Checkpoints March 1999

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ABOUT OUR COVER

We again thank the AcademySpirit staff for providing our cover photograph taken by John Stanchfield after the Western Athletic Conference playoff game against BYU in Las Vegas on Dec. 5 which the Falcons won 20-13. From left in the photo displaying the WAC Championship banner are Tim Curry, Bryce Fisher and CharltonWarren. Head coach Fisher DeBerry earned “Coach of the Year” and Travis Meidinger won “Defensive Player of the Game”. See pages 50-53 for more Falcon football highlights.

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: 719-333-4194, Email: aog@aog-usafa.org) It is provided as part of a membership 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. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to CHECKPOINTS, Association of Graduates, Doolittle 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 advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Association of Graduates of the products or services advertised. Copyright, Association of Graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy, February 1999.

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To take the first step in joining forces with Procter & Gamble, write to:

Steve Wittman, USAFA '77, The Procter & Gamble Co. PO. Box 599, Cincinnati, OH 45201-0599

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VIEW FROM THE HILL

Lt. Gen. Tad J. Oelstrom, ‘65, Superintendent

HAPPY NEWYEAR! It’s ’99 and we’re behind.

Time for another SUPT update to those with a stake in USAFA’s future.

We were so blessed with a great ’98 and look forward to the challenges of another year. I’ll try to pick up on a few things mentioned in the last article (Summer ‘98) and also to hit some new thoughts. Here goes.

First, thanks for the feedback. A great number of grads have taken the time to pass on their thoughts on a variety of subjects, along with some “warm fuzzies.” Especially helpful has been numerous inputs on potential candidatesyou are the best judges of who can succeed here, so keep sending us names.

Lt. Gen. Tad J. Oelstrom, ‘65

I can’t tell you about the Academy without mentioning the leadership within the CadetWing. As I lauded ’98,1 will laud ’99. They have indeed stepped up to the challenge ofFirstie leadership. We love it and are confident that they will be ready for officership. Their impact has been felt throughout the wing activities, but one area I’d like to emphasize is their leadership in the area of athletics. Now, I could launch off on the fantabulous football season (which it was), but you have followed the season as closely as we have. The point I want to make is that the athletic fields (intramurals, clubs and all intercollegiates) are greatleadership laboratories and the football season reinforced time and again why we continue to emphasize athletics and physical education at the academies. As you can imagine, the emotion associated with this season was immense. The defining moment (my judgment) occurred in the locker room after the WAC Championship game. Coach DeBerry used a lot more words than I will, but in essence he explained the success of the team in a way not necessarily expected of a coach after an impressive victory. He said “the success of the team was due to the fantastic dedication and leadership of the seniors (he really meant firsties); and the display of commitment, courage, teamwork, and love foryour brother - the same characteristics that define success in military organizations and the same characteristics that will make you a great officer.” I can’t tell you how good that made me feel! Wish you could have been there as well.

A couple of other things concerning ’99. We expect more than 500 to go to UPT - similar to ’98. And we expect to push 25-35 waiver packages to the CSAF, just like last year. We will do everything possible to get deserving grads into UPT - safety considered. As you may know, the T-3 screening program has not resumed. However, we have initiated an Indoctrination Flight Training (IFT) program for ’98 grads and intend to continue for future grads until the Flight Screening Program issues are resolved. The program permits UPT candidates to receive up to 40 hours offlyingthrough local fixed-base operators, using a standardized private pilot license course. Only ’98 grads have been involved so far, but our next step is to get ’99 started as early as February. The program is not meant to replace screening - only a stopgap to provide some aviation experience to UPT candidates.

We are deeply involved in a strategic planning process. With some risk, I’ll share both a vision statement and mission statement with you.

Both are necessary to launch off in follow-on planning phases. We would appreciate your feedback.

Vision: Recognized worldwide as thepremierdeveloperofaerospace officers...leaders withimpeccable characterandessentialknowledge... prepared and motivated to lead our Air Force and nation.

Mission: Inspire and develop outstanding young men and women to becomeAtForce officers with knowledge, character and discipline; motivated to lead the world’s greatest aerospace force in service to the nation.

Lots of good news - here are a few examples:

Wings of Blue (jump team). For the 23rd time in 31 years, they won the national championships. They literally swept the key events. Two cadets tied for the individual championship and they or others took first and often second in almost every event. What a show!

We managed a pay increase for the cadets ($558 to $600 a month). First in a number ofyears and badlyneeded to fight inflation ofall those things cadet pay must cover. Some of the raise will go into cadet pockets and the rest will be used to offset cost increases. The real task will be to relink cadet pay to a recognized index, so we will not have to fight this battle every couple of years.

We got wonderful support from both the Board of Visitors and CORONA during their respective visits in August and November. Included in the CORONA visit was verbal and monetary support for the Global Engagement Program (see Summer ‘98 Checkpoints for program infermation), which will permit more than 700 members of the Class of ’02 to participate in a new and wonderful summer training experience here in Jack’s Valley.

You heard it right, it’s the Mountain West Conference. Starting next fall, no more WAC for us. We are excited with the possibilities this new conference brings. The new commissioner, Craig Thompson, is terrifle and with the headquarters in Colorado Springs, we have the ingredients for a bright future.

You will see on page seven a notice for a new USAFA Award. It is designed to acknowledge someone who has made a long lasting positive contribution toward the morale or well-being of USAFA. I encourage you to give great thought to whom might be the recipient of this award. Being the inaugural year for this award, we would like to make sure its prestige is implicit in the first winner. Details will be forthcoming, I’ll

(Continued on page 7.)

Superintendent Thanks Class of ’63 AcademySuperintendentLt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, ’65, accepts a gift to theAcademytom Class of1963president,Jim Diffendorferduringtheir 35th reunion in October. The git was the idea ofretired Maj. Gen. John Borling and was signed by class members attending the reunion. In a letter to Borling, the superintendent wrote, “We extend to you and the Class of ’63 our sincere appreciation and gratitude for your git of an originalchromolithograph with hand-coloringbyJohnJamesAudubon. This lithograph, valued at $19,500, depicts the Academy mascot and has been placed in an honorable location in Arnold Hall."

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appoint a committee to review its designation and the nominations. We intend to present it in the fall - maybe at a parade!

One of the joys of this job has been the experience and satisfaction I have gained from the reunion activities - most of which occur in the Fall. I have noticed a mood or feeling among classes during the reunion that is worth mentioning. Maybe it is just age, or maybe it is a sign that we are moving into another level or period in the life of the institution. I have gotten a definite sense from reunion classes that there is a deepening sense of emotion and commitment toward the Academy than may have been present when we were a younger institution. There is an emotional recognition of the Academy’s contributions to the country and the importance of graduate responsibilities to maintain the level of excellence. This transition is a huge factor in the life of theAcademy and will play an immense role in howthis institution copes in the next century. I invite all ofyou to be a part of the future.

Only one subject on the personnel side - vice superintendent. Pete and Debi Fox departed in December. What a wonderful career Pete had and what great contributions Pete made to USAFA. They will be missed. Ifyou see a stray Harley in the neighborhood with a couple of scruffy characters on board, hesitate before calling the cops. Try the Class of ’70 secret handshake; if it fails, then call the cops. Brian and Barb Binn have jumped right in. Brian (’72) is perfect for the job and is already keeping me afloat.

That’s all. Come see us and your Academy.

The Association of Graduates U.S. Air Force Academy

VISION:AirForceAcademygraduates bonded bya common heritageand an enduringcommitment to integrity excellence andservice to country.

MISSION: Toprovideleadership and service to thegraduate community supportfor theAcademymission, andpreservadon ofinstitutional heritage and traditions.

1956

1975

Academy Service Award Established

Service beforeself, integrityfirst, excellencein all we do. The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) recognizes Academy graduates with the Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship and U.S. citizens with the Thomas D. White National Defense Award. The recipients of these awards epitomize the core values we strive to instill in our cadets. In the spirit ofthose awards, we need an award recognizing individuals who have contributed so much to our Academy.

To recognize these individuals and their contributions to theAcademy, the Superintendent has approved a new award. Any U.S. citizen, living or deceased, who has contributed significantly and directly to the morale or well-being ofthe Academythrough their generous donation oftime, resources, or influence is eligible. The award will be given annually to deserving individuals.

The Academy is seeking nominations for 1999 from the Academy community at large and supportingAcademy foundations. Personnel assigned to the Academy can be considered for the award as long as their contributions were performed outside of their official duty. Each nomination will need to include:

A page with biographical data to include name, rank (if military), present job, organization/company, telephone number, and mailing address of the nominee or nominee’s next of kin for posthumous nominations. Posthumous nominations should be identified as such.

A two-page-maximum, typed narrative justification with the nominee’s name in the top left margin describing the nominee’s accomplishments which contributed to a long-term positive effect on the morale or well-being of the Air Force Academy.

Nominations must be submitted to HQ USAFA/XPA, 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 351, USAF Academy Colo. 80840-5002 not later than May 1,1999 and annually thereafter. A selection committee will be appointed to name this prestigious award and review all nominations. The Superintendent will approve and notify the recipients. We expect a public presentation in fall 1999 at the Academy. For more information, contact Capt. Ed Cardenas, 1-800-379-1455, extension 3832.

Air Ace, Steve Ritchie, 64, Takes Final Bow

By Sig Christenson San Antonio Express-News StaffWriter

(Editor’s note: Our sincere thanks to the San Antonio Express-News for permission to run the following story and photograph which appeared in their Jan. 30, 1999 edition. We have added additional biographical information at the end ofthe newspaper story which begins with theparagraph that starts “Ritchie’s Reserve assignment...”))

Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie, ‘64, made a final victory roli Friday (Jan. 29) over Randolph Air Force Base, then was doused with a canteen of water byAir Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan, ‘65, and given a hero’s send-off. “It was great, wonderful,” Ritchie said while walking toward a Randolph hangar, never looking back at the last Air Force jet he’ll fly.

“What could be better?” But it was bittersweet too. Ritchie, at 56, capped a glorious century of fighter folklore that some say won’t be seen for years to come, if at all, as technology changes the way wars are fought.

Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie, ‘64, the last U.S. air ace in uniform, boltspast a canteen-wieldingAir Force ChiefofStaffGen. Michael Ryan, ‘65, and Ritchie’s sons Matthewand Christopher, getting a dousing to celebrate his final retirement flight. (Photo by Tom Reel, San Antonio ExpressNews staffphotographer.)

As Ritchie taxied his T-38 Talon before 500 well-wishers, they knew they were watching the last ofAmerica’s air aces. The nation has produced 1,447 such fliers.

Ryan described him as “an all-’round ace,” a view others share. “He’s an American hero,” said Maj. Derek Kaufman, an Air Force Recruiting Service spokesman. “He is the last ace we will probably ever see in this country,” said Kris Lundeen, development chiefofthe American Fighter Aces Museum Foundation in San Antonio.

Achieving the status of an ace by destroying five enemy aircraft in combat has been rendered more and more unlikely. Lundeen and others, among them Ritchie’s instructor, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Frank Gailer, wonder what future adversary will be able to match America in the air. Then there’s the growing use of pilotless drones, and the hightech missile advances that allow fliers to fire on planes they never see.

The number of fighter aces dwindled from a high of 1,282 in World War II to 44 in Korea. The three American aces flying for China against the Japanese in the 1930s were one more than inVietnam. Only Ritchie and then-Navy Lt. Randall “Duke” Cunningham, now a California congressman, became pilot aces in that conflict, in which American pilots were only sporadically challenged.

Ritchie, who lives near Golden, Colo., got a fast start, graduating at the top of his class of nearly 100 at the now-defunct Laredo Air Force

Capt. Steve Ritchie lands at Udorn Royal Thai Air Base after downing the fifth MiG-21 on Aug. 28,1972. Base. “He maxed everything,” recalled Gailer, Ritchie’s flight instructor and one-time wingman to famed test pilot Chuck Yeager. “He’s just natural-born.”

Past glories, and the future ofaviation, weren’t far from Ritchie’s mind as he spoke with reporters in front of an F-4 Phantom, its fuselage emblazoned with five red stars marking his kills. “There are just going to be a lot fewer opportunities” for aerial combat, he said.

Ritchie shot down five enemy planes in a four-month stretch in 1972. Becoming the Air Force’s sole pilot ace oftheVietnamWar, Ritchie would tell you, was a matter of luck and teamwork. That especially was the case on July 8, 1972, when he shot down two MiG-21s in an area near Hanoi dubbed “Banana Valley.”

Ritchie received a radio report that MiGs were closing on his jet. Moments later, he was told the NorthVietnamese fighters were just two miles away prompting him to turn left and fire two missiles at one of them, then three more missiles at another MiG. Both went down.

“I realized then, as I do now, that any day I could have been shot down, killed or captured,” Ritchie said. “I took a 37mm (bullet) in the intake of the right engine one time. One out of 100,000 chances I could have survived that. So I am extremely grateful to be alive. Every day is a plus.”

Ritchie’s Reserve assignment prior to retirement was a mobilization assistant atAir Education andTraining Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where he traveled across the country as a motivational speaker and to support Air Force recruiting efforts. At the Academy, he was a starting halfback on the ‘62 and ‘63 Falcon football teams. Ritchie played his final game in the 1963 Gator Bowl and entered pilot training at Laredo, Texas in 1964.

The general flew more than 800 combat hours during 339 missions in the skies over Southeast Asia in the F-4 Phantom. His decorations include the Air Force Cross (the nation’s second highest award), four Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 25 Air Medals.

Ritchie was named to “OutstandingYoung Men of America” in 1973 and has traveled more than four million miles as a spokesman for U.S. national security issues and the American private enterprise system. On Nov. 1, 1997, he was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame after being selected for the recognition by the Colorado Aviation Historical Society. Ritchie left the active-duty Air Force in 1974 to run for the U.S. Congress, but continued to serve in the Colorado Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Almost 27 years ago, at the time of Ritchie’s downing of the five MiG aircraft, the current chief of staff’s father, Gen. John Ryan, was the Air Force chief of staff. Like Ritchie, the younger Ryan was a captain in 1972 and was an F-4 commander.

Two Graduates on 1997 MackayTrophy Crew

Lt. Col. Frank J. Kisner, ‘80, and Capt. John C. Baker, ‘91, were members of the MC-130 Combat Talon crew that won the 1997 Mackay Trophy for a June 1997 emergency mission that took more than 21 hours and three in-flight refuelings. The Mackay Trophy, presented annually by the National Aeronautic Association, recognizes the Air Force member, crew or organization that made the most meritorious flight ofthe year. The crew was presented the award byAir Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan, ‘65, at a ceremony in the Pentagon on July 27, 1998.

In addition to Kisner and Baker, other crew members included Lt. Col. (Dr.) Robert S. Michaelson, Capt. Reed Foster, Capt. MarkJ. Ramsey, Capt. Robert E Toth, MSgt Gordon H. Scott, MSgt Tom L. Baker, SSgt John D. Hensdill, and TSgt Jeffrey A. Hoyt.

The crewofWHISK05 flanking the MackayTrophy, from left, are Capt. Reed Foster, SSgtJohn D. Hensdill, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Robert S. Michaelson, TSgtJeffreyA. Hoyt, MSgt Gordon H. Scott, Lt. Col. FrankKisner, ‘80; Capt. Robert P. Toth, Capt. MarkJ. Ramsey, Capt. John C. Baker, ‘91; and MSgt Tom L. Baker.

Kisner was the mission commander and Baker the pilot of the MC130, Call Sign WHISK 05, from the 7th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, U. K., which was launched on June 8,1997 to Stuttgart, Germany, to be poised for a possible mission involving the deterioration of stability in Brazzaville, the capital city of the Republic of the Congo.

AcademySeeking Comments for 1999 NCA Accreditation Visit

The United States Air Force Academy is seeking comments from the public about the Academy in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its accrediting agency. The Academy will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit May 3-7, 1999 by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The visit is a 10-year reassessment oftheAcademy’s success in meeting the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation and General Institutional Requirements as a degree-granting institution of higher education. The Academy has been fully accredited by the commission since 1959.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the Academy to:

Public Comment on the USAF Academy Commission on Institutions of Higher Education

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools 30 North LaSalle St., Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60602

Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed. Comments cannot be treated as confidential.

All comments must be received byApril 1, 1999.

The crew ofWHISK 05 distinguished themselves in the rescue of personnel from the destruction of civil war that has since destroyed both Brazzaville and the infrastructure of the Republic of the Congo. The crew overcame hostile gunfire, three heavyweight air refuelings, and more than 13 hours flying 3,179 nautical miles to their objective to insert a European Survey and Assessment Team and extract 56 people from the carnage and wanton violence in Brazzaville.

The crew lifted off from Stuttgart Army Airfield at 0100Z on June 10, 1997 at 116 percent ofits normal maximum weight and due to the need for a rapid response, was required to air refuel three times under extremely difficult conditions. Once in the area of the rescue site, the crew was informed of a firefight in the vicinity of the control tower.

Knowing that American lives were at risk, the crew requested and received permission to land from the French forces securing the control tower. The crew performed a flawless self-contained approach to the field and once on the ground, the loadmasters downloaded vehicles and military personnel and quickly prepared the aircraft for the evacuees.

Fifty-six people, 30 of whom were Americans and the rest from 11 different nations, were loaded on board, given sustenance, and airlifted to the safety of Libreville, Gabon. The entire operation took less than 23 minutes, while the entire mission duration exceeded 21 hours.

Standing Nominating Committee to Identify AOG Board Candidates

The current bylaws of the Association of Graduates (AOG) contain provisions for the manner in which candidates for elected director positions are identified, evaluated and nominated.

Of primary interest in the procedures is the establishment of a standing, vis-a-vis an ad hoc, nominating committee of the board. This committee will have the responsibility for identifying, researching, interviewing, evaluating and recommending to the board candidates for future board membership.

In essence, the nominating committee will maintain a continuing list of potential nominees from which it may select candidates to meet the board’s requirements for service over a particular 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 ofmembers 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 a director.

An indication of interest, however, will not necessarily result in placement on the list ofqualified candidates. The needs of the association 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) AndrewW. Biancur

4174 E Cumorah 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 W. Yates

525 Silhouette Way Monument, CO 80132

Home: (719) 481-9169

Office: (719) 481-9174

AOG/Parents Clubs SupportAcademy Cadet Clubs and Teams

Currentlythere are 90 extracurricular activities, cadet clubs and teams at the Air Force Academy. These cadet clubs and teams enhance cadet professional development and provide opportunities to practice academic, military and athletic skills. Participation in these activities contributes to cadet morale and welfare, and teaches wise use of leisure time. The Cadet Clubs Program is run by cadets, for cadets, with oversight by officers and staff. While some clubs offer recreational releases, they all offer cadets the chance to engage in various competitive, professional and humanitarian projects.

There are four categories for Cadet Clubs and Teams. The categories and examples are: mission support (i.e., Flying, Drum and Bugle, Falcorny, and Soaring), professional (i.e., Asian Studies, Astro/Physics, and Mechanical Engineering), competitive (i.e., Men and Women’s Rugby, Martial Arts [Judo, Karate], Marksmanship [Collegiate Pistol, Combat Pistol, and Trap and Skeet], and the Ski Race Teams), and recreational (i.e., Archery, Aikido and Ninjutsu Martial Arts, Big Brother/Big Sister, Los Padrinos, and Way of Life). Clubs such as the Chorale, Drum and Bugle Corps, Falconry, Honor Guard, Sabre Drill, Bluebards Dramatics Club, and Show Choir Club represent the Academy as media highlights. Still others, such as Big Brother/Big Sister, Los Padrinos, and Way of Life involve the cadets in worthwhile community projects. Two new clubs this year are the Women’s Golf and the USAF Academy Student Chapter of the National Space Society. Last year members of the 29 competitive clubs competed in local, national and international competitions. Listed below are some of the Academic Year 1997-1998 awards and honors garnered by the USAF Academy’s Cadet Clubs and Teams:

Combat Pistol Team: 1998 Interservice Combat Pistol Tournament, 2nd place.

TheLance Sijan ChapteroftheAirForceAssociation recentlypresented a 1963 AFA Outstanding Squadron Banquet program signed by Cadet Lance Sijan to Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, Academysuperintendent. Sijan is theAcademy’s onlyMedal ofHonor winner who died while in captivity during the Vietnam War. The program will become part of the Sijan exhibit in Sijan Hall.

Doolittle Hall Available For ManySpecial Occasions

Doolittle Hall is now available at very reasonable rates for special functions. To date the AOG has hosted a variety of events: department meetings, retirements, wedding receptions, workshops, cocktail parties, luncheons and formal and informal dinners. Doolittle Hall can accommodate as many as 300 at a sit-down dinner and more than 500 for a cocktail party.

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

Flying Team: 1998 National Intercollegiate Flying Association Competition, 6th place.

Handball Team: 1998 United States Handball Association, National Collegiate Championships, 9th in Men’s and Women’s combined.

Karate Team: 1997 Sport Karate International Amateur World Champion, Adult Novice Heavyweight Point Sparring, C1C Chris Backus.

Media Club: 1997 Polaris Yearbook in the Best of Show Competition, placed 4th at the National College Media Convention. 1997 PolarisYearbook earned nine Gold Circle Awards in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s National Yearbook Competition.

Men’sTeam Handball: United States Team Handball Collegiate Championship, 4th place, United States Team Handball Federation Championships, Division II, 5th place.

Men’s Rugby Team: 1998 USA Rugby Football Association, Regional Collegiate Champions. 2nd Lt. Ben Trautwein was selected to the 1998 National Men’s Rugby Team that played in Paris, France in May, 1998.

Men’s Volleyball Team: First Annual Service Academy Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Champions. Team Sportsmanship Award, 1998 NIRSA (Continued on page 87.)

AOG Thankedfor Contributions To Engineering 410 Course

To: Lt. Col. (Ret) Richard M. Coppock

Subject: Appreciation for AOG Donations to Engineering 410.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Association of Graduates for their generous donation of approximately $880 to Engineering 410, section M3C. This money was used to create an outdoor training center to help the Campbell girls, Lauren (9) and Audrey (11), who have Angelman’s Syndrome (small brain). The training center was built at the Campbell family’s home in Palmer Lake.

The center was built to help improve the children’s performance in four areas: balance, endurance, strength, and improving their gross and fine motor skills. The final design consists of a main platform surrounded by four main stations, each one focusing on a different area. The platform has a tetherball and trampoline on top, and each side leads to another station for the children to use. One side has a series of balance beams and suspension bridge, another side has a rope climb and set of monkey bars, the third side has a buggypull to help increase the girls’ endurance, and the fourth side has a puzzle wall. The stations were designed to help challenge the children for years to come.

As always, AOG donations are very valuable to Engineering 410. Your assistance enables us to complete projects, such as the training center for the Campbell girls, that we would not otherwise be able to take on. Again, thank you for your generous donation.

Lynnane E. George, Captain, USAF Instructor, Engineering 410, Section M3C

Lance Sijan Program Presented

The outdoor training centergets its first test!

Rampart Chapter Sets Pace with Numerous Programs

This has been a simply marvelous year in the history of the Rampart AOG. Pete Todd, ‘59, and Jim Brown, ‘59, were and are the steadfast rocks supporting the chapter over the years (eons? since the Stone Age). Bernie Amels, ‘66, assumed the presidency (for the umpteenth time) for 1998 and made a heartfelt commitment to rejuvenate the flagging chapter. He has been and is being very successful. Other key players in the Chapter rejuvenation are Larry Bagley, ‘66; Gary Howe, ‘69; Ev Vaughn, ’63;, Jim Smith, ‘70; Mike Pomphrey, ’70; Vic Andrews, ‘66; Wayne Skora, ‘66; Vince Rusinak, ’68; and John Fal, ’66.

So what has the chapter accomplished and where is it going? This year the Rampart Chapter provided a reliable communication network via the monthly newsletter, e-mail and chapter web site, has offered high-quality social activities, and has participated in worthwhile “community” service functions in conjunction with the National AOG and USAFA. The result of this has been a dramatic increase in membership and participation. Under the wise and benevolent leadership of Bernie Amels, the chapter focused efforts in specific areas: Academy, business, social, membership, and public affairs (read communication).

ACADEMY: During 1998, the chapter worked with the Academy in five primary areas. First we provided mentors through our ongoing Graduate Mentor Program that provides a chapter to cadet squadron link. Next we had the Founders’ Day Dinner on April 3rd with over 100 guests. Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, USAFA superintendent, was the guest speaker. The “early years at USAFA” memorabilia provided by USAFA/XP was a great hit. Comments from attendees included: “awesome, great, wonderful, fantastic evening.” This is to become an annual event and there could be over 200 guests for next year’s dinner! Then there was “Firstie Introduction to the AOG” on April 14th and 15th at Doolittle Hall. The AOG hosted these receptions to recognize the cadets’ hard work and accomplishments through four tough years, and to welcome them into the graduate community and to the AOG.

On June 29th we shifted our attention to the Bed & Breakfast Program. More than 220 cadets in the Class of 2002 received a warm welcome at the airport, a meal and a place to stay before inprocessing. During inprocessing on June 30th over 1,200 members of the Class of 2002 proceeded through Doolittle Hall. A number of graduates and Rampart Chapter members and spouses were on hand to mingle with the parents and answer questions.

The chapter provided communications support for special grads needs also in 1998. When Len Kruczynski, ‘65, needed a bone marrow transplant, the chapter e-mail network got the word out to local grads. The response was heartening. These programs will continue in 1999. The chapter continues to look for other Academy projects we can sink our teeth into.

BUSINESS: Networking works! This is an important area as more and more grads separate from service, retire, and start second careers. First, we published a Rampart Chapter

Business Directory to help grads find other grads in the area who provide professional services. “No host” networking lunch meetings at both the USAFA and Peterson O’Clubs provided one-on-one networking opportunities. We introduced the Colorado Service Academy Business Network (BIZNET) program for grads in transition looking for another career. The chapter will actively pursue all avenues of communications to assist grads seeking jobs and employers seeking to fill positions. Two avenues will be the chapter web site at http:// www.dwsc.stai.com/usafarcaog/index.htm and e-mail. Ifyou are interested in participating in the e-mail networking, send your e-mail address to Larry Bagley at lbagley@stai.com or bonbon@pcisys.net.

SOCIAL: The ’98 Board started the chapter social calendar with the Chapter Holiday Get Together on Dec. 12 at Doolittle Hall with a festive crowd of about 100 in attendance. Everyone enjoyed the food, the fellowship, and the Christmas music by members of the Cadet Chorale. Throughout the year there were bi-monthly luncheons with guest speakers. In February, Lt Col Bill Barry, ’79, our first guest speaker of the year, presented “How the Space Race Really Began - The Unknown Story."

In May, we heard the inside scoop about the Springs transportation projects from Dave Zelenok, '77, director of Transportation. Then, in August, over 20 grads were treated to the presentation by Col. Brad DeAustin, ’69, deputy athletic director, regarding what is going on in the Athletic Department. Col. Hans Mueh, '66, head of the Chemistry Department, NCAA faculty representative, and USAFA point man for the new Mountain West Conference, accompanied Brad to discuss the new conference. Hans agreed to periodically update us on the status of the new Mountain West Conference.

In October, El Paso County Sheriff John Anderson provided an update on what is going on in law enforcement in El Paso County. The chapter hosted the 14th Annual Service Academies Alumni Golf Tournament on July 10th at the USAFA Eisenhower GolfCourse. Unfortunately, Air Force didn’t bring home the coveted trophy. Next year it will be different. On October 10th we had the All-Service Tailgate at Doolittle Hall (and beat Navy).

Coming full circle, we finished ‘98 with the Second Annual Holiday Get Together on December 4th at Doolittle Hall. The evening was one of good food, good cheer, good company, and good music from the Cadet Catholic Choir. Again, the attendees seemed to have a great time. The goal is to continue providing the best social activities in 1999 to include a Grad Appreciation Night in conjunction with a hasketball/hockey night.

MEMBERSHIP: The chapter membership more than doubled in ’98 - approaching 200. Active participation (vice just paying dues and getting the newsletter) has continued to increase throughout the year. Our goal is to again double the membership in '99. Next year, the plan is to re-institute the class representative system and use this as a tool for membership growth and communications.

The class reps will be the eyes and ears of our chapter. Our slogan will continue to be “Each One Reach One.” We want those of you living in Colorado to join our chapter (others are more than welcome, and we accept reciprocal membership privileges - just like the O’Club).

PUBLIC AFFAIRS: This year, under the monetary umbrella of Wayne, ‘66, and Dee Skora, and the sage editorship ofLarryBagley, ‘66, the chapterplanned and published 11 newsletters. The Skoras covered the expenses of printing and mailing the hardcopy newsletters. Jim Smith handled the mailing task. In addition to the hardcopy, electronic versions were sent to the grads Larry Bagley had e-mail addresses for (poor grammar, but easier to do). The chapter newsletter, especially using the electronic media, has been a very effective and useful communication conduit. The chapter board has strived valiantly to provide an interesting and informative newsletter this year. In addition to Bernie’s travelogues (often taking as long to read as it did to do the travel), we added articles by Gary Howe ,‘69, on our connection to the AOG, and items ofinterest about the Academy by Bob Muldrow, ‘67, to name a few. E-mail is a low-cost, efficient alternative to getting our newsletter and other timely news to our members. We need your help to get your e-mail address (home and office, if possible) and to get other grads in the area (with their permission). Send it to Larry Bagley at lbagley@stai.com orbonbon@pcisys.net. Also, indicate if we can release your e-mail address in a consolidated listing.

Vince Rusinak, ‘68, in Julysuccessfullygot the first Rampart Chapter web site online hosted by an associate. In September, Tom Guenther, ‘66, convinced System Technology Associates, Inc. (STA) to host the web site, and provide administrative support at no cost to the chapter. Starting in October, John Fal, ‘66, usingVince’s site as a start, rehosted the site to STA, reformatted it, and greatly expanded the site functionality. The site address is: http:// www.dwsc.stai.com/usafarcaog/index.htm. Check it out and give feedback to John Fal at john.fal@lmco.com. The web site is to become as useful and informative as possible for grads (and anyone else) to go for the latest chapter information to include: links to other areas, grads in business/companies, newsletter, activities, membership, class reps, and for feedback/comments to the board. Also, the plan is to eventually get to the point the chapter web site will be useful in job searches by local grads looking for a position (resumes), or to fill an open position.

TheVision: The chapter will continue to support Academy programs in 1999 and will actively pursue avenues of communications to assist grads seeking jobs and employers seeking to fill positions.

To all the chapter members, to all who work long and hard to support the Academy programs and the chapter activities, to the board, to the National AOG, to the local grads, and to the Falcons - thanks for the memories and a great year. It will be even better in ‘99. (Inputs from Amels, Howe, Andrews, Bagley, etal)

CHAPTER NEWS

Arizona Chapter

Arizona Diamondbacks: On Sept. 25, 1998, Tim Furst, 78, arranged for USAFA graduates and their families to attend an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at the new Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. It is a first class baseball park and a good time was had by all graduates and their families.

Super Bowl Sunday: Ron, 71, and Barb Marusiak graciously agreed to host the annual Super Bowl party. The Super Bowl party was potluck with libations and beverages provided by the Marusiaks. This annual event of the Arizona Chapter was a lot of fun, and our thanks goes out to the Marusiaks for hosting this suecessful party.

If you have any suggestions for 1999 events, please contact Jim Sienicki. Our goal is to have three or four events in 1999. We look forward to seeing you at these events, since camaraderie is what makes them fun for everyone!

Ifyou have recently moved to Arizona or have not received our mailings, please also contact Jim Sienicki, 74, at (602) 382-6351, or e-mail sienicj@swlaw.com at Snell & Wilmer LLP to be added to the mailing list. If you have not paid your yearly Chapter dues ($20/year) for 1999, please send your check to John Mahoney, 545 East Campina Drive, Litchfield Park, Ariz. 85340-4226, (9602) 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 addresses, as well as your current address and telephone number so we can better serve you and cut down on some ofour mailing expenses. (Jim Sienicki, ‘74)

Hampton Roads Chapter

The Hampton Roads Chapter held a luncheon at Langley AFB on Nov. 9 with Lt. Gen. and Mrs. Tad Oelstrom as our guests. After lunch, the Supt spoke on the opportunities and

challenges facing the Academy in his address to the packed audience of grads, parents and friends of the Academy. Gen Oelstrom encouraged us to get involved in candidate selection, saying that local AOG chapters and parent’s clubs were important to that process. Col. (Ret) Barry Creighton, ’69, is spearheading that activity for the chapter.

Gen Oelstrom also discussed the Academy’s Character Development Program that Col. Mark Hyatt, 74, heads up. OurVP for programs, Maj Ken Rozelsky, ’84, jumped at the opportu-

How to Request Academy Staff as Speakers

In order for the Academy staff to provide better assistance to AOG Chapters seeking speakers from the Academy, please submit a letter to HQ USAFA/XPAA, USAF Academy, Colo. 80840-5241, at least six months in advance, with the following information:What, when, where? Who on the Academy staff would you like to have speak at your function? Also provide the names of two other speakers you would like to have if your first or second choice is not available.

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

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

nity and has invited Colonel Hyatt to speak at our next professional luncheon scheduled for Feb. 26 at the Langley AFB Officer’s Club.

Another topic General Oelstrom covered was the athletic program and the WAC championship game and Bowl game. Our newest board member, Col. TerryYoung ,75, arrranged for the Langley Officer’s Club to carry the WAC game and a group ofgrads and their families watched our great team beat BYU. The chili was good too.

The chapter board met in December and decided to eliminate the yearly dues of $15 and only charge a one-time initiation fee of $15, so we will be returning money to those ofyou who renewed this year. Capt. Patty Rinaldi, ’88, is redoing the bylaws to reflect the change. Col. (Ret) Russ Morrison, ‘66, became our new treasurer and joined the board along with Lt. Gen. Tom Keck, ’69; Col. Bob Hinger, 76; and Capt. Chad Collins, ’93. The board set the schedule for 1999 by approving the luncheon in February, a golf outing on June 24, and a bus trip to Annapolis in October for the AF-Navy game. Our thanks to all those who have helped out this past year with functions and chapter business, and a special thank you to Capt. Rene Leon, ’91, for taking notes and acting as our secretary. For those ofyou who want to sign up for events in 1999 please call (757) 838-3037.

(Robin Kozelka, ‘59)

New York Chapter

Once again the New York Chapter, with the help of the AOG, hosted a tailgate party before and after the Army game at West Point. The Air Force 35-7 victory was seen on national TV The large tent in the Post Exchange parking lot warded off the mountain chill and the occasional drizzle from the overcast skies. The weather proved propitious for a Falcon air attack, complementing our usual powerful run-

From left at the Hampton Roads Chapter luncheon in November are Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, ‘65; Col. (Ret) Barry Creighton, ‘69; Col. (Ret) Don Elliott, and General Dick Hawley, ‘64.

Four ofthe grads who participated in the Sixth ServiceAcademy Golf Classic in Dallas last October, from left, are Charlie Brown, Dave Brigman, Arp Horvath, and Cass Casada.

ning game. Large contingents of graduates came from Atlanta, organized by Abbott Chip Taylor, ’79; Washington D.C., by Stacy Sidor McNutt, ’88; Boston, by Chris Simpson, ’87; and the ubiquitous ‘59ers who Ed Josephson brought in from everywhere.

The day before the game the chapter hosted a luncheon reception for the superintendent, dean, athletic director, and other Academy officials in enemy turf at the historic 7th Regiment Armory in New York City. Videotapes shown from previous games assured us of victory, but games at West Point have surprised us too often, so the 28-7 lead at halftime the next day was comforting.

Since the game the NewYork Chapter has had three social events and lectures with the West Point Society and the Naval Academy Association. The plan is to get together at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday every month at the Wings Club, 52 Vanderbilt Ave, (west side of Grand Central Station).

For more information contact Mike Galbreath, ’64, (203) 845-2880 or John Flanagan, ’62, (203) 327-3158/jfflan@aol.com).

{Ron Wishart, ’64, chaptersecretary, home (732) 431-4812, 8 Country Lane, Englishtown, N.J. 07726 or (212) 681 -3319, rwishart@nydailynews .com)

Northern California Chapter

The annual Mt. Tamalpais hike and Mt. Flome Inn dinner event turned into another spectacular affair. The afternoon hike went forward despite our unusually wet year. The hikers only had to fend off rain drops the last 15 minutes of their two-hour hike up the beautiful Mt.

For more chapter information click on “Graduates” on the AOG web page for a complete listing: www.aog-usafa.org

Tamalpais trails. As everyone gathered around the fireplace ofthe Mt. Home Inn after the hike, the worst storm of the season hit. Grads and their wives sampled superb hors d’oeuvres, sipped California wine and hot coffee and watched the storm try to intimidate us. Unscathed, we sat down to the excellent dinner and dessert offerings that the Mt. Home Inn is famous for.

This year, Charlie Felix, a former RAF recon officer, joined us for our evening affair. Charlie entertained us with ghost stories and English tales. We also enjoyed early military aviation songs brought to us by the very musically indined Greg Boyington, Classes of 1959 & 1960.

The business portion of the meeting was spent on important tasks like replacing our chapter president who was moving to Reno. After a hard campaign, the honor went to Jim Fleming, Class of 1964, who will serve until he can find “new meat.” Our local chapter has linked up with the localWest Point andAnnapolis chapters to provide another networking option for grads searching for employment. We discussed plans for another gathering at Angel Island this coming summer and a winery tour and picnic when our weather improves.

