty graduate serving as amember of the Superintendent’s staff. His administrative assistant provided clerical support to the AOG. As aser¬ vice to graduates and members, we published aRegister of Graduates each year and newsletters, which evolved into the publication Check¬ points. Board members voluntarOy provided assistance at graduate weddings, funerals and class reunion activities. We dreamed of atime when we could do and be more. Our first fund-raising project was the Graduate War Memorial, which 1presented to the Cadet Wing on be¬ half of the AOG. It cost us $24,000. We also spearheaded the establish¬ ment of the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy by asking our sister Acad¬ emy alumni and graduate organizations to join us in designing and paying for an appropriate trophy to recognize service academy su¬ premacy on the gridiron.

Today your association is an established, vibrant organization with an annual operating budget of $1.2 miUion. It offers graduates amulti¬ tude of services, inciuding Checkpoints, the Register of Graduates, chap¬ ter support, AOG MasterCard, line of credit, scholarships, saber rental, travel service, coordination and planning of reunions, car rental dis¬ counts and hotei discounts. We have afuii-time staff of 20, and we are housed in Doolittle Hall, abuilding that cost some $4.5 million. Gradu¬ ates have donated $2.8 million, and corporations and friends of the Academy have donated $6.0 million to the construction, financing and maintenance of our facility. We still owe some $600,000 on the build¬ ing, but those funds were borrowed from our membership fund and are being repaid at an interest rate slightly higher than investment grade corporate bonds. The staff of the association and hoard of directors have managed the financial affairs of the association very ably and pru¬ dently such that our AOG fund market values as of 30 June 1998 were:

(Continued on page 13.)

AOG Begins Search for Next President/CEO

By David H. Roe AOG Board Chair

Richard M. Coppock has announced Oct. 1, 1999 as his retirement date from the AOG presidency. Accordingly, the AOG Board has begun work with Heidrick &Struggles, one of the premier executive search firms, to find Dick Coppock’s replacement. Mr. Michael Christy, ’63, director and managing partner at Heidrick &Struggles, will lead the search.

Air Force Academy graduates who are interested in this job are in¬ vited to submit aresume and acover letter stating succinctly their pri¬ mary reasons for wanting to lead the AOG. All correspondence should be addressed as follows; Mr. Michael T. Christy, Managing Partner, Heidrick &Struggles, 18101 Von Karman Ave., Suite 1050, Irvine, Calif. 92612. E-mail:

Careful consideration has been given to the qualifications we are seek¬ ing in our next president. The job specification is printed in the follow¬ ing paragraphs.

Title: President and Chief Executive Of fi cer

Duties: The mission of the AOG is to provide leadership and service to the graduate community, support for the Academy mission, and pres¬ ervation of our institutional heritage and traditions. The president is the chief executive officer of the AOG and is responsible for the enthu¬ siastic execution of the mission.

Reporting to the AOG Board of Directors, the president will be re¬ quired to develop and implement astrategy and supporting action plan which will focus on the elements of the AOG mission. The action plan should focus on the AOG management processes, image, communica¬ tions programs, and marketing initiatives. The president will articu¬ late and communicate the new strategy throughout the Air Force Acad¬ emy and graduate communities.

The president will personally develop and implement acreative and highly effective communications program which will help our gradu¬ ates understand the value, mission, charter and contributions of the AOG. It is important that the new president be attuned to the gradu¬ ates and to the Academy, and that he/she establish acompelling ap¬ peal for graduates to join and contribute to the AOG and the Air Force Academy. The president will review all programs which serve the gradu¬ ate community, seek to improve existing services, develop new services where needed, and eliminate marginal ones.

The president will develop an atmosphere which will encourage graduates to feel good about supporting both the AOG and the Acad¬ emy by reminding them of the Academy’s contributions to their lives, the Air Force, and the nation.

To support the Academy’s mission, the president must ensure con¬ tinuous support and confidence from senior Air Force Academy staff. The president will need to work closely with the Superintendent in de¬

(The AOG Boardroom: From page 11.)

General Fund

Life Membership Funds

Building Endowment Fund

Combined Endowment Funds

Combined \gency/Restricted Funds

Additionally, many of you have been and continue to be very sup¬ portive of our annual AFA Fund drives and the Sabre Society, which have raised the following cumulative amounts for the Academy to fund important activities for which appropriated funds were either insuffi¬ cient or unavailable:

AFA Fund

Sabre Society

$2.0 million $1.1 million

We are very grateful to those who have given so generously to these fund-raising efforts which essentially benefit solely the Academy and cadets. However, if this dedicated group of supporters and others are interested in helping your AOG enhance member services as well, please consider taking one or more of the following steps:

1. Recruit fellow graduates who are not members of the AOG to join,

2. Make tax-deductible donations to the Building Fund, allowing us to pay off the building faster or to increase the maintenance endow¬ ment for the building, or

fining the Academy’s development goals and in leading fund-raising efforts for the Academy. The president will have the task of helping to articulate the Academy’s need for private funds in aclimate of declin¬ ing defense budgets.

The board will require asmooth, seamless transition. The president must be able and willing to quickly gain the confidence and coopera¬ tion of existing support organizations such as the Air Force Academy Athletic Association, the Falcon Foundation, Sabre Society, chapters, and parents clubs. It is also imperative that the president immediately establish his/her credibility and an environment of cooperation and trust with the Academy staff and with the AOG staff. Moderate travel will be required.

The Organization:

Location: USAF Academy Colorado

Staff: 20, plus three part-time employees

Budget: $3 million

Mission: To provide leadership and service to the graduate commu¬ nity, support for the Academy mission, and preservation of institutional heritage and tradition.

The Individual:

Minimum Required Experience; 15 years. We are seeking acandi¬ date who is available to stay in this position for aminimum of 10 years.

Education: Must be an Air Force Academy graduate. Advanced de¬ gree, especially an MBA, is aplus.

The following experience components are required;

●Must be agraduate of the United States Air Force Academy not on active duty, and amember of tbe Association of Graduates.

●Must have demonstrated enthusiasm for the Academy, the gradu¬ ate community, and the mission of the AOG.

●Must have significant uniformed or federal agency experience.

●Must have at least five years of general management experience in the commercial or nonprofit sectors. We are seeking candidates with a demonstrated ability to manage abusiness or successfully manage a nonpro fi t organization.

●Must have experience in developing and managing detailed budgets.

●Must have abasic understanding of modern financial management, investment and money management concepts.

●Must demonstrate experience in marketing, marketing communi¬ cations or fund-raising.

The following components are desired:

●Experience in personnel management

●Experience in information systems management

●Experience in strategic and operational planning

●Experience in public relations programs

●Knowledge of state and federal nonprofit laws and IRS rulings

3. Send tax-deductible donations to the AOG Endowment Fund, which will build acorpus, the earnings from which can be used to sup¬ port expanded services.

You can be proud that your AOG is in sound financial condition and that we are doing as much as we can to support the Academy and our fellow members. As we look to tbe next century, Iurge all of you who, like me, care strongly about our ability as an association to provide ser¬ vice to our fellow and future members to do what we can to empower our board and staff to continue to develop and enhance service. These expanded or enhanced services should come only in response to logi¬ cal and legitimate requests from our membership, thereby putting real teeth in the accomplishment of that part of our mission having to do with service to the graduate community.

William W. Maywhort, ’68

Bill Maywhort lives in Englewood, Colo, and is apartner with the law firm of Holland and Hart, specializing in commercial litigation.

Following graduation in 1968, he served as aprocurement officer at McConnell AFB, Kan. until 1969. He then pursued and received his J.D. degree with honors from the University of North Carolina in 1972. Fol¬ low-on assignments included duty as an assistant staff judge advocate at Randolph AFB, Texas and as an environmental law specialist in the Judge Advocate General’s office at Headquarters, USAE Bill received a master of laws degree from Yale University in 1975 and resigned from the Air Force in 1978 to begin his career with Holland and Hart.

Continuously active in AOG affairs. Bill served as an appointed board director from 1989-93 and again from 1995-97. Alife member of the Association of Graduates and acharter member of the Sabre Society, he contributed generously of his time and expertise to the Graduate Dependent Scholarship and Bylaws Committees while on the AOG Board. Bill also served in various capacities, including board member and president, with the Colorado (now the Rampart) chapter of the AOG from 1978-88.

Named to five separate categories of “Who’s Who...," Bill was also rec¬ ognized as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America. He and his wife, Diane, have two children, Blair and Andrea.

John T. Moore, ’78

Agraduate with the Class of 1978, John completed pilot training (dis¬ tinguished graduate) at Vance AFB and served as an F-15C pilot at Kadena AB, Japan and Langley AFB, Va. Leaving active duty in 1985, he entered upon an extended career with General Electric, first as asys¬ tems engineer and culminating in 1995 as director, Land-Mobile Busi¬ ness Development, Lockheed Martin Astro Space Division. In 1992, he received amaster’s degree in management from Purdue University.

In 1995, John became vice president and director, Citicorp Technol¬ ogy Center, and subsequently vice president and director, Citicorp De¬ velopment Organization. While with Citicorp, he served as amember of the Board of Directors of Citicorp Overseas, Limited. In 1998, John joined the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), where as senior vice president. Technology, he is responsible for all informa¬ tion technology functions within NASD’s parent and regulatory com¬ pany, NASDR.

Alife member of the AOG and apatron member of the Sabre Society, John and his wife, Beverly, reside in Rockville, Md.

David J. Palenchar, ‘70

Dave Palenchar lives in Colorado Springs where he has worked for the last eight years as atmstee and vice president for Programs for the El Pomar Foundation, the largest charitable, philanthropic foundation in the Rocky Mountain West. The El Pomar Foundation has $450 million in assets and Dave is responsible for overseeing the $20 million in grants which the foun¬ dation makes each year. Additionally, Dave is president and CEO of the Colorado Springs World Arena, aunique, privately-funded $57 million civic project significantly supported by the El Pomar Foundation. Dave was responsible for overseeing the design, fund-raising, construction, and fi¬ nancing for this project and now oversees its operation.

After graduating in 1970, Dave attended pilot training at Webb AFB with afollow-on assignment as aT-37 IP Dave then became aC-141IR aChina Analyst with the Defense Intelligence Agency, and apolitical science instructor at USAFA. Dave completed his Air Force career as a military affairs officer with the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels. A senior pilot, Dave retired as alieutenant colonel.

After earning aB.S. in international affairs from USAFA, Dave received an M.A. in national security affairs/Asian studies from the Naval Post¬ graduate School in Monterey, Calif.

Dave serves on the board of directors for several nonprofit/charitable organizations including the Colorado Springs Symphony, the Air Force Academy Foundation, the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, and the Colorado Institute for Technology Transfer and Implementation. He is also amember of both the Association of Graduates and the Colo¬ rado Springs Rampart Chapter of the AOG.

Dave and his wife, Vicki, have two children.

Jody A. Price, ’89

Captain (Major-select) Jody Price was raised in Los Alamos, N.M. and graduated from the Academy in 1989. Following assignments at Brooks AFB, Texas as apersonnel operations research analyst and executive officer to the director, Armstrong Laboratory, she completed under¬ graduate space training at Lowry AFB in 1992 as the top graduate. From 1992-95 Jody served in positions of increasing responsibility with the 1st Space Operations Squadron at Falcon AFB, Colo. She then was se¬ lected for the prestigious position of intern to the assistant to the chair¬ man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. In May 1997, she moved to Onizuka AFB, Calif, where she is presentiy chief. Systems Engineering Division.

Jody was awarded amaster of science degree in computer informa¬ tion systems from St. Mary’s University in 1992 and an M.A. in organi¬ zational management from George Washington University in 1997. A life member of the Association of Graduates (AOG), she has served on the AOG Board of Directors since 1995. She has served during that pe¬ riod on the Compensation, Bylaws, Strategic Planning, Chair Nomi¬ nating, Search, and Washington Liaison Committees. Jody also is a member of the Sabre Society. She currently makes her home in San Jose, CA.

AlanV Rogers, ‘64

After graduating from USAFA in 1964, A1 Rogers embarked on a29year distinguished Air Force career which included assignments in the Colonel’s Group, two tours as aSAC wing commander including the commander of the first operational B-lBWing, service as SAC/IG, SAC/ DO, SAC/JSTPS Plans; and service in NATO/SHAPE operations and J7on the Joint Staff. His service also includes over 100 missions as an F-105 pilot at Takhli AB, Thailand. Acommand pilot with experience in six aircraft, A1 retired as amajor general.

Since retiring from the Air Force in 1993, A1 has worked as acorpo¬ rate management consultant for Burdeshaw Associates, abusiness management consultant for Gemini Consulting, and is presently vice president of American Management Systems in Fairfax, Va. In his cur¬ rent position he provides management leadership assisting the Stan¬ dard Procurement System for the DoD, a$240 million program im¬ pacting 48,000 users at nearly 1,000 sites.

In addition to his B.S. in Military Studies from USAFA, A1 received an M.B.A. (with honors) from the Harvard Business School in 1972.

A1 is amember of the Sabre Society alife member of the Association of Graduates, and amember of the Capital Chapter.

A1 and his wife, Linda, have three children and reside in Arlington,

Va.

James RUlm, ‘61

Jim Ulm lives in Colorado Springs and since retiring from the Air Force in 1991 has worked as aconsultant and program manager/department head for GeoDynamics Corporation. His experience includes devel¬ oping corporate vision statements and annual business plans.

After graduating from USAFA in 1961, Jim spent 30 years on active serving as apilot, 39th Air Recovery and Rescue Squadron, Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam; commander of the 8th Flying Training Squadron, commander of the Recruiting Detachment in Milwaukee, director of Stan Eval for HQ ATC, and wing commander for the 14th Flying Train¬ ing Wing. He subsequendy served as ATC/IG, director of the Combat Operations Staff for the Cheyenne Mountain Complex and director of the Planning Staff for NORAD. Jim is acommand pilot with experience in four aircraft including the HC-130 and the T-38. He retired in 1991 as abrigadier general.

In addition to his B.S. in mathematics from USAFA, Jim earned aM.S. in international affairs from George Washington University in 1973. Jim has extensive experience at USAFA and with the AOG, having served as an AOC of CS-33 and as an AOG board member from 19891997. He was chair of the AOG Board of Directors from 1993-1997. Jim is alife member of the AOG, aSabre Society charter member, and a member of the Colorado Springs Rampart Chapter. He also serves on the board of trustees of the Falcon Foundation.

Jim and his wife, Jeanne, have three children. Their son, John, is a 1990 graduate of the Air Force Academy.

Doolittle HaU Serves Graduates, AOG Staff, Academy

By Gary Howe, ‘69 Major Gifts Officer

The mission of the Association of Graduates (AOG) is to provide lead¬ ership and service to the graduate community while supporting the Academy mission and preserving institutional heritage and traditions. What does this mean to graduates? It means that this private, non¬ profit corporation plays aunique role among major universities by serv¬ ing as both the alumni organization and the development office for the university. The AOG supports the interests of graduates by further¬ ing the values upon which the Air Force Academy is founded and pre¬ serving and promoting the “extra margin of excellence” which makes the Air Force Academy great. The mission is carried out from Doolittle Hall.

Established in 1965 when there were less than 2,600 graduates, the AOG carried out its mission from afew small rooms in Sijan Hall. In March 1992, the AOG moved to its new offices in Doolittle Hall and today represents approximately 31,000 living graduates and some 1,500 nongraduate friends of the Academy who are associate members. In six short years, Doolittle Hall has become an integral part of the Acad¬ emy and is the operations center for an ever-growing AOG.

Doolittle Hall is the alumni house for all graduates and is the opera¬ tions center for all activities of the AOG. For graduates and AOG mem¬ bers, Doolittle Hall is your building. We encourage you to use it to relax and meet friends during your visits to the Academy. Stop by and visit with the staff who are serving you. All membership services, publica¬ tions, and Academy support activities are generated from Doolittle Hall. The building hosts reunions and tailgate parties, supplies merchan¬ dise, and contains alibrary/lounge for use by anyone who stops by.

But beyond supporting graduates, Doolittle Hall has become an in¬ tegral part of Academy life. Cadet in-processing now begins at Doolittle Hall and the building is in constant use throughout the year for com¬ missioning, promotion, and retirement ceremonies, as well as wedding and graduation receptions. The facilities are also frequently used for funeral receptions. Academy staff use Doolittle Hall for seminars, con¬ ferences and symposiums, even international symposiums. In Sep¬ tember, Doolittle Hall was the site for aweek-long U.S.-Russian envi¬ ronmental management course attended by 15 senior Russian mili¬ tary officers and many DOD personnel. Gala social events such as the Jabara Banquet, Founders' Day dinners, and Sabre Society gatherings are also held here. In fact, last year the building hosted 204 events last¬ ing from one to five days each.

The stunning grounds around the building are home to deer, turkeys and wildlife of all kinds including the occasional bear. But the grounds are also amemorial. Granite pavers surrounding the magnificent statue of Pegasus honor graduates, parents, and friends of the Academy, and the memorial tree grove east of the building is aplace for quiet reflec¬ tion.

Doolittle Hall proudly serves graduates and supports the Academy. It was built and funded entirely through private donations. There is cur¬ rently a$600,000 outstanding internal loan on the building which, of course, must be paid. Please help by making adonation to the AOG Building Fund. Donors receive recognition in Checkpoints and in Doolittle Hall itself for their cumulative contributions to its completion. Doolittle Hall is helping provide the “extra margin of excellence” at the Air Force Academy.

DONOR RECOGNITION LEVELS

Cumulative donations to the AOG Building Fund are recognized at the following levels: $25 -$999

$1,000 -$4,999

$5,000 -$9,999

$10,000 -$24,999

$25,000 -$99,999

$100,000 or more

YES, Iwish to support the AOG Building Fund-sign me up for aTAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT

AOG Focal Point for Class Ring Procurement, Display

The three most important symbols of graduation from the United States Air Force Academy are the diploma, the commission, and the class ring. The Class Ring is the most visible symbol of the common bond we all share as graduates of the Academy.

Take alook at your class ring. Do you remember how it was designed and the significance of the elements? Here is arefresher.

The Ciass Crest is unique for each class. Although rings from early classes may not include all of them, tradition now dictates that these six elements must be included in each class crest: class year in Arabic numbers (i.e. 98 or 1998), eagle, cadet saber, Polaris, class motto (usually in Latin or English), and class number in Roman numerals (i.e. XL for '98, the 40th graduating class). All other design features are optionai and have included lightning bolts, the chapel, the Eagle and Fledglings, the sun, the Front Range, prop and wings, the American flag, and aircraft. For some classes, the numerical designation of the aircraft have equaled the class number.

The bezel (top) of the ring has the words “United States Air Force Academy" surrounding the stone and is itseif surrounded by achain of 59 links signifying the year of the first graduating class and our link¬ age with the past. The class crest is mounted on the right side of the ring with the Academy crest on the left (as viewed from the top of the ring). Miniature gift rings currently are identical to the official ring except the bezei reads "U.S. Air Force Academy” and lacks the chain. Official rings are for graduates only, gift rings may be worn by nongraduates. Alternative gift rings will be available in the near future.

Starting with the Class of ‘97, the AOG became responsible for mainte¬ nance of the history, heritage and traditions of class rings; policies regard¬ ing the design, procurement, ownership and wear of the rings; and pro¬ curement, servicing, and return of rings from disenroUed/resigned cadets. The Academy still appoints the OIC of the Ring Committee, approves the final design, and pians the Ring Dining Out and Dance. The Class Ring Committee, representing the class, designs the crest. The process begins in September of the third class year when class members are invited to sub¬ mit design ideas to the committee. The winning design and aclass motto are selected during this process. The Ring Committee works with the ring company design team to get afinal rendering. Design of the crest is compieted by spring of the thirdciass year. Ring brochures are given to cadets by Christmas of the secondciass year and rings are ordered in January. Ca¬ dets receive their rings at the Ring Dining Out and Dance during gradua¬ tion week of the second class year. The entire process takes almost two years and three of the four classes at the Academy are involved with one phase of the process, in coordination with the AOG, at all times.

The Roman Numerals -XU. ~signi fi es the number of the graduating class -1999 wiil be the 41“ graduating class.

The Front Range of the ' Rockies -are amajor pm of the Academy environment. A.s a symbol of endurance and lasting strength, the mountains also serve as areminder of Colorado’s amazing beauty and the outdoor nrercaiion and relaxation it offered.

The Cadet Saber ●signifies noon meal'' formation, parades, marching practice, and the pinnacle of cadet military education. It represents the blood, .sweat, and tears linked to commitment to the cadet way of life, and the pride in attainment of senior status as acadet officer. / Thegraduatingyear-oftheclassinArabic'^ numbers -99 or 1999.

The American Flag -signifies service and love to our country.

Wear of the Ring. First class cadets wear their ring with their class crest closest to their heart, signifying their ioyaity to the class. After graduation, the ring is worn reversed with the Academy crest closest to the heart, showing the shift in loyalty to the Academy graduate com¬ munity and the Air Force. Although the ring is designed to be worn on the left hand, it can be worn on either hand.

Class of ‘68 Ring Display. The AOG is proud to be the keeper of the ring tradition and gratefully acknowledges the gift from the Class of'68 in this effort. Class rings represent aU that the Academy stands for and form aunique, common bond among graduates from all classes. With the financii support of the Class of‘68, the AOG has established aclass ring display on the second floor of Doolittle Hall. Abeautiful glass and wood case will ultimately hold aring (actually worn by agraduate) from each class. All persons donating wiil be recognized but no one will know whose ring is actually on display. Selection will be based on the condition of each ring donated. Several rings from each class will be held in reserve and remaining rings will be melted down to form an ingot. As the rings for each new class are poured, apiece of the ingot will be included so that every cadet ring inciudes apiece of the rings from each preceding class and represents an unbroken circle of heri¬ tage and tradition. It is hoped that, in the future, the display may in¬ clude avideo or interactive computer presentation on the heritage and traditions of the rings as well as information on the donors. We are now accepting, and are in need of, ring donations. Donations can be used to memorialize agraduate as part of the donor recognition listing and ali donations are tax deductibie. If you would like to donate your ring, please contact the Development Office at the AOG.

Assistance to Graduates. The AOG can assist graduates in repairing or replacing lost rings. If you have lost your class ring or found someone else’s, call the AOG. The AOG is the focal point for returning lost rings to their owners. We have several sources for maintaining up-to-date ad¬ dresses and phone numbers on graduates (the primary source, of course, depends on the graduate keeping the AOG informed of changes). We can usually have aring back on the owner’s hand within aweek or two. Note: If you do not already have your name engraved inside your ring, consider having it done. This helps agreat deal in returning iost rings. If aring needs to be replaced or serviced, we can link you to the ring com¬ pany representative who handles your class. To report aring lost or found, or for other information about rings, please call Jack Mueller, ‘70; or Jim Shaw, ‘67, at the AOG offices. Wear your ring proudly. It is asymbol of the common bond we all share as graduates of the Academy.

/ nation.

The Aircraft, an F—4, an F-tS. and an F-22remind us of the pa.si. present, and future dominance of our Air Force —the sum of the aircrafts' numeric designations totals 41, the number of our graduating class.

eagte -symbolize.s the majesty of flight and the power of the United State.s and its mighty Air Force.

’The Cadet Chapel ● a major tourist attraction and architectural landmark, represent to the cadet both comfort and refuge as well as .spiritual, moral, and ethical growth.

I in its

TAe North Star, Falarisbrilliance, represents the guiding light or (rue course, and it serves as a reminder of how' brightly the futures of the Class of 1999 truly do SHINE.

, " ''.fftf Class Motto ~(previous mottos have been in Latin, English or Greek). “Honor et Uhertas": Originally “For Honor We Uve, For Liberty We Die," our motto reminds us of our glorious yet serious commitment to pre¬ serve and protect the liberty of our great

The Prop and Wings -worn on the cadet flight cap, signifies the military grawih of cadets and the transition to upper-class status. It also represents a linkage with the past, as it was the insignia of the Army Air corps, which preceded today’s US Air Force.

Sabre Society Members Gather for Game in Fort Worth

The Sabre Society, now 281 strong, continued its regional activities in Fort Worth in conjunction with the TCU game. Academy Superin¬ tendent Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom,‘65, and his wife, Sandy, attended the Fort Worth event along with Col. Randy Spetman, 76, athletic direc¬ tor, and Col. Mark Hyatt, 74, director of Character Development.

The Superintendent brought everyone up to date on the flight status of the T-3, cadet recruiting efforts, and his vision for making cadets more accountable to each other. He also discussed his vision for reinstitut¬ ing afour-class system (from the current two-class system of Doolies

and everybody else) where the 1st class will be the “leader” class, 2nd class will be the “trainer class,” the 3rd class will be the “mentors,” and the 4th class will stUl be Doolies.

Randy Spetman spoke on the status of the “NewWAC” and the out¬ look for the game. He said “we’re anine-point favorite and ranked among the top 25 college teams, this is not good news” and his com¬ ments proved prophetic as TCU edged the Falcons 35-34 for our only loss so far this year. Sabre Society members attending the dinner at the Arlington Mariott included:

Mark and Ginger Anderson {‘61)

Jerry and Freddie Smith (‘62)

Jerry and Ellen Ahmann (‘63)

Kent Hancock (‘74)

Mike Jensen {‘84)

Cliff and Doris Wurster (2000 parents)

Brig. Gen. (Ret) David

all Josten’s

Greg

Jostens

AOG

Air

Tommy Thompson (‘70)

Cass Casada (‘71) and Sandy Davis

Alan and Grace McArtor (‘64)

Ken and Ginny McAlear (‘65)

Flip and Jan Keck (‘69)

Regional dinners are an exciting way to stay current on Academy top¬ ics, let more people know about the Sabre Society and its contribu¬ tions to USAFA, and to just have fun at an away football game. As this is being written, the next regional dinner is planned for November 5in New York City in conjunction with the Army game at West Point. We are expecting avery large turnout. If you would be interested in host¬ ing aSabre Society dinner in your region, please contact Jim Shaw, Gary Howe, or Kathy McCann.

The next Sabre Society Recognition Weekend will be at the Academy Feb. 11-13,1999. Members will attend classes, tour the Academy, cheer for the home teams at hockey and basketball games, and enjoy avari¬ ety of social events. Plan now to attend.

New Sabre Society Members Listed

The Sabre Society was established by the Association of Graduates in 1995 as aselect group of long-term benefactors who have aclear and tangible interest in supporting the Academy financially and through their personal influence. The society is dedicated toward forming ana¬ tional network of influential community leaders who act as informed advocates of Academy causes.

The society provides avisible and prestigious means of honoring and recognizing the Academy’s leading supporters. Membership is open to graduates, parents or friends of the Academy willing to donate $1,000 a year to support Academy needs. If you are interested, contact Jim Shaw or Kathy McCann at the AOG, e-mail Development@aog-usafa.org.

New members in the society from July 8through October 25,1998 are:

Mr &Mrs Greg Badgett

Mr &Mrs Michael FBailey, Esq '89

Dr &Mrs Roger WGatlin

Mr &Mrs WiUiam TDeWalt

BGen (Ret) and Mrs Robert SDotson, ‘63

Adella &Michael Flynn

Gen (Ret) &Mrs Ronald RFogleman ‘63

Mr Leo &Dr Rebecca Guerrero

Mr RPaul Hayes

Gol (Ret) &Mrs Leigh HHunt, Jr ‘59

LtCol (Ret) &Mrs Roderick RKallman ‘75

Mr &Mrs Philip WKeck ‘69

RADM John EKirkpatrick

Col (Ret) &Mrs Kevin McElvain

MGen (Ret) &Mrs Alan Rogers ‘64

Col (Ret) &Mrs Edwin LRosane ‘59

Col John RRivers ‘74

Col (Ret) and Mrs. James A. Shaw, Jr‘67

LtCol (Ret) Jerry Sullivan

LtCol &Mrs Victor Thuotte ‘73

LtCol &Mrs James AWright

Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom speaks to Sabre Soci¬ ety members at the regional dinner in Arlington, Texas prior to the TCU football game in September.

From left, Ken McAlear, ‘65; Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, ‘65, and Allan McArtor, ‘64, at the Sabre Society regional din¬ ner in Arlington, Texas prior to the TCU football game in September.

Falcon fans enjoy the AOG tailgate prior to the TCU game in Ft Worth sponsored by the North Texas AOG Chapter with adonation from the national Association of Graduates.

Jostens Provides Rings for Display

Roe,

Board Chair at right accepts copies of

class rings produced for

Force Academy classes, from

Lea,

corporate vice president The rings will supplement the class ring display in the backround located on the second floor of Doolittle Flail. The display was sponsored by the Class of1968.

RESERVEYOURPLACEINHISTORY

■ laiHII

Link yourself forever with the traditions and future of the Air Force Academy by inscribing your name on a Pegasus Plaza granite paver. Pavers inscribed with the names of graduates, parents, children, and friends of the Academy will pave the Pegasus Plaza located in front of Doolittle Hall, the alumni house, at the Academy. For your unrestricted taxdeductible donation of $250, apaver with your name or another name you designate will be placed in this prime location for all to see. Funds received will be used to support the Association of Graduates, cadet activities, graduate programs and Academy needs. The $250 donation can be made in alump sum or over one year {monthly, quarterly, etc. in equal payments).

Pegasus Plaza pavers make excellent gifts for events such as birthdays, graduation, retirement and Christmas. You can also honor or provide amemorial for afriend or relative through this program. Acertificate of notification will be sent, upon request, for such gifts.

Please send acerti fi cate of noti fi cation to: Iwould like to support the Pegasus Paver Project.

NAME:

STREET:

NAME: STREET:

CITY:

STATE: ZIP:

In each block below, fill in the character (letter, number, space or &) to be engraved on your paver(s). There are 13 blanks per line and three lines per pava-. (For longer family names, please call or write.) Leave aspace between names, and brfore and after Minor changes may be required to conform to engraver limitations and standardization procedures. Lines wnll be centered on the paver Put information for additional pavers on aseparate sheet of pap^.

AOG Network Seeks Bone Marrow Match for Grad

By Gary Howe, ‘69

Len Kruczynski, ‘65, has leukemia and needs abone marrow ttansplant. Diagnosed with acute leukemia in February, Len now needs a marrow transplant but no donor has been found to be amatch anywhere in his family, including Polish relatives. This is not uncommon. In fact, 70 percent of patients cannot find afamily member who is amatch. The National Marrow Donor Registry keeps track of everyone who has volun¬ teered to considerbeingadonorifneeded. Unfortunately for Len, amatch has not been found among people already registered.

Len is not unique. Many people get leukemia and other blood dis¬ eases and need bone marrow transplants and transfusions. In fact, you may recall Cadet Brian Bauman (now agraduate) who was born in Korea and adopted by an American family. Brian had to retrace his ancestry to find adonor which, happily, was successful. Len has not been so fortunate.

Aretiree, Len reached out to the Department of Defense (which has its own marrow donor program), the Academy and the Association of Graduates. Amatch was not found in the DOD registry so the Academy mounted abone marrow screening day on Sept. 29. All Academy per¬ sonnel, military or civilian, were asked to come be screened. The Asso¬ ciation of Graduates has e-mail addresses on many, but not all, gradu¬ ates so the AOG contacted the Rampart Chapter to see if they could help. The chapter had recently established an effective e-mail system and had e-mail addresses for agreat many but not all, graduates in the area. Some classes in the Colorado Springs area, but not all, have class representatives who can contact their classmates locally and through¬ out the state. Both the Rampart Chapter and individual class reps sent out e-mail announcements about the bone marrow screening.

Of course, we don’t know how many people came to the Academy for screening but we do know that, as this is being written, adonor still has not been found. So Len Kmczynski still needs our help. To volunteer for bone marrow screening (which is asimple, fast, and painless blood test), contact your nearest military or civilian hospital immediately. You don’t need to mention Len. If you are amatch, his doctor will find out. If you are not a match, you will remain on file as apotential match for someone else.

Len is grateful for everyone’s attempt to help him and wants every¬ one to know that networks are important. Several groups to which Len belongs also mounted marrow screening drives. Why should you

Membership Dues Increase Announced

Tbe Board of Directors of the Association of Graduates voted to increase membership dues as follows effective 1July 1998:

Annual Membership: from $40 to $45 per year.

Joint Annual Membership: from $45 to $50 per year. Lifetime Membership: an increase of $50 in base price.

belong to the AOG? Why should you keep the AOG updated on address and telephone number changes? So that the AOG network can work. Grads helping grads is alarge part of the AOG mission and its only pos¬ sible if information is accurate.

Len Kruczynski, ‘65, needed help and the AOG, working through the Rampart Chapter, tried to get it for him. He wasn’t the first and he won’t be the last graduate who will require the help and support of other gradu¬ ates. Join the AOG and the local chapter! Get your friends and classmates to join! Keep addresses up to date. If you have not already done so, be screened as amarrow donor. Do it for Len. Do it for your friends.

ICorporate Membership Plaque Awarded

Brig. Gen.

CHRIS WARACK ’60

FALCON FOOTBALL 72-75

TOLL

(Ret) David Roe, AOG Board Chair, at right, presents an AOG Corporate Member plaque to Dan and Suzanne Durbeck of the Northwestern Preparatory School during the weekend of the Air ForceNavy foothali game in October. Lt. Col. (Ret) DickCoppock, president and CEO of the AOG, is at left. Suzanne is the executive director and Dan the director of the southern California prep school which has pro¬ duced numerous Falcon Foundation Scholars.

Jostens Becomes Corporate Member

Jostens executives accept the AOG Corporate Membership plaque in front of Doolittie Hall during the Air Force-Navy football weekend in October. From left are Lt. Col. (Ret) Dick Coppock, AOG president and CEO; Greg Lea, corporate vice president of Jostens; GlennAlbert, Jostens national sales manager for prestige accounts; and Brig. Gen. (Ret) David Roe, AOG Board Chair.

DEANS DELIBERATIONS

Brig. Gen. David A. Wagie, 72, Dean of the Faculty

As we move into the second half of the fall semester, it’s agood time to give the graduate community an update on cadet performance, a status report on anumber of current initiatives, and alook at the ma¬ jor themes for this academic year. Let me start by saying that the fac¬ ulty is continuing to do asuperb job in providing an outstanding core education, and majors programs that compare with the best across the country. In sum, our academic program continues to prepare the cadets well as the Air Force moves into the 2P' Century.

Brig. Gen. Wagie, 72

Before Iget into academic details, however, let me thank you -the graduate community and the AOG -for the continued strong and muchappreciated support of our programs. Last academic year, your con¬ tributions provided over $129,000 to anumber of our important DF cadet programs. You supported our cadet international education, pro¬ viding funds for cadet exchanges, speakers, and conferences. You pro¬ vided support to our engineering programs, allowing cadets to con¬ struct numerous research and community service projects, and travel to student conferences. Additional funds went to Student Services, providing much-needed learning-enhancement programs for the ca¬ dets. Finally, your support was essential to our continued operation of the Academy Assembly, amajor national student conference hosted by our Political Science Department; and our Military History Sympo¬ sium, aprestigious international conference hosted by our Department of History. As you can see, your support has been critical to the suc¬ cess of anumber of important cadet educational programs, and has allowed us to enhance cadet education and maintain ahigh level of relevance, excellence and national prominence. We truly appreciate your continued involvement and support.

The cadets continue to perform beyond our expectations. As the Class of ‘98 departed, we had 20 who won national scholarships or fellow¬ ships, and another 40 who were selected by the Air Force to attend graduate, medical, or nursing school. Then, during the summer, we had 159 cadets from the Class of ‘99 go to various Air Force, govern¬ ment, and other locations to perform summer research -most at the research agency’s expense. At the end of the summer, Ireceived ahuge number of letters of appreciation, telling us that the cadets had per¬ formed superbly and completed projects that could not have been ac¬ complished with the current limited manpower at the research loca¬ tions. Finally, we continue to have many carets involved in Air Forceconnected research as part of their majors’ programs, contributing to improvements in weapons systems, operations, administration, and other areas.

Now, I’d like to cover anumber of things happening this year, both

Transcripts Available

Graduates who need transcripts from the Academy must request them by signed letter or fax from: Hq USAFA/DFRR, 2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 6D106, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 80840-6210, Fax: 719-333-6650. For information call 719-333-3970 (commercial) or DSN: 333-3970.

the status of some ongoing activities, and some new themes we are working on.

Accreditation. We are required, as anationally-accredited under¬ graduate program, to undergo an accreditation visit every 10 years. Our next visit will occur May 3-5, 1999, when an accreditation team from North Central Association (NCA) will visit the Academy to review our entire educational program. While this sounds like it is limited to a faculty issue, nothing could be farther from the truth. This accredita¬ tion visit is actually areview of the entire Academy program, from courses, labs, and faculty to basewide student support -dorms, infra¬ structure, student life, etc. Because of this total review, we have been working for over ayear on acomprehensive self-study required by NCA. This study, covering all aspects of the Academy and how we assess and improve our programs, will be sent to the accreditation team in Febru¬ ary for their review before their visit in May. Col. Ron Reed, the Perma¬ nent Professor and Head of the Biology Department, has been spear¬ heading this effort, and coordinating through committees across the Academy to finalize this self-study. This is avery important effort, and we feel we are on track to earn another maximum 10-year accredita¬ tion renewal.

Construction. After the Consolidated Education and Training Facil¬ ity was completed in 1996 (Phase 1of acomprehensive plan to reno¬ vate all our educational facilities), we started Phase 11 -amajor $20 million renovation project for the second floor of Fairchild Hall. I’m pleased to report that the first portion of the second floor -the north¬ east section -is now virtually completed. This portion of the building has been renovated for the Physics Department, and they are complet¬ ing their move into their new area. These new facilities include en¬ tirely redesigned labs, classrooms with the latest technology, and pri¬ vate offices for all faculty. Our Phase II renovation process will now continue as we move to other parts of the second floor to do similar construction as well as laboratories on the fourth and fi fth fl oors. At the same time, we are beginning the design for Phase III -acomplete redesign and renovation of the sixth floor, scheduled to begin in 2001.

New Qassroom Furniture. Remember the multicolored desks? WeU, after 40 years, they needed replacement -and we were looking for an improved style. So, afew years ago, some of our facilities folks -with cadet input -designed anew type of desk/table that will provide abet¬ ter working surface for the cadets, and be easier to maintain. We are about halfway through replacing these desks in our 250-plus class¬ rooms in Fairchild Hall, and so far, they seem to be working out very well.

Civilian Faculty. As our part of the military draw down over the last six years, we set up aplan to convert approximately 25 percent of our military faculty to civilian faculty. We have now completed that transi¬ tion, and our 25 percent civilian faculty is working out very well. As we went through the hiring phase, we often had 10-20 well-qualified indi¬ viduals competing for each opening (and at one point 500 applicants for asingle position!), so we have been able to attract very high quality faculty. In addition, we hire on 12-month contracts, so the civilian fac¬ ulty can participate in all activities during the summer -faculty inter¬ action, course preparation, and even military training programs with the cadets! Finally, this transition has allowed us to increase the per¬ centage of PhDs on our faculty from approximately 35 percent in 1992 to 55 percent today -an important accreditation consideration. So, we are pleased that this program has gone so well, and we are impressed with the continuing enthusiasm, involvement, and expertise of the ci¬ vilian faculty.

Information Technology. The Academy recently completed amajor study that resulted in a120-page document entitled “USAFA Strategic Plan for Information Technology." Much of this plan involves astrat¬ egy for our continued updating of our educational technology. As a part of that, we are continuing to upgrade computers and software for our faculty, labs and classrooms, and look for innovative ways to use the network and Internet for cadet education. As atest, we are having 85 faculty volunteers use laptop computers this year instead of desk-

tops, in order to evaluate the usefulness, benefits, and drawbacks of each.

Research Centers. Although we are an undergraduate institution, we accomplish research for three reasons: to enhance cadet education, to develop faculty expertise, and to help the Air Force and other agencies solve real-world problems. When the Air Force closed the Seiler Re¬ search Lab at USAFA in 1995 due to dovmsizing, we instituted anum¬ ber of research centers to help us continue our level of research. We now have six research centers and two research institutes, including our newest Institute for Information Technology Applications (IITA). This institute, chaired by Gen. (retired) James McCarthy, our Olin Pro¬ fessor, will focus on interdisciplinary research on the use of informa¬ tion technology in today’s defense environment, from information warfare to software engineering and integrated logistics support. As a snapshot into our overall level of research, last year we worked on 426 research projects, involving 296 faculty and 278 cadets. This research produced 378 publications and 482 presentations, and certainly en¬ hanced cadet education and Air Force support.

Character Development. We continue to stress character develop¬ ment throughout our courses. Our program "Ethics Across the Cur¬ riculum” provides acentral character focus, using acore course each year as an anchor course -where asignificant portion of the material has anatural character slant -then weaving additional material in the other core and majors courses. In addition, as the Dean, 1chair the Academy’s Character Development Commission, meeting monthly with cadets and senior staff from across the Academy to help develop ways in which each mission element can emphasize character devel¬ opment -in that element’s own specific context -when working with cadets.

Academic Initiatives. This year, we have anumber of areas that we are reviewing. First, we are looking at ways to reduce the number of cadets taking or needing summer academics. Last summer we had over 900 cadets enrolled in summer academics -over half gave up leave to do so -and we would like to reduce that number, both to free up cadets for other programs and summer leave, but also to free up faculty for other work. Second, we are reviewing the academic load, to enable cadets to complete the program in four years without requiring over six courses in asemester or asummer academic course. Many cadets want to take more than six courses so they can complete aminor or prepare for graduate school -and we certainly want to encourage that for those cadets who can succeed at that level. However, last year over half the three-degrees and two-degrees were taking seven or more courses each semester -and for some, this did not allow the level of academic excellence we are seeking. We will therefore review the aca¬ demic load required of our programs.

Faculty Initiative. As the Air Force continues to change rapidly -from the use of Air Expeditionary Forces to worldwide peacekeeping opera¬ tions in numerous foreign countries -we need to continue to connect our faculty to current Air Force and DOD operations. Therefore, we are reviewing ways to get our faculty out to see locations and work issues relevant to today’s Air Force. Iforesee acombination of short TDYs

with longer PCS-type sabbaticals that will allow our faculty (military and civilian) to help out our manpower-limited Air Force and to bring back relevant and timely experiences to the classroom to enhance our cadet education. Isee this initiative as a“win-win-win” for the cadets, our faculty, and the Air Force.

Ongoing Challenges. We will continue to have challenges in the areas of personnel, budget, and facilities renovation. On the person¬ nel side, there are many specialties that are undermanned in today’s climate -rated, systems acquisition, security forces, intel, and others; we will continue to work closely with AFPC to keep aspread of special¬ ties and expertise on the faculty to enhance cadet education. On the budget side, we have received good support from the Air Staff for our equipment and computer needs, but the cost of modern lab equip¬ ment and information technology improvements will continue to be a challenge, as we debate how much modernization we can afford and still maintain our top-tier educational program. Finally, we will con¬ tinue to move forward with our facilities renovation, working hard to plan for our needs well into the next century.

Summary. We are proud of our academic program, and our continu¬ ing strategy of updating and improving our curiiculum, faculty prepa¬ ration, and facilities. Thanks to the AOG and you -the graduate com¬ munity -for continuing to be part of the best officer preparation pro¬ gram in the world!

Standing Nominating Committee to Identify AOG Board Candidates

The recently-revised bylaws of the Association of Graduates (AOG) contain new provisions for the manner in which candidates for elected director positions are identified, e.aluated and nominated.

Of primary interest in the new procedures is the establishment of astanding, vis-a-vis an ad hoc, nominating committee of the board. This committee will have the responsibility for identifying, research¬ ing, interviewing, evaluating and recommending to the board can¬ didates for future board membership.

In essence, the nominating committee will maintain acontinuing list of potential nominees from which it may select candidates to meet the board’s requirements for service over aparticular term of office. Individual candidates will be constantly evaluated regarding their qualifications, ability and desire to serve.

This and future issues of Checkpoints will carry the names of mem¬ bers of the nominating committee and information on how each can be reached. Interested AOG members may contact one of the committee members to indicate their desire to serve as adirector.

An indication of interest, however, will not necessarily result in placement on the list of qualified candidates. The needs of the asso¬ ciation will take precedence at all times.

Directors Nominating Committee

(Contact one of the following to show interest in becoming a candidate for the AOG Board Directors.)

MajGen (Ret) Larry D. Fortner, Chair

19 Woodbridge Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80906-4401

Home: (719) 579-8620

Office: (719) 574-0050

Col (Ret) Andrew W. Biancur

4174 ECumorah Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84124

Home: (801) 278-4866

LtCol (Ret) Richard M. Coppock

3116 Academy Dr. USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475

Home: (719) 590-9452

Work (719) 472-0300

Gen (Ret) Ronald WYates

525 Silhouette Way Monument, CO 80132

Horae: (719) 481- 9169

Of fi ce: (719) 481-9174

Grad Astronaut Presents Collage Astronaut Charlie Precourt, ‘77, presents amission collage to C2C Sam Rice, 2000 class president, at left, and C2C Van Weezendonk. right, commemorating the flight of alloy for their class rings on Shuttle Discovery June 2-12,1998.

U. S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

Executive Of fi ces

President/CEO: LTC (Ret) Richard Coppock

Executive Assistant: Pat Buland

Secretary: Maureen Hornyak

Receptionist: Jennifer Bowman

Accountant: Joyce Love

Career Opportunities

Company Contact: Wayne Taylor

Resume Service: Wayne Taylor

SACC: Wayne Taylor

Class Rings: Jim Shaw, Jack Mueller

Death Noti fi cation

Notices: Pat Buland

Obituaries: Tom Kroboth

Development

Vice President: Col (Ret) James A. Shaw

AFA Fund: Tauni Orndorff

Building Fund: Jack Mueller, Kathy McCann

Class Gifts: Jack Mueller

Corporate Giving: Jim Shaw

Major Giving: Jim Shaw, Gary Howe

Matching Gifts: Jack Mueller

Paver Project: Tauni Orndorff

Planned Giving: Jim Shaw, Gary Howe

Sabre Society: Jim Shaw, Kathy McCann

Doolittle Hall Special Functions

Reservations (parties, etc): Jean Bickford

Information Services

Administrator: Col (Ret) Chuck Denham

Specialist: Vikki Rhoden

Publications

Editor: Thomas Kroboth

Checkpoints and Register of Graduates:

Advertising: Wayne Taylor

Chapter News: Tom Kroboth

Class News: Tom Kroboth

NOTAM

Editors: Jennifer Bowman, Maureen Hornyak

Service Academy Business Resource Directory

Sales: Wayne Taylor, Jean Bickford

Updates: Wayne Taylor, Lani Wing

Services

Vice President: Col (Ret) Jock CH Schwank

Address Updates: Steve Knight, Don McCarthy

Associate/Cadet Memberships: Don McCarthy

Bio Updates: Steve Knight, Don McCarthy

Chapters/Societies: Wayne Taylor

Class Reunions: Jock Schwank

Grad. Dependent Scholarships: Jock Schwank

Graduate Membership: Steve Knight

Graduate Records: Steve Knight

Label/List Requests: Jock Schwank

Merchandise Sales: Michele Cowan

Rental Car Cards: Steve Knight, Don McCarthy

Services (continued)

Saber Rental: Steve Knight

Special Case Golf Reservations: Steve Knight

Transcripts

USAFA Operator Assistance

USAFA Parents’ Clubs Contact

Visitor Center

Yearbooks/Cadet Media

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

3116 ACADEJVIY DR USAFACADEIVIY, CO 80840-4475 as of October 15, 1998

Service Academies Business Resource Directory

The information reflected in the directory is obtained fi'om members of the service academies alumni associations who wish to have their civilian positions listed in the publication. Indexed by geographical area, industry, company name, graduate last name and class year, the directory contains entries of approximately 14,000 graduates in business across the coimtry and world wide. Bom firom the belief that the Alumni Associations and Associations of Graduates exist not only to serve their academies but their membership, this directory creates abusiness leadership network. The information also provides those in need of certain vices an efficient way to find afellow graduate. ser-

Please send me

□Please send me copies, at $35.00 each, of the 1998 SABRD. (while supplies last) copies, at $35.00 each, of the 1999 SABRD. (to be mailed in late spring 1999) PAYMENT METHOD:

□Check Enclosed (Payable to “AOG”)

Home Phone: ( CLASS YEAR

Signature:

MAIL TO: AOG, 3116 Academy Dr, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475. Telephone orders by Visa or MasterCard at (719) 472-0300 or fax to (719) 333-4194.

ATTENTION IN THE AREA

By Col. Jock C.H. Schwank (USAF, Ret), ‘60 \

Register Deadline Aired

Amajor AOG service is one of providing up-to-date information on graduates through the annual Register of Graduates. The most recent book was mailed to members of record in November, 1998. The bio¬ graphical information form printed near the center of each magazine should be used on an ongoing basis to update graduate data. Since the individual graduate is the critical source of Register information, it is vital that you keep the AOG informed of address changes, promo¬ tions, new jobs, etc. Information updates to be included in the ex¬ panded 1999 Register must be received by 1July 1999.

Visitors Center Offers AOG Discount

The AOG is pleased to announce amembership benefit. Through the cooperation of the Academy Athletic Association (AFAAA), all AOG members are eligible to receive adiscount at the Academy Visitors Center Gift Shop (which is operated by AFAAA). You only need to show the cashier your AOG membership card to receive your 10 percent dis¬ count. This discount was previously extended only to active duty and retired military customers. The AOG extends our sincere thanks to AFAAA for their support of the graduate community by offering this excellent bene fi t to all our members.

1999

AOG MAJOR EVENTS SCHEDULE

(As of 19 November 1998)

FEBRUARY

11-13 SABRE Society (Marriott)

APRIL

9:3)

Inappropriate Use of Register Addresses

The AOG has noticed asignificant increase in the use of graduate ad¬ dresses listed in the Register for business and political purposes not sanctioned by your AOG. This is directly in violation of AOG policy as well as an inlfingement of copyright laws as spelled out on the first page of the 1998 Register.

The AOG requests that members notify the vice president, Services, immediately of any non-AOG-sanctioned solicitation they receive where their mailing address was apparently obtained from the Regis¬ ter. The AOG will contact the mailer to ascertain how they obtained your address. The names of those who inappropriately used the Registerwill be published in future editions of Checkpoints.

Class Ring Information

Graduates who need to replace or have their Academy class rings re¬ paired should go directly through the manufacturer. The manufacturer has the expertise and equipment to repair or replace your ring. Contact them directly for cost estimates, which vary significantly. Below are the manufacturers and how to contact them:

Jostens

c/o Seal Seykora

4890 S. Kitterege St. Aurora, CO 80015 (303) 699-9199

Balfour Company

c/o Jess Crane

Classes of 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998

10 1994

22-24

21

Classes of 1959, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1975, Founders Day Dinner at Doolittle Hall SACC -Washington DC

MAY Board Committee Meetings AOG Board Meeting

3502 S. Marion St. Englewood, CO 80110 (303) 789-0623 (Evenings: (303) 757-0557)

Herff Jones

Clases of 1985,1987,1988,1993, 22 1995

30

Doolittle Hall Open House

226 Pubiis Street, Providence,R1 02905(401)331-1240

JUNE Graduation -Ciass of 1999 Class of ’59 Reunion (Marriott)

15-20

2 1999 REUNION CONTACTS (As of 17 November 1998)

JULY

1

08-10

In-processing -Class of 2003, Parents Lunch New Board Member Training and AOG Board Meeting

‘59 (40th) 15-20 June 1999

Lt Col Jim Brown

‘74 (25th) 3-7 November

SEPTEMBER 1999

25

OCTOBER

2 9

13-17

14-16

15

16

18-21

30

Wyoming at USAFA, AOG Tailgate

USAFA at SDSU

USAFA at Navy '79 Reunion (Marriott)

'89 Reunion (Embassy Suites)

Homecoming

Jabara Banquet

Jabara Parade, AOG Tailgate, Utah at USAFA

SACC -Dallas

USAFA at BYU

NOVEMBER

3-7

3-7

6

11 12 13

20

27

'64 Reunion (Antlers)

'74 Reunion (Marriott)

Army at USAFA, AOGTaiigate

Chapter Presidents Meeting (Tentative) AOG Board Meeting (Tentative)

UNLV at USAFA -Possibie AOG Tailgate

USAFA at CSU

USAFA at New Mexico

Visit our Web site at http/ /www.aog-usafa.org

or e-mail us at aog@aog-usafa.org

19349 Knotty Pine Way Monument CO 80132-9438

Ph: (719) 481-9115 (H)

E-mail: Jim_Brovm_59 @compuserve.com (H)

Hotel: Marriott 1-800-962-6982 or 1-719-260-1800

‘64 (35th) 3-7 November 1999

Col Jerry Butler

19980 Capella Drive Monument CO 80132

Ph: (719) 481-8804 (H) (719) 668-7608 (W)

E-mail: jbutler@csu.org

Hotel: Antlers Doubletree 1-800222-8733 or 1-719-473-5600

‘69 (30th) 22-25 September 1999

Lt Col (Ret) Art (Arthur) Schwall

2465 Clayton Court

Colorado Springs CO 80919

Ph: (719) 592-0849 (H)

E-mail: 70470.2724

@compuserve.com (H)

Lt Col Ted Roth

6364 Galway Drive Colorado Springs CO 80918

Ph: (719) 590-7383 (H)

E-mail: theoroth @compuserve.com (H)

Hotel: Marriott 1-800-9626982 or 1-719-260-1800

‘79 (20th) 13-17 October 1999

Contact: TBD

Hotel: Marriott 1-800-9626982 or 1-719-260-1800

'89 (10th) 13-17 October 1999

Mr Don Simpson

130 WThird Avenue

Denver CO 80223

Ph: (303) 765-4816 (H)

E-mail: Simpson @bewellnet.com (H)

Hotei: Embassy Suites 1800-EMBASSY or

Hotel: Marriott 1-800-962-6982 or 1-719-260-1800 1-719-599-9100

Grad and Cadet Son Earn Airman’s Medal for Heroism

By Senior Airman Roel Utley Academy Spirit Staff

Christmas Day is often filled with sounds of joy, laughter and family. But Christmas Day 1997 almost turned tragic for an Academy mem¬ ber. Cadet 2">* Class Phillip Sowada risked his life to help a13-year-old girl and her uncle during awater rescue attempt off aCalifornia beach. For putting his life in danger, Sowada was awarded the Airman’s Medal, the highest award presented in peacetime. Col. Paul Sowada, ’76, Phillip’s father, and Master Sgt. Timothy Brown, were also awarded the Airman’s Medal for their roles in the rescue.

The events began to unfold when afather and daughter, playing in the waters of Wall Beach near Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., were hit by a strong wave and the undertow began pulling them out. The father’s brotherin-law, astaff sergeant stationed at Vandenberg, was on the shore and ran to help. According to alocal newspaper, the staff sergeant reached the girl, but they just kept going father out. The sergeant was reported to say, “I thought that was the last day of my life. Ithought it was over.”

Visiting his family during the holiday break, Phillip happened to be swimming nearby as these events were occurring. Unaware of the im¬ pending danger, he had been swimming for about 45 minutes in the initially calm waters. “The water was cold, but not unbearable,” he said. Without warning, it turned rough. Military weather officials later estimated 11-foot waves, 20 seconds apart.

'T heard cries for help,” Phillip said. “I wasn’t sure if they were legitimate or not, but my family and the swimmers’ family were motioning me from the shore to see if they were okay. Iswam to them and aman was trying to keep his niece afloat. Irelieved the man and began swimming back to shore holding the girl in one arm and sidestroking with the other. Idid this for about 10-15 minutes and realized Iwas getting tired, and we were being sucked out even farther by the strong undertow.

“I could no longer help the girl, but Itried to stay as close as possible. Itold her to try and let the wave carry her back. Iknow this was difficult because the waves would pull us under for afew seconds when they rolled over us." Meanwhile, Phillip’s father was able to request help us¬ ing atwo-way radio. Brown, asecurity forces specialist, soon arrived.

Together, the elder Sowada and Brovra entered the water and retrieved the staff sergeant. As the elder Sowada helped the NCO back to shore, Brown went in to help the teenager. He reached the girl and was able to bring her to shore. Once on shore, the Sowadas and Brown helped the swimmers to an ambulance. The swimmers were taken to ahospi¬ tal and treated for hypothermia and salt-water ingestion.

Looking back at the situation, Phillip says he did not recognize the immediate danger surrounding the event. Although he completed wa¬ ter survival training at the Academy, he said that specific dangers as¬ sociated with the ocean weren’t really discussed. Despite his heroic actions, Phillip remains humble about the situation.

“I don’t think my actions constitute such ahigh honor, but Iwill always wear the medal with pride. 1am very proud that we were chosen to re¬ ceive it. It will always serve as areminder, not of my actions, but that ev¬ eryone is along. Whether my actions contributed to this isn’t importantnobody drowned, that’s what matters.” fThe Academy Spirits

78 Graduate to Command Shuttle Mission STS-101

Lt. Col. James D. Halsell, Jr. will command the third space shuttle mission for the International Space Station in August 1999. Joining Halsell on the flight deck of the space shuttle Atlantis as pilot for mis¬ sion STS-101 will be Lt. Col. Scott J. Horowitz. Rounding out the crew are Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Ph.D.; Edward Tsang Lu, Ph.D.; and Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey N. Williams.

As the third International Space Station assembly flight, the mission will carry internal logistics and resupply cargo for station operations. The equipment will further the outfitting of the Russian service mod¬ ule.

“STS-101 will bring important components and equipment to the growing station assembly,” said James D. Wetherbee, director of Flight Crew Operations and deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston. “This talented crew brings agreat deal of experience and skill to make this key mission asuccess.”

STS-101 will be Halsell’s fifth mission, and his third as commander. Selected as an astronaut in 1990, he flew as pilot on STS-65 in 1994 and STS-74 in 1995, and as commander on STS-83 and STS-94 in 1997. Horowitz served as pilot in his two previous missions: STS-75 in 1996 and STS-82 in 1997.

Weber, amission specialist aboard Discovery on STS-70, will be on her second space flight. Lu also will be on his second space trip; his first was STS-84 which docked to the Mir Space Station. Mission Spe¬ cialist Williams will be making his first space flight. (Air Force News Service courtesy of NASA News Service)

Life Membership Options Explained

The AOG offers alife membership plan for graduates and associ¬ ate members. This plan features rates based on the member’s age and the following payment plan:

*The monthly payment plan is allowed only if the AOG is autho¬ rized to charge on amonthly basis to your AOG credit card or through the coupon payment plan where the AOG is not required to accomplish monthly billing.

Information on graduate joint life membership (graduate mar¬ ried to graduate) and credit card and coupon payment options can be obtained from the AOG by e-mail at membership@aog-usafa.org or by writing Col. (Ret) Jock Schwank; Vice President, Services; As¬ sociation of Graduates; 3116 Academy Drive, U.S. Air Force Acad¬ emy CO 80840-4475. Membership forms are available from the AOG or on-line at www.aog-usafa.org.

Jostens Makes “Clean Sweep”

Glenn Aibert, at left, Jostens national sales manager for prestige ac¬ counts; and Greg Lea, corpora te vice presiden tofJostens, present the ring committee for the Class of2000 with T-shirts commemorating Jostens “first clean sweep of the new millenium." Jostens will provide Class of 2000 rings to all four service Academies. The presentation was made during the Air Force-Navy game in October.

UPS Flight Operations Becomes AOG Corporate Member

United Parcel Service (UPS) Flight Operations tvas recognized on Fri¬ day, Oct. 2, 1998 as aCorporate member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates.

Rick Barr, UPS vice president of Flight Operations and a1972 Air Force Academy graduate, was presented aCorporate Member plaque by Lt. Col. (Ret) Dick Coppock, AOG president and CEO. “1 sincerely believe that our involvement and support of organizations such as the Association of Graduates and the Air Force Academy are critical to our continued suc¬ cess,” stated Barr. “We need to support and recognize the fine efforts tak¬ ing place in the communities where we live and work.”

United Parcel Service of America was founded in 1907 in Seattle, Wash, and now delivers over 12 million packages and documents daily to more than 200 countries and territories. The UPS Airline was formed in Feb¬ ruary of 1988 and today consists of 218 jet aircraft and more than 2,100 UPS pilots. The dally operation consists of more than 1,500 domestic

Yoos, ’68, Named Professor Emeritus

Col. Charles J. Yoos 11, ,’68, management department professor, earned the esteemed designation of Professor Emeritus earlier this year. Yoos served at the Academy from 1972 to 1976 as an instructor/ assistant professor and then from 1979 until retiring this summer as associate professor and senior military professor.

Besides his work at the Academy, Yoos made significant contribu¬ tions to the Air Force and the Department of Defense in his primary field of contracting. Yoos’ contributions have been extraordinary and far-reaching during his 23-year association with the Academy. His ex¬ ecutive stewardship of the Department of Management and direct in¬ put into the development of the Air Force’s Core Values, the Academy Institutional Outcomes, and the Faculty Educational Outcomes, have put the Academy on the national forefront of character development and educational excellence.

His involvement with the Academy Strategic Plan and the Character Development Program was recognized at the highest levels of Air Force leadership.

"Yoos has been and will continue to be agreat asset for the Acad¬ emy, and his being honored with the distinction of Professor Emeri¬ tus affords us all an excellent vehicle to recognize this great educator and professional officer,” said Col. Rita Campbell, department head. (Information submitted by the Dean of the Faculty’s Management Division to the Academy Spirit)

23rd Flying Tigers Association Reunion

April29-May2,1999

Holiday Inn Bordeaux, Fayetteville, N.C.

Contact Maj. Kevin Adams

kevin.adams@pope.af.mil or 390 East Indiana Ave.

Southern Pines, N.C. 28387

and international flight segments serving 391 domestic and 219 inter¬ national airports.

Since its inception, UPS Airline has become adriving force behind the company’s growth as awhole. In aperiod where ground shipments remain consistent. Next Day Air and Second Day Air shipments are on ● the rise. Even more importantly, those shipments are taking on aglo¬ bal perspective.

The current UPS Airline Fleet includes 61 B-727s, 16 B747s 70 B757s with five on order, 22 B767s with eight on order, and 49 DC-8s, for a total of 218 aircraft.

Strengthening the overall outlook at UPS was aSeptember announce¬ ment of 30 confirmed orders for new Airbus A300-600s, with options for 30 more aircraft. Deliveries will begin in mid-2000, to be completed over the next 10 years. Other events making headlines at the airlines pilots bases include the worldwide partnership between UPS and the 1998 and 2000 Olympic Games, and the new hub located at Hong Kong Interna¬ tional Airport, anew mega-hub to be constructed at Louistille Interna¬ tional (SDF) in Kentucky, more routes, more gateway cities, and addi¬ tional runway construction to handle the volume.

The company has established afirm commitment to military recruit¬ ment and today employs more than 50 Air Force Academy graduates in line pilot and flight management positions. Also present at the Corporate Member plaque presentation ceremony were A1 Rapp, Flight Operations Human Resources manager; Brian McCabe, Flight Operations Labor Re¬ lations manager; and John Fenton, Flight Operations Management pilot.

Graduates Selected for Lieutenant Colonel

Regular Air Force (Line Officers)

Below-the-Zone Selectees

Class of 1983

Robert J. Beletic

Devin L. Cate

James D. Harden

James C. Horton

Tracy A. Phillips

Eric A. Pohland

Randy R. Roberts

Timothy W. Strawther

Class of 1984

Christof PCordes

Robert S. Green

Scott W. Jansson

Mark D. Kelly

Merrick E. Krause

Paul H. McGillicuddy

Carol A. Pugh

Steven G. Seroka

Brian A. Simpson

Robert G. Wright Jr

Class of 1985

Thomas W. Bergeson

Cary C. Chun

Troy E. Devine

Daniel RJordan

Bruce H. Magoon

Neal B. McElhannon

Andrew M. Mueller

John J. Torres

Elise M. Vandervennet

Class of 1986

James S. Browne

Angelique L. Faulise

Steven L. Kwast

Jerry RMartinez

Jon A. Roop

In addition to the above line promotions, two members of the Class of 1982 were promoted to lieutenant colonel in the zone in biomedical sciences.

Rick Barr, 72, UPS vice president of Flight Operations for UPS, and UPS Management officials, accept the AOG Corporate Member plaque from Dick Coppock, at left, at aceremony in front of Doolittle Hall in early October.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

RogerH. Peterson, ‘59

Major (USAF, Ret) Roger Holt “Pete” Peterson’s heart gave out and he left us Friday morning, Sept. 25, 1998. Fate and the good Lord put special people in our lives. For me, five minutes after 1walked into my BOQ room at Bartow Air Base, Fla. in the fall of 1959 and met one of my three roommates -a2"'' Lt. Pete Peterson, Air Force Academy Class of ’59 -1 knew that he and 1would always he friends. He was the quietest person that 1have ever known and the best communicator. We always seemed to he in sync on everything that was important.

At Bartow, Pete and 1had the same civilian flight instructor and we flew two students in the T-37, astudent pilot and a“safety observer”. We also had the same instructor at Laredo AFB, Texas. So Pete and 1 flew alot together both at Bartow and Laredo. From the outset, it was clear that Pete was agifted pilot, and as he had done at the Academy, he graduated near the top of the class. He picked KC-135s. Early on at Bartow, Pete began to seriously date Alice Falkiewicz, abeautiful young lady from New Jersey who was working at Cypress Gardens. One day at Laredo AFB, Pete and 1were playing golf and he asked me to be his best man. They had set the wedding date to coincide with gradua¬ tion. Alice’s whole family “eloped” to Texas including her sister Anne. Less than ayear later Anne and 1were married, so Pete and 1became brothers.

Pete and Alice went on to Travis and Roswell for KC-135 training. From there, Pete’s Air Force career took off. Within ayear, Pete was the 8th Air Force commanders’ copilot. When he upgraded to AC, Pete flew “Looking Glass" missions for the 34th ARS. Next up was aline refueling squadron deploying to Southeast Asia. Pete didn’t talk about it much, but he took his tanker far beyond the usual refueling tracks over Laos and in the Gulf to reach aThud or Phantom that needed gas really bad!

In 1969, he became the aircraft commander for Admiral McCain, the CincPac commander, based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Pete’s favorite flying story is mine too. Enroute to Hickam, Admiral McCain was no¬ tified in the air that the first letter from his son, Lt. John McCain, who was aPOW in North Vietnam, had arrived and he could see it if they landed at Alameda Naval Air Station. Landing at Alameda was no prob¬ lem, but taking afuliy loaded KC-135 off the very short Alameda run¬ way was no picnic (and it had not been done before). As Pete told me, there was room under the Oakland Bay Bridge if he needed it, but the view sure was “great” as they cleared the bridge by several feet.

During these years as the Air Force contingent moved around, we would gather together with the whole family at Long Beach Island, N.J. It was pure joy to be around Pete with all of the children. All of them loved "Uncle Peep” (as my daughter Eleanor named him) be¬ cause as the children said..." he is really smart and he likes to build things, fly kites (one of the greatest), make tents and forts on the beach and stuff”.

Several years into his assignment with the admiral, Pete suffered a severe depression that unfortunately ended his flying career. After a reoccurrence of depression, he was medically retired. Like everything else, Pete went quietly about winning this battle and after several dif¬ ficult years, he got achallenging job as an equipment engineer. His

Gary Francis Crew, '60

job was to design, build and maintain the computer-controlled ma¬ chines in cloth mills that receive, cut, fold and package the cloth using air jets. Since this was new technology, nobody knew exactly what to teach Pete to do the job, so he taught himself. It was extraordinary. Together, Pete and Alice worked hard to forge asupport structure and close family. Daughter Laura married Reymon Betgervergiz in ‘92 and moved to Atlanta. Their union blessed the family with son Jonathan, now five. In 1994, son Stephen married Beth and settled in Vermont. Watching Pete be Jonathan’s grandfather was enlightening. As soon as Jonathan was old enough, Pete was building kites and sharing his love of flying in the one way asmall child could remember. We like to think the photo of them looMng into the sky and watching the kite they built fly is Pete’s legacy to Jonathan and aseed planted for anew pilot.

Christmas ‘96, when the family came to our home in Montgomery, Alice’s gift to Pete was aflight in the Maxwell AFB Aero Club T-34 (deja vu Bartow, Fla., 1959). So, we all watched as Pete and the IP took the T34 up. When they got back, the IP took me aside and asked me...“ how long has it been since he flew an airplane like this one?” Itold the IP that it has been over 35 years and the IP said, “well, he’s stiU got it”. I agreed. Major Roger "Pete” Peterson’s feet were firmly planted on the ground all of these years, but his heart never left the cockpit. He al¬ ways had the right stuff

Fate, circumstances and the good Lord brought an extraordinary man into our lives. The center of his life was his family -Alice, Laura and Stephen -now including Reymon, Beth and especially, grandson Jonathan. For the rest of us, we too loved this special man and we miss him. (Col. [USAF, Ret] Gene Armistead, Auburn University)

Gary Francis Crew, '60

On July 28,1998, we lost afriend and fellow classmate from the Class of ’60. Gary Francis Crew died of complications from open-heart sur¬ gery after days of valiant struggle. Ceremony and interment were at the Air Force Academy on Aug. 1, 1998.

It is an honor to share some thoughts in remembering afriend, room¬ mate and fellow graduate. Although our paths did not often cross dur¬ ing our Air Force careers, the friendship and bonding formed as room¬ mates in our senior year were lasting and rewarding experiences.

Gary entered the Academy in 1956 upon graduation from West High School is Waterloo, Iowa. He was amember of the Cadet Choir, forum, ski club, and he was aFalconer. He attended pilot training at Bainbridge, Ga. and Chandler Ariz. His distinguished career included assignments at Biggs AFB, the 310'*' Air Commandos in Vietnam, Hq. TAC at Langley AFB, advisor to the Chinese Air Force Academy and Hq. MAG in Tai¬ wan, chief Special Missions Office/Presidential Flight Support at Rob¬ ins AFB, and chief of Readiness at Randolph AFB.

Immediately upon retirement in 1981, Gary joined Martin Marietta. Following his initial involvement with the MX Peacekeeper project, he became aPlans and Programs proposal lead, then aSpecial Projects team leader, working ultimately on the Titan 4Program when he re¬ tired in 1993. He then started his own business. Ultimate Golf Ltd., to create custom golf clubs. As with every endeavor, he tackled this new

Thomas Stewart Rhoades, ‘62

challenge witJi passion and dedication, becoming one of only four Class A-certified club makers in Colorado. Not only was he an excellent golfer in his own right, but his ability to transfer his knowledge to both stu¬ dents and equipment was indeed remarkable.

Several aspects of Gary’s personality come to mind. One trait in par¬ ticular that always came across, both while at the Academy and during our visits over the years, was his unconditional friendship and easy tem¬ perament. The endurance of that long-distance friendship during the past 38 years is atestament to his commitment and loyalty to friends. During the times that we were together over the years, Barbara and the children were always aprime topic. It was obvious that Gary was alov¬ ing and dedicated husband and father. To say that he was proud of his sons Jeff and Brian, and their wives, would be an understatement. Bar¬ bara and family were his life.

Gary was awarm, talented friend who will be terribly missed by ev¬ eryone he touched, both in his personal and professional life. His hu¬ mor, love of life, and above all, his unwavering honor and loyalty merely underscored his commitment to excellence.

Gary is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Littleton Colo., and two sons: Jeff (wife, Denise, and grandchildren Madison and Mallory) of Littleton Colo., and Brian (wife, Debra) who lives in Chicago, 111. (Gerry GammUl,

’60)

Thomas Stewart Rhoades, ‘62

My husband, Thomas Stewart Rhoades, 58, passed away suddenly on Father’s Day, June 21, 1998. Our family had actually celebrated Father’s Day on June 20 and had awonderful final day together which we’U always remember.

Tom was born on Feb. 12,1940 in Johnstown, Pa. He was the oldest of five sons of Helen Jones Rhoades and the late Robert S. Rhoades. His mother presendy resides in New Florence, Pa.

Tom was a1958 graduate of Laurel Valley High School in Johnstown, Pa. He arrived at the Air Force Academy with much determination and motivation to succeed. We met on ablind date at Arnold Hall when Tom was asophomore and we married in June 1964. We celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary one week before his death. Tom was a member of the 3rd Squadron (RTBs) at the academy. He graduated in 1962 with aB.S. (double major). He received his M.S. and E.A.A. de¬ grees from M.l.T. in Boston. Tom served as an officer in the Air Force for seven years.

Tom’s accomplishments include working as agraduate instructor at M.l.T. and teaching at U.C.C.S. and Colorado Technical College in the field of engineering. He worked as aresident engineer and representa¬ tive, an inertial scientist and an assistant chief scientist at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory at M.l.T. He was aresearch general physics scientist of Air Force Systems Command in Cambridge, Mass.

He was atechnical investigator at Research, Analysis and Develop¬ ment in Colorado Springs. He was also managing director of Research and Development Offices at Scott Science and Technology in Colorado Springs.

In addition to the above accomplishments, Tom served as president of the following companies: Rhoades and Associates, VITEX, Western Consortium, Inc., Hydro-Transfer, Inc., and AMP Properties, Inc. Tom most recently worked as a financial consultant.

Tom had avariety of other interests including stamp collecting, coin collecting, chess, basketball, computers and the stock market. He also gready enjoyed spending time with his family. Our children Kristina and Michael would like to share these thoughts about their dad:

Lynwood “Lyn"H. Luebke, ‘65

As aman Tom was without equal, as afather he was beyond com¬ pare, and as ahusband he was every bit the noble storybook hero few ever dared to believe possible. With his passing we all lose some of the purity and beauty we hold so dear. We’ve lost one of the remarkable ones. His strength, compassion and integrity serve as ashining ex¬ ample for us to follow. He was the love of our lives.

Our life together began and ended at the Academy. Tom’s service was held at the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel and interment with full military honors followed at the Air Force Academy Cemetery on June 25, 1998.

Tom’s survivors include his wife, Sandra, children Kristina and Michael, and nephew Mark Johnson. He is also survived by his mother, Helen, and brothers Ray and Jim of Georgia, and Jeff and Dave of Penn¬ sylvania. (Sandra Rhoades)

Lynwood “Lyn"H. Luebke, ‘65

Lynwood H. (Lyn) Luebke, Class of’65 (CS-21), graduated with aB.S. in aerospace engineering and aregular commission as asecond lieuten¬ ant in the U.S. Air Force. He was acommand pilot with over 3,200 hours of flight time, 650 of which were combat hours in Southeast Asia. His flying experience was primarily in reconnaissance (RF-4C Phantom II) and forward air control (0-2). Lyn’s air operations experience included aircrew training and standardization/evaluation duties. Duty tours in¬ cluded assignments in Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and stateside at Hurlburt, Dyess, Shaw, Reese, Eglin andWright-Patterson Air Force Bases.

Classmates may recall Lyn’s skiing exploits; how he loved to down¬ hill. Lyn was amember of the Academy ski team his four years at the Academy. In recent years Lyn added in-line skates and an avid addic¬ tion for bicycles and bicycling to his repertoire.

Lyn put up agallant battle against cancer; we thought he'd won it. After surgery and six months of chemo and radiation therapy, Lyn quickly regained his strength, so much so that he successfully bicycled over 500 miles from Dayton to St. Louis. His friends established ame¬ morial grove at the entrance to the Mad River Trail Bikeway near Dayton in honor of Lyn. It is aplace for the weary to rest; and for those fortunate enough to have known Lyn, aquiet place to remember.

Lyn also held aMaster of Science degree in aerospace engineering, from the Air Force Institute of Technology. For 10 years of his military career, Lyn was in acquisition management in the Aeronautical Sys¬ tems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He managed the test and evaluation of the AGM-65D Imaging Infrared Maverick Missile during advanced and full-scale engineering development. He also managed the integration of the Maverick Missile with tactical ground support aircraft in the Air Force and Navy. Lyn planned and managed the beddown and site activation of the AGM-65 DIR Maverick into the Tactical Air Force inventory.

Lyn retired from the Air Force in 1985. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous Air Medals. Since 1985 he worked at the Veda Company (Veridian Corporation) in Dayton, Ohio where he was the program development manager. Lyn helped grow the Veda Dayton office’s business and employee base many times over. Lyn was amember of Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ohio and was active in all levels of the church body. He served the church as chairman of the congregation.

Lyn is survived by his wife of 31 years, Ida M. (Hodgetts); his son Bret A. Luebke of Tampa, Fla.; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Jeannete Noch of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., and Ada and Jack Thompson of Rogers

City, Mich.; nieces; nephews; great nieces; great nephews; aunts; uncles; cousins; and ahost of close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, and one brother.

Stephen L. Dyer, ’69 Lewis S. Henderson III, 72 with many scholastic and honorary awards. Of all these awards, Ithink he was the proudest of his Eagle Scout Badge and the God and Coun¬ try, Order of the Arrow.

Interment vnth military honors was in the Enon, Ohio Cemetery. His family, friends and colleagues truly miss his presence, humor, kind¬ ness, friendship, and wise counsel. [Col. John Michael Voipe, USAFRe¬ tired)

Carl Lavan Womack, ‘66

Col. (USAFR) Carl Womack died on Aug. 5, 1998 in Arkansas near his hometovm of Russellville. After two years at Arkansas Tech, Carl came to the Academy in June of ’62 to pursue his dream of flying. He imme¬ diately showed us his ability by being aDean’s List regular as well as serving on group staff. After graduation in ’66, he headed for Purdue University and earned amaster’s degree in astronautics (while also spending abit of time on the golf course developing alove for the game that would last throughout his life).

His planned March ’67 entry to pilot training was delayed six months while he recovered from aserious automobile accident. It was during this time that Carl married Karen Lawrence, who was the love of his life for over 31 years. Carl completed UPT at Vance in ’68, and after completing F-105 training at McConnell, headed for Southeast Asia. Carl spent the next three years atTakhli, Kadena and Korat flying Thuds and Weasels. During this time he earned aDistinguished Flying Cross among his many decorations. In ’72 he returned to the states and be¬ came afighter weapons instructor at Nellis.

Leaving active duty in ’73, he moved to Utah to become aReservist and Air Reserve technician flying F-105s and later F-16s at Hill. He held many operations jobs including operations officer and assistant deputy commander for Operations. It was people like Carl who had the vision and who were influential in bringing the capability and stan¬ dards of the Air Force Reserve to the point where Reserve units and active units are indistinguishable. Carl always did it right and expected the same of those around him. He demonstrated his versatility when, upon his promotion to colonel, he was assigned as deputy commander for Maintenance and performed superbly until his retirement from the Air Force Reserve in 1992. In ’85 he left his Air Reserve technician po¬ sition to work for the FAA as an aviation safety inspector and later a principal operations inspector, ajob he held until his death.

Carl loved to attend class reunions to renew old friendships and catch up on their lives and to talk about his family. Carl had two wonderful daughters, Michelle (we all knew her as Shelly) and Shannon, and two grandchildren, Davis and Jordan. He’d get that gleam in his eye when¬ ever he talked about them. He loved them very much.

Carl was interred in the Academy Cemetery on Aug. 13, with Karen, Shelly, Shannon, Davis and Jordan and many other family members, friends, and classmates at the ceremony. Our lives were enriched through his friendship. We will all miss him. (Reese Nielsen, ’66)

Stephen L. Dyer, ’69

Stephen L. Dyer, Class of 1969, died on Oct. 7, 1996, at his home in Floresville, Texas from an undetermined cause. Steve, as he was re¬ ferred to, is survived by two daughters, Kate and Robin Dyer; his mother, Majorie Vancil; asister, Susan Burns; agrandmother, Vernice Hickman; astepfather, stepsister and astepbrother.

Steve was born on June 15, 1947 in Fulton, Ky. to the late Royce L. Dyer and Marjorie Dyer Vancil. At the age of two years, Steve moved with his famiiy to Hickman, Ky. He graduated from high school in 1965

Steve entered the Air Force Academy in June of 1965 following his high school graduation. He graduated from the Academy on June 4, 1969 and was stationed at Columbus, Miss, where he earned his pilot wings. He then was assigned aC-130. He and his crew flew missions all over Europe and also carried supplies to the troops in Vietnam. Steve received his honorable discharge from the Air Force with the rank of captain on Feb. 28, 1977.

Upon his discharge from the Air Force, Steve enrolled at The Univer¬ sity of Texas in Austin where he received his BS degree in pharmacy. While working as apharmacist, he attended college in Denton, Texas and received his degree in computer science. Steve's “love to learn’’ and “want” for young people to realize what door can be opened through education lead Steve to Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. There he established and equipped their computer department.

Steve’s major outside interests were the theater and music. He was always joining atheater group in the town or city he was living in at the time. The follovnng is aparagraph from aletter that Ireceived after Steve’s death, from one ofhis closest friends, Gary Truitt. Ithink it pretty well sums up his outlook on life as afriend and aprofessional.

“Steve is one of the best friends 1have ever had. 1say this because he is still abest friend, and will always be so. We met in aplay, ‘A Thou¬ sand Clowns’, in 1980 or 1981. Iplayed the part ofhis big brother. Steve’s character was always on the move, hyperactive, doing, doing, doing, not unlike Steve’s life. Steve worked so hard all the time in his profes¬ sion and being involved in other activities. He was interested in help¬ ing other people and did alot to make others laugh through their tears. He was compassionate and caring, and made time to listen when people needed to talk. He was gifted intellectually but never put on airs or appeared to be better than anyone else. Steve was aone-of-a-kind good guy that Iadmire and love for all his qualities.” (Marjorie Dyer Vancil)

Lewis S. Henderson III, 72

Lewis S. Henderson III died of astroke on Oct. 2,1998 in Aurora, CO. Lew suffered aprior stroke on March 19,1995, which paralyzed his left side. This necessitated his medical retirement in November 1995. He was born in Pensacola, Fla. on Nov. 12, 1950 to Lewis and Betty Henderson.HegrewupinParsons,Kan.,graduatingfromParsonsHi^ School in 1968. His dream from the age of eight was to pursue amili¬ tary career. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1972. He was an exchange student at the L’Cole de’Air in 1971. He obtained amaster’s degree from the University of Texas, Austin, in 1984.

Lew served as asquadron commander and wing director of opera¬ tions at Lindsey Air Base, Rhein Main Air Base, and Sembach Air Base in Germany from 1987 to 1991. He was with the National Security Agency in Buckley Air National Guard Base from 1993 to 1995. He was employed by TRW at the time of his death.

Lewis and Cheryl Henderson were married in Sacramento, Calif, in 1977.

Survivors include adaughter, Brianna Henderson; two sons, Bradley and Benjamin Henderson, all of Aurora; mother, Betty Henderson, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; father, Lewis Henderson, of Parsons, Kan.; and asis¬ ter, Janelle Henderson, of Ft. Collins, Colo.

Lew was awonderful father and role model, very devoted to his God, his family and his country. Through much therapy and determination.

Carl Lavan Womack, ‘66

Byron E. Beal, 73

he regained the use of his leg but not his left hand. In spite of this handi¬ cap he worked every day and enjoyed taking his children on many out¬ ings. They especially enjoyed attending football games at the Air Force Academy. Lew was so proud of being agraduate of the Academy; he wanted to share this with his children.

He enjoyed his computer, was an avid reader, especially military his¬ tory, and was very active in his church. He was packing his bag to at¬ tend achurch retreat when he suffered asecond massive stroke which was fatal. Lew fought so valiantly to overcome his handicap, never com¬ plaining and never losing his sense of humor and absolute faith in God. He was an inspiration to everyone close to him; he did not know the meaning of giving up. His life on this earth was short but he lived every moment to the fullest.

Burial took place at the Air Force Academy Cemetery on October 9, 1998. Rest in peace my beloved son. {Betty Henderson)

Byron E. Beal, 73

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

Lt. Col. (Ret) Byron E. Beal died August 7at age 47 in Fairfax, Va. after aheroic fight against leukemia. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Margena, and two children, Jessica (18) and Joshua (16), all of Clifton, Va.; and by his sister, Dr. Deanna Fox, of Lenexa, Kan.

In May he was in excellent health; less than three months later he succumbed. That’s the horrific news; the good news is that every day of his life, Byron made this world abetter place to live. He knew what was truly important, laughed often and loudly, and excelled at the toughest challenges. Byron loved his family immensely. To them he was “the guy who was fiin on aroller coaster,” as well as the Dad and teacher who frequently told Jessica and Josh to “be leaders for good.” And he set agreat example for them: Byron Beal’s entire life was one of selfless service to God, family and country.

Byron was born in Hays, Kan., attended high school in PlainvUle with Margena, graduated from the USAF Academy with aBS degree, and later earned an MS in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas. He lived “duty, honor, country” throughout 22 years of admi¬ rable service in the United States Air Force, and subsequently contin¬ ued his commitment to the Air Force under the employment of Space Applications Corporation with signi fi cant contributions to air power in the areas of air superiority, GPS applications, and the employment of precision weapons. Along the way he praised God with his com¬ manding bass voice in many church choirs, as aPromise Keeper, and in his spiritual leadership as adeacon, small group leader, adult teacher, and member of the Men’s Ministry Council.

The career highlights of this 6’4” gentle giant’s life are innumerable, but several epitomize Byron’s essence. Amodest mid-Westerner who was exceedingly smart, Byron arguably was more involved in the suc¬ cessful fielding and employment of the AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) than anyone else. From 1984 to 1988 while as¬ signed at George AFB, Calif, to the Air Force Operational Test and Evalu¬ ation Center and to the Tactical Air Warfare Center, Byron spearheaded the testing, modeling, and integration of the HARM onto the F-4G de¬ fense suppression aircraft. After aone-year remote to Korea, in 1990, he was assigned to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, where he masterfully instructed and trained aircrews in HARM employment. When the Gulf War began, Byron was out front leading combat missions in his HARMloaded F-4G; he flew 18 combat missions and was awarded the Distin¬ guished Flying Cross for his heroic efforts. His service continued long after the war ended as he accumulated additional combat time in post-

Gregg William Lewis, ’92

war missions over northern and southern Iraq in Operations PROVIDE COMFORT and SOUTHERN WATCH, respectively.

Due to his leadership and dedication, he was handpicked to com¬ mand the combined USAFE-TAC F-4G unit at Dhahran AB, Saudi Arabia, during the post-war operations. In my opinion, Byron’s contri¬ butions had overwhelming importance. The effective employment of the HARM was absolutely crucial to the success of the Gulf War’s de¬ fense suppression campaign, which enabled air superiority, which was the prerequisite for the ground campaign that concluded the war. Careerists in the Air Force have ridden to fame and general officer sta¬ tus on far less significant contributions. In his typical modest way, Byron said that he was just doing his job.

Byron’s brilliant service to our country paled in comparison to the courage he displayed in his final months. One morning in May, he woke up too sick to go to work. Ten days later he was admitted to the hospi¬ tal for tests and his condition quickly worsened. The doctors placed him on numerous antibiotics as his illness became life threatening and they were unable to make adiagnosis. Then, miraculously, Byron’s health improved and after afew days he was able to go home. Anxious to return his life to normalcy, he hosted aparty for 60 friends in cel¬ ebration of Jessica’s graduation. Margena and Byron celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on the same day Jessica graduated from high school. Ashort while later though, the illness returned and Byron found himself back in the hospital. During athird hospitalization, tests re¬ vealed leukemia. As he underwent chemotherapy treatments, Byron prayed and fought bravely to live. His suffering was mercifully ended just 10 days after leukemia was diagnosed.

Margena, Jessica and Joshua celebrate his life and continue his ex¬ ample as “leaders for good” in world-class fashion. Byron, we’ll always remember you with admiration and love. (Jim Allgood, ‘73)

Gregg William Lewis, '92

Gregg William Lewis was born on March 3, 1970, in Winston-Salem, N.C. to Bill and Sandy Lewis. He died Sept. 3,1998, with 11 others in a helicopter accident just outside of NeUis Air Force Base, Nev.

Knovm as “Butch” to his Academy friends, Gregg is remembered as aloving husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, and the kind of person who brought others together. In the days following his death, friends and family gathered at his home to teU stories and share memories. Some reciled the many squadron celebrations Gregg and his wife. Laurel, held at their house. Others told of the card games and board games played at his kitchen table. My wife and Ilaughed at the way Gregg would neatly eat an ear of corn one row at atime. One of his Academy classmates speculated that he was probably the only cadet who could get away with cranking up the soundtrack to “The Little Mermaid” on his cadet stereo while soaking up rays in the quad.

Following his Academy graduation from the 26“' squadron in 1992, Gregg attended pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. While stationed at Columbus, Gregg met his wife. Laurel Lee, at alocal pool hall. They were married in Columbus in May of 1994. Immediately following the ceremony, Gregg was pantsed by his best friends, and brothers Mark and Geoff, and his friend Lance.

As asearch and rescue pilot, Gregg flew Hueys and Blackhawks. Af¬ ter helicopter training, Gregg and Laurel and their dog Harlem spent time at Hill and Nellis Air Force Bases. In their spare time they ful¬ filled some dreams by running half-marathons, traveling to Europe and Hawaii, and attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the NBA Finals in Utah. While deployed to faraway places

. Melvin Brice Simpson, ‘95 like Turkey and Kuwait, Gregg would help the local merchants and rug dealers. An excellent houseguest, Gregg would always eat seconds and thirds no matter what the cuisine.

In remembering Gregg, his mother is thankful that he knew lovethat in his life, he both gave and received love. His priorities were God and family. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to An¬ nunciation Catholic Church in Columhus, Miss. In his honor, think of him fondly and celebrate every day. The motto of the 66“' Rescue Squad¬ ron states, “These things we do that others may live.” In his short time with us, Gregg also taught us that the way we live our lives can enrich the lives of those around us as well. We were blessed to have known him. (Ray Wright, Class of1987, brother-in-law and friend)

Melvin Brice Simpson, ‘95

Melvin Brice Simpson was laid to rest Sept. 23, 1998, at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery following services at the Protes¬ tant Cadet Chapel. Family, friends, commanders, and peers traveled from around the world to pay their last respects; witnessing atearful service. This was followed by aproud graveside ceremony conducted by the Cadet Wing Honor Guard, and included aspirited missing-man formation performed by the 62d FTS, Brice’s FTU squadron from Luke AFB.

Brice was born April 16, 1973 to his parents, Charlie and Nancy Simpson. He has an older brother, Grant, of Louisville, Ky. Brice grew up excelling in all endeavors, spending much of his free time playing soccer, the sport he loved. After asuccessful career at Fern Creek High School, he left his homeland of Kentucky for the Air Force Academy in June of 1991. He began his cadet career with the Blackbirds of Ca¬ det Squadron 28.

Anthony Cillo, Early Academy Staff Member, Dies at 70

Lt. Col. Anthony R. Cillo, USAF (Ret), died on Nov. 10,1998 in Santa Fe, N.M. of aheart attack. Lieutenant Tony Cillo, aRutgers ROTC graduate, became one of the initial Academy cadre members when he was assigned to the Physical Education staff at the Academy Lowry AFB site in January 1955. Members of the early classes remember in particular Cillo’s instruction in judo and unarmed combat tech¬ niques and his intense determination to insure that all learned the correct techniques.

Captain Tony Cillo returned to the Academy in the mid-60s where he remained until his retirement from active duty in 1974. During this time he was responsible for the elevation of Academy lacrosse from aclub sport to avery respected intercollegiate team. He was also the project officer for the field house and served as assistant director of Athletics during his tenure.

After leaving active duty, Cillo designed the multimillion-dollar health and fitness facility for USAA at its San Antonio headquarters. He subsequently accepted aposition at the University of Denver where he ultimately served as their athletic director from 1981 until his retirement in 1987.

Tony Cillo was buried at the Academy Cemetery on Nov. 16. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Gerry; their two sons, Michael and Patrick, and three grandchildren.

Following his fourthclass year, Brice moved to the Grim Reapers of Cadet Squadron 31 where he met his best friend and roommate, Mark Sotallaro. Over their remaining years of Academy life, Brice and Mark lived up the good times and endured the hard times together like the brothers they became. It was also Mark who introduced Brice to his wonderful future wife, the former Miss Katie Newton of Aurora, Colo., during our secondclass year.

Following graduation, Brice remained at the Academy working as the administrative assistant to the athletic director’s executive of fi cer. His free time during the seven months of casual status gave Brice time to enjoy the Colorado Springs area he had been grudgingly too busy to enjoy during his cadet days, and to build and strengthen those friendships he so cherished. Most of all, casual status gave Brice time to solidify his relationship with the love of his life, Katie.

Brice’s pursuit of his dream of flying led him to Sheppard AFB where he earned his wings and atrip to Luke AFB for F-16 FTU. However, before reporting to Luke AFB something very big was in store. Brice married Katie on Aug. 9, 1997, consummating one of the most bril¬ liant love affairs anyone who knew them had ever seen. Together, “Mellie" (as she liked to call him) and Katie then traveled to Luke AFB where Brice excelled as an FTU distinguished graduate. Brice and Katie then decided on Misawa, Japan as the next stop on their jour¬ ney. After afew months of visiting family and friends, they departed for Japan and the 14th Fighter Squadron. His letters from Japan were filled with humorous stories of adjusting to life and anew culture. It was obvious how proud he was to be amember of the Samurai War¬ riors and how happy he was with his new life with Katie.

On July 24, 1998, an attempted abort resulted in Brice ejecting from his F-16 on the runway at Misawa AB, Japan. His parachute carried him back into the burning wreckage where he was severely burned, but saved by the heroic efforts of SSgt Miguel Perez and five members of the Japanese Defense Forces. After surviving amiraculous trans¬ pacific medivac flight, he spent the next two months in the Institute of Surgical Research Burn Unit at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), surrounded by his wife, family, and friends. Each day, Brice fought for life, we prayed, the BAMC staff worked harder, and Mark sent out e-mails of the day’s events. The battle came to an end Sept. 16, 1996, with avaliant attempt by adedicated BAMC staff that had become as emotionally attached to Brice as the hundreds of people who waited up each night to hear the news of the fight.

To those who knew him, Brice was aquiet man with apowerful pres¬ ence. He was aman of integrity, principle, and conviction. He achieved his dreams living astorybook life mth his storybook love. He was befriended and admired by everyone who met him, and if you really got to know him, he showed you what loyalty really meant. He is survived by his beloved wife, Katie, his loving parents, and his brother Grant.

Brice will be missed by more people than such ahumble man could have imagined. To those who showed their love and support during his time of trial, Ithank you on behalf of Katie and his family. To my friend, Ilook up with asmile. See you upstairs bud. (P’ Lt. Jason Bailey, ’95)

At press time we had learned of the deaths of the following gradu¬ ates:

Lt. Col. (Ret) Earl D. Aman, Class of 1961, who died on Oct, 15,1998 of Lou Gehrig’s disease in San Antonio, Texas.

Lewis M, Fant, Class of 1964, who died on Sept. 23,1998 of cancer in Rockford, Ifl

Donald J. Shinafelt, Class of 1965, who died on Sept 13, 1998 of unknown causes in Vienna, Va.

Dr. Timothy G. Herbert, Class of 1970, who died on Aug. 3,1998 of cancer in Marshfield, Wis.

Lt. Col. (Ret) James R. Shirley, Class of 1970, who died on Nov. 10, 1998 of abrain embolism in Houston, Texas.

I2"“ Lt. Robert J. Strittmatter, Class of 1997, who died on Aug. 9, 1998 of injuries sustained in amotorcycle accident in San Marcos, Texas.

2"“ Lt Michael B. Harwell, Class of 1998, who died on Sept 4,1998, in amilitary helicopter crash near Nellis AFB, Nev.

Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of these gradu¬ ates.

Head Athletic Trainer, Jim Conboy, Remembered

By Staff Sgt. Roel Utley TheAcademy Spirit Staff

For 43 years, James Ignatius Conboy went to work at the Academy’s Field House. For 43 years, cadet athletes have benefited from Conhoy’s knowledge and care. For 43 years, Conboy has been apillar at the Acad¬ emy. After 43 years of devout service to the Academy, Conboy was fi¬ nally laid to rest at the Academy cemetery following amemorial ser¬ vice in the Cadet Chapel on Oct. 26. Nearly 2,000 people attended.

Conboy died on Oct. 21 at Penrose St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs at the age of 74. He never missed afootball game until he was found unconscious outside his home hours before the Oct. 10 Navy game. Conboy was an honorary member of the Association of Gradu¬ ates. “I don’t know of any other single person at the Academy who’s touched as many lives as he did,” said Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, Academy superintendent. “There isn’t an athlete that has come through that doesn’t know him.

Conboy was remembered during retired Brig. Gen. Ruben Cubero’s reflection of his encounter with the Conboy family, whom he knew for 41 years. Cubero, former Dean of the Faculty, noted that had it not been for Conboy’s “elaborate taping technique,” his football career would have been over before it even started.

Cubero went on to say that after being assigned to the Academy as an instructor, he moved into the Conboy neighborhood. “One day, my son came to me saying one of the Conboy kids had beat him up,” Cubero said. It turned out to be nine-year-old Megan. The general also remembered seeing Conboy every Saturday at the evening mass. “Sorry father, but Ijust wanted to get it out of the way,” Cubero said. Jim was there because he knew that teams that played Friday or Satur¬ day would need him Sunday morning in the training room. And he wanted to be there for them, according to Cubero.

CSC Patrick Ashdown Dies in Climbing Accident

Patrick graduated from Parkside High School in Salisbury, Md., in 1996, and in June of that year he fulfilled along-standing dream and entered the United States Air Force Academy. After completing his Ba¬ sic Training, he became amember of the Cadet Squadron 40 Warhawks. His great sense of humor and independent spirit helped many asquad¬ ron mate cope with the rigors of Academy life.

Patrick was atotally selfless person -always ready to help someone else, always acaring confidant to his friends. He was amember of the Karate Club, and enjoyed the rigorous challenges of that sport. He loved the freedom of soaring and felt very much at home close to nature, hiking and camping. He was also an accomplished poet.

Patrick stated that his greatest inspiration was his family; he loved them deeply, and was grateful for the love and support they unfail¬ ingly gave him. He planned to share that caring spirit with fellow ca¬ dets as aflight specialist during the coming year.

Patrick was aproud cadet, atalented and caring young man, andmost of all -an unabashedly loving son, brother, and friend. We will miss his loving spirit, his fierce independence, his great humor...his vibrant presence among us.

Jim Conboy

Cubero also shared some of Jim Conboy’s last moments. After being in acoma for awhile, Conboy temporarily regained asort of conscious¬ ness. He understood his family’s love and concern for him. Then he fell back into acoma. Before he died, Conboy’s children heard him talking to his wife, Jean, who died at age 46 of cancer. “He wasn’t talk¬ ing about her. He was talking to her. It seemed his wife had come for him. To show him the way through the light,” Cubero said. “It was a wonderful, beautiful ending to awonderful, beautiful love story.

Conboy’s kindness was evident in all he did. “I only knew ‘Doc’ for two years, but in those two years Ihad my fair share of injuries and such that Igot to know him pretty well, said basketball player Cadet 2"'* Class Billy Humphrey. "It seemed like he just lived and breathed in that training room. The guys on the team called him ‘Doc’ or ‘Daddy.” It was like he really was afather to everyone on the team.

Conboy’s achievements are not only recognized at the Academy. He was inducted into the National Athletic Trainer’s Hall of Fame in 1980 and received the 1990 Pioneer Award of the Rocky Mountain Trainers’ Association. The Colorado Athletic Trainers Association annually pre¬ sents ascholarship in his name to an outstanding student athletic trainer. “If ameasure of aman is determined by his willingness to give, Jim is agiant”, Cubero said.

OBITUARY POLICY OUTLINED

We have had anumber of inquiries on our policy concerning obituaries for deceased graduates and cadets. Some graduates have noted that while we have listed agraduate’s death in the “At Press Time” section of “Gone But Not Forgotten,” the graduate’s obituary never appeared in the magazine.

Our policy is to write to the next-of-kin areasonable amount of time (usually two weeks or so) after the death, and request from that individual (wife, parent, etc.) an obituary written by aclass¬ mate, friend or family member. We also ask for copies of obituaries which might have appeared in local newspapers. If we do not have acurrent photograph, we ask the next-of-kin to lend one to us (the photo is returned when the magazine is published).

If we do not receive aresponse to our first letter from the next-of-kin in amonth, we write afollow-up letter asking for the obituary again and informing the individual that this will be our last request for the article. If we do not receive aresponse to our second letter, an obituary is not published.

When obituaries are published, we give the next-of-kin aone-year complimentary associate membership in the association beginning with the magazine in which the obituary appears. When the one-year membership expires, we invite the next-of-kin to join as a regular associate member if she/he desires.

Another question often asked when adeceased graduate is alife member of the association is whether the life membership trans¬ fers to the graduate’s spouse. Life membership dues have been com¬ puted on the life expectancy of the graduate and are therefore not transferable to the graduate’s spouse, unless of course the life mem¬ bership was joint, in which case it does transfer to the spouse.

C3C Patrick Ashdown

Cadet Third Class Patrick Ashdown was born on May 26, 1978 in Ot¬ tawa, 111., the son of Tony and Linda Ashdown. He died in aclimbing accident at the Air Force Academy on April 24, 1998.

Academy Burial Policies/Procedures Outlined

The Association of Graduates receives queries from time to time con¬ cerning burial policy at the Academy as it affects graduates, cadets and others. The point of contact for official advice on this subject is the Mortuary Affairs Office at the Academy (http://www.USAFA.af mil/svk/ mortuary/htm.j. USAFAInstruction 34-501 spells out the requirements in detail. This article will attempt to condense the regulation and out¬ line answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions. Please note this is not an official policy statement.

The Mortuary Affairs Office is available to answer any questions re¬ garding funeral arrangements in relation to preparation of alast will and testament. Any funeral conducted on the Air Force Academy grounds will be arranged by the Mortuary Affairs Office. Examples of services provided are arranging chapel service; opening and closing of grave; burial vault, bronze marker, full military honors for those eli¬ gible; arranging for areception following the funeral service; and lodg¬ ing accommodations (if available). For further information contact Janet Edwards at (719) 333-3323 or by e-mail at EdwardsTA.sv@usafa.af.miD

Eligibility for interment of remains in the Academy Cemetery encom¬ passes numerous categories. All authorized military personnel must have been discharged under honorable conditions.

Graduates of the Air Force Academy, their spouses, unremarried widow or widower, and dependent unmarried children under age 23 are generally eligible. Dependents over 23 may be eligible under cer¬ tain conditions. Any subsequent service of the graduate in the Uni¬ formed Services of the United States must have been under honorable conditions and no graduate will be denied interment without the ap¬ proval of the superintendent. Eligible persons who die prior to the death of the graduate may be interred only if the graduate sponsor signs an agreement indicating an intention to be interred in the cemetery upon his or her death.

Among other eligibility categories for Academy Cemetery burial are cadets, Air Force personnel assigned to the Academy between July 11, 1955 and Sept. 10, 1957; and Air Force cross-commissioned officer graduates of West Point or Annapolis who have retired with at least 20 years of uniformed service. Former superintendents, vice superinten¬ dents, commandants, deans, chiefs of staff, appointed directors of Ad¬ missions, directors of Athletics, permanent professors, tenured faculty officers, sequential-tour staff officers, (formally continuous-tour staff officers), preparatory school commanders, and Air Base Wing com¬ manders are also eligible, as are senior enlisted advisors. Also eligible are Academy Board of Visitors members with prior distinguished mili¬ tary service. Air Force Cross recipients, and all Medal of Honor recipi¬ ents, regardless of branch of service.

Air Force military personnel assigned to the Academy or to tenant units at the Academy at the time of death are also eligible. This does not include non-Academy personnel who are assigned on PCS orders to the Academy Patient Squadron Section of the Academy Hospital.

i:

All active and retired Air Force generals and lieutenant generals are also eligible.

For those eligible, grave reservations will not be assigned before an actual interment requirement. When the need arises, vwitten or oral application should be made by the next of kin to Mortuary Affairs, lO* Services/SVMM, 5135 Eagle Drive, Suite P106, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 80840-2618. Only one gravesite will be used for the interment of persons involved in the spouse or parent-child relationship. However, when an infant child is interred in the child section, the.sponsor is still entitled to asite in the adult section.

The decision on whether to inter an individual in the children’s or adult section will be based on whether the casket selected fi ts the gravesite and vault in the children’s section. Also, the family may de¬ cide if they want the individual interred in the children’s section or in a family plot in the adult section. The memorial section of the cemetery is restricted to memorial markers for generally all eligible individuals whose remains are nonrecoverable, not identified, cremated and scat¬ tered, buried at sea, or donated to medical science.

Funerals are normally scheduled Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 2p.m. Funerals are not normally held on legal holidays or weekends due to logistical requirements. All funeral flyovers will be conducted in accordance with Academy Instruction 11-209, Command Coordination and Control of Aerial Events. The normal flight path for funeral flyovers is south to north

Memorial Ceremony Impresses Cadet

The Homecoming Memorial Ceremony, this year held on Oct. 2, honors graduates and cadets who have died since the last year’s cer¬ emony. With the cadet squadrons in formation on the terrazzo, the names of the deceased cadets and graduates are read one by one over the public address system vUth acadet in that individual’s squadron answering, “Absent Sir!” The ceremony is followed with amissing-man aircraft flyby.

This year’s ceremony prompted C2C Eric W. Schmidt to submit the following to the Academy’s Public Affairs Office:

“Every year, the Homecoming retreat ceremony reminds me of all the reasons Icame here, and why I’m so proud of the Air Force and what we stand for. With all the cynicism and doubt that hovers over the Cadet Wing, Ifind that for this ceremony, it vanishes, replaced by the honest love for brothers and sisters in the profession of arms. For this, Iam reminded of the bond that ties all of us to the same family. To those now gone, and those left behind, atribute to their service and sacri fi ce:”

RoU Can

Silence floats on heavy cloak

To settle in with memory

And garrison flies haif up mast.

Colors screaming of liberty.

There’s red on white for blood of life.

Blue for brothers born to fly.

And stars that hold the hopes of men

Whose names we hold on high.

And now the ghostly quiet shatters hard against the words:

"Absent, Sir!!!”

Shadows wander across the land

Asign of things we can’t defy

But underneath the stars tonight

Will roam the keepers of the sky.

Atoast to brothers, sisters gone

Atribute every precious year

For now on angel’s wings they fly And keep us free of fear.

The holes within the steadfast ranks reverberate the words:

“Absent, Sir!!!”

And tears shall fl ow like rivers

From the strongest of our eyes

As afterburners snatch their souls

And fling them to the sky.

Col. Vic Andrews, '66, and ClCShawnaWartner, cadet vice wing com¬ mander, lay the wreath at the Graduate War Memorial during the Me¬ morial ceremony at Homecoming 1998.

LETTERS TO THE AOG

1963 Reunion Chairman

Praises AOG’s Efforts

Richard M. Coppock, President/CEO Association of Graduates, USAFA

Dear Dick,

This is just aquick note to express the ap¬ preciation of the Class of 1963 for the out¬ standing reunion support provided by the As¬ sociation of Graduates. Our 35-year reunion was an unqualified success, and much of the credit for that belongs to the dedicated efforts of your staff.

As you know, afamily emergency caused me to have to drop out of the final preparations less than aweek before the class started gath¬ ering. When Ireturned to Colorado Springs on the second evening of the reunion, Iimme¬ diately started receiving plaudits for how well Ihad organized everything. Iwas abit sur¬ prised, then realized after reviewing the re¬ union packets that the great organization was obvious in the way the packets were structured and in the information they included. That work was done by your people, so by the next day, 1started reminding my enthusiastic class¬ mates that the AOG was where that apprecia¬ tion was due.

As Itold so many of them, we could not have such agreat reunion without the support and guidance of the AOG. As always, Jock Schwank provided the continued counsel and support through the months of preparation for this special reunion. He is always superb to work with (as he was when Iran our 30-year reunion in 1993), and Igreatly respect his advice. This year, Ialso worked closely with LaniWing. She was always helpful and kept things running smoothly at your end. Iknow there are many others who deserve our thanks as well from their support at registration up through the events at Doolittle Hall, which added so much to the experience. Aspecial thanks goes to those who did all the work to permit us to have our class cups available for the toast to fallen classmates at our Memorial Service on Friday afternoon. That ceremony was unforgettabie and added greatly to the reunion experience. The Showing of Return with Honor helped make the weekend special, as well. Those who missed it were disappointed and want to know when their next opportunity will be to view what is an outstanding AOG production.

Over all the parade, flyovers, victory over Navy, tailgate. Memorial Service, camaraderie, and many other events made this areunion to remember. On Sunday, many classmates were declaring this the best USAFA Class of 1963 reunion yet. It very likely was, and we appre¬ ciate the help of the AOG in making that hap¬ pen. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Sincerely,

Jimmie H. Butler, Colonel, USAF, Retired Class of 1963 Reunion Chairman

ATO Questions Need to Name Father of Air Force Academy

Dear Editor;

Idetected in the summer issue of Checkpoints anote of competition for the title of “Father” of the Air Force Academy. Although Ido not know the circumstances, Ihope that the Academy will resist the pressure to assign that role to any single individual.

It appears that Sylvanus Thayer is the gener¬ ally (maybe officially) recognized “father” of West Point. Annapolis, to the best of my knowl¬ edge, has no designated “father” and gets along very well without one, although George Bancroft is given much credit for the success of the Naval Academy.

The reason not to name a“father” is that the successful status of the Air Force Academy to¬ day is the result of the work of many people. When Thayer was at West Point, the entire Army was probably smaller than the present Cadet Wing, so there was much more association of the institution with asmall group of individu¬ als. Similarly, West Point at that time was part of the military establishment of asmall, in¬ wardly focused, new country not yet even continentally oriented. Compare that to the inter¬ national, multi-faceted arena in which the Air Force Academy has operated since its creation.

Many of the people who have contributed to the Air Force Academy have received well-de¬ served recognition in awards and commenda¬ tions, and some have had buildings or other fa¬ cilities named after them. However, the "father” designation can only be given to asingle per¬ son. Advocating one candidate will inevitably lead to disparaging the contributions and ef¬ forts of others, and will create an unhealthy and unnecessary contention among the graduates.

Iam certain that those who might qualify for the honor would rather forego it than see such asituation arise.

It is hard to imagine that we would enhance the images of Billy Mitchell, or Hap Arnold, or Curtis LeMay if we were to designate one of them as the "father” of the Air Force. Similarly, the potential "fathers” of the Air Force Academy are already well enshrined in its memory Pick¬ ing one over the others would merely be some very sticky and unnecessary icing on the cake.

Sincerely,

Kim Bassett (ATO)

Vietnam War Memorial Poem Offers Therapy for Veterans

Lt. Co). (Ret)

Richard Coppock Association of Graduates, USAFA

Dear Dick, Here are two variations on the presentation in Aide Magazine (USAA Magazine) of my

grandson’s essay about the Vietnam Memorial. Peter wrote it for a7* grade assignment in 1987. These are for you personally and you have my permission to publish the poem in Checkpoints, if you are interested. (Editor's note: General McDermott's correspondence included copies of the pages in the magazine where his grandson's poem appeared within abox inserted into alarge photograph of the huge black granite Vietnam War Memorial.)

Obviously, Iam aproud grandfather. So is Pe¬ ter Moody, USMA, the other grandfather, who taught at West Point and served as permanent professor of USAFA’s English Department when Iwas Dean.

My renewed interest in broadcasting Peter’s es¬ say is the direct result of seeing “Saving Private Ryan." That was good therapy for WWII veter¬ ans. This might be good therapy for Vietnam veterans.

Sincerely,

Robert F. McDermott USAA Chairman Emeritus

REMEMBER

Here Istand, huge, dark and angular, firmly planted in the ground. 1cannot move, but Ihave the power to move others.

Those who see me see fear, confusion, courage, sacri fi ce.

They hear crying, laughing, an explosion of noises, adreaded silence.

Some look at me with pride, while others turn away in disgust. Yet no one greets me with indifference, for lama part of mankind.

It is man's needs and greeds that brought me into being.

Iam the rich and the poor, the good and the bad, the brave and the cowardiy.

Iam one and Iam many.

When you look at me, remember aboy barely out of his teens calling for his mother.

Remember afather who never got to see his child.

Remember aman who knows the burden of sending others to aprobable death.

Iam America's blood, her anguish, and her strength.

No matter what you think of the cause, when you look at me see the faces of those whose names Ibear. Never let their valor be forgotten.

Here Istand for all eternity, so that the memory of those who died in the Vietnam War will live on.

Peter Richard McDermott, T* Grade

Carl Sandburg Intermediate School

Alexandria. Virginia (1987)

SACC Service Academy Career Conference

April 22-24, 1999

What is the SACC?

The SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference sup¬ ported by the Alumni Associations from the US Naval Academy and US Coast Guard Academy and Associations of Graduates from the US Military Academy and the US Air Force Academy. The eight previous conferences were attended by 200 different companies and 4000 alumni.