In addition to grad and spouse events, we have at least one low-cost, but fun family event each year. For more information or to get on our

For

side of the page, then click on “Chapters and

mailing list contact Jim Fleming at jfleming@fleming-phillips.com or Chuck Reed at Reed, Elliott, Creech and Roth (telephone (408-993-1335).

Puget Sound Chapter

The Northwest Chapter ended 1998’s festivities with a board of directors meeting at a local pizza establishment, The Northlake Tavern. The prime purpose of the meeting was to plan activities for next year. Well, that was the plan. I think we spent a little more time drinking beer and eating pizza than planning. But then again we were doing what Zoomies do best.

The last formal event for 1998 was the annual Joint Service Academy Dinner sponsored by grads from “Canoe U”. This year’s dinner was held on the Spirit of Puget Sound dinner cruise in October. The event was a good time for grads to sit and chat about the days at the “Blue Zoo” while touring the beautiful Puget Sound.

Part of our energies this year was spent developing a chapter web page. We are now in “Cyberspace”! Check out our site at http:// www.talon.com/pugetsound/. For 1999 we have a full plate of activities planned. These include our Annual Dark Ages Party in February, spring party in May, summer picnic, fall golf tournament, Air Force vs. University of Washington football game in September, and finally the annual Joint Service Academy Dinner.

Come visit our web site and join us in the upcoming activities. The chapter’s membership drive is still active. If you’re interested in joining us please contact Art Kerr, ’61, at 425-8360560; or Joe Cavazzini, ’82, at 425-742-7630. (Joe Cavazzini)

Tony Marietta *70

Since

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Charles David Georgi “slipped the surly bonds of earth” * to be with his God on Dec. 8, 1998. Since Charlie medically retired in 1965, he courageouslyfoughtmultiple illnesses and diseases with his wife, Sandy, by his side. Through it all he kept his delightful personality and wonderful sense of humor. We were indeed fortunate to have had him among us these many years.

Charlie was one of the first “blue tags” that I remember talking to shortly after our introduction to the Academy at Lowry AFB in the summer of 1956. Although I do not remember the exact words he spoke I do recall they brought a smile to my face and a warm feeling in my heart; something I needed very much at the time. If it had not been for his great sense of humor and his wonderful ability to share when I needed someone to talk with, I do not believe I would have made it the first year.

Chuck Diver shared fond memories ofCharlie also. Chuck said Charlie was consistently “good” and you could depend on him to be the same person ifthings were not going well or ifthey were going great. Charlie’s sense of humor was present in his every action, thought and deed. He could take a very serious situation and diffuse it with his sense of humor to the point of approaching resolution. His demeanor was such that it approached a point of being graceful - though not many of us would admit that to ourselves.

Chuck and I both remember some ofCharlie’s quiet times but we both recalled his laugh that could be heard throughout our dorm at Lowry. Charlie was also quite an organizer; he could have run a travel agency with ease after all the experience he gained setting up our “time off” activities like midnight bowling on ColfaxAvenue. Everyone loved having Charlie in their gatherings. His far-out humor may be best exemplified by the creation of a secret organization called the Four Charlies (Diver, Georgi, Liggett and Upton). They met once!

After graduation Charlie had a hardship assignment flying the C-124 (Old Shakey) out of Hickam AFB which was followed by another tough assignment at Hamilton AFB with the rescue squadron there. After leaving the service, Charlie held a number ofjobs. He spent time with Boeing, was a consultant with Arthur Young, was with the Iowa Beef Processors in the industrial engineering area, and also was the director of Engineering for Delmar Window Coverings.

Sandy, Charlie’s wife, shared a number of comments by members of his family. One comment by their son Brian stood out, “My Dad was always there for me.” Charlie was always there for many of us. We will miss him dearly.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Orange, Calif.; and two sons and a daughter: Doug (wife, Trina) ofTemecula, Calif.; Brian, a captain in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany; and Laurie Decked, (husband, Jeremy) ofDallas, Texas. (James W.Alexander, ‘60, with inputfrom Chuck Diver, ‘60)

John Gillespie Magee Jr., High Flight

Earl D. Aman, ’61

Earl David Aman, Class of 1961, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired), proud classmate, trusted friend and Godly warrior, completed his last

great battle on this Earth Oct. 15, 1998. Earl’s four-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) was epic in its scope and displayed courage and determination seldom seen on any battlefield.

Having survived 100 missions over NorthVietnam and one walk home after his now-famous “push” out of North Vietnam by a brother F-4 driver, Earl’s performance in the face of certain slow death was instructive and inspirational to all whom he touched. His quiet faith should inspire us all to serve a higher Master and perform a more important mission.

Earl was born in Smackover, Ark. on Oct. 1,1938, the son ofAlvin and Willie Earl Aman. He was a scholar, athlete, state-level debater and recipient ofhis school’s highest award for character, integrity and scholastic achievement while he was a student at New London High School.

After graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1961, he received his pilot wings at Webb Air Force Base, Big Spring, Texas. He was an instructor pilot, flew F-4s in the Vietnam War, represented his country and the U.S. Air Force in Canada as an exchange officer, in Iran just before the overthrow ofthe Shah, in Italy at NATO Headquarters, Naples; and in Spain where his final foreign tour was at Torrejon Air Base. He concluded his varied and distinguished career of 28 years with a joint command in San Diego, Calif.

Earl Aman and Lucy Rivers began planning for their June 7,1961 wedding during junior high school. They had 37 years ofjoy, pain and love upon which to establish their eternal investment. In addition to Lucy, Earl now awaits his daughter Aspen, sons David and Philip, and their loved ones: sister Agnes Bishop, brother Ben and their families. Earl’s parents, his brother John Robert, and sisters Lorene Bevills and Maude Aman welcomed Earl home.

Earl will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was colorful and different; a true and loyal friend who was subdued and wise, conscientious in all things, and esteemed by all who knew him, for he dwelt in the shelter of the Most High and now abides in the shadow of the Almighty. (A friend and a classmate)

Lewis Mark Fant, ‘64

Lewis Mark Fant, Class of 1964, went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 23, 1998, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mark was born on May 27, 1942 in Evansville, Ind. to Minnie Arleen and Ralph Lyle Fant of Boonville, Ind.

Mark is survived by his wife of 34 years, the formerVirginia Mills, and five children: Marcie (Robert) Brolund, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Stacie (Thomas) Tuttle, Rockford, Ill.; Mark Fant, Rockford, Ill.; Stephen (Holly) Fant of Baton Rouge, La.; and Merrie Ann Fant, Rockford, Ill.; and three grandchildren, Eric and Sara Brolund, and Zachary Tuttle. Mark was predeceased by his parents.

After graduation at theAir ForceAcademy, Mark completedpilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Okla., and served as a T-38 instructor pilot until June, 1969. Since leaving the Air Force, Mark had been a commercial pilot for United Airlines, most recently as an A320 captain out of Chicago, Ill. Up until the day Mark was diagnosed with cancer, he had never missed a day’s work. He often said he couldn’t believe he

Charles David Georgi, ‘60

Earl D. Aman, ’61

Lewis Mark Fant, ‘64

was being paid for doing something he loved so much.

Mark was an active member of Rock Church in Rockford, Ill. and a member of Promise Keepers. Mark loved flying, music, skiing, boating; but most of all, his family, friends and Lord. Mark has left an unfillable hole in the hearts of so many who knew and loved him for his wonderful “Hoosier humor” and his impeccable integrity. We’ll see you again Mark, where there are no good-byes! (Provided by Ginnie Fant)

RusselD. Glover, ‘78

Russel D. Glover died of a heart attack on June 6, 1998 in Oklahoma City, Okla. The funeral services were held on June 12, 1998 at the Air Force Academy Chapel. Russel is buried at the Academy cemetery. His wife, Lt. Col. SallyA. Glover, and his son, William D. Glover, of Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., survive him.

Russ was born on Sept. 3, 1956 to Lt. Col. (USAF, Ret) James R and Jacqueline R. Glover at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. He graduated from Bellevue High School, Bellevue, Neb. in 1974. He immediatelyjoined the Class of 1978. One of the many ways in which his classmates remember Russ is as a football player as he played all four years he was at the Academy.

Russ loved to fly. He earned his pilotwings at ReeseAFB, Texas. Among his many accomplishments, he flew the T-38, KC-135, and was intimately knowledgeable in all phases of KC-135 operations (Cobra Ball, Cobra Eye, Combat Sent, and Pivot Joint). His assignments included Randolph AFB, Texas; Minot AFB, N.D.; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Shemya AFB, Alaska; Offutt AFB, Neb.; and Robins AFB, Ga. While stationed with the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SAC) at Offutt AFB, he led the initial wing deployment to Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Upon his retirement, Russ continued to be associated with the Air Force through his employment with Mei Technology Corporation and was assigned in Oklahoma City. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing. He could often be found in his bass boat joined by Sally and Will. Russ was very proud of his Air Force career. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. (SallyA. Glover)

Michael A. Aguilar, ‘96

Michael Alexander Aguilar, Class of 1996, was an angel the Lord had loaned to Chief Master Sergeant Ray and Donalda Aguilar. Born on the beautiful day of April 23, 1974 in the Philippines, he had the most innocent and warm glowing smile.

At age five, he began grade school in O’Fallon, Ill. In 1981 his family moved to Howard Air Force Base, Panama, where he continued his schooling at the Howard-Kobbe Elementary School. Upon his return to the states he attended Rudy Elementary School in Colorado Springs. He was recognized as an honor student in 1986. This was when Michael set his sights on attending the Air Force Academy.

Michael graduated from Doherty High School in Colorado Springs in 1992. He was an honor student who received many achievement awards, ofwhich the highest was his appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. In May of 1996, Michael reached another milestone in his life and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and his appointment as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

Following his graduation, he was assigned to the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron (Pacific Air Forces) at Andersen Air Base, Guam, from August 1996 through November 1997. After a successful tour of duty, he was reassigned to the 52nd Civil Engineering Squadron (U.S. Air

Forces, Europe) at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. In Germany, Michael was promoted to first lieutenant.

His awards include the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with two devices), and the Humanitarian Service Medal, among others.

In addition to his many professional achievements, Michael was the highest example of a human being with a great soul, a true angel. His words were always kind and thoughtful. His aura left you feeling warm inside. His loyalty to friends and family made him a confidant who always had a positive attitude and a willingness to help, no matter how difficult the situation. He was a remarkable son and brother who earned the love and respect ofhis family and served as an example to his friends.

On the personal side, his achievements include: altar boy, Eagle Scout, member of the Civil Air Patrol, the National Honor Society, and the Air Force Academy weight-lifting team. Michael enjoyed fishing, camping, skiing, loved playing the piano, SCUBA diving and spending quality time with his family, especially his niece and nephew.

On Jan. 12, 1999, the Lord called Michael and took the ray of sunshine he had loaned to Ray and Donalda that beautiful day in 1974. He lived a short but full life, touching everyone he befriended and loved. His achievements, both personal and professional, served as the standard for others to emulate. We will all miss him dearly. (LuisAlicea)

RobertJ. StrittmatterIV, ‘97

Robert J. Strittmatter IV died Aug. 9, 1998, in San Marcos, Texas as a result of a motorcycle accident. Stritt, as he was known to most of his friends, was 23 years old. He is survived by his father, Robert John Strittmatter III, retired CMSgt, USAF, of Allen, Texas; mother Wu KueiYing of Taiwan; brother Steven M. Strittmatter of Allen; stepbrothers Roy Mace of Midland, Texas, Andrew and Kenneth Mace of Oklahoma City; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. His stepmother, Kyoko M. Strittmatter, is deceased.

Rob entered the U.S. Air Force Academy as a member of the Class of 1997. We were all in 36th Squadrontogether as freshmen, and as Stritt and I (Bob) were talking one day we realized that we had gone to the same elementary school for a year in Ohio before he moved. We didn’t know each other then, but it was an interesting coincidence; it is a small world.

The bunch of us quickly became friends and stuck together throughout the academy experience. We had a bunch of good times, a few bad ones, and a couple of times that we can’t talk about until the statute of limitations runs out. It was after graduation when Stritt bailed me out for the last time byhelping me bring all ofmy stuffback to Ohio in his truckwhen I couldn’t ship anything because my orders didn’t come in time.

There are a bunch of stories we could tell, but the real bottom line is that whether it was his willingness to give you a hand when you really needed it, or being around when times where rough, or just being there to hang out with and blow off a little steam, Stritt was one of the good friends you could always depend on.

After graduation, Stritt went to Laughlin AFB where he was attending pilot training before his career was cut short. He was about a week short of graduating when the accident occurred. Rob’s wings and rating were presented to his father at the memorial service. He was buried with full military honors at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio.

Having Stritt as a friend was one of the things that made life at the academy more livable for us. In death, he was able to bring us all to-

RusselD. Glover, ‘78

Michael A. Aguilar, ‘96

RobertJ. StrittmatterIV, ‘97

Michael B. Harwell, ‘98

gether again, but it wasn’t the same without him. We miss you, buddy - thanks for the memories. (Lt. Bob Cromer, ’97, with help from Lts. Brian Cusson, '97; Dave Page, ’97; Clayton Smith, ’97; and Jason Rueschhoff, ’97.)

Michael B. Harwell, ‘98

On Sept. 4, 1998, as the joyous reunions of another Parents Weekend mixed with the first colorful signs of the approaching Colorado autumn, the Class of 1998 received the tragic news of the death of 2nd Lt. Michael B. Harwell in a helicopter accident at Nellis AFB, Nev. Services followed by interment with full military honors were conducted at Arlington National Cemetery.

The loss of Mike so soon after the happy times of graduation and so early in a promising Air Force career left his many friends feeling more than a little empty inside. Thankfully, however, in the short time we were blessed to spend with him, Mike left us all with an abundance of memories ringed with laughter that we will carry with us forever.

To some, Mike will always be a master of judo, the sport that he loved. Being naturally quiet and not one to brag about his accomplishments, few around him realized the long hours he invested in the gym perfecting the art, competing at the highest levels and becoming a true champion within the discipline. Only an occasional, playful “judo chop” on an unsuspecting three-degree showcased his true talent within the squadron.

To others, Mike will always be the consummate snowboarder, one who could stare down the slopes of a double-black diamond run at Breckenridge and merely laugh. His love for the outdoors and the natural beauty ofColorado was contagious and he was quick to share it with others. Instead of leaving behind those of his friends who hadn’t quite mastered the intricacies of snowboarding, Mike would work with them and help build up their confidence - then he would wait as they inevitably tumbled halfway down the mountainside so that they could ride the chairlift back up together and talk about skiing, the weather and plans for the future.

And still to others, Mike was just a guy walking around the squadron who always had a smile on his face, even in the darkest of the “Dark Ages” when so many others of us let the pressures of everyday cadet life get us down. Armed with a pair of gray velcro sneakers that went out of style in the late 1980s, if they were ever even in style, and always with the time to stop and talk, Mike’s easygoing attitude and zest for life helped many in both Barnstormin’ 23 and Tiger 10 put their own lives back into perspective.

Perhaps Mike’s greatest and most lasting contribution, however, came in his fall semester, firstie year, in the role of element leader. In a job that is easy to be average but difficult in which to excel, Mike excelled. The job of element leader, more than any other military position at the Academy, requires a person to be a true leader, to look out for his people, and for Mike this was second nature. He planned a wide range of element activities, fought for his element members on probation and made a lasting impact on the squadron-at-large through his efforts. Although never a “number-chaser” by any stretch of the imagination, Mike received the third-highest MPA that semester and was well deserving of that honor.

Mike was a number of different things to a number of different people, but above all else he was a great friend to all who knew him.

As I write this I realize that Mike will continue to exist in those special times and fleeting moments that are hard to explain to anyone, even fellow grads. On a Friday night before a SAMI at O’Malleys. four-wheelingthrough the back roads of Colorado in his Jeep Cherokee “Diesel Boy”. registering the shock that his room had “disappeared” at the hands of a couple offour degrees on Hundredth Night. trying, in vain, to win the latest promotion at Taco Bell.

At the time of the accident, Mike was serving his casual status at Nellis awaiting the start of UPT in March, and those who knew him take a measure of comfort with the knowledge that he died doing something that he wanted to do, chasing the dream of becoming an Air Force helicopter pilot. And although we’ll miss the laughter and the good times that were sure to mark the next many years, we’ll also take a measure of comfort from the message across Mike’s own screensaver his last two years in Ten: “It’s not tragic to die doing something you love.” Here’s a toast. (Derek Salmi, ‘98)

At press time we had learned ofthe deaths of the following graduates:

Lt. Col. (Ret) William E. Malerba, Class of 1965, who died on Dec. 21.1998 of a brain tumor in Albuquerque, N.M.

Joseph M. Killeen, Class of 1969, who died on Oct. 5,1998 of cancer in Arlington, Va.

John F. Sviba, Class of 1978, who died on Jan. 23,1999 in Duluth, Ga.

Frank R. Mendoza, Class of 1979, who died on Nov. 25,1998, ofbrain cancer in Mountain View, Calif.

Maj. (ANG) David W. Fite, Class of 1980, who died on Jan. 13,1999, in the crash of a KC-135E near the Netherlands border.

Capt. (ANG) Kenneth F. Thiele, Class of 1989, who also died on Jan. 13.1999 in the crash of the KC-135E near the Netherlands border.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends ofthese graduates.

Board ofDirectors Approves Humanitarian Fund

In a continuing effort to better serve our association’s members, the AOG Board of Directors has established a fund to assist AOG members with serious medical problems. The AOG Humanitarian Fund for Terminally-ill Members will provide financial assistance to those who qualify and who are approved by the board. The only eligibility requirements are to (1) be an AOG member in good standing for at least the last three years, and (2) have a terminal illness. Terminal illness was selected, as opposed to chronic or disabling, only to better match the number of eligibles to expected resources. At some future time, assuming the fund grows, eligibility could be expanded. Donations to the Humanitarian Fund will be handled in the same manner as existing AOG funds and will be tax deductible. The process for selecting recipients will be through a standing committee of the board, which will review and prioritize requests, validate financial need, and forward recommendations to the board for approval and disbursement of funds.

Before proceeding with the fund, the board surveyed a sample of 500 AOG members. Of the approximately 150 responses received, 77 percent supported establishing the fund, 70 percent indicated they would donate to the fund, and 66 percent said they would donate to this fund in addition to donations made to existing AOG funds. This positive response backed up the board’s conclusion that such a fund would provide a caring, compassionate means to help members and their families who suffer significant emotional and financial hardships dealing with terminal illnesses such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, cancer, and heart disease.

Further details on who to contact, how to make a request for assistance, how to contribute to the fund, etc., will be included in future issues of Checkpoints and in letters to local AOG chapters, class officers and other interested groups and individuals. The purpose ofthis article is simply to alert members that the Humanitarian Fund for Terminally-ill Members has been established and to start thinking about how you might support this worthy endeavor because, in the end, success will depend on having sufficient resources available to meet member needs.

Sabre SocietySupportsAcademy, Recognizes Donors

The Association of Graduates established the Sabre Society in 1995 to bring together and visibly recognize a select group of Academy benefactors who have a direct interest in supporting theAcademy and the motivation to become more closely associated with its goals, plans and programs. The society has three related objectives: to establish a select group of long-term benefactors who have a clear and tangible interest in supportingtheAcademybothfinanciallyand through personal influence; to provide a visible and prestigious means to honor and recognize the Academy’s leading supporters; and to form a national network of influential community leaders who are informed advocates ofAcademy causes.

During its short history, membership in the Sabre Society has grown to more than 319 individuals including 209 graduates, 96 parents and 14 friends of the Academy. Within this membership are 17 life members, three benefactors and four patrons. Basic membership inthe societyrequires an annual unrestricted investment of $1,000 or more to support programs which will keep the Academy at the leading edge. Patron status is offered to those members who make an annual investment of $2,500, and Benefactor status is afforded those with an annual investment of$5,000 or more. Life memberships are granted for a onetime contribution of $50,000 or more and these individuals enter the Society’s Leadership Circle.

All funds contributed to the Society are managed by the Association of Graduates. The taxdeductible donations are annually allocated to specific short and long-term Academy projects and programs in need ofsupport in close coordination with the Superintendent’s staff. The Sabre Society’s objective is to enrich the total Academy educational process, therebyenhancing the longterm value of an Academy education and helping ensure that the graduate remains a recognized and respected leader in society. Membership in the Sabre Society as of January 1999 is listed below.

Class of 1959

LGen (Ret) and Mrs Robert D. Beckel

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs James W. Brown, III

Mr and Mrs George W. Burch

Mr and Mrs Gerard B. Finneran LIFE

MGen (Ret) Larry D. Fortner

MGen (Ret) and Mrs Richard B. Goetze, Jr

LGen (Ret) and Mrs Bradley C. Hosmer

Col (Ret) and Mrs Leigh H. Hunt, Jr

Gen (Ret) and Mrs Hansford T. Johnson

Col (Ret) Maxi. Miller, Jr

Col (Ret) and Mrs Edwin J. Montgomery, Jr

Mr David J. Phillips

Mr and Mrs Charles S. Rodgers

Col (Ret) and Mrs Edwin L. Rosane

Col (Ret) and Mrs Craig O. Schaum

Dr and Mrs Brock T. Strom

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs William M. Toney

Mr and Mrs James E. West

Class of 1960

Mr and Mrs Robert E. Badger

Col (Ret) AndrewW. Biancur

Lt Col (Ret) Gregory Boyington, Jr

LGen (Ret) and Mrs Anthony J. Burshnick

Col (Ret) and Mrs Michael A. Clarke

Lt Col (Ret) James F. Glaza

Gen (Ret) and Mrs John M. Loh

Mr and Mrs George S. Pupich

Mr Lester R. Querry

Gen (Ret) and Mrs Ronald W. Yates

Class of 1961

LGen (Ret) and Mrs Marcus A. Anderson

Col (Ret) and Mrs Michael J. Quinlan

MGen(Ret) and Mrs Richard D. Smith

BGen (Ret) and Mrs Charles F. Stebbins

BGen (Ret) and Mrs James P Ulm

Mr and Mrs Wayne W. Whalen LIFE

Class of 1962

BGen (Ret) and Mrs Robert H. Baxter

BGen (Ret) and Mrs John F. Flanagan, Jr, USAFR

BGen (Ret) and Mrs David H. Roe LIFE •%

MGen (Ret) and Mrs Donald W. Shepperd, ANG

Mr and Mrs Jerry L. Smith L—.

Class of 1963 .^****ZZm

Mr and Mrs Gerald k AHpi^nr

Col (Ret) and Mrs Michael X

Col (Ret) and Mrs Leslie G..

BGen (Ret) and Mrs Robert 1

Gen (Ret) and Mrs Ronald R. Fogleman

USAFR

Mr and Mrs Timothy N. Gallagher

Mr Arthur Johnson

Dr Robert Mazet, III

Mr and Mrs Edward G. Reisdorf

Mr William E. Schweinle Jr

Mr and Mrs William E. Wecker LIFE

LtCol(Ret) and Mrs James R. Winzell

Class of 1964

Mr and Mrs Darryl M. Bloodworth

Mr and Mrs William P, Dickey 1

Mr and Mrs James H. Fleming

Mr and Mrs Michael J. Galbreath X

Mr and Mrs Phillip A. Glenn

Dr and Mrs James C. Ingram, jr

Mr and Mrs Max F. James

Dr and Mrs Paul G. Kamfetlkf

LtGen (Ret) and Mrs JayW Kelley

Col (Ret) and Mrs Peter fioPresti

Mr and Mrs T. Allan McArtor

Mr James T. McComsey

Mr Thomas H. Morris, Jty f

Mr Frederick S. Olmsted, Jr

Mr and Mrs Harry J. Pearce LIFE

BGen (Ret) and Mrs James H. Renschen, ANG

BGen (Ret)and Mrs Richard S. Ritchie,"USAFR,.,

Mr and Mrs Lawrence R. Robinson, III LIFE

MGen (Ret) and Mrs Alan V Rogers

Mr and Mrs Edmund Rossnagel

MGen (Ret) Nels Running

Dr and Mrs Robert L. Sansom

Mr and Mrs Alan D. Tuck, Jr

Mr and Mrs James R. Wallace

Col (Ret) and Mrs Rodney A. Wells

LtCol (Ret) James F. Wheeler

Mr and Mrs Hugh H. Williamson, III

Maj (Ret) and Mrs RichardWolniewicz

Mr and Mrs Gerald A. Zionic

Class of 1965

Mr & Mrs David M Connaughton

Lt Col (Ret) Sidney A. Cook, USAFR

Mr and Mrs Terrance M Drabant

BGen(Ret) & Mrs Robert Giffen

Mr and Mrs John A. Hewitt, Jr

Mr and Mrs Alva B. Holaday

Col (Ret) and Mrs John J. Kelly, Jr

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Leonard R. Kruczynski

Col (Ret) and Mrs Robert A. Larsen

Col (Ret) and Mrs Kenneth E. McAlear

Maj(Ret) and Mrs Joseph VMcNabb

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Thomas A. MUrawsld

Mr and Mrs Joseph R. O’Gorman

Dr James M Perry and Ms Kathleen Kopach

Mr and Mrs Peter G. Pfendle

Mr and Mrs Richard T Schlosberg III

Class of 1966

Col (Ret) and Mrs Victor C. Andrews

Col(Ret) and Mrs James M Carson

Col (Ret) and Mrs Martin T. Daack

MGen and Mrs Edward R. Jayne, II, ANG

Col (Ret) and Mrs Kevin L. McElvain

BGen (Ret) and Mrs Graham E. Shirley

Col (Ret) and Mrs Wayne R Skora

Mr and Mrs Frederick K. Withycombe LIFE

Class of 1967

Col (Ret) Gregory R Bailey & Lt Col Margaret A. McGregor

Mr and Mrs Worth W. Boisture, Jr LIFE

Col (Ret) and Mrs Charles A. Denham

Mr and Mrs F Scott Jackson

Dr Henry S. Jordan, Jr

Mr and Mrs Edward E. Legasey LIFE

Mr James E. McCleary

Lt Col and Mrs Gilbert D. Mook, USAFR

Mr Patrick M. Nesbitt LIFE

Mr and Mrs Peter J. Sarda

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

Mr and Mrs William E. Straw

Mr ahd Mrs Mark T. Stugart

Mr and Mrs Robert). Thomas LIFE :t) and Mrs James H. White, Jr

Mr and Mrs Richard S. Abramson

Col (Ret) and Mrs Alvin E. Blumberg, Jr, USAFR

Mr and Mrs John J. Person '*• \

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Michael A. Fitzgerald

Mr and Mrs William E. Green

Mr and Mrs Thomas R. Harkness

Col (Ret) and Mrs Paul J. Hurley

Col (Ret) and Mrs Robert E. Johnson, Jr

Col (Ret) and Mrs Edward L. Leonard and Mrs William W. Maywhort Mrs Patrick J. McBride rand Mrs Walter O. McCants l and Mrs Alan W. Price, USAFR

LtCol(Ret) and Mps Vince Rusinak

Lt Col (Ret) Gerard R. Sullivan

Col (Ret) and Mrs StuartW. iTiomson

Mr Richard Belden JK/ \ j

Mr and Mrs Michael A. Ghipman BENEFACTOR. jpPyVJy /

Mr and Mrs Kenneth'T, Jarvi* I

Mr and Mrs Philip W. Keck

Mr and Mrs John W. Martin, Jr PATRON

BGen(Ret) & Mrs Thomas RMikolajcik

Col (Ret) and Mrs fames R. Percy

Mr and Mrs David J. Wagner

Col & Mrs Darrel Whitcomb, USAFR

Mr and Mrs Robert D. Yost

Class of 1970

BGen & Mrs Marvin J Barry, USAFR

PATRON

Col (Ret) and Mrs Joseph G. Burke

Lt Col and Mrs John J. Cusick, USAFR

Col and Mrs Derrick R Franck

Mr and Mrs Roger Hill

Mr and Mrs Frederick O. Humke, III

Col (Ret) and Mrs Harry M. Lambert, MD

Mr & Mrs Anthony R Marietta

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Daniel J. Murphy, ANG

Mr and Mrs Eric J. Myers

Dr and Mrs Michael R. Paddack

Lt Col (Ret) Dennis E. Smalley

Mr and Mrs Richard B. Smith

Lt Col and Mrs Thomas W. Thompson, USAFR

Class of 1971

Mr Laurence L. Casada

Col (Ret) and Mrs Samuel H! Clovis, Jr

Mr and Mrs Robert R Denaro

Mr and Mrs William T. Dewalt

Dr and Mrs Robert H. Dorwart, MD

Mr and Mrs Rodney L. Jones

Col (Ret) and Mrs Robert A. Lowe

Lt Col and Mrs Paul E. McKay, ANG

Dr and Mrs Thomas L. McKiernan, MD

Class of 1972

LtCol(Ret) & Mrs Richard E. Barr

Dr Lee E. Krauth, MD

Dr and Mrs David A. Peterson, MD

Dr and Mrs Ronald Quinton, MD

Mr and Mrs Andrew M. Riolo

Mr and Mrs Steven W. Tillman

Class of 1973

Mr and Mrs John R. Muse

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Billy J. Stanton, Jr

Lt Col and Mrs Christopher A. Taravella, USAFR

Lt Col and Mrs Victor E. Thuotte, Jr, USAF

Class of 1974

Dr Kenneth C. Hancock, MD LIFE

Dr and Mrs Deane Y. Harimoto, MD

Mr and Mrs Ernest W. Higgins

Lt Col and Mrs Michael D. Pefley, USAFR

Col and Mrs John R. Rivers

Dr Johnny B. Wheelock and Dr Margee Brennan LIFE

Class of 1975

Dr and Mrs William M. Caskey

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Roderick R. Kallman

Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Jon R. Turner, USAFR

Class of 1976

Dr and Mrs Robert M. Arnett

Class of 1977

Lt Col and Mrs Daryl L. Jones, ANG

Lt Col Steven A. Simon and Lt Col Paula S. Simon

Mr Richard M. Sowers

Mr and Mrs Michael L. Weinstein

Dr and Mrs William R Wilz, MD

Class of 1978

Mr and Mrs Jose R. Bravo

LtCol Kenneth L. Kaylor ANG and Lt Col Karen L.

Kaylor

Mr and Mrs John T. Moore PATRON

Class of 1981

Mr and Mrs Michael R Ross

Class of 1983

Mr and Mrs Stuart M. Hixon

Maj and Mrs Peter M. McCaffrey, ANG

Class of 1984

Mr and Mrs Doi Heckler LIFE

Mr Michael D. Jensen

Mr Kenneth E. Kessler

Maj and Mrs Mark S. Novak

Class of 1985

Capt and Mrs Marc R Powell, USAFR

LIFE

Class of 1988

Mr and Mrs Chad W. Hennings

BENEFACTOR

Capt Stacy and Maj Ross McNutt, ‘87

Class of 1989 \

Mr and Mrs Michael F. Bailey

Capt Jody A. Price

Mr Bryan J. Zawikowski

Class of 1990

Mr and Mrs Joel C. Daly

Friends

Mr and Mrs Kimbrough S. Bassett

Mr and Mrs Lee C. Brown

Col and Mrs John Burkhart

Mr and Mrs. Michael D. Flynn

BENEFACTOR

Mr and Mrs Jerry Heimlicher

Mr and Mrs Frank G. Hunter

RADM John E. Kirkpatrick

a

Mr and Mrs Gregory S. Kolligian LIFE

Lt Col John F. McDonnell

Mrs Dorothy D. Moller PATRON

Ms Seal Seykora and Mr Bob Burrell

Parents

Dr and Mrs Osama Al-Masri

Col and Mrs Glenn R. Alexander

Lt Col and Mrs Jon R. Alexander

Mr and Mrs Greg Badgett

Mr and Mrs Jon Beacbkofski

Mr and Mrs Richard W- Benn

Mr and Mrs George Bergin

Mr and Mrs Grover C. Blair f j

Dr and Mrs Joel E. Borkow

Mr and Mrs John C. Braund

Mr and Mrs Stephen F. Burke

Mr and Mrs Bruce A. Burton

Mr and Mrs Richard R Catalano

Dr and Mrs Roger W. Gatlin

Dr and Mrs John R. Charters

Dr James H. Cooke, Jr

Mr and Mrs David W7 Cortney

Mr and Mrs Frank R. Cowan

Mr and Mrs James W. Creech

Mr and Mrs David L. Darakjy

Mr and Mrs George T. Dodd

Mr and Mrs Dennis Dunagan

Mr and Mrs Dale Eisenhofer

BGen and Mrs Philip J. Erdle

Col and Mrs Brian G. Finnan

Mr and Mrs Ronald C. Flood

Mr and Mrs Roberto M. Garza / J

Mr and Mrs Joseph R Geaney, Jr

Dr and Mrs Herman L. Gilster

Ms Lorraine Giurlani

Mr and Mrs Aart Gosma

Mr and Mrs Robert V Grindle

Mr Leo and Rebecca Guerrero

BGen (Ret) and Mrs Joel T. Hall

Mr and Mrs Tommy D. Harkreader

Mr R Paul Hayes

Mr and Mrs Paul Helms

Mr and Mrs Douglas H. Hemmingsen

Mr and Mrs Robert Hill

Col and Mrs Owen E. Hillberg

Mr and Mrs Leland S. Hinton, Jr

Mr and Mrs Randell L. Hodgkinson

Mr and Mrs Douglas F. John

New Sabre Society Members Listed

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

The society provides a visible and prestigious means of honoring and recognizing the Academy’s leading supporters. Memberships are available to graduates, parents or friends oftheAcademy as members ($1,000 annually), Patrons ($2,500 annually), Benefactors ($5,000 annually), or Life members ($50,000). Ifyou are interested, contact Jim Shaw or Kathy McCann at the AOG, e-mail Development@aog-usafa.org

New members in the society from October 25,1998 - January 25,1999: BGen & Mrs Marvin Jay Barry USAFR ‘70 PATRON

Dr & Mrs Osama Al-Masri

Mr & Mrs Robert E Badger ‘60

LtCol(Ret) & Mrs Richard E Barr Jr ‘72

Mr Richard Belden ‘69

Col(Ret) & Mrs James M Carson ‘66

Mr & Mrs David M Connaughton ‘65

Mr & Mrs David W Cortney

Mr & Mrs Terrance M Drabant ‘65

Mr & Mrs Dennis Dunagan

Col & Mrs Derrick R Franck USAFR 70

BGen (Ret) & Mrs Robert Giffen ‘65

Mr & Mrs Robert A Hill

Mr & Mrs Roger Hill 70

Mr Arthur H Johnson ‘63

Dr & Mrs Paul G Kaminski ‘64

Mr & Mrs Anthony R Marietta 70

Gen(Ret) & Mrs James P McCarthy

Maj(Ret) & Mrs Joseph VMcNabb Jr ‘65

BGen(Ret) & Mrs Thomas R

Mikolajcik ‘69

Mr & Mrs Robert A Ord

Dr James McL. Perry ‘65 & Dr Kathleen Kopach

Dr & Mrs James E Pierog

Dr & Mrs Ronald R Quinton 72

Mr & Mrs Dennis J Raetz

LtCol(Ret) & Mrs Vincent R Rusinak ‘68

Mr & Mrs Richard T Schlosberg III ‘65

Mr William E Schweinle Jr ‘63

MGen(Ret) & Mrs Richard D Smith ‘61

Col(Ret) Anthony AVanagas

Col

(Ret) Jim Wheeler ‘64

Mrs Darrel Whitcomb USAFR

&

(Ret)

& Mrs

Mr and Mrs John Kielkucki

Mr and Mrs John Knapp

Mr and Mrs L Gary Knight

Dr and Mrs Douglas A. Koehler

Mr and Mrs Douglas R. Krueger

Mr Michael B. Lamport

Mr and Mrs Michael E. Land

Mr and Mrs Daniel C. Lane

Mr and Mrs Ho S. Lee

Dr and Mrs Ramon J. Leeper

Mr and Mrs Jeffrey D. Lowe

Col (Ret) and Col (Ret) Donald L. Manning

Dr and Mrs James A. Maxwell, Jr

Gen(Ret) and Mrs James McCarthy

Dr and Mrs Richard R McClintock

Mr and Mrs Vincent J. Merlo, Jr, Jr

Mr and Mrs Matthew J. Messer

Mr and Mrs John R Michalowski

Mr and Mrs Thomas F. Miller

Mr and Mrs Larry Morris

Mr and Mrs James A. Muir

Mary & Neal Murphy

Mr and Mrs Darrell Nicklin

Mr and Mrs Robert A Ord

Mr and Mrs Robert E. Okasinski

Mr and Mrs Frederick S. Olmsted, Sr

Mr and Mrs James S. Pappas

Anthony R Parrille

Mr and Mrs Robert Perry

Dr and Mrs Gus C. Petras

Dr and Mrs James E Pierog

Mr and Mrs Robert K. Quinn

Mr and Mrs Dennis J Raetz

Ms Sandra M. Sayre

s

Mr and Mrs Patrick Shipstead

Mr and Mrs Edward D. Showers

Mr and Mrs Larry Slade

Mr and Mrs John L. Starrett

Mr and Mrs Harold W. Steenbergen

Mr and Mrs Walter J. Szwarc

MSgt and Mrs Stephen Twardowski

Col(Ret) AnthonyVanagas

Lt Col and Mrs John R. Voneida

Mr and Mrs W M. Wayman

MSgt and Mrs Steven D. Wolfe

Lt Col and Mrs James A. Wright

Col and Mrs Clifford L. Wurster

Mr and Mrs Neal L. Youngpeter

Ms Lydia Zapata

Sabre Society Exceeds 300, Members Meet at Army Game

By Gary Howe, ’69 AOG Major Gifts Officer

The Sabre Society now has more than 300 members and new memberships arrive almost daily. Society members will soon receive the annual report, which will show exactly how much the society is doing for the Academy.