Where will the SACC be held?

The Spring 1999 SACC vrill be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Pentagon City in Arlington, VA. You may obtain a room at the Ritz by calling 800-241-3333 or 703-415-5000 for reservations and asking for the SACC rate.

Who will be the candidates?

The candidates are all alumni of the service academies. These individuals have learned the lessons of leadership, integrity and time management during their undergradu¬ ate years. These skills have been honed and tested dur¬ ing active duty military service in afast-paced operational environment. The highest sense of personal honor and commitment to getting the job done are common traits among our alumni.

Alumni of the service academies are atrue representa¬ tion of our multi-cultural society and span the experience levels from entry to senior executive.

Alumni of the service academies have astrong background in technical course material as well as demonstrated lead¬ ership and management skills. Over 50% have postgradu¬ ate degrees.

What is the SACC schedule?

The tentative schedule for the SACC is as follows:

Thursday April 22, 1999

● 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm -Recruiter check-in and receipt of resume books and electronic versions of resumes.

Friday April 23, 1999

● 7:30 am -Set up of displays in Ballroom

● 10:00 am to 1:00 pm -Open Session I

●' 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -Recruiter Break

● 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm -Open Session II

Saturday April 24, 1999

● Interviews as scheduled by company recruiters

What is the company registration fee?

The company registration fee is $2000/ 1st table with ad¬ ditional tables being obtained for $1000/2nd table, $750/ 3rd table, $500/4th table. This fee entitles acompany ac¬ cess to the best candidates in corporate America: open sessions to meet with candidates; opportunities for on¬ site interviews. For each table reserved, acompany re¬ ceives hard copies of all resumes submitted and an elec¬ tronic version of the resumes with search software.

Please Note: This fee does not cover the cost of your room at the hotel. You must make sepa¬ rate room reservations hy calling 800-241-3333 or 703-415-5000 and asliig for the SACC rate.

SACC

What is the SACC?

The SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference sup¬ ported by the Alumni Associations from the US Naval Academy and US Coast Guard Academy and Associations of Graduates from the US Military Academy and the US Air Force Academy. The eight previous conferences were attended by 200 different companies and 4000 alumni. Where will the SACC be held?

The Spring 1999 SACC will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Pentagon City in Arlington, VA. You may obtain a room at the Ritz by calling 800-241-3333 or 703-415-5000 for reservations and asking for the SACC rate. You may also choose from other hotels available in the area, or think about renewing relationships with classmates in the area.

How to register for the SACC:

1. Insure your AOG membership is current since this ser¬ vice is offered to association members only.

2. Complete the Electronic Resume AND Attribute Pro¬ gram Disk obtained through the AOG for $25 (see order form in Checkpoints or call (719) 472-0300. Return the completed disk to the AOG (3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy CO 80840-4475) but keep acopy. Disks must absolutely be returned NIT March 19, 1999 in order to be provided to recruiters at this conference,

a. If you submitted an alectronic version of your re¬ sume to the Joint Academies Resume Service database after October 1,1998, it will be included in the SACC Elec¬ tronic Resume Database,

b. Disks recieved after March 19,1999, although not provided to recruiters at this SACC, will be entered into the Joint Academies Resume Service database for distri¬ bution to subsequent potential employers,

c. Recruiters at previous SACC’s found the electronic database extremely helpful. Be sure your resume is ac¬ curate and complete.

’AService Academy Career Conference

Apia 22-24, 1999

3. Send the following to the SACC office (address helow) no later than March 19,1999.

a. Completed registration form, h. A$20 registration fee, payable to SACC.

c. Two hard copies of your resume (strictly limited to one page/one side). This resume should be the version that sells you the best, not necessarily the one generated using the Electronic Resume Service Program.

4. About ten days prior to the conference, you will received acon fi rmation notice with ade fi nitive schedule.

5. The tentative schedule for the SACC is as follows:

Thursday April 22, 1999

●Interview Prep Seminar at 7:00 pm

Friday April 23, 1999

●Registration opens at 9:00 am and continues through¬ out the day

●Two open sessions from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. In the ballroom, wander from table to table meeting face to face with recruiters from awide variety of companies.

Saturday April 24, 1999

●Recruiters may schedule individual interviews.

When attending the SACC, bring several copies of your resume to leave with recruiters since they review resumes collected at the conference and may contact candidates at alater date. Although employment is not guaranteed, the conference offers aunique chance to explore new career opportunities.

If you have any questions on this AOG membership ser¬ vice, please contact Wayne Taylor or Col (Ret) Jock Schwank at 719-472-0300 or DSN 333-4513 or E-mail: services@aog-usafa.org.

SACC CANDIDATE REGISTRATION FORM

Association of Graduates Available Member Benefits/Services

AOG offices are open Monday through Friday, 0730-1630 Mountain Time. For all offices, telephone: (719) 472-0300 (DSN: 333-2067/2073). E-mail: aog@aog-usafa.org.

CHECKPOINTS MAGAZINE—

your quarterly link to friends, classmates and the Academy.

REGISTER OP GRADUATES—

annual presentation of biographical information on all Academy graduates.

CHAPTERS—

support for some 29 chapters throughout the world.

AOG MASTERCARD—

favorable terms and credit limits from Air Acad¬ emy National Bank. (800) 365-5980

UNE OF CREDIT—

unsecured line of credit is available from MBNA America. To apply call l-800-527-3621and ask for priority code JGY2. You will receive adecision in as little as 15 minutes.

SCHOLARSHIPS—

●apreparatory school scholarship via the Falcon Foundation,

●post secondary scholarships to graduates’ chil¬ dren.

LOCATOR SERVICE—

need to find afellow graduate? We help!

SABER RENTAI^

sets of six for the military wedding.

TRAVEL SERVICE—

Year-round full-service travel program for vaca-

tion, business, speciai Academy events and re¬ unions. Call ABetter Way Travel Service at 1(800) 347-9002 and mention your AOG affiliation.

REUNION/HOMECOMINGScoordination and planning by your AOG.

MERCHANDISE/MEMORABRIA— Academy/AOG-unique items created especially for members.

AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE DISCOUNT—

2% over factory invoice on new Pontiacs and GMC trucks and receive ail applicable factory re¬ bates. Drop-shipping available. Contact the Com¬ mercial Sales Division, Ferguson Pontiac-GMC Thick (719) 596-5005/ (800) 782-0826/ fax (719)

596-7569

CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS—

special 10% discount rate from Budget: (800) 4552848 (AOG ID T507 400). You must present your AOG-provided Budget card when picking up your car.

HOTEL DISCOUNTS—

●save 10% at participating Ciarion, Comfort, Econo Lodge, Rodeway, Friendship,Quality and Sleep Inns, Hotels, Resorts -(800) 4-CHOICE. (Ask for the travelers discount for AFAAOG members, ID#C00041511).

●15% savings at Woodfin Suites- (800) 237-8811

Gradua te Dependen t Scholarship Criteria Outlined

Graduate Dependent Scholarships are being offered for the upcom¬ ing 1999 -2000 academic year. Recipients for these annual awards will be selected by the AOG Board of Directors Selection Committee. This AOG scholarship program is intended to directiy support post-secondary education for the children of AOG graduate members.

To be eligible to apply:

A. The applicant must be the child of either agraduate life member of the AOG or agraduate who has maintained annual member¬ ship for at least the five consecutive years immediately preced¬ ing the submission of the application package. AOG member¬ ship requirements for applicants who are children of deceased graduates will be evaluated on an individual basis by the selec¬ tion committee.

B. The appiicant must either be the graduate's natural child or le¬ gally-adopted child, but need not be financially dependent upon the graduate or his/her surviving spouse.

C. The applicant must agree to enroli as afull-time student, as de¬ fined by the institution, at acollege or university accredited by an appropriate regional or national accrediting body. The applicant’s program of study may be in any fieid at either the graduate or undergraduate levei.

D. The appiicant must have aminimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the six most-recent semesters as afull-time student.

The scholarship amount can be as high as $2,000 for the academic year and is paid in one lump sum directly to the student upon his/her demonstrated acceptance into the accredited institution. An individual may receive atotal of four of these annual scholarships, but they do not have to be applied for, or awarded, in consecutive years.

Scholarship award winners, as weli as those appiicants not selected to receive aschoiarship in agiven year, are encouraged to reappiy for schol¬ arships in subsequent years. These appiicants compete with all new ap¬ plicants for subsequent-year scholarship monies.

The number of schoiarships to be awarded each year and the doilar amount of each schoiarship is determined annually by the board of di¬ rectors. The schoiarship winners will be determined based on overall demonstrated merit. The deadline for receiving application packages is March 1for both initial applications and reapplications.

Send requests for applications forms and direct questions on this schoi¬ arship program to Coi. (Ret) Jock Schwank, AOG vice president. Services, Association of Graduates, 3116 Academy Drive, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840-4475 or call (719) 472-0300. E-mail: services@aog-usafa.org.

●an approximate 20% saving at the Embassy Suites Hotel of Colorado Springs. Call (719) 5999100 and ask for the AOG RSVIP Rate (excludes special and group events). You must present your AOG membership card on check-in.

●save 10-25% at the Radisson Inn North (formerly Sheraton Inn North) just outside the USAFA South Gate. Call (719) 598-5770 and ask for the Associa¬ tion of Graduates rate (excludes special or group events...discount depends on time of year and room availability). You must present your AOG membership card on check-in.

●save 50% at the Colorado Springs Marriott when traveling January, March, April and October, No¬ vember, December. Call (800) 962-6982 and ask for the AOG VIP Rate (excludes group, special events and promotional rates). Discount based on rack rates and subject to availability. Must present AOG membership card upon check-in.

● save 50% at the Sumner Suites of Colorado Springs when traveling January through April and November/December. Call (719) 265-9385 and ask for the AOG Special Rate (not valid for groups, spe¬ cial events or with any other promotion). Discount based on reguiar rate and is subject to availabliiity. AOG membership card required upon check-in.

Corporate Members

Association of Graduates, USAFA

Air Academy Federal Credit Union

Air Academy National Bank

Air Force Association

Ampex Corporation

Betac Corporation

The Boeing Company

Budget Rent aCar Corporation

CBS Insurance

Colorado Springs Marriott

Continental Electronics

(Division of Varian Associates, Inc.)

Electronic Data Systems Corporation

Embassy Suites Hotel of Colorado Springs

General Dynamics Corporation

Jostens, Inc.

The MITRE Corporation

Motorola, Inc.

Government Electronics Group

Northwestern Preparatory School PRC, Inc.

Rockwell International

Sumner Suites of Colorado Springs

TRW, Inc., Electronic &Defense Sector

United Parcel Service

United Services Automobile Association

United Technoiogies Corporation

USAF Academy Athletic Association

Walsworth Publishing of Colorado

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Defense &Eiectronic Center

Corporate memberships are being offered for $2,000 for the life of the corporation. With the exception of voting and holding office, corporate members enjoy aii privileges of regular members. For more information write to Col. (Ret) Jock Schwank, vice president, Services, Association of Graduates, 3116 Academy Dr., U.S. Air Force Academy CO 80840-4475. Phone (719) 472-0300. E-mail services@aog-usafa.org.

ANNOUNCING THE 1998 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

Mail:

AOG Ornament

3116 Academy Drive USAEA CO 80840-4475

Fax to: (719) 333-4194

Credit Card orders to: (719) 472-0300

POLARIS AND CROSSED SABERS (’98)

The m^or elements of the 1998 ornament have areplica of the Polaris superimposed over crossed sahers. Poiaris, the guiding light or true course, is symbolic of the steadfast virtues that guide the lives and decisions of cadets and graduates. The sabers, associated with positions of leadership and symbolic of the special commitment to adiscipiined miiitary way of life, are raised and crossed in asilent salute to those values ingrained in aii cadets. Both the Polaris and the sabers are traditionally associated with the cadet wing and are featured on the ciass rings of each graduate.

The Academy Falcon Prop and Wings (’97)

The Pegasus Statue (’94) (’95)

Symboiic of the origins of the US Air Force in the This marhie repiica of the mythical winged Chosen in 1955 by the first class (Class of ’59) Army Air Corps, the Prop and Wings are worn on horse is outside of the Association of Graduates as the official mascot of the Cadet Wing, the the cadet uniform and have been apart of the tra- building, Dooiittle Hali. It was presented to the faicon’s speed, powerful flight, temperament, and dition of the cadet wing since the first class entered Air Force Academy as agift of the Italian gov- courage make it afitting and proud symhoi for in 1955 ernment and was dedicated in 1959. The origi- the Air Force Academy, nal stands in Florence, Italy.

Enclosed is my check or money order made payable to: AOG Please charge my credit card: Visa or MasterCard ONLY

CHAPTER NEWS g

I’irSr. iki>^

Alamo Area Chapter

Get involved! As your San Antonio and other Alamo area grads read this issue of Check¬ points, your AOG chapter is probably busy put¬ ting together another great program for the coming year. We need your help and this means you! We don’t care what class you were in, what rank you are (or were) or whether you are retired or alocal tycoon. We want you for both an active member and active helper in putting the chapter’s programs together for 1999. And, no matter how active you plan to be in the chapter for the coming year, we are always interested in hearing your ideas for our programs.

What kinds of activities are coming up? Well, the best way to find an up-to-date rundown on our activities is to log on to the Internet and check out our web page at www.alamoaog.org. We’ll try to keep acurrent list of our programs as well as contacts for our current of fi cers on web. By the way, we’ve been looking for anew amateur webmaster so, if you are so inclined, give one of the officers acall or e-mail. The work involved in keeping our web page current is less than an hour amonth.

If you don’t have access to the web and want information on the chapter or our activities please feel free to contact Forrest James at (210) 498-1235, e-mail at Forrest.James@usaa.com; or Les Hobgood at (210) 599-3583, e-mail at lhobgood@ci.sat.tx;.us. We hope to see you at a chapter event soon. [Harry Icke, ’66, chapter president)

Arizona Chapter

On Sept. 25® Tim Furst, ’78, arranged for the USAFA graduates and their families to attend an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at the new Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. It is afirstclass facility and agood time was had by all.

On Jan. 31" we twill be having another annual Super bowl party, graciously hosted this year by Ron, ’71, and Barb Marusiak. Party time is one hour before kickoff through the end of the game. Pot luck with libations and beverages provided by the Marusiaks. The Marusiaks’ ad¬ dress is 5742 East Orange Blossom Lane, Phoe¬ nix, Ariz. 85018. Please RSVP by Jan 15. Phone (602) 949-5957. Previous hosts have Included Roy, ’72, Hendrickson, and John, ’81, and Debbie Mahoney, who we again thank for their hospitality for hosting the event and opening up their home and providing libations and bev¬ erages.

If you have recently moved to Arizona or have not received our mailings, please contact Jim Sienicki, ’74, at (602) 382-6351, or e-mail at sienicj@swlaw.com at Snell &Wilmer L.L.P to be added to the mailing list. If you have not paid your yearly chapter dues ($20 ayear) for 1998, please send your check to John Mahoney, 545 East Campina Drive, Litch fi eld Park, Ariz. 85340-4226, (602) 935-0203, e-mail; 72032.304@compuserve.com. In addition.

please e-mail or send your e-mail address to John Mahoney who is compiling e-mail ad¬ dresses, as well as your current address and telephone number so we can better serve you and cut down on some of our mailing expenses. (Jim Sienicki, ’74, Arizona Chapter president)

New England Chapter

Exciting things are happening in the New En¬ gland Chapter! Col. Bruce Hevey, Class of 75,

programs, and we will continue to do that to the maximum extent possible through avolun¬ tary donation opportunity available to our membership as well as through specific fund¬ raising activities.

Acouple of our recent successful activities have include sponsoring abooth at the Bos¬ ton (Hanscom) Air Show in early August, our annual AOG Golf Tournament, the Boston

Duck Tour, and the bus trip to the Air ForceArmy game. If you were there, you probably currently the director of the Combat Air Forces saw several of our younger and wilder memCommand and Control Systems Program Of¬ fice, has recently taken the reins from Coi. (Ret) Brian Kessler as the chapter president. Thank you, Brian, for ajob weU done!

Because of the tremendous success of a

hers painted from waist to hairiine in blue and silver cheering the crowd and team to victory. Also, afew days before the game. Comman¬ dant Brig. Gen. Steve Lorenz honored us by speaking at our annuai State of the Wing Dincouple of our recent events we are in the posi¬ tion of being able to do away with chapter Once again, you’re all members so come on membership dues. The bottom line is that if out and join us, we’d love to see you! Please join you are agraduate of the Air Force Academy when you can and keep us in your minds and live in the New England area then as of now when you can’t, you are welcomed as afull fledged member of por more information on the New Engiand the New England Chapter of the Association of Chapter and grad events in the New England Graduates. Welcome! ^^ea, please contact Lt. Josh McClure, DSN 478We hope that by waiving membership dues, io66 or mcclurej@hanscom.af.mii. (Josh we can increase participation at our events. McClure, '96) After all, the real purpose of the chapter is to get as many of us together as possible for so¬ cial and professional Interaction, as well as to keep updated on the state of health of our great institution, the United States Air Force Acad¬ emy. Another important role of the AOG is to raise money to support the Academy and it’s

How to Request Academy Staff as Speakers

In order to provide better assistance to AOG Chapters seeking speakers from the Academy, please submit aletter to HQ USAFA/XPAA, USAF Academy, Colo. 808405241, at least six months in advance, with the foliowing information: What, when, where? Who on the Academy staff would you like to have speak at your function? Also pro¬ vide the names of two other speakers you would like to have if your first or second choice is not avaiiable.

To aid speaker preparation, we will also need to know the audience, along with any particular interest of the group in any aspect of the Academy, and recommended speaker’s attire for the event. Piease include who will be in the audience (i.e., alums, spouses, parents’ clubs, Los, etc.) and what the occasion is for the event.

Apoint of contact for the event (i.e., name, address, home and work phone numbers) is needed to make the appropriate arrange¬ ments. You can call XPA at (719) 333-3832, DSN 333-3832, for initial inquiry but must back up your call with aletter requesting the speaker.

ner.

New York Chapter

Once again the New York Chapter, with the help of the AOG, hosted atailgate party at the Army game at West Point. On Friday, before the game, the New York chapter again hosted alun¬ cheon reception for the Superintendent and other Academy officials at the historic 7* Regi¬ ment Armory at Park Avenue and 66“' St. in New York City. Afull report twill appear in the next issue of Checkpoints.

For more information about the greater New York Chapter contact Ron Wishart, ’64, chapter secretary. Home phone (732) 431-4812. Ad¬ dress: 8Country Lane, Englishtown, N.J. 07726, e-mail rwishart@nvdailvnews.com. Or call chapter president Mike Galbreath, ’64, at (203) 845-2880. (Ron Wishart, ’64)

Puget Sound Chapter

It’s been abusy summer for the Northwest chapter. We kicked off our activities in August when we invaded Bill Markham’s, ’68, summer home on Anderson Island. The weather was great for acrowd of grads, family, and friends to gather under the sun and enjoy the friend¬ ship and fun. Thanks to Bill and Sherry for let¬ ting us use their place.

In September we held our annual golf tour¬ nament at McChord AFB. Several grads got to¬ gether to attempt to put that little ball in the hole. The tournament was "best ball” but that didn’t stop us from playing every square foot of the course. The balls were flying left, right, up and down but hardly ever dead center. At times it looked like we were playing agame of pool, moving the ball from one end of the green

to the other. By the end of the tournament the pressure was building on team members to make the most of their golfing skills and mini¬ mize the embarrassment. At the clubhouse, the scores were secretly tallied over some brew. Wouldn’t you know it -atie! Never fear Tiger Woods; the teams of John Banbury, ’69; Tom Crawford, ’72; Dave Hoglund, 74; Ken Bowers, ’68; and Joe Cavazzini, '82, are in aleague of their own.

In October the Navy alums sponsored the Joint Services Academy Dinner on the Spirit of Puget Sound. Future events include aski trip in February and our Annual Dark Ages Party sometime in the Spring. More details will fol¬ low in upcoming articles. The Chapter’s mem¬ bership drive is still active. If you’re interested in joining us please contact Art Kerr, '61, at (425) 836-0560 or Joe Cavazzini, ’82, at (425) 742-7630. (Joe Cavazzini, ’82)

North Texas Chapter

The old saying “Times flies when you’re hav¬ ing fun!” has described our North Texas group perfectly these past few months. If you’re in the North Texas area, jump on the wagon and en¬ joy the ride! Our Fall has been very busy with enough activities to keep any and all interested. Iencourage all grads in our area to join us and get involved. We have grads from Sheppard AFB to the north, to Dyess AFB in the west, and to the south as far as Austin. Heck, Hank Hofftnan (AAL 767 captain) has maintained his member¬ ship with us even after moving to Pompano Beach, Fla.! We must be doing something right. Our hotline phone number is (972) 618-1087.

Support Your Local AOG Chapter/Society

Do you want to know what is happen¬ ing with graduates in your area? Are you interested in establishing ties with the local graduate community and with the Academy? In addition to social ac¬ tivities, many chapters/societies pro¬ vide mentor services, job-search infor¬ mation, and business networking. Con¬ tact your local chapter/society for in¬ formation on meetings and activities.

See “Graduates” on the AOG web page for acomplete listing: www.aogusafa.org.

Give us atry -you’ll like us.

In July, Istarted announcing our busy Fall schedule, and with no exception so far, our at¬ tendance has been remarkable. We took the summer off to stay indoors and avoid the Texas heat. It seemed as if we lived through athou¬ sand days of 100-plus degree heat. But we sur¬ vived and came out swinging -literally. But our annual tri-service softball competition in Au¬ gust did not go exactly as planned, as we de¬ feated an outnumbered Navy team but then lost a6to 4decision to Army. Coach Tim Stites, ’72, has vowed to have us “practicing” alittle earlier next year on our swings.

September found the North Texas Association of Air Force Academy Graduates (NTAAFAG) group getting fired up for the Falcon football season. Last March, we had Coach Fisher

DeBerry in town to speak at the Tri-Service Academy Luncheon. He spoke very highly of this year’s team, and we made plans to support him and the team as much as possible. On Sept. 17*, the Falcons played rival CSU on ESPN and we organized aTV-watching party at alocal sports bar. Alarge group of grads attended, and we witnessed agreat game with plenty of sus¬ pense and action. Later that month, the Fal¬ cons came to town to take on the Horned Frogs of TCU. We organized alarge block of ticket sales, and we hosted our fellow Texans from the San Antonio Chapter and folks as far as Arkan¬ sas and Louisiana. Our pregame tailgate party was atremendous success as we provided a Texas-style barbecue buffet dinner to 570 ftms. Many thanks to Greg Sveska, ’79; Dave Stonehouse, ’73; Mike Gibbons, ’63; and Jim Dolan, ’76, for their outstanding support. Acad¬ emy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Oelstrom, Athletic Director Col. Spetman, and various members of the AOG made the trip from USAFA to be with us. They witnessed the AOG’s best chapter in action!

Our next event was scheduled for Nov. 2P' when the tri-service flag football competition is held here in Dallas. When you finally read this issue of Checkpoints, the victories should be on record.

Again, why not make 1999 the year to get in¬ volved? Joining our group has never been so convenient! Dues are still $20. Send acheck to NTAAFAG, EO. Box 866791, Plano, Texas 75086 and our treasurer will add you to our roster. Call (972) 618-1087 for the current news. Thanks. (John “J.R.”Dallas, '79,1998North Texas Chap¬ ter president)

AF

Northwest Florida

ATTENTION!

Active Duty, Retired &Veterans of the Armed Forces

There is aFirst Class club/hotel with low rates in the heart of downtown San Francisco!

fmA

Enjoy the very best in America’s favorite city: The Marines’ Memoricil Club.

Our elegant rooms are from $75 and luxurious suites from $125. You’ll experience fine dining in our Skyroom Restaurant and Lounge. Our facilities also include Banquet and Meeting Rooms, Theatre, Health Club and pool.

Best of all, we’re only ablock away from Union Square, cable cars, theatre and great shopping!

Membership in this unique organization is available for only $60 per year to former and retired members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Services. Special Active Duty membership rates available.

Planning to Buy or Sell aHome?

LetUSAABeYourGuidethroughtheProcess.

If you plan to buy or sell ahome, the USAAMoversAdvantage®programcanhelp.It's auniquerealestateserviceofferingstart-to-finish assistancetohelpguideyouthroughtheprocess. You'llgetselectlocalrealestateagents,free informationonneighborhoodsandschools,and step-by-stepassistancefromaknowledgeable move coordinator -and, in most states, you'll evenreceiveacashbonusafterclosing.

Becausetheserviceisofferednationwide,youcan usetheprogramwhetheryou'rebuyingahomein thesamecityoranotherstate. Give us acall to find out more about MoversAdvantage,theuniqueprogramthathas helpedthousandsofUSAAcustomersbuyand selltheirhomes.Easyandconvenientmortgage financingisalsoavailable.Askfordetails.

MoversAdvantageisofferedthroughUSAARelocationServices,Inc.,asubsidioryofUSAAFederalSavingsBank.Theabilitytopayacashbonus isprohibitedbylawinsomestates.MEMBERNATIONALASSOCIATIONOFREALTORS*’.USAAFederalSavingsBankisanEqualHousingLender.

Name:

Class:

Graduate Biographical Update Form

Date:

SSAN: AOG ID#: (From the Register or Checkpoints mailing label)

Please make the following Changes/Additions to my records in the AOG Data Base:

Mailing Address:. Effective Date:.

City;

Duty assignment or Civilian Title:

Company &Location:

Work Address:

Country: Zip Code: State:

City:. State:

Home Phone: (.

Home FAX: ( )

1

Home e-mail (WILL be printed in the Registei)-.

Work e-mail

Work Phone: [,

Work FAX: (_

Effective Date:

Zip Code: Country:

DSN: X

Marital Status: Single/Divorced/Married: If Married: Spouse’s name:

Marital Name Change:

IfSpouseisaGraduatepleaseprovidethefollowing:Spouse’sGradClass.

Spouse’s Graduation Name:

Preferred Name for mailing labels;

AOG#:

The AOG receives promotion, aeronauticai rating, PME, and sponsored civilian education updates from the USAF Personnel Center for Active Duty USAF graduates only; USAFR, Guard, and other service graduates MUST pro¬ vide us this information personaily. USAF Active Duty Graduates shouid provide it, in case the official data sources are in error. (Please provide documentation to correct errors.)

Rank; Date of Rank:

PME:

ALL Graduates: Award(s):

Civilian Degree;

Aero Rating: Residence/Seminar/Correspondence;Dates:.

Date of Rating:

Major; Year: Institution:

The following Data is being collected to populate the AOG Data Base.

Doolie Squadron:

Source of Nomination; Congressional:

Varsity Letter Earned: Year(s):

OTHER REMARKS &COMMENTS:

Graduation Squadron

Other: i.e. Presidential, Prep School, etc. Enter State

Home of Record State:

Sport(s):

Signature:

Rev: DTP 11/98

Mail to: Association of Graduates (Bio Info) 3116 Academy Dr. USAF Academy CO 80840-4475 or e-mail to aog@aog-usafa.org

AOG GIFT ORDER FORM

Complete and send to;

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

3116 Academy Drive

USAF Academy CO 80840-4475 (719) 472-0300 FAX; (719) 333-4194

SEE ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

.CHECK ENCLOSED DAYTIME PHONE ( ). TOTAL DUE

.CREDIT CARD( VISA OR MASTERCARD ONLY)

SIGNATURE:,

EXPIRATION / / / CARD# /

Year

AOG GIFT CATALOG: Prices current as of 1July 1998. Price, style and color are SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS:

LIST each item on the “ORDER BLANK" -fill in Item #, Quantity, Item Description, Size (as appropriate), and Total Price. If ordering class decals, please specify CLASS YEAR. Special order items require extra time and additional information on the order form above. NONMEMBERS please add 20% of Merchandise Total.

COLORADO SALES TAX: We are required to collect Colorado Sales Tax for items sold at Doolittle Hall or mailed to aColorado address as follows:

Doolitde Hall &El Paso County -4%

Colorado Springs -6.1%

Elsewhere within Colorado -3%

SHIPPING &HANDLING: For mail orders, please add $5.00 or 10% (whichever is greater). IF ordering ONLY decals -shipping and handling cost $.75.

PAYMENT can be made by CHECK (made out to “AOG”) or CREDIT CARD (VISA or MASTERCARD ONLY). If paying by credit card please print clearly your credit card number and expiration date (month/year) and sign in spaces provided.

NAME, MAIUNG ADDRESS, DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER, AND CLASS YEAR (for graduates) should be printed clearly in the spaces provided. CUT OUT ORDER FORM and mail to address at the top of the page.

COMMENTS OR SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:,

GLASSWARE AOQ crest etched on clear glass.

Old Fashion Glasses:

Item «7241

Item #7243

Item #7245

High Ball:

Item #7250

Stemware:

Item «7230

Item #7220

Item #7260

Item #7210

Mugs:

73/4 oz.

10 1/4 oz.

12 1/4 oz.

10 1/2 oz.

12 oz. Brandy Snifter

73/4 oz. Wine Glass

10 oz. Goblet

12 oz. Pilsner Glass

$4.00eay$14.00setof4

$4.00 ea7$ 14.00 set of 4

$4.00ea7$14.00 set of 4

$4.00 ea7$14.00 set of 4

$5.00eay$18.00setof4

$5.00 ea7$18.00 set of 4

$5.00 ea7$18.00 set of 4

$5.00 eay$18.00 set of 4

AOG crest on one side; AFA crest on the other side

Item #7010

Item #7015

Item #7020

Item #7025

SABERS

White Ceramic Coffee Mug, 12 oz. Insulated Water Bottle

Insulated Sports Cup, 20 oz. Car Cup

and PLAQUES

The Cadet Saber is sold to GRADUATE AOG MEMBERS ONLY. The AOG does not sell the mounting case-call for info on whore to got the mounting case.

Item #4000

Item #6000

Item #6001

ea.

ea.

ea.

ea.

Cadet Saber with Scabbard $185.00

Laser Engraved Walnut Plaque (Cadet Area, 17‘ x14') $145.00

Etched Falcon on White Marble (14' x16‘) $75.00

COASTERS

Item #7095 Pegasus Coasters -Terra Cotta and Blue. Water absorbenL nonscratch bottoms. Set of 4.

LICENSE PLATE FRAMES

■ USAF ACADEMY' on the bottom and either 'FALCONS' or 'ALUMNI' on the top.

Buy one for $4.50 or two for $8.00 (the same or mixed).

Item #5002 'FALCONS' License Plate Frame

Item #5003 'ALUMNI' License Plate Frame

PERSONALIZED PEN AND PRESENTATION CASE

Light Maple or Rosewood. Name on pen. Case engraved with your choice of two create, "AOG", "USAFA", or "CLASS" and up to three lines of personalizing. Please allow 2weeks for engraving.

Pen and Case Item #7075

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

$25.00 $20.00

In individual gift boxes. All are solid brass with 24kt gold finish except the ‘98 ornament which also contains silver toned finish. Sizes approximate. Limited to stock on hand. (‘ 93 and ‘96 are sold out)

Item #7164 1998 Polaris w/Crossed Sabers ornament

Item #7163 1997 Prop &Wings ornament (3" x3")

Item #7162 1995 Pegasus ornament (3" x3")

Item #7161 1994 Falcon ornament (2.5" x2")

USAFA SCARF

100% Silk with USAFA

Crest and Falcon design.

Item »1603 DARK BLUE $29.50

USAFA NECKTIE

80% Silk tie with USAFA and Prop &Wings design.

Item *1600 BLUE $23.00

Item# 1601 GARNET $23.00

JEWELRY

litem #7032 Prop &Wings. Silvercolor Prop and gold-color Wings $10.00

Item #7030 AOQ Charm. Sterling

Silver.

$26.00

Item #7034 Sterling Silver Prop and Wings Necklace. $24.50

Item #7031 AOQ Tie Tack. Sterling Silver (Not Shown). $26.00

Item #7033 AOQ Lapel Pin. Sterling Silver (Not Shown). $26.00

SWEATERS. SHIRTS. HATS. AND JACKETS

Item #1610 AOG Rugby Shirt: 100% cotton (10% shrinkage, sizes run true) gray and navy blue with AOQ crest embroidered on left breast.

$47.00 (SML, MED, LRQ, XLG) $50.00 (XXL)

Item #1620 AOQ Crew Neck Sweat Top: Jersey top pebble bottom navy blue sweater; 100% pre-shrunk cotton, sizes run one size smaller than normal fit; AOG crest embroidered on left breast.

$48.00 (SML, MED, LRQ, XLG) $51.00 (XXL)

Item #1630 AOG V-Neck Sweater: 85% cotton/15% polyester; oversized to compensate for shrinkage. Coior; natural oatmeal (light beige) with navy striped trim, AOG crest embroidered on ieft breast.

$46.00 (SML, MED, LRG, XLG) $49.00 (XXL)

Item #1640 AOG Golf Shirt: 100% combed cotton. Color: Blue or White AOG crest embroidered on left breast.

$38.00 (SML, MED, LRG, XLG) $40.00 (XXL)

Item #1520 Polar Jacket: Gray Fleece-lined Biue Nylon shell w/embroidered AOG crest. $60.00 (SML, MED, LRG, XLG, XXL)

Item #1530 Golf Jacket: White/Teal Poly/Cotton shell, nylon liner, w/embroidered AOG crest. $42.00 (SML, MED, LRG, XLG, XXL)

Item #1541 Suede Leather Jacket: Navy Blue/Tan w/embroldered AOG crest $120.00 (SML, MED, LRG, XLG) $125.00 (XXL)

Item #1700 AFA Hat w/Class Year. Navy Blue w/embroidered AFA crest and class year. Please specify class year. Adjustable leather strap for size. $16.00

Item #1701 AFA Hat (plain): Same as above without class year. $13.00

CADET ISSUE CLOTHING (Available to AOG Members ONLY)

Item #1100 Sweatsuit: 89% Cotton/8% Polyester/3% Rayon; oversize to accommodate shrinkage; light gray with dark gray reflective strips and USAFA. (SML, MED, LRG, XLG)

Sweat Top Sweat Pants

Complete Set

$35.00 (XXL) $37.00

$22.50 (XXL) $24.50

$55.00 (XXL) $58.00

Item #1300 USAFA T-Shirt: 100% cotton (will shrink). White with biue Ringer Collar &Sleeves; 'USAFA' silkscreened on left breast.

$8.00 (SML, MED, LRG, XLG) $9.00 (XXL)

Item #1400 Running Suit Blue/Qray Nylon with reflecUvo strips (sizes run small). (SML, MED, LRG, XLG, XXL)

Running Suit Jacket

Running Suit Pants

Complete Suit

$47.00

$25.00 $67.00

BOOKS AND VIDEOS .(not shown) ‘Paperback

Item #3020 -Into the Mouth of the Cat $4.00*

The Story of Lance Sijan, ’65

Item #3040 -The Iskra Incident $19.95

Autographed by Grad Author Jimmie Butler, ’63

Item #3050 -Vietnam: Above the Treetops $24.95

Autographed by Grad Author John Flanagan, ’62

Item #3060 -Red Lightning, Black Thunder $21.95

Autographed by Grad Author Jimmie Butler, ’63

Item #3080 -Separated by War $24.95

Autographed by Grad Author Ed Herlik, ’80

Item #3090 -Raid on QuaddaB $21.95

Autographed by Grad Author Bob Venkus, ’63

Item #3120 -Modernism at Mid Century $50.00

History of the architecture at USAFA

Item #3130 -Courage and Air Warfare $22.00 *

Autographed by Grad Author Mark Wells, ’75

Item #3140 -The Ravens $25.00

The men who fl ew the secret war in Laos

Autographed by Author Christopher Robbins

Item #3150-The Secret Life of Waldo RDumbsquat $10.00*

Autographed by Grad Author Don Hall, ’76

Item #3170 -ACertain Brotherhood $10.00*

Autographed by Grad Author Jimmie Butler, ’63

Item# 7080- Video: WildBlue U$10.00

Produced by KUSA -TV Denver; cadet daily life

SPIRIT AND FUGK fAphotographic sedute to the USAF Academy. Over 150 color photos. Book Sponsored by the AOG.

Item #3160 by Elizabeth Gill Lui $60.00

CLASS NOTEBOOKS Two-tone gray suede cover, Jr. legal size (6” x9”), with class crest embossed on front with class color stripe; inside note pad and pen; available for the following classes. $10.00 Item

AOG ACCESSORIES AND ADDITONAL ITEMS (not pictured)

DECALS .Colorful crest on awindow decal (self adhesive to inside of glass). Available for all years except ’92. Specify class year.

Item #43xx Class Decals $1.00

Item #7072 AOG Membership Decal $1.00

A2Vz" diameter brass medallion with the Honor Code on one side and Prop &Wings on the other.

Item #7120 Honor MedaUion $15.00

Item #7121 Honor MedaUion with Stand $35.00

BTAZER PATCHRS Pin -back patch embroidered with

appropriate crest.

Item #1800 AOG Blazer Patch $23.00

Item #1801 AFA Blazer Patch $23.00

SWEATERS Crew Neck Sweater “EALCONS” Blue and White 80% Orlon/20% Wool -SML, MED, LRG, XLG (sorry no XXL)

Item #1560 $25.00

ChUd Sizes: SML, MED, LRG

Item #1570 $15.00

V-Neck Sweater "AIR FORCE’’ Blue and White 80% Orlon/20% Wool SML, MED, LRG, XLG (sorry no XXL)

Item #1580 $25.00

NOTECARDS

Item #7073 Doolitte HaU Notecards (6’’ x4.5")

Set of 10 w/envelopes. $5.00

AOG UMRTtF.T.T.A Alternating blue and white panels with blue AOG crest.

Item #7074 $20.00 keychain with sUver AOG crest.

Item #7070 $2.00

FINE ART PRINTS

Item #2010 "Here's aToast..." by Keith Ferris $60.00

Item #2020 “Gyrfalcon" by Frace $75.00

Item #2030 “Thunderbird' by Rick Broome $50.00

Item #2040 “Footfalls” Artist Proofs $190.00

THE SERVICE ACADEMIES RESUME DATABASE

As abenefit of membership, your AOG offers aresume service. We have joined forces with the alumni associations of the Military Academy, the Naval Academy and the Coast Guard Academy to jointly provide alumni electronic resumes from the four academies to prospective employers.

The resume progrrun disk is adata entry program designed to assist you in formatting, editing, viewing, profes¬ sionally typesetting and printing your resume in aspecific format. The program carries you step-by-step through entering resume data to editing resume dates, titles and text. System requirements are aPC with 386 or higher Intei or compatible microprocessor, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, 4MB of RAM, 1MB of fi«e hard disk space, mouse or other Windows compatible pointing device, a3.5” floppy drive and amonitor (color is recommended; 640 X480 minimum resolution required).

To be apart of the Service Academies Resume Database, send $25 (check or money order) to the AOG. Aresume disk will be sent to you with instructions for completion. Return acopy of your completed resume disk to the AOG for inclusion in the database. Credit card orders (Visa or Mastercard only) can be called to (719) 472-0300.

IIIwould like to enter my resume in the database and have enclosed acheck or money order for $25.

Your Name.

Address:

Year of USAFA graduation

Home e-mail

f

Return the completed form and your check to:

Association of Graduates

3116 Academy Drive

USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475

Phone Number: C

( ). 1 Work Home

fl RE AN ACADEMY GRADUATE

Many of you are in positions to make or influence hiring decisions for your company. The database program not only sorts and identifies those graduates who perfectly match all selected criteria but it also lists those graduates meeting some but fewer than all criteria. Some of the attributes you can focus your search on are: education (graduate and undergraduate), work experience, military background, language ability, computer skills, industry and geographic preferences.

If you wish to obtain adisk set complete with instruction manual, please complete the order form and return it along with acheck for $150.00 to the AOG (cost to recruiting firms is $350.00). Aquarterly subscription rate for the disk package is available upon request. PLEASE NOTE: System requirements are aPC with 486 or higher Intel or compatible microprocessor, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, 4MB of RAM, 16MB of fi«e hard disk space, mouse or other Windows compatible pointing device, a3.5" floppy drive and amonitor (color is recommended: 640 x 480 minimum resolution required).

IIIwould like to receive the database of Service Academies Alumni and have enclosed acheck or money order for $150.00 ($350.00 for recruiting firms)

Your Name.

Address: Association of Graduates

3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475

Phone Number: C J

Whether you are an individual graduate investigating acareer change or an employer seeking asuperior performer, this AOG service for graduate members may well provide you the best approach. Send in the completed form or contact the AOG Vice President, Services, Col (Ret) Jock Schwank or Mr Wayne Taylor at (719) 472-0300, or e-mail services&aog-usafa.org for further information.

FEATURES

● $5,000 CREDIT LINE (SUBJECT TO CREDIT HISTORY VERIFICATION)

● TRAVEL INSURANCE PROVIDED AT NO EXTRA COST

● NO TRANSACTION FEE, ANNUAL FEE OR OTHER ADDITIONAL CHARGES

Now, take advantage of this Great Bene

Air Academy National Bank’s MasterCard issued exclusively for Members of the Association of Graduates.

USAFA, CO 80840

Association of Graduates United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO 80840

THE AOG MASTERCARD IS OFFERED THROUGH AIR ACADEMY NATIONAL BANK BECAUSE AOG MEMBERS DESERVE THE VERY BEST SERVICE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR CREDIT NEEDS. AT AANB YOU’LL BE DEALING WITH PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND CAN TRUST TO HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS IN MIND. ADDITIONALLY, YOUR USE OF THE CARD BENEFITS THE AOG DIRECTLY THROUGH THE PAYMENT OF ROYALTY AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

Sixth Service Academy Golf Classic aSuccess!

The Sixth Annual Service Academy Golf Classic was the most successful and best tournament ever. It began vnth Kings Point Midshipman Chris Rich’s hole in one on #8 hole during Saturday's practice round. He did it tvith athree wood and was playing with abroken bone in his wrist. It must have been karma. The karma stayed with us throughout the tournament as we had beautifui weather, low scores, alot of fun and camaraderie, and we met or exceeded aU of our financial goals. We conducted the tournament ano cost to the Academies and presented checks totaling $7,500 to each Academy this year.

Here are some highlights. On Sunday afternoon, the skies cleared, the temperature rose to 80, 150 players teed up the little white ball for an afternoon of fun, friendship, and frustration. Some foursomes were late arriving due to storms and weather in south Texas, but eventually everyone teed off. Alumni winners were: Jeff Wilson, Pat Youngs, Rick Sargent, John Scholtz, and coach Gene Miranda with atournament low score of 52. The USAA Federal Bank team made up of Jack Swonson, Perry Stevens, Mitch Cobeaga, Dave Leetsma, and USAFA Cadet Ben Leetsma with ascore of 54.2. Team Scotch made up of Jim Struble, Rob Wayne, Dan Shine, Duke Ramey, and USAFA Cadet Joseph Petrosky with ascore of 56.9.

There was alarge cadre of players from USAFA this year as every year. The Alumni Awards Banquet featured Army Lt. Gen. Paul Kern as speaker. USAFA golf bags, jackets, and warm-ups were donated by coach Miranda as prizes and were presented by General Kern to the winning teams. Kent Harrington purchased aHeisman Trophy football for arecord price of $5,100.

It was the best opening day we have had. Day two was almost as beautiful as day one. The cadets and midshipmen began their first 36 holes of tournament play at 8a.m. The alumni/friends began ashotgun start at 9a.m. The team of Rick Sargent, Pat Youngs, John Scholtz, and Sue LebowPeterson won the low-gross prize with ascore of 60. Rick Sargent was the low-gross individual winner. Athletic director and graduate Randy Spetman won the longest drive contest. The alumni/friends tournament concluded that afternoon with an awards luncheon where everyone seemed to agree that this was the best tournament ever.

The cadet/midshipman tournament was concluded on Tuesday with the Air Force golf team of Jason Jenson, Matt Peterson, Joe Petrosky, Ryan Dekok, Jeff Scohy, Danny Visosky, and Ben Leetsma winning the tournament by 26 strokes over Navy. It was atrue team victory. Freshman Ben Leetsma shot atournament low score of 68 on the opening round and went on to win the Nick Stafford Memorial Trophy as tournament medalist. The strength of the USAFA team was evident when Leetsma, Jenson, Peterson, and Visosky claimed four of the five positions on the All-Service Academy Golf Team.

The awards luncheon featured speaker Roger Staubach and was attended by almost 140 graduates, parents, and friends. Roger shared his thoughts with us on the values of aservice academy total education and how it has affected him both in the military and in civilian life. He also presented The Bill Reemtsma Memorial Trophy to the USAFA Golf team. The trophy seems to be enjoying the ratified Rocky Mountain air as it has resided there four consecutive years.

If you want additional information on the '98 tournament participants, sponsors, or results, or want enrollment or tournament information for 1999, you can find it at vww.sagc.com. Visit us at any time.

As apostscript. Air Force Academy golf coach Gene Miranda brought along pictures of the new van that he purchased with the funds he has received and saved from the first six tournaments. They have taken several trips in it already and report that it is wonderful. By the way, if you have anew or used laptop that you would like to donate to the golf team to aid them in doing their homework, contact Coach Miranda at mirandaagf.Ah@usafa.af.mil. You can write the gift off and the cadets will use it.

AHearty “Thank You” to the Sponsors of the Sixth Golf Classic

Title Sponsor -$7,500

The Elk Corporation

Ryder Cup Sponsors -$4,000-t

Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Sys. USAA Federal Savings Bank

Tour Sponsors -$2,000-t

The West Point Society of North Texas

Ben E. Keith Distributors

Buick Motor Division

James Wood Motors

Donors

Cobblestone Golf

The Club at Trophy Club

Ozarka Natural Spring Water

Ben E. Keith Company

Smiley’s Studio In The Woods

The Golf Course at Texas Star

Oakmont Country Club

Woodhaven Country Club

Hyatt Bear Creek Golf Club

Hackberry Creek Country Club

The Golf Club at Fossile Creek

Royal Oaks Country Club

Iron Horse Golf Course

Four Seasons Resort and Club

American Golf Corporation

Goldman, Sachs &Co.

William Simpson, USAFA, ’63

Dallas Athletic Club -Dennis Ewing

Marriott Solana

Steve Klein

Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems

James L. Ough, M.D., USAFA, ’65 David Miller, USNA

Southern Trace Country Club, Shreveport

Doug Batchelor, USAFA, ’68

Edward Searles

DALCOM

B.J. Bjorklund

Great 18 Golf Systems

Radio Shack

Lance Miller

EZ-Go Golf Cars

Tee Sponsors

Advent Supply, Inc.

Jerry and Ellen Ahmann

American Air Lines Pilots -USAFA

Association of Graduates -USMA

Association of Graduates -USAFA

Dave Brovm &John Bickel, USMA, ’70

BNSF Railroad

Brants Insurance

Cathedral Rock Corporation

Collmer Semiconductor, Inc.

Delta Air Lines Pilots -USAFA

Hicks Muse Tate &First, Inc.

James Martin &Company

Katcef Brothers, Inc.

Lockheed Martin Vought Systems

Lucas Associates, Inc.

Lucid Technologies, Inc.

Merrill Lynch Fresno

Northrop Grumman Commercial Aircraft Div.

North Texas Association Of AFA Graduates

Norwest Banks

Parker Hanni fi n Chomerics Division

Pikes Peak Distributing Company

Sea-Land Service Inc.

Texas AGA, Inc.

The Angel Tmst, Lance Ammon, USAFA, ’70

The Staubach Foundation

U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of ’63

U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of ’71

U.S. Military Academy, Cass of ’45

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association

AOG, Falcon Foundation, Support Key Academy Programs

By 2"'* Lt. Mike Meyers Plans and Programs

Each year, the Academy provides cadets the opportunity to take part in numerous innovative programs throughout the educational spec¬ trum, ranging from advanced academic programs and athletic pro¬ grams to leadership and character development programs. These pro¬ grams and many others are designed to keep the Academy education on the cutting edge well into the 2P' Century. However, in the past decades, defense dovmsizing has radically decreased federal funding.

Fortunately, many outside agencies step in. The Association of

Photos Capture 6th Service Academy Golf Classic Highlights

Graduates and the Falcon Foundation are two that ensure, through their generosity, the maintenance of the high standards expected of an Acad¬ emy education.

The Association of Graduates, along with being the primary agency involved in alumni relations, is actively involved in promoting the Academy’s mission through awards and endowment programs. Their efforts in conjunction with other agencies fund many of the top pro¬ grams requesting help.

“The AOG’s mission is to provide leadership and support to the gradu¬ ates, support to the Academy community, and enhance and preserve the heritage and traditions of the Academy,’’ said retired Lt. Col. Dick Coppock, president of the AOG. “In supporting the Academy and ca¬ dets, we provide the extra margin of excellence through the generosity of graduates, parents and friends.”

Two of the top funds managed by the AOG, the Air Force Academy Fund and the Sabre Society, have raised more than $3.1 million com¬ bined since 1982. These funds are used primarily to support cadet ac¬ tivities in all four pillars of excellence at the Academy: military train¬ ing, character development, academic and athletic excellence. This calendar year alone, the AOG has turned over more than $449,500 in donations to support Academy needs.

The Falcon Foundation also supports Academy programs in avari¬ ety of ways, to include more than $300,000 ayear for 100 civilian pre¬ paratory school scholarships each year. Currently, 275 cadets attend the Academy as aresult of Falcon Foundation support. Along with scholarships, it focuses on improving the quality of Academy facilities and helps recognize outstanding Air Force leaders with monuments such as the General Hap Arnold statue outside Arnold Hall.

“The assistance we provide permits cadets many more opportuni¬ ties and freedoms in intercollegiate or specialty activities they wouldn’t have otherwise,” said retired Lt. Gen. Benjamin Beilis, president of the Falcon Foundation. “The organization’s goal is to act as arallying point for contributors and to quiedy help out wherever we can.”

Maintaining an edge in technical instruction is another important focus of the Falcon Foundation and the Association of Graduates. The AIAA Student Paper Competition, one of the programs funded by both organizations, helps maintain this edge. This program allows 10 ca¬ dets each year to write and present atechnical paper in front of apro¬ fessor at anational competition.

"By allowing the students to compete against undergraduates from other universities, this program provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain professional experience outside the Air Force which helps them in their Air Force careers,” said Dr. Julie Morrow, assistant professor of aeronautics. Extracurricular activities are also greatly helped by donations from the AOG. Cadet clubs, such as the rugby team, the scuba club, the show choir club and numerous others, pro¬ vide many different ways for cadets to enhance their off-duty hours.

“Allowing the team to buy safety equipment is one important way the AOG support helps the team,” said Capt. Michelle Idle, officer in charge of the Tflpine Ski Team. “Help is essential, as the Alpine Ski Team would not exist without outside funding, “said Cadet P‘ Class Teresa Sobelewski, Alpine Ski Team member. The Alpine Ski Team helps ca¬ dets become better officers, according to Sobelewski. “We are avery close team so it teaches us how to work closely with other people.

Another very important way in which the AOG and Falcon Foundation help cadets develop is in the realm of character programs. One of the programs, the Academy Character Enrichment Seminars (ACES), provides ethical and mentorship instruction to as many senior faculty, staff, and cadets as possible. “ACES creates better mentors and role models for ca¬ dets” both among their peers and the officers with whom they associate, “ Lt. Col. Michael Fekula, the officer in charge of the program, said.

The cadets who have experienced the program agree. “You have to understand the fundamentals. How can you lead people to be ethical if you don’t know how yourselR” said CIC Jamie Hatch.

The efforts of these important organizations, along with the work of many other groups and individuals, ensures the success of the Academy’s efforts to educate the finest officers and leaders for the next century. Through their help and the help of many others, it will con¬ tinue to offer and improve upon these essential programs. For more information about the AOG, call (719) 472-0300. For the Falcon Foun¬ dation, call (719) 333-4096.

Placing Srst in the Sixth Service Academy Goif Ciassic was the team of, from ieft, Jeff Wilson, Rick Sargent, Lt.Gen. Paul Kern (awards banquet speaker). Gene Miranda (Air Force Academy goif coach), Jon Shoitzand Pat Youngs.

The Nick Stafford Memorial Medalist Trophy is presented to C4C Ben Leetsma by Nick’s brother Richard, wife Martha, and daughter Tara.

The Air Force Academy Golf Team, from left around the table are Matt Peterson (1997medalist, 2nd in 1998), Ben Leetsma (1998 medalist), Jeff Scohy, Joe Petrosky, Danny Visosky and Ryan Dekok. Missing is Jason Jenson.

Lamp

Sirrica, LTD. is proud to announce the availability of the U.S. Air Force Academy Lamp.

The distinctive Air Force Academy Coat-of-Arms is vividly re-created in gold on the black parchment shade. This classic desk lamp is handpolished and hand-assembled of the finest solid brass and features asolid black marble base and centerpiece. Indeed, the lamp makes an impressive statement of quality about the owner. You can also have your lamp personalized with an engraved brass plate affixed to the marble base. The Air Force Academy Lamp is a tremendous value as you are able to purchase direct from Sirrica, Ltd.

Of course, you must be completely satisfied with the quality of your lamp or you may return it within fifteen days for exchange or refund. Whether selected for your personal use or as an expressive, thoughtful gift, the U.S. Air Force Academy Lamp is certain to command attention.

For faster service, credit card orders may be piaced by diaiing toii free 1-800-346-2884.

Aii caiiers shouid request to speak with Operator 752AF.

NOTE: For Christmas deiivery, ail orders must be teiephoned or postmarked by December 10.

Symbolizing

The Secret Life of Waldo EDumbsquat

ByDonHaU,76

The room at the end of the new dorm was packed with sad cadets. The slapping sound of the card reader filled the air. Reams of perforated paper were strewn across the floor. Every now and then ahowl of rage pierced the evening air.

"Makes you want to be aComp Sci major, doesn’t it?” C/4C Waldo EDumbsquat asked his roommate Warren Heels.

Warren shuddered. "This is more frightening than the Assault Course!”

Waldo looked at the computer paper belching out of the main frame. He didn’t want to get his hands too close to Its mouth. "Billy Burroughs” was known for eating cards, programs, and doolies.

‘Did your program work?” asked Warren Heels.

“I don’t think this is my program."

“Why not?”

“It continues to print the words ‘syntax error.’ That’s not what Ipro¬ grammed mine to do. It’s supposed to say 'Go Falcons.’”

Warren shuddered again. “I bet you have to repunch your cards!”

“Oh, no!”

The thought of punching 4,000 computer cards held no appeal for

Ftst Female Academy Department Head Makes History

There’s anew face on the permanent professors, and she is making history. Col. Rita Campbell was nominated and confirmed as the first female permanent professor for the Academy, and leads her troops in the Department of Management (DFM) into the fall semester and be¬ yond. Campbell has established anew vision for DFM, challenging its members to create "the Air Force’s renown center for management education and expertise.”

To fulfill this vision, the department will continue its tradition of na¬ tionally recognized teaching excellence. The department will also in¬ crease its participation in both basic and applied research across a broad variety of management disciplines. Finally, department mem¬ bers will continue to add value both within the Department of De¬ fense and to civilian agencies through avariety of consulting efforts.

An important component of Campbell’s vision is external validating of department quality. Therefore, Campbell is leading the way on a department initiative to achieve accreditation by the International As¬ sociation of Management Education. Her accreditation efforts will provide external validation that management graduates are among the very best produced by schools of management or business.

Campbell was born In Stirling West, South Australia, of Latvian im¬ migrant parents. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1960. She entered the Air Force through ROTC at Case Western Reserve Uni¬ versity and initially pursued the munitions maintenance career field. She cross-trained into aircraft maintenance and served in assign-

Waldo.

He ducked into anearby latrine and spoke the magic words "Dummy Stack.” Instantly, the freshman transformed into Colonel Waldo E Dumbsquat, aman who knows how to program his VCR. The officer strode mightily into the lab.

"Attention in the area, attention in the area. Now hear this. All Comp Sci majors get with Cadet Gates and come up with anew operating system. That is all.”

Satisfied by the flurry of cadet activity, the colonel left the lab and disappeared into an alcove. He quickly mutated into his original pa¬ thetic freshman body and returned to the main frame room.

“What’s all the fuss about in here?” Waldo asked Warren.

“The firsties are trying to invent abetter computer. Maybe one that doesn’t even need acard reader!”

Waldo sniffed the air. "With all the bodies in here it’s beginning to smell like ashower formation. Someone should open awindow...”