The second Sabre Society regional dinner of 1998 was held in New York City at the Union League Club on November 5th just prior to the Army game at West Point. The host for this event was John Flanagan, ’62, and we thank him heartily for setting this up.

Sabre Society members attending included John and Mari Jo Flanagan (host), Richard and Lorraine Abramson, Mike Bailey, Joe and Diane Burke, Frank Cowan, John and Jennifer Cusick, Bill Dickey, and Michael and Adella Flynn.

Also, Mike and Janie Galbreath, Dick and Vera Goetze, Ross and Stacy McNutt, Mark Novak, Edmund Rosnagel, Bram and Barbara Smith, Bill and Elizabeth Straw, and Alan and Natalie Tuck. The Flanagans brought along a guest, Francis DeVito, while Mike Bailey brought along Doug Pinnell.

Academy staff attending included Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tad and Sandy Oelstrom; Commandant Brig. Gen. Steve and Leslie Lorenz; Dean Brig. Gen. Dave and Sue Wagie; Col. Randy Spetman, athletic director; Jim Bowman, chief athletic recruiter; Col. Hedy Pinkerton, admissions director; Col. Mark Hyatt, director, character development; Nancy Burns, director of development; and Barbara Gutierrez, parents club coordinator.

Next year the Sabre Society will have one regional dinner in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the Navy game. The other dinner will be at a location to be determined. Ifyou have any ideas for great regional dinner sites or formats, please let us know. We want to make these events as much fun as possible.

DonationsNeededNow for Class RingDisplay

Class rings from the U.S. Air Force Academy represent all that the Academystands for and form a unique, common bond among graduates of all classes. With the financial support of the Class of 1968, the Association of Graduates has established a class ring display on the second floor of Doolittle Hall. It is housed in a beautiful display case provided by that class on the occasion of their 25th reunion.

The display will consist of one ring (actually worn by a graduate) from each class. All people donating will be recognized for their donation, but no one will know whose ring is actually on display. Selection will be based upon the condition of each ring donated. Besides a list of donors, long-term plans could include audiovisual or interactive computerpresentations dealing with the heritage and tradition of the class ring, donor information and/or information on each class.

Several rings from each class will be maintained in reserve. Remaining rings will be melted down to form an ingot. As the rings for each new class are poured, a piece of this ingot will be included so that every cadet ring includes a piece of rings from all previous classes and represents an unbroken circle of heritage and tradition.

The display case is completed, and we are now accepting ring donations. Besides the heritage and tradition that you will help establish, your donation can serve to honor or memorialize a graduate as part of the donor listing. Of course, any donation is also fully tax deductible. If you or someone you know are interested in donating a ring, please contact Jim Shaw or Jack Mueller at (719) 472-0300.

Bill, ‘67, andElizabeth Strawwith Maj. Gen. (Select) SteveLorenz, Academy Commandant, at the West Point tailgateparty.

Split Personality! Jim Wright, USMA ‘74 and Sabre Society member, shows divided loyalty at the Air Force-Armygame since his son Jim is a doolie at USAFA. The hat seems to tilt his loyalty towardAirForce.

Superintendent Ft. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, ‘65, addresses Sabre Society members at the regional dinner at the Union League Club in New York City.

Brig. Gen. (USAFR, Ret) John Flanagan, ‘62, at right, with Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, ‘65, center, and Flanagan’s guest, Francis DeVito ofNewYork City at the Sabre Societyregional dinner.

HistoryDepartment Hosts 18th MilitaryHistorySymposium

By Lt. Col. John T. Farquhar, ‘80 Associate Professor, Department of History

On Oct. 21-23,1998 the Department of History hosted the Eighteenth Military History Symposium, Future War: Coalition Operations in Globai Strategy. This year’s meeting attracted 200 scholars, dignitaries, and military officials from six countries to discuss and analyze the history of alliances and coalition warfare. The goal was to identify components of success that might be applied to American policy formulation and future military actions.

The event commenced with the Forty-first Harmon Memorial Leeture by Dr. Warren Kimball, William Treat Professor ofHistory at Rutgers University. Dr. Kimball’s lecture, ‘Fighting with Allies’: The Hand-Care andFeedingoftheAnglo-AmericanSpecialRelationship, highlighted the most durable and successful coalition in modern history, that between the United States and Great Britain in the 20th Century. Four thematic sessions and a formal banquet followed.

General James L. Jamerson, USAF, Retired, former commander, United States European Command, presented the banquet address, “The Coalition Conundrum,” where he examined the complexities of multinational, joint-service operations. Closing the symposium, General James P McCarthy, USAF, Retired, chaired a roundtable on national security that addressed the future of NATO. Drawing upon senior officers with vast NATO experience, roundtable participants included General Andrew L. Goodpaster, USA, Retired; General Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley, Retired; and General John A. Shaud, USAF, Retired.

First held in 1967, the United States Air Force Academy military history symposia are sponsored by the Association of Graduates and the Department ofHistory. Since 1970, symposia have been held every two years to provide a forum for scholars, military leaders, and cadets to exchange historical perspectives on matters of importance. Previous symposia have included studies of the military-technical revolution (1994) and the education and training of cadets and junior officers (1996). The 1998 symposium marked a first: a joint venture between the History and Political Science Departments (inkeeping with the symposium theme) to sponsor the NATO Roundtable. Approximately 125

Air Force Academy and ROTC cadets attended sessions and the banquet at the 1998 symposium.

The Association of Graduates has played a vital role in the 30-year legacy of the military history symposium. Without the AOG’s generous funding, the 18 symposia would not have been possible. The Department of History wishes to acknowledge the specific contributions of the Association of Graduates, the Frank E. and Harriet E. Hedrick Foundation, the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, and the Backlund Endowment Fund for their tremendous support.

Col. CarlW. Reddel, professorandhead ofthe Department ofHistory, presents a ceramicfalcon to Dr. Warren Kimball in appreciation for the Forty-first Harmon Memorial Lecture.

ESTATE PLANNING Your Will

Have you ever wondered why the document which is used to convey your earthly possessions to others is called a “Will?” It is so named because the document is a written expression of your desires and wishes. In life you were a strong “willed” person and, in death, you are still exerting your “will” by ensuring that your estate and possessions go to those who you have chosen. Without a Will, the laws of the state in which you reside will determine who gets your property, and the state’s “will” may not be your “will.”

Sadly, some 60% - 70% ofAmerican adults die without a Will. Who needs aWill? You do! Everyone does! The size ofyour estate does not matter. Wills prevent confusion and family discord over distribution ofheirlooms and other treasures which may have little or no monetaryvalue. Wills ensure that the treasures will go to those who will appreciate them most. But more than that, a Will ensures that your loved ones are properly cared for by: naming an executor for the estate, appointing guardians for minor children, * establishing testamentary trusts to care for minor children communicating final thoughts and wishes to the special people in your life.

A Willhelpsprotect the ones you love.

Doesn’t the spouse get everything and life goes on? Not necessarily. Ifyou die intestate (without a Will), the laws ofyour state of residence will apportion your estate. Some states’ laws dictate that the estate must be divided between the spouse and all living children even if they are minor children. This may cost your spouse a great deal of inconvenience and money and may not be your will or wish.

Isn’t the surviving spouse always guardian for the children? No! In some states the surviving spouse does not automatically become guardian of the minor children. A guardian must be “appointed” and the state makes the choice. While it will usually be the surviving spouse, it does not have to be....and what happens if you and your spouse die together? Who gets the children then? A Will answers these questions and leaves no doubt about your desires.

A Will is necessaryfor everyone!

The Association of Graduates has prepared a brochure on estate planning which is free for the asking. Please contact Gary Howe, ‘69, at (719) 472-0300 or e-mail to howegs.aog@usafa.af.mil.

LETTERS TO THE AOG

General Harmon Nominated Father of Air Force Academy

Dear AOG

In his letter in the winter issue of “Checkpoints”, Kim Bassett is absolutelyright in maintaining that we owe a debt of thanks to many people for their efforts in establishing the Air Force Academy. I’m disturbed, however, by his statement that he detected a note of competition for the title of “Father” of the Academy. To the best of my knowledge, no one has come close to duplicating the depth and breadth of the accomplishments of Gen. Hubert R. Harmon with respect to the Academy.

In the relatively short history ofthe Academy, no other individual has had such a profound and lasting impact across the entire spectrum of Academy operations as had General Harmon. He was called out of retirement by President Eisenhower to be the Air Staff’s point man during the Academy’s inception. He headed the Site Selection Committee and was assigned as our first superintendent. He directed the planning and development phases of every mission element - Comm Shop, Faculty, Athletics, and Support Staff. His influence was felt at every turn, every step of the way.

Gen. Harmon passed away shortly after the Academy’s first year ofoperation, but his efforts brought the idea of an Air Force Academy to fruition. He alone has earned the right to the title, “Father of the Air Force Academy.” It’s difficult to imagine that anyone would be so arrogant as to claim that title for himself or so naive and uninformed as to claim it for anyone other than General Harmon.

Sincerely,

Jerry Garber, ‘59

Oahu Bowl Attendee

Questions “Falcon Spirit”

Dear Editor,

The Oahu Bowl was one of the most memorable bowl performances I’ve ever seen by the Falcons. It was really great to see Air Force trounce a bigger PAC-10 school, especially one that appeared to take the Falcons for granted as a “pushover” team.

I think Coach DeBerry and the 1998 Falcons have done an extraordinaryjob in putting the Air Force Academy into the national spotlight and showing the rest of the country what can be done with hard work and determination. Therefore, I don’t want anyone to take what I write as criticism against Coach DeBerry or the football team. They deserve every accolade that can be placed on them.

However, I can’t say the same for the Department ofAthletics (AH) or the Academy as a whole. My concern centers around the absence of the Drum and Bugle Corps from the Oahu Bowl. Being stationed in Hawaii, I had

the fortune to attend one of the pep rallies for the four football teams. Imagine my shock, dismay, and embarrassment, when the University ofWashington band was asked to play during the Air Force portion of the pep rally.

As I understand it, the Drum and Bugle Corps was not able to attend because they were to travel by military airlift. However, the military airlift was cancelled due to Operation Desert Fox. Cancellation of routine military airlift is an operational liability when faced with higher, unforeseen national requirements. It is easilyexplainable and can be used too for some great public relations mileage. However, none of that was evident to me during the pep rally. There was no official spokesperson to explain what happened or even to thank the Huskie band for staying and playing for the Air Force cheerleaders. As a matter of fact, I heard people in the crowd making unkind comments about getting the opposing team’s band to play for Air Force. I think this showed poor form and a missed PR opportunity for the Academy.

However, I think there is more to be concerned than the outward appearance. I am talking about teamwork and decent treatment. I know the chartered plane bringing the team had about 120 seats for “non-team” travelers. Those seats were sold to general Academy personnel in the hope of defraying some of the cost of the charter (by the way, I only saw about six Academy supporters at the pep rally so I question who they were really supporting). So in my mind, while the other teams brought their bands, the Drum and Bugle Corps was relegated to third class citizen status behind non-team travelers.

Additionally, I surmise the Drum and Bugle members selected to attend the Oahu Bowl probably made Christmas leave plans around attending the Oahu Bowl. Therefore, when their trip got cancelled, they got left holding the bag at the Academy during the Christmas holiday. I don’t think that’s the way to treat the troops when in reality some of those nonteam travelers or “official” team travelers could have been left behind to make room for the Drum and Bugle Corps (the plane was a DC-10 seating about 350 with 120 “non-team” travelers leaving about 230 for the football team and others).

Which brings me to the crux of my concern - what is the life lesson we are teaching these cadets? Are we trying to say some team members are more equal than others? Or less deserving? Are we sending a message that as long as I am taken care of the rest of the team doesn’t matter? I hope the answer to these questions is no. However, the actions of AH seem to indicate otherwise. We preach Air Force Core Values. We talk ideals like loyalty, dedication, teamwork, and esprit de corps. Yet, do we practice and walk these concepts in everyday practice? Or does it come down to simple economics? If it does, the Academy

becomes just another college institution like the University of Washington. Maybe the Academy needs to take an inward look to make sure it’s “walking the walk” in all its endeavors. (Maj. Glen Marumoto, ‘83)

AH Responds to Oahu Bowl “Falcon Spirit” Letter

The Athletic Department was provided the opportunity by the AOG to review Major Marumoto’s letter and to provide comments on his thoughts.

We agree with Major Marumoto that the 1998 Falcon Football Team did indeed have an extraordinary season, and the performance by the cadet-athletes and the coaching staff was truly one of the finest in the Academy’s history. Major Marumoto was concerned about the absence of the Drum and Bugle Corps from the Oahu Bowl in Hawaii over the Christmas holidays. The facts leading up to the decision to not travel the Drum and Bugle Corps are as follows:

The bowl contract required a minimum seven-day stay in Honolulu by the participating teams and official staff. We were able to charter an airplane to meet those contract requirements, arriving in Honolulu on the 19th of December and arriving back in Colorado Springs on the 27th of December. At the outset, we had reserved seats for the Drum and Bugle Corps and their staff on the charter airplane; however, we were informed the Drum and Bugle Corps (both the cadets and the staff) preferred not to travel on the charter. The reason was it would require all the cadets in the Drum and Bugle Corps to give up as much as 9 or 10 days of their Christmas leave, and although they acknowledged that Hawaii is a nice place to spend a few days, the almost unanimous position of the group was that they preferred to go only for the period oftime when their appearances were required. Those required appearances occurred on the two days immediately prior to the game and during the game itself. These appearanceswould include only two 10-minute performances at rallies and no pre or half-time performance at the game but merely playing from the stands.

The Drum and Bugle Corps contingent desired a two or three daytrip, rather than the nine days required ifthey traveled on the charter aircraft. The Athletic Department then requested military air and just prior to departure week, it appeared that there was an excellent opportunity for one and possibly two airplanes which would have transported the Drum and Buglers, their staff, as well as other Academy personnel to Hawaii and would have made possible the shorter time commitment desired by all those participants.When it appeared that military airlift was firming up for the Drum and Bugle Corps, we began to sell the seats on the charter made available by placing the Drum and Bugle Corps on a military airlift. We sold around 45 seats at $600 round-trip. This was a significant

amount of money considering that the Athletic Department projected roughly a $200,000 deficit in funding this particular bowl game.

Just prior to our planned departure, OPERATION DESERT FOX ensued and our military airlift support was lost. At this time, it was too late to find any commercial accommodations to get the Drum and Buglers from all over the Untied States back to Colorado Springs and subsequently to Hawaii and back for any sort of reasonable price and on any reasonable schedule. Also, we had received money and made commitments to passengers who had purchased the seats earlier earmarked for the Drum and Bugle Corps. The resulting uncertainty was creating rather large problems for the Drum and Bugle Corps members and their parents so an institutional decision was made to let all the Drum and Bugle Corps individuals travel to their homes and remain and we would make the trip to Hawaii without the Drum and Bugle Corps.

We did explore a number of options to secure a band for the pep rallies and the bowl game. We attempted to use the PACAF Band; they were unavailable. We explored hiring some high school bands to assist us but that turned out to be a violation of NCAA rules. So the only available option at the end was to borrow a band from one of the other participating schools in the Aloha/Oahu Bowl doubleheader.

We do agree with Major Marumoto that we did miss an opportunity at the pep rally to explain the reason for the absence of our Drum and Bugle Corps and probably to make a little publie relations mileage from those reasons. This is a lesson we’ll remember for the future. We thank Major Marumoto for his concerns and hope this explanation helps him understand the chain of events and the reasons for the decision not to travel the Drum and Bugle Corps. We certainly don’t believe that the Drum and Bugle Corps cadets are any less important than

any others are. Thank you very much for your concern and for the opportunity to respond.

(BradleyJ.DeAustin, Col., USAF, ViceAthletic Director)

"Medical” Retirement Story of 1993 Helps Grad in 1998

(Editor’s note: In the Spring 1993 issue of Checkpoints, wepublished a storybyCapt. [Ret] Dennis Brooks, ’75, concerning a service member’s rights andprocedures concerning receiving compensation after being administratively retired or separated for medical reasons. After five years, a 1967graduatefinally won his case which was sparked by the Checkpoints artide and conversations with Captain Brooks.)

Dear Editor

It is nice to see that articles in Checkpoints actually make a difference. The enclosed letter came five years after the article was written, and two years after I talked with a fellow graduate, but the reader’s perseverance paid off.

This is not the only person who called me after the article was published. In fact, I have received three calls from graduates who had contacted me, then used the information with the article to achieve favorable resolutions to their differences with the Air Force retirement/separation system.

For those who followed after ’93 and those before with disagreements with how they were treated by the retirement/separation process, read the Spring ’93 Checkpoints article or give me a call at (719) 481-1975. I ended up right out the north gate in Gleneagle for those familiar with the area. Not something that my classmates would have believed.

After two strokes just before Thanksgiving ’98, the Academy is long gone from my memory with a lot of other things, but I will be happy to help out anyone I can. Especially in today’s environment, the retirement/separation pro

cess is not geared to provide the optimal outcome for the service member.

Good luck to all you graduates and members oftheAir Force, and a special hello to those who I met in 2nd and 9th Squadrons during my stay at the Academy.

Dennis Brooks, Class of ’75

The Letter to Brooks

Dear Dennis

We corresponded/talked on the phone back in 1995 in reference to my medical/retirement situation at that time. I had been involuntarily retired with no benefits with 16 years service in July '95, discovering the existence of an early retirement program (REAP) only after the fact. Your advice at the time was, in essence, just don’t give up.

A lot of persistence did finally pay off. After many dead ends, nonresponses, and unreturned calls, the system actually finally worked. To my absolute amazement, the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records found in my favor, the recommendation of the Air National Guard Bureau was reversed, and I was retired as of the same date but with benefits. I’ll not repeat all the details as I know you’re more than familiar with the many possibilities. Suffice it to say that a key step was resorting to the Congressional Record in the Publie Fibrary in order to get a copy of the RTAP enabling legislation.

The equivalent ofthe “20 year” letter came last week; I’m actually thinking it might actually come true after all!

I appreciate your time and effort back in ’95. If you hadn’t written the article that appeared in the Spring ’93 Checkpoints (which I still have in this bulging “retirement” folder), I might not have been as determined to see this through. So, thanks again!

Sincerely,

John M. McCrillis, ‘67

Superintendent Hosts Holiday “English Christmas”

Superintendent Ft. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, ’65, and his wife, Sandy, hosted an “English Christmas” holiday open house at the Carlton House for community leaders and friends of the Academy on Dec. 13. The tree was trimmed with ornaments donated by parents’ clubs throughout the United States with each ornament representing their state.

Sabre society membersjoining in the festivities included Jon andTrish Alexander, Vic, 66, and Sue Andrews; Jim, ’59, and Rose Brown; Cass Casada, ’71, and Sandy Davis; Marty, ’66, and Gloria Daack; Chuck,

’67, and Carolyn Denham; Rick, ’70, and Carol Humke; Frank and Carmen Hunter; and Max Miller, '59, and Trix Scott.

Also, Ed, ’59, and Fucia Montgomery; George, ’60, and Diana Pupich; Mike Quinlan, '61; Jim, ’67, and Cindy Shaw;Wayne, ’66, and Dee Skora; Bill, ’73, and Donna Stanton; Jon, ’75, and Diane Turner; Jim, ’61, and Jeannie Ulm; Jim, ’64, and Marta Wallace; Rod, ’64, and Sabra Wells; WallyWohniewicz, ’64; and Ron, ’60, and Connie Yates.

Cass Casada, ’71, and SandyDavisget currentinformation on the CadetWingduring the superintendent’s “English Christmas’’holidayopen house at the Carlton House.

WallyWohniewicz, ’64, at left, and Rod, ’64, and Sabra Wells enjoy the superintendent’shospitality.

ESERVE YOUR PLACE IN HISTORY

Margaret In Memory of In Honor of & Thomas Captain John Quincy Bancroft W A Smith ‘60 Adams 75

'"iiiuijfr - ; l-L'. *. 1 -

Link yourselfforever 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 ofgraduates, parents, children, and friends ofthe 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, a paver 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 ofGraduates, cadet activities, graduate programs and Academy needs. The $250 donation can be made in a lump 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 a memorial for a friend or relative through this program. A certificate ofnotification will be sent, upon request, for such gifts.

1 would like to support the Pegasus Paver Project.

NAME:

STREET:

CITY: STATE: ZIP: Circle one:

PHONE: Home Work

I AM: □ GRAD: Yr □ PARENT Q FRIEND of USAFA

□

Please send a certificate suitable for framing to:

I authorize the Association of Graduates to charge to my credit card Credit

SIGNATURE:

My company will match my gift. Enclosed is my company’s MATCHING GIFT form with my portion

Cadets Begin Introductory Flight Program at Academy

Sixty Air Force Academy cadets began an introductory flight training (IFT) program at the Academy’s Flight Training Center (the Academy Aero Club, an FAA-certified flight school operating at the Academy airfield) the first week of February. The cadets will receive 40 hours of flight training designed to give them flying experience prior to leaving for specialized undergraduate pilot training (SUPT). The flying experience is designed to increase SUPT student success rates. Past statistical studies have shown that those with prior aviation experience have a dramatically better chance of successfully completing pilot training.

The addition of cadets to the IFT program is designed to help reduce the waiting time an Academy graduate experiences before attending SUPT. Those cadets not receiving flying training prior to graduation will complete the program after graduation prior to attending SUPT. The IFT program was initiated in October 1998 with 145 new lieutenants from the graduating class of 1998. The new lieutenants received flight training from local flight schools in Denver and Colorado Springs.

In conjunction with the addition of the 60 cadets now participating in the IFT program, the AcademyFlightTraining Center recently added two airplanes to its fleet, including a new 1998 Cessna C-172S. “This is the first new aircraft we’ve ever had,” said Chuck Topalian, manager of the flight training center, which formerly was known as the aero club. “It’s great to be inside a plane that actually smells new.”

He said the planes are necessary because ofthe new mission to teach IFT to cadets. “We expect to get four more new planes this year,” Topalian said. “The 60 firstclass cadets already signed up will receive 40 hours of training between now and the end of April. This summer we’re expecting two groups of 90 cadets each in one month, and we’re definitely going to need more planes and instructors by then.”

He explained the cadets will be trained in cooperation with the 557th TrainingSquadron, which is providing space in their building for ground school training, daily operations, and a pilot and student briefing area.

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The training will continue until the Air Force T-3 planes are returned to service with the 557th which is expected within the next two years.

Col. Daniel Eagle, 34th Operations Group commander at the Academy, explained that the reason why the IFT program has been put on a fast track is the high attrition rate of students from UPT. “The whole idea behind the IFT program was to give people entering UPT the opportunity to get some flying hours under their belt before they enter a very rigorous one-year program,” he said. “We’re very excited to get a powered flight training program back up that’s been down for the past two years.” Plans are for the program to continue through the summer with an additional 80 cadets and run full-time through the next two to three years until the T-3 program is reconciled.

The Air Force does not consider the training program a substitute for the flight-screening program previously conducted in the T-3A aircraft. The T-3A was placed in minimal maintenance status in September 1998 while flight testing and aircraft modifications continue.

As to the status of T-3A modifications and testing, Air Education and Training Command at RandolphAir Force Base, Texas, recently received a supplemental type certification for the T-3A Firefly, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Southwest Region Airplane Certification Office. Issuance of the supplemental type certification is the first of many steps in the process of returning the Firefly to operational flying. The T-3A has been suspended from flying since July 1997 because of uncommanded engine stoppages on the ground and in the air.

The Air Force’s T-3A Broad Area Review last spring concurred with implementing a series of 10 modifications to the aircraft identified to correct the engine stoppage problem. The Oklahoma City-Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) at TinkerAir Force Base had previously contracted Science Applications International Corporation to develop the modification kit for the aircraft. The FAA then flew a prototype modified T-3A to determine the airworthiness of the modifications.

According to OC-ALC, the next steps in the process ofgetting the Firefly back in the air include kitproofing (ensuring the fuel system fits as designed and verifying the installation instructions), updating the design drawings, finalizing production kits and completing the kit installation on the 110 aircraft. There are several factors such as changes to design drawings and long lead times for parts procurement that may slow or delay the process.

The FAAwill flight test the first production aircraft to confidence check the installation process, which may result in additional recommendations to enhance performance. Once T-3As are returned to flight, AETC can begin another step on the road to returning to T-3 operations - the process of training instructor pilots.

Prior to returning the Firefly to its task as the screening aircraft for Air Force pilot candidates, AETC will also conduct additional testing to validate training program changes. The Air Force plans to return to T3A operations when all T-3As have been thoroughly evaluated and resolved. AETC officials estimate it will be a minimum of 18 to 24 months before the T-3A is back in operation.

USAFA CLASS RING Lost & Found Service

If you have lost your class ring or found someone else’s, who are you going to call? The AOG has long been the focal point for trying to match lost rings with their owners. We have several sources for maintaining up-to-date addresses and phone numbers on graduates (the primary source, of course, depends on the graduate keeping the AOG informed of changes). When a ring is returned to the AOG we can usually have it back on the owner’s hand within a week or two (as soon as we can verify a shipping address). If a ring needs to be replaced or serviced, we can link you to the ring company representative who handles your class. So, if you need to report a ring lost or found, or need to know who to call for ring repairs/replacement, please call or contact either:

JIM SHAW ‘67 or JACK MUELLER 70 at (719) 472-0300, DSN 333-2067, e-mail to classring@aog-usafa.org

3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475

Second Lt. Sean Brammer-Hogon does a preflightinspection. (Courtesy photo)

Graduate General Officer Nominations Announced

Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen announced nominations of officers to the grades of major general and brigadier general, on Jan. 26, and Dec. 11, respectively. Seven Academy graduates were nominated to major general and 20 were nominated to brigadier general.

Nominated to major general from the Class of 1971 was Richard V Reynolds, Air Force Flight Test Center commander, Edwards AFB, Calif. From the Class of 1972: Michael M. Dunn, director of plans and programs, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii; William R. Looney III, Space Warfare Center commander, Schriever AFB, Colo.; and Randall M. Schmidt, 366thWingcommander, Mountain HomeAFB, Idaho. From the Class of 1973: Stephen R. Lorenz, 34th Training Wing commander and commandant of cadets, Air Lorce Academy, Colo.; and Norton A. Schwartz, Air Lorce director ofstrategic planning, chief of staff for plans and programs, Pentagon. Prom the class of 1974: Carrol H. Chandler, Allied Air Porces Southern Europe chief of staff, NATO, Naples, Italy.

Nominated to brigadier general from the Class of 1972 were Pelix Dupre, commander, 33rd LighterWing, Eglin APB, Fla.; and Thomas J. Fiscus, staff judge advocate, Pacific Air Forces headquarters, Hickam AFB, Hawaii. From the Class of 1973: William J. Jabour, program director, B-2 System Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, WrightPatterson AFB, Ohio; Frank G. Klotz, defense attache designate, Moscow, Arlington, Va.; and Donald C. Wurster, commander, 16th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Nominees to brigadier general from the Class of 1974 were Richard J. Casey, executive officer to U.S. Transportation Command commander in chief and Air Mobility Command commander, Scott AFB, Ill.; Kelvin R. Coppock, Global Engagement Division chief, Directorate of Plans, J-5, U.S. Space Command headquarters, Peterson AFB, Colo.; Paul M. Hankins, chief, Air Force Colonel Matters Office, deputy chief of staff for personnel, Air Force headquarters, Pentagon; Donald J. Hoffman, special assistant to supreme allied commander Europe, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, U.S. European Command, Belgium; Thomas R Kane, inspector general, Air Mobility Command headquarters, Scott AFB, Ill.; Neal T. Robinson, associate director of operations for C2ISR, Air Combat Command headquarters, Langley

Space Advisory Board To Meet

By Stan Rosen, ‘69

For many years, and especially since the Gulf War, there has been a growing appreciation of the importance of space systems and space operations and the future of the Air Force. In fact, there has been significant high-level discussion of the need to transition the Air Force to an “Air and Space Force”, or perhaps even to a “Space and Air Force” or “Aerospace Force.” Obviously, this is a development which is important to the future of the Academy.

For the past seven months, a small group of USAFA graduates with experience in space systems and operations has held an ongoing discussion of how USAFA graduates can help strengthen the space education and awareness activities at the Academy. Specifics of these discussions are accessible on a Web site which is http://members@aol.com/ usafaspace/grads

On Nov. 20, 1998, Col. Mike DeLorenzo, head of the Astronautics Department, hosted a half-day meeting of this group to discuss current USAFA space-related education programs. Several interested graduates attended this session, which proved to be an excellent introduction to the Academy’s programs for space education. Moreover, the meeting also highlighted areas where graduate involvement mayhelp strengthen the overall space experience of the cadets.

Colonel DeLorenzo has suggested that a Space EducationAdvisory Board be established to formalize this emerging relationship between grads and the Academy. In general terms, this board would serve to focus resources from the graduate community to strengthen the cadets’ space-related education and awareness. Of course, many specific activities are conceivable within this broad scope. The AOG is supportive of this concept.

The first meeting ofthe board is currentlyplanned for May 24-25 at the Academy. Any grads who are interested in participating in this activity should contact me (srosen6@aol.com) and let me know of your interests. Of course, your most valuable input would be ideas and specific suggestions regarding contributions which we, the graduate community, can make toward helping USAFA train officers for an “Aerospace” Force.

AFB, Va.; Robin E. Scott, chief, Strike Warfare Assessment Division, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon; and Norman R. Seip, executive officer to the Air Force chief of staff, Pentagon.

Members of the Class of 1975 nominated to brigadier general were Arthur F. Diehl III, deputy director, Plans and Programs, Air Mobility Command, ScottAFB, Ill.; StanleyGorenc, commander, 80th FlyingTraining Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas; Peter J. Hennessey, deputy director of plans and programs, Air Force Materiel Command headquarters,WrightPatterson AFB, Ohio; Joseph E Stein, commander, 93rd Air ControlWing, Robins AFB, Ga.; and Mark A. Volcheff, commander, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota AB, Japan. Michael C. Gould, commander, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan.; and Mark A. Welsh III, commander, Cadre, AirEducation andTrainingCommand, MaxwellAFB,Ala., were the nominees to brigadier general from the Class of 1976.

(Editor’s note: General officernominees’ names and duty titles were gathered from numerous official and unofficial sources. If we have missedanyone, please contact the editor.)

Commandant ofCadets

Nominated for Second Star

By 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger AcademySpirit Staff

When Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Stephen Lorenz was a firstclassman at the Academy, he never let himself imagine this day would come. “When I was a cadet all I did was think about graduating” Lorenz said.

Now, 26 years later, the general will soon be adding a second star. The major general nomination list was announced Jan. 26 and was headed to the Senate for confirmation. Once confirmed, Lorenz will leave the Academy and pin on his second star within one year. He won’t even let himself think about where he will go next. “I’ll just go and serve where they best need me,” he said.

Lorenz has been at the Academy since August 1996 and has enjoyed every day ofhis time here. “The greatest honor I’ve ever had is to serve with 4,000 of the best and brightest young Americans - cadets here at the Academy,” he said. Held about once a year, promotions to brigadier and major generals are more complicated than other officer promotions. A promotion board first reviews records and selects the nominees which must then get approved up through Air Force channels and then on to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

These nominees are then forwarded on to the president and finally on to the Senate for confinnation. Ofthe 93 brigadiergenerals up for promotion, only 27 were nominated. Some may consider it an important accomplishment, but Lorenz looks at it as another way to serve his country.

“It’s been said that the Air Force lets ordinary people do extraordinary things. I think that’s very true. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve my country in the United States Air Force for 26 years,” he said. (The AcademySpirit)

CommandantofCadetsBrig. Gen. (nowmajorgeneralselect) Stephen Lorenz, ‘73, proved he can still shake it up at the Las Vegas WAC Championship footballgame on Dec. 5 in which the Falcons beat BYU20-13, winning theirfirst-ever outright WAC championship. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

Doolittle Hall Hosts U.S. - Russian Environmental Conference

Doolittle Hall has become an integral part of the Academy and a key facility for its programs. Widely used for promotion and retirement ceremonies, receptions, seminars, conferences, and meetings of all types, Doolittle Hall recently played host to the first U.S.-Russian environmental management course. The following article from The Academy Spirit describes the event:

Fifteen senior Russian military officers attended an environmental management course here Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 1998. The executive-level training introduced the officers to the legislative basis, principles and procedures used by the U.S. military to implement federal environmental laws.

“This course enabled both militaries to discuss critical environmen

tal issues in an academic environment, with experts from both nations providing experiences and program planning ideas to solve military environmental issues that effect the global environment”, said Army Major Blair Schantz, assistant civil engineering professor. Courses explained how federal laws influence Department of Defense policies, and how the military services develop mandates and proactive measures for military operations to comply with and/or exceed the federal requirements. Specific subject areas included compliance technologies, pollution prevention and the roles and responsibilities of the chain-of-command.

“The program had three goals: to improve the way that both nations’ militaries approach environmental issues, to exchange military environmental experiences, and to develop a partnership foundation that will endure and expand to meet future challenges,” said Schantz.

The courses were taught by Department of Defense instructors, using professional interpreters. Russian-speaking cadets and Academy faculty practiced their language assisting with interpretation.

This initiative is one offour cooperative projects within the U.S.- Russian defense environmental cooperation program signed by former Secretary of Defense William Perry and Russian Minister of Defense Pavel Grachev in June 1995. The initiative focuses on exchanging environmental information between the two countries and has resulted in more than a dozen military-to-military exchanges to provide each country the opportunity to better preserve the environment.

Membership Dues Increase Announced

The Board of Directors of the Association of Graduates voted to increase membership dues as follows effective 1 July 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.

THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

Is The Proud Sponsor Of SPIRIT AND FLIGHT

A PHOTOGRAPHIC SALUTE

“You have combined a greatpictorial look at the Academywith a profound viewofitsmission, its beautiful surroundings with its recent history and the hopes and aspirations ofthe cadets with the wholeAirForceverysuecessfully!”(Thomas S. Moorman)

Please send me copies at $66.00 each. ($60.00 plus $6.00 shipping and handling)

COLORADOPURCHASES: See belowfor applicable tax information

TOTAL.

“Ihope your work will be a

reminder to all who see it ofthegreataspects oftheAcademyand of its place among the truly beautiful institutions ofnational significance. (Donald J. Barrett)

Russian officers enjoy a tour ofthe Cadet Field House during a break in the environmental course. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Kirby Ensser.)

USAF AcademyWings Of Blue Take National Parachuting Honors

By Master Sgt. Byron T. Dormire NCO-in-Charge of Airmanship 490

“Red”Aircraft Exit Light - Everyone sits in a quiet hush as the drone of the climbing aircraft finally reaches its lofty destination 13,000-feet above the earth.

"Yellow" Aircraft Exit Light- Uneasy looks begin to grow from those who now tighten their straps, or fine-tune a dial on a shaky altimeter, or try to temper their queasy stomachs as “jump run!” is yelled back through the cabin.

“Green”Aircraft Exit Light - No more jokes, and no more singing, the aircraft’s door has just flung wide open and the first of four teams is climbing outside and hanging on. “Ready! Set! Go!” is the last thing you hear from them. Now it’s your turn to put all the practice behind. Hurry up, climb on out. The competition is here at last!

If, over the Christmas holidays, you had run across team names like Fubar, or Terminal Verbosity, or Lost in Space, you probably would not have given them a second thought. But for a select group of the Academy’s finest four-way competitors, the Wings of Blue, these competitive teams would have been just as fearsome as the Huskies, Cougars or Buffalo’s names might have been to the Academy’s football champions not so long ago.

This year’s 31 st Annual National Collegiate Parachuting Championships were held from December 29 to 31 in Marana, Ariz. and were attacked by our high-flying cadets with a vengeance. The team’s goal was simple - dominate the entire championship series of style, accuracy, and relative work freefall flight, and giving no sympathy to those who are left in the dust.

The parachute team’s primary goal was answered: After four rounds ofaccuracy, four rounds ofrelative work, and three rounds ofstyle competition, the Air Force Academy secured its 23rd Overall National Parachuting Championship in 31 years of competition!

According to team coach Bill Wenger, who concurrently serves as Mountain Conference director for the United States Parachute Association, this year’s event fostered the best freefall flying and parachute accuracy battles in recent memory. “There were 78 competitors from 18 different colleges and universities who registered from around the country.” And he added, “They were all a formidable threat to us on our road to defend last year’s championship title.”

Aside from the annual sojourn they endure every year over Christmas, the road to the championships began when the team traveled to Buckeye, Ariz., on two different trips. From November 20 to 28 over

Thanksgiving and December 19 to 24 a week of concentrated training prepared the team for the number ofcombined events planned for this year’s nationals. Between the rigorous agenda of academic studies and the pressures of becoming the next generation of champions for a major university program, the Wings of Blue again rose to the challenge of remaining the best team in collegiate parachuting history.

Imagine having to launch yourself into freefall from thousands of feet above a target and touching down on a spot the size of a quarter! That was the goal of C2C Matthew Phillips when he came out on top of the overall standings with a gold medal for masters division accuracy. This was only the third time since the inception of the parachuting nationals that a junior took top honors in this event. His total distance over the four rounds of accurately landing his parachute was less than two inches from target center.

Phillips commented after the win. “The weather this year was unseasonablyhot which kept us watching out for thermals on every approach. Turbulence was a factor for each of us but I kept a strong focus on the sight picture and held it to the mark.” C1C Mike Bullard took the silver medal in this division.

C2C Aaron Lapp took gold honors for intermediate accuracy. C2C Justin Johnson came in a close second for the silver in accuracy. C3C Aaron Brown took the gold in the novice division for style and accuracy; his combined score totals gave him a first-place win as novice overall champion.

The second discipline at the nationals is style. This is where the jumpers are timed for doing a series of turns and flips in the sky and then judged how precise their heading is maintained. By combining style scores with one of the other freefall events, an overall champion is selected. For the intermediate class style results, USAFA-trained West Point exchange cadet C2C Craig Mullaney took silver, and C2C Justin Johnson won the bronze.

The real fireworks this year came from the foremost of skydiving disciplines, relative work freefall, and the thrilling team match-ups that followed. Eleven separate four-man teams registered for this event and, as always, kept everyone pleased with excitement and drama. A special series of predetermined maneuvers drawn from a “dive pool” are selected for each round of jumps. The team scoring the most transitions, or “points”, on a dive after four rounds, wins the competition.

When the smoke had finally cleared, the Wings of Blue were standing tall once again and had a gold medal in team relative work compedtion. Top honors went to C1C Mike Bullard, C1C James Busch, C1C Jorma Huhtala, and C1C Brian Sherry. This year’s team had more points by the third round than the next closest finisher for the entire event. The USAFAjuniors, C2C Matthew Phillips, C2C Kerrick Krill, C2C Aaron Lapp, and C2C Jeffrey Smith, took the bronze medal and shared the podium with Army’s team, the “Black Knights” from West Point, who took the silver.

There were three overall championship categories selected from the novice (1 to 100 jumps), intermediate (101 to 200 jumps), and masters (Continued on nextpage.)

Cadets 1st Class James Bush Brian Sherry, Jorma Huhtala and Mike Bullard freefall into the four-way national champion title. (Photo by Senior Airman Jason Brown.)

Cadet 1st Class Brian Sherry comes in for a landing. (Photo by Senior Airman Jason Brown.)

1985 Graduate Named Outstanding Reserve Junior Officer of the Year

The United States Air Force Reserve has selected Capt. Peter Dettelis as its 1998 Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year. After competing and winning the Air Force Reserve Junior Officer oftheYear awards for both Vandenberg AFB and Air Force Space Command, Captain Dettelis reached the award of highest recognition in the Reserves. Upon being notified he was the recipient of the award, Dettelis remarked, “This is not only great news for me, but great recognition forVandenberg AFB and its important space launch mission here.”

Over the past year, Dettelis has made significant contributions to the U.S. Air Force Reserve in his position as space warfare plans manager in Air Force Space Command’s 30th Space Wing, Plans and Programs office at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. In this part-time Reserve role, he develops plans for military and commercial space efforts at Vandenberg AFB and ensures readiness of personnel during contingencies.

Capt Peter Dettelis, ‘85

During this period, Dettelis was the first Air Force Reserve member to work in a leadership position on the 30th Space Wing commander’s Contingency Support Battle Staff Team and the first person to serve in all three team positions, paving the way for a Reserve program to support this critical function during contingencies and emergencies. He drafted Vandenberg AFB’s first plan for mobilizing Reservists and formulated the first Reserve recall procedures for the 30th Space Wing. As a representative to California’s aerospace industry for space operations strategic planning, he authored portions of the state’s first strategic priorities and first strategic plan for space.

According to Dettelis, “As the Air Force continues to downsize, it makes perfect sense to get the most value for a smaller military budget byutilizing the part-time expertise in the Air Force Reserves to not only just maintain proficiency but also to augment the active-duty force in critical jobs like these, which normally require a large amount of training or experience to accomplish.”

In his full-time corporate position, Dettelis is an aerospace engineer at Hernandez Engineering Inc. (HEI) on the Ground System Safety Analysis Contract team at Vandenberg AFB, ensuring safety in Vandenberg’s space and ballistic launch programs for the 30th Space (Parachute Team: From previous page.) divisions, (201 and beyondjumps). Competitor’s scores are determined by combining the better of the two aerial events with the best of four rounds of Accuracy.

The highly competitive, overall masters champions were as follows: in 1 st place and a gold medal, C1C Mike Bullard. In 2nd place was C2C Matthew Phillips. And 3rd place went to C2C Jeffrey Smith. The overall intermediate champions: in 1 st place with a gold medal, C2C Aaron Lapp. Second place was awarded to C2C Justin Johnson, with 3rd place going to C2C Kerrick Krill. This year’s 1 st place overall novice champion with a gold medal was awarded to C3C Aaron Brown.

The final and most prestigious tributes went to the best overall individual competitor ofthe championships. For the first time ever, the top honor of being crowned the Jaques Istell National Collegiate Parachuting Champion was decided in a tie! USAFAs own C1C Mike Bullard and C2C Matthew Phillips shared co-honors ofbeing the top collegejumpers for 1998. Never before had such a distinguished award been presented simultaneously to two jumpers for the same unprecedented achievement.

CoachWenger reflected at the end ofthe competition, “The long hours and dedication to practice made this team one of the strongest, tightest groups we’ve had in years.” Indeed, theWings ofBlue brought home national honors once again and proved that the sky for them is never the limit; it’s only the beginning.

Wing’s Safety office. He is a launch system safety engineer for the Minotaur launch program, Target LaunchVehicle program, and Taurus launch program at Vandenberg AFB, where he has just completed one successful year of a its first Air Force contract.

Dettelis grew up in Buffalo, N.Y. and is a 1985 graduate of the Air Force Academy. As a commissioned officer in the space operations field, he completed undergraduate space training and started in the Air Force as a member of the team in Sunnyvale, Calif, that activated a new Air Force Consolidated Space Operation Center. He managed the computer-based training development effort for satellite operations training at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colo. He served in various positions with the Navstar Global Positioning System and Milstar communication satellite programs at Falcon AFB, Colorado Springs, Colo. He was the manager of ground system operations for the Titan rocket program and the chief of contingency planning, ineluding space launch disaster operations, at Vandenberg AFB. He has served over a dozen years working on space systems in the activeduty Air Force and Air Force Reserves.

Captain Dettelis was presented the award of the Air Force Reserve 1998 Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year by the Reserve Officer Association during its annual midwinter conference Jan. 23-27, in Washington, D.C.

Academy Begins Space Station Program

By Airman 1 st Class Richard Komurek AcademySpirit Staff

Academy members, NASA astronauts, local area teachers and members of the aerospace community gathered in early December to welcome the start of a new space station education program at the Academy’s Center for Education Multimedia.

Star Station One, a nationwide educational program about the International Space Station, will continue at the planetarium during the next five or six years until the space station is complete.

The Academy is one of 60 sites across the nation and one of two in Colorado selected to present the multimedia program. Shows began for local area students early this year with teacherworkshops and shows for the general public to appear later this year.

The International Space Station and the Star Station One program mark a new era in space exploration and education. “Not since the days of the Apollo program has there been such an interest in space exploration,” said 1974 Academy graduate Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Ron Sega, NASA astronaut and Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

The Academy is a fitting home to the subject of space exploration and the Star Station One program marks a new milestone for the planetarium. “The Academy’s a natural choice for a site location,” said Mickey Schmidt, director of the Center for Educational Multimedia. “This is the first nationwide project of this kind that the planetarium has participated in.” The program is designed to educate students and the public about the new International Space Station.

The space station is the largest international peacetime project in history, with 16 countries participating in the construction of the multipurpose space laboratory. Currently under construction 240 miles above the Earth, the space station will require 45 launches and five years to build. It will serve as a state-of-the-art laboratory for research in science, technology and medicine. The station will allow researchers to do experiments with gravity, temperature and pressure that are not possible on Earth.

In addition to the construction of the space station, Star Station One will also tell about the scientific and economic benefits of space research. “A space station is important for scientific research - all the things learned will improve daily life,” said Schmidt. “Every dollar spent on space exploration returns about $9 back to the economy.”

For more information about the Star Station One program and upcoming show dates, call the Center for Multimedia at 333-2779. Infermation about the program is also available at www.bishopmuseum.org/ starstation. Information about the International Space Station is available on the Internet at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station. (The AcademySpirit)

The Inspiration of “From the Ramparts”

By Donald M. Bishop

It was 1975 when I first heard “From the Ramparts” at the Air Force Academy. The cadet chorale sang it at the militaryhistory symposium. I had been in the Air Force seven years, but it was my first year on the Academy faculty. The scene has lasted in my memory. The words gripped me with their power, so eloquently evoking a sense that the Academy, lying at the foot of the Rampart Range, is a special place.

From the ramparts we will go into the sky

Far awayfrom comrades here

To whatever fate may bring -

Fame, orglory, even death.

But no matter what may come

Lifeis better, purpose more, honorbright

Because ‘twashere we firstbeheld

Whatgreater thing could be.

The music and words to the song were both written by Clifton Williams. A veteran of the Army Air Forces during the Second World War, professor at the University of Texas and later at the University of Miami, Williams was one ofAmerica’s leading composers of band music. He sent the piece to Brig. Gen. Robert McDermott in March, 1965, as “What Greater Thing: A Proposed Hymn for the Cadet Wing.” It was frequently sung by the Cadet Chorale in the late 1960s and the 1970s.

One ofAmerica’s great lyricists, E. Y. Harburg - he wrote the words to “Over the Rainbow” - cut through a great deal of music theory and psychology when he said “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.” For me, the cadet chorale confirmed his insight, for the words have, over the years, continued to affect my thoughts and feelings. It saddens me that “From the Ramparts” has been sung infrequently in the 1980s and 1990s, for in a few spare but elegant words it poses some important questions - for an individual, for an officer, and for our country.

Purpose More

The line that fixed me in my seat those years ago was this one: Life is better, purpose more, honor bright. At that time I first heard “From the Ramparts,” I was 29, married two years. I was beginning to ask myself the questions that all family men in time consider, questions about life’s purpose. The question has several levels.

The first deals with ordinary purpose. How will I make a living? How will I provide for my family? How will I make my way in life, and in my field? This usually has something to do with talent and interests and background and circumstances, in the harness of ambition.

Purpose can run deeper. Many undertake to guide their lives by the teaching of a faith, for instance. A commitment to gaining salvation for one’s self - and from love, for the members of one’s family - is a serious undertaking. The way is hard, but at least the path is lit by great inheritances of spiritual wisdom.

There is yet another level. The question may be posed, “to what social ends is my life directed?” This usually is linked to the choice of profession.

When I heard the song, I was thinking about purpose in this way because of Colonel Mai Wakin and the Vietnam War. Colonel Wakin updated a statement from Greek philosophy for the armed forces officer of the 20th Century. “If the unexamined life is not worth living,” he said, “then the unexamined ideal is not worth dying for.”

Those ofus who were officers during theVietnam war - when so many in society rejected the war, reviled the armed forces, and disputed the premise that America was a force for good in the world - all wrestled with the examination of ideals at this level. For the direction of our individual lives and our professional purposes as officers could only be counted worthy if the nation’s purposes - its goals and ideals - also were good and worthyand moral.

“Purpose more” - the words of “From the Ramparts” - captures all these meanings. Every person thinks about his or her ordinary purpose. An officer in the armed forces, however, thinks about purpose more, the linking of personal purpose and professional dedication to something larger, the nation’s goals and purposes.

Honor Bright

Life is better, purpose more, honor bright. When he wrote “From the

Ramparts,” Clifton Williams also linked purpose and honor, making them equal parts of the better life.

Honor lies at the heart of an Academy education. It is a word with many connotations. “Duty, honor, country” is the motto of the MilitaryAcademy. The signers ofthe Declaration of Independence pledged “our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” Major Sullivan Ballou knew that even ifhe fell in battle his wife would raise their sons to “honorable manhood.” Webster says honor is good name or public esteem, respect, and “personal integrity maintained without legal or other obligations.”

What is the essence of honor? A good place to start is the Academy’s honor code - inherited from a century of experience at West Point and Annapolis. It charges each cadet not to lie, cheat, or steal. The first charge, the fundamental charge, not to lie, means to tell the truth. It means by extension to develop a character anchored on truth and honesty rather than deception. If integrity is the tree of honor, its roots are watered by truth.

Life is better, purpose more, honor bright. One line in “From the Ramparts,” so short and simple in the singing, unfolds with many complexities. It says: your education (‘twas here we first beheld) must lead you beyond mere knowledge to contemplate purpose and ideals yours and the nation’s and link them to honor and truth. This is quite a tall order.

Purpose, Honor, and Flistory

The words of the chorale and the intellectual stimulation from Colonel Wakin did much to stimulate my lifelong thinking about purpose, truth, and the moral life. The greatest contribution, however, has come from studying and teaching history.

Let me begin with an immodest claim for the discipline I taught, and for the history courses at the Academy. History is the best discipline for the study of purposes. History’s partners in the humanities - philosophy, literature, and law - also examine purpose, but they approach from different directions. Historians examine purpose when they trace the choices of real people in real circumstances in real times across the decades, centuries, and ages.

When history examines purposes, its goal must be truth. History written without truth as its goal is storytelling, fiction, or propaganda.

The centuries afford example after example of one of power’s great temptations: to scrub the historical memory, to ignore certain truths for a reason, or to suppress them. Consider these examples:

The Catholic peasants of the Vendee massacred by the troops of the French Revolution. The historians who celebrated the revolution wanted to render their memory invisible.

The African-American troops ofthe Union Army. After reconstruction, the history ofthe CivilWar was whitened, and these soldiers were denied their rightful place in history. The movie Gloryhelped recover it.

1963 Members at the Reunion Parade

Waiting for the parade to begin during their 35th Reunion this past Octoberare, from left, BillFlynn, Suzanne andDean Hess, andMaryAnne and Larry Eastman.

The Polish officer corps massacred in the Katyn forest by the Soviets in 1940. In their case, the immoral act was not silence, but the “big lie.” The Soviets lied for decades, saying the officers had been killed by the Germans.

Italian-American internees in World War II. We remember what was done to the Nisei, and our country has made reparations to each Japanese-American interned during the war. Few recall that 600,000 Italian-Americans were declared enemy aliens, forbidden to travel more than five miles from home, and forced to surrender their cameras, flashlights, and short-wave radios. Ten thousand were deported from their coastal homes to the interior.

The American prisoners held in captivity after the Korean armistice, and the Vietnamese commandos who had been inserted into NorthVietnam and were abandoned there. In both cases, we now know, the administrations - President Eisenhower’s and President Nixon’sknew these men were being abandoned, and secrecy led to a loss of memory.

Americans may have different opinions and different judgments about those times, those policies, and the purposes they served. Were the internments in the United States during the Second World War a prudent necessity? Did closing our eyes to the fate of the remaining American prisoners from the Korean War achieve a greater good in allowing the armistice to be concluded? These are questions for debate and interpretation and judgment. But the discussion will be led astray, even deformed, ifit does not rest on agreed historical facts, which means the truth as clearly as we can reckon it.

In 1979, when Colonel Al Hurley and I wrote the 25-year history of the Department, we enumerated some of the professional reasons for history’s place in the core curriculum. Historyhelps cadets understand the origins of our society and its current problems, we said. It strengthens their ability to reason. And it can infuse their understanding of leadership, professionalism, and discipline with “the unique values that the American historical experience provides.”

That reckoning of history’s role in what Colonel Hurley and I called “the formation of military character” now seems too narrow. No doubt we were responding to the need for a utilitarian justification for each course, but we sold the discipline short. I would now tip the scales in a different direction. History’s greater role in the core curriculum must be to help form the moral sense.

History is a prime vehicle for moral education because it provides case studies in moral choice. No instructor who teaches - or student who learns about - the Reign ofTerror, John Brown’s raid, Colonel von Stauffenberg, theWhite Rose, the bombing ofDresden, Hiroshima,Vietnam, Watergate, Alfred Kinsey, or Margaret Sanger can avoid moral issues. Indeed, when formal instruction in religion, philosophy, ethics, and morality is infrequent and tentative, examples from history have an even larger place in the nation’s conscience.

The United States trusts the officers ofthe armed forces with its dearest resourcesweapons and formations of awesome power, on one hand - the lives of its citizen sons and daughters in uniform, on the other hand. U.S. forces have worldwide stretch, and many peoplesallies and foes, innocents and malefactorsmay feel American power.

Given the speed with which information and decisions can now be passed up and down the line, moral decisions may be demanded of officers anywhere - at the point of the spear, at AWACS consoles, in command posts, in staff rooms where rules of engagement are written, in headquarters, and in the White House.

When decisions must be made quickly, there will be no time to refleet, to ask the ops center to decide, to try to remember the lesson in the SOS correspondence course, to convene a seminar, or to invite a distinguished guest lecturer. There’s no Dash-One in the aircraft with a checklist for ethics and character. Morally, an officer fights with what he or she has.

Decisions that are as good and worthyand moral as they are effective - decisions that will honor the nation as well as the officer that makes them - will depend not only on a warrior’s technical and professional training, but on conscience as well. The conscience must be readythat is, educated - so that it responds even under stress and pressure. A ready conscience is one with some fixed stars of principle guiding it. Studying history helps one reckon those principles from the experience of the past.

American Purpose

Finally, the song brings us in its own way to a main question. If life is better, purpose more, and an officer’s purposes are tied to the nation’s,

what now are America’s purposes? What ends will our wealth and power - and the efforts of those in the armed forces - serve?

We stand at the end of what many call the first American century. Our own nation was spared from the worst ofthe century’s awful bloodletting, preserved by the democratic courage and steadfastness of a whole people. Counting the depression, the Second World War, and the Cold War as sequential events that required a national mobilization, the United States from 1929 to 1989 was mobilized for 60 years.

Americans did so, I am confident, because they were animated by ideals of government of the people, by the people, for the people. They did so because they had great dreams of freedom and justice. Their steadfastness and their willingness to bear the burdens, pay the taxes, and accept the losses were surely sustained by a sense of American purpose. Americans since Plymouth Rock have been a moral and purposeful people, and since at least the Puritan migration - and certainly since the Revolution - the American mind has conceived that our national experiment has meaning beyond our own borders, for all humanity.

It’s no wonder, though, that when the end of the Cold War allowed Americans to stand down after the 60 years of mobilization, a psychologically tired country has felt the need to take a breather. In the years since the fall ofthe BerlinWall we have begun to draw down the deficit, strengthen the economy, and give overdue attention to internal social problems. As the nation recovers from its exhaustion and as the social problems begin to heal, it will be time once again for a great national conversation about purpose.

The conversation will surelybegin with words that animate theAmerican spirit. From the Declaration of Independence we believe in “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” From the Constitution we know that our government’s purposes are “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and ensure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our Posterity.” The conversation will be joined with other words, too, some from the songs Americans teach their children:

Crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea. Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free.

These simple words pose a hundred divisive questions, of course. Does “life” include unborn life? Does the “pursuit of happiness” imply states should recognize marriages between two men or two women? Is bilingual education a good or bad means to form “a more perfect union”? Do we take more, or fewer, immigrants? Is America’s role in the world to be a guardian of liberty, or simply a beacon?

We will have a conversation, not a shouting match, about purpose if we are mindful of the next phrase in “From the Ramparts” - honor bright. The operative meaning of honor here is “truth” and the question is: Are we discussing the issues with a scrupulous regard for truth? Or have advertising, self-aggrandizement, resume padding, the alarms of direct mail fundraising, and spin control in the service of this or that end become the new standards?

Members of the faculty at the academies and the other professional military education schools, in particular, must not shy from spirited discussion of public issues and public purposes. If the Academy is to provide education - not just training - discussing issues in class is a duty. Americans learn by asking questions. America’s warriors will not

(Continued on nextpage.)

Commandant Seeks Input

For USAFA Traditions Book

The Commandant ofCadets, Maj. Gen. (Select) Stephen R. Lorenz, is developing a USAFA Traditions book for publication. Currently, a list of traditions is being compiled and there will be a need for descriptions, origins, pictures, and corroboration of the traditions. Examples include: 1st Sgt/first snow; run to the rock; smoker’s nights; Ring Dance; etc. More information on what is required can be found at (www.usafa.af.mil/wing/34edg/traditions). All traditions and supporting material can be emailed to walkerlj.34edg.usafa@usafa.af.mil. More information will follow on how to obtain a copy once published.

Minding Manners: Course Teaches Cadets Social Skills

By 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger AcademySpirit Staff

“It’s not always whatyou knowin today’s society, it’s howyou present yourself. Shelly Sutton, director at the Jon D. Williams Cotillions. This philosophy is the reason why 70 impeccably-dressed thirdclassmen nervously made their way through a receiving line to begin an evening of social training Jan 20.

The training, sponsored by the 34th Services Squadron, began at the Academy about three year ago. “Senior leaders figured this (manners) was something our officers need to know,” said Capt. David Ellison, 34th SVS flight commander. “They did this as a service to cadets so they can interact at formal functions.” Thirdclass cadets are trained three squadrons at a time throughout the year. The interactive lesson is taught by Shelly Sutton and Katherine Mason from the Jon D. Williams Cotillions, an etiquette school in Denver that’s been in the business for 50 years.

As the xylophone signals the dinner start, cadets stop mingling over appetizers and file into an impressively decorated formal dining room in the lower level of Mitchell Hall. “This is going to be fun.” Maj. Dan Torweihe, air officer commanding for Cadet Squadron 25, promises the group. “I know you get told that about a lot of things, but this really is going to be fun.”

Cadets quickly find out just how much fun it is as they volunteer to sit at the demonstration table only to find that every etiquette flaw will be pointed out. Gentlemen should always have their partners to the

(From the Ramparts: From previous page.)

be strong if their ideals are unexamined. Their powers of leadership will atrophy if they cannot explain to American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines-who also learn byaskingquestions - whytheyfight.

What Greater Thing

If Clifton Williams’ composition was to be a “hymn,” it is an uncommon one. It sings of purpose and honor, but there is no mention of God, a higher power, or even providence.

The words reach their emotional culmination in the last line. At the Academy (“here”) - “we first beheld what greater thing could be.”

What is that greater thing? Here’s a personal interpretation:

Stadiums and ball fields, trails and campgrounds, talk shows, kitchens and grills, trading floors and auction pits, assemblylines and mines, farms and ranches and fishing boats - these are the places where Americans give witness to their great love of life. There are other placespatriot graves across our nation - that show a greater love: the willingness, if need be, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

From city halls and county seats across the land, to 50 state capitol buildings, to Capitol Hill, America has great buildings that symbolize governance. Greater than the buildings, however, is the spirit that inhabits them, the spirit of self-rule.

America is great because ofthe wealth and resources ofthe land. It is greater because of the enterprise and markets that make the land productive, and allow men and women to provide the abundance of goods and services that meet human needs.

America is great because its science and industry have made weapons awesome in their power. It is greaterbecause they are seldom used. It is greater when - in deterrence or in action - they defend the weak against the strong, and free peoples from the sway of brutality and tyranny.

right; cut one piece of meat at a time; break bread into pieces before buttering. These are just a few of the lessons learned as the meal progresses. Remember “manners is how you treat people, etiquette is the rules,” said Sutton. And, as the night wears on, the rules keep coming.

Sutton and Mason have taught etiquette at the Academy for the last two years. “We teach everyone from third grade level to top executives,” said Sutton. “But cadets are one of our favorite groups. They’re fun and polite.”

As salads are cleared and the main course is served, students seem to relax more and voices in the room become more animated. Conversation at table eight centers mainly on past etiquette faux pas, dating and where to get the best pizza.

And by the time the almond cheesecake is served, most participants agree that the evening has been an interesting learning experience. “There’s a couple things I thought I knew but was wrong,” said Cadet Third Class Jake Smith. “And, there were some things I had no clue about.” (The AcademySpirit)

America is great because its military formations are efficient. It is greater because American military leadership is infused with the values of democracy and because it relies on the initiative and self-discipline of the free citizen who enlists in its service.

Science and industry. Markets and enterprise. Laws and institutions. Democracy, initiative, liberty, and self-discipline. These are creations ofthe mind and the spirit. They are “greater things.” And they can only be fully “beheld” by an educated person.

Clifton Williams seemed to know that these are not “greater things” that are, whole and entire and perfect. They are, rather, greater things that “could be." It is a realistic acknowledgment that Americans have a common share ofhuman imperfection, greed, passion, and sinfulness. It is education, too, that provides a view beyond these human frailties to something higher. William’s “greater thing,” then, points to the nation and its ideals, and his “hymn” is to our country.

Life is better purpose more honor bright...

Here we First beheld... whatgreater things... could be.

If the Cadet Chorale no longer sings “From the Ramparts,” I trust its spirit still resides in this special place, this university at the foot of the Rampart Range - that looks west to the mountains, east to the plains, and aloft, into the sky.

About the Author

Donald M. Bishop is a Foreign Service Officer at the American Embassy in Beijing, China. In the Air Force he served at McGuire, Phu Cat, Maxwell, and Kwang Ju. His last assignment on active duty, from 1974 to 1979, was as assistant professor of history at the Academy. His Foreign Service assignments have been Hong Kong, Taegu, Seoul, Taipei, Dhaka, and Beijing.

C3C Micah Goring CS-26, holds the salad dressing for C3C Kenneth Willson, CS-26. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

C3CJ.D. Foy, CS-25, and C3C Melissa Horvath, CS-24, try to pass the salt andpeppercorrectly. (Photo by2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

AOG Supports Falcon Heritage Forum

The 1998 Falcon Heritage Forum, hosted by the Center for Character Development, was held at the Academy Sept. 17 and 18. The Forum, sponsored through the financial support of the Association of Graduates, was designed to link cadets with the wealth of experience and military heritage embodied in our nation’s distinguished veterans.

Over 30 veterans and active-duty military participated in this year’s forum. Approximately 80 cadets volunteered to participate and engaged in discussions with Medal of Honor recipient Raymond Murphy, veterans fromWorldWar II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulfand other major conflicts. Veterans also includedWomen’s Air Service Pilots and Tuskegee Airmen.

“The Forum creates an opportunity for cadets to interact with some of our nation’s heroes in an informal setting,” said Colonel Mark Hyatt, director of the Center for Character Development. “These select veterans passed the baton of character and leadership to the rising generations of future officers.” Colonel Hyatt opened the forum with a briefing on the Center for Character Development and a reception at the enlisted club. Participants then met with their host cadets at a tailgate before the Air Force vs. Colorado State University football game. The cadets escorted the veterans to the game and watched one of the most exciting finishes in Falcon football history.

Cadets and veterans share food and stories at the Falcon Heritage Forum tailgate.

Snyder. “Meeting people of such high achievements through times of hardship was the best motivation I could have received.” The next Falcon Heritage Forum is planned for April 1999.

1979 Grad First to Surpass

4,000 Hours in the F-16

A full-time Air Reserve technician with Hill Air Force Base’s 419th FighterWing became the first Air Force pilot to amass more than 4,000 total flying hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon on Aug. 21, 1998.

Maj. Michael J. Brill, 79, operations officer for the wing’s 466* Fighter Squadron, has been flying the F-16 since November 1980 when he was on active duty at Hill. He separated from the active force with about 10 years service and some 2,300 flying hours. Brill reached 1,000 hours in July 1985, 2,000 hours in December 1988, and 3,000 hours in July 1993.

Flying 4,000 hours in the same type of fighter aircraft is rare because most fighter missions last less than 1.5 hours, and pilots usuallychange type of aircraft and take nonflying assignments. Active-duty F-16 pilots typically fly about 250 hours a year. Brill has averaged 225 hours a year in his 17-plus years of flying the F-16.

According to officials from Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer, more than 3,000 pilots have topped the 1,000-hour mark in an F-16, more than 400 pilots have surpassed 2,000 hours, and 21 have more than 3,000 hours. Lockheed Martin and the Air Force have done “a great job keeping the plane up to date,” according to Brill, who performs his duties as a full-time civil service employee and a Reservist.

“It’s a wonderful electronic aircraft,” he said. “The engine has more thrust. It has more and better avionics. It carries the latest version of the weapons in our inventory. It was state of the art when it came on line, and 20 years later it’s still state of the art. Flying an F-16 is fun, but no matter how good you are it’s always a challenge. Every modification forces you to adapt to new ordnance and weapons. You have to push yourself to maintain your abilities.”

On Friday, the participants joined cadet escorts at their squadron tables for lunch at Mitchell Hall. Retired Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, former Academy superintendent, helped celebrate the Air Force’s 51 st birthday by participating in the lunchtime cake-cutting ceremony. Following lunch, the participants attended classes, took tours and spent time discussing their experiences with cadets.

That evening, cadets, veterans andAcademy staffattended a dinner during which each distinguished veteran was introduced. Retired Brig. Gen. Terry Schwalier, Class of 1969, spoke about real-life character heroes he has known throughout his distinguished Air Force career. Veterans and cadets were given the remaining hours ofthe forum to engage in personal discussions about their experiences, military heritage, and character.

“Meeting the individuals through the forum opened my eyes to the future that lies in wait after graduation,” said Cadet Second Class Konnie

Staying in the F-16 during his entire career has been a matter oftiming, according to Brill. “When I was a young pilot, just graduating from flight training, the Air Force was creating F-16 units and graduating pilots at the same rate,” he said. “I believe that growthperiod for F-16 operations allowed me to stay in the cockpit. When the Air Force was looking for pilots to fill instructor positions in replacement-training units, I was in fighter weapons school, which froze me on the operational side.”

Brill’s decision to join Air Force Reserve Command coincided with the introduction of the F-16 to Reserve and Air National Guard units. “The timing ofmy career and the growth ofthe F-16 have made it possible for me to stay in F-16s as long as I have,” the major said. His career has involved more than logging hours in an aircraft. Brill has been an instructor pilot since 1984, and he graduated from the U.S. Air Force FighterWeapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in 1986. He was the primary pilot on his 1985, 1987 and 1993 teams at Gunsmoke, an air-to-ground weapons meet, and on his 1996 team at William Tell, an air-to-air weapons meet. His team won the 1987 Gunsmoke competition. (AirForce News Service)

Brig. Gen. TerrySchwalier (USAF,Ret, USAFA Class of1969) talks about hispersonal characterheroes.

SergeantMajorEugene Redhawk (USA, Ret) talks about his Vietnam experiences with a trio ofcadets.

Academy Welcomes New Center for Character Development “Chair”

By 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger AcademySpirit Staff

In January the Academy welcomed Dr. MarvinW Berkowitz, who will fill the newly-established and endowed Ambassador Holland H. Coors “Chair” for Character Development.

Berkowitz comes to the Academy from Marquette University where he was a professor of psychology and director of the Center for Ethics Studies. He was also the associate director of the Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research and adjunct professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He has published more than 45 books and articles and has lectured all over the world.

“I’m adventurous,” he said about why he chose to accept the position here. “I think it’s a prestigious position, and I’ve been dabbling in the training academies’ attempts to promote character.”

The position was a result of several years of hard work finding a donor to provide for a scholar of national reputation dedicated to character development. “We wanted to bring a distinguished scholar to the Academy to give us a fresh look and let us know how we stand compared to other character development efforts in the nation,” said Col. Mark Hyatt, director of the Academy's Center for Character Development. The chair is a revolving position meaning that a new scholar will be brought in each year. “This provides us with a diversity of ideas,” Hyatt said. “Each can bring in a different area of expertise” The Acad-

Computer Corner, January 1999

By Charles A. Denham, ‘67 Administrator, Information Systems

AOG Data Base Updates: Our thanks to the many graduates who are using the Web Page to send electronic updates for their biographical data, mailing addresses, and phone numbers (including e-mail addresses): this method certainly makes it easier for the staff to enter the changes. However, use the paper forms in Checkpoints and the Registerto “regular” mail or fax the information, ifyou don’t have e-mail or web access; whatever the method, we want to maintain the most current and accurate data for each graduate. Just a reminder, the Post Office charges the AOG 50(t for each magazine that is returned for having an incorrect address; please help us keep these costs to a minimum.

1999 Register ofGraduates: The entire staff participated in a massive mailing just before Christmas; we sent over 27,000 packets to all graduates, members and nonmembers, for whom we had a current address. This mailing included a summary of data elements which are maintained in the AOG database along with a listing of data that will appear in the 1999 Register, which will be the expanded edition containing all graduate-reported assignments and jobs. To assist the staff with updating any changes to either of these two reports, we do request that you return the entire form, either fax, USPS mail, or e-mail. The reason is that it is much simpler to make changes when we can see the current data along with the changes which you make. Please note that PME and USAF-reported education items may be duplicated; we will remove the duplicates. These are caused by our now being able to access your education as reported by the USAF, and use it to update the “education” table in the database. Prior to mid-1998, we had to report education as an “assignment” in order for it to appear.

On-Line Merchandise: We have started an on-line store for ordering AOG merchandise with the 1998 Holiday Ornament and the book, “Spirit and Flight”. We anticipate that we will have all AOG merchandise available through this store by March 1999. Please bear with us as we include additional items. We do not expect to be able to accept electronic charge card orders in the near future, so order forms must be printed and mailed (check or credit card orders) or faxed (charge card orders only).

Web Page News: The “Late Breaking News” line on the AOG Home Page now includes the Month and Day (e.g Dec 28) on which infermation was last added to this topic. When information is removed, this date will not change. The date will allow users to decide whether they need to check for items which they haven’t seen yet.

Future Activities: A permanent (forwarding) e-mail address for all graduates is being evaluated for implementation in 1999.

emy retains the flexibility to fill the Coors chair on a longer term basis but initially hopes to attract top scholars on sabbatical from universities around the nation.

Berkowitz, who has a broad area of expertise, gets the honor of being the “guinea pig”, and he’s looking forward to the challenges that he may now face. “One of the biggest challenges will be for me to get a real sense for how the cadets understand this (character education) and how much cadets have a reflective sense of this.”

Dr. Marvin W. Berkowitz

His main role will be to act as a guest lecturer, a spokesman for the Academy on character issues, and to be a consultant who assesses the effectiveness of the Academy’s programs and offers suggestions for improvement. “My hope is that Dr. Berkowitz and his successors will help us improve the quality of our honor and human relations training, our staff character development, and our assessment of how the program is working.”said Hyatt.

Since 1993, the Academy has had the Center for Character Development that provides comprehensive training programs in ethics and human relations for cadets. It also houses the Academy’s longstanding honor system and code. The challenge now is to assess the overall effectiveness of what is taught.

“Teaching ethics is not the hard part, because you have over 2,000 years of philosophical tradition. You teach case study analysis, ethical theory, and you have people in a group grapple with right and wrong and decision-making strategies.” Said Berkowitz. “Getting people to be ethical is really what’s complicated and that is what this center is all about.”

Berkowitz explained that in order for the program to be successful, people have to practice what they teach. “It’s not going to work if you have upperclassmen and officers who are saying it and not doing it,” said Berkowitz. “You need explicit high standards and supports to be able to meet these standards.”

Following his time at the Academy, Berkowitz will head to St. Louis as the inaugural Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. But for now he’s getting a crash course on military indoctrination. He may even be a “doolie” for a while during basic training to help him understand more of what the military is about.

A lot is expected of him over the next eight months, but Berkowitz has nothing but good things to say about the Academy so far.

“One of the things that’s interesting I’ve found out is that the Academy tends to bring in good military officers, but they don’t always have the expertise in the areas they’re assigned,” said Berkowitz. “The nice thing about this Coors chair is that it will bring in people who have focal expertise in this area and will hopefully enhance the mission.” (The AcademySpirit)

A Planned Gift to the United States Air Force Academy leaves a lasting legacy for the future!

To learn more about the techniques and benefits of estate planning, contact Gary Howe, ‘69, at (719) 472-0300 or howegs.aog@usafa.af.mil.

)

The Secret Life ofWaldo F. Dumbsquat

By Don Hall, 76

WHERE: USAFA DOOLIE DORM ROOM.

WHEN: DARK AGES FRIDAY NIGHT.

C/4C Waldo F. Dumbsquat watched the evening snowflakes fall past his 6th floor window to the quad below. His roommates stared along with him.

“The author says it’s Friday night. What should we do tonight?” asked Waldo.

“There’s a SAMI tomorrow morning. We should get ready!” advised “Regs” Buch.

“I’ve already shined my shoes,” noted Waldo.

“We could wax the floor and mark our underwear.”

“Or we could kiss it off and go to the hockey game!” exclaimed Warren Heels.

behind the Coloradi ice arena was

“The

Waldo and his friends settled into good seats o College hockey team bench. The Field House to capacity. lways fun to watch!” grinned Waldo. ; fights,” said Warren.

Barlean, ‘86, Begins First Term As State Representative

Newly-elected Washington state Rep. Kelly Barlean, a 1986 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, took the oath of office Jan. 11,1999 duringopeningceremonies ofthe 56thWashingtonState Legislature. Barlean was elected as state representative to the 10th Legislative District, which ineludes Whidbey Island and part of Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Barlean enlisted in the Air Force in 1980 and served in the Intelligence Service. Upon graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1986, he received his commission and served in the ArmyInfantry, 101 st Airborne Division, until 1989.

“I once went to a boxing match and a hockey game broke out,” commented Regs.

During the break between the second and third periods, the crowd cheered as the Zamboni pulled onto the ice. As the machine made its slick journey, Waldo noticed the driver seemed to be experiencing difficulty controlling the monstrous ice maker. Out of control, the vehicle charged toward the stands at two miles an hour.

“Runaway Zamboni!” screamed a mother of three.

Darting unnoticed to the Field House gift shop, Waldo spoke the magic words “blue line.” Instantly, the pitiful freshman transformed into Colonel Waldo F. Dumbsquat, a man who understood Canadian football. The officer sprinted past the reserved seat guards and onto the ice. Confronting the maverick machine, Colonel Dumbsquat pushed the Zamboni away from the fans and into the east parking lot. The applause was furious. Mutating back to his natural doolie form, Waldo returned to his seat undetected.