The room became deathly quiet. Cadet Gates stared AoughtfuUy at Waldo.

“Perhaps we could create apoint and click system based on DOS. Pull down screens would make programs user friendly. There would be aterminal in every dorm room... Nahhhh!”

The crowd of cadets returned to its chaotic state.

Waldo sighed.

9|e *3|e «*:|c

ments at Kincheloe Air Force Base, Mich.; Anderson AFB, Guam; Barksdale AFB, La.; and Plattsburg AFB, N.Y. Her academic credentials include amaster’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and adoc¬ torate from the University of Colorado at Boulder. While at USAFA, she served as the deputy department head for operations for DFM and com¬ pleted for asabbatical tour at HQ EUCOM as deputy director of the Joint Contact Team in Latvia. (Information provided by the Dean of the Faculty’s management division.)

T-3A Placed in Minimal Maintenance Status by AETC

Air Education and Draining Command placed its fleet of T-3A Firefly air¬ craft in minimal maintenance status Sept. 10, while fight testing and air¬ craft modifications continue. Gen. Uoyd WNewton, AETC commander, suspended flight operations in the T-3A in July 1997 while the Air Force and Federal Aviation Agency conducts flight testing and any recommended modifications are completed. The flight suspension was primarily to de¬ termine the cause of several unplanned engine stoppages.

In addition, the Air Force is studying the feasibility of installing acrew recovery system in the T-3 prior to resuming flight-screening opera¬ tions. If the studies determine acrew recovery system is compatible with the T-3A aircraft, installation of the recovery system will take a minimum of two years.

The flight operations suspension is extending beyond the time initially projected because of the crew recovery system studies and other unexpected delays In engineering, modification processes and FAA certification. While the T-3A fleet is held in minimal maintenance status, most of the remaining civilian instructor and maintenance staff will be released.

The Air Force uses the T-3A to screen pilot candidates prior to entry into undergraduate pilot school. Because of the longer than antici¬ pated suspension, many students now begin undergraduate pilot train¬ ing without completing aflight-screening program. The lack of aflight¬ screening program has contributed to rising attrition rates.

The increase in attrition is negatively impacting AETC’s ability to pro¬ duce the pilots needed to meet Air Force mission requirements in the future. To lower attrition and better use Air Force pilot training re¬ sources, AETC plans to initiate an interim program to better prepare Air Force pilot candidates for undergraduate pilot training.

During the interim period of continued suspension of T-3A flight opera¬ tions, AETC is planning for pilot candidates to attend civilian flight training at locations throughout the country to gain flight experience prior to enter¬ ing undergraduate pilot training. (Courtesy of AETC News Service)

Col. Rita Campbell

'61 Grad Recalls “Twelfth Man” Jtip to Iowa

Thomas J. Eller, ‘61

“Corning off of awin over the University of Detroit, unranked and un¬ known Air Force meets #l Iowa this week in Iowa City, along way from the Falcon’s nest in Colorado Springs."

Sounds impressive on its face, but does not loom nearly as big here in print as it does in the minds of the cadets, faculty, and staff of those years. The memo¬ ries that have not dimmed still bring forth wonder and excitement and can spark hours of “war stories" about The THp to Iowa. Here is that event as seen through the eyes of a3rd Classman (sophomore) -it's the stuff that traditions are made of, the stuff that forges bonds still strong after forty years.

Life at USAFA:

Cadet Life in those days was highly regimented. We had AMI every day plus aSAMI, aparade, and an IRl every Saturday simply “because it’s Sat¬ urday.” Oh, we also had academic classes on Saturday morning plus drill and intramurals two days aweek each.

Cadets were seldom off base other than in official activities in agroup, so nearly all time was spent at USAFA, always in uniform. We even slept in issued pajamas -bottoms and tops -enforced by inspection during the night. We studied in uniform. No civilian clothes were worn nor even kept in our rooms. We wore Class A(coat and tie) uniforms to all football games. Then there was our picnic uniform consisting of water- repellent gray wool flannel trousers with awhite sport shirt whose collar could be buttoned up for use with atie.

The evenings were clearly Dean’s time. Academic Call to Quarters was rig¬ idly enforced from right after evening meal until Tattoo, 15 minutes before Taps. There was no visiting between rooms and the Absence Card was used under the Honor Code to enforce the rules of where you could be when.

USAFA finally had asenior class for the 1958/1959 season. In the fall of 1955, Air Force had fielded afootball team even when we had only fresh¬ men. In 1956, with sophomores, we also posted a6-1-2 record against opponents that included San Diego, CSU and BYU. The 1957 season, 3-61, included CSU, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, and UCLA with only fresh¬ men, sophomores, and juniors. It was already atradition for all cadets to attend all home games which were then played at Denver University Sta¬ dium. The Cadet Wing stood for the entire game whenever the team was on the field and all cadets knew all the cheers and pep songs.

The 1958-59

In August 1958 Academy personnel and operations had moved from Lowry AFB in Denver to the “Permanent Site” on the front of the Rampart Range near Colorado Springs. Due to lack of housing, many faculty andstaffmade the round trip daily on the green string bean, an articulated two-section bus, to and from their homes in Denver. There was lots of construction underway -no Field house. No chapel. No Sijan Hall. No stadium. The gym and Arnold Hall were not finished. Aand Bsections of Vandenberg Hall (destined to become the '59 BOQ) were not in use yet.

The front range, where the Great Plains meet the Rockies, was having a severe fall, having had 20 inches of snow in mid-September. The Cadet Wing had been called out to shake snow off the young, newly- planted trees in the Air Gardens. Hundreds of balled trees had been stored at west end of the parade ground before “vandals” moved them all over the parade ground and caused aparade to be canceled, much to the delight of the wing.

Cadets in those days were imbued with belief that they were serious profes¬ sionals in whose hands lay the future of the United States. Those civilians in Ice Cream, Indiana or Cup Cake, Illinois may not know or care, but the Air Force cadets were acutely aware of the Cold War and the role Air Power played in America's defense. Thus there was aserious, hard-work mind-set among cadets -unusually strong for their ages. Integral to cadet life were spirited activities that provided relief from the strict regimentation.

Pep rallies were held at Tattoo on Thursday nights, sometimes at the west end of the terrazzo (Honor Code Portal), and sometimes in one of the ground floor quadrangles of Vandenberg Hall. They were essentially costume par-

ties, where the dress was painstakingly crafted gear or bathrobes decked out like hyper military uniforms. Special tapes of martial music and com¬ bat sounds blaring in the halls brought cadets quickly from the Dean’s realm to the rituals of prep for mortal combat.

There were skits, official ones organized by cheerleaders and ad hoc ones secretly planned by groups of spirited cadets. One pep rally at Lowry in 1956 had resulted in the wing advancing with fixed, unsheathed bayonets down the street in Aurora, complete with growls and roars.

“The" Pep Rally:

In October 1958 the Falcon team was undefeated, but facing the number one team in the nation, Iowa. Academy teams in all sports were unusually scrappy -outperforming expectations based on size, weight, and school records. Often the wing felt invincible, “Today this game, tomorrow the world!" But this was an away game, far away. Only the team was traveling and had already left the Academy Thursday afternoon.

The pep rally on the 2nd of October was held in the Vandenberg Cquad¬ rangle, on the grass across from Cadet Supply and the Cadet Store. It was just anormal pep rally except that at Taps nobody dispersed. The officerin-charge (OIC) responsible for the Cadet Wing at night and accustomed to “blind obedience” got no cooperation and the cheering went on and on.

Around 2300 the Commandant, Brig. Gen. Henry Riggs Sullivan, arrived in aformal (mess dress) uniform. He got up on aboulder and tried to make aspeech:

“Gentlemen,” [yeaaaaaaal]

“1 have been called away from an important civic event at the Antlers Ho¬ tel" [yeaaaaaaal]

“Because of your refusal to obey the orders of the OIC.” [yeaaaaaaal]

General Sullivan’s series of stern, serious admonitions were met with con¬ tinued joyous yeaaaaaaas. Finally, an exasperated Commandant shouted,

“Well, what do you want?"

Without knowing in advance what we wanted we stood there for asecond or two -dumbfounded, because we were never asked what we wantedthen:

“We want to go to Iowa! Want to go to Iowa! Want to go to Iowa! Want to go to Iowa! Want to go to Iowa! Want to go to Iowa!” for about 10 minutes, then General Sullivan shouted:

“OK, we’ll go to Iowa. Idon’t know how yet, but we’ll go.”

Suddenly satisfied, the pep rally dispersed and the cadets went to bed and instantly to sleep, but not so for the cadre -the officers, NCOs and civilian staff. General Sullivan called in the staff at midnight and they started making arrangements -waking bus company owners to lease buses, call¬ ing Air Force bases to arrange hot food and box lunches enroute, providing fresh flight lunches and C-rations for our first night on the buses, calling Iowa to get ablock of tickets, arranging with Air Force Finance to loan ca¬ dets the money for bus fare and spending cash, deferring term papers, shift¬ ing exams -rescheduling everything of an official nature that would inter¬ fere with our going to Iowa.

In the morning we got the word and had some quick decisions to make. The bus fare would exceed amonth’s pay. Girl friends were in Colorado, not Iowa... Not aU cadets went -some chose not to, some were on the tour path -but most, over 1,000 of the 1,200 did.

The Tirip:

To minimize disruption to academics, the Dean compressed the class schedule on Friday, so we touched awhole day of classes in the morning. We boarded buses about noon and headed for Iowa. This was before the days of on-bus rest rooms and we rode all night across Colorado and Ne¬ braska. We were thrilled with our adventure, but ever mindful of our re¬ spective places in the class structure of 1°, 2°, 3", and 4° cadets in which upper classes provided leadership and sage advice while the lower classes dutifully and respectfully responded with awe and enthusiasm. That day we were all one team, going to support OUR team!

Stiff from the all night ride with fitful upright sleep, we finally stopped for a breakfast and latrine break at Offutt AFB early in the morning. The whole base was excited -it was their team too! We had aquick meal of eggs, bacon, and pancakes on stainless steel tray-plates and then back in the buses and on to Iowa!

On and on we rode, pulling into the stadium parking lot after the team was on the field for warm-up exercises. The team had not been told we were com¬ ing, so it was areal shot for them, when, just before kickoff the part of the wing that had arrived marched, then ran screaming across the field and into our seats on the 25 yard line and broke into sustained, non-stop completely syn¬ chronized cheers

Unlike the unstructured cacophony of many sports crowds. Air Force did it together. So, we stood and cheered and gave that one giant-sizel,000voice for the team -the “twelfth man” was there. Air Force was ahead, then

Falcon Football Squad

Iowa came from behind at the last minute to end at 13 -13. Air Force was still undefeated and had been tied by the number one team in the nation!

Here is what the captain of that football team, Consensus All-American Brock Strom, ‘59, remembered about the game;

“When it had been announced in the papers the year before that Air Force would play Iowa, we were predicted to lose 50 to zip. We had just flown out and worked out at the Iowa stadium and it was Iam sure the largest stadium that we had seen since the ill-fated game versus UCLA where we took the place of Florida State because of aflu epidemic. As you remember, Iowa was favored to win the Big Ten Conference, which at that time was the premier football conference in the country. They did win the conference and won in the Rose Bowl that year. And little old Air Force was certainly the underdog. We needed all the help that we could get and the wing provided it.

“We had heard that the wing was chartering buses the night before the game and the team was really impressed. Iwas out for the coin flip as the cadets came marching in. You could tell that this was not the usual marchon because they didn’t even have time to size up the formation. As Ire¬ member, there were anumber of buses that started and only about half of them made it for the start of the game. But it was an inspiration to me while Iwas waiting for the coin toss and it was an inspiration to each and every¬ one on the team when Itold them about the wing arriving.As was typici, Iwas blubbering while Itold them, but they all listened.

On the way to a13-13 tie!

“The pride that Ifelt being apart of the Air Force Academy at that mo¬ ment was awondrous thing. The emotional send-off that it gave me was one thing that Iwill never forget and it had an effect on each of the Falcons that played that day. You could not help but be impressed. The older fans in Iowa still remember it and talk about it -and they treated the cadets who made the trip with all kinds of respect.

“It is agame that Iwill never forget, and Iwill always respect my class¬ mates and the wing for making that sacrifice. Iknow that they gave up a weekend to make the trip, it cost them money and time away for their stud¬ ies and girl friends. But as far as the wing supporting the team, there is nothing that could have said it any plainer. It was aspecial time and aspe¬ cial thing for the wing to do to pull us all together. It worked and 1am proud to have been on the receiving end of alot of love and support from the wing. It was the send-off that resulted in the only undefeated football team at the Academy. It would not have happened without the support of the Academy staff and the Cadet Wing. Ithank and have respect for each mem¬ ber of the wing that was there and it certainly sent amessage that the team heard and responded to. Thanks again! “

Back at USAFA there was imagination and spirit too: Chuck Ferrari, ‘59, was serving aClass III for signing in late from summer leave (and piloting his own plane when cadets could not even have cars). He recently wrote to Ed Zompa, ‘61, who had also been marching tours that day: “Guess who was the Cadet OD while you were walking tours -You got it -ME! Being on restrictions, I, of course, could not go to the Iowa game but, seeing as how almost everyone, officers included, was gone the MFWlCs decided Icould at least be the OD and supervise the underclassmen who were marching tours. So, there Iwas, watching you guys pound the ramp and reviewing the error of my ways. Iremember rotating you guys off the ramp, two at a time, to join me in the OD’s ‘room’ to watch the game on television for at least afew minutes every hour.”

After the game the campus was one big open house. We were invited to fraternity and sorority parties and had agreat time. Although we were all dressed alike in blue suits with silver buttons, we felt like real college stu¬ dents. When it was time to board the buses there was some public drunken¬ ness (one with trousers down around the ankles) -but not asingle lie to cover it up. (“We will not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate anyone among us who does.”) Days later there would be several highly-publicized Class-Ill punish¬ ments announced at noon meal at Mitchell Hall (as was the custom for all Class III punishments), 90 demerits, 150 tours, and sbt months restriction to

specified disciplinary limits for reflecting discredit on the Cadet Wing.

The THp home:

Although we had not slept in abed since Thursday night, we left Iowa about 2200 Saturday and rode 24 hours home to USAFA arriving at Taps on Sunday night, facing anormal Monday of inspection, Doolie knowledge, classes, mili¬ tary formations, drill, and intramurals -the disciplined life of acadet.

We were tired but happy, filled with indelible memories of teamwork and success and abelief in an Air Force -both cadre and cadet -that was fl ex¬ ible, courageous, willing to think out of the box, willing to attempt the un¬ attainable, able to respond quickly and effectively.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 1958, outweighed, but not out-fought, the scrappy Falcons had stunned the Iowa Hawkeyes and won the admiration of the nation. The team went on to out score their opponents 247 to 102, garner several All-American Honors, and play in the Cotton Bowl to a0-0 tie with TCU for afantastic undefeated season. We had beaten Detroit, CSU, Stanford, Utah, Oklahoma State, Denver, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Colo¬ rado.

It really was not so much the score of the game, rather, it was that on The Trip to Iowa the tradition of cadets and cadre working together to do the impossible on the field and off the field had begun!

lim Burton, ‘59, who as 1st Group commander had led the quick marchon, said after reading adraft of the story: “The real beauty of the entire ex¬ perience was in the fact that it was so spontaneous from beginning to end; the decision to go, the mad dash across the country in along snaking cara¬ van, the march onto the field, the game itself. The ‘Trip to Iowa’ was the defining moment in the coming of age for ayoung Air Force Academy that was searching for its own identity. Anyone who was fortunate enough to experience the trip will never forget it."

“Here is atoast to the host of the men we boast, the U. S. Air Force."

VA. Insurance Hoax

Resurfaces on the Internet

Amessage on the Internet has caused some confusion among veterans who have VA insurance policies. False information about dividends appear periodically.

These announcements declare that Congress has recently passed abill which entitles veterans and service persons to adividend based upon their prior years of service, and are part of arecurring problem of misinforma¬ tion that dates back to 1965. Unfortunately, this misinformation unneces¬ sarily raises the expectations of veterans and service personnel and detracts from our ability to serve our veterans.

The dividend “hoax”, as we refer to it, had its origins in aspecial dividend that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), then known as the Veterans Administration, did pay to World War II veterans who had National Service Life Insurance policies. Approximately $2.7 billion was paid in 1950 to over 16 million of these veterans under the “1948 special dividend.”

Some time in 1965, the special dividend news announcements of 15 years earlier resurfaced and were mistakenly published by several newspapers. The special dividend had already been paid out to virtually all eligible gov¬ ernment life insurance policyholders and there was no new special divi¬ dend. VA moved quickly to educate the news media, but some well-mean¬ ing individuals and organizations began to publish the announcements in smaller publications, newsletters, and flyers. The actual scope of the origi¬ nal dividend became fictionalized and some publications declared the divi¬ dend available to all veterans (not just World War II) and even to those who never carried government life insurance while in the service. The latest ru¬ mor is that active service persons, Reservists and personnel separated within the last few years are eligible.

The 1948 special dividend program required veterans to apply for the pay¬ ment. Over the years the dividend story has prompted hundreds of thou¬ sands of veterans to write and “apply" for this benefit. Although the amount of letters has fluctuated, we have received as many as 15-20,000 inquiries per week about this dividend in the past. Because of the volume of these requesters for anonexistent benefit. Congress passed alaw in 1970 that prohibited payment of any special dividend declared prior to 1952 unless the application was received before 1954. There has been no recent legisla¬ tion authorizing any “special” dhidends.

Dividends are not payable to current service members insured under Servicesman’s Group Life insurance (SGLI) or Veterans’ Group Life Insur¬ ance (VGLI). SGLI and VGLI are group policies and therefore, do not pay dividends.

For your information, VA continues to pay routine dividends on several policy series, but only to veterans who have kept their policies in force. These veterans receive their dividends automatically on the anniversary date of their individual policy. They do not have to apply. Contact your local VA RegionalOfficeforaddition^assistancebydialingourtoll-freenumber,1800-827-1000. (Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.)

Flight Training for ’98 Graduates Begins

“Safety is your #1 concern... Go there, be safe and fly.” Brig. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commandant of cadets, sent off 39 second lieuten¬ ants with these words of advice. In late October, 1998 Academy gradu¬ ates awaiting pilot training began anew introductory flight training program with seven local civilian FAA-certifled flight schools.

Second Lieutenant Brett Comer does athorough preflight before be¬ ginning his flight training at Arrow Aviation in Colorado Springs (Photo by Larry Hulst courtesy the Academy Spirit.)

Since T-3A operations are still suspended, this new program is de¬ signed to give second lieutenants flying experience prior to leaving for specialized undergraduate pilot training. The two factors which most affect success at pilot training are motivation and having some flying experience, according to Lt. Gen. Tad J. Oelstrom, Academy superin¬ tendent. Past statistical studies have shown that those with prior avia¬ tion experience dramatically increase their chances of successfully completing pilot training.

Sabre Society Thanked for Gift to Speakers

Program

Col. Jim Shaw, USAF, Retired Executive Director, Sabre Society

Dear Jim,

Allow me to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to the Sabre Society for their generous gift this year to the Distin¬ guished Speakers Program. As you know, this program pays for vis¬ its by distinguished senior scholars, retired government officials, military officers, senior DOD civilians, congressional staff mem¬ bers, and other professionals to bring life to the theoretical and analytical topics discussed in academic programs. These visits are truly unique in that they allow more interactions among faculty, cadets and our visitors.

Through your funds we are able to offer something to the cadets and improve the quality of programs offered at the Academy in ways that absolutely could not be accomplished without them. There are many recent restrictions on using appropriated funds for hono¬ raria, and these restrictions have made it prohibitive for depart¬ ments to bring in leaders of their field, asupporting beam of aca¬ demic and military excellence. In addition, appropriated funds have not been allocated in the amounts needed for abroad-based pro¬ gram across the faculty on any account. Therefore, the Sabre Society’s gift adds substantial value to keeping, indeed elevating, the Academy in the top tier of academic institutions.

Throughout this academic year, via my staff, Iwill keep you up¬ dated on the many quality speakers we have brought to the Acad¬ emy only by virtue of the funds you have provided. At that time I hope it will be clear to you just how tremendously your gift has contributed to the professional development of our cadets.

Sincerely

Douglas J. Murray, Colonel, USAF Staff Supervisor, Distinguished Speakers Program

at Local Flight Schools

The students, who all have specialized undergraduate pilot training (SUPT) start dates within 60 days, will receive between 20 and 40 hours of flight training as well as ground school instruction. After the initial 39 students depart for SUPT, an additional 106 members of the Class of 1998 with later training dates are scheduled to receive local introduc¬ tory flight training.

The initial 39 graduates are test cases, according to Col. Daniel R. Eagle, 34“’ Operations Group commander. Their progress will be tracked daily. The U.S. Air Force does not consider the training program asubstitute for the flight screening program previously conducted in the T-3. The T-3 was placed in minimal maintenance status in September while flight testing and aircraft modifications continue.

Participating flight schools include: Aspen Flying Club (Englewood), American Aviation, Inc. (Peyton), Arrow Aviation (Colorado Springs), Colorado Skyways (Colorado Springs), Pikes Peak Flying Club (Colo¬ rado Springs), and Wings of Denver Flying Club Inc. (Englewood). (In¬ formation compiled by the Academy Spirit Staff)

New Pilots Will Serve Longer

In an effort to increase pilot retention in the long term and ensure the nation gets afair return on alarge investment, the Acting Secre¬ tary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Michael E. Ryan announced earlier this year their decision to in¬ crease the active-duty service commitment for specialized under¬ graduate pilot training to 10 years.

This is the first time the Air Force has instituted a10-year commit¬ ment; the previous eight-year commitment was instituted in 1988. The increase will affect people entering pilot training on or after October 1999.

“The Class of 2000 will be the first group of cadets affected by this new policy,” said Capt. Mike Smith, flight commander of military per¬ sonnel flight. Academy and ROTC cadets commissioned during fiscal year '98 and FT99 will not be affected by the increase.

Under the current ADSC system, pilots can incur additional com¬ mitment time for programs such as upgrade and instructor training. Individuals incurring the 10-year commitment will not receive any other flying ADSCs, but they may still incur PCS, promotion, and other non-flying commitments. (Information provided by the Military Per¬ sonnel Flight to f/ie Academy Spirit)

AOG Solicits AFA Fund Projects!

By Jim Shaw, ‘67 Vice President, Development

The annual Air Force Academy (AFA) Fund drive is well underway to raise money to help provide the “extra margin of excellence" for the cadet experience. AFA funds have been used to support avariety of projects and needs identified through the Academy’s Gift Needs List. The AOG Board also actively solicits and considers proposals from AOG members and Chapters which will enhance AOG membership, support cadets, and/or benefit the Academy. Member/Chapter initiated propos¬ als for FY2000 (1 July 1999 -30June 2000) must be received by the AOG Development Office by Feb. 26,1999.

In considering aproposal, the board uses the following guidelines and criteria. AFA Fund money will be used for Academy and cadet support, programs for Academy graduates, projects that build links between cadets and graduates, and for programs which attract and retain AOG members. AFA Fund money allocated to the Academy is intended to provide the “extra margin of excellence” in cadet educa¬ tion, training, and morale. Funds allocated to programs for graduates are intended to promote an increased sense of community among graduates, produce direct benefits for graduates, create or enhance chapter/society programs, and improve relations between the Acad¬ emy and the AOG/chapters and societies.

Emphasis will be given to projects and proposals which bear alast¬ ing value to the Academy or the graduate community, provide the broadest benefit to graduates and cadets, and provide the greatest rec¬ ognition for the AOG and fund donors. Plan now for FY 2000. For details on submitting applications, please call the AOG Development Office at (719) 472-0300.

1990 Graduate Earns Top Air Force Safety Award

Capt. Jeffrey B. Samuel, '90, apilot wlio overcame multiple in-flight explosions and made asafe landing has received the Air Force's high¬ est safety award. The 1997 KorenKolligian Jr. Trophy was presented by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan, ‘65, in aceremony at the Pentagon earlier this year. Samuel was the 41st recipient of the Kolligian trophy, presented annually to the aircrew member who most successfully manages aserious in-flight emergency.

The captain is assigned as an instructor pilot and flight evaluator in the 493rd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. Samuel’s award-tvinning actions stemmed from an in-flight emer¬ gency June 27, 1997, involving his F-15C. During aweapon system evaluation program live missile fire mission, one of the AIM-7 mis¬ siles broke apart immediately after launch. The resulting explosion caused amassive fuel leak in the fighter aircraft and severed its flight control cables.

The pilot quickly took all emergency procedures and managed to maintain straight and level flight; however, as he prepared to land, fuel vapors entered the wheel well and cause asecond explosion that destroyed the electrical wiring in the right main landing gear. Despite severe structural damage and extensive flight control problems, Samuel flew aflawless approach and successfully engaged the land¬ ing cable.

Academy Graduate Honored with Two JUskegee Awards

By Airman 1®' Class Richard Kbmurek Academy Spirit Staff

The national group Tuskegee Airmen Inc. earlier this year awarded Maj. Yolandea Wood, '86, former Academy history instruc¬ tor, two awards for contributions to youth aviation programs. Wood, who left the Academy for Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. earlier this year, received the Brig. Gen. Noel Parrish Award and the Tuskegee Presidential Award at the 27“' Annual Tuskegee Air¬ men Convention in Washington, D.C., Aug. 8.

The annual Parrish award recognizes aperson whose achieve¬ ments enhance equal access to knowledge, skills and opportuni¬ ties. Wood is the 11“' winner of the award, the fi rst women and the first active-duty Air Force member to be honored with the award. The Presidential Award was given to Wood for her work with the local Tuskegee Airmen chapter that is comprised mostly of cadets and other Academy members.

According to Wood, the Academy Tuskegee Airmen chapter has raised thousands of dollars for cadet flying programs and hosted guest speakers for cadets. The chapter sponsors pre-flight train¬ ing flying lessons for cadets who have no previous flight experi¬ ence, to encourage careers in aviation. For Wood, winning the awards came as ashock. “I was totally dumbfounded,” she said. "This was the second time Iwas nominated, and I fi gured Iwould never win,” she added.

Soaring Team Takes First Place

During Labor Day weekend, while most of the country was enjoy¬ ing the last wisps of summer, the Academy’s cross-country soaring team successfully competed in the Rocky Mountain Soaring Con¬ test in Fort Collins, Colo.

The team consisted of 94“' Flying Training Squadron officers and cadet soaring instructor pilots and took first place by outscoring the closest competition by almost 300 points. The contest, sponsored by the Colorado Soaring Association, was open to organized teams as well as individual pilots and was held at Owl Canyon Glider Port, adusty strip 12 miles north of Fort Collins.

The 94“' FTS sent three gliders to the contest: one ASK-21 and two Schweizer l-26s, and dominated by taking fi rst, third and fourth place. The team consisted of seven competition pilots and four ground crew members to help with launching and recovering the sailplanes.

Samuel has flown more than 50 combat sorties during Operations Southern Watch, Vigilant Warrior and Northern Watch, and has deployed to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, Sardinia and Scotland to participate in exercises and contingency operations.

The Kolligian trophy is named after 1st Lt. Koren Kolligian Jr., an Air Force pilot declared missing in the line of duty when his T-33 aircraft disappeared off the California coast Sept. 14, 1955. The trophy is the only Air Force individual safety award personally presented by the Air Force chief of staff. (Air Force News Service)

Academy Welcomes New Vice Superintendent, Brian Binn, 72

The Academy welcomed anew vice superintendent on Nov. 1. Col. Brian Binn, '72, replaced Col. Peter Fox, '70, who retired in September. Binn came to the Academy after serving as vice commander of 19* Air Force, Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He is acommand pilot with more than 6,100 flight hours.

Col. Brian Biim, ‘72

After graduating from the Academy in 1972, Binn spent four years here as an assistant professor of aeronautics, and executive officer to the Dean of the Faculty beginning in 1980. “I’ve been impressed by the changes I’ve seen since my last tour at the Academy,” said Binn. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to return once again.”

As vice superintendent, Binn serves as the chief administrator to the superintendent and as principal coordinating agent for command mat¬ ters. “I look forward to getting around to all the mission elements and meeting the dedicated men and women contributing to our important mission,” Binn said.

The colonel and his wife, Barbara, have three children, daughters Kelly and Lisa, and son Keith.

Academy Flying Team Wins 15th First Place

The Academy FiyingTeam brought home Region One honors accumu¬ lating 374 points at the competition in Rangely Colorado this past Octo¬ ber. This is the 15th year in arow that the team took top honors in the regional competition. (Photo by Larry Hulst courtesy the Academy Spirit)

FALCON SPORTS

Col. Randall W. Spetman,

‘76, Athletic Director

Falcon Gridders Off to WAG Playoff, Aloha Bowl

The Academy football team won the Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division after their 22-16 final regular-season game against Rice on Nov. 21 and were headed to Las Vegas and the WAC Champion¬ ship playoffs in Sam Boyd Stadium Dec. 5, against Brigham Young Uni¬ versity, the Pacific Division champions.

Bryce Fisher proudly heaves the Western Athletic Conference Moun¬ tain Division Champion trophy after the Academy beat Rice University 22-16 on Nov.21. With the win, the Falcons were off to playBYUin the WAC championship game in Las Vegas and also accepted an invitation to play in the Jeep Aloha Bowl Christmas Classic in Honolulu on Christ¬ mas Day. (Photo by Larry Hulst courtesy the Academy Spirit)

The Falcons finished their regular season with a10-1 posting while BYU had a9-3 finish. Earlier in the season, the team captured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy beating Navy at home 49-7 and Army away 35-7. The Falcons also garnered an invitation to play in the Jeep Aloha Bowl Christmas Classic Doubleheader Dec. 25 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The teams box score follows:

Sept. 5Wake Forest -won 42-0

Sept. 12 at UNLV-won 52-10

Sept. 17 Colorado State -won 30-27

Sept. 26 at Texas Christian -lost 34-35

Oct. 3NewMexico-won 56-14

Oct. 10 Navy -won 49 -7

Oct.24 atTiilsa-won42-21

Oct. 31 SMU-won 31-7

Nov. 7at Army -won 35-7

Nov. 14 atVl^oming-won 10-3

Nov.21 Rice-won22-16

1999 Football Schedule

(As of 19 November 1998)

Sept. 4Villanova at USAFA &AOG Tailgate

Sept. 18 USAFA at U. ofWashington

Sept. 25 Wyoming at USAFA &AOG Tailgate

Oct. 2 USAFA at San Diego State U.

Oct. 9USAFA at Navy

Oct. 16 Utah at USAFA, Homecoming &AOG Thilgate

Oct. 30 USAFA at BYU

Nov. 6Army at USAFA &AOG Thilgate

Nov. 13 UNLV at USAFA

Nov. 20 USAFA at CSU

Nov. 27 USAFA at New Mexico

Sports Information)

Doolittle Hall Available For Many Special Occasions

Doolittle Hall is now available at very reasonable rates for special functions. To date the AOG has hosted avariety of events: depart¬ ment meetings, retirements, wedding receptions, workshops, cock¬ tail parties, luncheons and formal and informal dinners. Doolittle Hall can accommodate as many as 300 at asit-down dinner and more than 500 for acocktail party.

Available facilities include conference rooms, the library lounge with bar, and outdoor patio area, weather permitting. AOG mem¬ bers receive preferential rates. For more specific information on your special-function needs, please call Jean Bickford at the AOG at (719) 472-0300.

Falcons Wm 12th Commander-in-Chiefs TYophy

Falcon quarterback Blaine Morgan picks up yardage as Air Force de¬ feated Navy 49-7 and Army 35-7 this season to win the Commander-in Chief’s Trophy for the 12th time. The Falcons’ combined points of vic¬ tory margin are the most in Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy history (Photo courtesy

CLASS NEWS

Pete Todd

1250 Big Valley Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80919-1015

Home: (719) 531-5874

FAX: (719) 531-6697

E-mail: petetodd@aol.com

Percent members: 83

Well, it finally happened. Everybody was having such agood atime throughout the summer that you forgot to trumpet your activities to the Scribe. So, for the first time in nearly ten years, the mailbag is nearly empty. Bummer.

But not completely. Paul LASEN e-mailed me to be sure no one missed amajor 59er milestone: On July 2, The Oldest Living Grad, a.k.a. Art SHUMATE, led the Class of 1959 into the full-benefit Social Security era! Paul thinks this gives us le¬ verage to induce Art not to miss the 1999 reunion; we could threaten to put acon¬ tract out on him and cause him to lose his number one position. (Does anybody know who’s number two? Is it even a59er?)

Paul also waxed poetic about an Oklahoma City airshow he attended in June. He liked the WW11 warbirds, but was particularly impressed with the two F- 104s that performed. He feels it sad that we don’t have more of the century series fighters still airborne for such shows. 1hear that.

One piece of good news on the health front: Charlie MEIER has come through double bypass surgery in fine fashion. Like most of us would have, he put the op¬ eration off until the symptoms and doctor’s advice became insistent and inescap¬ able, but feels so good now that Betsy is having trouble slovring him down.

The other piece of good news involves not a59er, but one of our class’ heroes, B/ Gen (Ret) Robert McDermott, In May, “McD” received the 1998 Alumni Achieve¬ ment Award from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. This rare honor recognizes alumni who embody the very highest standards of professional accomplishment. Past recipients have come from awide variety of businesses and backgrounds. All have combined great personal achievement and integrity with service to profession and community. His certificate reads, in part, “Epitome of patriotism, principle, and the heroic ideal, you transform organizations with your extraordinary foresight and ability to lead. From high technology to human re¬ sources, your innovations change the way that things are done forever.” Sounds like the McD we know. Harvard couldn’t have found amore fitting person upon whom to bestow this special honor. All the 59ers extend our warmest congratula¬ tions.

By the time you read these words in Checkpoints, we will all know the answer to the burning question of the year, namely, will the Falcons’ 3-0 start translate into another brilliant season or vrill they stumble over their national ranking and punt several games to lesser opponents. For those of you who saw the CSU game, you saw the best and the worst of what they’re capable of doing. Here’s to arecord season!

Bestwishesfora great holiday seasonanda healthy, happy new year. And please pass on your news and views; vrithout your help, Tm down to cute grandbaby say¬ ings in the next column.

Thought for the quarter. Never attribute to malice that which is adequately ex¬ plained by stupidity.

A.J. (Rosie) Cler, Jr.

11181 West 17 th Ave.

Building Two, Unit 208 Lakewood, CO 80215-2759 (303) 238-4973, FAX: 237-0772

Percent members: 77

Sad news first. Gary Francis CREW died July 28"’ in Denver's Porter Hospital. He had an angioplasty July 8,1998 followed by two open-heart surgeries, minor stoke, and four operations. Services were held at the USAFA Chapel 8/1/98 with inter¬ ment at our cemetery.

Ron DEEP (Honor Rep 2,1) writes: “Still teaching probability and statistics, arti¬ ficial intelligence, and operations research at the University of Dayton’s School of Engineering. Carolyn and Iwent to Europe and were met in Munich by Gary and Susan GULBRANSEN, who drove us down to Garmish. We then took atrain to Italy while Gary and Susan returned for the Kentucky Derby. Touring the Roman Coliseum and Forum was fabulous, stirring memories of the (RosAl) toga parties! Carolyn and I’ll see you at the 40*' reunion.”

Social Swirl. The TWoth Annual Potato Fest (R: as always, Idisavow making this up) was held July 2&3in downtown Monument CO. Classmates living in this megalopolis (land’s cheap, water’s plentiful, food stamps easily obtained) are the KENDALLS, YATESes, GLAZA, WARACKs, and SCHEHRs. Potatoes -check the speUing with Danny Quayle -were submitted for prizes in the categories of baked, casseroles, or miscellaneous. (R: locals regard this event as virtually comparable to Madame Curie’s invention of the transistor radio). Killer KENDALL had apo¬ tato in the back of his bathing suit, PUPICH fed YATES Slivovitz -that’s agent Or-

Goose and Ron dwarfing Ludwig's Castle. ange with an unprocessed effluent spiked with liberal doses of Sarin -and always-clever-column-contributor Barbara KENDALL (nickname: Scoop) provided the benefits of her watchful eye by reporting that “I kept my eyes peeled! ”(R: Get it? If not. I’ll write alitde slower)...

Next on the whirl of social activity here in the Rockies was the 'Wine and Cheese Festival in Winter Park August P‘. Ron and Connie YATES and daughter Kristy invited Karen and Ito their Iron Horse Lodge condo for curdling some cheese and to drink lotsa wine. (When you’re seeking the companionship of acongenial couple to ride several hundred miles over the hills and dales of Mother Nature’s more treacherous trails which even Lewis &Clark wouldn’t attempt to hurdle, contact the YATESes. They’re serious mountain bikers.) Note: If you’ve got aspe¬ cial event you’d like to report (Mushroom Day, Flat Earth Society meeting. Pan¬ cake Dinner ofthe Mars Society), send details to my Society Editor, Ms. DaMeanor.

WHATIAMFAMOUSFORAWARD. “I’ve been agood rifle shot all my life. Used to hunt deer, and when in my 20’s did abit of mountain climbing and wanted to hunt bighorn sheep. In the ‘60s Ibuilt arifle specially designed for sheep hunt¬ ing. A1917 Winchester Enfield, Iinstalled a25-caliber barrel and chambered it for 30-07, meaning that it can zero at 300 yards, shoots two inches high at 150 yards; and, Ideveloped alonging to re-enact aPaleolithic hunting ritual. I’m a fraction American Indian with agrandfather named Eagle, and started dreaming about hunting bands moving from Siberia across Alaska to Colorado enroute to Mexico. The mountain sheep in Alaska -Dali sheep, are white all year and hard to hunt but not to see. So, Ispent 10 days in 1996 seeking sheep. 100-mile bush plane flight into aremote no-load camp in the Wrangell Mountains and 20 miles on ahorse to abase camp. Me, aguide, and wrangler for the eight horses. Td tuned the rifle and planned taking just one bullet. I’d only take asure shot. We and three wild horses chased one sheep up and down afew thousand feet of cliffs next to the Carl Glacier for about five days. He saw us and moved away before I could get within 300 yards; finally making amistake, Igot in aquick shot. That sheep fell over 1,000 feet down the mountain. We went back to camp and Itook this picture the next morning.” (Jack

BRUSH)

Norman Cope ALEXANDER says he’s “still pushing arope at Parker-Hannifm, ready to retire but short some green. Ido carefully invest in my ability to pick six correct numbers each Wednesday and Saturday night, however. My oldest, Suzane, and her husband are in England with Boeing, She quit several years ago but starts back next month. He’s on the Nimrod program and they find they really like living overseas, Debbie and 1spent 10 days over there last fall for asuper visit. Our second daughter Mitzi and her family live in Aurora, and we visit often since the greatest grandkids in the world are there. lust returned from an Alaskan inner passage cruise followed by afew days with our former pastor and his family in anchorage -Debbie’s first cruise, and she’s ready for another. John BROWNING and Iare happy hiding out here in Weatherford XX; we haven’t yet decided if we’ll join you old people any time soon.”

wit FUTCH and wife, Marti, told me about their recent enjoyable time in En¬ gland. Aweek in London, Stratford-on-Avon to see Twelfth Night, York and the English Motorway to Edinburgh for three days and Inverness, then across to the isle of Skye and inverary, finally to Glasgow four days and back to London. Walt’s working on afund-raising drive for their local Lompoc CA library, and went in mid-July to Sacramento for areunion of his last USAE flying squadron with Ken and Carol BIEHLE.

Ken and Carol, Marti and Walt

Seems that England’s the current destination of choice. Frank (Water polo Club 2,1) and Eve MAYBERRY spent the summer with Eve’s brother in West Sussex, isle ofWight (not Wong), Exeter to research Frank’s ancestors, North Devon in an on¬ site van at Ilfracombe, East Anglia, Cambridge’s colleges, Yorkshire, returning to Colorado in late October.

Contest. Alot of our classmates -and here I’m not at liberty to say exactly how many, although their numbers are rapidly approaching single-digit proportionshave asked: When are you (Rosie) going to have acontest? One in which we can win valuable prizes? The answer is: NOW! So, who can recall those classmates with nicknames conforming to sobriquets connoting the abilities to run, crawl, swim or ignite upon impact? Who was the Gnome?Roach?Rat? Whale?Dolphin? Duck?Hawk?Bear?PifSeal?Gnat?Wedge?Mole?Panda?Snake?Germ?Flea?

Fish? Goose?Shep?Chik? (Was there also amanatee, cormorant, or gnu? Naaahhh -those were some bottom feeders from ’59). 1*> Prize: You’ll be flown back to picturesque Ponca City OK on “Wing and aPrayer Airways” (motto: “Our Pilots are Really Young, but our Planes are Alot older”), provided semi-modern lodging at the Just Dropped Inn for two nights, and receive discount breakfast coupons at Betty’s Bar-B-Q and Grits Palace (“Mandarin/Peruvian/African/Basque/Russian/ Soul Food is Our Specialty”). 2“* Prize: Afull month, two meals aday and avery brief ride in any T-3A of INFINITE duration. Submit your entry today and we’ll include achit for appetizers at Sam-n-Ella’s Pork chop Pit (to more rapidly facili¬ tate the processing of your contest form, include alarge bottle of Stolichnaya vodka).

“Wife Millie and I(writes Kirk CANTERBURY) came to Charlotte NC 28 years ago, bought one of the houses that Jim THOMASSON was building at that time and have been here ever since. I’ve been involved in every kind of saies imagin¬ able and currently run astartup company selling auxiliary equipment to the in¬ jection molding industry. Millie and Ihave two boys -one aphysical fitness con¬ sultant in Williamsburg VA, the other afacilities director at an athletic club. Jim THOMASSON is flying for aNASCAR race team and having the time of his life. Make it known that any classmate traveling i-77 or 1-85 will be welcome." Po^ourri. Dan ALMANZAR’s postcard let us know that “I don’t do much (work, that is). Enjoyed our 25"’, so put me down as a(probable) for the 40’"!”...Mary WADDLE’S brother John Adams is agolfer on the PGA tour.. .Bill and Kath GILLIS and grandkids Cecelia and Sebastian were in Denver for afamily wedding in July, we had dinner with them.. .Jack and Jeanne BRUSH recently visited Belize.. .The JOLLYs go on aMexican Riviera cruise February 7-14"’, 1999. Roy and Barb moved to Mesquite NV last year. In July ’98, that casino-village held a“Running of the Bulls” (a la Pamplona) with 600 runners risking severe gorement(?), according to the Mesquite Desert News. Coincidence? Was Roy responsible?.. .Dave REED had angioplasty last December; he’s moved to 921 Roxwood Lane, Boulder CO 80303, (303) 494-3154 and plans to get married soon...Tony BILELLO had open heart surgery in Cleveland last year...Lost Classmates: BAKER, CURRIER, GIRARD, HINES, LEWIS? They’re whereabouts?

This poetic reminder from a“Friend of this Column:” Our 40th reunion will occur in Y2K, May be Winter, could be in May. Plan to be there for all the events, 100% is expected of you '60-gents.

NULLI SECUNDUS.

Bye from the Rose. Have aCool Yule and aFrantic First.

Edward A. Zompa

121 Scenic Drive

Madison, AL 35758

(205) 971-8973

E-Mail: Vtailed@aol.com

Percent members: 83

It’s column time again, and there is news from Pat BUCKLEY in the U. K. Pat went to the Schneider Trophy Air Race at Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight, just across the water from his cottage on Spice Island in Old Ports¬ mouth, England, The race started in 1913 and was won consecutively by Lts. Rittenhouse and Doolittle of the U.S.A. in 1923 and 1925. The end result was the Spitfire. Pat turned 59 on 9/13 and ran in the Portsmouth, England Great South Run of 10 miles; completed it in 1hour, 29 minutes, 11.42 seconds. Pat has also been doing some soaring there.

The second annual Gray Tag Redneck Roundup (GTRR) convenes at Gulf Shores 10/2-10/5, arranged by Jimmy POOLE. Expected to attend are: Sam and Gwen BARAZONNE, Bob and Jan BRICKEY, Doug and Dee CAIRNS, Jimmy and Patty HOURIN, Charlie and Lynda NEEL, Hector and Joan NEGRONI (New grandparents!), PB and Mer O’CONNER, Jimmy and Susan POOLE, Bob and Winnie WAGNER, Lowell and Sandy JONES, Neal and Gwen WESTBROOK, and 1and Gayle. John PAYNE may visit, given sufficient social pressure.

Gordon CLARKE heard from Tom PATTIE for the first time in about 19 years. Tom has retired for the second time (from Civil Service in Washington) due to alingering back injury sustained in Vietnam. Tom was thrown out of the back seat of an 0-1 as it was shot down and suffered many injuries, including a broken back, and was in acoma for about three months. After recovering at Walter Reed for about ayear, he returned to active duty in an infantry battal¬ ion in Germany, only to be medically retired from the Army sometime later. Gordon feels Tom would be glad to hear from others: Tom Pattie, P.O. Box 372, Basye, Va. 22810-0372, (540) 856-2524. Note: He lives alone and does not have e-mail.

(Editor’s note: The following paragraph concerning Earl AMAN was sent in to Checkpoints in September. We are sorry to report that Earl died on Oct. 15. His funeral, attended by numerous classmates, was at the Academy on Oct. 19.)

Marc ANDERSON sent word on 8/24 that Earl AMAN was at VenCor Hospital. He had been battling pneumonia, taking antibiotics, and his red blood cell count had been down, which required acouple units of blood. Thanks to much Gray Tag support generated through the Gray Tag Net, Earl won a$1,000 prize for the Internet contest he entered. Also, the XIO Software Company commit¬ ted to paying the Courage Foundation 10 percent of their July sales. Here, I’ll just quote Marc directly, "Earl is one hell of afighter -probably the most cou¬ rageous man 1have ever known. And Lucy’s caring love and support have been monumental. 1feel fortunate to have had the chance to spend the past couple years close by -and together with Larry (FREEMAN), to help out a little bit." Thanks, Marc.

The ski trip is coming together per Stu BOYD for the weekend after President’s weekend (Feb) with room reservations for 20 starting Thursday the 18th. Stu is asking for 10 for Sunday night the 20th for those who want to get in one last day. Marriott bought and completely remodeled the hotel. Rooms will be $71. There will be alarge dinner for the 19th. Snow Basin is adding four lifts this year including two high-speed quads and agondola. Stu will have more info later, watch for it on GTN.

Dick Coppock called several weeks ago. His only problem is remembering to take his Metamucil, Viagra, and Preparation Hat the right times and places. Dick advises that directory data on Roger Likens is probably not that of our classmate Rodger Gene LIKENS (note the “d”). The current data may have resulted from a search for classmates in conjunction with areunion.

With Pops KELLERMAN, Dick determined that Rodger is probably deceased. Death documents were filed, but they could not find any corroborating data. Other sources reveal Rodger resigned from the Air Force June 30,1964, acuriosity because we had afour-year commitment. Dick wants to correct the directory to avoid inconvenience to the currently listed person. If you have any information, contact Dick.

Brice lONES sent acolor copy of an article from San Diego’s “Metropolitan Maga¬ zine and Daily Business Report." The cover features agreat picture of Sam FIARDAGE, smiling and wielding asilver-colored pick (as in pick and shovel), and captioned “A Half-Billion Dollar Smile.” Nomura Asset Capital Corporation bought 35 percent of HardageWoodfin Suite Hotels for $81.5M and will provide aline of credit for another $405.5M to finance the building of one Woodfin per month for the next five years.

Where’s Hugh BAINTER? Recent GTN e-mails have bounced back. Hello?

Lastly, 1have asked and Tom ELLER has agreed to relieve me as the Gray Tag Scribe. Last fall, 1accepted an appointment to anewly formed board of educa¬ tion in our city. It has been an exciting challenge and satisfying opportunity, but with heavy demands. 1advised Tom early that 1wanted to continue as long as possible as the scribe. Most of you are aware of the state of education in our country. Iam in aposition to make an impact on education in our community, and that has to be apriority activity for my time.

Being scribe has been arewarding assignment. You learn alot of things first, and help to coordinate an activity here and there. The GTN will benefit from a more computer-literate person than 1who can get us to the next level of aweb page and/or bulletin board. 1told Tom Iwould write the next column in Decem¬ ber and hand off GTN as soon as there is anew scribe identified. Ienjoyed being the Gray Tag Scribe and thank you for the privilege.

John W. “Jack” Jamba

4Judy Court

Satellite Beach, FL 32937

Home: (407) 777-5520

Office: (407) 861-3519

E-Mail: jwjamba@aol.com

Percent members; 72

Hi Redtags! Summer is starting to cool off and we should start launching the Shutde apin at the end of October. The fact that the Russians were unable to meet their launch date slowed down the launch activity here.

Got achange of address from Stan and Mary Anne PATRIE. They moved into an apartment in Charlotte while their new home was being constructed in the nearby mountains. That’s beautiful country up there. Coincidentally, Caroline and 1were returning from California on USAir in July when Iheard the flight crew announce that the aircraft commander was Stan PATRIE. 1sent my business card up to the cockpit and Stan came back to our seats for afew seconds to say hello. Later in the flight as we neared Orlando, Stan announced that the passenger in seat 17B (me) was an old space pioneer who had been at Kennedy Space Center since the Gemini days. He said 1could answer any questions about the space program. Some of the nearby passengers thought Iwas an astronaut. You got me on that one, Stan. It was good seeing you again.

Tim GILMARTIN sent me aDilbert cartoon titled “The Importance of Donuts.” One character says “Never call ameeting without donuts or all order will be lost.” Amember of the meeting says, “Is it just me or is there adefinite lack of donuts in this meeting?” Four more people in succession say, “I have an old one in my purse, but it’s only for emergencies.” “1 think you ate all the donuts yourself” “1 smelled donut on his breath.” “Lock the door...” Tim says, “This cartoon tells the whole story on how difficult it was to maintain some semblance of focus at the reunion committee meetings,., Tim also sadly noted the passing of Tom RHOADES during this past summer. Those of us on the Redtag net got acopy of anewspaper article about Tom.

Got an e-mail update from Dave FIELDS. “Life is pretty good if not exciting. (Maybe that's why.) Anmarie (wife), after many years of working (nurse at Kodak), took abuyout and decided she had saved enough money so she could go to school.

Sometimes in the royal tradition of RTBs, we do things backward. Anmarie has four kids and nine grandkids. Three of the kids and seven of the grandkids are in our area, keeping us abit involved with that generation. They range in age from four to 20(she’s ajunior at the Uof Rochester.) Ihave been at Monroe County in the programming/design business for about ayear and ahalf after abunch of years contracting and before that, 17 years at Kodak. About all else Ican report Is that Iam FOB (certainly not Friend of Bill) but Fatter, Older, Balder! Writing this

day after the Starr Report was released; my opinion has not changed, only been reinforced. The amazing thing to me is the large number of people who still think he is agreat /good president. (One of my relatives) says either he has a“disease” or he has been set up by the Republicans. She is probably not alone. Until some¬ thing exciting happens, 1send you one single thought written in snow from Buf¬ falo to Syracuse, “There is no substitute for Honor.” Thanks for the input Dave. There has been alot of hot mail flowing on the Redtag Net about the president’s problems. All of it was unsympathetic and unprintable.

My daughter Lisa was married on Labor Day weekend to her high school sweet¬ heart. She wanted asmall wedding with family and close friends and it was per¬ formed in the backyard of our older daughter in nearby Melbourne. What agreat ceremony and afun time it was. I’ll have apicture for the next issue.

Tom YOUNG drove over from Tampa for an afternoon and evening visit with Colin RICHARDSON and me. The accompanying picture shows the three of us in Colin’s favorite haunt in Satellite Beach. We had an enjoyable afternoon and then Caroline and Ihad dinner with Tom at our favorite steak house.

Colin Richardson, Jack Jamba andTomYoung get together at Satellite Beach, FL. Got aphone call from Willie GRAY saying that he has fully retired to anew house across the river in aplace called Suntree. Imagine that, no more reporting in to an office... in New Jersey, no less. That was aheck of acommute for you Willie. Glad you don’t have to do that anymore.

1didn’t get very much in the way of newsy news items for this month’s column. Therefore 1wall show' some more BS* Reunion photographs. I’m almost out of reunion pictures, so don’t forget to waite something to me as soon as you receive this issue. Remember that Iusually have two weeks after aCheckpoints issue is distributed before Ihave to send in my next column.

More Memories from the Reunion

Caroline and Jack Jamba with Randy and Lieu Schamberger athe 35“' Reunion.

Logan and Anne Babin with Dave and Ann Whitman at the Sd'" Reunion.

35“' Reunion: Rudy Bow, Ralph Spory, and Don and Rose Shepperd.

Did you Redtags remember that the April 1962 issue of the Talon had Bobby FELTS’ picture on the cover doing the Twist vrith an equally young date? Did Bobby remember?

That’s it for now. Start the letters and e-mails coming again. Go Redtags!

Norman I. Lee ill 17532 N.E. 38th Court

Redmond, WA 98052

W: (425)237-6004 H: (425)882-0968

E-mail: swan01@aol.com

Work e-mail: norman.i.lee@boeing.com

Fax: (425) 237-5775

Percent members: 76

Ireceived very sad news earlier this summer that Bill FANNING had passed away. The AOG was very quick to notify me and shortly thereafter Iheard from Jimmie BUTLER about the memoriaJ service. According to Jimmie, about 200 of Bill’s rela¬ tives and friends were in attendance. Jimmie reported the Class of 1963 contin¬ gent included Jim THYNG (in from New Hampshire), Phil TATE and Jeanie, Bill BALL, Drue and Betty DEBERRY, Kip KJPPENHAN, Jim and Jo GASTON, Butch VERDIER, Ev and Susie VAUGHN, and maybe one or two more he didn’t see among the crowd. Jimmie added, and Iquote: “Monsoon clouds obscured the mountains and had settled in almost to the tops of the spires of the cadet chapel. As the time for Bill’s service approached, cars were parked almost all the way to the top of the hill leading down to Harmon Hall. As Jand others made the long walk to the chapel, the mournful music of asingle bagpipe echoed among the buildings, the hills, and the clouds. Classmates Jim Thyng and Phil Tate offered aheartfelt eulogy with memories from cadet days up through the last Saturday evening of Bill’s life ... The bagpiper exited the chapel playing Amazing Grace. We exited ashort time later to arecording of the cadet chorale’s version of High Flight. Agraveside ser¬ vice was held under the blanket of monsoon clouds that had dumped three inches of steady rain on the area yesterday. The grass in the cemetery was green and thick, and not saturated wet as one might expect. Full military honors were ren¬ dered to Bill. The Commandant of Cadets presented the American flag to Barbara. Jim Thyng said they would be going back to Three Streams Ranch tomorrow to scatter some of Bill’s ashes on the land he loved.”

Given the upcoming Class Reunion (you will read this acouple of months after the reunion), Ithought adding ashort biography of Bill would be appropriate. Bill called Tuxedo, NY his home. There he graduated from Tuxedo High School, as valedictorian, and started college at RPl. Fortunately for the Air Force, he changed courses and entered the U.S. Air Force Academy as amember of the Class of 1963 known as the Golden Boys. Upon graduation, Biii went to flight school near Lub¬ bock, TX. His first major operational assignment was as pilot of the Lockheed C130, atactical airlift assault transport. He became an instructor pilot and logged thousands of hours in this aircraft, much of it in Vietnam. He flew 459 combat sorties from Feb ’66 to Feb ’67 and was awarded anumber of decorations to in¬ clude the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation. Later Bill graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology with aMaster of Science degree in sys¬ tems engineering. He was assigned to the Air Force Communications Satellite project office at Hanscom Field, MA. Not long thereafter. Bill, at age 36, was dealt asevere blow; he nearly died from amassive heart attack. Despite the setback. Bill persevered; he fought Air Force conclusions that his career be medically termi¬ nated and won. He took his unique skills to Headquarters North American Aero¬ space Defense Command in Colorado Springs where he served until retirement in 1983 as aMajor. Bill then joined Ford Aerospace, later Loral, and continued his work as aspace systems engineer until his second retirement in 1996. At that time he and Barbara focused on their dream to live in the Colorado high country. They ultimately purchased 35 acres of the Three Streams Ranch where Bill died doing what he wanted to do in aplace he wanted to be.