“Wow! What a show, eh?” shouted Warren.

“Makes you want to learn how to ice skate,” replied Regs. Waldo was smiling until he looked down. Then he moaned. The Zamboni had wiped out his shoes.

1970 Grad Runs for Ohio Governor

Kelly Barlean ‘86

He later graduated from the law school at the University of Colorado at Boulder and began a private law practice in Everett, Wash, in 1994. He currently lives in the south Whidbey Island community of Langley with his wife, Tara, and six-year old daughter Katy. Barlean served as Langley city councilman from 1995 to 1999. He is a current member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion.

Barlean is the only Republican freshman in the legislature to be appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for writing the state operating budget and reviewing all bills that require funding from the state’s general fund. He will also serve on the Capital Budget and Financial Institutions and Insurance Committees.

Fall 1998 Magazine Mislabeled

Editor’s note: The last magazine, which should have been labeled “Fall 1998” on the front cover, was mislabeled as “Winter 1998”. Beginning with this issue, magazines will be labeled with the month ofmailing, for example, “February 1999.” The next issue will be “May 1999.” The AOG apologizes for any inconvenience.

John Mitchel, 70

John Mitchel, 70, represented the Reform Party on the top spot in the November, 1998 Ohio general election. Mitchel’s opponents ineluded Bob Taft, the eventual winner and great-grandson of former presidentWilliam Howard Taft; Lee Fisher, a former Ohio attorney general; and Zanna Feitler, a Natural Law Party candidate, who gained ballot access as an independent. The four candidates participated in three statewide debates in Toledo, Columbus and Cleveland. The Toledo debate was televised live on C-SPAN.

In a recent interview, Mitchel was asked why he took on the two major parties, despite the long odds of winning. He responded, “actually, in many ways we did win the election. Before the May primary, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Taft both supported a ballot initiative to raise taxes, but due in large part to our opposition, Ohioans defeated the issue by a four to one margin. They not only changed their tune in a hurry, but one candidate actually proposed a tax cut about a month before the election. But even more of a victory is the fact that we received nearly 10 percent of the winners vote-count, despite being outspent over 1000-1. Our pro-family, pro-constitution platform really resonated, especially once we got some media attention.”

Lieutenant Colonel Mitchel, who retired in 1992, lives in Beavercreek with his wife of27 years, Diane, and their two teenage daughters, Betsy and Chelsea. Chris, their oldest child, attends Ohio State University. Mitchel spend 12 years in operations as a T-37 instructor pilot, KC135 aircraft commander and instructor, and completed his flying career in the 4950th TestWing at Wright-Patterson AFB. He then spent his last 10 years of active duty in acquisition, serving in various buying offices, and as commander of the Air Force Plant Representative Office with Lockheed in Burbank, Calif. Mitchel has graduate degrees in business and economics, and also served as a research fellow with the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica.

Association of Graduates Available Member Benefits/Services

AOG offices are open Monday through Friday, aog@aog-usafa.org.

0730-1630 Mountain Time. For all offices, telephone: (719) 472-0300 (DSN: 333-2067/2073). E-mail:

TRAVEL SERVICE:

CHECKPOINTS MAGAZINE:

your quarterly link to friends, classmates and the Academy.

REGISTER OF GRADUATES:

annual presentation ofbiographical information on all Academy graduates.

CHAPTERS:

support for some 29 chapters throughout the world.

LINE OF CREDIT:

unsecured line of credit is available from MBNA America. To apply call 1-888-500-6266 and ask for priority code J2ON-FI-603-2G. You will receive a decision in as little as 15 minutes.

AOG CREDIT CARD:

favorable terms and credit limits from MBNA America. To apply call 1-800-523-7666 and refer to source code J8CJ.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

a preparatory school scholarship via the Falcon Foundation.

•post secondary scholarships to graduates’ children.

LOCATOR SERVICE:

need to find a fellow graduate? We help!

SABER RENTAL:

sets of six for the military wedding.

Corporate Members

Year-round full-service travel program for vacation, business, special Academy events and reunions. Call A BetterWayTravel Service at 1 (800) 347-9002 and mention your AOG affiliation.

REUNION/HOMECOMINGS:

coordination and planning by your AOG.

MERCHANDISE/MEMORABILIA:

Academy/AOG-unique items created especially for members.

AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE DISCOUNT:

2% over factory invoice on new Pontiacs and GMC trucks and receive all applicablefactory rebates. Drop-shipping available. Contact the Commercial Sales Division, Ferguson Pontiac-GMC Truck (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 Clarion, Comfort, Econo Lodge, Rodeway, Friendship,Quality and Sleep Inns, Hotels, Resorts - (800) 4-CHOICE. (Ask for the travelers discount forAFAAOG members, ID # C00041511).

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 a Car Corporation

Colorado Springs Marriott

Continental Electronics (Division ofVarian 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 Technologies Corporation

USAF Academy Athletic Association

Van Gilder Insurance

Walsworth Publishing of Colorado

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Defense & Electronic Center

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

15% savings atWoodfin Suites- (800) 237-8811 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 Association 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, November, December. Call (800) 962-6982 and ask for the AOG VIP Rate (excludes group, special events and promotionalrates). Discount based on rack rates and subject to availability. Must present AOG membership card upon check-in.

save 50% at the Sumner Suites ofColorado Spings when travelingJanuary throughApril and November/December. Call (719) 265-9385 and ask for the AOG Special Rate (not valid for groups, special events or with any other promotion). Discount based on regular rate and is subject to availability. AOG membership card required upon check-in.

Rules Outlined for Graduate GolfCourse Use

Through the efforts of the Association of Graduates (AOG) and the Directorate of Development and Alumni Programs, the following procedures have been arranged for graduates wishing to play golf at the Academy’s Eisenhower Golf Course.

Military members, active duty and retired, including Guard and Reserve, (i.e. any graduate with a military ID) may schedule their own tee times by calling (719) 333-3456, 72 hours in advance. These are the same reservation rules applicable to all active-duty personnel not stationed at the Academy and retirees. Green fees are $18.00. Reciprocal privileges are in effect for active-dutygraduates who have annual memberships at other Air Force courses. Golf cart fees are $18.

Nonretired, Nonactive-Duty Graduate AOG members: The AOG is allocated eight tee times per month. Nonretired graduate AOG members who are no longer on active duty may play at these special times. Tee times begin after 1000 hours. Graduates wishing to use these tee times must make reservations through Steve Knight at the AOG. He will contact the golf course to schedule your desired date and time. After confirmation of the tee time, he will notify you of the date and time. We emphasize that these graduates must go through the AOG office forreservations (719) 472-0300.

Graduates may schedule only one tee time per month to insure all eligible graduates have an opportunity to use one ofthe eight tee times. Ifby the 25th ofeach month the eight tee times have not been reserved, a graduate who played earlier in the month may schedule a second tee time. Green fees for nonretired, nonactive-duty graduates are $50 and golf cart fees are $18.

Reunions and Homecoming: A tournament will be scheduled by the Academy and the AOG to accommodate graduates at a set fee for all players. The fee will be independent of military status or golf course membership.

Send your donation now to The Air Force Academy Fund Association of Graduates

Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive U.S. Air Force Academy, CO. 80840-4475

Glider Instructor Pilots Receive “Special” WWII Wings

By Michael D. Kucharek AcademySpirit Staff

Forty-two cadet glider instructor pilots received a special honor in December when theypinned on a pair ofsilver wings forged during the early days of WorldWar II. Not since 1945 had there been a pair ofgliderwings issued to any member of the military. Which is why the National World War II Glider Pilots Association executive council unanimously approved the wear of the wings by cadets who successfully complete IP training.

“We’re a dying breed,” said association national treasurer George I. Theis, who flew a CG-4A in one of only eight glider campaigns ever launched bythe United StatesArmyAir Corps duringWorldWar II. “The majority of the people I approached thought that approving the resolution would be a means ofperpetuating our existence; the gliderwings would be retained by cadets in perpetuity.”

According to Capt. Blake Matray, 94th Flying Training Squadron Up Life

Membership Options Explained

The AOG offers a life membership plan for graduates and associate members. This plan features rates based on the member’s age and the following payment plan:

grade Program assistant flight commander, Theis first approached the association with the idea after hearing the Academy was looking for a way to recognize the distinct difference between a solo-qualified cadet pilot and the upgrade to cadet glider instructor pilot.

“We have one semester to turn the cadets into IPs. They fly an average of six sorties per week during the semester and we work them pretty hard. We just thought this would be a good way to recognize the hard work it takes to become an IR” Matray said.

Theis also said there are parallels between the work ethic of the cadets and those of theirWWII predecessors. “It’s a way to recognize the significant contributions of the World War II glider pilots, whose contributions are often overlooked,” he added.

In addition to revitalizing the issuance ofwings during the ceremony, the Academy also dedicated an intact WWII-vintage glider to the man many consider the father of the Army Air Corps glider program, Mike Murphy.

“Ironicallyenough, the lead glider flown byMurphy on the first glider mission, during the invasion of Normandy, was named ‘The Fighting Falcon’. I guess it’s onlyfitting the wings live on at the Academy,” Theis said.

More than 3,600 gliders were flown during World War II and about 6,000 pilots were trained to fly the mahogany and plywood soaring planes, Theis said. Unlike today’s gliders, the WWII versions were designed to carry 7,500 pounds of cargo, when translated might have carried 13 fully-outfitted paratroopers, or three Jeeps and three drivers, plus the pilot and copilot, said Theis.

The first successful glider assault in history occurred before the U.S. entered the war in 1941, when Adolph Hider organized an assault of 10 gliders on a Belgian fort thought to be impenetrable. Each of the gliders successfully landed on the roof, the German soldiers exiting the aircraft were then able to encircle and knock out the roofdefenses, and capture the fort in a very short amount of time. (The AcademySpirit)

AOG Announces New MBNA Credit Card Partnership

TheAssociation ofGraduates (AOG) is pleased to announce a new affinity credit card partnership with MBNA America Bank, N.A. For many years, the AOG had a mutually-rewarding affinity credit card relationship with Air Academy National Bank (AANB), which, in agreement with the AOG, has recently transitioned its credit card program to MBNA.

The AOG USAFA Platinum Plus card, issued through MBNA, offers a low introductory annual percentage rate (APR) for balance transfers and cash advance checks. Retail purchases, in addition to cash transactions taken after the introductoryperiod, carry a fixed APR of 12.99 percent.

The AOG credit card displays our coat of arms and demonstrates the continued support of graduates and friends of the AOG. The AOG Platinum Plus card has many features and benefits that refleet the AOG’s high standards for service and value to our members - such as personalized 24-hour customer service, credit line increase requests within 15 minutes, fraud protection, and a yearend summary of charges.

55

60

85

* The monthly payment plan is allowed only if the AOG is authorized to charge on a monthly 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 married 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; Association of Graduates; 3116 Academy Drive, U.S. Air Force Academy CO 80840-4475. Membership forms are available from the AOG or on-line at www.aog-usafa.org.

The AOG receives a contribution from MBNA each time the AOG credit card is used to make a transaction. This additional funding enables the AOG to improve its ability to advance graduate and Academy programs.

MBNA has recently demonstrated its commitment to the AOG and our mission by providing a grant to our prisoner of war (POW) documentary, “Return With Honor” - a film recently shown with wide audience enthusiasm at the Sundance Film Festival. The grant provides support for the film’s marketing and distribution to audiences who may be unaware of the leadership, courage and sacriflee demonstrated by American POWs.

All AOG members can benefit from our new partnership with MBNA. Cardholders of the AANB program will shortly receive notice from MBNA about their new AOG credit card. In the interim, AANB will continue to service the accounts of current cardholders throughout a seamless transition period.

To request your AOG credit card, call 1-800-523-7666 and mention priority code “J8CJ”.

Werner Birklebach of the World War II Glider Pilots Association presents Cadet 3rd Class Jonathan Somogyi with glider wings. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Roel Udey.)

SACC

What is the SACC?

The SACC is the ServiceAcademy Career Conference supported by the Alumni Associations from the US Naval Academy and US Coast GuardAcademy andAssociations of Graduates from the US MilitaryAcademy 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 bycalling 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 ofleadership, integrity and time management during their undergraduate years. These skills have been honed and tested during active dutymilitary service in a fast-pacedoperational 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 a true representation of our multi-cultural society and span the experience levels from entry to senior executive.

Alumni ofthe service academies have a strongbackground in technical course material as well as demonstrated leadership and management skills. Over 50% have postgraduate degrees.

Service Academy Career Conference April 22-24, 1999

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 additional tables being obtained for $1000/2nd table, $750/ 3rd table, $500/4th table. This fee entitles a company access to the best candidates in corporate America; open sessions to meet with candidates; opportunities for onsite interviews. For each table reserved, a company receives hard copies of all resumes submitted and an electronic 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 separate room reservations by calling 800-241-3333 or 703-415-5000 and asking for the SACC rate.

SACC CompanyRegistration Form

SACC

What is the SACC?

The SACC is the ServiceAcademy Career Conference supported by the Alumni Associations from the US Naval Academy and US Coast GuardAcademy andAssociations of Graduates from the US MilitaryAcademy 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 bycalling 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 renewingrelationships with classmates in the area.

How to register for the SACC:

1. Insure yourAOG membership is current since this service is offered to association members only.

2. Complete the Electronic Resume AND Attribute Program 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 a copy. Disks must absolutely be returned NIT March 19, 1999 in order to be provided to recruiters at this conference.

a. If you submitted an electronic version of your resume to the Joint Academies Resume Service database after October 1,1998, it will be included in the SACC Electronic Resume Database.

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

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

Service Academy Career Conference

April 22-24, 1999

% %

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

a. Completed registration form.

b. A $20 registration fee, payable to SACC.

c. Two hard copies ofyour 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, youwill received a confirmation notice with a definitive 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 throughout 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 a wide 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 a later date. Although employment is not guaranteed, the conference offers a unique chance to explore new career opportunities.

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

U. S. AIR FORCE ACADEMYASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

Executive Offices:

President/CEO: UC (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 Notification:

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

Receptionist (719) 472-0300

DSN 333-4513

Answering Machine (719) 333-2073 E-mail aog@aog-usafa.org

Fax (719) 333-4194 WWW

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

ServiceAcademyBusiness 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: Lani Wing

Graduate Membership: Steve Knight

Graduate Records: Steve Knight

Label/List Requests: Jock Schwank

Merchandise Sales: Michele Cowan

Rental Car Cards: Steve Knight, Don McCarthy

(719) 333-4644

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

3116 ACADEMY DR

USAF ACADEMY, CO 80840-4475

as of February 1,1999

ServiceAcademies Business Resource Directory

The information reflected in the directory is obtained from 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 country and world wide. Born from the belief that the Alumni Associations and Associations of Graduates exist not only to serve their academies but their membership, this directory creates a business leadership network. The information also provides those in need of certain services an efficient way to find a fellow graduate.

□ Please send me copies, at $35.00 each, of the 1998 SABRD (while supplies last).

j Please send me copies, at $35.00 each, of the 1999 SABRD (to be mailed in late spring 1999).

NAME ADDRESS

CITY, ST, ZIP AOG or SSAN CLASS YEAR

PAYMENT METHOD:

□ Check Enclosed (Payable to “AOG”)

□ Charge to my □ Visa or □ Mastercard □□□□

Expiration Date (Month/Year) □□□□

Home Phone: ( )

Signature:

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

Air Force Academy Athletic Association

* * *

Chapel Brochures & Choir Tapes and CD’s are now availablefrom the AFAAA Gift Shops & Catalog

“Worship His Majesty”

v j, by The Protestant Cadet Choir Cassette Tape $14.95 CD $15.95

“In Our Music God Is Glorified” by The Catholic Choir Cassette Tape $14.95 CD $15.95

“A Tribute To Freedom” by The Cadet Chorale. Cassette $14.95

Chapel Brochure Booklet $5.oo

Commander In Chiefs

Trophy Replica Limited Edition Trophy is Silver plated. Base made of marble composite. Base: 6 1/2 diameter

Height: 10’’ Weight: 10 lbs.

Certificate ofAuthenticityand registration included. (Scoreplates are removeable so they can be updatedyearly.) $299.95

Name:

Graduate Biographical Update Form

Date:

Class: AOG ID#: SSAN: (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; State: Zip Code: Country:

Duty assignment or Civilian Title:

Company & Location:

Work Address:

City:

Home Phone: ( )

Home FAX: ( )

Home e-mail (WILL be printed in the Register):

Work e-mail

Effective Date:

State: Zip Code: Country:

Work Phone: ( )

Work FAX: ( )

DSN:

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

Marital Name Change:

If Spouse is a Graduate please provide the following: Spouse’s Grad Class AOG#:

Spouse’s Graduation Name:

Preferred Name for mailing labels:

The AOG receives promotion, aeronautical 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 provide us this information personally. USAF Active Duty Graduates should provide it, in case the official data sources are in error. (Please provide documentation to correct errors.)

Rank; Date of Rank: Aero Rating: Date of Rating:

PME: Residence/Seminar/Correspondence; Dates:

ALL Graduates: Award(s):

Civilian Degree: Major: Year: Institution:

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

Doolie Squadron: Graduation Squadron

Source of Nomination: Congressional: Other:

Home of Record State: Enter State i.e. Presidential, Prep School, etc. While at USAFA

Varsity Letter Earned: Year(s): Sport(s):

OTHER REMARKS & COMMENTS:

Signature:

Rev: DTP 02/99

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

Old

High

Stemware:

SABERS and PLAQUES

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

COASTERS

Item # 7095 Pegasus Coasters - Terra Cotta and Blue. Water absorbent nonscratch bottoms. Set of 4. $25.00

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 crests, AOG l "USAFA", or "CLASS" and up to three lines of personalizing. Please allow 2 weeks for engraving.

Pen and Case Item # 7075 $20.00

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

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 $19.95

Item #7163 1997 Prop & Wings ornament (3" x 3") $24,95

Item #7162 1995 Pegasus ornament (3" x 3") $24.95

Item #7161 1994 Falcon ornament

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 AOG Charm. Sterling

Silver. $26.00

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

Item # 7031 AOG Tie Tack. Sterling

Silver (Not Shown). $26.00

Item # 7033 AOG 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 AOG crest embroidered on left breast.

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

Item # 1620 AOG 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, LRG, XLG) $51.00 (XXL)

Item # 1630 AOG V-Neck Sweater: 85% cotton/15% polyester; oversized to compensate for shrinkage. Color: natural oatmeal (light beige) with navy striped trim, AOG crest embroidered on left 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 Blue 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/embroidered 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 $35.00 (XXL) $37.00

SweatPants $22.50 (XXL) $24.50

Complete Set $55.00 (XXL) $58.00

Item # 1300 USAFA T-Shirt: 100% cotton (will shrink). White with blue Ringer Collar & Sleeves; 'USAFA' silkscreened on left breast. $8.00 (SML, MED, LRG, XLG) $9.00 (XXL)

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

Running Suit Jacket $47.00

Running Suit Pants $25.00

Complete Suit $67.00

BOOKS AND VIDEOS (not shown) *Paperback

Item # 3020 - Into the Mouth ofthe 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 Quaddafi $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 andAir Warfare $22.00

Autographed by Grad Author Mark Wells, '75

Item# 3150- The Secret Life of Waldo F. Dumbsquat $10.00*

Autographed by Grad Author Don Hall, ’76

Item # 3170 - A Certain Brotherhood $10.00*

Autographed by Grad Author Jimmie Butler, ’63

Item # 7080 - Video: Wild Blue U $10.00

Produced by KUSA - TV Denver; cadet daily life

SPIRIT AND FLIGHT A photographic salute 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” x 9”), with class crest embossed on front with class color stripe; inside note pad and pen; available for the following classes. $10.00

AOG ACCESSORIES AND ADDITONAL ITEMS (not

DECALS Colorful crest on a window 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

HONOR MEDALLION A 2 W diameter brass medallion with the Honor Code on one side and Prop & Wings on the other.

Item # 7120 Honor Medallion $15.00

Item # 7121 Honor Medallion with Stand $35.00

BLAZER PATCHES Pin-back patch embroidered with appropriate crest.

Item # 1800 AOG Blazer Patch $23.00

Item #1801 AFA Blazer Patch $23.00

KEYCHAIN Blue keychain with silver AOG crest.

Item #7070 $2.00

pictured)

SWEATERS Crew Neck Sweater “FALCONS” Blue and White

80% Orlon/20% Wool - SML, MED, LRG, XLG (sorry no XXL)

Item # 1560 $25.00

Child Sizes: SML, MED, LRG

Item # 1570 $15.00

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

Item # 1580 $25.00

NOTECARDS

Item # 7073 Doolitte Hall Notecards (6” x 4.5”)

Set of 10 w/envelopes. $5.00

FINE ART PRINTS

Item # 2010 “Here’s a Toast..." by Keith Ferris $60.00

Item # 2030 Thunderbird" by Rick Broome $50.00 Item # 2040 “Footfalls” Artist Proofs $190.00

THE SERVICE ACADEMIES RESUME DATABASE

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

The resume program disk is a data entry program designed to assist you in formatting, editing, viewing, professionally typesetting and printing your resume in a specific format. The program carries you step-by-step through entering resume data to editing resume dates, titles and text. System requirements are a PC with 386 or higher Intel or compatible microprocessor, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, 4MB of RAM, 1MB of free hard disk space, mouse or other Windows compatible pointing device, a 3.5” floppy drive and a monitor (color is recommended; 640 x 480 minimum resolution required).

To be a part of the Service Academies Resume Database, send $25 (check or money order) to the AOG. A resume disk will be sent to you with instructions for completion. Return a copy ofyour 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.

□ I would like to enter my resume in the database and have enclosed a check or money order for $25.

Your Name

Address:

Year of USAFA graduation

Home e-mail

Return the completed form and your check to:

Association of Graduates

3116 Academy Drive

USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475

Phone Number: ( ) ( )

Home Work

HIRE AN ACADEMY GRADUATE

Many ofyou 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, militarybackground, language ability, computer skills, industry and geographic preferences.

If you wish to obtain a disk set complete with instruction manual, please complete the order form and return it along with a check for $150.00 to the AOG (cost to recruiting firms is $350.00). A quarterly subscription rate for the disk package is available upon request. PLEASE NOTE: System requirements are a PC with 486 or higher Intel or compatible microprocessor, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, 4MB of RAM, 16MB of free hard disk space, mouse or otherWindows compatible pointing device, a 3.5" floppy drive and a monitor (color is recommended; 640 x 480 minimum resolution required).

□ I would like to receive the database of Service Academies Alumni and have enclosed a check or money order for $150.00 ($350.00 for recruiting firms)

Your Name

Address:

Return the completed form and your check to:

Association of Graduates

3116 Academy Drive

USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475

Phone Number:( )

Whetheryou are an individualgraduateinvestigating a career change or an employerseeking a superiorperformer, thisAOG service forgraduate members maywellprovideyou the bestapproach. Sendin the completedform or contact theAOG 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.

ATTENTION IN THE AREA

By Col. Jock C.H. Schwank (USAF, Ret), ‘60 AOG Vice President, Services

Register Deadline Aired

A major 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 biographical 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, promotions, new jobs, etc. In December 1998, all graduates with a mailing address known by the AOG were mailed their current biographical information in the AOG database. If you did not receive this mailing, please notify the AOG immediately. Information updates to be included in the expanded 1999 Register must be received by 1 July 1999.

Visitors Center Offers AOG Discount

The AOG is pleased to announce a membership benefit. Through the cooperation of the Academy Athletic Association (AFAAA), all AOG members are eligible to receive a discount at the AcademyVisitors Center Gift Shop (which is operated by AFAAA). You only need to show the cashieryourAOG membership card to receive your 10 percent discount. This discount was previously extended only to active duty and retired military customers. The AOG extends our sincere thanks to AFAAA for their support ofthe graduate communitybyoffering this excellent benefit to all our members.

Inappropriate Use of Register Addresses

The AOG has noticed a significant increase in the use of graduate addresses 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 infringement of copyright laws as spelled out on the first page ofthe 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 Register. The AOG will contact the mailer to ascertain how they obtained your address. The names of those who inappropriately used the Register will be published in future editions of Checkpoints.

Class Ring Information

Graduates who need to replace or have their Academy class rings repaired 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

148 East Broadway Owatonna, MN 55060 (800) 852-9353

myersm@jostens.com

Balfour Company

c/o Jess Crane

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

Herff Jones

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

Classes of 1959, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1975, 1994

757-0557)

Classes of 1985, 1987, 1988, 226 Public Street 1993, 1995

Providence,RI 02905(401)331-1240

1999 REUNION CONTACTS

(As of 25 January 1999)

‘59 (40th) 15-20 June 1999

Lt Col Jim Brown 19349 Knotty Pine Way

Monument CO 80132-9438

Ph: (719) 481-9115 (H)

E-mail: Jim_Brown_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 Schwall 2465 Clayton Court

Colorado Springs CO 80919

Ph: (719) 592-0849 (H)

E-mail: 70470.2724

@compuserve.com (H)

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

‘74 (25th) 3-7 November 1999

Lt Col Ted Roth

6364 Galway Drive

Colorado Springs CO 80918

Ph: (719) 590-7383 (H)

E-mail: theoroth

@compuserve.com (H)

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

‘79 (20th) 13-17 October 1999

Lt Col Mark Reid

7725 Churchwood Circle Colorado Springs CO 80918

Ph: (719) 333-7474 (W) (719) 266-1536 (H)

E-mail: REIDMD.DFCS@usafa.af.mil

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

‘89 (10th) 13-17 October 1999

Capt Stephen Whiting

6130 Moccasin Pass Court Colorado Springs CO 80919

Ph: (719) 266-0673 (H)

E-mail: swhiting@aol.com (H)

Hotel: Embassy Suites 1-800EMBASSY or 1-719-599-9100

FALCON SPORTS

Col. Randall W. Spetman, ‘76, Athletic Director

Falcon Gridders 12-1 with Conference, Bowl Victories

Glorious!

By Dave Kellogg Sports Information Director

How else would you describe Air Force’s 12-1 season which included the Falcons’ first ever outright Western Athletic Conference title and victory over Pac-10 Washington in the Oahu Bowl on Christmas Day in Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium. Throw in a No. 10 ranking in the final USA Today/ESPN coaches poll and a No. 13 ranking in the Associated Press poll. The top 10 ranking is the highest since the 1985 team - which also finished with a 12-1 record - finished the season ranked No. 5 by UPI and eighth by AP

Let’s not forget winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The Falcons defeated Army, 35-7, and Navy, 49-7. The Falcons have won 28 of their last 34 interservice games. The 1998 series sweep is the most dominant ever for the Falcons. AFA won the two games by 70 points to set a new Academy standard. Not bad for a team that was picked to finish third in the Mountain Division by the conference media at their annual summer gathering. The fact that the Falcons had the fewest returning starters of any team in their division made the 1998 accomplishments all the more impressive.

The Falcons near-perfect season - spoiled only by a one-point loss to TCU - was made possible by an explosive offense and a stingy, opportunistic defense. The 1998 season was the first since 1988 that the Falcons scored 50 or more points in a game twice (52 vs. UNLV 56 vs. New Mexico). The 56 points against New Mexico is the most since scoring 65 against UNLV in 1966. The Falcons posted four 42-point victories which tie as the 12th largest in school history.

Rushed

Team’s 56 points vs. New Mexico are the most since scoring 65 vs. UNLV in 1996.

Turned 30 opponent turnovers into 104 points (14 TDs, 2 FGs).

But it wasn’t all offense. The defense and special teams had a banner year.

Coach Fisher DeBerry always tells his team that the only defensive category that really matters is scoring defense. His team took his message to heart as they won the WAC scoring defense title for the second consecutive season, allowing 13.3 points per game. That average was good enough to place sixth nationally.

In the last two season, the Falcons’ scoring defense average of 12.8 is second only to Ohio State (11.7 average).

The defensive accomplishments in 1998 included the following:

Allowed just 12 TDs in 33 opponent trips in the red zone.

Forced 30 turnovers, including 16 interceptions and 14 fumbles.

Held UNLV to minus six yards rushing which is the seventh fewest in AFA history.

Held Colorado State to just 78 total yards, including one yard rushing in the second half in a 30-27 win.

Forced five turnovers in a game twice (Wake Forest, New Mexico).

Held the nation’s No. 2 rushing team (Navy) to just 145 yards rushing (averaged 302 coming in).

Held the nation’s No. 3 rushing team (Army) to just 192 yards rushing (averaged 274 coming in).

"Reach deep down, weregoingto win thisgame”-coach FisherDeBerry told his team before the WAC championship game against BYU in December in Las Vegas. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

Making the Falcons’ option attack more effective in 1998 was putting the “air” back into Air Force. In the final seven games of the regular season, the Falcons passed for 1,012 yards on 56 of 92 passing (.609) with nine touchdowns. The 1,012 yards represented the second most in seven consecutive games in the option era, and the most yards since the 1989 team hit for 1,170. For the season, Air Force averaged 126.8 passing yards per game which is the second-best average in the option era. Only 1994’s 130.3 average is better. The team threw 12 touchdowns which ties with the 1995 team as the most in the option era.

Yes, the Falcon offense was highly productive in 1998. Consider the following:

43-46 in the red zone (37 TDs, 6 FGs).

^Perfect 28-28 in first-and-goal situations (26 TDs, 2 FGs).

Scored 21 times (19 TDs, 2 FGs) on 24 drives started in opponent’s territory.

Special teams also played a very important part in the Falcons’ suecess. The Falcons have blocked 51 kicks in the 1990s, that includes a blocked field goal attempt in the bowl game. The block against Washington brought the Falcons’ season total to seven. The team leader in blocks was defensive back Tim Curry, with three, as he set a new Academy record with nine for his career.

Kicking specialist JacksonWhiting and punters Scott Gribben and Jason Kirkland were outstanding. Kirkland averaged 44.7 yards a punt. Gribben, used as the Falcons’ “pooch” punter, pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard-line 11 times in 15 attempts. Whiting hit seven of 11 field goals and went 53-54 on extra point attempts. Whiting kicked the winning field goal (40 yards) against Colorado State with just 11 seconds remaining in the game. Whiting’s 53 PATs set a single-seasonAcademy record. He broke the record of 52 set by Tom Ruby in 1985.

If one individual deserves credit for the Falcons’ historic season, it would have to be senior quarterback Blane Morgan. Morgan won 20 career games against just three losses to become the Academy quar(Continued on nextpage.)

Jason Rishel, ‘95, atleft, andKevin Pfeil, ‘95, were enthusiastic fans at the Oahu Bowl. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

for 383 yards vs. UNLV which is the most since rushing for 481 vs. Fresno State in 1996.

NCAA Compliance Corner

NCAA Compliance is a responsibility of the entire Academy Athletic Department family. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Compliance Office at (719) 333-2202 or 3088.

Q: Who is an athletics representative (booster)?

A: An athletic representative is an individual who is known (or should have been known) by a member ofthe institution's executive or athletics administration to:

1. Have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletic program.

2. Have made financial contributions to the athletic department (purchasing a donor season ticket, for example) or to an athletics booster organization of that institution.

3. Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletic department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects.

4. Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families.

5. Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution’s athletic program.

Q: Is the USAFA responsible for the acts ofathletic representatives and athletic supportgroups?

A: Yes. Athletic representatives are governed by the same NCAA and universityrules and regulations as those placed upon all institutional staff members.

Q: Is itpermissible for a booster to contact a recruit or his/herlegal guardians offcampus for thepurpose ofrecruitment?

A: No. All contact off campus for the purpose of recruiting is limited to NCAA-certified USAFA coaches.

Q: Is it permissible for a booster to provide free admission to the institution’s away-from-home contests to recruits, theirMends orrelatives.

A: No.

Thanks For Your Support of Falcon Athletics!

Ifyou have anyquestions or concerns, please contact our compliance officer, Maj. Linda Huggler at (719) 333-3088.

(Falcon football: From previous page.)

terback with the most wins in the option era. His .870 winning percentage tops that of BartWeiss who was 18-3 (.857) in 1984-85. Morgan’s 20 wins are the second most in AFA history behind Dee Dowis who won 22 games from 1986-89. Morgan is 3-0 in service academy games and 10-0 in Falcon Stadium. Morgan gained conference recognition by being named the Mountain Division’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Defensive tackle Bryce Fisher was also recognized by the league with Defensive Player of the Year honors. Joining these two on the all-WAC first team were offensive lineman James Norman, Curry and linebacker Craig Thorstenson.

Yes, it was a glorious football season made possible by a team that never gave up. This team could be characterized as the best in AFA history, the 1958 and 1985 teams not withstanding.

Three Falcon Sports Camps Scheduled for 1999

The Air Force Athletic Department will again host a series of three Falcon Summer Sports Camps this year for individuals ages eight to 18. There will be two camps for boarders and commuters and one for commuters only. The boarder/commuter camps are scheduled for June 13-18 and June 20-25. The commuter-only camp is scheduled for June 28-July 2.

The camps will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and because they are so popular, are expected to be filled early. Waiting lists will be developed for filled camps. The required deposit for boarder camps is $100 and for commuter camps $50. The deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

A total of 15 camps will be offered this year. Boys-only camps inelude basketball, football (noncontact), lacrosse, and wrestling. Girlsonly camps include basketball, volleyball, cheerleader/dance, and gymnastics. Coed camps are baseball, self-defense, golf, soccer, hockey, track & field/cross country, and tennis. Swimming and diving will not be offered this year due to remodeling but will return in 2000.

The camps are taught byAcademy intercollegiate head coaches and afford boarder campers the opportunity to live in cadet dorms. All campers will be using the Academy athletic facilities and eat in the Cadet Dining Hall (commuters for noon mean only). Supervised recreation is also provided in the form of volleyball, basketball, ice skating, movies, and a Thursday night chaperoned dance.

For more information and to request a brochure outlining specific information on application, registration and each individual sport offered, call (719) 472-1895 or 1-800-666-USAF or write to Falcon Summer Sports Camps, Sports Ticket Office, 2169 Field House Drive, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 80840-9500.

Father of Cadet Tallies Cadet WingPushups Through Rice Game

By Pierre Klein

Falcon Fan and Father of C1C Randy Klein

(Editor’s note: This article appeared in theAcademy Spirit issue after the Rice football game, the team’s 10th win which made them the WAC Mountain Division champion. We thoughtyou would enjoy thepiece.)

How many push-ups has the wing done as of our victory over Rice. First off, in order to make the calculations for each game, I have to know not only how we scored (for example assuming Air Force scored 21 points in a game, three touchdowns means 42 pushups, but seven field goals is 84 push-ups!), but also the order of the scoring.

As you know, a touchdown and field goal gives us a total of 10 points, but if we score the touchdown first then a cadet would do 7+10 or 17 pushups. However ifAir Force scored a field goal initially, then a cadet would do 3+10 or only 13 push-ups.

Assuming a fourthclass cadet had attended all 11 games this year, then he/she would have gone down onto the field a total of 63 times and would have performed 1,467 push-ups - even if a cadet could do a push-up a second, that’s 25 minutes of push-ups!

If the opposing team had the same tradition, they would have gone onto the field only 26 times and would have performed only 343 pushups.

The most pushups done was against New Mexico, in which a cadet would have done 252 push-ups!

The least number was against Wyoming with only 17 push-ups required at the Parents Weekend game. If all the cadets in the wing had done all the push-ups in that game, then the cadet wing would have performed 607,110 push-ups in total!

And if every cadet had performed those push-ups during each game for the entire season no matter where they were, the wing would have done Over Six Million Push-ups\ (The AcademySpirit)

TonyJones, Tim Curry and Mustafa Danquah take a moment to pose with the Oahu Bowl trophy. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

Falcon “Team of Destiny” Displays Outstanding Character

By Col. Mark Hyatt, ‘74

Director, Center for Character Development

It’s five minutes before game time and all Falcon football players, coaches and staff are on their knees and holding hands in silent reflection anticipating the huge challenge ahead. This ritual occurs before every Air Force football game and helps everyone focus on the objective of winning.

As the officer representative for Air Force football I have the privilege of spending a lot of time with everyone associated with the team from players, trainers and chaplains to coaches, academic tutors and administrators. By far, the most impressive aspect of Falcon football is the total dedication to producing the best student-athlete leaders possible. Everyone on board is focused not only on winning, but on developing future leaders with character.

My full time job is director of the Academy Center for Character Development. In this capacity, I am responsible for creating an environment at the Academy where all cadets can succeed while internalizing all facets of the honor code, learning to treat each other with respect and dignity, and embracing the high ethical standards required as leaders in the Air Force and our nation.

Most of my time spent with the football team is in informal settings. I counsel and mentor the players from the sidelines, in the locker room, in the dininghall and sometimes in my office. From this perspective, I quickly came to realize that the 1998 Falcons were a “team of destiny.” They were great athletes, but they also had something extra special - they wanted to win more than any other team I’ve ever been associated with.

This passionate desire to win defines the 1998 Falcon football team. They seem to put extra effort into everything they do. Whether during practice, while running, lifting or executing plays, or “on the hill”, volunteering to be squadron honor representatives or squadron leaders, this team has been out front leading.

Giffen, ‘65 Thanked for Gift to Cadet Awards Program

Congratulations and many thanks go out to Brig. Gen. Robert B. Giffen, USAF, Retired. General Giffen recently made a very generous contribution to the Academy’s Cadet Awards Program to permanently sponsor the award for the Outstanding Cadet in Astronautical Engineering in memory of Dr. John von Neumann, who greatly influenced the present concepts and weapons of modern warfare. A graduate of the Class of 1965, General Giffen majored in engineering science and won this award himself as a graduating firstclass cadet. Sponsoring a cadet award is a rewarding way to give back to yourAir Force Academy a small part ofwhat you, as a graduate, have gained. The Academy and, especially, every award winner sincerely appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity of all our donors. Thank you!

C1C Curry is now serving as spring semester vice commander of the Cadet Wing. Last summer he was commander of Basic Cadet Training. He and every member ofthis “team ofdestiny” seem to put every ounce of energy into every play - always driving that extra inch to block the ball or twisting and turning to get that extra yard. To me, that’s what makes a team of champions.

Falcon football is about more than just winning. Many times at the pregame meals, one of the cadets would stand up and talk about the drive, level of emotion and character it would take to win the game. They called on every team member to give their personal best every time they took the field. Cohesion, mutual support, control of tempers and egos in check characterize this focused group. This team of destiny earned my respect and respect for all ofAir Force athletics.

Cadet Nonrated Career Path Selection Process Explained

By 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger AcademySpirit staff

On Feb. 12, 362 futures were determined as firstclassmen chose an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), which determined their career path as an officer. This year, an estimated 561 firstclassmen will go to pilot training, which left 362 to choose between a handful ofgraduate school slots and 35 nonrated AFSCs.

The process begins in the fourthclass year as cadets are urged to start planning what they want to do with their careers in the Air Force. As firsties, cadets must meet a selection board consisting of two panels of five officers each. These panels rank cadets based on factors such as grade point average, militaryperformance average, physical fitness and letters of recommendation. “It’s a process that looks at the ‘total’ person and not just one area ofAcademy life,” said Cadet First Class Tim Curry, cadet vice wing commander. “I think most cadets are very happy that the AFSC rankings are not just based on numbers.” Based on this ranking, cadets get to decide when, where and what they want to do.

“It’s almost like draft day,” explains Master Sgt. Rico Ruiz, chief of cadet classification and assignments. All the AFSCs and slots available for each are displayed on a board in a lecture hall in Fairchild Hall. The first 100 cadets will show up the first hour. An announcer calls the name ofthe number-one ranked cadet and he or she chooses their AFSC and so on down the list until all the cadets have locked in their selection. As cadets make their selections the number ofslots in each career field decreases until the last cadet is matched up with the last AFSC.

Although the number of slots for each AFSC changes each year depending on the needs of the Air Force, Ruiz said there are some trends in the popularity. There’s always a large number ofcadets who want to pursue pilot training, but among nonrated fields, intelligence and acquisitions seem to be the most popular year after year.

The most-available Air Force nonrated slots, in order, are acquisitions, aircraft maintenance and munitions, contracting, computer information systems, electrical engineering, intelligence, personnel and space and missiles. The most popular nonrated slots with cadets are acquisitions, aircraft maintenance and munitions, intelligence, personnel, public affairs, and security forces.

Ranking was to again have an effect March 8 when cadets going to pilot training were to choose their start date and location. On March 17, cadets with nonrated AFSCs will choose from available locations according to rank. This process has been used at the Academy for three years and allows cadets more input into their futures. Before that, assignments were made by the Air Force Personnel Center in Texas.

According to Ruiz, the new system seems to work out well. “I think cadets enjoy knowing immediately what AFSC and what assignment they’re going to get,” he said.

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.

Tim Curry blocking a punt.

C1C Tim Curry is a perfect example of the attitude displayed by most cadets on this team that led to our first Western Athletic Conference championship, Commander in Chief’s Trophy and Oahu Bowl success.

Grad Pilot Soars Toward Iditarod

By John Monroe AcademySpirit Staff

One can’t compare it to any other sport in the world! The races pit man and animal against nature, dense forest, and sometimes against more than 1,000 miles of the roughest terrain nature has to offer. Add to that temperatures well below zero, winds that cause low visibility, long hours of darkness and dangerous climbs, and you have a typical weekend for “musher” Capt. Blake Matray, ’90. Mushing is the sport of running or racing sled dogs that takes intense dedication, training and physical drive.

Capt. Blake Matray, ‘90

Although racing sled dogs is his passion, his first priority is as soaring upgrade assistant flight commander at the Academy’s 94th Training Squadron. Matray’s main focus is to help oversee the program that trains thirdclass cadets to become soaring instructors.

While growing up in northern Illinois, Matray knew the Air Force was his calling. “We (family) used to sit on the lakefront at the Chicago Air Show and watch the planes flyby,” said Matray. “It was then that I knew I wanted to become a pilot for the Air Force.

Matray applied to the Air Force Academy but was not accepted right away. However, he was given a Falcon Foundation Scholarship and he attended Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania, where he worked on his grades and test scores. A year later he was accepted to the Academy.

After graduating in 1990, his first assignment was in Michigan as a B52 aircraft pilot. It was there that he watched his first sled dog racesomething he thought was “cool”. Matray says after watching the race he bought a Siberian Husky named Athena and a book on how to train sled dogs. Athena picked up the commands in no time and Matray had a feeling this was the start of something great. (Little did he know what he was getting into!)

When the Air Force base in Michigan closed, he was sent to Minot, N.D. This was the perfect place for a beginning musher to train his sled dog. It was also there that he bought a Labrador Retriever, who he also trained to pull the sled. A local veterinarian gave him the name of a couple who bred Siberian Huskies and Matray bought two more puppies from the couple. When all was said and done, Matray had accumulated 14 Siberian Huskies and one Lab Retriever.

Matray has faired well in the races he has entered so far, placing ninth out of 16 racers in his last race. He was training to participate in the Montana Race To The Sky, which began Feb. 14. The race is a total of 350 miles and runs from Helena to Missoula, Mont. The race took four days to complete but Matray’s training should have paid off as he trains his dogs over 1,000 miles a weekend.

If Matray finished this race, it would be one more step toward qualifying for the Iditarod, the Last Great Race. “The Iditarod is the Super Bowl of mushing,” said Matray. “My goal is to be there! This is no joke. I can’t just walk into this one.” The Iditarod covers more than 1,150 miles and usually takes weeks to finish. However, Matray is committed to honing his mental skills and increasing his ability to communicate and work well with his dogs as a team.

While he battles the bitter cold of winter, desolate tundra, and miles oflonelywhite snowdrifts, Matraywill be carryingwith him the Air Force vision of dedication, excellence, drive and ambition! (The Academy Spirit)

The

up through the

the

heatRice 22-16in November to clinch the WesternAthletic Conference’s Mountain Division, setting up the playoffgame against BYU. The cadets had received permission a couple ofdays before the game to tear down thegoalpostifAirForce won. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

DO YOU HAVE APPRECIATED STOCKS AND WANT TO AVOID CAPITAL GAINS TAX?

Effective planning can avoid those taxes.

To learn ifyou can benefit, call Gary Howe, ‘69, at the AOG.

(719) 472-0300

AOG Thanks Academy Spirit Staff

The Association of Graduates and specifically the Checkpoints editor and staffthank the AcademySpirit staffand particularly2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger for their invaluable support in obtaining photos and material for this issue of Checkpoints.

Up, Up, and Away

goalpost is handed

Cadet Wing after

Falcons

Blane and Bird Bring Holiday Cheer

Falcon quarterback Blane Morgan and the Bird bring a little Christmas cheer to 11-year-old John Talimeluw Dec. 24 during their stay in Hawaii for the Oahu Bowl. The team cheerleaders and mascot visited children and veterans at the Tripler Army Medical Center during the trip. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Maureen Metzger.)

CLASS NEWS

Pete Todd

1250 BigValley Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80919-1015

Home: (719) 531-5874

FAX: (719) 531-6697

E-mail: petetodd@aol.com

Percent members: 83

You lucked out again. Your merciful responses to my whining call for news and the snowflakes sifted from a blizzard of Christmas cards have saved you all from the dreaded “100 Cute Grandbaby Sayings.” In fact, there isn’t room in this issue for all the juicytidbits, so I’ll have to select the items of greatest importance based on my customary keen news sense, i.e., pulling items at random from the Scribe folder.

domicile, but the happiest change was their wedding in January. Congratulations to both ofyou, Kent. We look forward to meeting your bride this summer.

No one ever called the Class of 1959 “retiring,” but the word from the group is that many are doingjust that and enjoying it just fine, thank you very much. Bob OAKS has retired fully from USAirways, plays golf whenever he feels like it, and expects Gloria to make him lunch. She reports that he is learning to cook.

Two thousand miles away, the “What’s for Lunch” question is also beingreported in the GROARK household. When they’re home, that is. Last June, Dave and Margaretta shared flying time in a Cessna 172 across 4,200 kilometers ofAustralian Outback on an “Air Safari” with 11 other similarly-demented pilots. They toasted the Queen as they watched the sunset at Ayers Rock, sat around an open campfire under the Southern Cross and listened to an old gold miner recite poetry about the old days ofAustralian history. The rest of their odyssey is a story in itself, best told in Margaretta’s vivid, crackling prose. (When you finallyget tired of my drivel, and can’t trick another classmate into replacing me, I nominate her for the job. She writes like a dream and, after a lifetime with Dave, is fully inculcated with ‘59er values and foibles.)

Ed and Pat LANKENAU did their retirement touring by road this year, covering some 1,600 miles ofItalian highways in October. They started in Milano, then over to Venice, south along the Adriatic coast, west to Capri/Amalfi, north to Rome and back to Milano. Ed certifies that they visited every church ever constructed along their route of travel.

Cruises seem to have been big last year as well. Bill and Anne TELFORD cruised the western Caribbean as a getawayfrom theirbusyvolunteerschedule.They claim to be working harder than when they were employed full time, a phenomenon I encountered while working as a consultant with chunks of disposable time and an inability to say no.

Jim and Garrie RHODES took two cruises last year, one in the earlywinter to the Caribbean and another to the Mexican Riviera in October. In between, they moved into their newly built home in Carlsbad, CA, which he has declared operational and ready to accept visitors.

I don’t know whether Jerry ELSBERND is retired or simply in training, but I forward the following snippet from the Quincy (IL) HeraldWhig of Oct. 13,1998, that suggests he’s ready: “ELSBERND NOTCHES ACE. Jerry Elsbernd made his first career hole-in-one Saturday at Quincy’s Spring Lake Country Club. Elsbernd used a 7-iron to ace the 145-yard, par 3 11 th hole at Spring Lake.”

And the first one is...ah, yes, the mini-reunion at the West Point game in November. Both President-for-LifeJoe DESANTIS and program organizer Ed JOSEPHSON reported on the event with a remarkably high degree of correlation. Attendance was down a little this year because the event conflicted with some weddings, but coming from far and near to attend one or more ofthe activities (threehour tour of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome on Friday, dinner that night, Saturday morning AOG breakfast, football game, and practice reunion at the Newburgh Hampton Inn) were Jim and Molly CONNALLY, Joe and Jo DESANTIS, Gerry and Judy FINNERAN, Dick and Vera GOETZE, Doug and JoAnne GRAFFLIN, Bob and Carolyn HURLEY, Ed and Judy JOSEPHSON, Ron and Judy LANMAN, Don and Ro LIVINGSTON, Bob and Jan LOVERIDGE, Ed and Marylou LYNCH, RL and Eugenia PENN and Dennie and Trude SEE.

Jim and Doris CARPENTER have been easing into retirement, mainlyby travelling a lot: Houston, Hawaii, Oxford-Cambridge for a C.S. Lewis Seminar, Ireland, as well as local trips in and around southern California. They spent Christmas in Iowa to help move in their daughter and family.

Unfortunately, a couple of our retirements occurred in less than desirable circumstances. Pat MUSMAKER had a tough year battling sarcoidosis, a chronic disease ofunknown cause or cure, first diagnosed over 100 years ago, occurring when the body’s immune system overreacts to some unknown agent. Pat wisely decided that his condition wasn’t conducive to the rigors ofteaching and retired at the end of the academic year in May. He’s still under treatment and we wish him well in his battle.

Dusty TRAIL was “retired” last year from the County Commission by the benighted voters after eight years in office. He’s not really retired, so long as he can continue to fly the Cessna 414, twin-engine, turbo-charged, pressurized-cabinclass people mover. He’s also the only flight instructor in the area.

RL Penn took off for sunny Spain over the Christmas holidays. He wanted to revisit and show Eugenia some ofthe places he enjoyed while stationed there as a young officer. (That reminds me ofthe time I visited my old roomie at Torrejon in the early ‘60s while I was a B-47 copilot on Reflex alert and RL was an F-102 pilot. I can still remember my disillusionment when he brought me into the hangar to show me what I thought was the coolest airplane in the inventory and I noticed a big drip pan under the bird with lots ofhydraulic fluid leaking into it. And this was an alert airplane! I always wondered if theyjust poured it back into the airplane, but never asked.)

Joe DESANTIS and I shared an experience last year separated by some months and a lot of miles: we both had surprise 60th birthday parties. (I don’t know if he was truly surprised, but I was. My kids had arranged a bulletproof cover story and I swallowed it hook, line and sinker!) Joe also has the distinction of being the first YIC (Yankee Italian Catholic) to assume the presidency of the staid Marietta (GA) Rotary Club. He’ll do great!

I’d better save the rest of the news until next issue; the editor grumbles at me when I get carried away. Happy Easter and get your registrations in for the big 40th Reunion ifyou haven’t already done so. We’re all looking forward to seeing you in June.

Thoughtfor the quarter.We have enoughyouth. How about a Fountain ofSmart.

The Victory Celebration at the Hampton Inn: From left in the first row are Ed andJudyJosephson, JoAnne Grafflin, Bob Hurley, andJudyLanman. In the second row are Trude See, Marylou Lynch, Eugenia Penn, Joe DeSantis, Don and Ro Livingston, Jan Loveridge, and Carolyn Hurley. In the back row are Dennie See, Ed Lynch, Doug Grafflin, Jo DeSantis, Ron Lanman, RL Penn, and Bob Loveridge.

The best news last Christmas was Kent MONTAVON’s note that he had met a wonderful lady named Fredda Sparks in the spring and his life hadn’t been the same since! Lots of things have changed for him, including employment and

Class of 1959 40th Reunion!

v 0<v 15-20 June 1999

Somemembers oftheoldest USAFA class (with theirMUCHyoungerladies) backed bythe oldestaircraftflyingin the U.S., a 1906Bleriot, at OldRhinebeckAerodrome, NewYork. From left are Bob and Carolyn Hurley, Bob andJan Loveridge,Judyand Ron Lanman, Judyand EdJosephson, RL andEugenia Penn, and Marylou and Ed Lynch.

A.J. (Rosie) Cler, Jr.

11181 West 17th Ave.

Building Two, Unit 208

Lakewood, CO 80215-2759

(303) 238-4973, FAX: 237-0772

Percent members: 80

Florian Philip MEINHARDT - who savors life with bombastic brio - has been circling the globe for a year-and-a-half with bride, Grace Cervin, who he married in Santa Fe, NM June 1997.1 shared martinis with them in Denver when they were here celebrating their wedding anniversary last June by visiting the Springs, Winter/Estes Parks, and Central City’s gambling dens. “Filling in the gaps” of places they’d not yet visited, they’re now searching for the world’s best food and wine experience

so far, it’s been the “French Laundry” in Napa, CA - in their opinion, this brasserie has out-frenched the French with a 10-course “Tasting Menu.” (R: I call them “foodies” - food fanatics more interested in a gourmet meal or selecting a wine less vinegary than solving global warming). The following month Karen and I were driving to Santa Fe, NM to suffer some opera, and stopped in Taos for a late dinner, turned around in Don Martin’s four-star bistro and literally bumped into Grace and Phil! Over dinner, their table talk included tales of trips on the Windstar from Istanbul to Athens to the Greek Isles, through Panama’s Canal, round-tripping the Paris-London Chunnel, drinking a bottle of Glenlivet Scotch while ensconced on the Great Wall of China, and Grace’s luging and Phil’s paragliding in New Zealand. They’re living in Del Mar, CA (Phil’s building a love nest in Vegas), where Grace owns a gift shop near the racetrack after careers as business editor for Gannett Newspapers and financial guru on L.A. TV Back for the Navygame in October, theyprompdydeparted for Stuttgartwhere Grace picked up her new Mercedes, then 13 days in Southern Europe and the Black Forest.

J.R BROWNING waxed mellifluous in his exhaustive missive from Weatherford, TX, a letter only slightly shorter than The Federalist Papers yet long enough to have its’ own Library of Congress number (paraphrasal follows): “Still working for Lockheed’s Tactical Aircraft Systems (the old General Dynamics plant in Fort Worth) as systems engineering manager for their Joint Strike Fighter Program. Still married to Carole since 6/8/60 - we’ve two boys, a girl, four grandsons two to seven. Daughter Kerrie’s getting married in the Spring of ’99 and then moves to OKC. Carole teaches Special Ed in Springtown, TX and we’ll retire in 2000.” JP’s had three or four lives, starting with F-lOOs at Myrde Beach, SC; LTVAerospace in Grand Prairie, TX on the A-7 program while flying Crusaders in the Navy Reserve (he retired as 0-6 in ’89), then Braniff as check captain until their bankruptcy, and then on to Hughes/LA, finally getting his last life with L/M. He occasionally talks with Mike LOH and RonYATES in their consulting capacities with Lockheed, Johnnie KUENZEL’s his stockbroker, and JP wants to “retire somewhere having four seasons.” (R: try Colorado - we sometimes get all four in one day! Thanks for the GREAT letter, JR)

The Rocky Mountain News of 5/24/98 had a story entitled HOME BASE which related LowryAFB’s history and included a photo (top of next columnfin the captioned “Cadet Orientation Flight - 1956.” Our son Scott called and said: “That’s YOU, Dad!” (He obtained the original photo, enlarged it, and saw that it wasn’t me.) I sent the photo to Jock SCHWANK, who showed it to Dick COPPOCK (’61), who sent it to Jim BROWN (’59), and I also ran it by Bill GILLIS, who thought it could be eitherJose DEYNES or MaxMILLER (Maxsays “no”) .DoesAnyone Know?

After logging 24,000 hours, Bob ODENWELLER (Planetarium Lecturer 2,1) finallyflew his last stem-windingflight as, well, a commercial pilot forTWA to Milan with wife, Jane. He still works for TWA on a database program for theirAdvanced Qualification Program (he requalified as flight engineer in order to stay on their payroll), and the FAA sent him to school to learn Crystal Reports (don’t even ask). Bob and Jane and her 88-year-old mother took a trip to Normandy, Brittany, and Italy last October - call Bob for info on cheap “digs” in Venice, which are palaces owned by counts and countesses, since their opera-singing daughter has operated some ofthese as a “mini-business” while performing in Italy last year. Stop me right row ifyou’ve already heard this, but Victor Ralph THOMAS (for

Who’s theATO? Who’s the Cadet?

merly from North Loup, NE and now living in Boulder City, NV) writes: “While on the board for the chamber of commerce, I was appointed to the Southern Nevada Private Industry Council (PIC). Historically, we dealt mainly with the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), and now deal withWelfare to Work (WTW) which came out of Washington’s Department ofLabor in 1997. At the D.C. Conference last February, members ofCongress told us they’ll disburse monies directly to our PIC, so we now have $7 million through 1999 to work with in the JTPA and theWTWtoughest cases in the welfare barrel. Our goal is to get these people into jobs, working mainly with the chronicallyunemployed, single parents with small children, chemically-dependent persons on welfare, and those without a high school education or GED.” (R: Good work, Vic. I’ve also been on our JEFFCO PIC, and know all the acronyms.)

What I Am (Most) Famous ForAward. “In October 1976 at the ripe old age of40, I ran THE Marathon from the ancient city ofMarathon to Athens, Greece. 1,080 of us were in the race, and while waiting at the starting point, I made a mental note of a small step protruding from the entrance into Olympic Stadium, just to insure that I didn’t trip over it after running the 26+ miles. At Marathon (where the Athenians defeated the Persians in 490 BC), we were inspiredby a number ofspeeches, all ofwhich were totallyGreekto me. The first 10 miles dropped from 75 feet above sea level to 25 feet below, climbed to 650 feet, and after 20 miles the peak was reached and we dropped to 350. After surviving a really big pack of extremely vicious dogs that sniffed at my private parts and then tried to attack me, an older gendeman offeringcigarettes and a senatorian elderhanding out sugar cubes laced with some purplish fluid (hemlock?), and an extremely fat lady who stepped in front of my path and into whom I ultimately collided, my feet tripped on that same small step which I had seen earlier -1 slid into the stadium on my stomach to the cries of my awaiting daughter Karl, who proclaimed: ‘There’s Daddy!’ I got to my feet and finished the race... 10th overall, first American to Finish!” (Frank MAYBERRY, eater of lotsa Wheaties.)

Deja and some Vu. George PUPICH wrote me about THE FINAL SOLUTION (R: no, notAuschwitz) to that 1959 NewYear’s Day game in Dallas when we tied TCU 00: “Our Cotton Bowl Team had a reunion with former TCU opponents at the AFATCU game in Houston Sept. 26,1998 (we lost this game 35-34). Rosie, it was wonderful, and we all thanked John KUENZEL for puttingthis event together (R: JK won the prestigious N. Jay Boots Award at graduation, you’ll recall). The TCU guys were friendly, gracious, and we swapped lots oflies - a coin toss by Brock STROM finally settled that zip-to-zip outcome. WE LOST! (Upon closer examination, their coin was discovered to have a horned frog on both sides, so they resolved that controversybymandating anotherget-together in 2000).” Besides George, John, and Brock, others attending were AFA footballers from ’59, ’60 and ‘61: BRICKEY, BRONSON. GULLEDGE, HARDAGE, DK JOHNSON, JOZWIAK, LANE, MAYO, PHILLIPS, QUINLAN, RAWLINS, RODGERS, ROSANE, THOMSON, WAGNER, WATERMAN, WIDEMAN, ZALESKI, and managers MILTNER and VAN INWEGEN.

Atleft, Philparaglidingin NewZealand. Atright, Philand Gracein Constantinople with friend.

AttendingBruceMosier’sretirementparty, fromleftin thefrontrowareAndiBiancur, CharlieDiver, GeorgePupich, Rosie Cler, GeorgeLuck, andJim O'Rourke. In the back row are Jim Glaza, Phil Meinhardt, Bruce, Jim Waddle, Jock Schwank, Fred Porter, Ron Yates, and TonyLovell. Notshown are Wayne Kendall and Chris Warack.

Social Swirl. Bruce MOSIER’s retirement party from TWA was hosted by wife, Caryl, and daughter Valerie in the Tiara Room high atop Doolittle Hall on Oct. 10th after wed drubbed Navy-the food was great, and the free booze so plentiful that five of our classmates added Bruce to their wills. (R: does the noun usufruct come to mind, boys and girls?) Attending were those in the photo, plus the ladies, also HELLER (’61), and ‘59ers MONTGOMERY, MILLER, BROWNING, BROWN, and CHEPOLIS.

The following month, Rampart Range’s ’60 grads drunk and supped at the Springs’ Radisson Hotel followingtheAFA-Rice game and celebrated our 10-1 regular season: Chris & Pat WARACK, Killer & Barbara KENDALL, Dick & Sharon

SCHEHR, Fred & Mary Lou PORTER, Bruce & Caryl MOSIER, Jock & Hope

SCHWANK, Tony & Carol BILELLO, Jack & Jeanne BRUSH, Andi BIANCUR & Carole Kramer, Duck & MaryWADDLE, Rosie & Karen CLER, Ron & Connie YATES, Linda GLAZA, Denis & Liz WALSH, Roy & Barbara JOLLY, and George PUPICH. (R: what could have been a great photo of the entire group is not included, since that explosion resulting from the reflection of my camera’s flash off so many gray hairs broke the camera lens! The light, by actual lumen measurement, was greater than both the November '98 Leonid meteor shower and those roentgens recorded at the 1945 Hiroshima A-blast). But upon departing, these frenzied football Falcon fanatics broke into a rousing chorus of“Buckle Down, Wynsocki, Buckle Down!”

Potpourri: This from Clem DOUGLASS III “That’s me in the left half of that picture in your Summer ’98 Checkpoints (p. 64), and on the right is Walt FUTCH

who knocked me out in three rounds of intramural boxing... George Elliott LUCK retired from Boeing and has formed Falcon Aviation Consultants, which performs flight training for Emory-Riddle Aviation in Everett, WA (George owns half a Beechcraft Bonanza)...Jim O’ROURKE still works for Boeing in Seattle teachingflight in the 737/757/762, owns halfa Beechcraft (no, not George’s other half)...Tony LOVELL survived seven surgeries following a massive heart attack in October ’96, was given six weeks to live, and is now living with only half a heart.

Trivia ’60. LOVELL and GLAZA are the only two ’60 grads who each had five kids by one wife (R: does this mean that some hapless lady had 10 kids for those two ugly guys, or two ladies each had halfofthe 10. (I’m confused, butjust report what I’m told)...Leon GOODSON took the tests for the Academy, passed them, and it required an Act of Congress (literally) for him to enter the Academy.. .Correction to the summer column (Subj: youngest classmates): Fred WALKER - 4 May 39, Dave LUCE - 27 Mar 39, Denis HANEY - 20 Mar 39, Paul SULLIVAN - 16 Mar 39, and Bob RAGER - 4 Mar 39.

Contest Results and Winners. Nicknames of our classmates which appeared in the December ’98 issue will appear in the June ’99 issue of Checkpoints, with answers. Winners?

Beware the Ides of March. My phone, FAX and mail lines are now open. Bye.

Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear V* /11/Iff///'

5021 Mignonette Court

Annandale, VA 22003-4050

Home: (703) 425-3870

E-mail: NORear@erols.com

Percent members: 84

First, let me publicly acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe Ed ZOMPA for having been our Class Scribe for the past couple ofyears. He has done a greatjob; however, his duties as part ofhis local school board began making such demands on his time that he felt it best to pass the baton. I will endeavor to meet the high standards established by Ed and his predecessors.

One of the things that Ed did so well was to get many of us (currently, 85) together via e-mail as part of what we call the GrayTag Network (GTN). John and SheiJa MAY also recendy volunteered to develop a class web site for us, the next logical step. Thanks!

Ifyou do not have e-mail, I encourage you to get it and contact me at my e-mail address (above) so that you can better keep up with what is happening in our class. For instance, many of the items in this article are months old by the time you read this in Checkpoints. Those who are part ofthe GTN saw most of it when it was current, as well as reading this article in mid-December. You can also communicate easily with other GTN classmates via e-mail. Believe it or not, e-mail reallyhelps us keep up-to-date as well as regain some of our former camaraderie.

Sad items: the passing ofEarl AMAN and Jim CONBOY. Jim Conboy died following a coma suffered after a fall prior to the Navy football game.

Following EarlAMAN’s death on 15 Oct, his funeral was held at the USAFA chapel and cemetery on 19 Oct 98. They also held a memorial service for Earl in San Antonio on December 16th. Classmates at the funeral included Larry and Kathy FREEMAN,Wayne HARING, DickCOPPOCK, Jim and NancyWILHELM, Marc and Ginger ANDERSON, Milt SOMMERFELT, Lynda NEEL, Jim ULM, Terry STORM, Jim HINKLE, Worth MCCUE, Brice JONES, and Tom and Anne ELLER. See the “Gone But Not Forgotten” section for more details.

Lucy AMAN and her family sent me the following for all of our classmates and families: “During this sad time of readjustment in our lives, my family and I wish to reflect on how marvelous the Gray Tags were to us during our period of prolongedsuffering from the effects ofALS which took Earl’s life a few weeks ago. Not only did the ’61ers provide us with boundless love and support, you all went to the ends of the earth to make certain Earl was comfortable during his illness.

“I am thinking ofeach ofyou who anonymously and selflessly gave to the medical equipment fund set up for Earl at USAAFSB - it was a lifesaver on numerous occasions. To the individual who provided us with the very generous USAA Gold Card, I salute you. It helped provide Earl with the opportunity to attend the 1996 Reunion, followed by the Silver Star presentation at Angel Fire, NM. He consid

ered both of those occasions to be among the sweetest memories of his life - often he conveyed that message to me on his voice synthesizer. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart for making this possible.

“Nor will we forget the 1996 GMC Savana given to the Earl Aman Courage Foundation by General Motors. That too was a result ofefforts by the Class of ’61: Earl’s story appeared in Checkpoints it was read by another USAFA grad who is a vice president at General Motors. So, you can see that many good things came from our compadres in ’61.

“In closing this letter, I wish to send special thanks to Marc ANDERSON and LarryFREEMAN for their organizational skills in making sure things went smoothly for us. They came over many times when we, my sons and I, were inconsolable, offering prayers and help in our dark hours. In those last weeks when Earl was in the hospital, they never failed to travel many miles to go see him. Ginger and Kathy were troopers when it came to cheering us up. No one can possibly know how much they meant to us during our grief.

“Once again, please accept our profound thanks and love. As Earl reminded me on his voice synthesizer, the GrayTags are a brotherhood. He loved all ofyou.

“If the Earl Aman Courage Foundation can be of any help with medical equipment or monetary support, please write to us at the following address: Robert Pardo, Col, USAF (Ret); Chairman, Earl Aman Courage Foundation; 821 Meadow Run, Golden CO 80403. I will definitely see you at the next reunion. Love, Lucy AMAN and family.” The Aman family remains in our hearts and prayers.

The AOG Board ofDirectors plans a new featurette in Checkpoints called “Spotlight on Graduates.” In it, theyhope to highlight one graduate in each issue. They are asking the Class Scribes to provide inputs (about a page and a halfto two pages, one photo necessary and two max), and should be submitted by the class news deadline (generally, the 20th day ofthe last month ofeach quarter). Please provide any materials to me that you consider merit submission.

George BUCHNER rendezvoused with the Dallas Gray Tag contingent at Pete LANE’s house and at the football game during a stay in Dallas. Art KERR said that on the evening before Gene’s birthday, Captain Gene HOPP flew his last flight for Delta Air Lines on 24 Oct 98, with Gene’s wife, Annette, a member ofthe Delta 767 cabin crew. Delta management provided Gene official letters and a certificate attesting to his 29 years of service to Delta (and Western Airlines). Gene also received a large photo of a Delta 767 in flight with Mount Rainier in the background and many, manysignatures and warm wishesfillingthe border - plus a card signed by all the passengers and crew on the flight. Holly KERR fulfilled her secret wish to be an aircraft marshaller on the flightline, guiding Gene in with his 767 to Gate B-5 at SeaTac.

Jimmy POOLE had to cancel this year’s Red Neck Riviera Reunion at Orange Beach, AL, due to Hurricane Georges - the condos were not available. Jimmy and Susan POOLE, Charlie and Lynda NEEL, Lowell and Sandy JONES, Hector and Joan NEGRONI and their son Hector Emilio met for drinks at the Poole’s and went to dinner at a superb restaurant selected byJimmy in the Perdido Key-Gulf Shores area. Fortunately, damage to the Poole and Negroni condos was minimal: wet, soaking rugs, plus Negroni’s had outside walls blown away to the “sheet rock.” (RB. and Marilyn O’CONNOR also escaped major damage to their South Carolina coastal condominium.) Before leaving Montgomery, the NEELs had an update tour of the town and enjoyed dinner with Neal and Gwen WESTBROOK and the POOLEs. Next year!

Tom ELLER said that the Colorado Springs Gazette on 7 Oct featured Jim WILHELM, the “Coach ofthe Air Force AcademyClass of ’61 Tailgate Parties.” On the front ofthe Food and Life section was a great color photo ofJim in his “USAFA 61” stars shirt cooking some delicious-looking food. Inside the section were several ’61 recipes from Jeanne ULM, Lynne GREGORY, NancyWILHELM’s sister-inlaw, Wayne HARING, Lynda NEEL, and Earl SAUNDERS.

Charlie THOMAS sent the following: Tailgaters from ‘61 assembled next to the Class of‘60 truck (with their class emblem on the side - a Jim GLAZA (’60) production). The combined party was terrific with many ofthe recipes from the Gazette, and a copy of the article available. Charlie and Sarah STEBBINS were there, now having one son (Class of ‘87) and four of their five grandchildren in Colorado Springs. Gina and Charlie drove from Albuquerque. Fox TV shot pictures of ‘60 and ‘61 for a tailgate special that was to be aired later. TheWilhelm Class Bus should by now have shed its Wyoming school colors for new SILVER/BLUE paint. ‘61ers can now gather with increased pride at home games. The team looked awesome during the game. Seems like that last comment was heard frequentlythroughout the year.

Lowell and Sandy JONES had a great housewarming party in their new digs in Fredericksburg, VA, on 21 Nov. Mev BUCKLEY, Charlie DIXON, Bill and Theda FOSTER, Steve HO and Lynn Funkhouser, Lowell and Sandy JONES, Karl KELLERMAN and friend Jane, golfer Darrell KOERNER, Jerry and Sue LEFTON, Terry and Sandy NORRIS, Nelson O’REAR, Jim ROGERS and Linda Cain, Bill and Rhoda STACKHOUSE, Charlie and Sarah STEBBINS, and John SULLIVAN shared a great meal and good conversation. Mike RAWLINS, because of flying commitments, made it the next day.

John and Ellen SULLIVAN hosted many of the same contingent for a party in their home on 19 Dec; then John and Joan KOHOUT hosted many in their home on 29 Dec to greet Pete and Patty LANE who were in town visiting their son’s family during the holidays.

Les SCHNEIDER wrote that on 13 April, his wife, Debbie, gave birth to their beautiful daughter, Leslie Anne. So, they now have Les’s son Andre (15 on 1 Jan 99: 6' 1" 2301bs), Debbie’s daughters, Elbe (7 on 20 Jan) and Heidi (5 as of 18 Oct), and Leslie Anne to keep them quite busy. Debbie is back flying (flight attendant) with TWA and Les continues with the FAA out of the St. Louis FSDO. As a retirement gift to himself, he bought a restored 1961 (what else!) fuel-injected Corvette with license plate number “AFA ‘61”. They recendy moved into a new house at 502 Waterside Ct„ St. Charles, MO 63304.

And finally, it occurred to me when exchanging information on our children

with Tom ELLER that many of our children or children-in-law serve/have served in the military. Ifyou would let me know, preferablyvia e-mail or regularmail, any you have in that category, I will tabulate the totals and let you know. It would also be interesting to know their source of commissioning.

John W. “Jack” Jamba

4 Judy Court

Satellite Beach, FL 32937

Home: (407) 777-5520

Office: (407) 861-3519

E-Mail: jwjamba@aol.com

Percent members: 73

«|iSeSfej

Hi Redtags! It is Christmas time again and I don’t have to do anything except edit the many newsletters and e-mails I have received in the past three months. So I’ll start off with one from Ted and Marcy DYKES. Marcy’s mom is now living with them and doing well at 80 years young. Ted still has his consulting business and trying to set up one on the Internet. Marcy is still being the watchdog in local politics. Chris is still in the medical equipment design business and Tammy is in Monterey, CA., where Montana pursues his MS degree.

Heard from Gail and Peggy PECK in Las Vegas. Gail’s mom lost a three- year batde with cancer. Peggy won a long batde with cancer after three operations. She says don’t neglect swollen neck glands. Gail has two part-time jobs at Nellis: range control officerfor Red Flagexercises, and academic instructor at USAFWeapons School, teaching the F-15 as well as C3I and Instrument Refresher Course. Gail also has a six-passenger Cessna 210 for mountain flying. Gail’s dad is living with them now. Daughter Elizabeth is doing great as a senior in high school. Jennifer will graduate from UNLV in 2000 and is also making the parents proud.

Bill and Sue HAUGEN also wrote. Bill is still working the V-22 Osprey program for Boeing. Sue continues with her many activities. And they both did a lot of traveling this year to visit both sides of their family. Their children have started families oftheir own and are scattered around the East Coast. Cindy and Elad had their first child in Pittsburgh; another grandchild for Sue and Bill. Linda, Caise plus two kids live in theWashington area. Michael and Stephanie are in grad school at U of Penn.

Got a newsletter from Owen and Connie HAWKINS. Owen still has his Internet provider business, is taking high-tech computer classes and working on his golf game. Connie continues riding and showing her horses, helping with the Charity Horse Show, teaching Sunday school and other interests. The big news is that son Colin is engaged to a young lass named Maureen. They both reside currently in NewYork. Cory is substitute teaching; Greg is organizing a start-up Internet company; Chris is a consultant for Deloitte & Touche; and Kim continues work on her film documentary. Owen and Connie continued their travels by revisiting Hawaii, seeing their third total eclipse in the Caribbean, rafting down the Grand Canyon, and visiting old friends in Africa.

Heard from Larry and Penny GOOCH. In late April, Federal Data Corp decided that theyneeded Larryin Pasadena, CA, as a division manager. Just after the shortnotice move, Larry had to miss the birth ofJessica to Jennifer and Jeff. Then Laura and David announced their impending birth. Penny babysat the other grandchild while her parents moved into a new home. Larry and Penny will be happy with three new grandchildren in 16 months.

Got a letter fromAllen and Alfie JACKSON. They went to Louisiana twice to visit Cathy, Darren and grandkids. Then Cathy and the family visited them in August. Time for fishing, crabbing and boating and total exhaustion. Rusty and Tracie live only two miles away so there’s plenty of time for babysitting and visiting.

Heard from Chuck and Debbie CHEESEMAN. Chuck is revamping his Ximango touring glider business bysetting up regional distributors. Canadian certification of the glider was obtained after many months of paperwork. Things look good. Debbie and her partner continue to expand their quiltdesign venture, ’’LookWho’s Kidding.” Little Charlie (5) turned his parents into “Soccer Moms.” Emily (8 Vfe) continues her dancing and piano. I met Chuck at KSC when he went on Emily’s field trip. Maybe we’ll get together again this coming year.