About aweek or so ago. Art KERR (’61) sent an e-mail that you might find inter¬ esting. The e-mail note is about Tom FIEDLER where Art reported having spoken with Tom’s father, CarlM. Fiedler, who resides at 15 llClay Street, Davenport, Iowa 52804 (319) 322-7664. Art suggested Imight want to put out this bit of info in our Checkpoints Class News. Maybe Tom’s father would enjoy hearing from some his classmates. Art continues: “How this came my way -long story about the WWW. Anyway, aretired master sergeant has agreat web site that includes alot of stuff about AWACS and its predecessor, the EC-121 Connie, which Tom (and Jim GOODMAN) and Iflew at OTIS AFB Mass, Imade some inputs to it -along comes another retired guy who takes abig interest in all of this and is now doing massive amounts of research and writing abook about the three Connie crashes at sea (1965 thru 1967) and he’s finding iong-lost souls and getting people in touch with one anther -good stuff.” Art also added Tom’s father said he would not mind if his name, address and phone number was posted if anyone wanted to get in touch with him who knew his son or had relatives killed in the plane crashes.

Looks like we have another “budding” author in our midst. Ihope Steve DOTSON doesn’t take offense at the word "budding” but he sent me the following update of what he has been doing these many months. Said he has just finished anovel that has adifferent take on the Sixties. It opens on graduation day at aplace very famil¬ iar to all of us and ends 20 years later. Entitled The Light on the Star, it highlights the turning points of the war in Vietnam, remembers the struggie for civil rights, and looks back at the culture of the time through movies and music. Steve now faces the more daunting adventure (his words) of finding apublisher and would value any advice or leads we might have in telling "our” story. Tm confident Steve will be getting plenty advice (all he wants) from his '63 colleagues in acouple of weeks.

Personal: our son, David and his wife, Heidi, became the proud parents of a baby girl on July S*. That makes Linda and me even prouder grandparents. Baby Samantha has already traveled from Dallas to Seattle to visit us and Iam lost with-

out her. Linda is planning regular trips to Dallas to visit. The good news is Samantha’s dad works for Sabre, acompany whose major stockholder is AMR and inexpensive travel via American Airlines is possible. The bad news is Granddad is currently fully employed and hasn’t much travel time available. Notice the word "currently”.

Jimmie Butler passed on alittle bibliography of some of Ralph WETTERHAHN’S most recent articles that you might find interesting for your winter reading by the fire -or starting the fire: Popular Science, August 1998, cover article: “Missing in Action -How new DNA science is identifying the last casualties of the Vietnam War.” Vietnam Magazine, June 98, Ralph’s article in the Fighting Forces Column discusses avisit to the Tunnels at Cu Chi. The Retired Officer Association Maga¬ zine, January 98, "Jurassic Air Park.” Air &Space Smithsonian, Aug/Sep 97, “Change of Command” -asuperb article about how Colonel Robin Olds took over the 8th TFW. Air &Space Smithsonian, July 95, "Death of the Beast” discusses how the B52s were being cut apart in the Boneyard at Davis Monthan. Jimmie claims Ralph has developed avery entertaining writing style and presents nonfiction with a fictional flair that makes his writing much more readable.

Ihave very little in the way of additionai input. Must be the reunion coming up. Truth isweallseemtobesavingupforOct7-ll. Sincethe reunion will no longer be asharp, vivid memory (at least in my mind) by the time you read this issue, the hope is we will be able to insert some reunion activities including photos in the next version of the magazine. Hopetoseeeachandeveryoneofyouinjusta few days. Until then, take care!

Bob Hovde

206 Walker Ave.

Huntsville, AL 35801

H(AL): (256) 532-3923

H(TX): (254) 759-0688

t 1

O(TX): (254) 867-7092

Fax: (254) 867-4137

therjhs@aol.com or bhovde@waco.usra.edu

Percent Members: 72

Choices: With all of the address and phone number choices Ihave given you to contact me with ali of the interesting things that are happening in your life, I don’t understand why Tm not buried in news. Maybe it’s too confusing -1 know that Ijust got back yesterday from abusiness trip to Germany and realized that this was due today (September 20*),

E-mail: John SHINER reported on the annual 7* Squadron reunion via e-mail (and followed it with asnail-mail letter with the picture below), John writes, “Jn April, 7th Squadron held their annual, action-packed, fun-filled reunion at Destin, Florida. Tim and Linda O’BCEEFE, the "locals” hosted the event. Tim, who now works for Raytheon since the TI merger, led the guys on an all-day deep sea fish¬ ing trip while Linda took the wives on ashopping expedition. It was quite arace to see who could bring home the most -but sadly for the guys, even with Tim reeling in fish at afurious pace -credit cards beat fish bait every time.

Frank “Butch” BRADY one-upped everyone for all time by getting married at the reunion. In abeautiful beachside wedding, he married Pat Rizos, who was given away by her son, 1988 USAFA grad, Patrick Ellis. Top that, guys!

Jock ROSENBERGER showed up to represent the railroad industry. He is an attorney for CSX in Jacksonville. Other attendees were Jerry BUDINOFR Pat DURICK, Harry PEARCE, John SHRINER, and J.J. WILLIAMS. The 7* Sq. has been having annual reunions since the 25* in 1989, and highly recommends the prac¬ tice to the other squadrons.”

■ I

OiAdTER. BOAT

Are these the good guys or the pirates? Fromleffin the back row are: J.J. Williams, Frank “Butch"Brady, JerryBudinoff, PatDurick, Charles “Jock"Rosenberger, and John Shiner. In front Captain Ed Shields, 1“ Mate Jim Dalton, Apprentice 1“ Mate Tim O'Keefe.

Another Practice Reunion; Not to be outdone, Fred GREGORY held another prac¬ tice reunion for the ’64 people in the Washington, D.C. area. Actually, the reunion was back in June, but sometimes it takes along time to get pictures, paper, pen, envelopes and stamps all in the same place at the same time. Fred reports that Bret DULA also attended, but hid when the photo was being taken. Fred warns that they will probably do it again next year -because “these guys stiil need training!!”

The Real Thing: Jerry BUTLER writes that the reunion committee has made some decisions. He writes that it has been decided to have the Reunion in Colo¬ rado, 3-7 Nov 99, to coincide with the Army game. (The rest of the football sched¬ ule was in too much turmoil due to the breakup of the WAC.)

Have you ever seen so many people happy about being in D. C. ?

Some classmates thought that we should do areunion away from the Colorado Springs area. The committee’s feeling was that it would be too much of achange to hit everyone with suddenly, without major class participation in the decision. No matter what choice was made, something would be lost (either “same old same old" or else “no game, no traditions.”) Fortunately, abrilliant soul (Rod Wells, as 1 recall) came up with acompromise:

Since the C. Springs downtown has many more restaurants, microbrew pubs, & activities, why not have it at the Antlers Doubletree instead of the Marriott? That way we’d be in adifferent place (sort of), and be near the action at AFA. Also, we’d solve the isolation problem of the Marriott (nothing is nearby). Abandwagon worth jumping on!

I’m still waiting to see if the AOG managed to get reservations for us at the Ant¬ lers (The Marriott is holding our reservation as aback-up). Maybe you will have seen aflyer by the time this is published.

Still Other Gatherings: Fred OLMSTED called and reported on the recent Sa¬ ber Society gathering at the Academy. Fred says that the Sabre Society is now the #1 leadership and donation pool for USAFA and that ’64 is the leader in member¬ ship -but that they need more ’64 classmates to participate with them! He sent a picture from the golf outing -obviously taken before play, since they’re all smil¬ ing. Fred reports that Steve RITCHIE won most of the money, while Fred lost his wallet, as usual.

The ’64 Sabre Society Golf Team: Bioodworth, Olmsted, McArtor, Ritchie.

Sad News -Hopeful News: Through aflurry of e-mails, acouple of sad notices were passed on in September. Joe GRIFFITH passed on the news that Mark FANT died in late September in Rockford, IL, of cancer. Mark is survived by bis wife, Ginnie, who has our heartfelt condolences. This sad news is compounded by the fact that Jeff BAKER also has cancer. 1think that Imentioned once before that Jeff is president of Luther College, asmall liberal arts college in northeast Iowa founded by Norwegian immi¬ grants 138 years ago (my great-grandfather attended Luther College during the Civil War). (Keith) Lucky LUCH'l EL passed on acopy of an article in the Des Moines Register about Jeff. The article says that Jeff aimounced to the college that he had lung cancer as soon as it was diagnosed in June. He is continuing in his position and didn’t want any rumors to become the focal point of the academic year. Iwish 1could reprint the entire article here. The reporter was obviously very impressed with Jeff’s sense of duty -that leading the college by example was more important than keeping the news private, or even leaving to enjoy time with his family. The hopeful news is that in September, Jeff’s checkupshowedthatthecancerhadnotspreadanyfurther.JeffandShirley,ourthoughts and prayers are with you.

Rick Zurbrugg

Box 22615

Hilton Head Island, SC 29925

(803) 698-5321

FAX: (803) 698-5403

E-mail: 75630,2347@compuserve.com

Percent members: 69

Hello Class of’65

Air Force is 3-0 and #23 on the AP poll and by the time you read this, we vdll have had our mini reunion the last weekend in October and 1hope that you didn’t miss it. Ijust made my reservations and Iam stoked about watching what must

be afine team and seeing many of you again. Ihope to have much to report after the occasion, so this column will be alittle light especially since these days there are so many letters filled with righteous indignation to be written to newspapers, magazines and members of Congress. Wes DIXON, “1 am in the Washington DC area. Northern Virginia vrith Coopers &Lybrand, alarge accounting and consult¬ ing firm. Martha and Iwill celebrate 31 years in July -14 of those right here. TWo boys -Joel (27) in physical therapy MS program at Emory in Atlanta, and Ben (22) majoring in music ed -trombone really -at East Carolina U. in Greenvile, NC. Thanks Wes for staying in touch and 1can still see that red head bobbing along the terrazzo.

BRUCE GROSSETTA: "One of the best benefits of airline flying, besides its parttime nature is the ability to travel. So.. .last spring Gail came along on one of my trips to Florida and we spent amorning with CFIUCK and Mary COLEMAN at their house in Tampa. After agrand breakfast/brunch and some catching up, we decided to see if the camera would take one of those “all by itself’’ pictures. It did and here it is.. .Looking forward to the mini-reunion. Each one gets better -must be related to vintage wine." Thanks Bruce -looking great!

From left are Chuck and Mary' Coleman, Gail and Bruce Grossetta.

Chuck RYERSON: For those of you not already on his list, ahearty recommen¬ dation is to plug into Chuck’s regular good, clean fun. Sample from “You maybe a redneck pilot if... You’ve ever just taxied around the airport drinking beer. Your hangar collapses and more than four dogs are injured. Sample from “NewLan¬ guage-Hickphonics”. .. BAMMER -noun. The state just west of Jawjuh. Capital is Berminhayum. Usage: “A tornader jes went through Bammer an’ left twenty mil¬ lion in improvements.” Thanks Chuck, agood laugh is always welcome. Thanks too, to Mike MANLEY who drops off some good humor from time to time.

Bill ROBERTS, our class of ’65 webmaster fhttp://www/geocities.com/ collegepark/Ubrarv/S472/). reports recently, July 28, “for wbat it’s worth I’ve fi¬ nally achieved one of the goals Ioriginally set before my vision betrayed me dur¬ ing secondclass year and Icouldn’t qualify for pilot training. Last Saturday, Iso¬ loed in aBlanik L-23 sailplane with a15-minute flight from a2,000-foot aerial tow. I’m foolishly proud of this achievement, especially coming less than amonth be¬ fore my SS* birthday.” Nothing foolish here. Bill, Congratulations! ’65 takes pride in your fine accomplishment. Your humble scribe took his son on ahired sail¬ plane ride off Kauai 10 years ago. The kid got turned on to aviation and 1wet my pants.

DOWN HOME AT THE RANCH. As reported in this space last time, three happy first-time grandparents at Earle and Marcia MONROE’s farm in Millbrook, AL. June ’98.

Earle and Marcia Monroe with scribe. Photo courtesy Jo Zurbrugg.

Michael Bernknoph WHITE: We had ahappy phone reunion. Mike and Estelle have four terrific kids: sons Danny (software engineer) and Ted, and tvrin daugh¬ ters Trisha (Cornell Law) and Abigail (Syracuse), and they all just returned from a three-week celebratory trip to Italy, Mike works out of his home as acertified financial planner with aspecialty in estate planning. In addition, he helped put on an air show at the defunct (?) Plattsburgh AFB. All this having survived one cancer in 1969 and another in 1983. His last surgery was in 1996; he is doing great and is upbeat as usual. What aremarkable guy! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me Mike.

“THE REAL THING: IT GEN MIKE SHORT.” It’s Oct 14 and U.S. Envoy Richard Holbrooke is being interviewed by Jim Lehrer on PBS and is describing the break¬ through in negotiations with Milosevic after nine grueling days of getting nowhere. Paraphrasing Holbrooke: “I brought in Lt. Gen. Mike SHORT and introduced him to Milosevic who said, “So you’re the general who’s going to bomb us?” We fig¬ ured he would try something (intimidating) like this. Without missing abeat, Mike said, “I’ve got B-52s and U-2s. Iam going to use whichever one I’m told. It’s up to you.” Holbrooke then says, “It was the turning point in the negotiations -when Milosevic met Mike SHORT, he knew he was up against the REAL THING!” Mike,

wherever you are, congratulations. Godspeed, and thank you for being “The Best Alive.”

PARTING SHOT: Many people have wondered and it can now be reported that it is true that pediatricians play miniature golf on Wednesday. Don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff. Be well, do good work and stay in touch. Cheers, Rick.

Ryan Denny

201 West Highway 50

O’Fallon, IL 62269

Home: (618) 624-4255

Work: (314) 232-4180

E-mail: ryanden@aol.com

Percent members: 71

Greetings, Redtags! It’s the Christmas season, so Ithought that Iwould appeal to your spirit of giving and remind you all of our Class of 1966 Gift. At our SO® Re¬ union, we committed to raising $166,000 for our Class Gift to support AOG projects for the Cadet Wing. Our campaign has stalled out around the $56,000 level, and Vic ANDREWS is trying to reenergize it. Each squadron representative should have contacted everyone in the last few months with specifics on what the money wiU be used for and how to donate to the campaign. Please take another look at the information and be as generous as you can. Most of us owe our successes in life to the lessons we learned at USAFA -it’s time to give alittle back.

Gary PALMER e-mailed about some '66ers attacking the new South Golf Course at Andrews AFB during an AOG golf tournament. Gary played with Dave FALES and Hal WEED, They shot well enough to avoid last place, but not well enough to win anything. (Is that like second in aghoul pool?) The other '66 threesome was Steve CONVER, John GROZIER, and Jim SIMPSON. Although they managed to shoot agross score of 66, nobody else appreciated the symbolism and they too, ended up in the middle of the pack. Gary says that he and John Grozier have all the details on upcoming Capital Chapter AOG golf outings, and they would be happy to pass them on to interested D.C. duffers.

Lt Gen Dick BETHUREM has retired after spending the last few years as the commander of Allied Air Forces Southern Europe in Naples and commander, 16“’ Air Force at Aviano. Dick had agreat career, flying the F-4, F-104, F-15, andF-16 in awide variety of assignments. He commanded the 49'“ Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, the 831“ Air Division at George AFB, and the 4404“' Composite Wing at Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Dick also snuck in atour as the Com¬ mandant of Cadets in 1992-1993, before going back to the Pentagon as XOX, and then on to Nellis as the commander of the Air Warfare Center. Congratulations, Dick! Rumor has it that Dick has signed on with Lockheed Martin as part of his plan to kick back and enjoy civilian life.

One of the last few ’66ers still on active duty, Lt Gen Nick ICEHOE, has been reassigned as the Air Force’s Inspector General. He had been in Brussels, Bel¬ gium since Nov 1995 as the deputy chairman NATO Military Committee. Nick has had command and staff assignments in both the fighter and the training world. In addition, he attended the Royal Air Force College and has been assigned as USAF advisor to the British Joint Warfare Wing and as the J-3/4 at SHAPE in Mons, Belgium. Areally varied and interesting career, so far.

On asad note, Carl WOMACK died in August. Carl left the active Air Force in 1973, but had afull career in the Air Force Reserves in Utah, in spite of his Arkan¬ sas accent. He flew the F-105 and made colonel, while flying full time as an op¬ erations inspector for the FAA. Always aprofessional aviator, always afriend with aready smile -we’ll miss you, Carl.

Because this is the Christmas edition, it counts as my Christmas card to you all. So send me acard with that preprinted letter that tells me how cute your grand¬ children are and how you enjoy sitting in arocker on the front porch, watching the clouds go by. Until then.. .Happy Landings!

Larry Wilson

13100 PinehurstAve.NE

Albuquerque, NM 87111

Home: (505) 291-8949

Work: (505) 846-2510/DSN: 246-2404

E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

Percent members: 64

Greetings one and all. Early autumn seems to be in the Albuquerque air. That means warm sunny days and cool clear nights, ristras hanging everywhere, glori¬ ous produce stands and farmers markets all over, football every weekend, color¬ ful hot air floating balloons in the air, friends and in-laws from sH points north, in our home... It’s agreat time.

And it has not been abad time for class contacts, either. First, agreat note from world traveler and occasional physician Mike THOMPSON, who wandered abit this past summer from his home in Washington to France, on atrip 1think we all would love to take. From his journal:

"We rolled up our clothes (very few), packed our backpacks and flew to France. We spent five days in asmall Left Bank hotel with aroom overlooking Notre Dame and the river. What aromantic city! People embracing, kissing, holding hands. Incredible food and wine! Our favorites: Musee d’Orsay with its unbelievable col¬ lection of impressionist paintings. We loved the Louvre. Jardin des Tuileries, the Musee Rodin, Tour Eiffel and our romantic walks along the Seine. Next we rock¬ eted through the French countryside to Provence in aTGV (175-mph train). We arrived in Marseille, rented acar, and drove to Cassis, abeautiful fishing village on the Mediterranee. The food was fantastic... and each night our bedroom filled with the smell and sound of the crashing surf below us. Next we hopped in the car and drove north along the Rhone and stayed in acenturies old auberge over-

looking the countryside. We tasted some great Chateauneuf-du-Pape, C6te-R6tie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Comas, and Gigondas. Again we headed north and on to the climactic end of our vacation: BURGUNDY! For oenophiles, Bourgogne may indeed he heaven. Just in time for dinner, we arrived at our ancient hotel and its vast subterranean and labyrinthine wine cellars. In adamp and musty corner of this "cave”, our sommelier and serveuse procured adusty and moldy 1990 Grand Cm and escorted us to the salon. We sank into awell-worn leather couch while she decanted the wine and allowed it to breathe for 30 minutes before pouring. In the meantime... hors-d’oeuvre while we planned our visit in the C6te-de-Nuits. Next we were escorted to one of the dining rooms and seated at atable next to a fireplace Icould have stood inside. Here we experienced asix-course gastronomic orgasm.

“The follovring day we drove to Vosne-Romanee. Some estimate that wine has been produced there for 2,500 years. Along anarrow dirt path, with map in hand we arrived at the lonely, very difficult to find and poorly marked Mecca of Bur¬ gundy lovers... the vineyards of Romanee-Conti and La Tache... marked by 200year-old 12-foot stone cross and the vineyard names carved into small marble slabs. In one of my favorite moments of the trip, Debbie posed (descriptive term deleted.,.) by the vineyard cross! (Sacrilegious Americans!... but what avintage ‘98 will be!)

"Also during the summer... we reunited the family for the first time in several years. Kent finished his Guatemalan Peace Corps commitment in May and then traveled South America for two months. He returned and tried to relearn the En¬ glish language. Brandon flew in from New York City where he studies for the stage and screen. Jenny (flew) in from Denver... Mom arrived in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island... in style... splashing down in asix-seat sea plane!”

For those of you who may travel to Santa Fe, he has afew other notes. First, go to the Santa Fe opera. Then... “One ofthemust-try places in Santa Fe is 10,000Waves (on the road to the ski area). This is aJapanese-style spa where the following will rejuvenate your spirit: 1) Rent the Itchiban Hot Tub and Sauna for an hour! Then walk down the wooden pathway through the trees in your Japanese robe and spend aromantic and private hour relaxing and drinking abotde of wine. 2) Then head back to the main house for afantastic massage with warm and aromatic oils.” Mike, from all of us who are abit less well traveled and/or abit more Walter Mittyish, that all sounds like agreat time. Inominate you to be the Official Tour Guide and Entertainment Chairman for the Class of‘67!

Flash! Flash! Roger CARLETON and family were discovered by Hollywood! Al¬ most, that is... it seems that segments of the Robert Redford movie “The Horse Whisperer” -the scenes around the Custer Battlefield -were filmed on his wife, Shonnie’s, family ranch in Montana. When Roger wrote, he believed he was the only person in America who had not yet seen the movie. “A lot of (daughters) Kinddl’s and Christa’s friends from Big Timber got to be ‘extras’. Both my girls are envious that they weren’t there to become film stars.” Roger was on his way back to St Louis after atoo-short vacation, through Colorado and into the home terri¬ tory in Montana where he caught lots of trout... lots of 11-13-inch cutthroats, brookies and even an occasional rainbow. Took Christa twice and she became ‘hooked’ on the sport.” He’s promised to take me fishing there. He did not prom¬ ise that Iwould catch anything.

Roger also fired off some other great class news: “If you haven’t seen the an¬ nouncement, Chuck HEFLEBOWER was nominated for his third star to become vice commander at PACAE One of the Class of ’67 broke through the two-button glass ceiling!” Well done Chuck!

Afew notes from some CS-06ers: From Mike WIRTH: "Laura, our third daughter and the final one to leave home, graduated from Gunn HS here in Palo Alto... Quite aschool and quite an international community. There are about 40 lan¬ guages spoken there. She’ll head to Dartmouth in the fall. Lisa, her middle sister, is married and lives in Milton, asuburb of Boston. Looks like I’ll have to find a cheap source of airline tickets to the East Coast." From Ron BRADLEY: "... still working at the National Test Pilot School as operations officer in beautiful Mojave, CA... ”An incredibly thoughtful and sympathetic note came from Bill HURLEY af¬ ter Iwas forced to cancel out on our planned ski reunion due to aknee injury.,. it would have killed alesser man but only kept me from aseason's skiing and left me with small arthroscopy scars: “What awuss... Obviously you have not one ounce of James Bond left in you,.. ”In but afew months Bill left one company, got sued, and started another firm... never adull moment, to this day. From Em MONDA, who after our 30“' reunion wrenched his wife and family from southern California and dragged them to Tennessee: “My life seems to be settling down and the pros¬ pects for adivorce gready diminished with some stability in our lives. On the other hand I’ll be gone 70 percent of the time over the next 45 days so the chances aren’t exactly zero. Michele is atrooper to put up with all this,” He had heard from Wanda DELAPLANE, Bill’s widow, an attorney with the Kentucky State Attorney General’s office, living in Lexington. And Les JENSEN, after disappearing for several months, reappeared with some good news: apromotion to maestro (a la Seinfeld) for a larger Iowa school district. His son Matt had an interesting summer: while he was working in Lima, Peru, he was held up for his credit card. Before he could report the theft, the users ran up $1,000 tab. Matt is starting his second year of medical school. He is about to join the Iowa Army National Guard where he becomes a2nd Lieuten¬ ant immediately and goes for atwo-week officer training course next summer. Les recalled that it took us four years to become lieutenants... As Irecall, it nearly took Les fi ve. And damn near six.

Gary SCHEIMER wrote anote that likely expresses the thoughts of anumber of us: “Now that 30 long years has dimmed the fires of competition, erased most of the bad parts and magnified the positive, we can look back at our four-year (for some, five-year) odyssey with amuch more mature perspective. It has taken three tours at the Academy and 11 additional years in close proximity to our alma mater to help me see the benefits of maintaining contact with our fellow participants in that significant period in our lives.” He has initiated an address/phone roster and synopsis of all the Evil Eight folks who he could find... “There are conspicuous gaps... Ido not have current information on Laney CORMNEY, Henry KRONBACH,

or JP SMITH,” and would much appreciate any assistance in updating their sta¬ tus. Gary -1 hope you get reconnected with the lost souls. If any of you readers can help -contact me, or Gary directly.

Some of Evil Eight together again: From left in the back row are Larry Beck, Gary Scheimer, Greg Preix, and Jim “Toad" Banwart. Seated are Dee Beck, Jim Hagey Mary Ann Banwart, and Vic Williams.

Many of you have already been through the college-hunt phase of your kids’ school years. We are just entering it with my older child. As Isolicited some assistance on what to expect and how best to go about finding exactly the right place for her and whatever she decides she wants to be when she grows up, I received anote that emphasized how things are different now from ageneration past, when our parents and we were in that situation. From “What College Fresh¬ men of 1998 Know: APerspective:” “...The people who ate starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1980... They were prepubescent when the Per¬ sian Gulf War was waged... They were 11 when the Soviet Union broke apart and do not remember the Cold War. They have never feared anuclear war. ‘The Day After’ is apill to them, not amovie... CCCP is just abunch of letters. They have only known one Germany. They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up, and Tienamin Square means nothing to them... The expression 'you sound like abroken record’ means nothing to them, as they have never owned a record... They may have heard of an 8-track, but chances are they probably have never actually seen or heard one. The compact disc was introduced when they were one year old. As far as they know, stamps have always cost 32 cents... The Vietnam War is as ancient history to them as WWI, WWII or even the Civil War. They have no idea that Americans were ever held hostage in Iran... Do you feel old now? Remember, the people who don’t know these things will be in college this year.” Groan.

And with that, one last note: Iam officially FIGMO and aLame Duck, with my papers in, and retirement looming in the spring of ‘99. Other than that “hard” date, things are abit amorphous: we’re not quite certain if we will stay in Albu¬ querque, where we (kids especially) seem to be dug in, or head back to God's Country (North Dakota) or other target of opportunity; or whether Iwill return to clinical medicine or stick to the management track Ihave been in for tbe past several years; or whether 1will lay on the couch and drink beer and eat junk and watch old movies on TV and (re) grow beard and pony tail and bag groceries part time at the commissary,.. Or maybe I’ll write poetry or start the Great American Novel or seriously learn to tie flies and ski and hunt. Actually, the latter optionsstarting with the lay-on-the-couch part -seems pretty inviting some days. Vaya con Dios, Amigos!

Tim Davidson

9712 Hidden VaUey Road Vienna, VA 22181-6094

(703) 255-5313/Fax: (703) 255-5377

E-mail: timd@erols.com

Percent members: 67

HELLO '68! Your scribe has been on awhirlwind tour during the past few weeks with business trips to Stamford, CT; Tampa, FL; and Stockholm, Sweden while Mark McGvrire was raising the bar for home runs to 70. Aspecial note of thanks goes to our Checkpoints editor tor giving me afew extra days to get the class col¬ umn in.

AMC SUPPORTING CAST DEPT: To assist Tony ROBERTSON in getting through his promotion to general and assumption of command at Air Mobility Command, several ‘68ers showed up to lend moral support and to feast on all the goodies provided at the reception. Thanks to A1 PRICE for providing me with this photo of our V-I-‘68ers (Very Important ‘68ers).

NEW CLASS RECORD DEPT: In addition to Mark McGwire’s record 70 home runs, you will note that Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles finally ended his con¬ tinuous game streak at 2,632, setting arecord which amounts to some 16 years of persistent effort on the baseball diamond. What you may not know is that ’68 has its own Cal Ripken of sorts -at least as we all can relate to persistence and dia¬ monds, Who is this classmate, you ask? Why, it is none other than our very own Jim CLARK, who after 33 years, finally married his college sweetheart, Sandra Harrelson Graham, at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA on 8Aug 98. The event was attended by friends and family from all over the U.S. and pro¬ duced another opportunity for fellow ‘68ers to join in the revelry. With his wed-

Congratulations General R! From left are AI Price, MikeMofStt, Bobby Floyd, Tony Robertson, Charlie Holland, and Charlie Coolidge.

ding to Sandra, Jim now holds two ’68 class records: (1) for longest pursuit of a bride (33 years) and (2) our “newliest wed” classmate. Jim and Sandra plan to make their marriage atraveling adventure between Jim’s home in Maryland, his office in Chicago, and Sandra’s home and office in Hilton Head. Congratulations Jim and Sandra, and the class’ best wishes for much happiness. After all these years, you two deserve it!

’68 MAILBAG DEPT: As mentioned above, Ireceived atimely photo from A1 PRICE regarding Tony ROBERTSON’S special day. In his accompanying letter, A1 wrote that he and wife, Marlee, are well and prospering. (Scribe Note: You might remember from previous columns that A1 is currently acaptain for Delta Airlines flying out of Atlanta.) Their daughter Meredith just graduated from Vanderbilt with adouble major in creative writing and French, spent the summer working in Seattle, and will set up shop in France to teach English for the French government for ayear. A1 opined that there is a“Monsieur” in Meredith’s life, who may have had something to do with her decision to go to France. C’estTamour!

A1 also wrote that Dave BARRS just discovered the e-mail address of our old classmate, Scott Todd, who did not graduate, but who still is in our thoughts. He is down in the Caribbean Islands running aresort, while Dave Roach, another class¬ mate who did not finish, is in Orlando.

Bob MACALUSO sends greetings from the Great State of Texas, He mentioned that he was retiring from the Air Force Reserve after more than 35 years of total service, counting enlisted, cadet, active duty, and Reserve time. Apparently, the camaraderie from our 30® reunion inspired Bob to rejoin the AOG and to get in touch with his Class Scribe. (Scribe Note: More of you in Checkpoints Land should have such an epiphany!) Bob is acaptain at Continental Airlines and resides in Kingwood with wife, Irene, sons Brenden and Marc, some cats, and an Iguana. The boys are in Scouting and the family took advantage of Bob’s airline travel passes last year to fly to Lisbon and Rome.

Ialso received some 30® reunion photos from your Scribe’s numero uno pho¬ tographer, e-mail-sender, and letter-writing buddy-Tina DUDLEY. Thanks again for all your efforts to keep me in the loop, Tina! While Tina sent several photos, the only one Ihave room for in this column is the one of ‘68's Gymnastics Team with their wives. Enjoy!

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO YOUR AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE CADET WING AND GRADUATE PROJECTS FOR WHICH FEDERAL FUNDS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Clark and friends. From left are the Scribe, Sandra Graham Clark, Pat Hurley, Jim Clark, Jerry Runnion, and Phil Waldron.

The final note came in from Jim MADSEN, who wrote that not much had changed since our surprise meeting at the Strongsville, OH Holiday Inn in November ‘97. Jim is still hanging his airline cap in Tucson, AZ and “is” doing well. (Scribe Note: Unlike some high officials in government, Iam assuming that you all know what the meaning of "is” is.)

‘68 SPOTLIGHT

The '68 Spotlight for the Fall '98 column shines on Pat HURLEY. Following his time at the Academy and pilot training at Randolph AFB, Pat flew C-130s out of Cam Rahn Bay and Clark AB. Afew years later, he returned to the U.S. and while flying T-38S at Williams AFB “made the mistake of getting overeducated at nearby 'Arizona State University.” The Air Force, recognizing the need for smarter pro¬ gram managers, sent him to Wright-Pat as chief of Program Control and Finance for the B- lA program. Ashort time later, the Carter Administration cancelled the B-1 program and Pat pulled chocks on his active duty career. He then joined the Air Force Reserve, played vrith the idea of becoming an airline pilot -which he eventually abandoned, and landed back in Pboenrx, where both of his sons, Justin and Ethan, were born.

Pat’s own words, Ibegan

2,500 folks

has been

since. The company grew quickly, and through the magic intersections of hard work, luck, and timing. I’ve had asuccession of demanding jobs, from which I’ve learned immensely, and had alittle fun along the way. Nancy and Ihave traveled exten¬ sively and Iwrite this as we are in the Red Carpet Club in Frankfurt on our way to London and the Farnborough Air Show.”

them for support in times of crisis. Ithink this is arare phenomenon and not present in other colleges where the only common vision shared among classmates is adegree or mayhe ajob.

When asked about life lessons to pass along, Pat reiterated the importance of integrity, honor, hard work, perseverance, and saving time to have alittle fun, both at work and at home. Solid family values based on these virtues are also worthy of passing to both children and adults alike.

Thanks for your views, Pat, and congratulations on steering such agood course, despite your frequent twists, turns, and household moves on “Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.”

IT’S AWRAP DEPT: 1am still looking for 30* reunion photos with names at¬ tached to the backs of same on aPost-It Note or in an accompanying letter. Also, please send acopy of your Seasons Greetings cards and letters to me, so we can let the rest of the class know what’s happening in your world. Christmas photos are always welcome, too. To one and all, Lisa and Iextend our warmest holiday greet¬ ings and send our very best wishes for bountiful blessings in the coming year. May you be filled with the peace and love that is the season. Until next column, mind the flak, keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, and photos coming in, Tim.

Lindsey Parris

6037 Ricketts Walk

Alexandria, VA 22312

Home: (703) 914-5608

E-mail: 102177.1033@compuserve.com

Percent members: 62

Greetings and Salutations. The good news is Ihave no bad news, which is ex¬ ceptionally good considering the past two newsletters. Lots to report this time, so on to it.

First, huge congratulations to three three-star ‘69ers: Tom KECK, now the vice commander of Air Combat Command; Clay BAILEY, formerly director. Center for Operations, Plans and Policy at HQ SouthCom at MacDill AFB, now the com¬ mander of 21st Air Force, AMC, at McGuire AFB; and Ron MARCOTTE, formerly director of Strategic Plans and Policy, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB and now com¬ mander, 8th AR ACC, at Barksdale AFB. Keep us flying, gentlemen, and Godspeed.

rPictured is then-Major General KECK, with two other Checks, Flip and his son Derek (USAFA, ’96), after Tom spoke at Derek’s UPT graduation. Like fathers, like sons. Flip, who resides in Keller, TX, is about to begin training in the B737-800 at American, and will be acheck airman based out of Dallas-Fort Worth. Flip played golf recently with Blair STEPHENSON, who has aconsulting business, and with John BUCKNER. They shoot in the low 80s, and if it’s hotter than that, they don’t play at all.

now

Pat linked up with our Greater Washington, D.C. group of'68ers in 1997 when he moved to Baltimore to take over AlliedSignal’s operation there. That portion of the company’s business was recently sold to Raytheon and Pat and Nancy are residents of Redmond, WA. (Scribe Note; Jeff PARRISH, Get ready to roll out the welcome mat.) Pat’s job in Redmond is as vice president and general manager of AlliedSignal’s Inertial and Sensor Systems enterprise which consists of seven op¬ erating sites from Redmond, WA to Austin, TX to Cheshire, CT and includes su¬ pervision over 1,850 hardworking people. Products include everything from ter¬ minal guidance for tactical missiles to “down-hole drill orientation tools” for the drilling services industry.

Lots more jocking it up among us older guys last summer. Terry BRADY played in a50s-and-over World Games lacrosse tourney, after playing with the USAFA alums in Vail, Sounds far-fetched, but here’s proof (see photo at top of next page) vrith Gerry BROWN (who manages airplanes for NASA and has coached lacrosse at McLean High School in Virginia for years), Glen KANE (a USAir pilot living near Terry in Evergreen, CO), and Terry mugging for the camera under apicture-per¬ fect sky. Terry had agood summer at tennis as well, probably readying for a‘69er airline pilot showdown with Tom MCGRAIN, flying again now that Northwest (management and pilots) has come to its senses.

Also playing in the over-50s rugby World Games was stalwart Roy COPPINGER, who played for Portland’s side in this eight-team tournament that inciuded aside from Russia. Les DYER completed aduathelon, which featured alOK run pre¬ ceded by atest of tbe number of times you could bench your own weight, with a complicated method of scoring between the two events so arcane that even math whizzes like Joe HASEK and Ed LAND couldn’t figure out. All golden-age jocks report ashare of muscle pulls, bruises and laments that the body is no longer capable of achieving what the mind commands. In one case -you’ll never guess who -cracked ribs have been reported.

Roy, oh by the way, said his farewells to Intel earlier this summer, and is now a partner in Concord Marketing, aspecialized high-tech rep firm vrith three clients and four customers; Roy will be helping the clients design the right products for “next generation” PCs. On the side, he has become agentleman farmer and horse rancher, and proud poppa of daughter Lara’s recent graduation from BCT! The

APerfect 10.00 Awarded To One and All! From left in the front row are Mike Kimmei, MarkTorreano, Pat O'Grady, Bob Lushbaugh, BudKnopke, Garry Dudley, and Karl Whittenberg. Back Row: Mimi Torreano, Tina Dudley, and Mary Alice Kimmei.

AlliedSignal's Corporate Troubleshooter-Pat Hurley-Taking aChristmas Break with bis Family. From left are Justin, Pat, Nancy, and Ethan Hurley.

In

“working for asleepy little company of

called Garrett AirResearch and it

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride ever

accompanying shot shows some aged guys with this freshly-minted zoomie at the pre-game tailgate party at Falcon Stadium (Terry BRADY, Art SCHWALL, Lara, Roy, John BUCKNER, Matt KANE, and Tom BAUMGARDNER). Others there but not available for the photo-op included Gerry BOESCHE, Gary HOWE, Dick WHITE, and Ken JARVl.

P< ^

Dan THOMAS’ T-34 is back from upgrading, and he celebrated by flying to Oshkosh for the annual air show, Chris HOPE is also logging lots of T-34 time as the ops officer and chief flight instructor in the Kansas City Marine Aero Club. He points out that these planes may not fly nearly so fast as the huge airliners many of you fly for aliving, but at least they have sticks! Chris directs asmall, nonprofit project called “Reading Reaches -Kids Minds and Kids Hearts,” which involves reading to children who are victims of domestic violence or whose mothers are victims.

JJ BURNS e-mails that he is settled in Franklin, TN, adelightful town that used to have ahub and base for American, but that now is 420 miles from his commut¬ ing base. The one positive feature of this is that he runs into ‘69ers in airports and on jump seats. He had Bugs FORSYTHE aboard last year, and they agreed they would both draw the line at instituting “Lawn of the Week” programs at their bases. JJ recently became alife member of the AOG, and (in the “brief plug department”) as you may know from recent mailings, the AOG needs you to join if you haven't already.

Chuck HAMMOND sent along aterrific recommendation of special interest to ‘69ers, as one of our own -Gary COMBS -has been enshrined in afilm titled “To Meet Our Thunder: The Gary Combs Story.” The film traces the development of Gary’s faith while at USAFA, during his brief flying career, and in the adversityfilled days of failing health he suffered before his death (1978). Chuck was moved deeply by the film, which offers apowerful legacy from Gary, and by interviews with fellow ‘69ers Ed POWELL and Charlie BALDWIN. It is available from the Days of Discovery series from Radio Bible Class (1-800-598-7221).

As for Chuck, he tried business for awhile after retiring, but decided ultimately to follow his long-time passion for Early Modern and Modern European History, passed his comps last year, and has spent the past year teaching at the University of Paris while researching his dissertation. He will teach upon finishing his PhD.

Rick GRANDJEAN, afamily practitioner in Dallas, was named (through peer evaluations) as one of the Best Doctors in America, Central Region. He is on the executive committee and board of Jefferson Health System and serves as medical director of aPhysician-Organized Delivery System for Southwest Physician Associates/Phycor. Three college-aged kids are threatening to offer Rick and Kathleen some disposable income in acouple of years! Rick is depicted showing due re¬ spect to his roots—check out that license plate!

Ihave been chatting with Gary HOWE about the 30th Reunion, which is being scheduled around afootball weekend (as opposed to aweekend in June). Gary and the C-Springs Grey Tags have met and have planning underway. The idea of locating every classmate from each squadron before the event is ongoing, but volunteers are still needed. In addition, most believe that some invitation to those who started with us but didn’t finish would be appropriate. Ideas for aclass gift

You have my address and e-mail, and Gary’s is

are needed as well. Extending the flagpole at Falcon Stadium so Old Glory is once again visible from any seat in the house is one idea (construction since our day makes the flagpole and many of the state flags obscured from certain vantage points).

HoweGS.AOG.USAFA@usafa.af.mil. Don’t be strangers with your ideas and thoughts.

Ireceived ashort note from one of our classmates recently that sums up very neatly what this 30th is about, rooted deeply and long ago starting in June of 1965. Because this says it better than Iever could, let me quote to you verbatim: “I was reflecting on how important old friendships are, and how asingle word can carry so much meaning. There aren’t many unique words left in our over-communi¬ cated society. It seems as if everything has been hyped to the nth degree and few words retain much of their true meaning. The word “classmate” is one of the few words left that speaks volumes about someone. There is an instant bond, and knowledge that it represents someone important. Add to that apersonal friend¬ ship, and you have someone and something important."

Oscar Wilde might have put it this way: AReunion of Great Importance. Do make plans to be there, guys. Cheers for now. Lindsey.

Tony Marietta

1070 Knollwood Circle

Monument, CO 80132

Home: (719) 488-3201/FAX:(719) 481-8768

Work: (719) 593-8888

E-mail: usafa70@aol.com

Percent members: 60

Have you guys already begun your vrinter hibernation? The cards, letters, emails, and pictures were alittle scarce this time. Just remember: if you don’t send me information, Imay be forced to make things up. Scary thought, isn’t it?

EOW.

Would you invite these guys to dinner?

Jim DEORIO, who had just returned from Yokota Air Base, sent e-mail, alet¬ ter, and pictures. Jim serves as the chairman of the Orthopedic Department at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, as well as alower extremity reconstructionist. Still in the Reserves, he claims he’s heading towards retirement sometime in the next 30-40 years. The three amigos picture features Jim with son Tutt on his left and son Mark on his right. Tutt played football under aDuke scholar¬ ship and will attend medical school at the University of S. Florida. Mark’s a strong safety for Wake Forest. Ikept my eye on him during the AFA game, which, unfortunately for Wake Forest, was not memorable. However, just like Jim, Mark played great and gave 110 percent. Daughter Marie, ahigh school senior, has her eyes on Duke University and with almost 800 on her SAT II Math exam, Iimagine Duke will be calling her. Jim says that he and Rita have thor¬ oughly enjoyed their kids and don’t know what they will do when they become “empty nesters” next year. Though typically not one to brag.

Visit our web site at http://www.aog-usafa.org and update your biographical information today!

Jim sent me apicture of himself after reconstructive surgery. He apparently mod¬ eled his physique after that of son Mark. Impressive, Imust say!

ulv.V. ,

Actual unretouched photo of Jim after reconstructive surgery.

John MITCHEL sent ashort e-mail to advise me he is running for governor of Ohio. Good luck and, no, the AOG will not run an article on your campaign, but nice try!

Several ’70 grads attended services for Mike BLASSIE. Unfortunately, Ihave not made contact with them. Iwill report info as soon as Iget it.

Great letter and picture from Denny FUNNEMARK. Denny works for afriend in the corrugated box industry and is in charge of one of the product lines, doing all of the engineering and R&D. Denny says it’s like tinkering in your garage and some¬ body else buys all the neat tools. Aside benefit is that since his friend owns the business, Denny has no responsibility. Denny, you sound stressed. The picture shows Denny smoking agenuine Cuban cigar on location in Cuba. For the second year in arow, Denny crewed for a37' sailboat in arace from St. Petersburg, FL to Havana. Finishing in the top five, they received numerous gifts, to include genu¬ ine Cuban cigars. Cuba seemed trapped in an odd time warp. The newest Ameri¬ can cars were 1958 or ’59, like aflashback to American Graffiti with no hotrods. He explained that although it is legal to go to Cuba, you are not supposed to spend any U.S. dollars, which, by the way, is all that they accept. He says he didn’t buy anything with U.S. currency. And he didn’t inhale the Cuban cigar.

may be speaking to me by tbe time this column reaches print. We traded in our usual tickets by tbe scoreboard for nosebleed seats on tbe 40-yard line, just under the press box, so that Paulette would have aseat for the Ram’s revenge game. She was in stop-and-go traffic from Mile-High south, which caused her to miss the big lead that CSU built up. Then the Falcons adjusted their defense and geared up the offense, and we won by afield goal with less than aminute left. The Wing rushed onto the field as time ended, as did many grads. It was aproud moment as our voices blended for the chorus. Reality set in when Igot home to discover that my VCR had faithfully recorded the wrong station and Ihad awonderful tape of Motocross or something. During the actual game Idid see Cass CASADA mov¬ ing up and down the aisle.

Speaking of mechanical genius, we had achallenge with our computer e-mail program, and when Ireinstalled the software, Icleverly erased the messages and notes I'd received since the last column. Those of you who had been nice enough to send me items may have noticed that Ihaven’t got back to you, and this is the reason why.

Bob MANNING has had his disaster readiness of fi ce moved from Atlanta to the Pentagon (condolences. Bob), and he had the unenviable experience of batching while his family finished the school year. As Iremember. Bob, you did that when you moved to Georgia. One semi-remote is normally enough for alifetime; two is above and beyond. Anyhow, Bob now gets to coordinate in person, which should make his job easier. The ongoing remodeling of the Pentagon might qualify as a disaster in itself.

One of the few things Iremember from my notes is that Daryl WIMBERLY is now arecently published author. He was hoping to have information on the book tour, and for ail Iknow be’s out on tbe signing circuit now. Daryl, Doris and the kids had been able to spend afew days up in tbe Springs area for the past two summers, and we managed to get together for an evening each trip. The man can tell agood story, so I’m looking forward to reading it. When Ifind out atitle. I’ll pass it on.

Well, that’s about it for now. Tbis will probably rank as one of my shorter efforts, but at least backing up your messages vrill be on the priority list from now on.

Bob Bell

13 Paci fi c Ave

Sinking Spring, PA 19608

(610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513

E-mail: rabell767@mci2000.com

or Galaxy95@aol.com

Percent members: 48

Greetings class of 72 readers! It looks like you can read this all in one sitting since it is sort of short. It still needs to have more input from the group out there if you wish to have any more news of each other. But here goes for this time with what we have.

icoJniermclMiaJ

dc La Islana

“I have got to learn to relax. “

1am sorry to report that Dr. Timothy G. HERBERT passed away from cancer on August 3, 1998. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tim’s family. Keep the cards, letters, e-mail, and pictures coming. Enjoy the Holidays with your family and friends!

Paul D. Knott

5655 Lantana Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Home:(719) 570-9162

Work (719) 594-0100

E-mail: XPDZ85A@prodigy.com

Percent members: 52

As the Falcons’ holiday gift to each of you, Iwould offer the 30-27 victory over CSU at home for the first time since the mid-‘80s. As of the day Ipen this column. Air Force is 3-0 and ranked #23 in the CNN/USA Today poll. My daughter (CSU,’99)

Ashort note from Dave (Sandi) KLEIN includes the information he promised at the reunion regarding his family connection to other grads of the Academy. Ac¬ companying photo shows the lineup: Dave, (retired) Class of ’72, is beside his ovm daughter, 2Lt Karin KLEIN, Class of ’98, graduating on 27 May from CS-13, Dave’s own old squadron. Beside Karin is her cousin, and Dave’s niece, Academy Class of'89 graduate Capt Pam (KLEIN) POWERS. On the right is Dave’s nephew, USN Fireman Jay Klein (cousin of 2Lt Karin and brother of Capt Pam), who deliv¬ ered the first official salute to Karin at the swearing-in ceremony, atrue family event. Classmate Dave KLEIN’s son David is currently a2nd classman (Class of 2000), but was unable to be in tbis photo since he was in Alaska at graduation time for an environmental engineering summer program. Dave’s other daughter, Kelly, graduates in December from CSU (Colorado State University) with adegree in child development and family studies. Just another factoid: Capt Pam Powers is married to Capt Tim Powers, Class of '88, and both of them are members of “my own" 709th Airlift Squadron, (C-5 A/B Reserves at Dover AFB, DE). Pam is the squadron operations management officer and Tim is one of the unit flight exam¬ iner pilots. Finally, our classmate Dave is currently flying Dornier 328s as captain for Air Wisconsin out of Denver (DIA) and living in Colorado Springs. Thank you, Dave, for the update and alittle bit of family history.

The Klein Group: From left are Lt. Col. David, 2”‘Lt. Karin, '98; Capt Pam (Klein) Powers, '89; and Navy Fireman Jay.

This brings up apoint that may be of interest to the group at iarge. Since there are sureiy other classmates with family ties to other Academy classes, would any of you like to report your connections for inclusion in future columns? It may just be inter¬ esting to see how much we as acommunity have grown over the years since our 14th class graduated. Feel free to drop me the information regarding your family ties to USAFA and/or the other academies and Iwill put it in here.

Next to arrive via e-mail was ashort message from Jerry (Suzi) MARTIN in which he officially reports that after completing 16 out of his total 26 years working at US¬ AFA, he is retiring to go try something different. Completing the third tour of duty at “Camp USAFA,” this one as commander of the 34“’ Education Group responsible for the military education courses, Jerry will now be the chairman of the Humani¬ ties Division and aprofessor of history at asmall southeast Nebraska school called Peru State College. Jerry and Suzi will live in Nebraska City, south of Omaha, with Eric, Kristina and Matthew, and welcome any drop-ins who may wander by on cross¬ country trips. Thanks, Jerry for the update. You are right when you say that Dave WAGIE, recently named as new Dean of the Faculty at USAFA vrill do asuper job for the Academy -he is surely the right man for the position!

Next 1received abrief note accompanying acollection of “historical" photos from Patsy Moser, wife of our former classmate and current Eugene, OR dentist Bob MOSER. She reports finding them in his old scrapbook and felt someone might remember him and be interested in seeing the pictures. (Not sure how to get them out for “public” consumption, but they look much like many others you all may have in your own collections -agroup of college-age guys apparently having fun....) You may remember that Bob was one of the seven or eight nongraduate classmates who were able to join us for tbe last reunion. Patsy also relates that their daughters Lindsey and Amber, by coming with him to that 25* reunion, were able to catch a glimpse of their dad’s experience at their age, and acmally validate that he was young at one time, too. Thanks to Patsy for those pictures and comments.

Finally is the last e-mail that was sent by Drew RIOLO to record the birth of his latest, son Manuel John Riolo, brother of Mary Isabelle. The blessed event took place on July 13,1998 at 0400 vrith both mother and son reported to be doing well. He is named after both paternal grandfather Manuel Riolo and maternal grandfa¬ ther John Boyle, weighing in at 7pounds 4ounces and 20 inches long. Congratula¬ tions dad!

That just about sums up what was relayed to your class scribe this time around. Guys, it really helps when there is more information to put in this column. See you all next issue! Fortitude Per Aspera.

Thomas D. Bailey, M.D.

1807 Arbor Way Drive

Shelby, NC 28150-6166

Home: (704) 482-3110

1-800-776-1054

E-mail: Rdbtwn@aol.com

Percent members; 42

Greetings ‘73ers! I’m writing this on the eve of our 25* reunion. It’s kind of awesome to think about all those years being behind us. And here we are, still trying to figure out what we’re going to do when we grow up! Unfortunately, 1lost afew e-mails prior to writing this article. That was acostly lesson! Iwas having a printer problem at the time and left them as unread mail too long.

Ido have some news left and Iwill relay that. Fortunately Igot several responses to my questionnaires.

Tom EARNED faxed me back from Lyman, ME. He lives there with his wife, Sandy, and children Drew (13) and Kristi (11). Tom is apilot for Continental Air¬ lines. They live on abeautiful lake in Southern Maine and are “enjoying life to the fullest”.

Fred S. KNOWLES, JR. is now following his wife, Pat, around in her career after she followed him for 25 years. He is retiring on Nov 1. She is director of Perioperative Services at Pentagon City Hospital. Their son Robert (21) is asenior at St. Lawrence University. Good luck in your new career, Fred. Hope you let us know how things go.

Paul (Rick) MAZUROWSKI is asingle guy living in Atlanta. He is a767 first of¬ ficer with Delta Airlines. He is also amember of the American Guild of Organists. Ineed to e-mail him since I’ve been trying to learn how to play the organ (well) for the last few years. Maybe he can give me afew tips.

We heard from David M. BARCUS and I’ve got alittle info. Ed PREBLE forwarded an e-mail that originated in Korea but most of it fell victim to my aberrant printer. It appears Dave is in Korea and possibly at Kunson AB for aone-year remote: he has something to do with the Command and Control Division and that’s where it all faded out! Sorry Dave, can you update us some more if you read this?

Wade KE/\RNS has written from New Berlin, Wl, where he and spouse, Sharon, and “kids” Marcella (24), Trevor (20) and Cesia (17) reside, Wade is aDC-9 pilot for Northwest Airlines and he and Sharon are team parents for daughter Cesia’s fenc¬ ing team, one of the top in the Midwest. Cesia is also captain of the fencing team. They are also helping with the Vietnam Vets Memorial Moving Wall visit to South¬ eastern Wisconsin. Daughter Marcella works for the Milwaukee Symphony and acts with local theatre companies, while son Trevor is an exchange student at Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan, Wade has been in touch with Charles L. (Chuck) BRAMMEIER, JR. After retiring from his last assignment in Alaska, Chuck is work¬ ing for Cessna in Wichita, KS, testing their biz jets and showing them to custom¬ ers.

Boyd LEASE is living in Melbourne, FL with Jan and children Sara (21), Robin (18) and Timothy (15). Boyd is director of Plans and Programs, HQ/IF Technical Applications Center, interested in homebuilt aircraft, running on the beach and watching the Packers win. Daughter #1 is engaged to aNavy ROTC student at Boston University. Daughter #2 is starting her Doolie year at USAFA, and young¬ est son is learning to drive. Boyd has some news on other classmates; Paul

GUTTMAN is vice commander of AFTAC, John WIGINGTON was commander of AFTAC and now director of the Space and Missile Center in Huntsville, AL.

Michael C. (Mike) KOSER lives with spouse, Marilyn, in Navarre, FL. He’s pro¬ gram manager for Litton-TASC under contract to the Navy to help manage the AMRAAM missile program. He’s also involved in church activities, golf and en¬ joys reading. Mike reports that Wayne MARICLE also lives in Navarre where he’s working on his doctorate in education at the University of West Florida.

John FOREMAN wrote from Pittsburgh where he and family have lived for 11 years. He and wife. Storm, are parents of amember of the Class of2000. Their son Scott is a2"“ classman and worked in BCT this last summer. John works at the Software Engineering Institute, aDoD FFRDC (anyone who can translate the meaning of “FFRDC” can win achance to be class scribe! Send me your entries!). He's located at Carnegie Melon University and tries to manage the efforts of about 25 researchers in software technology. In his spare time (what's that?) John’s an 0-5 in the Air Force Reserve and is the liaison officer director for Western Penn¬ sylvania.

Duncan KIERNES and Elinor as well as children Matthew (14) and Nicole (13) are getting ready to hibernate for the winter (isn’t that what you do with that much winter?) in Sioux Falls, SD. Duncan is aNWA 747 captain, instructor and check airman. He’s also district chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, retired from the South Dakota ANG, and enjoys cross-country ski racing! Son Matthew made Eagle Scout in September this year.

Edwin B. (Chip) FRAZIER sent an e-maU looking for help locating some of his classmates from Deuce via e-mail. Unfortunately Ireally didn’t have much of a list but referred him to Mike NISHIMUTA and Ed PREBLE who seem to be quite a bit more computer literate than Iam. Couldn’t tell anything more about where Chip is or what he’s up to except for his e-mail address, which is 71207.1600@compuserve.com.

Hey, I’ve found the lost e-mails! Turns out that Iwas looking under the wrong screen name! Send me back to school! David T. (Bush) HANSON is FW/IG at Shaw after his recent tour as HQP.YCAF/IG. He had abunch of names/jobs, which I’ll pass on without editing out the ones we recently talked about. I’m sure all you old guys can use the memory jolt! Bruce WRIGHT, 35FW/CW at Misawa; A1 BRIDING, 374AW/CC atYokota; Ron SCOTT, 374AW/CC at Yokota; Wayne HOLUM, 51FW/CC at Osan; Ed HAWKINS, who was Gen Myer’s exec when he was PACAF/ CC, is now at SPACECOM; William F. (Fil) THORN is newly arrived at Hickam; Don WETEKAM is new HQPACAF/LG; John PATCHIN is out and administrator for the Shriner’s Hospital in SLC; and Norty SCHWARTZ is reportedly heading back to the Pentagon.

Timothy L. LONG, wife, Cynthia, and daughter Nicole (11) live in Louisville, KY. He is a757/767 first officer for UPS. His hobbies include model railroading, horse¬ back riding (“American Saddleseat” version) with his wife, and bicycle riding. He reports on afew classmates he’s run into. Gary DUTELLE was seen roaming around DFW in an /Unerican uniform; George RAMPULLA also works for UPS, and Tim keeps up with Pat SHEPPARD via AOL.

Alan C. (Kinner) KINBACK and Debbie are living in Juno Beach, FL. A1 is aB767 captain with American and based out of Miami. He is apilot for “Sky Warriors” flying the T-34 in Atlanta and also apilot for “Angel Flight”. Alan attended another CS-07 mini-reunion this summer in Yosemite. Other attendees included Stalker REED, who Iknow lives in Peachtree City, GA, Bill PATTERSON, Greg CHAPMAN, Mark COFFMAN, Mike DAVENPORT and Al NACKE.

Finally, I’ve got to end this one on asad note: Byron BEAL passed away after a brief fight with cancer on August 7,1998. I’d like to extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Margena, and the rest of his family. The class will miss him.

Ihope to see abig turnout at the 25“' reunion. I’m really looking forward to a great time and the chance to renew old friendships. Over the years it has become more and more evident that we, as aclass, shared atruly unique experience at US/\FA and were very lucky to have the opportunity to serve our country, and to continue to serve, in many different ways. Let’s hope we have given back in greater measure than we received.

Joe Brezovic

1209 Bayou Oaks Drive

Friendswood, TX 77546

Phone: (713) 244-8089

Fax: (713) 244-8958

E-mail: jbrezovi@ems.jsc.nasa.gov

Percent members: 41

Good day to you!

We hope that all is going well for you and yours! I’ve learned one other thing since the last edition of Checkpoints. Make apaper copy of e-mails! You few send¬ ers of e-mail who do not see your input below and would like to inform our class¬ mates, please e-mail again. To make ashort story long, four days before leaving on vacation, Ihad swapped jobs within the organization, which meant changing desks and changing computers -different charge accounts don’t you know! Both the work mate and Ihad agreed to keep ray e-mail on the computer until Igot back from vacation with family in California. Right! Iwent on vacation and while Iwas gone the computer folks dumped my e-mail from the system. So when 1and the computer assisters got together after getting back, the data was long gone. Of course, e-mail addresses and other stuff are now gone too! So there you have it. Check it out below. As for you other readers, does this give you abetter feeling that your scribe will be maintaining ahard copy database in these days of apaperless soci¬ ety? Ihope so, because we’d like to hear from you!

Short notes first. Ted ROTH is still in Colorado Springs and has been tagged as the lead in our ‘99 homecoming! If you have questions, or can help in any capac¬ ity, please give Ted acall! Gene BEDNARZ was last heard from Albuquerque, NM. Dave D/U.EY and Ty are continually doing well in the D.C. area. Dave has moved

Buds 2and Burgers to ANSER as you may recall. We had chatted ahit about aposition or two in Colo¬ rado and California. Keith QUINN sent anote in from Huher Heights, OH. He had afew classmates stop by and sent aPolaroid proving it. Don KERBY (on the left) is flying with Delta as an MD-88 captain. Keith (center) is still running his beer and burger franchise. Barry WILSON (right) has moved to Washington DC to work in SAF/AQC, after completing atour at WPAFB as aB-2 SPO chief of Con¬ tracts. Barry was taking his son to USAFA as fresh meat for ’02! Yeah!

-Robert 1.

BG Robert LScott, Jr., West Point Grad, and Scribe

The second picture shows retired BG Robert L. Scott of the famed “God Is My Copilot” story, and this scribe. General Scott lives in the Macon, GA area. When I talked with him in the museum at Robins AFB, he exclaimed, “I wish Icould have gone to the Air Force Academy!” General Scott told ashort story about when he went with eight congressmen to evaluate the Colorado Springs site for being the place for the Academy. His remark that there would be no other place better than this for placing the chapel against the mountains and for the men to be inspired must have convinced the congressmen. General Scott said that the vote was 8to 0for the present location of the Academy. We also talked about history and about one who seemed to be his best-liked leader. General Chenault. ”He always lis¬ tened, and never expected us to do anything he couldn’t and wouldn’t do." An¬ other topic he chose was human nature characteristics, particularly the one he described as “the most devastating human trait -jealousy.” “That one trait,” he emphasized with acommanding gesture and fire in his eyes, “has destroyed more magnificent accomplishments of mankind and killed more people than any other. Even at Waterloo, when Napoleon...” and the conversation went on from there. He is ahero for many of us who have read his books or have heard of the Flying Tigers. Another part of his story that afternoon was about his wife who departed 26 years ago. His work with the museum and visiting other parts of the world keep him busy, and he likes it that way! This 90-year-old general exuberates with a zest for life and encouragement to others to do their best.

The last note this edition started with “How’s this for avoice from the past? I think the last time we saw each other was 20-plus years together at that center of cultural society -Valdosta, GA.” Enclosed in the envelope of news from Aurora, CO, was apicture with his rifle in front of an Aeroflot chopper on the Kamchatka Peninsula, looking for bear! Bill VAN HORN! Must be an old picture from his up North days? Bill confessed he wasn’t fluent in Russian at the time of this expedi¬ tion, but he and the Russians understood each other over what was going to be traded for what. Bill traded his binoculars for aRussian pocket watch. Mind you. Bill didn’t say it didn’t work and we all know memorabilia doesn’t have to workbut Bill seemed happy for the trade! Bill included afew Christmas letters too. (Hint. Hint. 'Tis the season!) There were the days of C-130 nav for the Reserves. The weeks of single parenthood while his wife, Elizabeth, did her Reserve training in such places as Australia while Bill worked the Mr. Mom routine for Andrew Hunter, Matthew Blair and Nathaniel Lee. They're now about 13,10 and eight and have seen their parents go from captains in the Air Force to Lt Cols in the Re¬ serves/ Guards. Bill wrote mostly about the family life and how close they’ve grown to each other and to the Lord. It was just after avacation during which they had talked about Job and his problems, that Bill and Elizabeth started meeting their own challenges. Elizabeth’s father suddenly died. The family flew to South Caro¬ lina for the services. Afew weeks later, Elizabeth was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, atype of kidney cancer. Bill immediately came home from aTDY in

The Van Homs: Bill, Lee, Hunter, Blair, and Elizabeth. Panama. The surgeon removed the kidney and as many of the cancerous lymph nodes as possible. In Nov '95, doctors in National Cancer Institute near D.C. were looking for patients who were willing to undergo an experimental medical progtam. Some patients had experienced remission. They went. Elizabeth came home for Christmas, then returned to D.C. After some treatment. Bill took the boys back to Colorado and found places for them while he stayed with Elizabeth. The last words she spoke after telling the children goodbye were “Until we meet again.” She went to sleep Feb 10,1996. Well, Bill has since retired as alawyer for the Department of lustice. Bankruptcy Department. His AF Reserve duty allows him to raise the sons and be involved with other ministries. This life story may be areminder for us to look at our relationships with the Lord, the family, and work, improving what we can. May we seldom, if ever, regret the choices we make. May you live long and prosper, especially in this holiday season.

leffHackett

1866 W. Aspen Ave.

Gilbert, AZ 85233

Home: (602) 813-9605

Office: (602) 891-2734

E-mail: jefffey.l.hackett@BOEING.COM

Percent members: 37

FALL IS IN THE AIR HERE IN ARIZONA. That is to say that the temperature appears to have settled into the less-than-three-digits thing, we’re putting in the winter yard, college football is in full swing, and it’s time to write the class article again (my how the seasons come and go!). May just be that I’m working in the after-the-editor’s-deadline-mode (for the Nth time) but it seems like there’s plenty to share so let’s get to it!

THINKING ABOUT MESS DRESS OR ATUX. Wish Icould go to all events I’m getting invited to/hearing about these days. Acouple of months ago there was change of command for 9'*' Operations Group at Beale AFB as Kent TRAYLOR took the reins. Carol sent some great articles out of the base newspaper, includ¬ ing aphoto of Kent donning full pressure suit for one of his U-2 orientation rides. But Iopted for the “family” shot that was taken just before they left Australia. Can tell you first-hand that il are doing well as we were lucky enough to see Kent, Carol, and Meagan on their short visit to Phoenix in July.

The Traylor family near Ayers Rock Northern Territory, Central Australia. This coming week is abig one for two other classmates. Time and distance vrill make it impossible for Debby and Ito attend Dale MEYERROSE’s (one star) pinning-on ceremony tomorrow (5 Oct) afternoon at Langley AFB; am confident that our well wishes will be felt and that there are enough other ‘75ers in the area to share the cheer. Would especially hope that ACC IG, BG Bentley RAYBURN, will be there. I’ve gotten one e-mail from Bentley since he returned from an “exciting and rewarding tour in the desert” (you may remember that F-16 HARM missile shot in late June, Bentley’s last full day of duty!) Then, day after tomorrow, there’s an Arizona reception for U.S. Senate candidate (California), Matthew FONG. Have

been keeping somewhat abreast of the campaign through his web site and also happened to catch article in USA Today (27 Aug).

APPARENTLY I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO STAYED AWAKE IN ENG 111. In fact it would be presumptuous of me to put any of my idle musings in the same ciass as Bill SPENCER's final column as editor of Airpower Journal. Iurge every¬ one to chase down acopy of the Spring 98 journal (Volume XII, No 1) and read his piece on pages 2and 3-it is quite simply briliiant.

BUT AS FORTHERESTOFYOUWITH“ONLYONESIDE TO PRESENT". (You’ll have to get acopy of that Airpower Journal to understand that.) Believe Bill LYERLY could work on one of those investigative TV journal shows, he seems to know more stuff about more classmates! This time it was brief but nonetheless appre¬ ciated, Bill recently "saw Colonel Bob DORSEY who is on the Air Staff in the Pen¬ tagon. Iunderstand that Colonel Jerry MACKEN is also in the Pentagon on Air Staff, but Imissed him.”

Jim CARLSON is of course busy doing way more than his share in keeping our class home page up to date and interesting (if you haven’t visited in awhile, sug¬ gest you “surf" by and check it out). In his other life, Jim recently endured the hardship of four-week visit to Brisbane, Australia to take asummer abroad course in comparative internationai law... “fun, but expensive”. On the way back, he was planning to drop in on Joe KAHLAPO in Hawaii for afew days so we’ll look for more on that in the next article. Jim also sent me acopy of e-mail from Dr. Rudy ROTH who carries on as king of dermatology at the Travis AFB Hospital. In that note Rudy wondered how many other classmates could lay claim to a23-year career that inciuded only seven assignments (3.28 years per assignment). Seems like agood question: for those who made it to retirement or are still on duty -if you think you’re at either the low or high end of the “years per (PCS) assignment” metric, drop me anote. Rudy’s family summary, “happily married since 1985 (Virginia), have three children (Michael 12, Christopher 10, Jennifer 7), all of us enjoying California!”

CHECKING FOR THOSE SNOWBALLS IN HELL Now that Jon NOETZEL has written there really can’t be much of an excuse for any of the rest of you. Must be that the pace of life at Hickam where Jon is division chief for PACAF Ops Plans, that has made him nostalgic. That, or visiting with Ed KASL whose desk is 20 yards down the hali (Info and Space Division Chief). Jon also noted that Jack BARTON recently stopped through for avisit. The Noetzel’s (Lacy, 19; Brittany, 15; and Jared, 7) have been in Hawaii for about ayear.

Had Imet the editor’s deadline you would have waited till Feb 99 to find out that Jim DEARIEN is in Dallas, flying for Delta. Jim’s been married 13 years (Julie) and has two daughters (12 and 10). His oldest went to Falcon Sports (basketball) Camp this summer and, in Jim’s words, “she did in one day what Inever did in five years -have agood time at USAFA. What achange in one generation!”

EXPECTING TO TAP IN ON LOCAL RESOURCES. Hoping that next article will include pictures and copious anecdotes from two classmates who have moved to Phoenix in the past few months. Mike LISCHAK was still grumbling about the heat when he called last month (and this was amild summer). You’ll recall that Mike is now medical group commander out at Luke and has recently made sig¬ nificant strides in settling dovm by buying ahouse and a1930 Model-A. Brent HALL, who flies for Southwest, made aquick call just last week to let me know that they have relocated from Las Vegas to ahome about three miles from where we live. If the Falcons make it on TV any Saturday soon. I’ll expect to “gather the troops” and get an early start on next article!

AS THAT EAT UTTLE GUY SAYS AT THE END OF THE CARTOON SAYS: Take good care of yourself and the ones you love, folks -it may be later than you think (or something like that)!

Ernie Woollard

216 E. GoettlerSt.

Scott AFB, IL 62225-1710

Home: (618) 744-1044

DSN: 576-1931

E-mail: ernest.woollard@scott.af.mil

Percent members: 40

Hello ‘76ers, Happy Holidays 1998!

Can you believe that another year has come and gone? It’s just incomprehen¬ sible how the time continues to pass and we don’t get another day older. What with the OPS TEMPO being what it is in both the military and business works today, we just don’t bave time to age! The graying and thinning on top with the additional wrinkles around the edges are just figments of our imaginations. At any rate, Pam and Ihope that you are aU home with your families this holiday season and that rest, relaxation, and enjoying the finer things in life are part of your daily agendas.

The WOOLLARDS are finally settled in ahistoric base home -a1937 brick colo¬ nial triplex located directly behind the TRANSCOM/AMC commander. (The days of the “wild parties” are over.) The last of the boxes were moved from the garage in October, and based on our previous assignment history, that will give us about 24 months before the moving process should begin again. Our teenage girls are once again busy with school activities from swimming to soccer, marching band to chorus, cheerleading to public speaking -the stream of activities seems end¬ less; but with two additional drivers now, our transportation requirement has been reduced while the “worrying” element has been exponentially increased. With the girls involved in all those activities to also include part-time jobs and babysitting, well, you can understand why Pam and Ihave had few new adven¬ tures of our own. During the past several months dad and oldest daughter have been busy at the computer pounding out college and scholarship applications. We’re now waiting to hear from the Academy, Missouri, and Illinois; and with any good fortune, possible recognition from the Academy’s women’s swimming coach, (Randy SPETMAN and Russ LANEY where are you?) Despite this hectic schedule.

we were lucky enough to spend aweek "on the water” at Lake of the Ozarks -looking at real estate and taking in the “outlets.”

Pam and Ernie plan the second career-checking out waterfront property on the Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.

The Garland PANNELL family lives right across the street. Mom and dad Pannell were blessed with abeautiful baby boy earlier this year. Garland, HQ/AMC/IG, and Ioften chat about job fairs and what the future may hold for us. Maybe the transition to civilian life is sooner than we think? Dave MCELWEE dropped me a line from Denver. Retired life has certainly been good to him and Kim. Dave’s flying with Southwest out of Phoenix and they’re both waiting for the day in 1999 (Kim’s AF retirement date) when they can resettle in northern California. Terry WILLIAMS and family have just arrived here from Offutt. He’s come to Scott to solve all of AMC’s communication problems. He’s been so busy, we haven’t had time to link up for iunch yet; but if he has anything to do with my new e-mail system, Ican understand why. Duncan SHIELDS had avery nice retirement lun¬ cheon late last summer, no news yet on his “next assignment." Since the contin¬ gency business has remained relatively quiet, news from Harrison FREER and Bob NORMAN in Germany is fairly sketchy. Normally when the contingency business is hopping, Ihear their names in the halls almost hourly. As for the regulars here, Cliff SIMMONS, Kevin MARTIN, Mark MEYERS, and myself -life in the TACC is just business as usual.

That’s all the news from here in Illinois. Please keep sending me those updates as your receive them -aquick “Hello” or recent family photo would be great. My new e-mail account appears at the top of this article. Best wishes and asafe holi¬ day to all! Ernie.

John J“Lou” Michels, Jr.

5107 Juglan Court

Centreville, VA 22020

H: (703) 802-6611 W: (703) 712-5350

Fax: (703) 712-5050

E-Mail: jjmichel@mwbb.com

Percent members: 40

It’s mid-September as Iwrite this, so you know what is going on here in the nation’s capital. And Ithought John Bobbitt had his privacy invaded. It just goes to show what happens to you when you get hooked up with the wrong person of opposite gender. Fortunately Ihad lots of material other than Ken Starr’s to readmany thanks to the many of you who wrote, called, or foolishly invited me into your homes over the last quarter.

FACE-TO-FACE: Iused to think all roads led to Randolph, or Maxwell. Now I know where they lead -to the Northern Virginia/D.C. area. Tim HOPPER (Mary Ann) tossed aneighborhood party for abunch of ‘77 types. I’m not sure that law¬ yers were considered part of the “neighborhood”, but since Ican hit Tim’s house with arock from my backyard he was gracious enough to ask me over. Sonia and Ihad agreat evening talking with, among others, Jeff and Marla REMINGTON. Jeff’s in JCS running the operations world, while Tim works just down the hall in JCS Plans. Jim LAMB (Sue) regaled my wife with horror stories about nav school, which is where Ilast saw him. L.C. BAUER (Bernadette) was also in attendance having gotten some time off from his job at IBM to dash down for the party. I soundly chastised Tim for not having his camera there and he has indicated that he’ll have to throw another party just for the photo-op. Sonia and Ialso hosted Steve and Ingrid SCHWALBE, who just returned from ayear’s hardship tour at Newport, RI at Naval War College. Steve is now working at DLA, waiting to go to Jordan as the air guy, but he has to settle for three years in D.C. before that.

THE X-CADET FILES: Iheard from people Idon’t get alot of ink from this time around -as much as Ienjoy my regular correspondents (please don’t stop writing now!), it is areal pleasure togetmailfrompeoplel haven’t heard from in adecade or two. Dave PODOLNY (Cec) is at lovely Enid doing the T-38 thing. He reports that Frank LEURQUIN (Jeanet) now has the distinction of more T-38 time than anyone else in the Air Force. Terry COX (Cheri) is working with USPA in the Enid area and Dave SWIGER (Rhonda) is the Boeing site manager for T-1 simulator and academics. Igot ashort note from Dave letting me know that his son is now a member of the Class of ‘02 at the Zoo. Congrats, Dave. Dave Pfinishes up by reporting that Tony VILLALOBOS (Audrey) is pushing jets for Continental. Thanks for the update, Dave.

Duff MUIR (Mary) is an IP (but Iguess they call him a“pilot instructor”) for United flying the 747-400 and living in the Springs. He happily notes that he now

has season tickets for Falcon football and that it is actually worth going to the games. He saw Rob MANSFIELD (Yum) at parent’s weekend where Rob's son Greg just started the prep school. Rob is flying for Southwest out of Dallas. In his cur¬ rent job, Duff gets to check out -literally -other members of the class flying for the big "U”. He saw Randy ROTHE (Pam) in recurrency training in September and notes that Randy "flies much better than everyone says.’’ Iswear, once aStan Eval guy, always aStan Eval guy. Duff notes that Scott SCHOFIELD (Beverly) is also a "IP", oops, pilot instructor, living in Denver. Tom SPRATT (Leslie) is pushing 777s for United while Tim MALONE (Lee) is still trapped at the Pentagon. Keep ’em on the straight and narrow, Duff.

Skip KAMPS (Debra) is also flying for United on 727s out of Denver. Skip is slated to move to the 737 out of L.A., but commutes from Phoenix. Isuppose commut¬ ing 400 or 500 miles is normal to you airline guys, but since it takes me an hour and ahalf to go 15 miles here In the District, Icontinue to cringe when Ihear these stories. Skip's e-mail: dkamps@sprintmail.com. Good to hear from you. Skip. The last time Iheard from Andy SZKOTAK (Kristin) was when he was hoofing it across the Appalachian Trail. He is working as aprivate consultant doing database work here in the D.C. area. He continues to hike through the Eastern Mountains while Kristin handles their three kids (5,3 and 1) so dad can relive SERE.

Rick PERRAUT (Joann) has moved from support group CC at Hickam to com¬ mand of the ABW at Eglin. He’ll be joining forces there with afamiliar crew, in¬ cluding Mark SHACKELFORD (Kathy). Mark is the commander of the Test Wing at Eglin and the man responsible for all the things that go "boom”, “bang” and “pop” in the blue suit world. Iran Into Mark on aflight from Fort Walton Beach to Atlanta following one of my teaching stints at Special Ops Command. He looks great and has great war stories about the toys that he works with everyday. Woody HOPLER is now flying for Japan Airlines as a747 driver out of Honolulu. Tough life, but Iguess someone has got to live in Hawaii and commute around the South Pacific. Milt JOHNSON (Jackie) and Doug BANKER (Julie) are both at SPACECOM, literally down the hall from each other. Since they were roommates at the Zoo there is probably some cosmic force at work here.

T.G. PARKER dropped me acryptic e-mail at 0123 hours on aWednesday morn¬ ing. T.G. asked what info Ineeded for the column -“family info or how to make a million dollars In seven days?” Since Igot neither, we’ll have to save him space in the next column. We’d all love to hear about your family T.G., but don’t forget about the million dollars part either. Jay JOINER (Patsy) has, in his own words, closed out his 13-year association with the USAFA Computer Science Department. He includes all the extra education he mooched off the government, and by the way it’s “Dr.” Joiner now. I’m also assuming the 13 years does not include four years trying to cajole information out of Billy BURROUGHS, since that taught me nothing about computers except that we needed better ones. Jay is headed to Osan for a12-month remote to work for Mark MATTHEWS (Donna). After he purchases enough counterfeit Rolexes and Gucci bags. Jay returns to the Springs to retire on 1Oct 1999. Congrats on the assignment and the retirement. Jay and thanks for the information.

Dave ZELENOK (Kathleen) our favorite C-Spring public works director, was doing the IMA thing at Space Comm, While there he saw A1 BECKER (Rita), who was on his way to Randolph for PIT; and Bruce PENNINGTON (Monica) who is flying 767s out of Miami, but lives in the Springs (see my earlier comments re: the pilot commuting culture). Bruce and Monica also celebrated the arrival of their first baby after 21 years of marital bliss. Now you’re in for adifferent kind of bliss, Bruce. Dave also saw Mickey BEDNAR who is flying MD- 11s out of Long Beach to Boeing’s worldwide customers. As part of the occasional testing program, Mickey takes jets over the North Pole to see if the nav aids on board flip-flip from North to South and East to West. Apparently, they do, since Mickey keeps returning back to Long Beach, but isn’t there acheaper way to do this? Thanks for the update, Z.

Slam BELLAMY (Lorraine) just came back from the sandbox to be an IG for NORAD in the Springs. Maybe all roads lead back to the Academy. There’s achill¬ ing thought. Bob VENDLEY (Nancy) wrote from Charlotte where he’s getting ready to go to Airbus school. Bob and his family crammed in abareboat sailing trip to the British VI. over the summer, one more indication that I’m in entirely the ivrong line of work. Mark GILZEAN (Barbara) retired out of Kadena in August and is now pursuing airline employment. From what Iunderstand, it’s the airlines that are doing the pursuing, Mark. Mark and Barbara spent some time with Dwight and Terri HARTMAN in Atlanta and Steve and Norma BUSCH at Hickam. Hope you are flying by now, Mark.

Wendel MSALL retired out of the Arkansas Air National Guard last year. Geno REDMON (Susan) spent two months in Taszar, Hungary as CC for the 406th EABG. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your point of view, his tour was cut short so he could return to an even more glamorous job as the OG at Aims. Ever the optimist, Geno notes that it is great to be acolonel still flying airplanes. Stay on the bright side, Geno. Mouse NEUMEISTER (Martha) dropped me aquick line from the sandbox at Prince Sultan. He’s headed to the deputy job at the 93rd OG flying JSTARs, areturn to ajob he had with the test program. That’s great. Mouse, but get all of the sand out of your clothes before you get near those electronics. He’ll be working forT.C. JONES (Lizabeth) who is the OG commander at Robbins. Lorin LONG (Merry Kay) is now aCat-B Bachelor as Merry Kay and the kids have gone to Seattle in anticipation of Lorin’s retirement/change of command in De¬ cember. Congrats on the retirement and all the best in the Northwest, Lorin.

Finally, Scott MOORE (Kim) wrote from lovely Council Bluffs, in Iowa where he is teaching A.F. Jr. ROTC and having awhale of atime; LB. MALTZ (Claudia) has just gotten his oldest off to West Point, which Ithink constitutes child abuse under all state and federal law; and Bill LORD (Cindy) has escaped Oklahoma (Geno, Curt BEDKE, and the rest take note) to take the deputy director of comm and info at ACC. As Bill so eloquently notes “they even have trees here in Vir¬ ginia”.

TALKED OUT; That’s it from the land where agood cigar is more than just a smoke. Be seeing you.

Greg “Kais” Kaiser

595 Lake Shore Drive

Columbus, MS 39701

Home: (601) 329-4533

Work: (601) 434-2781 or DSN 742-2781

E-mail: kais@crawdat.com

Percent members: 42

WANTED: 78 Class Scribe- Must be a1978 graduate from the United States Air Force Academy (or the ghost-writing spouse of agrad) -Should still be warm and breathing -Writing skills desired but not required -Pay and benefits not negotiable and totally nonexistent -Must have time and patience with computers -Need not be on active duty to fill this position -Current rank or grade not important -Definitely must possess asense of humor -Apply by calling one of the numbers above or emailing the address above for consideration to this highly prestigious position., .one of about 40 world-wide!

In other words. I’m out of airspeed, altimde, and ideas trying to keep the article current, informative, and interesting. 1think it’s time for achange, and I’m soliciting volunteers. If there are no volunteers, be prepared to put up with me until there is. I tried to punt this duty back to K-Bob (AKA Robert KAY (kayherd@juno.com)); how¬ ever, he did abetter job of "jinking” my “guns tracking solution” than he ever did in a jet. Seriously folks, if there is someone out there who wants to tackle this job and give it new life. I’m ready to pass it on and become areader again, vice awriter. Let me know.

MAIL CALL: 27 M-“Lucky” Leo

will be at our 20year reunion if his 747-400 training is done and he's not on his IDE trip for... airline unknown.

28JuI- Mike PADGETT (spdgt78@juno.com) is at Grissom Air Reserve Base (boy, does that sound funny), IN as the active-duty liaison for the KC-135 unit there. He’s one of only three active-duty personnel on the base. I’d say that would be about afair fight! He’s planning on retiring at the end of this year and has offered to fly for any airline “for food.” Mike, I’ll put your e-mail address in the article, but, like info for this article, don’t expect your mail to be overwhelming. He also passed on the following '78 grads that have been listed as “missing in action” until now; Lt Col Andy Ander¬ son, 808 Oak Ridge Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310; Lt Col Scott Shaw, 6210 Franconia For¬ est Lane, Papillion, NE, 68128.

12 Aug- 2Lt (weren’t we that rank once?) Jesse S. JAHN (’98) is at good ole USAFA awaiting pilot ttaining at Vance (yes, Itried to get him to change to Columbus). He wants any of you former USAFA Cadet Honor Guard members out there reading this article to contact him vrith info you might have about your honor guard experiences. His e-mail at USAFA is: lahnlS.PAl fSAFA@usafa.af.mil. OK, all you former Cadet Honor Guard members.. .honor this, and contact Jesse!

18 Aug- Areal, no-kiddiri letter delivered by U.S. MAIL from Bruce GROSSETTA (’65)1 Golly, what asmall world. Ifirst met Bruce when he was acaptain or major (can’t remember which) and “we” were but lowly cadets in his history class as doolies or three smokes. Then, many years later, we crossed paths again as he was departing the Philippines (90TFS “Wild Weasels”) and Iwas arrhing. Now, he’s aFedEx captain and giving us the low-down on acouple of our classmates. It seems that Bruce and Marty COLE (’68) got on the Celebrity Cruise Ship “Mercury” and were accosted by the likes of LC. CROWE, Jose’ BRAVO, and Dave DENTON. L.C., Jose’, and Dave are all FedEx captains (sigh) and were on the cruise to celebrate 20 years of blissful mar¬ riage. Sounds like everybody had agood time, and Jose’ even threw a“class act” birth¬ day party for his wife, Janice (age unknown, anyone who tells is dead!).

L.C., Jose’, Bruce, Marty, and Dave. “Good thing you five By cargo at night!"

22 Sep-I’m depressed.. .called K-Bob and asked him to send me an e-mail just to see if the “magic machine” was hooked up and the electrons flowing the right way. It was, and they were. K-Bob’s e-mail message was short and to the point about my idea of him once again being the '78 class scribe. His reply was very similar to the em¬ phatic question asked by the kamikaze fighter pilot after the honorable admiral’s mis¬ sion brief, “Sir, are you out of your (expletive deleted) mind!” However, K-Bob omit¬ ted the sir.. .and, the f-word, too.

Also called, Tom Kroboth, the Checipomfs editor, to see where our magazines were. Iguess they had amailing problem. So, I’m writing and submitting this before you’ve had achance to respond to the last article. I'm still hoping to find so much e-m^ that Ican’t answer it all in one day. Iguess I’ll have to hit 71 home runs to make that happen!

izSep-KimandIaregettingontheroadthismorningheadedforColoradoSprings and “the reunion.” Hope to see many of you there and for those that don't make it. I’ll try to give agood accounting in the next article.. .that is, if I’m still employed as your class scribe. Take care of yourselves and your families, and I’ll catch ya later. KAIS, over and out.

Bud Vazquez

121 OffuttRoad Hanscom AFB, MA 01731

(781) 271-7723

E-mail: vazquezb@hanscom.af.mil

Percent members: 36

Greetings Niners from Happy Hanscom AFB on the outskirts of Boston! On 4 May 98, aday that will truly live in infamy, Ipicked up program manager-ship of the Air Force Mission Planning Program, or AFMSS. Tm now sure that Iam the most hated man in the USAF, if not America! The other day Iheard achant rising from the back of my program office. As Iwalked back to see what was going on, Iheard the troops shouting “we’re number one, we’re number one!” Thumping on my chest, as any rightfully proud PM ought to do, Iburst in only to find the troops looking at areport to CSAF that said AFMSS was “the #1 Year 2000 chal¬ lenge.” Not exactly what Ihad in mind. Oh well, Molly, the kids, and Iare still glad to be back in New England.

What ayear it has been, since we last "spoke! ”Classmates are wearing colonel’s eagles, the AFA has had another winning football season, and I’ve run into an¬ other guy who tells Mark “Horse” NEICE stories! Yes, Mark, I’ve now heard of your crashing an aero club plane in acornfield, falling into the Great Lakes stone drunk, and seeing tankers that weren’t really there from none other than my 0-6 boss (a ’75 grad). You can run, but you truly cannot hide! Mark is still working the Airborne Laser project for none other than Colonel Mike BOOEN at Kirtland.

Several LCWBers join me up here in the Patriotic heartland. Chris WORSOWICZ (Phyllis) works AWACS, Ken IVIATTERN (Pam) is the deputy JAG, and Kurt STARR works Global Air Traffic programs and just became anew neighbor in base hous¬ ing. Bill CONROY is the lead of the Systems Engineering directorate for the greater CAF C2 Program Office, of which Iam apart. Ieven have two Niners supporting my program: Dale SWANSON is aMITRE employee, and Greg DORAN (the artist formerly known as COLVIN), is acontractor financial expert (and Ido use that term loosely).

IstiU get regular news from Colonel Tom GRIFFITH (Liz), who is aspeechwriter for the Chairman of the JCS. Tom looks out across the street one day and finds that Robin RAND (Kim) is his neighbor across the street! As aViper driver with¬ out equal, of course Robin is working nuclear policy and issues for the J-5. Join¬ ing Robin on the joint staff are Jeff GORDON in J-3, and Colonel Bob EDMONDS (Ann) in J-8. Ahh, the Pentagon is finally in good hands. Colonel Frank GORENC stalks the halls of J-8 as well, and Griff tells me that Bob MCGREAL is over at the 89* at Andrews. Our tallest Niner, Randy GRICIUS (Vicki), is back in C-Springs at Spacecom.

Igot asurprise e-mail from Bill MURPHY (Deanna) who is about to leave his squadron commander’s Job at Frankie’s Rocket Ranch for the Air &Space C2 Agency at Langley. Ihave also had occasion to talk to Scott GRUNWALD (Debbie), who was/is asquadron commander in the C-17 world at Charleston AFB, SC.

Received an e-mail from Peter BAUM who wrote: “Brian KOECHEL’s last sub¬ mission contained references to the oldest and youngest children born to '79ers. Tm sure you’re getting plenty of inputs. For youngest, my first and only was born 24 Dec 97. Her name is Madeline Ruth Baum and she is just now 91/2 months old. Rebecca and Iare quite thrilled.”

Also an e-mail came in from Randy FULLHART: "Saw you were on deck for the next Checkpoints update. My wife, Kathy, and son Stephen (16) arrived in sunny (well, sometimes) England, at RAF Mildenhall where Tm serving as the opera¬ tions group commander at the 100 th Air Refueling Wing. We’ve been at Mildenhall since May and the troops have been involved in several airbridges to SWA and Africa as well as supporting several NEO operations. We’re looking forward to the 20* Reunion next year and hope to see everyone there.”

Well, that’s my abbreviated report this time, Ihope you all are saving those pennies up for the grand reunion next year. Next up in the scribe queue is Mike DONATELLI (Julie). Fortunately, Julie won’t allow Mike to shirk his scribe duty. Write him at: 1149 S. Stone Ave, La Grange, IL 60525. After watching the Falcons come back to beat CSU this past week (17 Sep), maybe we’ll see you in November at Army, or at abowl game in January! God Bless!

Don Myers

EO. Box 8998

Kodiak, AK 99615

Work: (907) 487-5591

DSN: 317-487-5591

Home: (907) 486-1098

E-mail: DonKathMyers@worldnet.att.net

Percent members: 40

Many of you caught up with me at my new snail and e-mail addresses. Thanks for making the effort. By the time you read this, the hours of daylight here will be few and the ice on the roads likely very challenging. Don’t feel sorry for us. These are minor inconveniences for being able to live as far away as possible from the problems in Washington -yet still be in the U.S. With that. I’ll ask you to relax, grab acup/glass of something warm/cold, and read on.., Ex-Navy Thlk. Alvin SEARS has kept his ties with the USN as aReservist. He’s now with RWD Technologies in Maryland as asystems analyst. Chris (Lyn) SEAVER hails us from the land of Terrazzo Falcons, where he hopes to grow permanent roots. He finished his stint with the Navy in Corpus Christ! and is chief of Safety at the Zoo. Since there aren’t any more T-3s (for now), he’ll be flying the TWin Otter or motorgliders. Chris bumps into Eric RUSSIAN (“in the academic world some¬ where”) and Mike WARD, CC of the 98FTS (parachuting).

Ttaedo Junction? Steve (Lili) DAWIDOWICZ is with one of those lawyer-sound¬ ing consulting firms in Virginia, Booz, Allen &Hamilton, doing information secu¬ rity for agov’t agency he can’t talk about (or else, no doubt, he’ll be found dead of a "heart attack” or from “suicide”), He said it’s afascinating field with lots of Internet research. Lili is still amajor in the AF as adefense foreign liaison -which has had side benefits of getting to attend foreign embassy receptions: "These are generally characterized by open bars, free food, and sometimes interesting people. The food is almost always good, although Idon’t always know what I’m eating.”

AFHES Updates. Kathy (BISHOP) (Don) CAMPBELL has been at the Pentagon since ’90 with AFRES. She’s at the Policy Integration Division, taking care of all the congressional issues pertaining to AFRES. Their two kids, Chris and Miles, try to fit sleep and homework in around sports. Ann MOORE attended the promotion of Maureen (TRITLE) VACARRO with many other classmates. All were "looking pretty chipper.” Ann relates: “Maureen said this is likely her last promotion, but then sounded like ageneral in her remarks.”

Tidbits: (because the fighter guys only give me asentence or two). Kevin KEITH at Laughlin as aT-37 Sqn CC, Matt NEUNSWANDER 68FS/CC (F-16Cs) at Moody, Jim POWELL is in Egypt as an advisor, Ali FROELICH flies Vipers as Sqn Ops at Tyndall, and Frank OTT is Ops at the 85FS at Eglin. "Mace” CARPENTER sent aslick e-picture with Rick WRIGHT and Mace in front of ahangared F-117 with alarge U.S. flag as the backdrop (but Icouldn’t use it -gotta have the regular photo). At the time, they were both ops officers.

Cadets&Kids. Karen (COLE) (Mike)SELVAisthe21LSS/CCatPetersonandnotes, “Funny thing, having returned to C-Springs two years ago, it can actually get below zero in the mornings here during the mid-winter months. Iwas shocked since I didn’t remember it being quite that cold -but then, as cadets we were probably numb to it.” Karen’s 80 folks oversee about 300 contractors supporting contracts at 18-plus geographically-separated units worldwide that comprise the 21st Space Wing. She and Mike still manage to sponsor several cadets from ’01 and ’02. “Ca¬ dets are cadets and more importantly, they’re teenagers still. At the moment the ’01 cadet is abit frustrated because (the new regime) seems intent on bringing 'more order and discipline’ to the ranks. Consequently they’re experiencing adifferent attitude this year and afew new rules and regulations. Isn’t it funny how nothing ever really changes even though everything seems to change constantly?”

Ted (Sue-r3) OSOWSKI sent me his not-so-recent “bi-decade Christmas letter” to keep us up to date. “We were warned early on that, after reaching adolescence, it is normal for girls to depart the earth’s atmosphere for worlds far away, but Tm happy to report that both of our girls are now safely back within the gravitational pull of this planet.” Ted has an office in view of the front porch for observing male dates: “Of course, the office contains my gun cabinet with various weaponry displayed, along with afew of my sharpshooting medals -1 thought that if the fear of God didn’t distract these young men, the fear of ahalf-crazed father might.” Sue’s finish¬ ing her physical therapy training; the oldest, Stephanie, is at OBU, Oklahoma; and Ted is flying AA’s B727s mostly to Cancun and such warm destinations. He enjoys taking the family water skiing, camping, and hiking, and has been involved as an adult Bible study leader.

Hello bom the Smokies: Sue, Ted, Erin, Stephanie and David Osowski. Sand -and more sand. Derek (Barb) HESS has aKadena F-15 squadron (44FS) and after arotation to Saudi (“Lots of fun living in tents in the middle of nowhere”) took Barb and family to another sandy place, Hawaii, for vacation. Still talking pine¬ apple country: Jerry (Wendy) CORBETT writes, “Dave JONES, Joe FERNANDES and I(iongwithourrespectivespouses)recentlyspentaweektogetherontheBigIs¬ land of Hawaii for avacation from the rigors of raising afamily. Agrown-up’s only vacation. Does that sound good to anyone else but me? Anyway, we had agreat

time. Fortunately the pictures of me making afool of myself with the Hawaiian dancers didn’t come out well enough for publishing.” Dave is the Delta Master Ex¬ ecutive Council safety chairman, loe is still flying the Pacific with NWA in the DC10, and Jerry is a767 IP with Delta. “In fact, as part of my qualification Ihad to obserr’e other instructors teaching each training module. Igot to spend four days watching Bob (Sue) BUEHLER teach some new guys how to fly the 767. He will soon check out on the 777, making him one of our first dual-qualified instructors. In addition to teaching pilots for Delta, Bob is the vice commander of the 159 th Fighter Wing in New Orleans,” Finally, “David and Iboth just got new sports cars. Igot a Camaro, sort of anostalgic choice since my firstie car was aCamaro. David got a Miata, since his firstie car, the RX-7, is no longer in production, Iwould bet that we aren’t the only guys who turned 40 and decided it was time for anew car.”

Mark (Susan) REIDINGER reminds us, regarding updates, “Of course when slugs like me take 18 years to make any inputs, that can’t help either.” He paused from his Air War College reading to write from AFOTEC in Kirkland after coming off atwoyear sdnt in EF-11 Is at Cannon. There was a"Raven Farewell” this summer and although Mark was busy with the ceremonies, he spotted some of the ‘80 grads who have fl own the mighty Raven in attendance; Marty MEYER (Pentagon), Russ HOGDIQNS (T-38 IP somewhere), Dave GLADE, and Guy TURNER (commanding an Eglin test squadron). Tom “Elmer” BREEN, though not aRaven, is at Cannon and has the 523rd FS (F-16s). Mark missed the 10-year reunion due to Desert Shield, but is looking forward to the 20th,Dave PRAHST sent a“choice photo of notone, but three ’80 grads who went on acmise to the Bahamas (with wives!): Dave FREEMAN (USAirways/Charlotte), Mike GLEICHMAN (UPS/LouisvUle), and Dave (USA/Pitts¬ burgh). They were all at Vance together and hadn’t seen each other since. They met on the Big Red Boat to be with Jack Hill, from the Navigator discipleship ministry while at Vance, and to spend time at ashort workshop/study on relevant topics to their current season of life.

Dave, Mike, and Dave blocking UVrays.

Diana (GREEN) FRANCOIS wrote to let us know she has moved “across the street from the Pentagon to the DODIG in one of their logistics divisions. Ihave been the chief of AF Depot Maintenance in the Logistics Directorate for the past three years.” Diana also sent aone-page article, with color pictures, from the Washington Post regarding CD (Leslie) MOORE. Seems the Moore family made quite an impression on their Cherry Run community in their 10-month stay and that was afocus of the composition. It doesn’t surprise me -my Falcon Buddies are great!

REACHOUTXin. Since this deadline happens to come before the next magazine is out, there’s no word on the last batch. If you know, let me also know about: John W. OWENS, Lawrence J, O’TOOLE, Anthony A. OLIVER, Vincent A, NULK, Scott NORWOOD, Byron E. NIELSEN. Iknow you’re busy (it’s that period in our life). Regardless, take the time to rekindle old acquaintances as we approach our 20th.

Priorities. Out of curiosity, Iasked Susan HELMS about life in Russia during this turbulent period. She’s in afascinating position to observe firsthand what the people are going through and to get their perspective. She sent me acopy of an e-mail that went to her family. Along with reassurance that her safety isn’t compromised, it describes the financial and political challenges the Russians face. The thought that put it in perspective for me was: “Mushroom hunting has always been apleasant pastime here, but now it is ameans of preparing for winter survival.” And we’re worried about the Space Station being done on time .. .Until next quarter, God bless. Don,

Carolyn J. Madden

6963 Gayle Lyn Lane

Colorado Springs, CO 80919-2524

Home and FAX: (719) 536-0827

E-mail: CJMadden@compuserve.com

Percent members; 37

Well, let’s get into the latest chapter of “Who doesn’t have Caller ID and was therefore unable to avoid the dreaded phone call that begins with, ‘Hey, the col¬ umn is due tomorrow and Ineed somebody to write about,”’ and see who our victims are this time. Bruce PEDEY was at work when 1phoned his house, but his wife, Jan, was kind enough to spend some time catching me up on their family happenings, Ieven admitted that Ineeded fodder for the column, and she still didn’t hang up. Bruce is working two jobs. He flies for Delta, and is an investment advisor with Waddell &Reed, anationwide financial services company. As of Oct 98, Bruce is adistrict manager, running an office with nine other advisors. In his

spare time, Bruce coaches the basketball teams for their two boys, Brian (11), and Billy (10). The Pedey’s keep in touch with Mike PAVLOFF, who is at Enid, OK with his wife, Kathy and three kids; Kent NICFIOLS, who flies for Delta and the ANG in Adanta; and Craig STRAUSS. Craig is also with Delta, and he and his wife, Gretchen, just had their first baby.

Who is where and doing what; Sean MURPHY is just back from avacation in Yellowstone. They had real live snow and it was great for some friends who met them there from Florida whose kids had never seen snow. He’s the new squadron commander of the 92nd Medical Operations Squadron at Fairchild. Ifs cold up there compared to Biloxi and he thinks he’ll like the beach much better than the snow... Sean recently saw DickTUBB and Dan WYMAN in D.C. Dick is the vice president’s doctor and Dan is asquadron commander of an aeromedical squad¬ ron at Hickam. They had lunch together and had ablast talking about the “old” times and the new times, with Sean claiming that Dick definitely had the best stories. Sean also spoke with Jeff ANDERSON not too long ago. Jeff’s “married with children” in Folsum, CA working as an anesthesiologist, so if you need some gas, stop by and see bim. Another Californian, Jan GUNNOE, and ber husband, Don, left at the end of August for a10-month stint teaching business and English at auniversity in Tianjin, China. Before leaving the US, Jan did some duty at the Pentagon and saw John JACKSON, who has anew baby; and Ed KNOX.

In e-mail from tbe Washington, DC area. Jay SANTEE says that the move back from Alaska went well, and be, Teresa, and the girls are settled into the same rou¬ tine as before. He thinks that this next year at ICAF is going to be great. “Short days, interesting work, great folks to think with, low stress.” We’ll have to get an update in afew months, and see if he still feels that way, or if this was just the euphoria of seeing something besides frozen tundra speaking. Jay ran into Ralph NARDO at the NDU celebration of the 51st birthday of the USAE Ralph is flying SOF C-130S at Hurlburt. Lansen CONLEY e-mailed from the Pentagon, and sent this great picture, taken in May of ’98 at Aviano AB, Italy after Chris LANE’s fini fl ight.

Dennis “Fish” PROKOPOWICZ is now 31 FW/SE, Chris LANE was 510 FS/DO, Jan (PETERSON) NICHOLS is 16 AF/DO staff, Dave NICHOLS is 510 FS/CC, Lansen CONLEY was 31 Maintenance Sq commander, and Marv FISHER was 31 CE Sq CC, According to my grapevine, Marv FISHER, who is now at ICAF, spent an extra year at Aviano building the place up to handle all the extra folks in town for the Bosnian adventure. Chris LANE has moved on to Laughlin where he’s asquadron DO. Another '81er, Linda MCCULLERS, is on her way to aT-1 assignment at Laughlin from Guam, where they just had acouple of change-of-commands. Dana HOURIHAN is the commander of the Air Mobility Support Squadron and John EUNICE is the commander of the CE Squadron. Also in parts afar, Ken BYRD has been “doing afew months” in Kuwait. He reports that the temperatures there haven't been too bad -it only reached ahigh of 125 the day he wrote, and was below 120 most of the day, so It was quite pleasant -it all depends on your per¬ spective, huh?

In the “Pleas for Help” file: Scott SUHR officially retired 1Sept. As of the last email from him, he was unemployed, but had several leads worMng, and is open to suggestions in Central Florida and Los Angeles. So, hey, help out aclassmate and offer this man ajob! Terry POBST is going to Turkey for afew months starting in October. She was looking through the USAFA Web site and was disappointed that ’81 doesn’t have ahome page like many of the other classes do. She asks agood question -don’t we have afew folks in the class who could put together apage that at least included our classmates’ e-mail addresses? So, don’t delay, send me an e-mail and volunteer somebody else to do it!

And we have another plea for help, from 2Lt Jahn, Class of ’98. He’s at USAFA waiting for his February pilot training start date, and is trying to create alist of pertinent information on everyone who has ever been apart of the Cadet Honor Guard. His e-mail address is JanhJS.PA.USAFA@usafa.af.mil and he’d like “old Honor Guard members” to contact him. So, please pass the word along.

The “Best Blast from the Past Award” goes to Gene O’NALE. Seems Gene’s di¬ rector of ajoint staff (Air Component Command, Plans and Coordination) at Osan AB, ROK. One of their jobs is to conduct the mission briefing for all distinguished visitors that roll through Osan, much of which describes the plan for defending

From left are Dennis and Dee Prokopowicz, Chris and Nance Lane, Jan and Dave Nichols, Lansen Conley, andMarvFisher.

against apotential attack by North Korea. Several weeks ago, they were treated to avisit by one General (Ret) Thomas C. Richards, known and loved by all as our one-time commandant. He couldn’t resist the perfect setup. So when it came time to describe the North’s ability to conduct aprotracted campaign, he had his briefer include that “they can make it harder, but they can’t make it longer...” There was no response.

And what would we do without our quarterly lacrosse update, furnished, as al¬ ways, by Jake JAKOBI, He and Chet NOWAK played for the Air Force “Graybirds” alumni team in the SuperMasters Division in the Vail Lacrosse Tournament, which Jake described as “the old-guy division.” They got their butts kicked in the first game, but redeemed themselves later in the tournament. Bob STEIGERWALD declined to play, claiming the bruises take too long to heal these days, but did take in aRockies baseball game at Coors Field with Jake, Chet, and Chet’s son Stevie. Jake gets around -here’s apicture of him with Ron HUSSEY and Steve MOES at Ron’s house in Orlando.

mii,

*t ●h

According to Jake, Ron has recovered nicely from the injuries he sustained when he was on the losing end of adisagreement with apower saw. After some time off on disability leave from Delta, he’s acaptain and back to full time flying. Steve was on his way to Germany to be the CE OPS squadron commander at Ramstein -the biggest CE squadron in the Air Force. He’ll be commanding 300 troops, 500 civil¬ ians and about 30 of fi cers.

We know they’ve moved but we don’t know why: Rich ALDRICH to Houston, Janice BENHAM to Ft Worth, Bart BLESSING to Saint Peters, MO; Steve HENSON to Falls Church, VA; Bret HYDE to Hickam; Kevin NEUMANN to San Antonio; Mary ORN to Las Vegas; Paul RAINES to Maplewood, NJ; Joyce (SCHMITT) EASTWICK to Duvall, WA; A1 SIMON to Albuquerque; and Don YOHO to Brooks AFB in Texas. Anybody who knows what’s up with any of these guys, or any other ‘Biers, drop me aline. Add me to your Christmas card list -and send pictures!

Jim Ratti

5301 Palo Verde Dr.

Edwards, GA 93523-2405

Home: (805) 258-8280/DSN: 527-7782 rattijm@mindspring.com http://www.usafa82.org

Percent members: 36

Well, the results are in! By my count (and quite unofficial it is!), right at 200 of us made Lt Col in the primary zone. Idon’t profess to have any statistics, percent¬ ages or analysis of the promotion results, but this milestone in our careers cer¬ tainly prompts abit of reflection. We’re approaching our 20-year reunion and the majority of us still on active duty around that time will be Lt Cols. Remember when we were at the Zoo and we watched all those gray (and sometimes long) haired old guys come back? Did we look as young to them as the kids out there today do to us? Yeah, probably, but it hardly seems possible!

/Hnyway, enough blather—on with the news! Back in early June, Istarted hear¬ ing rumors that acertain Heather WILSON was running in aspecial election for a

Congressional seat from the P' District in New Mexico. Igot confirmation that it was indeed our ciassmate when Heather sent me one of her campaign flyers, a family photo, and with anote saying she’d won! She says she’s not only the first USAFA grad elected to Congress, but also the first female veteran there. With the drastic reduction of veteran presence in Congress and the Senate, I’m glad to see that she made it. We’re proud of you, Heather. Represent us well!

In other news, Jon (Doc) KIMMINAU sent anote saying he and his family are all settled in Columbus, OH where Doc’s starting on aPh.D. in political psychology and international relations. Doc finished up SAAS (School of Advanced Airpower Studies) at Maxwell earlier this year and was accepted into this program. I’m sure this isn’t the last we will hear of him!

Here’s afun one. Coleen McGINTY’s secretary sent an e-mail to pass along Coleen’s e-mail address. She told me that Coleen is the director of Minor Con¬ struction, Office of the Physical Plant, Boston University, and that Coleen is the best project manager at BU. Coleen, give that woman araise!

Doug SANDER checked in to say that he’s probably the last “rock” to fall in our class. He married Ann Werth, afirst grade teacher, this past March, and is enjoy¬ ing himself as a“full-fledged bureaucrat” at NASA’s Space Station Program Office in Houston. He says he negotiates with Russians and Alabamians, and needs trans¬ lators for both! Phil HAMANN sent ashort message to say he’s back flying the Here (C-130) at Little Rock, and that he ran into Rich LUND in the Mall of America in Minneapolis. That place is so huge, Idon’t know how you can possibly find anyone in there!

Julie (ROSBURG) KECK dropped aline to say that she’s working for NIMA (Na¬ tional Imagery and Mapping Agency) in D.C. She passed along that Jane MENGEL (mechanical engineering professor at Modesto College in California) finished an across-the-U.SA. bike trek in July. Makes my 30-mile Saturday rides look like a blow! Ray and Joan TUREK moved to Barksdale in July, and are getting used to the heat again. And, Rick MRAZ is now at the Joint Warfighting Center at Fort Mon¬ roe, VA.

Joyce (ROTHLEDER) and Tom GRISSOM sent an e-mail kindly thanking me for (but still rejecting) my recommendation for names for their new twins. Ithink my suggestion was Pete and Repeat, but they wisely picked Miles Montgomery and Spencer Everett! If my count is right, that makes five kids for them now. Joyce and Tom both pinned on Lt Col in May, and Tom is running aspecialized course in critical care air transport at Brooks AFB. But, pending confirmation, he may be the head of the anesthesiology department at Wilford Hall by the time you read this.

Julie Joyce Charity (HUGHES) RYAN wrote, wondering if anyone has given seri¬ ous thought to aclass gift to USAFA at our upcoming reunion. Seeing how most of us are parents with kids, it’d be nice to start the financial planning ahead of time! Do any of you know who our class treasurer (if we even have one) is? Have any of you come up with ideas for aclass gift? If you can answer either of these questions, drop me aline.

2Lt Jesse Jahn (’98) sent me anote regarding aproject he’s working on. He’d like to get in touch with anyone who was ever amember of the Cadet Honor Guard at USAFA. He’s working on awebsite (http://wtvw.geocities.com/pentagon/bun' " '’ '), and would like to eventually assemble acomplete roster of all former members. If you’re interested, e-mail him at jahnjs.pa@usafa.af.mil or at iahnis@netscape.net.

Carl ZIMMERMAN sends word that he’s left the /Hir Force Services Agency in San Antonio to take ashort-notice job at the Pentagon. He’s working congres¬ sional and legislative issues in AF/ILV He figures somebody figured out he and Valerie were having too good atime in Texas, and decided ayear there was long enough! My old CS-30 bud Bill H/UIDING said hello from the National Security Space Architect Office in D.C., where he works with Ben HUFE Bill’s wife, Charlene (J/HRDIN, ’85), works in DISA. Bill said he’s bumped into JeffVANCE atime or two at USSPACECOM, where Jeff works long-range plans. Igot an e-mail from Glenn JAMES who’s all settled in San Antonio, working in the Information Warfare Battle Lab. I’m not sure exactly what they do there, but it seems like every time Istart up aword processor. I’m doing battle with information (or computers), so maybe he’ll come up with new tactics for recovering that file Ilost when the power went out!

Last but certainly not least. Dr. Steve TOPPER sent a“rumor control” message to fill us in on his reasons for separating before retirement. Steve had been promoted to Lt Col, but declined it to pursue an academic career in medicine. He’s an orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in hand and microsurgery, and has moved to Oregon. He’s now an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery, and is the chief of the hand and micro¬ surgery section. Steve also sent word that John R. SMITH is assigned to the Pentagon and is expecting his fifth child (should be bom by the time you read this). Steve also told me that William ERIKSON is the exec officer in aC-17 squadron at Charleston; Dan H/HRGROVE is aSpecial Air Missions pilot at Andrews; and Tom LaVALLEY works at United /Urlines’ training center in Denver and just welcomed his fourth child.

As for Ellen and me, we’re doing fine and still enjoying Edwards (really!). We took a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to China in August, visiting Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Hong BCong. One of the best trips I’ve ever been on, and avery enjoyable and relaxing vaca¬ tion too. We really enjoyed ourselves, 'Til next time, be safe and enjoy the pin-on parties! RATMAN.

Dave Ruffley 4204A Muledeer Drive

USAF Academy, CO 80840-1137

Home: (719) 472-0285

Work: (719) 333-3230

DLRWY@Compuserve.Com

Percent members: 37

Greetings 83!

Thanks to the latest spin of the Wonder Wheel at /HFPC, Ifind myself back here

Heather Wilson, husband Dave Hone, and children Scott, Joshua and Caitlin.

at the zoo, teaching History 101 to cadets who were born during our thirdclass year. Having survived three years of penal servitude in an ICBM squadron at EE. Warren AFB (yes, that is about the worst thing you can do to aself-respecting cop) and having wrenched my mind from missile security issues into the academic world once again, Iwanted to do something fun and different. So when Ray BLUST put out the word that we needed areplacement for Dave WRIGHT in the scribe rotation, Ivolunteered. Little did Iknow at the time that Iwas about to become part of anew Air Force and USAFA tradition. Thanks to the housing market in Cheyenne (where our "summer home” remains available) we decided to move into Douglass Valley housing. Shortly after our arrival, we discovered that Ihadn’t just replaced Dave as winter-issue scribe, but my family had replaced his in the same quarters. That’s it, it’s official. As you all know well, anything that happens twice in the AF automatically becomes atradition, so from now on, 4204A Muledeer Drive is the official residence of '83 scribes at USAFA. (Editor’s note: Talk about coincidence, yourCheckpoints editor lived in the same house as acap¬ tain and major during 1978-80!)