Charlie and Pat HALE sent a letter. Their older son, Charles, continues to battle with his illness. He is now being treated by a spinal specialist for what may be related to a traffic accident, which occurred three years ago. New treatment is underway. (We wish him the best.) Curt and Bridgette continue their time-demanding work. Charlie is busy with his credit union work, making two trips to D.C. to promotelegislation. The Hales had some familyvisits and one from Redtags Stan and Mary Anne PATRIE. The Hales also went on a few vacations including a 35th anniversary trip to D.C. By the way, I received a card from the Patries indicating that they are in temporary quarters in Charlotte while their new house is being built in the nearby mountains.

Dave and Fran LEE dropped a line. Dave was selected to teach a five-week course at the Univ ofAugsburg in Germany. There were 40 Univ of Dayton students also at Augsburg. Since he only taught three mornings a week, they had plenty oftime to travel and shop. He did such a great job, he has been invited to return in 2000 for five more weeks. Kelly and Dean will become parents again in April. David II works for a property management firm in Dayton. John works in mortgage lending in Denver and has season tickets to the USAFA games. He also joined them at Augsburg for 10 days.

Charlie and Mary Jo PRICE sent some news. They really enjoyed an extended trip in the Northwest, touringPortland, Bend and Eugene. They also visited friends in Venice, FL, and the North Georgia Mts. They spend lots of time with Mary Jo's folks who also live inValdosta. No-holes-in one for MayJo this year. Charlie is OK with that.

Willie & Nancy GRAY had some good news to share. They bought a new house over in Suntree which is about 10 miles from here. Then Willie retired from Lockheed Martin. Too much road travel and family separation. NowWillie is a house

keeper while Nancy does her Montessori teaching. Daughter Christine received her PhD in clinical psychology from the Univ ofFlorida and now is in Jacksonville at the Nemours Children’s Clinic. Her husband, John, is completing his PhD course work. Larry is managing the Garrisons restaurant in the Atlanta area. Got a letter from Paul LANDERS. After retiring, Paul became the director of Aviation and Travel Services for Amway Corp in Grand Rapids. He oversees one of the largest corporate jet fleets in the country plus executive ground transportation, shuttle buses, executive motor coach, company yacht, and the Orlando Magic’s 737 jet. He and JoAnne visited Las Vegas recently and spent time with Gail and Peggy Peck. See enclosed picture. Son Scott flies forAmerican; Keith will graduate from the U of Georgia in May and hopes for law school; and, Paul is at Spartan in Tulsa finishing his degree looking for a career in flying.

Gail and Peggy Peck have a Las Vegas dinner with JoAnne and Paul Landers.

Got an e-mail from George THOMPSON. He is an itinerant professor travelling between Pskov, the State U ofSt Petersburg and the State Pedagogical U and other places. George was planning to visit his daughter in Poland at Christmas and be joined by Alice. Alice was then going back to Russia with George. He really likes the e-mails from the Redtags. Makes him feel he is not alone. The river is frozen. Hope you get that teaching position in the U.S. when you return.

Got a card from Don and Rose SHEPPERD with a picture ofthem and the BOWs in Grand Cayman Island.

and

Someone sent me an article about Bob DAVEY being elected mayor of Duarte, CA, near Pasadena. Bob was a first-term councilman and the mayor pro-tem of Duarte. The article said that Bob had master’s and doctorate degrees in aeronautics from Caltech as well as an MBA from Pepperdine. His wife, Julie, teaches journalism at Fullerton College. They have been married 36 years. Way to go Bob.

Got an e-mail from Bob STAIB. Their third daughter, Missy, recently got married. FellowRedtagsJerry and Freddie SMITH were there. Bob has been in Netjets (Executive Jet Aviation) for three years selling fractions of airplanes. The company was recently purchased by Berkshire Hathaway and has spent over $3 billion buying new airplanes. Bob expects the company to grow in the years ahead.

Got an e-mail from Pete ROBINSON who is doing some consulting work for a New Mexico location. Art and Sandy FARRINGTON are living in Atlanta and pumping their new venture with BigPlanet.com. Ted and Leslie NEFF are involved with ExcelOnline.com. Walt HERTER was trying to find out about digital cameras on the Redtag Net. He got some advice from Steve METTLER, Randy SCHAMBERGER’s son Rick, and Tom RAUSCH. Walt also said that his son Larry is a naval aviator flying S-3 aircraft assigned to the Carl Vinson in the Arabian Gulf. Their mission was to deliver gifts to Saddam. The ship has its own web site so crewmembers can e-mail to friends and family. Walt forwarded a copy of one of Larry’s e-mails to give us a snapshot of Navy life.

Got an e-mail from John FLANAGAN that he was going to appear in a Vietnam documentary which was taped a while ago. The series received good acclaim.

An e-mail from Joe GUILMARTIN recommended reading Mark Berent’s Viet-

Rose

Don Shepperd with Rudy and Bettie Bow enjoying the Grand Cayman Islands.

nam novel, Eagle Station. He says to see if you can match the episodes with the real Redtags.

That’s it for now. Any other newsletters I receive will appear in the next issue. Thanks for all your help. Keep the e-mails and letters coming. Go Redtags!

Norman I. Lee III

17532 N.E. 38th Court Redmond, WA 98052

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

E-mail:54wrs@msn.com

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

Fax: (425) 237-5775

Percent members: 76

ifA note from “The Pres,” Jim DIFFENDORFER: “Greetings Yellow Tags: This article is primarily aimed at those of you who were unable or chose not to attend the 35th If there was ever an example of true, authentic “camaraderie” this was it. Age has a way of mellowing and maturing the soul, of prioritizing life’s events, and of fostering acceptance. I think I can speak for the majority of those present in saying our 10th was just “OK”, our 20th was a great start on getting it right, our 30th was great, and our 35th was pure FUN; filled with good feelings of what we are all about. I could write pages about my feelings, but I want to challenge everyone who was there to grab your first-class roommate by the collar and march him to the 40th if that’s possible. We should strive for at least, a 75 percent turnout. I guarantee, if you haven’t attended one of the last two reunions, you have missed a memorable and rewarding experience. As in 1993, we owe Jimmie BUTLER a huge “thank you” for his time and effort, and also to the many helpers in the Academy area. That includes many of the wives who worked on projects. I feel compelled to comment on the memorial service. What a super job by Bob HAYES (Lead) and Bill BALL for planning this impressive event. Thanks also to: John BORLING for the “not so subtle” push to have the cups there, Jock Schwankwho enabled the use ofthe Cadet Chapel, and Lani Wing and staff for their support. There were no dry eyes; it was an experience felt deeply by comrades of the fallen. The cups were once again tipped for those no longer with us. This is a tradition we must and will preserve. I spoke to the group about how we can insure the cups pass to a place or to a group worthy and sensitive to their meaning. We don’t know how best to do that yet, but we have some time. I’ll take that as an action item to explore over the next fewyears. Ifyou want to feel uplifted and proud about yourAcademy experience, attend the 40th!”

Jim, thank you for those words. I too want to add my sincerest thanks and congratulations to the reunion committee for the fabulous work they did on the 35th Next, I want to say the Class CD, which I received justyesterday (December 27th), brought it all back. I can’t express in words how much I appreciate the work Jim GASTON and son Matt did on this priceless piece of memorabilia. The CD

does just what Jim wanted it to do - brings back some very pleasant memories and reminded me how fortunate we are to be a member of the Class of 1963. Others involved in the CD’s production were EvVAUGHN, Gordy BREDVIK, Drue DEBERRY, Jimmie BUTLER and Jim KUHN. I called Jim Gaston about the CD and he tells me a copy was sent to everyone in the Class of 1963 whose address was on file at the AOG. This included four widows. That’s terrific!

The reunion was well attended with plenty ofthings to do to keep all of us busy and involved. I for one appreciated the evening times most where we could just visit. I also enjoyed the entertainment provided by Jim KUHN’s very beautiful daughter Pilar. The parade was special with the greatweather, the pass-in-review and the fly-overs. I will say the cadets need more drill - good marching is an art requiring lots ofwork. Who could have planned a better football game? After the parade and the barbecue at the AOG building, we cheered the Falcons on to a sensational victory! After the game, I didn’t have the heart to call my dad (USNA ’40) and gloat - too much. Diff told you about the Memorial Service. I also was really taken back by the “Return With Honor” film. Ifyou have not seen the film, let me recommend it to you. Hopefully, the film will be shown in your area or on PBS in the near future. I have seen many films on the SEAWar POWs but nothing like this one.

The Class Gift presented by John BORLING was a very pleasant surprise. The gift was an Audubon Lithograph ofthe Gyr Falcon, entitled “The Gyr”. A very rare lithograph and quite stunning. It is now on display at theAcademy thanks to John and the Class of 1963. Each ofus was given the opportunity to pledge some money to help defray the expenses involved in acquiring the gift. Better yet, we were given the opportunity to sign the back of the lithograph. Ifyou wish to help with the expenses, please send your check with payment to: AOG, John Borling. John says those of you not able to sign the lithograph will be given the opportunity again at the 40th Note: the class voted at a very short business meeting to hold the 40th in October, vs. November, of2003. The great weather we experienced was the deciding factor.

I have enclosed a few pictures taken during the Reunion Dinner. All photos are welcome—I’ll send them back.

How about those Falcons! What a pleasant way to spend Christmas Day! I suppose there were many who thought Air Force should have been selected for a bowl game more prestigious than the Oahu Bowl. However, for those of us living in the Pacific Northwest, the game took on a great deal of meaning. I for one watched with pleasure as the Falcons dismantled the University ofWashington Huskies. One ofthe local sports pages did a comparison ofthe two schools. Things like the football budget for USAFA is $1.7 million per year and for the Huskies it is $11.4 million. In the list, Washington famous alums include, among three, Dyan Cannon, and USAFA’s three famous alums included General Ronald FOGLEMAN. I wonder how Ron feels about being listed along side Dyan Cannon?

I didn’t get to see the whole game on TV as I had to go to the airport and pick up our daughter who flew in from San Francisco on Christmas night. Susan, after graduating from the CulinaryAcademy is now a chefat the ParkHyattHotel, down-

Class of1963 Celebrates 35th Reunion atAcademy

town San Francisco. She worked Christmas daypreparing dinner for hotel guests and when she got offwork headed for Seatde. She then prepared a scrumptious dinner for us - we ate Christmas Dinner around midnight. The wait was worth it!

E-mail inputs: Fred LINDAHL sent an update of his and the family’s activities. Fred was in France for four months where he was teaching at INSEAD, and reports that it’s as good as any business school he knows of. It attracts the best students he’s seen, and it has a high-quality, well-integrated program. (Perhaps that’s why the best students apply.) Fred was teaching in the MBA program (in English). INSEAD is in Fontainebleau; sits on the site of a former NATO base. After the first of the year, Fred will move to Amsterdam. He arranged his sabbatical to spend a term at INSEAD, then move to Vrije Universiteit for the spring semester. He’ll do a limited amount of teaching there; the focus of that time will be working on research projects with other faculty, PhD students, etc. He plans to live on a houseboat on a canal - sounds like thatwill be an adventure [I’ve seen some prettysnazzy houseboats in Amsterdam]. Fred’s older daughter, Virginia, is beginning a doctoral program in clinical psychology at Catholic Univ. in D.C. Kristine, his younger daughter, is a teacher’s assistant in a classroom of autistic kids in Durham, NC.

Bill WECKER posted 120 or so reunion photos on the followingWeb site; http:// home.att.net/~commander.in.chief/usafa63/. It took me a couple of times to get them to come up but when I did it was fun looking around. Bill did a greatjobgo take a look! Maybe they will still be around when you read this.

Heads up! I don’t know how many of you know of Rick Broome, artist. In November Rick sent a note to the class scribes ofthe Gold classes. He just completed his latest official class painting for the Gold Class of 1999. This is the 49th painting Rick has created for the Academy since 1973. Rick says he included the Class of 1963 year plus the other 10 graduating Gold classes in several hidden locations throughout the background ofthe landscape. The title ofthe painting is “GOLDEN RULES.” Rick hopes to gain AOG support to raise funds for the 1999 Class fund and also share proceeds from the sales of the prints we create for your class with yourAOG class fund. I’m sure you will hear more on this project as time goes by. I have seen a number of Rick’s works and he is a terrific artist.

Got an e-mail from Jack MCTASNEY saying he and JoAnn were with their grandson Sam who was in neonatal intensive care when he was only three days old and getting a complete blood exchange whenAir Force beat Navy! Sam is fine now. All in all, we understand and can only say both Jack and JoAnn were truly missed. Although he was not able to attend the reunion, Jack made some significant contributions to the event’s success for which we are all thankful. Jim GASTON gives Jack a lot of credit for the CD idea and I have certainly enjoyed reading through my copy of the Class History and keep it close by my desk. Jack’s note added that oldest son, Bob, should pin on his Army major’s oak leaves at West Point in January 1999. Bob is teaching computer science in the Electrical Engineering Department and climbing with the West Point Mountaineering Team (the officers and cadets compete against other university teams, including USAFA).

Gil MERKLE thinks a class web page that is easy to maintain could and should be set up. He posted a sample web page that contains the current ’63 e-mail list. Gil volunteered to help develop a class page if there is sufficient interest and if there are others who would like to help. I looked Gil’s page up at the following web site: http://lonestar.texas.net/-merkleg/yellowtags.htm. Wish I knew more about how a web site is done -1 hire folks to do that for me at Boeing.

Some sad news: Jimmie BUTLER notified me Jim Conboy (former head trainer) collapsed outside his home a little before the USAFA-USNA game during our reunion and passed away after 11 days in intensive care. He was 74. Jim was head trainer for the Academy for 43 years - even before the Academy played its first intercollegiate sporting event. I certainlyremember him butwhat was truly amazing to me was how he always remembered me every time we crossed paths. He will remain a big part of USAFA History. Jim Conboy was a special person.

Tom Kroboth (Checkpoints editor) tells me the AOG Board ofDirectors has initiated a new featurette in Checkpoints called “Spotlight on Graduates.” In it, one graduate will be highlighted in each issue. The class scribes (me?) are to provide inputs (read: write the article and send a photo of the individual) on a classmate that the class feels should be recognized. Articles on “Spotlight” should be about a page and a half to two pages, one photo necessary and two max, and should come in on the class news deadline. OK! For now, I will pass the buck to you all for nominations, prepared inputs, plus photos. I will send a class-wide e-mail on the subject so we can give it a go for the Spring edition.

That’s it for this time. No more room left. Again, congratulations and thanks to the reunion committee. They outdid themselves!

Bob Hovde

206 Walker Ave.

Huntsville, AL 35801

H (AL): (256) 532-3923 H (TX): (254) 759-0688

O (TX): (254) 867-7092 Fax: (254) 867-4137

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

Percent Members: 73

111/

Reunion: I received my planningpackage for the 35th ’64 Reunion in December. By the time you read this, you should have received a real package - asking for you to sign up for events, souvenirs, etc. Ifyou haven’t seen anythingyet, you might be

Class of 1964 - 35th Reunion

Army at USAFA

3-7 November 1999

one of our lost souls. Call Jerry BUTLER at 719-481-8804 or e-mail at <jbutler@csu.org>. Actually, there are 34 lost souls. Ifyou or someone you know hasn’t received a reunion package, please give Jerry a call. The reunion (3-7 Nov 99) should be a good one, seeing as how we will be beating Army in the game (worth a bottle ofScotch to me!). Ifthe weather is like last November, we can wear shorts - however, I’d plan on parkas and overshoes, myself.

Letters: Every five years - a letter from JimWHEELER. Jim is the chief operating officer for the Lion’s Sight Foundation District 2.A2 (San Antonio). He sent two articles from the San Antonio Express-News that talked about Tom McNISH and his part in the “ReturnWith Honor” movie, which is about the POW experience as told by the POWs. It should be released byApril and will go to cable TV after that. The articles, which were written ostensibly to tell about the film and audience reaction to it at the Mill Valley Film Festival (standing ovation), managed to tell quite a bit about the POW’s ordeal and about Tom’s return.

E-mail: FredWAGNER e-mailed, “Got my picture in ComputerWorldthis week, as part of an article interviewing IS Managers about the impact ofthe NT blitz on their operations. December 14th issue, article begins on page 77 - nice picture of yours truly taken outdoors near my office on Bunker Hill in downtown LA. Looking forward to the reunion next year. Michelle and I are planning on a Wednesday arrival so we can help with registration and souvenir pickup on Thursday. Good to see the B-ls finally getting some combat action after all these years waiting.”

One of our lost souls, Larry COLVIN, writes, “I do not think we have met, except maybe in passing on the Terrazzo, but I am one ofthe lost souls ofthe Class of 1964, LariyColvin, 3rd Squadron. I havejustsigned up fortheAssociation ofGraduates and was thrilled to see some of the good old names ofyore in the latest Checkpoints received yesterday. I am living in Hollywood, FL (near Ft. Lauderdale) and fly 757s for Continental Airlines based in Newark NJ. Mywife, Susan, and I (plus 8-year-old son Matt and 7-year-old son Steven) have a large home with plenty ofguest space should any ’64ersbe intheneighborhood.Attheveryleast, shouldanyonebe passingthrough, we would love to have them over and BS about the good old days. I regret losing contact with many old friends and hope to catch up on communications in the near future. If you have any grads in SE Florida, please let me know.” Larry, you should have received an AOG Registerby now. You can look up the people who live near you in the back. Plan on coming to the reunion and re-meet everyone!

Keith LUCHTEL sent along the following in a message to a list of classmates: “I forwarded a newspaper column that a friend had sent to me last week. In his message to me he mentioned mywife’s condition. I have had some inquiries about her as a result. Patti is doing fine. She had a heart procedure last week (Oct) to correct what amounted to an electrical problem in the heart. The procedure, called “ablation” involved eliminating an alternative conductive pathway in the heart, which was causing irregular heartbeats. It is a condition she has had for a long time without problem until recendy. The procedure is done by running wires through veins and arteries into the heart and then “burning” the bad pathway. She was in the hospitalovernightfollowing the procedure and is back to full activity after five days. Anyway, thanks to those sharp-eyed readers amongyou who noticed JudgeWilson’s comments at the beginning ofthe message and expressed concern." Keith, eventually we all learn to be careful about what we forward - sometimes people really read it - but we are all relieved that Patti came through O.K.

A1 TUCKwrites, “I want to report that this summer, mywife, Natalie, and I made the long journey from Blaine, WA (on the Canadian border and on Puget Sound) to Sarasota, FL, where I am happilyworking on new pump designs, and playing golf occasionally. We have just experienced our first “Florida Hurricane” threat, but fortunately for us, “Georges” turned to the northwest. Except for that, we love living on the “Suncoast” of Florida. Although I haven’t written to the ‘column’ before, I always look forward to the arrival ofthe quarterlyupdate. The only news I can offer is that the Class of 1964 was well represented at the Summer Golf Outing of the Sabre Society, and we had a great time. 1 believe there were six ‘64ers including MCARTOR, BLOODWORTH, OLMSTEAD, RITCHIE, GLENN, and myself. Hugh WILLIAMSON sent a letter to 1964 Sabre Society members encouraging us to recruit new members from our class to maintain our usual top position.” [The rest ofyou, consider this a recruitment!]

Christmas Cards: Well, Christmas CARD, anyway. Bill and Irene DOUGLASS write that they are still in the D.C. area after seven years, but are looking forward to someday (5-6 years?) building their dream house in Cloudcroft, NM. [Actually, almost any house that you didn’t have to fight the D.C. traffic from could be considered a “dream house.”] Bill is still with SAIC, while Irene is “happilyworking at the animal clinic with my furry friends.” Kids Ted and Jenny are slowlyfurnishing their first house in Texas, while Bill is in Woomera, Australia, working at an Air Force installation. He’s seen lots ofkangaroos and koalas and even had his picture taken with one, koala that is.

That’s all for now, folks. I hope you have all received your reunion package and have signed up for all of the festivities. It will be good to visit with all y’all again. (In Alabama, all y’all is the plural ofy’all!) Remember, plastic up - rubber down!

Rick Zurbrugg Box 22615

Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 (803) 698-5321

FAX: (803) 698-5403

E-mail: 75630,2347@compuserve.com

Percent members: 70

You’ve done it again! Over 100 ofyou stalwart lads and your significant others showed up for a weekend party of parties. Our hearty thanks and rousing cheer for our local arrangers Jim SPITTLER, Bob GIFFEN, and Frank McCANN, and certainly to Dick COPPOCK, ’61, and his staff at the AOG who plan and execute all these events. There were three class reunions that weekend and they did a superlativejob ofinsuring that we had a first-rate reunion experience.

The friendly, gentle presence ofTad and Sandy OELSTROM was felt everywhere

during the weekend. Tad circulated among us at the Thursday night ‘informal” and was observed to be listening good-naturedly to the usual theories on how to “fix" the Academy. His standup briefing (in flying suit) with Dean, Comm, and AD from the stage of Lecture Hall F-l gave a powerful impression of military teamwork at its finest and leadership beyond compare. Tad threw open the Supt’s box for classmates at half time. At that point, I could no longer feel my toes, so the second halfwith a warm seat, free eats, bottomless Bloody Mary’s and lubricated camaraderie was just the ticket as the Falcons poured it on.

After the game, Tad and Sandy hosted a fabulous reception at the Supt’s homethe Carlton House. In the dining room there was hot clam chowder, smoked duck quesadills and shrimp on ice carving. In the great room, a huge roaring fireplace revived us while we enjoyed the pleasure ofeach other’s companyalongwith roast turkey carved to order with fine wine and open bar. Thank you Tad and Sandy for going above and beyond the call to make our reunion such a winner.

Sandy and Tad Oelstrom and Gail and Bruce Grossetta.

Of course, you never get to talk to everyone and it’s impossible to chronicle everyhappening, but some memorable moments for me: the warmth and strength of a KentWATERMAN handshake and a bear hug from Flash WILEYwho brought the house down with “MUSTANG SALLY” once again.

ter, the advantages of private secondary education at boarding school from the Headmaster himself, A1 GRIESHABER. John BLAHA claimed that he had been found “penniless, on food stamps, and living under a bridge in SanAntonio” when rescued by a job with USAA. When asked about the nature of said employment, John allowed as how his mission is to “Knock the boss’s socks off once a year”.

Even more fun was Brenda BLAHA on the joys ofgrandparenting. The beautiful peopledepartment would have to include attendee’s Marc and Helen SABIN’s two “hunk” young guys, Dick and Maxine ZUCKER’s stunning young people, daughters and son-in-law; Bart HOLADAY’s daughter and CU student; Brett, Bob and Betsy PANKE and their gorgeous, smart kids, Sam and Beth, who take after their mother; and Dr. Jim PERRY’s young daughter who could not be fooled for a nanosecond.

QUICK TAKES: Bill and Cathy KENNEDY looking way too fit for people our age, Bruce and Gail GROSSETTA helping out in a big way, Bob GIFFEN and his international space teaching machine, Dick SCHLOSBERG looking every inch the retired CEO; reminiscing with JerryWILKOWSKI about our little kids rolling around the floor at my house at Grissom so many years ago. Also seen were Ed FARRELL, Carl LYDAY - director, University ofDenver Research Institute, A1 ROWE, Stu “Scott” DUNCAN, Jim SWALLOW, Bob GOLDEN who hosted the gang from 16th to a gettogether at his home, Dave COOPER had me laughing, Dick BENSON, John GROSS, Tim GRAVES, Chuck COLEMAN, George “freefall” DUNKELBERG, J.J. KELLY, “father of the Sabre Society”, and all the rest of you great guys who either skillfully avoided me or who I just couldn’t get to.

The guys from 15th andladyfriends.

Perhaps the most emotional moment ofthe weekend would have to be the viewing of “Return With Honor”. Well introduced by Bart HOLADAY, we were forewarned of its power, but unprepared for its impact because you knew these guys back when. There were no dry eyes, only stunned silence when the film ended and people quietly filed out of F-1. Walking across the terrazzo with J.T MURPHY, we agreed that this film gave us perhaps a sense ofclosure on the defining experience of our youth. Thanks, JT.

On another bittersweet note was the opportunity to see Bill MALERBA again one last time. Bill and his wife, Terry, and young people were there for it all. Bill was in excellent spirits and was enjoying himself immensely as judged by a continuous smile on his face. Talking with Terry, who is a nurse, I could not imagine a more determined fight against his brain tumor, but we lost him Dec 21 st If you have remembrances of Bill, Terry would like to have them. Please write to her. Terry Malerba, 430 West Highway 6, Los Lunas, NM 87031-7207.

Flash at his finest.

Then there was Roy FRICKE’S big-whiskered, beaming smile and the alwaysinfectious humor of Ray BEVTVINO. Bob WALSH noted that it was his first-ever reunion. Joe BLACKSTEN’s comment: “The Air Force Academy was the best thing that ever happened to me.” (Many of us could say the same thing Joe.) The recently-retired Howie ESTES introduced the band at the dinner dance. Friday noonmeal formation featured a mini pep rally complete with half naked man painted silver and blue riding in ‘60s-something convertible, and Alice COBLENTZ and Sharon PIPER marching to lunch at Mitch’s with 20th Squadron sans husbands. The ingenious Gary FAUSTI wrapped himself in plastic that he salvaged somewhere against the snowstorm at the game. Joe McNABB observed that ifwe would have had a class as old as us visit when we were cadets it would have been the Class of ’32. Thanks a lot Joe.

There were so many golden moments of conversation: catching up with onetime roomie Johnny JUDD and his wife, Phyllis, still having fun as a couple since their high school days when John was Indiana’s Mr Basketball; talking kids with Drs. Jim and Jean IOALTENBACH and Doug and Wendy WEIDNER; why Mike LYNCH eats bran for breakfast and his remarkable work with Project Challenge (youthful offenders) in Arizona; Georgia politics with Gary and Sandi FAUSTI (we may have a candidate here, folks); Steve AMDOR on how terrific it was to play football at USAFA; Mark JOHNSON and his wife, Judith, on labor negotiations as an airline pilot and board member of the University of Chicago Lab School and the fine work they’re doing with Mark’s neighborhood improvement foundation in Chicago; from Bill KEMP the first lucid explanation of the Y2K problem I have yet to read or hear; attorney Will BURNEY’s reasoned and passionate views on consolidated schools in Nebraska; Bill BOWER’s wonderful story about finding the guy who had been his father’s best buddy in the Flying Tigers (the father Bill had never known); Joe BLEYMAIER’s wife, Marcia, on ‘60s dating customs at Pulliam Hall at CWC and why some guys always struck out; Jim PIPER on creative writing (he has several novels); consensus was that a novel based upon the exploits of one Sid COOK would rival anything by Pat Conroy - it cannot be confirmed that Sid pulled another all-nighter playing bouray; Dave DYE’s good-natured toleration ofteasing about the vivacious Ellen who looks more like a daugh

Mary Coleman, Bill and TerryMalerba.

All in all for your humble scribe, an emotional roller coaster. I apologize for not mentioning everybody who attended.We’re not getting any younger and we don’t want to act old and live in the past, but for my money, reunions of our class, like this one, are more than worth the price of admission. Looking forward to seeing you in 2000!

PARTING SHOTS: Dave CONNAUGHTON, who was at the reunion, celebrated his and Marilyn’s anniversary and NewYears on Hilton Head much to our delight. Dave noted that the diggers and fillers have declared a truce. The place is done, no leaks. Dave has promised some ofhis great DODO cartoons, updated for a future column. Thanks for visiting Dave; it was so good spending time with you and Marilyn. Jeff SILLIMAN challenges anyone to top 240,000 miles on his ’82 Volvo/ original engine. I enjoyed talking with Jeff at the reunion about a prayer breakfast planned for our Y2K get-together. Contact Jeff with your thoughts on this event.

I just finished watching Mike RYAN and the otherJoint Chiefs on C-Span as they appeared before the Senate MilitaryAppropriation Committee (SMAC). Mike was masterful as he tried to explain the word “critical” - something about 850 AF pi-

lots short now and 2,000 by 2002 and a “bubbling economy” sucking up more pilots than the military can train. Of course, explaining to smacks has always been a challenge, especially the Massachusetts variety.

GOOD NEWS: 1 am happy to report that Len KRUCZYNSKI is out of Stanford Hospital and although getting outpatient treatment for a fungal infection, he had to be in stitches explaining why the nurses love him for “coordinating” his treatments. It was fun talking to Len. Give him a call at (650) 949-4678. We get by with a little help from ...JUST ARRIVED: A card announcing “With pleasure” the New Years Eve marriage ofA. Bart HOLADAY and Lynn BuckinghamVillella in Palcitas NM. Congratulations Bart and Lynn.

Ryan Denny

1635 Mary Todd Lane

O’Fallon, IL 62269

Home: (618) 624-4255

Work: (314) 232-4180

E-mail: ryanden@aol.com

Percent members: 72

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*w

Greetings, Redtags! My plea for e-mail addresses must have hit the “noveautechno” nerve on some of you and embarrassed the others who still fondle their slide rules and long for the good old days. I’ve got a small pile of e-mail that will provide plenty of fodder for this quarter’s newsletter. See? It doesn’t hurt to send an e-mail. So, put down that slide rule, pick up your mouse and send a few lines to your lonely class scribe.

After one of our last reunions, I commented that most of our class seemed to have become doctors, lawyers, or airline pilots. However, this latest batch of email all came from people with real jobs. I have two theories that could explain this phenomenon: 1) the only people who have the time and money to come to reunions are doctors, lawyers, and airline pilots. 2) These select groups do not use e-mail because the doctors refuse to write anything that may be legible, the lawyers haven’t figured out how to charge for sending e-mail, and the airline pilots would rather use their free travel to deliver the messages in person.

Whatever the reason, a lot of our classmates who sent some e-mail seem to be working in the aerospace industry. Walt KING is working for Boeing (my favorite company) in Oklahoma City. He wanted to send his slighdy belated compliments to the people who did such an incredible job of putting on our 30th reunion. Walt would like to nominate them to organize all future reunions. I think that suggestion falls under my theory that “No job is too big if someone else is doing it”, but I have to agree with Walt - it was a great time. Another Boeing employee is Bruce MCBRIDE, who is a mission planner for the B-1 program at Edwards AFB. Bruce lives in Apple Valley and has been working on the B-l for the 10 years since he retired, although only the last year or so has been for Boeing.

Rick STRONG and Jerry BECKER are working as contractors for USACOM’s Joint Warfighting Center inVirginia. Rick says that he and Jerry used to work for separate organizations, but were merged during one ofthe latest fits of“DOD streamlining”. Rick enjoys living in the Tidewater area because he can keep his sailboat at FortMonroe and have immediate access to both Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay. Being close to everything is important when your ground speed is only six knots.

Lee SMITH is also learning about mergers. He had been working for Hughes Aircraft for several years when they were bought byRaytheon. His job stayed the same but his paychecks changed colors. Lee is in his sixth year as the “token Blue Suiter” on an Army theater air defense simulation called Extended Air Defense Testbed (EADTB). He’s got the Army fooled into thinking that all ofhis A-10 experience has made him an air-to-air expert. (Why not? I’m using all my C-130 experience to build F-15 training systems - all of us retired Air Force guys look alike.)

Another reorganization victim is Steve CONVER. He retired from his assistant secretary of the Army job in 1993, one week before the Clinton administration broom was going to sweep him out, and went to work for Lockheed Martin as president of one oftheir companies in Massachusetts. Lockheed sold Steve’s company to General Dynamics and put him in a headquarters typejob inWashington DC. Steve says that he enjoys living in the D.C. area with lots of old friends and even older classmates, but he is anxious to get back out into operations (aren’t we all?). Steve has seen a lot of Bernie HAROLD recently. Bernie is a “very senior” captain with US Air and gets a good choice of routes and great “bennies”. He had an overnight in D.C. recently, so he flew his wife down to join him at dinner with

the Convers. The Redtags have joined the Jet Set. (See whythey don’t use e-mail?) Other D.C.-area classmates include Mike CONNORS andTom KINCAID, who both work for DynCorp.

Moving to the Left Coast, we got e-mail from Jim MEADOWS at the Presidio of San Francisco. Jim has become the guru of base closures. He spent four years as the executive director of the Lowry RedevelopmentAuthority, setting up the closure/redevelopment effort for Lowry AFB. He turned that job over to Tom MARKHAM last year and took over the job of executive director of the Presidio Trust. Jim says that the Presidio Trust is a federal agency with many ofthe strings removed so that they can be quick and competitive. I think that is called a “dichotomy”. With or without strings, Jim has a bigjob ahead ofhim. He is charged with preserving the Presidio by making it financially self-sufficient in 15 years.

Speaking ofbigjobs, Kent CARLSON lives a litde further up the coast in Richland, WA and works for Battelle Memorial Institute. Kent works on their International Nuclear Safety Program, which is trying to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors in Central and Eastern Europe. Kent gets to travel to Kiev once in a while, but the 20-hour flights and the 10 time zones make for a long bag-drag. Kent is planning on living in Washington until he retires for real and then returning to Maui for good. If he can keep all those “Chernobyls-waiting-to-happen” from happening, he will have earned a Hawaiian retirement.

From Phoenix, Bert HETRICK e-mails that Arizona is a great place to spend the winter. (Don’t tell me - it may be cold, but it’s a “drycold”!) Bert is in charge ofthe security forces at two Microchip Technology plants in the Phoenix area. He says that racketball was fun, but golf is teaching him humility.

Thanks for all the e-mail. I will try to get an e-mail address list out to all who want it as soon as I can. Please note the new “snail-mail” address above. I’m not actually in that new house yet, but I’m banking on mybuilder’s promise of “Spring, ‘99” as a move-in date. Until next time.. .Happy Landings!

Larry Wilson

13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE

Albuquerque, NM 87111

Home: (505) 291-8949

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

E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

Percent members: 65

Greetings one and all, and Happy Y2K-1. This will be the last time I write as an ADAF member... I officially retire effective 1 Apr (April Fools Day - get it?). With terminal leave, etc, the ceremony is 22 Jan. Wow... It has been a long time since BCT. More about that later.

Not a lot ofinput this quarter -1 am still waiting for the flood ofholiday newsletters from around the Class of 67 world, the same flood I wait for every year... If you have one, fire me a copy, via e-mail or customary means. I’ll be happy with anything readable, scannable, reverse transcriptable, etc.

From earlier communication with Len VERNAMONTI - 1998 was a very eventful year for him and family. Daughter Leigh made Len and Betty first-time grandparents on Sept 30, “...a healthy, beautiful, 7 lb 12 ounce redhead (just like both her grandmothers)...” Son 2LT Len W. left for Armor Officers Basic Course at Fort Knox, completed that and is currentlyattendingthe Scout Platoon Leaders Course, again at Ft. Knox. All their good news was soured somewhat by the death of Len’s father, from complications related to cancer. He acknowledged that many of us have already gone through the loss of parents - he is "... (not) very happy about joining this very unenviable club...”

Len himself is traveling enough to qualify for Platinum Medallion with Delta, and has also accumulated miles with Northwest, American, and Continental to allow for Betty to travel with him on several trips - she went with him to Puerto Rico in September to attend the Southern Governors’ Association Annual Meeting, and to L.A. where he attended the fall meeting of the Air Force Association Science & Technology Committee. Not quite like the AF rules where you can only use AF frequent-flyer miles for AF travel, i.e. not spousal or recreational or anything in any way useful...

And from Pete MILNE, assistant dean at the Washington University (St Louis) School of Law, also a new grandpa - Jack Anthony Milne was born on Aug 22. “...without a doubt the cutest, smartest, most wonderful two-month-old in the world...” Pete has been able to travel a bit too - he and Shirley went to Malaga (about an hour east of Gibraltar) for Shirley’s annual convention. “Great golf courses. Stopped by Paris on the way home. My first time there. I loved the clock counting down the millennium on the Eiffel Tower...”

Roger CARLETON and family are looking at a move... as of 13 Nov they are owners offive acres NNE ofUSAFA, inWissler’s Ranch area (advertised in Checkpoints). Rememberwhen the Black Forest was an accessible but sort ofundeveloped place to have a woodsie, and when the land there was dirt-cheap? No more - it is almost mainstream urban C Springs now... If hindsight were foresight we’d all have lots there. Carletons have no immediate plans to move west, though Shonnie’s St. Louis fun meter is about pegged and she is ready to go now. Look for an address change, maybe as early as next summer. Meanwhile Roger has occupied some ofhis spare time by writing - along with Gen Fogleman - the introduction to a history of the USAF in Bitburg, where Roger was the last USAF wing commander. That book was formallypresented in a German ceremony in the fall, and now is available to all, for all time.

From Chuck BEATTIE - at the time ofthis writing he was looking forward to his son Mark’s getting home for Christmas, as he had lots ofcomputer questions. Mark “...seems to be enjoying USC and L.A. He’s a hard core vegan and long-distance runner (not exactly a chip offthe ole block as you might remember - more studies in genetic transference needed) and does well in the California climate...” Actually, I do remember Chuck eating a vegetable once but I believe it was sticking in a Bloody Mary. And he did run once. I think.

Warren andAnn Langleyand the happycouple at the reunion. Be well, do good work, and keep in touch. Cheers, Rick.

Here’s a pretty-current picture ofthe Roy MILLER family, from their holiday missive. Pretty healthy-looking bunch - well done, Roy!

The Millers at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Roy, Rachel, Katie, Alii andMary.