Dave and his family left here in June for Randolph after two years as AOC for the Dirty Dozen of CS-12, which ranked as USAFA's outstanding squadron one of those years, and dropped off all the way to fourth place the other. Looks like Dave’s leadership skills have stayed as sharp as when he was our class “rep” during our doolie year in CS-19. Dave, who’s flying T-43s at Randolph, sent an e-mail saying he ran into Bob LALA in base ops. Bob’s en route from flying F- 16s in Japan to T-38 IP duty back at Vance AFB. Dave also said he ran into Sue (NEWHOUSE) ROSS, as she was at Randolph for upgrade as aT-37 IP and en route to Columbus AFB. Dave and Tom KRISE also passed along that Lt Col (NEWHOUSE) ROSS was, in fact, on her way to Columbus to be the commander of the T-37 squadron there. Tom says that Sue just left an assignment on the personal staff of the CINCSTRATCOM and AMC.

Tom KRISE also put me in touch with another Lt Col classmate. Anne (GETTLEIMAN) CAMPBELL is teaching political science here, while Tom has re¬ turned to the English department. That’s Anne joining Tom, me and Ken KNOTTS in front of the Eagle and Fledglings and the Air Garden fountains. Yes, for those who haven't been back here lately, the water is back. The four of us, along with Jeff BALL who couldn’t make our lunch meeting, are the only classmates of which I know on the faculty here. Anne has recently completed her PhD at CU Boulder. She and her USNA-grad husband, Jeff, set up residence here in the Springs with their young son. Tom ICRISE and his wife, Patty, have been back here since the summer of '97. Patty works for aFord subsidiary called Fairlane Credit in one of the many new office complexes due east of the Academy across 1-25.

MAN’S FLIGHT IHRpUGH LIFE IS

Tom also relayed that Andy KOHLAN is stillaRavenonRC-135satOffutt, tend¬ ing to his real estate empire on the side, renting out acondo in D.C. and acouple of houses in Omaha. Tom also noted that Tim SCHIFER and his wife, Shana, are happily settled in St Louis, where Tim is abank executive.

Ido have to backtrack to the photo and give Ken KNOTTS his due. Ken and I have crossed paths afew times, notably back in '95 in Moscow, where Ken was assistant air attache while Iwas working on my doctoral research. In addition to making my stay in Moscow both much more productive and fun, Ken demon¬ strated exceptional skill and daring in negotiating Moscow traffic (and scaring the ●&''%$ out of me) in arickety-but-game Russian SUV known as a“Neva.” Ken followed his Moscow tour with one in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan living five miles

from the Iranian border. He’s now deputy director of International Programs here.

Branching out from the zoo for more on ‘83ers: Ray BLUST sent me anote that he ran into Chris HABIG in Chicago, Chris is flying the friendly skies of United as a727 pilot. Seems Chris has settled down after his days as an F-16 driver at Hill then as an F-15 test pilot at Edwards and agenuine "Top Gun” style test pilot in¬ structor at the Navy Test Pilot School. (Sorry guys, I’m just aground pounder, but would it have been OK to call him a"TP” instructor? In almost 20 years and Istill don’t speak pilot!).

Chris also told Ray that Mick GUTHALS is abomber pilot currently working at tbe Pentagon. Rob FUSCHINO and Rex BAILEY were in Chris’ TP class (hey, Ray used the acronym, Tm just the scribe). Rob served as an F-16 TP and is now a727 FO instructor (I assume that means "flight officer" and not the other thing) for United in Denver. Rex was aB-2 TP and is now also in Denver as a767 FO instruc¬ tor. Chris also passed along that Dave STISCHER left F-16s and F-117s for United 727s. Ray also ran into Lisa (LINDEN) OSTERHELD, who’s aflight officer for Ameri¬ can Airlines 727s out of the D.C. area, and Keith KOLEKOFSKI, aHuey pilot now working airborne communications systems in tbe Pentagon.

Jon DURESKY called with some more tidbits from the Midwest. Seems that Chris MOULTON’S taken on Sue (NEWHOUSE) ROSS’s old job as speecbwriter for the AMC/CC, (Glad to see that you too survived EE. Warren, Chris -Billy WALKER, incidentally, was commanding the helo unit there when 1left.) Also in the Scott AFB area are Kim BENTLER, who’s now living in St Louis and serving in the AF Reserve. Butch ALLIGOOD was last seen as amember of the Scott AFB eight-man contingent on abike-across-Iowa fundraiser, while Vince and Mavis (THORPE) COMPAGNO are also in the Scott area.

That’s all the news I’ve gotten. Ray BLUST writes the next column, so please send him your news and photos. His address is 149 S. Park St., Wheeling, WV 26003-5924. Phone (304) 242-7182. E-mail 104055,444@COMPUSERVE.COM. If you can’t contact him, get in touch with me and I’ll pass the material along.

Mike Jensen 12035 Milam Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80908 1-800-GO-AFA-GO /(719) 481-4646

E-mail: jens@us-afa.com

Home page:v™Av.us-afa.com/84

Percent members: 31

Iam once again past the deadline for the next issue, and had to plead for an extension. Iam running out of excuses, and “my dog ate my paper” hasn’t worked for along time! Thanks to the AOG staff for putting up with the miscues! One reason (excuse) for putting off the deadline was to get to see all of the happenings at the AF/TCU game in Ft, Worth. Although the game did not turn out to our liking (TCU won 35-34) the pre-game tailgate was exceptional, and the North Texas Association of Graduates put on quite ashow. If any of you live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, Ihighly recommend you getting in touch with their group! Iwas joined at the foodfest by Doug APPLEGATE, (Delta FO). He and his wife, Cindy, are ex¬ pecting their first child by the end of the year for tax purposes. We saw alot of familiar faces -and hope we can get that kind of turnout should the Falcons go to abowl game this year.

Attention in the area! Doug WREATH is back on active duty and working in leg¬ islative affairs. He is deputy chief of the Air Force House Liaison Office, and en¬ joying it. Rich BRADSHAW ran into Jeff HUFF at one of the airports, and in the "small world” category, Isaw Rick OLESZCZUK at DIA. He is working and living in Colorado, space imaging Ido believe. Per CORBEIL, and wife. Barb (Martin ’85), are living out in California. He is flying with American. It was great to hear from A1 MILTON who is currently residing in Albuquerque and working as the business development manager for Tecolote Research, Inc. on the Air Force's Airborne La¬ ser Program. Roger BOWER is working at MCI and living in the Colorado Springs area.

It’s about time! After 14 years we finally hear from Scott VAN GORDER, who is now at Keesler AFB running the C-12C/D Worldwide Program and flying as a schoolhouse IP/ER He has seen some of our classmates come through Keesler on their way to attache jobs. Bob SINON came through initial qual on his way from HQ AETC to Dhahran. Dave HOOK is the assistant attache at Abidjan, Ivory Coast (Cote D'Ivoire). He also noted that Joe WILEY is flying the C-12 at Nairobi. Yes, same place where things just went BOOM! Thankfully he was ferrying aC-12 from Andrews to Nairobi and was in the Azores. Herb "The Baron Von” EHRMANN was aschoolhouse IP at Little Rock, but he's probably moved on.

Steve "Roose” RUSIN not only sent an update, but also aphoto via the informa¬ tion superhighway. 1don't know if the scanned photos will work with the Check¬ points gang, but Iwill try to put it on the home page. He is in the middle of a21/ 2year exchange tour as aCF-18 IP parlez vous-ing francais and flying jets in Bagotville, Quebec. He was deployed to Aviano, doing the Bosnia CAS thing and enjoying the wine and pasta. Ed INGHAM is coming back to the states! He and his family are transitioning from Osan to Luke. Renee and the kids left in July and he will hook up with them in Jan '99. Mike "GIMP" MCGEENEY finally got mar¬ ried last Feb '98 at the U.S. Naval Academy to his new wife, Michelle (school¬ teacher). In the wedding were John “DUFF” MCELLIGOTT (flying With United) with his wife, Kara Hayes (flying Delta), and three kids. Also, Mike “Hollywood” KIRBY (a successful lawyer in Miami) and his wife, Stephanie, who Ihad the plea¬ sure of being in their wedding two years ago. Hollywood cancelled at the last moment to be home for the birth of his first daughter, Alexa Mareka. Gimp is working with alaboratory/medical supply company (VWR-SP adivision of Merck) in senior management for the MD/VA/DC areas.

Promotion! Victor HAYNES has made IVIAJOR! It has also been rumored there are afew classmates who finally made captain -Jim KALIAMOS (United) may be one. He sent in agood update on himself and JC CURRAN (Southwest captain).

JC has even been doing the ALO thing for the Academy now and also helping out at the jump loft. He taught 490 this summer and managed to get in quite afew jumps himself. He also just bought ahuge boat of atruck. He’s got afour-car garage and this thing dominates one whole side of it! Kali was down at Randolph and ran in to Charlie HEATH. He’s flying AT-38s there. Kali also talked to Troy DIXON recendy. He’s living in Virginia and working at the Pentagon. He finished up at AFIT last year and now 1think he’s working in an ops research kind’ve athing in DC. In July Kali went down to Houston to visit Doi HECKLER and to see the NASA complex. Doi's doing great and his restaurants are very successful. It’s no wonder, the food is excellent! His restaurants are called “Nit Noi” and are highly recommended if you’re ever in the area. His regular clientele includes the Bush’s, George and Barbara, that is. John NUNEZ just moved back to the area. He’s work¬ ing out at Falcon (I forgot what the new name is). He’s involved in the integration of space ops with air ops. They were able to hit the Bronco’s home opener. Thanks for the update Kali!

We received aforwarded message from Cameron HURST. He married Leslie Leland in 1985 and spent five years in the Pentagon (in software development). Left to work for American Airlines (consulting to the Airline -SABRE), then Leslie and he started asoftware development company. They’ve been at it for six years and now seem to be doing fairly well. Company has about 30 folks with clients in the U.S., Asia and Latin America. Mark BLUMENTHAL is flying for UPS (after several years as an international officer with American Airlines). He was in 747s as aflight engineer and then upgraded to aMD 80 first officer. Andy KLEIN has moved back to Colorado Springs with wife, Jackie, and their three kids. Andy and Ifly together at American Eagle, down at DFW.

Dr. Scott SCHIMMELS rvrites his son Brian still needs his trachea surgery, but since he’s gaining weight and getting enough oxygen through his restricted air¬ way the doctors decided to wait until he absolutely needs it. He has other two children, Jenni (7) and Ethan (5). Scott is still at UDRI and hope to make this his permanent home for the next 20-plus years. Roger DEEMER is at Defense Sys¬ tems Management College in Fort Belvoir, VA since 10 May attending their Ad¬ vanced Program Management Course (APMC). His family includes wife, Amanda, and sons Reed (3) and Nolan (21 months). Classmates also attending this APMC class: Mark BAGGETT, Gordon NEFF, and Bill WYCHE. Rich CASTENADA also checked in and is running asuccessful company in California.

It was great to hear from Mike LYNCH as well. He coached Northeast Missouri State University to the NCAA playoffs, and aconference championship. In ’95, he traded in his soccer boots for wingtips joining Pfizer (pharmaceuticals, same com¬ pany as Chad BASLER) which returned them to the beautiful Rocky Mountains with jobs in Fort Collins and Denver. Krisanne and he live in Highlands Ranch and have two very active boys, Ryan and Kevin. He is still involved with AFA Soc¬ cer as president of the Air Force Soccer Alumni Association. Chris FISHER also lives in Highlands Ranch. He flies for United and serves as an LO. He and his wife have two children. Clay ROWAN got married this past January and lives in Park City, UT. He is flying for Delta. Johnny SIEVERLING just finished up Army Com¬ mand and General Staff College. They (wife, Marty, and two kids) stopped through Colorado on their way to Korea.

More news: From Kelly ROLAND (ZINDA): she got off active duty in '89 after five years was up. Spent the five years moving around San Antonio, Randolph, Medina Base (OTS), and Lackland. She got off active duty and joined the Reserves at Kelly AFB. Got married in '90, had ababy girl in '92 and moved back to the Springs last fall when her husband (civilian at Peterson) received apromotion. She is now assigned to the 302 Maintenance Squadron at Peterson as the exec officer, where she is able to work acouple days aweek, giving her alot of flexibility.

Matt JOHNSON was supposed to make it back to the states this summer; don’t know if he came back. Tim “Duke” AVEY checked in with his e-mail addresswhich Ihope will give us abetter handle on our web pages! Robin SPELLS (BOYD) is living in sunny Southern Cal. She and husband, Greg, have two great kids: Xavier (8) and Porscha (6). She is also working for CSC in San Diego.

E-mail opportunity: For those of you who are always looking for the best Internet and e-mail deals, you may want to look into this one. USAFA.com, not the one we put our class home page on, has e-mail forwarding. So you can keep the same address all of the time, Iguess it is like Juno or hotmail, and probably has some of the same problems. But it is another avenue to look at.

As always, Ilook forward to meeting you and your families as you pass through, and would really appreciate aChristmas note or picture. No real personal stuff will go on the page or article. Thanks again -Jens.

Quintel Williams

2585 Deliverance Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918-1333

Home: (719) 599-7782

DSN: 692-6163

E-mail: USAFA1985@aol.com

Percent members: 31

Hi everyone! Congratulations to our new lieutenant colonel selectees. Afew names that I’ve heard are on the list as of the deadline are Cary CHUN, Dan JOR¬ DAN, and Elise VANDER VENNET. See the official list to confirm these names and see others. Again congratulations to our active-duty fast burners!

Isaw Tom COLEMAN at Langley AFB recently while Iwas visiting the Expedition¬ ary Air Force Experiment facility. Ihaven’t seen him in years. He looked good in his green flight suit. He told me how much he still loves to fly. Lynn STEER was on hand to help cheer Renee’ and me onward as we ran a5K, “Race for the Cure,” at the academy in September. Lynn was helping out with the race. We got to talk for a while afterwards. She’s doing great. So is her black Thunderbird. Nice car Lynn! She’s still flying for United Airlines out of Denver, CO.

Igot some electrons from Mike PETROSH. He’s beenaKC-135nav (1,000 hrs) and KC-10 pilot. His Air Force commitment is running out soon and he’s looking for a civilian airline job. So any of you grads who've flown with Mike please help him out with your airiine’s applications and letters of reference. Danny TOPP sent me an email too. He retired after 16 years of service. He’s still in Colorado Springs working for Nichols Research Corporation but he travels alot. He and Grace plan on staying here for awhile so they started looking for ahouse to buy. He says Sallie ADAMS (KOUPHANGER) is in town too. She works for MCI.

Isaw Steve VISEL while Iwas TDY to Naval Space Command in Dahlgren, VA in July. He showed me what he does out there and it’s pretty impressive. If you’re in the area, drop by and pay him avisit. I'm sure he’d like that. Steve, Cindy, and their litde boys, Daniel and John, and Iwent out to dinner at Captain John’s Crab House while Iwas there. Steve showed me the fine art of preparing the hot, freshly-cooked crabs for consumption. The food was good and the company was great.

Dave THOMPSON came to Air Force Space Command (a.k.a.. Building One to those in the know) to work EELV requirements afew months ago. Jackie CHARSAGUA (1509 S. 5* Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048) wrote me aletter last spring. She completed the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Then she went to the Joint Professional Military Education Phase II course at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA in June. By the time you’ll be reading this she should be at her new' assignment at U.S. Strategic Command at Oflutt AFB, NE. Her new job is chief. Global Command and Control System Imple¬ mentation for the command. But her boss told her that she’ll be going to acquisi¬ tion and program manager classes, so she asked that we continue to use the above address to reach her until she gets settled into anew place in Omaha sometime in October.

Tom CURRIE sent an e-mail. “Just looking through the AOG web pages and saw you listed as the class scribe. I’m not sure what that means, but Ithought Iwould drop you aline. Where are you and how are you doing? Looks like you are still in the Air Force trying to make acareer out of it. lam stationed at Patuxent River NAS, MD working on the V-22 Osprey program as atest pilot. I’m still married to my high school sweetheart. Dawn. We now have three girls: Rachael 8, Sara 5, and Samantha 1.’’ (After Ireplied to his e-mail and attached adraft copy of my article for the Spring ’98 issue of Checkpoints, Tom sent the following information.) “Excellent letter for the next Checkpoints. You caught me; it is true Iam not amember (of the AOG). However, 1am saving my pennies and plan to join as alifetime member at the end of the year. I’ll put together aparagraph on what the Class of ’85 is accomplishing on the V-22 program. In addition to myself, both Kyle CUNNINGHAM and Tim HEALY work on the V-22 program. Kyle is in charge of developing and procuring training devices as well as putting together the training plans for this new AF sys¬ tem. Tim will graduate from USN Test Pilot School in June when he will join me as atest pilot on the program.”

While TDY in San Antonio, TX afew months ago, Istopped by HQ AFMPC to check on my official records and meet with my career field managers. You’ll never guess who walked in while Iwas getting the latest scoop from acareer field manager. Greg, a.k.a. Then, THEODOSS walked in! Ihadn’t seen him in years. He’s doing great. And why shouldn’t he be since he gets to tell pilots where to go and doesn’t even have to “get the pubs” and get in the plane wrtth them! He’s the personnel manager for rated joint assignments. Once Igot him caught up alittle on class news, he had some scoop of his own to dish. He said Karolen FAHRNI is assigned to U.S. Strategic Command’s personnel directorate (Jl). He also said Eric GORDON is aKC-135 staff navigator at Fairchild AFB, WA.

Isaw acouple of classmates at the 1998 Space Control Conference at MIT’s Lin¬ coln Laboratory near Boston, MA in April, James (a.k.a, Jim) COOPER and Scott DAW were both there. They’re both civilian contractors Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). It turns out the three of us have something in common besides working on AFSPC programs. We’re ali scuba divers. Tm proud to be a“fair weather” sport diver who prefers to get “bottom time” for pleasure in places like California, Florida, Hawaii and exotic overseas islands. Jim and Scott, however, don’t seem to mind using their skills to dive in the high-altitude lakes in our Colorado Rockies for fun. There’s usually nothing to see in these lakes but they like to “blow bubbles” anyway. Go figure!

Speaking of scuba diving opportunities, Steve COOKE’s getting plenty. He’s the new detachment commander for Maui, Hi’s space surveillance site. While you’re reading this article, he’s probably scuba diving or wind surfing. Steve, if you get tired of Hawaii, just let me know. I’d be happy to take your place!

Bob PICKRELL called. He recently got out of the Reserves. No more WC-130 hur¬ ricane hunting for him. He started adetailing business. It’ll keep him close to home on the weekends. During the week, and Iuse that term loosely. Bob enjoys flying full-time with Delta Airlines in Dallas, TX His wife, Arin, was flying with Delta too, but quit last year to take apromotion as afull-time mom. Their two little girls, Cassidy and Kylie, are growing up really fast. Bob said Doug WELLS should be get¬ ting aPhD somewhere in Colorado Springs.

If anyone needs e-mail addresses on classmates, Ihave quite afew. Listing them in the column makes it difficult to lay out due to the length of the e-mail addresses so Ican be the contact for any classmate looking for the e-mail address of another. Appreciate any and all inputs from the class for the next column.

Bob Colella 1304 Cbeatham Court

Warrensburg, MO 64093

Home: (816) 747-7964

DSN: 975-3248

E-mail: rcolella@ILand.net

Percent members: 32

Greetings Classmates!

You need to check out the Dodo link on the Class of '86 Homepage, download

some of the games and bust your gut laughing for awhile as you realize nothing has changed. Iam turning the reigns back over to Gary “Ice” Burg, back from “Solution to Air Force Retention Problems” remote duty in Korea. You can e-mail, phone or write him: Gary BURG, 174011* St., Langley AFB, VA 23665-1730. Home phone: (757) 865-4681. DSN: 574-8610. E-mail: garv.burg@langlev.af.mil or Beaker90FS@anl.cnm. Me, I’ll be quarterly morning quarterbacking all future ar¬ ticles that Gary writes and pushing for the occasional guest spot. (It’s how Leno started!)

How about those Falcons! Almost turned off the TV after the first quarter -glad Ididn’t. Who picked the uniform of the day for the national TV audience? Iknow Iwas dressed in combo Awatching it at home, so how could it be that the entire wing was decked out in leisure wear? When Tm the commandant (not if) there are going to be afew changes -‘nuff said.

On to the news. My lead story is about afellow ‘86er who is now working with me in the 509* OSS at Whiteman. Scott TROTTER (Hot to) and his lovely spouse, Kendra, pictured here with Trot-mites Stephen (8) and David (1) brings us up to date on their lives in the Air Force. “I was sent to Minot to fly B-52s but escaped to Columbus to be aT-38 IP and then to Randolph to do the same. I’m awaiting training in the B-2 and Ispend my leisure time listening rapdy to Cactus (that’s me) tell jokes in the 509* OSS.” Scott works well under direct supervision and we are glad to have him on the 509* team generating combat sorties for Global Presence/Power/Reach/Grab/TVvo Headed Goat... you get the idea.

Scott and Kendra Trotter with Stephen and David, News Flash. Finally got apicture of Ricky RODGERS (call sign “MR”) and family with new additions. As you can see it was acold day when Ricky had his first B-2 flight. (He froze all his hair off) He got the traditional hosing down and afamily photo with his wife, Kim, son Evan and the two new Rodgers. Ricky should be done training when you read this save for aWing Stand Down or two. Ricky is a constant source of ire for me as he always forgets the post and fails to check off his roommate before he goes out into the hallway.

the Class of ‘87 (“FRAT”). I’m working in New York City at the United Nations Headquarters in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, it’s ajoint job; there are 11 U.S. officers “on loan” to the U.N. to help it manage peacekeeping better. In addition, there are over 100 other officers on loan from various other member states. Iam aTraining Officer ('"86 -Global Training!”) primarily responsible for providing peacekeeping training to regions, nations, contingents, staff officers, etc. It’s an interesting job, but the area is expensive and the commute is atrifle stiff. We hope to PCS next summer. Given what Ijust said, Idon't have much contact with the Air Force, let alone other ‘86 grads. However, Ihave run into Joe BLEWITT. He has his ovm graphics company in the NYC area and is heavily in¬ volved with the AF Association and local USAFA chapter. Johnny CAPPELLO is still at the Academy teaching poly sci. He is off to fly B-ls again, sometime this fall. Our tours there (same dept) overlapped for two years. By the way, he was the driving force behind starting awomen’s lacrosse program at the AFA. You can read into that whatever you want.” (“Greg, Iplayed lacrosse with Johnny at the Zoo and he did kind of throw like agirl so... ”) My friend Tim FITZGERALD (fellow CS-30 alum), the wandering soul that he is, is returning to the ranks of active duty as apilot. He was gone for two years getting his MA in anthropology at the Uni¬ versity of Michigan and aone-year stint with the Peace Corps. It's amazing they let him back in. (“I wonder what he says about his enemies?”), given all the draw¬ down, force shaping bull. (“Hey you can’t say that here! This isn’t the Dodo\”) Well, that’s all I’ve got. Take care. Greg Giletti CS-30”.

I’m continually amazed at some of the jobs that some of us have in the Air Force. Who’d think that you could be working at the U.N.? Iwonder if he gets diplomatic plates so he can park anywhere, kind of like weekends at the Zoo parking in the AOC spot!

Dave OLDER, an old tanker pilot who passes gas in Hawaii, wrote to say, “All is well here in Hawaii. Everything is going great. We’ve got two ‘86ers assigned to the PACAF Air Operations Squadron’s Air Mobility Operations Control CenterAMOCC (for all you airlifters -TACC’s PACAF counterpart), me and Lee SCIFERS. My wife, Betty, son Christian (6 yrs) and daughter Caitlin (3 yrs) have ayear left here in Paradise and then it’s on to other things somewhere. Currently, I’m the chief. Logistics Operations, responsible for directing the recovery of PACAF C130s/KC-135s that break off-station. (“Bet that never happens in Hawaii.. .just can’t find that wrench... ”) We spend our off time hitting the zoo, beaches and the other tourist spots on the island. (“I wonder where they go to watch the noonmeal formation on Hawaii?”) Lee is our DV airlift scheduler and handles setting up airlift for the CINC Pacific Command along with Commander, PACAF. He keeps busy trying to schedule one airframe for two people and has more visibility than he cares about sometimes.”

Manny “the Man” MAVRAKIS sends both amessage and ashameless plug for the Class of ‘86 Homepage. Ain’t been there yet? Are ya lazy? Go check it out! “J recendy ran into the ’86 Webpage and wanted to bring you up to speed on some classmates I’ve run into: On atrip to A1 Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Ihad as apassenger Matt FENTON who was on his way to fly the Southern no-fly zone as part of the 1" Fighter Wing from Langley. 1also ran into Marcus QUINT last winter at Osan AB, Korea where he was an F-16 flight commander getting ready to PCS out of that resort area. Ialso ran into Ken and Summer BARTZACK at theYokotaAB Of fi cers Club last winter as well. (“Wouldn't be aCheckpoints article is someone didn’t run into the BARTZACKs.”) He was aC-130IR I’m still living in Mousetown USA (Or¬ lando, FL).” Manny didn’t mention free lodging or other amenities in the Orlando area so lets all make an effort to stop in next time we’re in town!

This just in: “To all our friend’s: (anyone in the Class of '85 can skip this next paragraph) The BASAKs finally have ahome. Our new mailing address is Rich & Jennifer Basak, 303 Belmont Circle, Yorktown, VA 23693; phone: (757) 865-2985, We are very happy in our new home. If you’re ever in the area please drop us aline and we’ll be happy to show you that wonderful Virginian hospitality.”

Ricky and Kim Rodgers with son Evan and twins Erica and Emiiy.

Gary BURG as usual fills us in: “ATTENTION IN THE AREA: To one and all. Yes, it's finally time for me to rejoin my family. Ihave less than two weeks in Korea and am looking forward to leaving for Langley AFB. The family should be reunited on 31 July at Langley. Hopefully we’ll be moving on base within acouple of weeks after we arrive (they did, see address at the top), Of course, our e-mail addresses will be good throughout the move. Keep in touch and please send me material so Ican be as funny as Bob was for this past year. (Gee thanks Gary, that is quite a compliment!) Gary Burg.”

This came in next from Greg GILETTI. 1got alot of response from all the class scribes after Iinadvertently e-mailed my column to all USAFA scribes instead of USAFA AOG. Needless to say Igot alot of editorial comments from the Class of‘85 -yeah like they can read... “Hi. Igot your e-mail because my wife is ascribe for

Chris MANOCCHIA writes to say “Dear Bob, Well, I’m somewhat remiss in my duties by staying out of touch with pretty much everyone in my class over the past 12 years, so Ihave alittle ‘making up’ to do. I’ll start at the beginning. Igraduated from UPT at Willy -and yes, Mark POKORNY did graduate. (“I’ll be darned! You’d think he’d change his address in the graduate Register- 82"'' Student Squadron... ”) Went on to A- 10s in Alaska with Tim HANNUS and Harry RONSMAN. Then on to T-38s at Vance for two years. 1was ‘jammed’ with the pilot bonus and turned it down, which Andy HUISENTRUIT adamantly tried to talk me out of, unsuccess¬ fully. Ibecame acivilian at the end of 1993, interviewed with Southwest in 1994 (didn’t get hired -not enough hours) and started my ‘civilian experiment.’ Ibe¬ came afinancial planner, did that for four years and did respectably well. Last year Ifinally came around to my senses and said, ‘What in the hell am Idoing with my life?’ It was one of those mid-life crisis things, (“buy aCorvette?”) Iwent back to the Air Force and asked them if they still wanted pilots (knowing full well that things had come full circle and they really needed pilots) and after six months of bureaucratic haggling, 1re-entered the Air Force this past April. I’m still acaptain and will be for awhile (I will probably be the last ‘86er to get promoted, but at least I’m flying). I’m aT-38 IP at Test Pilot School here at Eddie’s Air Patch (Edwards AFB). I’m really happy with my new job. I’ve been married for almost 10 years to Cynthia (a Scottsdale, AZ native), have agirl Caroline (7), son Robert (3 112), and a brand new addition, James (born three weeks ago -13 August). Enough about me, here’s what Iknow about other ‘86ers (mostly CS-26). Phung LE is acivilian in amanufacturing company in Cincinnati, OH. Sean EDWARDS is married with two kids, works for Shell Oil (for quite awhile, too) and lives in Sacramento, CA. Randy MAXFIELD graduated ayear late, married to Nancy and has one son. He works at Falcon AFB in the Springs. Dominic GRAZIOLl (CS-19) is married with a new baby; still in the Air Force and does nothingbut shoot. He was recently ranked number four in the world in International Trap and will be competing for the 2000 Olympics next year. Judy Peer (HUPP) is working at the Academy but I’m not sure what in. Harry RONSMAN stayed in Alaska for quite awhile and eventually went on to FWIC in the A-10, and Is now at D-M in Tucson. That is what Iknow, off the cuff. Hope this helps with the next Checkpoints (“ IT DOES”). I’ll keep in touch

0CO4Q*

with any new info. Chris Manocchia." Thanks so much for writing Chris!

This last letter is asnail mail input and Iwanted to “squeeze" it in. It is letter from Rob BENTS, whose wedding Iwas in during June week -1 was speaking flu¬ ent Chinese at the end of the reception. Rob is married to DD (see photo) and writes: "This is my first time writing to Checkpoints since graduation (" We’ll look forward to the 2010 installment”). Iwas an F-16 flight surgeon in Misawa for a while, then finished four years of surgery training with Craig RUDER at Wilford Hall last year (School cheer: You Stab em we Slab em!) I’m now chief of Orthope¬ dic Surgery at Kirtland AFB with my beautiful wife DD and alittle stud son Easton. Ilove my job. In the picture Isent are Ron MONTGOMERY and his wife April, Antonio TILLMAN and his wife Noeleen. Ron was an IP in the AWACS simulator at Kirtland and is now at Osan as aGCI guy. Antonio flew T41s at McGuire, then C-21s at Pete, and is now at the Pentazoo. Take care. Rob.”

From ieft are Rob and DD Bents with Easton, Ron and April Montgomery, and Antonio and Noeleen Tillman.

By now you have all seen the Lt Col board results and believe it or not Idid recognize one name and it wasn’t abig surprise for me. Future CJCS Angie FAULISE (LANGLEY) goes in for her lobotomy this spring. Tm sure she will have others in the room with her and Iregret that Idon’t have their names here to mention, but congratulations to all of you who managed to accomplish this unique achieve¬ ment -remember if you wind up as the superintendent some day -1 have first dibs on commandant! Okay enough sucking up -that wraps it up for me folks; I am out of here. Ireally enjoyed doing this and Ireally appreciate all the support that all of you gave to me sending e-mail and other hate mail. You make this ar¬ ticle happen and Iam happy to say that Ionly had to make up afew things. If I offended anyone.. .Too bad! If you aren’t taking flak you ain't over the target! Last Plug: Change your address using the AOG website and input your e-mail address on the Class of‘86 home page: http://hometown.aol.com/usafa86/index.html and of course, JOIN THE AOG.

Sharon (Hullinger) Giletti

304 North Road Garden City NY 11530 (516) 745-6059

E-mail: giJetti@aol.com

Percent members: 38

Hi! Another summer is gone -time to get back to business. The guilt trip worked with alot of you and Igot some great updates over the summer and even acouple of pictures! Congratulations again to our entire Majors’ Board proraotees.

In June, Iheard from Jeff LAMB (CS-16) who just returned to the States (Peterson AFB, CO) from wonderful Thule AB, Greenland. He completed his one-year re¬ mote assignment as the operations officer for Det 3,22"'* Space Operations Squad¬ ron, or more commonly blown as the Air Force Satellite Control Networks Thule Tracbng Station. He is definitely glad to be back and is enjoying his new position as aspace operations inspector on the AF Space Command IG Team. Unfortu¬ nately he is commuting to Fort Collins on the weekends. His wife, Arlene AmatoLamb (formerly Class of ‘89), is in her senior year in the veterinarian medicine program at CSU and plans to head down to the Springs in the summer as afullfledged Vet! How‘bout that AF vs. CSU game! Go Falcons! I’m sure that didn’t go over too well with Arlene! left’ also said that Mark LARSEN (CS-16) is at USAFA as an instructor of military arts and sciences. Mark and his wife, Diane, moved from Albuquerque just this summer.

Igot some baby news from Ma fi a (BELL) SPR/ANGER -no, not about them though! Diane (BREVICK) and Aaron ALLEN had their second son on April 6Stone William Brevick Allen. Diane is worbng at Peterson AFB at AFOTEC and Aaron is still running his brewery, The Back Alley. Greg and Julie SCHWARTZ had their second child too -aboy. Greg’s at Scott AFB at AMC HQ. And Dave and Mary SULLfVAN also had alittle boy.

Wayne FISHER (CS-08) Is happy to be back in the States as well. He has just PCSd from Kadena to the 15 SOS at Hurlburt after nlneyears in the Pacific -this is his first CONUS assignment! His wife and two daughters are very excited to see what the U.S Ahas in store for them. Wayne also had afew updates on some other classmates. Joe RIVERA was at Kadena too, but PCSd in Dec 97 to Randolph AFB as an IE Paul CALTAGIRONE was the 353 SOG flying safety officer at Kadena, and has moved on also. David ABERCROMBIE is at Warner Robbins AFB in the Secu¬ rity Forces. He is MWD (married, with dogs -no bds as of yet). They may shed and eat grass to throw up, but they don’t talk back!

Igot agreat picture from Dan BIRRENKOTT. He and several other grads at¬ tended Stacey WILSON’S wedding in June to Traci at McGuire AFB. From left are

Jim MACFARLANE, Tom BOROWIEC, Chris SIMPSON, Stacey WILSON

The VWIson Wedding

Jim is flying C-141s at McChord and is married with two kids. Tom also files C141s, but at McGuire. Tom is married and has one child. Chris is acontractor at HanscomAFB. Stacey is working in investment banking in New York. Todd is aC130 pilot on the Numbered AF Staff at Travis and Is married with kids. Dan and his wife, Mimi, have two girls, Caitlin and Molly, and are enjoying their assignment to Ramstein alot -touring most of Europe when they can. Chuck is areinsurance broker in New Jersey and is married with two children as well. Dan also had some Ramstein updates: Chris FINDALL, Brian TINGSTAD, Andy COGGINS and Mark WILLS are dso there.

Icaught up with the FUINOs this summer. Dave’s been out of the AF for several years and has just recently relocated to Florida from Colorado Springs. He’s con¬ sulting for Office Depot at their corporate headquarters. He, his wife, Cheryl, and their three children are enjoying achange of scenery from Colorado -the beaches!

My second photo is from Bret CRENWELGE (CS-22). It took his former roommate’s recent marriage to finally write Checkpoints/. Dan HAWKINS got mar¬ ried this June to Kristy and Bret sends this picture of the ’87 folks attending. They are Bill (CS-17) and Kelly DEMASO, the new Capt. and Mrs. Hawkins, Sean KAVANAGH (CS-36), and Tonya and Bret.

The Hawkins Wedding

Bill is CS-31s AOC at US/kFA. Dan is stiil flying the A-10 and has been splitting his time between the Desert and Pope AFB. Sean is stationed at Langley AFB and is flying the A-10. And Bret has just returned to the C-130 at Little Rock AFB. He and his wife, Tonya, have two litde boys -Andrew (4 years) and Blake (1 year).

Iheard from my doolie roommate Teri ALESCH. She’s doing great at Scott AFB, IL. She’s the directorate executive officer in the Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) and is going on her third year at AMC, with hopes of heading to Maxwell for the 1999 cycle -congratulations! Ibet they have agreat golf course at Maxwell! There are afew other ’87 classmates at AMC In the TACC: Bucky LINN, Chuck STEEVES, Rich MOON, and Scott ATCHISON. Linda (OLLIG) Warren is aReservist in TACC and flies full-time for Southwest Airlines. If The Learning Channel broadcasts the airlift operation for Operation Keiko (Free Willy), look for some of these folks -the TACC orchestrated the airlift of the orca in the C-17 from Oregon to Iceland! And finally, Igot an Info-laden update from Brou GAUTIER (CS-34). Brou, his wife, Nancy, and their two sons are in northern Virginia. He and John KAFFER (CS-23) graduated from AFIT’s Advanced Study of Air Mobility (ASAM) program in July at Fort Dtx, NJ. Brou headed south to the Pentagon to the Air Staff as a mobility forces programmer, while John, his wife, Loretta, and their two girls headed to Fort Leavenworth for Army Command and General Staff College. Tom SHARPY was also in attendance at Leavenworth after serving as General Robertson’s aide at 15th AF. Pat MORDENTS and his wife were just arriving at Fort Dix for the next ASAM course. Pat is looking forward to his one-year break from C- 130s to enjoy the school schedule and. I’m sure, the lack of TDYs. At the Penta¬ gon, Brou has run into more classmates -some in person, some over the phone. Joe ZAHN is working with AFDCS Installations and Logistics at the Pentagon. Brou communicates with HQ AMC quite frequendy and has talked with Ken OLSEN many times. Ken is working hard in the training arena and he also passes along that Henry POLZER is at HQ AMC. Brou’s old roommate. Bob HARTWIG, is setding into anew home in Glendale, AZ. After leaving the AF in ’95 as an aggressor pilot at Nellis, he hooked up with the Houston ANG and flies for United. Bob’s wife, fill, recendy gave birth to their second son in late July.

Well, I’m glad Icould fill the space this time -enjoy the info. Ilook forward to many more e-mails, letters, and/or pictures for the next edition. Until then -S.

(the groom), Todd OLIVER, Dan, and Chuck VOLKER -ahandsome group Imight add.

Mark Peters

1218 Red Oak Court

Vacaville, CA 95687-7601

Home: (707) 452-0900

Work: DSN 837-7250 or (707) 424-7250

E-mail: pylt@msn.com or pylt@hotmail.com

Percent members: 44

i m mm

Hi 88! Wow, what areunion! If you missed it, you really missed out, but despair not as I’m sure we’ll have enough interest to have another one at the 15-year point. Unfortunately, the column that follows was written prior to the reunion, but the editor has allowed me to add this paragraph to what was already submitted. Rest assured that I’ll use much of my reunion info in future columns. Some of the numbers from the reunion: approximately 457 classmates (plus another 10 late shows) were there, along with another 258 friends and family (guestimate based on the number of football tickets sold). Here’s my original column: Ifound amis fi led letter, with quite the interesting photo no less, while rum¬ maging around for some material. Jeff “JD” PARKER sent aletter way back in April. His note follows the photo.

Lastly, in mid-July Tom GILSTER updated me on the changes in his world. “A long overdue message from my desk. My father, a1953 grad from West Point and one of the original ATOs at the academy, gives me ahard time for not writing to you so here goes.

“I am currently at Ramstein AB working as the chief of C-130 Operations in the 86 OSS Current Operations Flight and flying part time as an instructor in C-130s. Tim BUDD, 6th SQ, is aflight CC in the 37 AS. Bill PEARSON is up at USAFE Stan/ Eval for the tanker community and Jason WALLS just rolled into town. He is flying C-9s after completing his tour at Lackland. Peter LAWHEAD (an In-law now) Is in Alaska flying with the 517*. 1continue to get alot of letters from folks who have parted ways and found jobs with airlines. Bill TONEY is off to Portland or Alaska Reserve, can’t remember which, after flying HC-130S at Mildenhall. Rich MANDEVILLE is with United after flying tankers in Grand Forks. Jim LEDDY is out and 1believe in Kentucky. Matt MILLER is with the Colorado Reserves. He left Ramstein last summer. Doug HILL is at Denver teaching new pilots the DC-10 sim for United Airlines. Chris BELCHER is flying KC-lOs out of McGuire and with United out of Newark

“As for my past, Ibegan much like you in the tanker community at Wurtsmith AFB, know Oscoda Air Park. After base closure, 1moved from “help me 1am in aleft hand turn and Ican’t get out!’’ to the low-flying slow-moving C-130. In just one quick turn Ichanged aircraft, moved to Japan, and got married (that’s where the Pete LAWHEAD in-law comment comes in). Ispent four and half years at Yokota. Given the options of the schoolhouse or Germany Idecided to go for yet another overseas ribbon. OK, so it was the beer, flying and sightseeing that got me over here. If you see Rich WILLIAMS tell him hello for me. See you at the reunion.’’

Tom can be reached at THOMAS C. GILSTER, Capt, USAF; 86 OSS, Current Op¬ erations Flight; DSN 480-2053. And to find me, just check the column header! Write, or tell me what’s up via e-mail, and if you promised you’d tvrite at the re¬ union, well, it’s time!

Paul W. Tibbets, IV 1410 Rockford Dive

Warrensburg, MO 64093

Home: (660) 429-1198

DSN: 975-3215

E-mail: patibb@iland.net

Percent members: 39

“Well, it’s been awhile since Ifirst told myself that Iwould tvrite in to give you an update on myself and some others from the class of ’88. Ihope all is well on your end at Travis, and just to let you know, we do appreciate you dutifully filling the role that you do with the AOG, Now, I've finally sat down to do it, so here you go. Larry PAYNE (CS-11) and Istarted acompany afew years ago when we left the AF that now has us flying F-35 Drakens (made in Sweden...look it up) under con¬ tract to do military training and testing of aprimarily ECM nature. We fly aggres¬ sor-type missions against everything from single ships (big gray things in the wa¬ ter) that are testing new defense systems, to entire fleet exercises. We’re also flying 2vX missions against U.S. fighter forces to provide high-end training for our guys (we co-own seven of these things), Isuppose you’d call it the latest in DoD outsourcing, as we give them the high-end (Mach-l-t) work needed to accurately simulate threats. We’ve been doing mostly Navy work so far, but work with the AF is not far off. We spend alot of time on both coasts, although Ilive in Colorado. Larry lives in Sacramento, and we hope to bring an F-35 or two overhead for the reunion. No new kids or wives on this end, as both of us are still trying to figure out how to do that when we’re TDY most of the time.

“As for others, Blake GETTYS and wife, Kathy, are still in Alaska (we’re never go¬ ing to get him back from there), where Blake is flying as an instructor in the 130. Derick LARSON (Larsoni) is in L.A. now flying with United, and Budd DeMARAIS is getting ready to start training for United after being hired afew months ago. I saw Matt BEALS out on the East Coast recently, and he was getting ready to start another season as the East Coast F-15 demo pilot and getting paid for it. Unfortu¬ nately, working with squids doesn’t lend itself to running into too many other AF types, so that’s about all the updates for now. Take care and feel free to use e-mail (vortexinc@aol.com) to get to me any time. See you in afew months...’’

Also, in early July Wayne COCHRAN surprised me with an expansive e-mail from Atlanta. “Timothy Scott TAYLOR (T Squared) and his lovely wife, Kathy, have moved to Ramstein, Germany. After some very successful high school years at the elite Collegiate Schools in the Richmond, VA area, Tim moved on to find some largely rewarding times at the USAF Academy. Tim was then aFAIP at Columbus AFB for about three years where he met the woman of his dreams. He left the friendly confines of UPT, finally, and entered the real Air Force at Abilene TX flying the four fans of freedom. As chief of C-130 Stan/Eval, he altered the careers and dreams of many ayoung aviator there. Also while there his wife managed to have two lovely children named Ben and Caroline. After touring the states for amonth, and not stopping in Atlanta Imight add, they set off for Germany and Tim’s new job as director of something. We all wish them the best.

“Monte SCHAEFER and his wife, Camille, are expecting their first child in Octo¬ ber. Monte is an attorney here in Atlanta. OP MORGAN is back in the Northeast working for Delta Airlines out of New York, He is still in the Reserves. Doc HOLLIDAY and his wife, Cindy, are now back in Colorado Springs. Can you be¬ lieve it? He is going to be an AOC and will have taken command by the time we ail return for the reunion. They have no children yet, but Ithink the pressure is on. John TURNAGE and his lovely wife. Dee, are still living in C-Springs. They now have alovely daughter named Adelaide. 50/50 on whether Ispelled that right or not. John is working for Northwest and loving life. Iam currently working for Delta Airlines and the USAF Reserves in Charleston in the C-17. Ilive in Atlanta. I have no wife. Ihave no children. Idon’t even have adog. See you at the reunion.’’

Hello friendly '89ers. Ijust returned from churcb, and witnessed agreat event. Four new Christians were baptized today, with three of them under the age of 10, In our church, you have to understand what it means to accept Christ in your life before you are baptized. So, to see three young children take this important step in their walk with God was inspiring. With all the negative out there in the world today, it is encouraging to see the leaders of tomorrow getting started on the right foot.

Mario GALINDO dropped me an e-mail recently from Honduras. Mario, an al¬ lied student, returned to Honduras after graduating from the Zoo. He spent only three months in the Air Force before becoming acivilian and teaching English in bilingual schools. After three years, he landed agood job as asecurity manager for acompany that belongs to Chiquita Brands. Mario then moved on to become aregional manager for an American security company called WACKENHUT, where he is today. He has three boys, and is doing well in Honduras. What aspecial treat to hear from Mario -thanks for keeping in touch!

Lt Col Gray wrote me from the Commander’s Action Group for the Superinten¬ dent at USAFA. Rick PEDDYCORD, who died last year, is survived by his vrife, Mario, and son Benjamin. Rick’s aunt is putting together akeepsake book for Ben¬ jamin. Lt Col Gray suggested Iput the word out to Rick’s classmates, and encour¬ age those who were close to Rick to write letters to his son. Ithink it is agreat idea -how meaningful for Benjamin to learn about his father from his father’s friends. If you are interested in writing aletter, please contact me and Iwill get you the appropriate information. If you were close to Rick, please take the time to write a letter to his son. If you know someone else who was close to Rick, please pass on this info.

Did Imention our reunion is less than ayear away? Have you heard from the reunion committee yet? By now, the first mailing should have arrived at your doorstep (or in your mailbox!). If you are reading your friend’s Checkpoints and haven’t heard from us yet, then chances are the AOG doesn’t have acurrent ad¬ dress on file for you. Please give them acall and update your bio, or drop me aline and Iwill be happy to oblige. The bottom line is, we can't get the info out to you if we don’t have your address. Any friends or coworkers you know out there who are classmates but not AOG members? Please encourage them to give the AOG acall, or drop me an e-mail as well. As our class president, Don SIMPSON (desimpso@US.IBM.COM). so eloquently stated, “I don’t care if 1get 100 e-mails a day, so long as we can reach all our classmates!’’ So send those updates to Don!

Don’t forget these important web addresses: http://www.ang-iisafa.org/ index.htm is the AOG home page, and http://members,fulinet.net/tmtung/ iisafaRO/ is our class home page. You may update your info with the AOG and register with our class through these web sites.

The planning for the reunion is coming together. As of this writing, the date has not been confirmed. By the time you read this, I’m sure more info will be avail¬ able. That won’t keep us from pressing on with some of the early plans. Just to whet your appetite, here are some tentative events we will all enjoy when we get together: Wed: Partial arrival. Thiirs: Rat lunch with the wing; golf tournament; PM party. Fri: Open house: lunch with the wing: party. Sat: Fun run to Jacks Valley; tailgate party; lunch with the wing; football game; squadron activities. No one wants to miss this!

The class gift, which you have read about in the first mailing, is avery attainable goal. For those of you who have not received any reunion info, we are raising

$25,000 tor atwo-part gift. Part one will be to engrave granite pavers in the name of and “In Memory of’ each of our deceased classmates up through the 10-year reunion. The pavers will be placed in the Pegasus Paver area in front of Doolittle Hall. Part two will be acontribution to the AOG building fund. As you know, the AOG supports the graduates and cadet activities, so this contribution will defi¬ nitely be put to good use. In return, the AOG will honor our class by dedicating the Informal Meeting Room/Staff Lounge in Doolittle Hall (a highly visible area) to our class and in memory of our deceased classmates.

So, you may ask, what are we asking each classmate to contribute (for those in the dark)? We’d like to ask each one of you to consider agift of $89 for the Class of 1989 Gift Project (clever, huh?). We vrill make it very easy on you to pay, with various options. The mailing has all the details. What agreat opportunity for our class to help make adifference in the future of the Academy, and remember our deceased classmates in aspecial way. Thanks in advance for your support!

In order to contact all of our classmates, Don has established anetwork of squad¬ ron representatives. The following is alist of volunteers thus far: CS-01 -Lee ACKER, CS-10-Eric WINTON, CS-12-Tony SOMMER, Cathy BARTHOLOMEW, CS-21-PJ PUTNAM, CS-27-E. A. “Oscar” MEYER, CS-30-Rondall RICE, Dave HANSEN, CS31-ToddWILKOWSKl, CS-33-Mitch NITTA, CS-38-Alex CAROTHERS, and CS-39Dave PELLETIER. As you can see, we have aways to go if we are going to reach all of our classmates. These squadron reps are contacting everyone in their squad¬ ron to help build our class database. If you would like to help by assisting one of the above reps or serving as your squadron rep, please contact Don, Stephen WHITING (swhiting@aol.com). or myself. Your help is gready appreciated!

One final note -2Lt Jesse JAHN is looking for all ex-Cadet Honor Guard mem¬ bers. He is compiling adatabase, so if you were amember of the Honor Guard he asks you to e-mail him (lahnIS.PA.USAPA@usafa.af.mil). Thanks to Mario for drop¬ ping me aline. Is there anyone else out there? Let me hear from you! Come on, you don’t even have to write aletter. Computers, anyone! Take care and God bless, Paul.

Joseph C. Richardson

535A6thSt. Circle

Robins AFB, GA 31098

Home: (912) 923-7602

Work: (912) 327-3297

E-mail: jrichal212@aol.com

Percent members: 35

Greetings Most Glorious and Honorable Class of 1990, Itrust that these greetings will find you and yours in the best of health and spir¬ its. By the time you all read this Iwill be checked out in the E-8C JSTARS aircraft and doing my thing. It has been along process having been DNIF for three months with some minor heart complications but all is good now and I’m moving along quite well. My family and Iare really enjoying Warner Robins GA and Robins AFB. The nice weather is asuper big plus, Pete MARSCH, Jeff LIPSKY and Mark BROWN are also stationed here as well. Pete is aJSTARS pilot, Jeff, aJSTARS backender, and Mark, aKC-135 pilot. They are all well. Pete and his wife just had abrand new baby afew weeks ago and he is very excited about being anew papa. That’s the report from Robins, now on to the rest of the news...

Before Iget hot and heavy into updates, Iwould like to start by saying that Ihave received tremendous response on correspondence since Ijoined the ‘90s and got on line. Special thanks to James SANCHEZ for providing that critical link via the USAFA90 web page and thanks to all of you who have written and/or e-mailed me. Since the AOG went on line, now Ican finally get my responses in to them on the deadline as well instead of my standard two weeks late. Bottom line...everything is coming together nicely!

Speaking of the awesome James SANCHEZ, he updated me on afew folks. If you’re looking for Eric OLSEN, he is reportedly at Langley AFB according to James. He also reports that Jon URBANEK just PCSd to Tinker, Steve FRASER is teaching at USAFA (hi Steve), and Mike SCHULLER is aT-38 IP in Del Rio after two F-16 tours. James also attended Akshai GHANDHI’s wedding reception in his hometown of Walnut Creek, CA. There he ran into Nicole BLATT and he would like her e-mail address if anyone has it. James reports that Akshai and his new bride, Merri, are doing great and send their thanks to all the people who participated in their Mori¬ ons wedding.

Andrew “Ski" DEMBOSKY checked in from Kunsan where he is enjoying aminimighty ‘90 reunion. Fellow viper drivers include Judd FENCHER, T.C. HASSEL, Clark HUNSTAD (who just PCSd to Hill), Pat HANLON (who also just went to Hill) and Chris OGREN and his wife, Amy (GODESKI). Krystal (GUENTHER) and Dave MURPHY are stationed at Osan where Dave is flying F-16s. Randy REDDELL is also at Osan. Ski reports recent run-ins with Dave BRIEN (AWACS), Tom KOSS (C5s at Travis) and Bob HAINES (U-2s). Thanks abunch for the big-time update Ski!

Scott “Lefty” SUMMERLIN checked in from oblivion. He’s back on the AOG bandwagon so we should be getting more updates from him. Lefty is adualqualified C-5/C-141 navigator (what astud) at Travis where he occasionally flies to Antarctica. He says that he spends the majority of his time as aKC-10 Special Missions planner. He’s been married for just over three years to the wonderful Debra and they have abeautiful 20-month-old daughter Rebecca. If you all need to track him down, he is loving life in northern California in the Vacaville area. Thanks for the update Scott, and it’s good to know that all is well with you and yours. Carla “CJ” JONES also checked in from the cyberworld. She is currently out of the Air Force and is looking to settle down in the Aflanta, GA. area. She has an angelic two-year-old daughter, Ciana Renee (pronounced key-ah-na) and they are reportedly “having ablast”!

Mark LEONARD also greeted me from Edwards AFB, CA. He and his wife, Kim¬ berly, are expecting their second child around Sep 20th. Their first, Joshua, is now three and they are all looking forward to Joshua’s litde brother. Mark is cur-

rently at the Test Pilot School at Edwards. He’s aflight test engineer going through the program. There are no other members of the most glorious class with him now but he is expecting Dan DAETZ and Kelly (KRATOCHVIL) GREEN to be join¬ ing him in Jan 99. Before Edwards, Mark was at the National Reconnaissance Of¬ fice (NRO) in northern Virginia for almost two years doing recon satellite stuff. While there, he saw Jennifer MOORE and John SHAW, who were in the Air Eorce intern (oops, there’s that word...) Program at the Pentagon. They have reportedly moved on from there. John SHAW, his bride, Tonya, and daughter Rachel have moved to Germany and Jen has reportedly moved to LA. working in aspace SPO. Thanks amillion for the update Mark. It’s especially exciting to hear of the where¬ abouts of my long-lost pal Jennifer MOORE. E-mail me if you can and maybe we can figure out away togetouroldvring staff to the White House to tighten things up abit (smile).

Rob CATALDO checked in from my birthplace of Chicago where he is holding dov™ two jobs. He got out of the Air Force back in ’93 under the pilot Palace Chase gig and joined the Guard flying C-26s (twin turbo-prop Fairchild Metroliners). He flew those for two years and then was picked up by aC-130 unit in Peoria, IL. While training at Little Rock, he says he hung out with one of my alltime most favorite people in the whole world, Charles Weyraan BOYD a.k.a. MY ROOMDOG! It’s good to know that Rob reports Chuck as being very happy and doing well. He went to SOS and ran into Jon KRAUSE (Gretch) and Ruthanne SHELTON. After two years in Peoria, Rob was blessed with ajob with United Air¬ lines. He’s been flying 737s with them for about two years now and is still flying C130s with the Guard. Living just outside ofWrigley Field, he frequents Cubs games with Matt LAMPHIER. Matt is working as amutual fund analyst with Lasalle Part¬ ners of Chicago. They are both single with no kids and have plenty of time to run around Chicago with Dennis Rodman (smile). Thanks for the update Rob, and all the best to you and Matt in Chicago.

Oli WASHINGTON sends greetings from Hanscom AFB, MA where he and his wife, Patty, are hanging out. He says that the only grad he’s run into has been Johanna KNIGHTLY. She is working for SAIC. Oli has recently cross-trained from Search and Rescue to Acquisitions. His office is in charge of the software that runs all Air Force war games. He is hoping to run into members of the most glorious class at UFL, Blue Flag, Warrior Flag, Unified Endeavor, etc. Thanks for the update Oli...The days truly are long, lazy and bright...

Last, but certainly not least of dl, Iheard from my good friend and former squad¬ ron-mate, Gary HAINES. He is currently in Bryan TX where he has received an AFIT slot at Texas A&M and working on amaster’s in computer science. He should finish up in December and head to the Academy to teach in the Computer Sci¬ ence Department. Gary’s wife, Robin, stays at home to care for their two children, Brianna, who will turn four in October, and Nicholas, who is about two years old by the time you all read this. In fact, below you can see alovely picture of Brianna and Nicholas HAINES decked out in Air Force out fi ts.

Future Zoomies?

Gary says that he hasn’t seen or been in contact with too many classmates re¬ cently. He’s talked with Tom COULTER afew times. Tom is there at Texas A&M in their ROTC Detachment. He is the Southwest regional director of Admissions for ROTC. He reportedly loves his job, and is rumored to be PCSing out this summer sometime. Also, another former CS-07 mate, Steve PLANK, and his vrife, Jana, are now in Del Rio at Laughlin AFB. Thanks for the update and the picture Gaiy. You and Robin have two beautiful children, and we of the most glorious class wish you all well in your future endeavors.

Well gang, that’s all for now. Once again, thank you for all the great info. Until next time, you all take care. Godspeed, and as always...PALS!

Carson Tavenner 1816 Tacoma Road

Puyallup WA 98371 (253) 435-0235

E-mail: tavenner@hotmail.com

Percent members: 39

First comments out of the box: please note my contact info above has changed. Iescaped Texas 14 Sep 98 and journeyed to the Promised Land, sometimes re¬ ferred to as the Greater Puget Sound area, my old stomping grounds. Gotta love it. Icommute to Seattle every day (I’m an AFIT student for Area Studies /China) and my family and Ilive 15 minutes from McChord AFB. We would be glad to put any of you up for the night if and when you come through the area. Despite this

big change, I’m still going to use the same e-mail.

We sure heard from alot of classmates again! Iwrote the last Checkpoints col¬ umn right after hearing from Bill WOSILIUS, and since then I’ve heard from/of a whole lot of others, to include: Derek OAKS, Gary and Diane (ROMAGLIA) HIGGENBOTHEM, Tom JENSEN, Charley SCHLEGEL, Mel BLOUNT, Romero LEWIS, Dion GRAHAM, Andy LESHIKAR, MarkUNDOW, Rod LEWIS, Terry FRADY, Ben MORLEY, Laura FOGLESONG, Aaron REED, Corey LINDEN, Doug SOHO, John KARA, Lisa WEBSTER (BROWN), Joey MULL, Carlene PERRY, Gordon KUNGENSCHMITT, Mike BROCKEY, Chris BAIR, Mike CZARNECKI, Mark HART¬

FORD, Bill PERIS, Brian PETERSON, Christopher MANN, Paul GRIMM, Chris HOWARD, Jim and Elizabeth BISHOR Chris and Kari COLLET, Mike KAZLAUSKY, Diego and Kim (BASHAM) WENDT, Jim SEVICK, and Erik and Priscilla PETERSON.

Unfortunately, there’s not enough space in this column to tell you everything I heard about all these wonderful folks! However, that’s exactly why we’ve started the Class News section at www.usafaB l.com. If you see aname mentioned above, but not below, check out Class News!

Aaron REED is supposedly one of the last pilots to go to an AFIT-sponsored pro¬ gram for the next couple of years. He and his wife, Kelly, moved from Dover AFB to electrical engineering at Ohio State University. Just before they left Kelly deliv¬ ered their first child, Austin Tyler, born 8Dec 97.

Got to include at least one SOS story. Here’s Corey LINDEN’S: “Saw aplethora of ‘91ers at SOS class 98-C, including Doug SOHO, John KARA, Lisa WEBSTER (BROWN), Joey MULL, and Carlene PERRY, Lisa is still flying C-130s at Litde Rock. Gordon KUNGENSCHMITT and Iwere members of B-28, the 98-C Chief of Staff flight." In other news, after crossflowing from C-130s, Mike BROCKEY completed F-15C RTU at Tyndall and received the “Top Gun” Award. Mike, Kelly, Lil’ Mike and Elizabeth (born Jan 98) recently arrived at Kadena and are trying to get settled in. Mike CZARNECKI got out, started aconsulting business, and works full-time as afirefighter and paramedic! All these great new careers; Ilove hearing about every one of them,

Iwent on vacation in Panama toward the end of June and ran into Mark HART¬ FORD. He’s married to Elizabeth, and when my wife and Isaw them, they had just delivered anew baby, Tyrus (30 May 98). Cute kid, Mark! Please write to them: Central America is getting to be alonely place! PSC 1Box 216 APO AA. He’s still flying the C-27 Spartan down there, and didn’t have any news for us about pos¬ sible follow-on. But he was pretty confident it would be in the Here world. Chris HOWARD is now the intelligence plans officer at JSOC/J-5, Ft. Bragg, NC, He has asecond son, Joshua, and has been named one of the “100 Heroes of Plano, TX”. Now that has to be asmall town!

Best Human-Interest Piece for the Quarter: From Jenn (RAWLINS) JENSEN (’92), who wrote us about her hubby Tom JENSEN’s recent achievement. Read on! “I’m writing the ’91 section because it was the ’91 grad in this picture (a picture of Tom and Jenn JENSEN, and her dad in front of ayellow Piper Cub inside abarn hangar) that “did good”! T.J, flew the Piper cub in the background in a“Red Flag” compe¬ tition in Texas, against abunch of old fighter pilots and won the competition. He had the best Time-On-Target and as his front seater/bombardier, Ihad one of the closest-flown bombs to the target. Why does this interest AOG? Probably doesn’t, but one of the fighter pilots T.J. beat out was his own father-in-law, Ace RAWLINS (’64). The competition was in March, with mosdy light aircraft like my dad’s Cub,

From left are Ace, Jenn, and Our Man Tom. He even fits into that thing! and was tons of fun. Tom and Iare both stationed at Charleston now. He’s flying the C-17 and currently in AC upgrade. Tm an intel officer there. We have so many '91 /'92 grads on base the squadron CC says we’re infested. I’ll miss most, but here are afew: Jim and Elizabeth BISHOP; he’s an IP in the C-17 and aproud new daddy of baby Gwendolyn. Chris and Kari COLLET -also in C-17s, an AC already, and also new parents of Nicole. Is there atrend here? Mike KAZLAUSKY and wife, Chris. Also C-17s but no kids. Dog Butchy fills in. Maggie (DAWSON) ELDER (’92) and husband, Wynn. She works in Wing Plans and has baby #1 on the way soon. Just saw Diego and Kim (BASHAM) WENDT on avisit here from Scott AFB, where they live on afarm and fly big-wigs around in the C-21 when they’ve both got time. Jim SEVICK is flying F- 16s at Shaw, just got engaged to Ashley, aS.C. girl. (Tav’s note: more on the Adventures of Jim below.) Erik and Priscilla PETERSON; Erik Is flying F-16s in Alaska, and they have anew baby boy. Tm going to be one of those people who will forget to tell about 90 percent of the people I’ve seen/run into. That’s why I’ve been afraid to write in until now. But Ithought the fact that an AMC “puke” beat out old fighter pilots at abomb drop was worth mentioning. Iguess there’s something to be said for that airdrop school he went to last year.” Charleston must be crawling with Bold Golders! It’s sure chock-full of news! Derek OAKS also sent some: Gary and Diane (ROMAGLIA) HIGGENBOTHEM are

doing well with their three kids, with Gary going to C- 17A AC school in July. Derek went to AC school at Altus, Tom JENSEN went in July, and Charley SCHLEGEL is taking time out from his harassment of the Air Force’s generals to do AC school also. Mel and Lisa BLOUNT got married this summer, Ro LEWIS’ wife, Monique, from Brazil, is expecting this fall; and Dion GRAHAM'S wife is expecting also. Andy LESHIICAR is doing well, as are Mark LINDOW and Rod LEWIS. So, have there been any mini-reunions or class get-togethers out there? Pictures, please!

Most Incredible News of the Quarter: Chris BAIR, out of the Air Force for two years now, working for Orion Consulting Group (he recruits the companies, not the candidates), managed to find himself picked up by acasting director for “Batman Forever” to play asmall part. Pretty cool, eh? You can see him standing behind the commissioner in one of the fi nal scenes. Chris’ normal life is in Ra¬ leigh, NC where he just bought ahouse down the street from Andy Taylor, Barney and Goob. He’s married to Dana, has achild, Maddie (3), and one more on the way in November.

Closest Call of the Quarter: 22 July, Jim SEVICK successfully ejected from an F16 and was picked up 50 minutes later by aCoast Guard helo 12 miles off the coast of South Carolina. He was transported to ahospital for observation and released July 23. Jim was on atraining mission at the time. Iam glad you made it out, Jim!

No better way to end than with good news! I’ll see you all in three more months! Keep in touch and God Bless. Tav.

James S. Mehta

900 N. Stafford St. #2621 Arlington, VA 22203

Home: (703) 525-5495

Work: (703)907-1317

DSN: 283-1317

Percent members: 35

rWell, Ionce again procrastinated writing this column, but this time with good reasons. Actually, I’m in astrange situation as Itry to write for you once again. I’m speechless.. .1 don't have writer’s block, just speechless. Being here in Hawaii, we’re several hours behind the rest of the nation. So when the USAFA Falcons lined up for anationally-televised Thursday night game, Iwas still in the middle of worL Thanks to my trusty VCR, Ijust watched an awesome comeback victory over CSU! It was quite inspiring and exciting, but Idon’t know what to say.

Idecided to watch the whole game before sitting down to type. Ialso have been waiting for my computer to arrive with my one-month-iate unaccompanied bag¬ gage shipment. It arrived yesterday, just in time to give me aday to write the coiumn. This time it’s all e-mail since my old-fashioned maii is still catching up to me. Several of you mentioned the numbers of people separating from the AE It just reminds me that it's even more important that we keep in touch.

It always gives me agreat feeling when you write and tell me and other grads that we are welcome to visit you any time we can. When it all comes out in the end, peopie matter most. Ithink that’s why it’s so difficult every time we PCS. During mine, Istopped by CSprings on my drive from D.C. It was the first time I visited USAFA since May '92. If you haven’t been back, believe me, it hasn’t changed much. Ithink time stands still there. My girlfriend, Michelle, and Ivisited my D.C. roommate, Neai Rappaport, there (former and now present econ instructor). Neal’s working with alot of our classmates who are now instructors. Steve BARROWS, Charlie KUHL, and Andy BATES are afew Irecali. Speaking of Andy, he and Mike ROKAW and Iwent to Coors Field to take in agame. We had agreat time, but didn’t concentrate on the game too much. We chatted away the whole game. Andy and Donna (DELANGO) have ason, and now have another one on the way. Donna got out and is spending time instructing aerobics. Mike is work¬ ing on his MBA and working hard at Schriever AFB (formerly Falcon AFB). He bought ahouse and is quite the landscaper. The rest of the trip was great, but no more Zoomies.

When Igot to Hickam AFB, 1ran into Billy LAWSON in Burger King. He is work¬ ing for the PACAFIG. He’s been here for acouple of years with his wife and their child. This is abeautiful place to live. Speaking of which, Ihave aquaint cottage by Kaneohe Bay and also welcome visitors anytime. Those of you passing through Hickam, give me acall.

Iflew back to California afew weeks ago to visit Michelle. We were near Monterey, and Igave Steve WOLF acall. He’s at Defense Language Institute learning Ger¬ man. He earned an Olmstead Scholarship and is off to Berlin next year for grad school. Steve is still in the Marines, although his wife, Kay, just got out and will move to Monterey, too. They’re looking forward to living in Berlin for two years. Hmmm.. .sounds like agood place to visit.

Now to the electronic mailbox. Steve ANDERSON is an Intel officer at Langley AFB. He cross-trained last year and married Brandy who he met while at Goodfellow. He just took over abranch in his Intel sq and is getting achance to practice his leadership skills with 150 airmen! Steve and Iwere in the same SOS class (Jan-Feb). Also, from SOS, Igot afew e-mails from John GURRIERI who’s up at McChord flying 141s. He and Cami are loving it up there and promise to come visit me in Hawaii. John said he stops at Hickam all the time on the way to Japan. And, he pointed out that his squadron got word of his exceptional writing skills at SOS and made him ascheduler. (Well, I’m not sure what either one of those things has to do with the other, but it sounded good. Right, John?) Anyway, Ilook for¬ ward to seeing them again soon.

It seems like most of my e-mails were from those of you Ihave heard from in the past. Becky (CREECH) CARTER e-mailed me. She’s one of us who has gotten out. Since ‘93, she has been in Germany and PCSed from Ramstein to Spangdahlem where she separated. After taking it easy for awhile, she became one of those civilian government workers. She laughs about it, but is the vehicle control officer for the CE squadron at Ramstein. She and her husband have no plans to leave Germany anytime soon. However, she did compliment Marc SGHALLER on our

class’ homepage, but then again, so did most of the people who e-mailed me. Marc has done agreat job. If you haven’t logged on yet, take alook. Becky finished her note by saying that she is loving life. What’s better than that?

Another True Bluer out of uniform is Brett GOODWIN. He was looking for new adventure and cross-commissioned to the Army after graduation, Brett was In¬ fantry, but decided that it was not for him. In 1995, the Army gave him the oppor¬ tunity to get out, and he did. He claims to be “one of the first, if not thefirst’’ of our class to get out. He was in Hawaii at the time where he surfed for ayear and pretended to work as afinancial planner. Finally, he decided to move to Tucson, AZ to work as afinancial rep. Next on his agenda is aMBA. He has kept in touch with Jim MUELLER who is ahelicopter IP in Georgia, and Rob SMALLWOOD, who is acivilian working in the computer field in Dallas. Also, Oleg BORUHKIN is in D.C. finishing up his master’s degree at the Joint Military Intelligence College, and Matt RYTTING got married in July and is flying F-15s in Japan. Anyway, Brett is a happy camper and wants to know if anyone can top his Apr 95 voluntary separa¬ tion date,

Nicole (FOSTER) GREENWOOD is dependable about keeping me up to date. She’s back in the Springs, like abunch of our classmates. Somehow, Ithink it’s got to be much better and different the second time around. She is the chief of Inter¬ nal Information at HQ AF Space Command Public Affairs at Peterson. Whew, that’s along tide! She will be at SOS this fall and is expecting to see many of you there. Ah, on the fields of friendly strife.... With her at Peterson is Chris GRAY who is married to Rebecca (CURRY ’93). They both have plans to get out this fall and move to Adanta to work with an inner city development organization. Good luck! Nicole tells us that Michael JACKSON married Ann in April and is an ALO at Ft. Hood,TX,

Scott and Joelyn (TAYLOR) NOWLIN have invited everyone in our class to visit in Albuquerque! Maybe we should plan abig party there. Well, I’m sure they don’t want everyone to show up at once! Scott is working as aresearch engineer on the Airborne Laser Program and Joelyn separated from the Medical Services Corps to be afull¬ time Mom. They have abeautiful litde girl named Faitb. They also report that Cindy (ALLEN) and Paul VANDERWEIDE (’90) are at Kirdand. Cindy and Paul have aoneyear-old son and another child on the way. Cindy separated recendy and Paul is an UH-60 instmctor. Jim and Gretchen (BERRY) LEE are in the Springs (more drawn back to the nest!) where Jim is running the GPS satellite program and Gretchen got out. Brandon and Lori LOKEN are in Columbus and have achild on the way, too. Seems like atrend... getting out or having children -or both!

Ihaven’t talked to Pete GUBSER since graduation. He e-mailed me and didn’t think I’d remember him. Of course Ido. Pete is aGucci Boy (flying KC- lOs) at Travis. He’s been married for six years (since graduation) and has an 18-monthold daughter. He thought he could set arecord for the most mentions of names in one e-mail. Anyway, Idon’t think he did, but he made avaliant effort. And, now he’s got me stuck. Is there any good way to do this? Let’s try it this way: "Joel JACKSON was flying the ’10, got the intern program, and he and Lanette have a happy litde boy named Ryan. Mark BOYD, dso a‘10 and intern guy (intern pro¬ gram at George Washington Univ), and recently married to the wonderful Maj Izzy Kalocsay, is joining Joel in D.C. Jeff COOPER was flying ‘10s and got nonvolunteered to Del Rio forT-37s. Rob PEREZ is flyingTVveets at Columbus and has abeautiful new baby. Rob DITTMAN was flying C-5s bere at Travis and is now flying TWeets in, where else, Del Rio, and is married to the very understanding Lynn. Saw TimrekHEISLERouthere at Travis flying theC-5. Aaron QUINICHETTE is out here flying the '10 as well as Mike RICKARD (new baby). Alec MACLEOD and Jason HOPPER were both out here in the ‘10 and are now in Enid (T-38s) and Del Rio (T-ls), respectively.’’ Actually, it was kind of funny, Pete tells me he had the same flight commander at SOS that Idid. He saw abunch of guys there, too. “Saw almost our whole class there, Steve MARTINEZ was in our flight and is out at Yokota working POL and should have had ababy by now. Fellow CS-23ers in¬ cluded Ted WEIBEL who is in Dover flying the '5, John HICKS is in San Antonio flying the T-43, Eric UJFALUSY is going to T-ls in Columbus (wishes he was going to Del Rio, not), Tony VALERIO is at McConnell flying the not-so-mighty ‘135, and Kristin STREUKENS is flying the aforementioned' 135 in Mountain Home. Lots of fun was had by all.”

Igot aplay-by-play from Josh KUTRIEB when his son Jared was born in April. Kristin and baby had some difficulty, but things are going well now. Josh hopes his new job keeps him home more often so he can spend more time with the family. Aquick line from Brian CESSNA: He and Charlene moved to Dover last Aug and in May had ababy boy -Zachary Austin -alittle Cessna.... Oops! Ijust went over my column length limit! Ihave afew more e-mails to go. Iguess I’ll go back and edit some so Ican fit one last note. (OK, Idid that.) Billy MACMILLAN sent me aserious note from Nellis. He provided some information regarding the tragic loss of AF lives, especially the loss of one of our own -Greg LEWIS -in a helicopter accident on Sep 3. Please, remember to keep Greg and the other air¬ men in your thoughts and prayers.

In the future, since our home page is perfect for listing your name and location. I’ll try to save the column for more interesting stuff beyond your location and assignment. So write me and tell me what you think and what you want to see in the column. Space is short today so Iwill just say, “until next time,”.. .James.

Michael D. Sundsted

441 Kelham Court

Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (609) 787-0988

DSN: 440-3057

Email: brave_cowboy.@juno.com

Percent members: 86

Welcome back Class of 1993! Ihope the summer has treated you well and that you are now enjoymg the crisp air of the fall. My summer has been extremely

busy. As you can tell by the above address, Lori and 1have moved to McGuire AFB where Iam amember of the 13th Airlift Squadron. This, ofcourse, was after threeplus months at Altus AFB, OK. What ahotbed of activity. 1am still in the processes of unpacking bags and moving things around our new house. Iknow I'll enjoy the New York City, Philadelphia, and D.C. sights when Iam not working. The same invitation goes as always -our casa is yours! Most of the updates for this article are as aresult of my rendezvous with classmates throughout my tenure at Altus. It has been unfortunate that my life has been in flux of late, but Iensure those of you who read this column that Iwill be at this address for awhile and my e-mail ad¬ dress remains the same. Translation: write, color, call, crawl, speak, shout, or paint your updates upon reading this. You guys are awesome!

Our first input will have to be of the congratulatory type as Char MELICK re¬ cently wed Rob MCREADIE. Iregretfully was unable to attend, but from what I hear it was agreat ceremony. We’ll have pictures of all next issue. The next indi¬ vidual Imet was in the line of the Altus Airman’s Dining Hall. As Iwas ordering my Yakasoba and stirfry 1noticed arather tall regal figure to my left. Upon further review Joe WARD politely said, “Hi Mike!’’ He is currently at Grand Forks enjoying his many TDYs to Saudi Arabia. As if his busy schedule is not enough, Joe is get¬ ting asociology-type, master’s degree from Syracuse University. When not enjoy¬ ing the great nights in North Dakota, he traverses the amber waves of grain to Minneapolis to enjoy the nightlife. While in Altus, Joe saw Kari VAD who enjoys her flights as anavigator in KC-135S. Andrew TRAVINICEK enjoyed his time at Altus and is now at Dover AFB, DE flying Fred (C-5).

John PRICE tackled me in church one Sunday afternoon. Well, not actually in the service, but afterwards. He defined Altus as the Mecca of the flying world where if you are in AMC, you’ll more than likely see many classmates. 1couldn’t agree with him more. We had dinner on several occasions and created aweekly reunion of sorts. In attendance, but not necessarily every week, were Lee WINGFIELD, Eric KNIGHT, Mo BARRETT, and Rob RICKS.

John fell for awoman in blue who is also afellow graduate, but in the class of 1994, John was at Altus going through aircraft commander upgrade. He is also training for the Air Force Marathon. Good luck in your mn! Iknowhe’ll see many of our classmates there and Ilook forward to hearing about those updates. TWentysix miles in one week, much less in one day, is too much for me! Eric KNIGHT is enjoying the highly technical and electronic C-17. Unfortunately for him, he found himself flying in simulators on the weekend, but managed to get away for acouple of dinners with us. Mo BARRETT is going through C-5 training here at Altus and frequented the local watering hole on comedy night.

Prior to my departure at Altus, Iwas at Charlie’s (O’Club) and looked up to see Ed ALCOCER and Mark BROWN. Ed has taken the long road and respectable road to aviation. He went from maintenance to KC-135s. He is enjoying flying as well as great political discussions of which we had agood one. Mark BROWN is at Charleston and enjoying the fmits of being in the C-17 airframe. He has been all over. Married life is treating him extremely well and couldn’t be happier in Charles¬ ton.

Received an e-mail from Karen GREMBA who is currently at Penn State Univer¬ sity. She’ll he there for almost two years as she prepares to teach at our alma mater. She extends an invitation for all those who may find themselves in that part of the world. My last entry is from Lee SPECHLER. Ihad the pleasure of attending his UPT graduation at Sheppard AFB, TX. It brought back many memories. Lee re¬ ceived an A-10 to Davis-Monthan and is looking forward to another tour over¬ seas. It has been agreat couple of years for our classmates attempting to enter pilot training. There were several others who participated in the graduation cer¬ emony. Bruce MUNGER also received an A-10 and Steve BEASLEY took an F- 15C. Mark ARNHOLT is now in the New Mexico ANG and will enjoy flying in his sleek new F-16 Falcon.

Speaking of the Falcons, what about the football team's start! Can you ask for better victories over decent teams! Hopefully by the time you read this we’ll be on our way to another excellent season. Now that Iam settled and can receive and transmit mail and e-mail, Iam looking forward to your continued support for this awesome article. Iwish you the very best over the holiday season. It’s definitely a small world and now that Iam in New Jersey, Ihope for it to become smaller as you travel through the East Coast. Take care -Mike.

C. C. and Trevor Smith

4121 S.Van Buren#641

Enid, OK 73703-8596

Home: (580) 233-5445

E-Mail: smicm@okstate.edu

Home page: http://www.usafa.net/1994/indexhtm

Percent members: 75

Happy Fall to one and all! Iknow it’ll be Christmas by the time you read this, but this is the Fall issue, after all... Hopefully, Iwill have finished my thesis and gradu¬ ated by the time this issue is published, but Tm not making any promises! Trevor is off to Davis-Monthan for A-10 RTU, along with Darrell HUBBARD and Paul SONGY (‘95). After they graduate in March, Urevor is headed to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and Darrell and Paul are going to Osan, Korea. As for me. I’m going to join Tom “Falz” FAI ,7,AR AND (Shriever -formerly Falcon) at Maxwell for SOS in January and February and will be going to the Services staff at USAFE headquar¬ ters (Sembach) in March. Ithink Trevor and Iare going to live in the middle, but we’ll have to see how the drive is once we get there. Falz, his wife. Heather, and three-year-old son Trevor (love the name!) have enjoyed Colorado Springs for the last two years and are expecting to PCS to Malmstrom next fall.

Before Iget into other news. I’d like to issue some apologies: First to Oliver & Oliver -in some sort of brain freeze in the last column Imentioned that Oliver ERICKSON had participated in our promotion festivities; in acmality it was Oliver LEEDS who joined in on the fun. Itold you Iwas writing that column hurriedly!

in that same issue, Jhad intended to include aletter and picture from Bill and Talia SULLIVAN (Nellis), so here it is: (Bill, Jtried to e-mail you back, but you had already PCSd.)

Bill wrote from Yokota as his first tour flying choppers was winding down (ex¬ cuse the pun). Joining him there were Chris EDEN, Dustin CORDIER, Nick JOHNSON, and Craig HARMON (all C-21 pilots). Although he enjoyed flying Vice President Gore and his family and playing quarterback for the PACAF football team, the highlight of his assignment was meeting his beautiful bride, Talia, an Australian model who he met through mutual friends. In Bill’s words, “a whirl¬ wind romance ensued, and 29 days later we were hitched. Iactually went down to Sydney to meet her family with no intention of even getting engaged, let alone married -all Ihad along for the trip were shorts and T-shirts. However, while waiting for the plane at the airport in Tokyo, Iasked myself, what Iwas waiting for.

When Icouldn't answer that, Iproceeded to ask Talia what she thought about getting married that Saturday -which gave us exactly six days to break the news to our families and pull off the wedding on April 4'*'.” The two had afull-blown military wedding at USAFA 26 September and are now at Nellis, where Bill is fly¬ ing the H-60 Blackhawk in aCombat Search and Rescue Role.

Capt. and Mrs. Bill Sullivan

Of course, Kathy CLEVELAND did her job to fill me in on happenings around the world, starting with the 25 May wedding of Dr. Rachel (CALL) HEIGHT (Keesler) to longtime sweetheart Wes. In attendance were Kathy, Jen BALL, Jermont CHEN, and Alan and Londa STANLEY. Carrie BISCHEL’s wedding to West Point graduate Joel JENSON (’95) drew acrowd as well, including Kathy, Paula THORSON, Beth (WETHERINGTON) and Patrick (’93) DONLEY, Wayne and Charity ELOYD, Deirdre CAITLJN (’96),andAlexSANSONE (’95). Carrie and Joel are now teaching math at the Prep School. Kathy keeps in touch with Trace and Kristen THURLBY (out of AF, working with Templeton Portfolio Advisory in Carmel, CA); Heidi (LINDSTROM), and Andy TRUITT (just had ason, Tegan). She also hears from Kelly HEALY (out of AF in law school -1 need your new number, Kelly!), and Rebecca (CURRIE) and Chris GRAY (in the Reserves, ministering in inner city Atlantawhat acouple!). I’d like to close Kathy’s portion with acomment she wrote on a postcard from Korea (not for awedding this time, for aTDY), “The North Korean threat is so real -it’s really sobering to remember what it means to be asoldier.”

After months of begging, Ialso got aletter -and picture -from Joel, Elizabeth (BARTON), and Joshua Luke (born 11 Mar 98) MEYERS. The MEYERS were in Dallas for Elizabeth's parents’ anniversary and got to see their former roommates, Shane HAUGHIN and Paula THORSON while they were there. Elizabeth is now a full-time mom and wife and is at Randolph with Joel while he completes IFF. Af¬ ter that, it’s off to F- 15E RTU at Seymour Johnson in January.

1promised you apicture from Debra (NAWROCKI) and Joel LUKER’s 4* of July wedding, so Jiere it is. In the picture are bottom row: Regan Marie GIBSON with adoring daddy, Jeff GIBSON (’95), Debra and Joel LUKER, and avery pregnant Jane (DECICER) GIBSON. Top row: Chris DUHON, C.C. and Trevor SMITH, J.J, LOPEZ, Scott KRAUSE, Kim and Jim EBEL (’92). My apologies to Jim for my mother’s camera skills -or lack thereof. Since the wedding, there’s been lots of excitement for the crowd in the photo. J.J. was recently married to Capt. Chris ALLEY; Deb and Joel are PCSing to San Antonio (Randolph and Kelly, respectively); and Jeff and Jane were happy to announce the 15 Sept birth of their second daugh¬ ter, Sarah Elizabeth Gibson. (You owe me apicture, Jane Ellen! Make it one of the whole family so Ican include it in Checkpomts/!).

The USAFA gang at the Nawiocki-Luker wedding.

In addition to the info Imentioned from Tom FALZARANO, other e-mails came directly from Doug SMITH (Intel, Minot) and Arlene COLLAZO (Space Ops, Shriever). Since this was their first time to write, both Doug and Arlene filled us in on their lives since graduation (go ahead, guys, tell everyone how painless it was!). After Intel school, Doug got his choice of assignments and selected achief of Intel job at Elmendorf. Loving the cold, but missing the warmth of his true love, Doug flew home to Texas to wed his high school sweetheart, Christa Townsend, before heading to Weapons School at Nellis. There, they joined Chuck and Kasey CORCORAN (‘92) on The Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas to count down the start of the New Year and the beginning of Weapons School. At the end of his training, Doug and Christa took amonth of sanity leave to visit family and play golf before loading up their “kids” (cats, Zac and Zoe) and PCSing to Minot.

For her part, Arlene started her Space Ops career at Cavalier AS, ND and then worked at the 1st Command and Control Squadron in Cheyenne Mountain AS, CO. For the past two years, she has been in charge of Initial Qualification Training (IQT) for the 1st Command and Control Squadron, and will be heading to F.E. Warren in the spring to do her requisite missile tour. She finished her master’s of engineering in space operations this summer and plans to attend SOS after her PCS. Arlene often sees Alex GRACIA (program mgr, Buckley), Monica Patricia GUERRA (Comm, Buckley) and her husband, Eric STUBBS (Recruiting, USAFA). Lina (DOYLE) and Rob DUMAN also just moved to the area and are stationed at Shriever and Cheyenne, respectively.

The ’94 home page has gotten lots of visitors lately, including Wendy (WACHHOLTZ) and Kevin BARNES (Elmendorf); James and Lauren BIERYLA (Mt Home); Mark BROWNELL (Hanscom); Fred and Melissa (DAVIDSON ’96) CUNNINGHAM; Doug EDWARDS (McClellan); Scott GALAYDICK (Vandenberg); Adam and Meredith GRAHAM (Travis) and Marcus GREEN (Sheppard); Eric GRUSZECKI (Hickam); and Mike HIDDESSON (Mildenhall).

Others include John KIPP (Osan); Chris MARKS (Wright-Pat); Steve McILVAINE (Travis); Larry MITCHELL (McGuire); Tiffany (REITNAUR) MORGAN (Travis); Brian and Jennifer (RUSS) MORRISON (Malmstrom); Brian and Christy NOE (Cape Canaveral); Chris PILLOW (Hanscom); Danny PIPER (L.A.); and Jessica (NICKODEM) RHYNE (Misawa). Doug and Christa SMITH (Minot); Mark STANLEY (McGuire); Chuck, Kit, and Shelby THOMPSON (Ramstein); Mike and Tara (DUBILO) TRAW (Hanscom); Chris VEAZEY; Dave WILLIAMS (Columbus); and Ken YEE (Osan) have also signed on. Mike and Tara are expecting their first child in January and sent agreat photo of themselves with Matt and Christie NEWBY (Prep School football coach) in the Cayman Islands. The four had ablast on the beach, going snorkeling, and feeding stingrays. Unfortunately, Ican’t show you how much ftm they were having because Iwasn’t able to copy and forward the picture for Checkpoints. Hard copies are still much preferred and look alot better in print, so please think of that in the future.

Since the last issue, Trevor and Ihave traveled all over: Mississippi (for IFF); Colorado (to visit his folks and go to the USAFA/Wake Forest game; Dallas (to buy acar from Mike RIDER’S parents); Florida (for water survival and to look at prop¬ erty); and Los Angeles (to see his sisters compete in -and win -the Worldwide Championships of the Performing Arts). In those travels and here at Vance, we’ve run into lots of grads but haven't kept very good tabs on everyone. Trevor actually took notes one night on anapkin at the Columbus Club, but he had been cel¬ ebrating the end of IFF, so the notes are pretty much impossible to read. (I did make out Ramsey SHARIF’s name, but couldn’t read any of the info next to it!) The lesson here is, please write or e-mail us if you want your info posted in Check¬ points'. Despite our poor memories, we did get to spend time with newlyweds Derek and Claire LEI\TiSTAD (’93, F-15C) at both Columbus and Tyndall and want to congratulate Ed CASTANEDA on his selection for the fighter crossflow board. That’s about all from here -have ahappy and safe holiday season -and keep in touch! Take Care and God Bless... C.C. Siltevor.

Andrea Rolfe

1765 Chains Drive Mountain Home, ID 83647 (208) 580-2070

E-mail: Andrear@mhiconn.net

Percent members: 67

Once again Ihave to be the bearer of bad news. Iam saddened to inform you that Brice SIMPSON passed away in September after aseveral-week battle with third degree burn injuries. His burn injuries were the result of an F-16 crash in Misawa. Our thoughts and prayers are vrith his wife, Katie, and his family. Dave ABBA and Don KANG are the points of contact if you want to send flowers or cards.

Don just got back from Red Flag and here’s what he saw: "Jason MOORE is doing well flying 15’s at Eglin. He is anew dad. He is there with Murali KRISHNAN. Chris HUMMEL was out there for WIC support, and he is flying ‘16s at Moody. I saw Brian BRADFORD who just got married and is an SP at Nellis. Jason SMITH gave me acall from Spang and says he is having ablast. Several of us went out to the game here for UNLV and had ablast watching the Falcons pummel the Rebs 52-10.1 think Ialso saw Noel BOUCHARD and Chad FAGER, who are flying bomb¬ ers somewhere. Brad GLENN got married while we were out there. “

Other news from Mountain Home is that Jeff JOHNSON (F- 15Cs) got married in March. New Eagle pilots showing up at the 390*'’ include Kristen KENT (PLUMMER) (‘96), Dave STOCK (‘96), Morris FONTENOT (‘96), and Chris MCCARTHY (‘96). All of the new guys and Brett BLAKE, Jeff JOHNSON, and my¬ self are getting ready to go over to Southwest Asia again. It may be Becky or my¬ self writing the next article depending on when we leave. Get your inputs to me or Becky prior to Dec 20 at andrearignihicpnn.net or rebecca.mason@tinker.af.mil and we’ll be sure to submit them. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Andrea

Melissa S. Cunningham

1308 Hembre Court

Suisun City, CA 94585

Phone: (707) 422-7975

DSN: 837-2088

E-mail: melissa.cunningham@travis.af.mil

Percent members: 58

Merry Christmas everyone! 1hope everyone had awonderful year. Depending on whether or not my rotation went through (sometimes it’s hard to predict the future when these articles are due three months in advance) these Season’s Greet¬ ings may be coming to you from Stuttgart, Germany. Iwill be here until March, so hopefully 1will run into some of you guys that are fortunate enough to be stationed in Europe.

Melissa BAUMANN took this photo of the guys stationed at Kadena AB, Japan. She attended their promotion beer bash and sent me the picture.

the KC-135. A.J.

is working with the 3'“' MEF coordinat¬ ing mission planning. After the formal ceremony, they all pitched in for ahuge party on the beach. Later that weekend, some of the folks headed to Okinawa National Park to see afree Sea World-type show in the park.

News from Operation NORTHERN WATCH, Eric COYNE was deployed to Uirkey as the chief of Protocol. He was working for the general and having agreat time. He has run into abunch of people so far. Tony PRINCIPI is stationed at Incirlikdoing Plans. MattWADD (’95) just leftto be acop at SpangdahlemAB. He bumped into Anne-Marie O’MALLY (HALTERMAN) while she was deployed as a CE troop to help out with all the earthquake damage they experienced. James FERRIS was there to provide intel support for the AWACS squadron. Jeff PATTON ‘94 was there flying F-15s.

On Eric’s first day on the job, he went to take some DVs to an awaiting C-12 and there was Mark CHAGARIS. He is stationed in Germany and was doing an orien¬ tation flight before they wouid actuaily let him touch the stick. Turkey’s been hot and humid, but turned out to be agreat opportunity for those out there. Erik’s been able to find some other things to do in Turkey like escaping for the weekend to the Mediterranean coast. Overall, it hasn’t been that bad. Not to mention tax free, hostile fire pay, and family separation pay. Now, he’s just ready to get home to Tracy after his 120 days, Erik and Tlacy are planning to take advantage of his location by taking afew weeks of leave in Europe after his tour ends.

In July, Ihad the honor of attending Jenn (SPINDLE) and Tom CABARALLO’s wedding in San Diego. They were married on 31 July in La Jolla, CA. They had a huge USAFA turnout. I’m guessing that most of L.A. AFB showed up to help them celebrate, and celebrate we did! The reception was at Tom’s Lighthouse on the waterfiront in San Diego, CA. Here’s ashot of our festive table.

From top left are Chris Ratigan, Melissa Cunningham, Melissa Baumann, and Kip Kiefer. In the bottom row are Brad Carey, Matt Mennell, and Rick Bolander.

Chris RATIGAN is stationed at U-avis AFB, CA flying KC- 10s. He's already mis¬ sion-qualified and should be taking arotation to Diego Garcia or the Sandbox sometime in the near future. Melissa BAUMANN is at McChord AFB, WA flying C-141S. Kip KIEFER is stationed at L.A. AFB working in acquisition. Although we couldn’t get him to perform his famous soccer flip. Kip proved to be the life of this party. Iguess some things never change. Brad GAREY is working in the SMC/MV: Cost IPT Lead -Lockheed Martin office. His program is the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Program. It is also rumored that he has been seriously dating Sarah Michelle Cellar, AKA “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” He swears that he didn’t know it was her until the next day. Matt MENNELL is afinancial manage¬ ment analyst in L.A. He says that "work is going well, he has not been indicted for at least aweek, and is daily struggling to keep Brad out of rehab and Rick out of bars.. .other than that, life is normal.” Rick BOLANDER (’95) is also at LA. in the SMC/CISG office. Work seems to be going well and he’s just trying to,‘‘stay out of trouble and attempting to quiet the voices in his head. There is also this thing about asuperfluous third arm growing out of his back, but he didn’t want to get into that... ”Iguess that’s normal life for the LA. AFB guys.

Ialso saw Brent “B. K.” KELLEY at the reception. He hasn’t changed at all. He’s still the character we all know and love. Iasked him if he had any movie deals coming up especially with his location in L.A. He said he’s working with some folks, but the Air Force is keeping him too busy to commit to any films right now. All the girls got together for aphoto op while the sun was setting on the harbor behind us.

Kerre ELLIS is stationed at Laughlin AFB, TX flying T-38s. During the flooding in Del Rio, they moved her to Vance to continue instructing her students so that the class could graduate on time. She is planning her wedding in November. Jenn is currently an executive officer at L.A. AFB. After the wedding, she and Tom headed to Hawaii for aweeklong honeymoon. Andi VINYARD is still stationed at Shaw AFB working with the Tri-Care program as ahospital administrator. After the wedding she drove up to San Francisco to spend some time with Fred and Iand other friends in the area. She is working on an assignment to Germany sometime this spring. H-acy COYNE (DUPREE) is stationed at Tinker AFB, OK. Her job has

From left are Joel Satanek, Jeff Goggin, andA.J. Mimms.

Joel SAFRANEK and Jeff GOGGIN are both stationed at Kadena AB flying

MIMMS, also stationed there,

From left are Lisa (friend of the bride), Melissa Cunningham, Kerre Ellis, Melissa Baumann, Jenn Caballero (Spindle), AndiVinyard, Jfacy Coyne (Dupree), Courtney (crazy friend ofjenn’s from CSU- some of you may remember some of her wild par¬ ties), Nikki Wilson and Jenn Hammerstedt.

kept her more than busy. Currently she is working on bringing anew education program on line in the midst of planning going-aways for her first shirt and squad¬ ron commander. So she was basically running the shop in the interim and work¬ ing her own programs. The weekend in San Diego was agreat break for her. Now she is looking forward to aEuropean vacation with Erik when his tour in Turkey ends.

Nikki WILSON has an exciting year coming up. She was selected from many applicants to attend graduate school in Rochester, N.Y. for anew space program. It will be adefinite change of pace from her current job at Patrick AFB, EL. She’ll miss the sunny Florida weather, but this is too much of an opportunity to pass up. While Jenn and the bridesmaids rushed around and did all the things you have to do to pull off agreat wedding, Nikki, Mel, and 1decided to head to the San Diego Zoo. We spent the entire morning there and also took time out to go shopping at the harbor before rushing back to the hotel to get ready for the main event. It was agreat little vacation for us. Finally, Jenn HAMMERSTEDT is still working main¬ tenance at Tucson, AZ. She really enjoys her work and the troops she supervises.

WEDDINGS: Justin and Carrie SANDERS were married on 12 Sept in Tulsa, OK. He and his wife are stationed at Vance AFB, OK. Shawn and Mikki ANGER were married in Michigan in August. Bob BRYANT attended the wedding and said that it was abig party. Scott and Rachel SMITH were married on 10 Oct 98 at New York, New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. That’s all the other weddings that I’ve heard about up until the time of this printing.

Please keep sending me pictures and info. Any dirt, confirmed or unconfirmed, is good too. It makes for amore interesting column. Iappreciate all the help that you guys have given me over the past two years. Merry Christmas and best of luck to all of you in the New Year! Mel.

Melvin T. Maxwell, Jr.

14466 N. 58th Lane

Glendale, AZ 85306

Home: (602) 588-9397

DSN: 896-6576

E-mail: melvin.maxwell@luke.af mil

Percent members: 65

‘‘S.JiSap

What’s up everybody? Hope everybody had agreat summer and is having a great holiday season. I’ve got agood bunch of news to share so I’ll jump right in.

Phil LYNCH dropped me an e-mail back in June letting me know the results of this SUPT class down at Laughlin. Here was the breakdown: Jamie MAUNZ, F-15, Tyndall; Casey LOZIER, A-10; AJ PELKINGTON, F-16, Luke; Mike SCHRIEVER, A10; Mike WILCOX, B-52, Barksdale; Phil LYNCH, C-17, Charleston; Colby KUHNS, C-141, McChord; Dan ROHLINGER, C-17, Charleston; Tom LEE, C-21, Andrews; Ryan McCREIGHT, T-1, Laughlin; and Travis LEWIS, KC-135, McConnell. At the time, Andy JETT and Kim GAULKE (STAMETS) were in T-44s down in Corpus Christi and Brian REECE and Ty BARBERY were flying helicopters at Ft Rucker,

Joel DeBOER passed along the news from his class finishing up UPT at Colum¬ bus. Joel, Kevin DAUGHERTY, Andy LIPINA, and Geoff ROMANOWITZ will all be heading down here to Luke for E-16s. Jon BOULET and Ryan HAYDEN along with John DYER and Chris WILEY from Laughlin are on their way to Davis-Monthan for A- 10s. Dave HAMMER will be flying C-2 Is out of Ramstein and Matt VINCENT and Jared RICK will fly T-38s at Laughlin and Columbus. Waynetta GENTRY will be in aKC-135 out of Kadena, Derick STEED is doing C-130s in Corpus Christi, Derek SELLNOW went to Tinker for the E-3, and finally, Adam CURTIS will be flying helicopters. Joel also passed on that Adam PERRY (Laughlin) will be flying F-15ES out of Seymour-Johnson.

Matt DOMSALLA dropped me aletter from Harvard back in June. He along with Max BREMER, Brian PAYNE, and Chris WELCH are at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. They each finished their first of the two-year program before heading off to do summer internships. Max headed back to USAFA to work in the Foreign Programs Office. Brian went to work for the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions to see why projects are always over budget. Chris went to New York City to work in the peacekeeping office the U.S. mission to the U.N. Matt spent his summer in Boston’s Kennedy School National Security Program. Alas, not all news is good news. Yes, yet another single ‘97er has fallen as Matt married his long-time girlfriend Deborah back in July in Houston, TX.

Iat Harvard Medical School, and Geoff BILLINGSLEY, Mario SERNA, Mike JAMOOM, Doug CREVISTON, and Jim SMITH, all at MIT. Jim’s wife was due to deliver their first child back in May.

Speaking of smart kids. Matt FETZER dropped me aline about the same time frame as Matt Domsalla and told me about things around his way. Matt finished up amaster’s at Ohio State and was set for pilot training at Laughlin. Even more importantly, Matt tied the knot in early September. Matt’s roommate at OSU was Garret POVAR who completed amaster’s in economics before heading off to Euro NATO. According to Matt, Dan BURTZ completed amaster’s in space operations at UCCS before heading to Vandenberg, and Dustin TYNER completed his MBA. Acouple ‘96ersyou may know. Matt BRUHN and Eric NELSON completed master’s at Harvard and MIT, respectively.

Steve NEWSTEAD’s wife, formally Aline Gibbons, dropped me aline in response to my pathetically short article acouple issues ago.

Aline and Steve Newstead

Steve and Aline were married on April 4"' in Stanhope, NJ. Steve had been on casual at Holloman before heading to the Garden State for the wedding. The hon¬ eymoon was in Puerto Rico before going down to Pensacola and later Whiting. Jeff NELSON took abreak from pilot training at Del Rio to take part in the wed¬ ding. He now flies T-ls along with Aaron LAROSE, Jessie LEDERMAN, and Pete PETERSON. Mike DROST was flying T-38s with agraduation date in September. Mike WILCOX picked B-52s and Lucas FLANAGAN was flying helos at Fort Rucker. Kate MEYER finished asemester at UCCS before pilot training in Mississippi. Mike CANCELLARE is now at Vance flying T-38s, and Bill EVANS and Chris WACHTER started pilot training at Pensacola back in June.

Aline also passed along that Greg BERBER is down at the University of Texas at Austin getting his master’s. Stephen PINCHAK is aflight test engineer at Eglin. Stephen also got the opportunity to present apaper in Russia where he enjoyed a two-week stay. Ican’t believe I’m writing about a‘98er but Scott CHANDLER was wed on July 4in North Carolina. Lastly, Aline let me know that Sean KEVEANY was doing weather at Holloman before deploying, and Steve ROLENC and Phil BORN are still roommates. Steve is doing Public Affairs and Borno is aSP at Moun¬ tain Home.

This past May the former Barbara CARDOZO exchanged vows with Brian SURDYK (’98) at the Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs. After aperfect wedding, they went on acruise to the Bahamas. Barb finished the OSI Academy in Dec ’97, along with Dave PATTERSON, Julie LECEA, and Natalie HOLZHERR (’96). Barb’s now sta¬ tioned at Patrick AFB, which has enabled Brian to get his master’s in materials sci¬ ence at the University of Central Florida before upcoming pilot training.

Brian and Barbara Surdyk

Tm sorry to have to end this on asad note but I’d be remiss if Ididn’t pass on the news of some great men who recently passed on. 1998 has been hard for the Grim Reapers as we lost Alan HOOK (’96) to abiking accident in Europe, and Brice SIMPSON (’95). Brice fought for weeks after an F-16 accident at Misawa before leaving us. Brice was put to rest at the Air Force Academy Cemetery. If you have had any contact with these two individuals you know they were both tremendous men with fantastic character. They will be missed. We also lost one of our own

AL.

(Cardozo)

Matt Domsalla, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Brian Payne, and Sen. Alan Simpson (R- WY) discussing the finer points of public policy.

Some more of tbe Smart Kids Posse, as Irefer to them, include Ann ZIONIC who is at the Harvard Dental School (spent summer down in San Antonio), Dave JOYCE

when Rob STRITTMATTER passed away as aresult of injuries in amotorcycle accident in San Marcos, TX. I’ll go ahead and speak for us all by passing on condolences to all of the families from the Class of'97. Here’s atoast...

Karin L. Klein

2601 Airline Drive #326

Bossier City, LA 71111

Home: (318) 549-0330 Work: (318)456-1015

DSN: 781-1015

E-mail: (W) kieinK@bw2.barksdale.afmil (H) Klein-ds@worldnet.att.net

Percent members: 60

Well, its only been acouple months since 1wrote the last article, and only one person answered the call for information. So, unless you want all of these articles to get really boring, please write!

Before Istart talking about our classmates and what they are doing, Iwant to inform the class that Mike HARWELL was killed in ahelicopter accident near Nellis AFB on Sept 4. Sorry to start off on such asomber note, but Ithought it was im¬ portant to get that information out.

On ahappier note, if you would like information on classmates from your old squad, or if you are just trying to find someone, the class web site is agreat way to doit. You can reach the 1998 site at: http://www.usafa.net/1998/. At that site you can update your information so people can get hold of you, put amessage on the message board, or just read about what some people are doing. Luke GARGASZ, who is stationed in L.A., got in touch with me last week using the web site, so I know it works.

As Isaid before, Ionly got one response to my plea for pictures and information, so that is the only picture Ihave for this month. The picture is of Dan and Jen FEHL (BROOKS), who were married at the chapel on May 28. Members of their saber arch team were Matt BARRY, Will JULIAN, Jonathan KEGELER, Matt PALMER, and Casey VJLE. Debbie NEWMAN sang at the wedding. Jen is stationed at Laughlin, where Dan will join her in November.

Dan and Jen

OK, on to the info about '98ers Ihave gathered myself, Idon’t have that many great stories, but Ihave afew, and Ihave asked Chad MARCHESSEAULT to help me out with this article so Iwould get info on more people. So far, only two class¬ mates have come through Barksdale, but Ihope as more people get going in pilot training that will increase as cross-countrys and out-and-backs come to Barksdale alot. Mason DULA was through in August, and agroup of us went dancing. The best story about this night is that Kerri GRIBUSKI met Mario Lopez—otherwise known as AC Slater of Saved By The Bell, and was his date for the evening. Tara VICE and Iwere jealous! Later that month Dave LEWIS came though town on his way back to the Academy for casual.

Later in August 1made it out to Sheppard and ran into Charity KAUFFMAN, Sean BESS and Steve BEHMER. Also stationed there are Leland COWIE, Jeff and Matt JENSEN, Jeremy GORDON and Josh ARMEY. In early September Itraveled to San Antonio, and while waiting for my flight out of Dallas Iran into Frank STAINEP'YNE who was on the same flight. He was on his way to Del Rio to see Erin MUNSON. Ialso went to Del Rio, and it was great. Not because Del Rio is agreat town, but the base is full of '98ers. As of mid-September there are acouple of classes there almost completely fuU of 9’8ers. Iran into Sue WHALEN, Megan DOHERTY (SCOTT), Krista STAFF, Angel SANTIAGO, Jeremy JONES, RE BENDER, Heather MEYER, Joe ZINGARO, Doyle POMPA, Carl DIECHMAN, John BOROWSKI and Randy GORDON. Iknow there are alot more people stationed there, but I didn’t see all of them, so Idon’t know who they all are.

After that trip Ionly saw friends from the Academy this past weekend at the TCU vs. Air Force game. We had agreat tailgate that started in the parking lot of an Albertsons. But we were told there could be no open containers, so the party quickly moved to the stadium. There were probably close to 75 people there from '98. People came from Altus, Enid, San /Antonio, Barksdale, and Del Rio. Alot of the people mentioned above were there, so Iwon’t list them again, but here are

Don’t miss amagazine. Send us your new address now! Get aMend to join the AOG!

some more people. Susie ROURKE was there painting people’s faces and hair, and agroup of guys spelled out AIR FORCE on their chests, but Idon’t know who all of them are. Isaw Chris GILE and Sean HOLAHAN, who showed up with asixfoot sub, which made them instantly popular. Ialso saw Jenn PETYKOWSKI, Damien SCHLUSSEL, Jay MEIER, Andy FOGARTY, Joy BOSTON, Matt DUNKER, Brad TURNER, Nick STENGLE, Dino DEBACCO, Chase MAENIUS, Mike GIZMONDI and Pat FOX. Again, alotofpeople already mentioned were also there, and Iam sure Ihave also left alot of people out. After the game, most people ended up at abar downtovm, so if anyone has any great stories from that night, they would be great for the next article.

Well, that is all Ihave. Chad vrill hopefully pick up my slack with his info. Oh, and for the next article Iwould really like to get someone at each of the UPT bases to write part of the article. So, if you are stationed at one of those four bases and would be interested in telling some stories about people, write or call! That’s it for me. Iam on my way to Maryland for school, so hopefully Iwill run into some people out there. Ihope Iget alot of letters, e-mails, and phone calls soon -Karin

From the casual side of the house things are looking pretty good for the recent grads of '98. I(Chad Marchesseault) am currently working in the Athletic Depart¬ ment with about 35 other lieutenants. All of us teach physical education classes in addition to whatever administrative or coaching positions we’ve been assigned to. For example, Iwork with the executive officer for Colonel Fariss (Director of Athletic Programs), or as Ilike to put it, I’m “the guy behind the guy behind the guy.” Ialso help instruct wrestling classes (which is now an optional combative along with boxing) and weight training classes.

This is the standard set-up for most of us in AH. Lieutenants serve as instruc¬ tors for all EE. classes and, at the same time, perform other duties which can in¬ clude everything from moving office furniture to grooming the field at Falcon Sta¬ dium. Rob “Football Players Aren’t Dumb” EVERT works with Dr. Long down in Sports Psychology, keeping our athletes from going insane on the fields of battle.

Jason “Eyebrows” BELL and Ryan “VW Bugs Are Cool” MAHONEY both work in instruction, maintaining and organizing those RE. classes that we all know and love. Craig “I’m Not Chinese” ENRIQUES is my counterpart across the street in the Field House, working for the Athletic Director, Colonel Spetman. Kirk “Are You Talking to Me?” EKNES works in the computer branch, ensuring that we rarely have access to the network. June “Legs” CRUSE works in compliance, monitoring eligibility and keeping us out of trouble with the NCAA. And Yvonne “Game, Set, Match” CARRICO works in Fitness Testing with the PFT/AFT Nazis. We don’t talk to her much.

Fifteen of our group are assigned as graduate assistants for whatever sport they played during their four years as cadets, the famous “Golden-15s.” They are con¬ sidered permanent party and serve aone-year tour in AH before going on to pilot training or being assigned to their primary AFSCs. Some of these folks include Jake “I’m Big” SHERER for wrestling, Mike “I’m Tall” FREEMAN for men’s basket¬ ball, Chris “I’m Neither” MACAULAY for lacrosse, John HABERLACH for hockey. Drew DOUGHERTY for soccer, Nate TARKOWSKI for baseball, Kallie QUINN for women’s basketball, and Jeff MOHR for football. The rest of us are on casual sta¬ tus and, for the most part, awaiting UPT. We also have three holdouts from '97 who are also currently awaiting teassignment: Chtis GIZZI, Marcus NICHOLS, and Ben SMITH.

Athletics is only one of the places here at USAFA where you’ll find members of our class. We’ve Infiltrated just about every aspect of base operations, including DF, CW, the comm squadron, CE, public affairs, the hospital, the airfield, and the chapel. Josh “J’m aMarried Man" EATON and Tom “Locker Room” PRESTON both work in Smdent Services, teaching study techniques to new cadets. Pat “I Told You IWould Fly” MCCOY works in the registrar’s office, denying class changes to desperate cadets. Caroline “Weddings Are Fun" JENSEN (formerly Caroline “Don’t Do Drugs” BONG) is at the 94th FTS. You can find Barry “I Got 3Minutes of Play¬ ing Time” KING at the public affairs office. Kristie “Four Years and I’m Still Bitter” KRAMER is happily employed in the cadet computer office. And John “Always in Style” MATUSZAK is receiving good graces while helping out at the chaplain’s of¬ fi ce.

Various other people 1see from time to time include Shawn GILLILAND, Keith ENGLIN, Cenya VARGAS, Shelby ARNOLD, Jason MIER, Stu RUBIO, Holly VANDEHEI, Jaimee OTIS, Jen STELDT, Matt LEDDY, Lisa WALDREP, Tonya BRONSON, Kirby ENSSER, Joe WENKUS, Paul THERIOT, Lisa JOHNSON, Tim MUKASA-MAGOYE, Sean BRAMMER-HOGAN, Brad STEVENS, Pat SIMS, Freddy KRUEGER, Jimmy BUFFETT, Barry SWITZER, and Boy GEORGE, all temporary members of the USAFA family.

There are far too many others for me to name them all, but this is agood repre¬ sentation in that it includes everyone 1can think of right now. If you wish to get in touch with any of these folks before they leave for UPT or other assignments, please feel free to give me acall at (719) 333-2281/2798 (DSN 333-2281) or e-mail me at marchesseaultce.ah@usafa.af.mil. Iwill be here until the beginning of January when Ihead to Vance. Iwish you all the best of luck... Chad.

Attention graduates of 1998! ^The yearbooks are in!

Your 1998 Polaris yearbook should have been delivered to your home of record by the second week in November.

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THE USAF ACADEMY ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

proudly presents

SPIRIT AND FLIGHT

Abeautifully illustrated hardbound first edition of photographs by internationally acclaimed photographer

ELIZABETH GILL LUI

The Air Force Academy experience is ablend of unique challenges and memories shaped partially by the magnificent natural backdrop of the front range of the Rocky Mountains and partially by the striking architectural features of the nation’s newest service academy. Each of the 150-plus photographs in this collection will evoke deep feelings.

For those who have been immersed in the Academy experience, Spirit and Flight sparks memories of good times and bad, of deep friendships born of acommon struggle to succeed, of bonds of trust and commitment developed by living with the Honor Code, and of the satisfaction and exhilaration of graduation.

For all. Spirit and Flight takes you places you may not have seen and allows you to more fully understand and appreciate the striking award-winning architectural beauty of the Academy and the way it is integrated with Nature’s near perfect background.

ORDER FORM

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