From Les and the JENSENs: job changes in Iowa for Les and Jackie, to bigger and better things, albeit not without some complicating factors that left Les commuting an inconveniently long distance rather than their moving when they originally planned. Son Mike is enjoying the young-single-guy-in-the-big-city life in Chicago, and other son Matt is in his second year of med school at the U of Iowa, loving it. He spent the summer working in Ecuador, having some out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Jackie continues to be the glue holding the family fabric together, as always.

About this retirement thing: I have to say it has not gone entirely smootlily. For reasons unclear to me, it took over five months for the damn request to get approved. I expected that to be a walk-through. And the explanation was “It’s in the Colonels Group” - like that is supposed to mean squat to me. Anyhow, one day my orders showed up, without any explanation. Then nothing for a few more months. So I asked the local retirement office folks whether there wasn’t supposed to be some sort ofseparationbriefings, etc. They said, “Of course but it is way too early... we’ll contact you... So I foolishly waited, thinking that they knew what they were doing. You’d think I’d know, by this stage in my career... A few weeks ago, when the dopes finally did start to get their act together, all contacts started with “We sure are sorry and we don’t know how this happened...” and of course there is always the absent scapegoat, the guythatused to workthere, who seems to have botched things up, lost paperwork, etc, who then PCSed and didn’t transfer any information... Anyhow, now I am getting rushed through stuffthat could/should, I would think, have been done at some measured pace. But nooooo...

Anyway, it has been nice to receive encouraging words from some of you who have been through this. It is a bit traumatic... The thought offorever putting away the Blue Suit, after spending most ofmy adult life in it, is daunting. And the “what comes next” issue... well, after a bit of soul searching about what I wanted to be when I grow up, I decided to... take a ’’sabbatical.” I’m planning to spend a bit of home time, catching up on a few years of overdue chores, hanging out with my

daughter in her last year at home before college, and with my son who is growing too fast, and skiing (if there is any snow this La Nina season...), and being Mr Mom, and finallygetting mywife and her stufforganized. As one sage put it - ‘Am sure Pat is going to enjoyyour cooking the meals and puttering around the house offeringsuggestions on everythingshe has had control offor the past20-plusyears. I’ve read that women actually like suggestions like, “Honey, why don’t we put the dinner plates on the left side of this cupboard.”

I figure that will last for a few months (or until Pat boots me out), then I will actively pursue gainful employment again, in some medically-related field, in the Albuquerque area, where we’ve decided to remain (though the call of North Dakota was strong). Although I have to admit that another recenfiy-retired friend found a job that he thought was just great: after 30 years and highly-responsible jobs, he found great satisfaction in driving a school bus in the rural San Antonio area. But he quit after a few months: didn’t like the twice a day commitment... There is real appeal there...

So now I can work on my ponytail, watch old movies on TV drink a lot of beer, eat a lot more junk food... Wait a minute: except for the ponytail, that’s what I do now. Maybe this retirement will not be the great leap it is cracked up to be. Best wishes to all for a happy ‘99, and beyond!

Tim Davidson

9712 HiddenValley Road

Vienna, VA 22181-6094

(703) 255-5313/Fax: (703) 255-5377

E-mail: timd@erols.com

Percent members: 67

HELLO ‘68! Happy last NewYear of the second millenium! For those involved in solving the worldwide Y2K computer dilemma, your clock is ticking. Good luck to all you software wizards in “Checkpoints Land” and don’t forget to send your classmates the approved solution! And to Coach Fisher DeBerry and our 1998 Falcon Football Team, the Class of 1968 congratulates you on your incredible 12-1 season and for being selected as the 10th ranked team in the nation for Division IA by the USA Today, ESPN, and Coaches Poll.

REUNION CENTRALDEPT: Speaking offootball, you may recall that I requested a few photos from our glorious 30th reunion last June. The photo of our Doolie football team below comes courtesy of Barney MILLS. For those who missed the opportunity to purchase Coach Martin’s book entitled “1001 Ways to Run Up-theMiddle,” please contact Neal STARKEY and Tom ZYROLL for the particulars. (Scribe Note: only kidding!)

(Scribe Note: I am still looking for the photo of Bob LUSHBAUGH dancing at our reunion banquet. The camera flashes were noted going offduring this memorable moment, so whoever is sitting on this landmark class photo, cough up the goods!)

Pilot Training Reunions: Ed EBERHART informed me that the “Thunder Banana” Class of70-02 from CraigAFB is having their 30th Reunion in the FortWalton Beach area around the weekend of 14-16 May. Principal coordinators for the event are Vern MCGRAW, Chad SWEDBERG, and Jim HIX. If you have any questions, please give them a call.

The Class of 70-01 from Reese AFB is having its 30th Reunion in LasVegas at the New York New York Hotel & Casino from 7-12 Oct. I will serve as reunion chairman, with Bob DALEY serving as the assistant chairman for Section I, and Marty COLE as the assistant chairman for Section II. We would appreciate receiving email addresses from all in 70-01 who have them. Please send those addresses to timd@erols.com and I will send them to Bob and Marty. This reunion is targeted for all who participated in or with the class, to include graduates, nongraduates, friends, and instructors. For those who wish to make lodging reservations, please call (800) 693-6763 or (702) 740-6969 and say you are with the Air Force Pilot Reunion, Group Code R10USAF. Special group rates have already been negotiated.

HupOne, HupTwo, Hup 34Years Later: A reunionphoto ofour 1968Doolie football team with three coaches and ourhead trainer. From leftin the top row are Russ Walker, Tom Zyroll, Mike Rengal,Jim Bowman,Jim Conboy, CarlRichardson, Ben Martin,JackBraley, LarryCole, andEdEberhart. Bottom Row: BarneyMills, DaveAllen, MikeLang, Ralph Kaspari, A1 Burchett, DickFallon, CarlJansen, Ken Zagzebski, and Neal Starkey.

Annual ’68 East Coast Reunion: The traditional ’68 East Coast Reunion will be on 30 April at 7 p.m. at Ed EBERHART’s house, 63 Westover Avenue, Bolling AFB. Points of contact for this affair will be Bob JOHNSTON and myself. Bob Johnston’s home phone is (703) 846-0940. His e-mail is: rmj68@erols.com. My phone and email information are listed above. We would appreciate e-mail addresses for all who plan to attend, so we are able to keep you apprised of any changes. Ifyou are coming in from out-of-town and would like to stay with a classmate, please let either Bob or I know as soon as possible. There are more than 70 classmates in this area, so we should probably be able to accommodate you and your family members. Stay tuned for further details.

'68 Y2K Cruise: As mentioned after our 30th Reunion, BennyVETETO suggested we explore taking a cruise together as a class in the Year 2000. Ifyou are interested in participating, please let Benny know. As with other such events, the greater the participation, the lower the price for group members. (Scribe note to Benny: sign Lisa and me up!)

Future Reunions: For those wishing to make other classmates aware ofplanned reunions for pilot training, navigator training, squadron or regional get-togethers, etc., please send me the basics at least three months ahead ofyour event and I will help you get the word out.

MEANWHILE, BACK TO OUR 30th DEPT: My camera was clicking quite a bit during our 30th Reunion and I had many more photos than I could fit into the Checkpoints column dedicated to our milestone event. As a result, I will try to send a few more shots your way in columns to come—including this one. The following were all taken at Bill SASZ’ place in C-Springs.

More whipped cream for my double-fudge sundaes, please!" Clockwise from left front are Susan and Karl Whittenberg, Mimi and Mark Torreano, Kathy O’Grady,Pat O’Grady, Garryand Tina Dudley, and Bob Lushbaugh.

IT”S A WRAP DEPT: Next column will feature your bountiful holiday correspondence and more reunion photos. Until then, mind the flak, keep 'em flying, and keep those cards, letters, and photos coming in. Tim.

Lindsey Parris

6037 Ricketts Walk

Aexandria, VA 22312

Home: (703) 914-5608 yw|Ii5« k 7

E-mail: 102177.1033@compuserve.com

Percent members: 63 1^sSEMBs w

You should be reading this as spring approaches and with the lingering, happy inner glow that only whomping up on a Division I opponent in a bowl game can bring. Way to go, Falcons!

Of a different type ofbowl game significance, congratulations to the MCGRAINs, Tom and Lori, whose daughter Sarah served as Fiesta Bowl Queen. An apparition she was indeed. An apparition not indeed is Tom his own self, shown here voting with Tim MASON (in Tim’s Colorado ski country restaurant) on MikeWETTERER’s Group One Status (this is a bit of inside humor for you track and field team members; ironically, Tom has mere ex-officio voting status in such matters of import). Mike, who lives in Tucson, is the sales director for American Jet Aircraft Sdes, a division of the Pacific Coast Group.

Tom McGrain and Tim Mason

Darrel WHITCOMB’S meanderings found him crossing paths with a HENKELMAN, but not the Butch we know and love, but his son, Mike “Metal” HENKELMAN, USAFA ‘95 the active-duty F-16 pilot. Darrel reports that the son is followingwonderfullyin the father’s footsteps as officer, pilot, and warrior. Pride and professionalism live on! Darrel’s book, by the way, was picked up as a featured offering of the Military History Book Club. Dell will publish it next spring, for those ofyou who have been waiting.

Jerry BALL, still at Scott AFB, will be hanging them up this April (the First!). He will be seeing his former CS-30 roomie, RandyWALTI, in St. Louis as he pursues the legal aspects of divesting part of the company for which he works. Jerry sug-

The USAFA contingent ofReese Class of70-01: From left seatedin the front row, scribe andJim Lozito. Seated middle row, Dana Drenkowski, GeorgeHoffman, Jim DeFazio, andMartyCole. Standingbackrow, TonyEden,JoeRoberts, RandyJohnson, Bill Sasz, J. Ferron, Brian O’Hara, Rhip Worrell, and John Sullivan. Not Pictured, Bob Daley and Charlie Holland.

“Another round, bartender!” From left are Hank Moorman, Mike Langley, and DougWilson.

So HappyTogether-BobbyMarks, GaryMcDonald, andfriends.

gests that a recent note from Randy contained even more acronyms than peppers most military correspondence. Old habits die hard!

Terry BRADY left United’s training center in September to fly the right seat on the 747. After boneyarding the old 747s, he hopes to fly on the West Coast. He reports that Chick KAISER flies for Alaska Airlines and is relocating part-time to ShadowMountain resort in Palm Desert with the rest ofthe year on a boat in Olympia, WA’s harbor. Tough life, this airline jockeying. Speaking of which, Les DYER ran into Norm “Buster” KNOX on the first Monday ofthe NewYear, and was pleased to learn he is a fellow Delta aviator.

Bill MAGILL recendy took a new position at Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systerns as director and special assistant to the Office of the President. He’s not traveling as often as he did when he was marketing the F-22, but his working hours have now reverted to pre-oil-crisis Pentagon levels. He and Nancy have moved closer to work, from an Atlanta address to Marietta. Congrats to Bill on his new responsibilities - keep us flying into the next century!

Tommy LOVE, he of Amelia Earhart fame among other things, will be hanging them up on 4 June, 30 years after graduation. He and Rebecca aren’t certain what they will do, but they have fallen in love with Northern California and would like to start a Hyperbaric Chamber in the area. Who is not to like Northern California?

especially with the proximity of Mike and Jeannie MARTIN in Sonoma County. Mike, as you may know, is doing allergy-related work in the county, and Jeannie markets and sells for a winery.

Ron Love and John Dallagher

Ron LOVE writes that all is well in Dover, DE. He is working for the Department of Education and travels a good bit, making it among other places to the annual SHAPE reunion in October where he ran into John DALLAGHER, chief of Operations/Logistics (see photo). Also in October, Ron helped host a 25th anniversary celebration of Operation Nickel Grass, where he ran into ‘69ers Clay BAILEY and Barry CREIGHTON, shown here with NG25 nametags sporting ‘69 yearbook pictures. Could we have ever been that young?

Ron Love, Clay Bailey and Barry Creighton

Ready yourselves for some “old” news, dated only by my misplacing Jim WILLLAMS’ great letter of many months back. Jim, as you know, retired after 28 years, an event that ranked highly on the “Jimmeri scale ofsignificant emotional events.” As the defense and air attache in Manila, Jim had a terrific tour, including a trip to Malacanang Palace in the middle of a typhoon. After a follow-on year at McConnell AFB as the director ofStaff, Jim said goodbye to the blue and hello to the mufti. He and Gail are ensconced in Plattsburgh, NY, as far as I know, looking to head eventually to NorthernVirginia. One ofJim’s comments sums up neatly a feelingshared by many of us: “Flying for 24 out of28 years was certainly a plus, but it’s the friends you make and the experiences you carry with you that make the AF so great. No complaints. And I’d do it all over again were someone to make the offer.” Best of luck to Jim and Gail in their new adventure.

Dave NIELSON writes that he is senior vice president and general counsel for Bethphage, a nonprofit corporationserving2,000 developmentallydisabled people in 14 states, the United Kingdom, and Latvia. He practices law with his son and presents estate-planning seminars for colleges 20 weekends a year. Dave is staying busy; it is safe to say.

Another ‘69erDave, oftheYOST variety, has had a verybusyyear, andwith mergermania hitting the pharmaceutical distributor business, he and Jean didn’t know whether they would be living in San Francisco or Philadelphia. With the FTC’s intervention, and quashing of AmeriSource’s merger, Dave and family are in Philly (actuallyBryn Mawr). With the uncertainty ofit all, theYOST pooch, fed up with the nomadic lifestyle - old house, temporary Columbus apartment, Michigan cottage, temporary Columbus apartment, Philadelphia apartment, and then kennel - responded bybiting the kennel owner. Dave says that was appropriate, as he himself felt like biting the FTC judge. Luckily, Jean talked him out ofit. Stay tuned.

Now, do you find yourself not caring where your spouse goes or whom she’s with, as long as you don’t have to go along? Are you hearing most of your jokes via email rather than face-to-face? Do you have to refrain from lecturing neighborhood kids selling lemonade on ways to enhance their business processes? Do you

Terry Schwalier, Ester Millard and Bill Marvel

urge everyone to think “out ofthe box” when doing even simple things, like planning Friday night excursions? Clearly, you need a reality fix - the blue ribbon, top-of-the-line version scheduled for Sept 24 at the USAF Academy. This will be a watershed reunion; time to reconnect with those with whom you really came of age, and to share in the retelling of tall tales and chilling adventures. I can’t think of any ‘69ers not planning on attending or trying to arrange their schedules to best advantage. Get your reservations early to ensure a good seat!

The official dates are Wednesday, Sept 22 through Sunday the 26th. Only registration is scheduled Wednesday. There is the possibility that the football game scheduled for Saturdayvs. Wyomingwill be moved (byESPN) to Thursdayevening at 6 p.m., as happened this year with the CSU game. To accommodate, daytime activities for Thursday include Farrish memorial, walking tours, golf, lunch at Mitch’s, and a light hors d’oeuvres reception Thursday evening. Friday features lunch at Mitch’s, Wing march-on, a memorial service and a hotel banquet at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by the Band of the Rockies and a DJ. Saturday will inelude the game, ifit isn’t on Thursday, a parade, and the hotel social. Art SCHWALL will be sending a letter with further explanation soon. We still need squadron reps to help track down missing souls to ensure everyone knows about the reunion. Gary HOWE’s e-mail is HoweGS.AOG.USAFA@usafa.af.mil, and you have mine.

Unfortunately, but becoming less and less the exception, there is a bit of bad news to pass along to those ofyou I or others haven’t e-mailed. Joe K3LLEN passed away of cancer on Oct 5, two weeks short ofhis 51 st birthday. His wife, Sherri, son (Michael, 14) and daughter (Kerry, 11) survive him at 1905 Mason Hill Drive, Alexandria, VA 22307. Joe was a lawyer and partner in Rogers & Killeen in Alexandria.

Wildcat PHILLIPS summed this latest loss up well: “At Thanksgiving, it makes you realize how lucky we all are to have our health and our families for some more precious time. Joe is more alive in all of us today and will be remembered always for what an outstanding person he was to all of us and to his country.”

All the more reason to plan now on attending the 30th. Cheers until next time. Lindsey.

Tony Marietta 1070 Knollwood Circle i(

Monument, CO 80132

Home: (719) 488-3201/FAX:(719) 481-8768

Work: (719) 593-8888

E-mail: usafa70@aol.com

Percent members: 61

Hope all ofyou enjoyed the holidays and are doing fine in ’99!

Rich DOWNING and his wife, Nanci, hosted somewhere around 700 ’70 grads after the AFA vs. Rice home football game. (Pictures, hopefully by next issue). Caterer supreme, Nanci prepared enough gourmet dishes for the entire Colorado Springs population. We were in heaven. Rumor has it that Mitch’s plans to hire Nanci as a consultant. I do feel somewhat responsible for Rich’s huge grocery bill since a previous column reported that either he or Pete FOX had volunteered to host a post-game ’70 get-together. Funny thing, Rich doesn’t remember telling me he really wanted to have any party. Since practically our entire class was in attendance, there was a lot of talk about the 30th reunion. Over 110 percent of classmates polled (who voted twice?) agreed to coincide the 30th with an earlyseason AF football game, and reaffirmed the Broadmoor as the preferred reunion location. Actually, there was one dissenting vote. Dick RAUSCHKOLB wanted the reunion at Motel 6, with any overflow in his basement at $19.95 per night. Nice try, Dick! Another important reunion issue surfaced: how to arrange for the 31st Street Exit to be part of the festivities. Anybody with any influence or ideas let me know.

Life is good for Rick BONNELL, the chief of the Transportation Division at HQ AETC (Randolph AFB). Rick mentioned that Rick BEREFT serves as the commander of the AFLMA (Air Force Logistics Management Agency) at Gunter. Thanks for explaining the acronym since your old class scribe (and possibly a few of our classmates) is not totally up to speed on all of the AF abbreviations.

Rick SINE attended the AFA vs. Army football game at Army, where even the Army mules looked sad after the AF win. Also attending were Tome WALTERS, Rich DOWNING, and George RAYL. Rick said Tome is still at the Pentagon and may now be in charge of “gun running.” I think we need further explanation from either Rick or Tome on that one. Rick said George RAYL was still with Continental and will be upgrading to a 757. Thanks, Rick, for the info. Send pictures.

Rick LESCH pointed out that the Summer issue of Checkpoints spelled Dorsey BATTLES’ first name as “Dropsy.” Not sure where the blame falls on that one, but

I’m as good a source as any. Actually, the “Dropsy” rename is an interesting Freudian slip since no one stood up very long in the boxing ring against Dorsey. Rick saw Jim MULFORD and Mick DAVEY at a Denver Nugget’s basketball game last spring. They all wanted to see Gregg POPOVICH, who is coach ofthe SanAntonio Spurs. Rick says Jim MULFORD is retired after selling his business, and Mick DAVEY is still a commercial pilot. Rick saw Collie NORMAN and John WATSON at a bank opening party. Per Rick, the new bank was needed to hold all of Jim MULFORD’s money from the sale of his business. Rick says Collie NORMAN defends doctors in malpractice cases, but didn’t say what John was doing. John, contact me and send pictures. In Rick’s own words (I’m not making this up), he mal-practices law, representing the poor, the downtrodden, and other ex-cadets in the Denver area. Great info, Rick; don’t forget to send pictures.

Pete FOX, being short a few neurons, actually jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and parachuted into his own retirement ceremony at the AFA. Amazingly composed at the podium, he thanked all for their prayers for his safe landing, and offered his own thanks for not being blown into the football stadium or, worse yet, landing on the flag pole. Since Pete’s retirement, he and wife, Debi, are riding their Harley motorcycle in a new Hell’s Angels movie, “AFA Grad Cone Bad."

TravelingAmerica’s backroads to keep the worldsafe forDemocracy.

Jim DEORIO said that he was here at the AFA to watch the AFA vs. Wake Forest football game. As I mentioned in an earlier column, Jim and Rita’s son Mark did great in the game even though Wake Forest didn’t have a super day. Their other son, Matt, graduated from Duke and now attends med school, and their daughter Marie is a high school senior. Even though Jim said he was too busy to see me when he was out here, he still miraculously managed to have dinner with Mark EWIG and his wife, Kristie. Jim mentioned that Mark, who now teaches at Lewis Palmer HS in Monument and coaches the girl’s basketball team, looks like he is about 29 years old. Those steroids must finally be working. Since I live in Monument, I’m plugged into the Lewis Palmer High School grapevine. Mark used to substitute before he was hired full time, and whenever the students found out Mark was going to be their sub, they would all clap and cheer since they thought he was great. Congrats, Mark!

Mike THOMAS’S wife, Diana, reports that Mike recently retired from United Airlines and needed a new challenge, since he was also retired from the Oregon Air National Guard. Mike decided to enter the race for the Clark County Jerk (I am sure Diana meant to say Clerk), in Vancouver, WA. Mike had a web page at www.mikethomas.com. By the time you read this column, that web page may be history, but Diana thought it might be interesting to “check it out.” Thanks for the info, Diana!

Dave ANTOON asked me to correct a previous story about his daughter Emily. Emily performs for the Dayton Ballet II Junior Company as opposed to the Dayton Ballet Company. While in Hong Kong, Dave ran into Tom RAYL who flies the 747 and is looking to fly the 727. Tom was Dave’s roommate in pilot training and when Tom left, Ashby TAYLOR and Dave were roommates. All three of them retired from the AF and now fly for UAL. Dave thought that was an amazing coincidence, although I am not sure that info will make Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Dave mentioned that John MITCHELL was running for the governor of Ohio on the Reform Party Ticket (Ross Perot). By the time you read this, the election will be over. Hope you had fun, John. Thanks for all the info, Dave. Don’t forget to take your camera with you on those trips.

Chip TERRILL was amongthe '70 grads wh o got togetherwith the BLASSIE family when they met with the Secretary of Defense in Washington. If you haven’t already, be sure to read the article about Michael BLASSIE in the Summer 1998 issue. Chip asks Bruce MCRAE to contact him. ApparentlyBruce’s father and Chip’s father were good friends, and Bruce grew up within 50 miles ofChip. Again, probably not Ripley’s Believe It or Not material, but still good info for this column. Thanks, Chip!

Vince PUGLISI (alias the Zugermeister), wife, Nanette, and six- year-old daughter Anastasia, are serving a hardship tour in Switzerland whereVince is managing director in Europe for PLC Medical Systems. By some wonder ofgeography,Vince’s European territoryincorporates SaudiArabia, which allows him to visit withWillie STAMM, currentlythe general counsel forAramco in Riyadh. Vince reports major snags trying to arrange for Mike KELLEY to come to Switzerland from Washington. Something about a disruption ofharmonious international relations should Mike actually enter the country. Makes sense to me. Vince graciously offered to host the 30th reunion in Switzerland should the Broadmoor plans disintegrate. Vince, don’t forget to put film in your camera!

I am sorry to report thatJames SHIRLEYpassed away from a brain embolism on

Nov 10,1998. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Many ofyou are probably aware that Jim Conboy, the AFA head athletic trainer for 43 years and an honorary member of the AOG, passed away on Oct 21, 1998. The Academy had honored him a few weeks earlier at Falcon Stadium during the AFA vs. CSU football game. I was fortunate to visit Jim in the hospital before he passed away, and although he was in intensive care, and in obvious discomfort, he was still able to manage a smile when I told him my shoulder needed taping. Our thoughts and prayers go to Jim and his family. As many of you know, Jim’s daughter Erin is married to Gregg POPOVICH, and his daughter Dineen is married to Tim HASS (’76). An incredible number of people attended Jim’s funeral services, which were a fabulous tribute to the time, effort, and caring that he gave to all of us at the Academy. We will miss you, Jim.

The Air Force football program lost an avid fan on Dec 16,1998, when myfather, Don Marietta, passed away. Dad felt Air Force could beat any football team we played and always told me to “Keep 'em Flying.” Thanks, dad, for your love and support.

Thanks for keeping your old scribe informed. Remember to follow-up your email with pictures. At this point in time, it is still best to just mail me the pictures. I realize this extra step takes a little more effort, but it’s worth it. Have a greatyear!

Paul D. Knott

5655 Lantana Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Home:(719) 570-9162

Work (719) 594-0100

E-mail: XPDZ85A@prodigy.com

llllpPercent members: 53 T

For any ofyou who spent the fall in a telephone booth, the Falcon football team finished the year winning not only the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy, but the last Mountain Division race in the WAC, and the WAC championship. The headquarters of the new MountainWest Conference will be here in the Springs. Teams that we’ve played in the past, (CSU,Wyoming, BYU, NewMexico, San Diego State, Utah, and UNLV) will also be in the new conference.

I had a consultation with ENT out at the Academy last week, and the doctor who picked up my file was none other than David RANGE, who is head of ENT at the USAFA Hospital. It wasn’t until I saw the diploma on the wall that I was sure ofhis exalted status. As for actually seeing classmates, I ran into Bob RYALS in the Peterson commissary checkout line in the fall. Bob, you do have a handsome young family. As I mentioned last issue, my computer and I have been having challenges with e-mail and other programs. In desperation, I gave my little computer a “brain transplant.” What was supposed to be a one-day swap of a new chip and motherboard into my old machine turned out to be a five-day endurance course. Theykept the floppy and CD drives and the modem, but I ended up with a new sound card, video card, mini-tower case, and a Pentium II 333MHz powerhouse. An e-mail to my provider got me the information to transfer most of my files and addresses into a new program. I only mention this because some of your addresses went to electronic heaven; ifyou haven’t heard from me since July of 1998,1 don’t have any way of getting back in touch. (Ed NOLTE, you still owe me a photo.)

Back to real news. Bob MANNING ran into Dail TURNER recently. In his own words, “I was part of a Class of 71 small world story about two weeks ago. While visiting a local church with my wife, we came to the part in the program where you turn around and greet those around you. It turned out the person sitting in front of me was none other than our classmate Dail TURNER. We hadn’t seen each other more than a few minutes in the previous 12 years, but there we were. We got caught up, introduced each of our wives, and we are slated to visit their house next week for a Christmas party. Dail and his wife Lee are working together in the investment counseling business. It was a real treat to see them. I expect that sort of thing happens more frequently here in D.C. than most other places.”

Two of the people I hear most from (not about) are Andy CERONI and Bill KUBIDA. Almost every day I open my mail to find something from either or both of them. On occasion I’ll hear from Hal BRYSON, out on the island of Kwajelein (his motto: “Coast to Coast in 90 Seconds”). The only e-mail address I publish is my own, but ifyou want to get hold of someone, let me know and I’ll let you know if I have it, or put out the word. As an example, Bill VENEMON asked for Rus STILES’ e-mail. I passed it on, and Bill sent me a very interesting note. “We are doing fine. I retired in 1992 while stationed at Hickam AFB in Hawaii. We tried to live there, but that was pretty much impossible on a downturning economy and with all the military cutbacks for overseas support jobs. There was just no employment available.

“We moved to the Phoenix area in the summer of ’93. We love it here. The winters are wonderful, and I can tolerate the summers provided I am hidden in an air-conditioned cave. I work for a company that manufactures turbine flowmeters. We sell a lot of them to the military and the aerospace industry for hydraulic and fuel flow test stands, aircraft fuel flow measurement, etc. I enjoy it. I had to have my hips replaced two years ago due to arthritis. Mylegs kind ofgave out when I was 46 years old. I could barelywalk, but the replacements have given me a new lease on life. I actually went quail hunting a few times this year. I felt every step, but had a great time. I keep in touch with Rick MARLEY. lie is doing very well in Seattle (Rick and I went to high school together in the Yakima, WA area).”

One last “about;” Tom STEIPP was named CEO and a member of the board of directors of Symmetricon in December. Before joining Symmetricon, Tom had been with Scientific-Adanta and Hewlett-Packard. Congratulations, Tom! Ifsomeone is looking for a job in telecommunications, I have a copy of the promotion announcement and will send it to you.

Everybody at the Academy, it seems, is on their way to sunny Honolulu to cheer

on the Falcons, so I need to get the column wrapped up before the big day. Hope that everyone had a good 1998, and that 1999 will be even better. A New Year’s resolution to get in contact with your jolly class scribe is always in order, no matter what class you belong to. As Kubs (I think) once said, “If it weren’t for 71, I’d have no class at all.” Later.

Bob Bell

13 Pacific Ave

Sinking Spring, PA 19608

(610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513

E-mail: rabell767@cwix.com or Galaxy95@aol.com

Percent members: 49

Well guys, it is another year gone and once more, we have a very short newsletter for the Winter edition of Checkpoints. A short note with two pictures for the whole last quarter makes for minimal news. You still need to send out any newsworthy tidbits ifyou want to keep this exchange of information going. I’m not a Tom Clancy who can make it up as I go along. E-mail, phone, fax or snail mail me whatever you want said, and I will continue to do the job for you. Anyway, here goes.

Drew Riolo, Hank Mullen and Bruce Brandon

The only note received this time was accompanied by two photos of some apparently intrepid airmen. You may recognize the author as USAir Captain Drew RIOLO (Elizabeth) reporting on the layover activities of him and two other guys with that “major” airline. The one photo is of Drew with his first officer, Hank MULLEN (Pamela), flying for the first time that they were able to schedule together a four-day trip out of Charlotte with stays in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. They are joined in the other photo by B-737 Captain Bruce BRANDON, flying a parallel trip out ofWashington, DC doing the same layovers. Hank flew for Eastern for eight years until 1988, then joined USAir flying out of Charlotte. He makes his home with three sons and Pam in Adanta.

Thomas D. Bailey, M.D.

Drew Riolo and Hank Mullen

The three of them got together each night for dinner, apdy naming the whole trip the “Class of 72 Italian Feast”. After experiencing each of Drew’s favorite Italian restaurants in those three cities, the tight fit on their uniforms should be evident. Drew also reports the birth of his and Liz’s baby boy, Manuel John, born in July 13th and named after both ofhis grandfathers. Hey, thanks for the update, Drew!

That is the news for yet another go-around of this venture known as the class news. Let’s make an effort to increase the volume in the future. Till next time, FPA.

Visit our web site at http://www.aog-usafa.org and update your biographical information today!

v=jKi

1807 Arbor Way Drive »

Shelby, NC 28150-6166

Home: (704) 482-3110

1-800-776-1054 ft

E-mail: Rdbtwn@aol.com

Percent members: 43

This will be my final Checkpoints article after about seven years. I didn’t mean to be at it this long; time sure flies when you’re having fun! I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to do the class news and keep up with so many of our classmates over the years. Fortunately, Dan O’HOLLAREN (danoh2@email.msn.com) has stepped forward to take over now. Write him at 19803 Derby St., West Linn OR 97068.

The reunion was great fun. We owe our classmates and the AOG many thanks for a well-organized and fun weekend! I think it was a great idea to also invite those of our classmates who didn’t make it to graduation to join us. I hadn’t thought about it until then but was amazed and pleased to hear oftheir continued interest and support of the Academy. For those of us who didn’t make it, I highly recommend the reunion and ready or not, 30 years will probably be up before we know it.

There is going to be a new feature in Checkpoints called “Spotlight on Graduates”. The idea is to highlight one graduate every issue. For this, one or two photos and one and a half to two pages of story should be submitted to Dan for forwarding to the AOG with the class news. Submitting a story does not guarantee it will make it into the magazine since the article to be used will be chosen from those submitted for each issue. This is your chance to gain some recognition for the accomplishments of our classmates.

Some of our classmates and their residences, from the address book of Steve and Julie DIEHL (Hollidaysburg, PA) include Don McMILLAN in Jupiter, FL; Tim COOPER in Apoplea, FL where he practices infectious disease medicine; John CRANDLEY in Albuquerque, NM; and Russ CHAPMAN in Plano, TX. Also in the DIEHL book are Jack CHRISTENSEN inVancouver, WA; Mike NISHIMUTA in Austin, TX; and finally, Charlie HARRISON in Grand Rapids, MI. The majority ofthese guys made it to the reunion and they were all looking good (according to my wife, of course!). Wayne HOLUM sent his new e-mail address from Korea. If you are looking for a classmate’s e-mail address, please contact Dan or me and we’ll pass them along if we have them.

DaleWRISLEYe-mailed a photo ofthe members ofninth squadron who made it to the reunion. Unfortunately, they tell me that tiffiles don’t reproduce well in the magazine. Ifyou have a photo, it should have at least one graduate in it (not just kids) and you should send a hard copy to Dan. Nine members of nine made it, including Dale. They were Bill CARPENTER, Kevin McHUGH, Mike ARNETT, Skip SMITH, Dave BARCUS, Eric NICKERSON, Vic THUOTTE and Don PETTIT.

Having seen Gerry and Jill HENNINGSEN at the reunion, we also had the pleasure of seeing Gerry again later in November when he came to Charlotte for a meeting. ErikANDERSON was also a memorable highlight ofthe reunion. He was entertaining as usual and worked really hard on gettingpledges for the class gift.

KENT MAGNUSSON is currently chairman, Department ofAerospace Physiology and Human Performance at the School ofAerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, and lives in San Antonio with wife, Sara. They have four children: Amy (22), Mike (21), Emily (19) and Alison (15).

Edwin P HAWKINS is now chief, Intelligence, HQ Air Force Space Command, and also made it to the reunion. He would have had a lot of explaining to do ifhe hadn’t since he and wife, Grace, live in the Springs. Ed reports that A1 MAURER is now retired in the Colorado Springs area as is Mike ARNETT.

Tom BUTLER sent an update on himself this fall. He was married in Sept 1997 to his spouse, Leslie, and they recendy moved into a new home in Rockville, MD. He is a captain with Atlas Air and recendy checked out on their new 747-400s. Tom says they are currendyhiring and can offer information to anyone interested in “hauling rubber dogs - out of Hong Kong”.

Mike KAUFMAN sent back one of my questionnaires with lots of information. He and his family live in Midland, TX. His family includes spouse, Lela; son John, 21, a senior at Texas A&M; daughter Beth, 21, a sophomore at Hardin-Simmons University; and Mar, 17, a senior at Lee High School in Midland, TX. Mike is busy as a certified financial planner, Northwestern Mutual Life; president of the Lee High School Choir Boosters; president-elect of the Midland Rotary Club; adult Sunday school teacher at his church, and golf “when there’s time”.

Stephen A. KUPREL responded fromYardley, PA. His spouse is Kristen, and they have two children, Trevor, 20, and Eric, 16. “Koop” is a program manager, SAP implementation, works for Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and a recently retired LTC.

JeffKOHLER e-mailed a response fromAndrews AFB. He lives there with spouse, Colleen, and they have three boys ages 21, 19 and 15. Jeff gave up the 100th ARW and pinned on his new rank at the end of July. He is now the assistant deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. He also ran into Paul FREUND who is a senior manager for a D.C. consultant.

Well, as I said, this is it for me. I really enjoyed the chance to do the class news and look forward to following it under Dan’s watch!

Joe Brezovic 1209 Bayou Oaks Drive

Friendswood, TX 77546

Phone: (281) 244-8089

Fax: (281) 244-7252

E-mail: jbrezovi@ems.jsc.nasa.gov

Percent members: 43 if

Good cheers to you and yours. We’ve heard from a few folks who are first-time writers. Reminds me of those talk radio shows - “Hello, I’m a long-time listener

but a first-time caller.” Actually, 74 is delighted to read about classmates and families at any time in your life and career! Thank you all for your historical reports, anecdotes, and footnotes.

Charlie BRYANT sent in a picture of three 74ers at Altus. Chris KELLY (on the left) is gettingready to pass the support group command flag fromJack LEONARD to Charlie. Chris pinned on BG in August, and when I received this, Chris and Kathy are at Altus where he is wing commander. Jack and Linda are moving after two-plus years to go to the Pentagon environment for Air Staff (ILMM). Charlie will be staying with wife, Barb, and sons Andy and Mike to learn about the lore of the land around southwest Oklahoma.

THREEAMIGOS! Chris, Jack and Charlie!

Eli COLOTTA and Doris sent in their Christmas letter. (Send in yours. It’s so easy!) Eli is working with corporate tax laws. The feeling is “having the IRS for an opponent is a great motivator!” as Eli looks for ways to save money for the company. I wonder ifcompanies share a percent ofthe “found” savings with the sleuth who discovered the way? Doris has changed jobs, again. Eli is back to competifive pistol shooting again and has traveled to several matches. This time its to teach 1st grade at the Charlotte Latin (North Carolina), one of the city’s best private schools. Yeah! The children and parents are great with which to work. (Ever try to not end a sentence with a preposition?)

Steve BOYCE is in San Antonio, working out ofBrooks AFB. Effective in October, Steve is the director for Environmental Conservation and Planning. He used to be cleaning up contaminated sites. Now, he is off saving endangered species and cultural and historic resources. These resources include cold-war structures. Steve also does environmental impact studies on proposed base closings (isn’t he going to be a great contact in some of our futures!). One favorite of mine is his work on the expendable launch vehicle. Dave COTTON stopped by to see Steve while he was in town enroute for his ops job at Edwards AFB. Charlie LAMBERT, an airlift wing vice commander at Little Rock, was at Randolph for a flying squadron commanders board. They went to the River Walk for Charlie’s birthday. Tom KANE is reported to be an airlift commander at Scott.

Another resident of San Antonio wrote a short note. JJ ROMANO is still working with the security of data transmissions for the Air Force. It seems it’s an ever-going battle to ensure the appropriate resources are obtained, trained, employed, and the specific hardware and software implemented. For JJ’s therapy, he coaches his son Joey’s soccer games. Personally, I don’t remember JJ to be the squadron’s lead in soccer, (wasn’t it Cranny?), but I recognize a person who wants to challenge one of the toughest of tasks for any adult - child development on the team level. With that over, theWeblo leader duties are challenging the whole year. Hang in there JJ! And Cynthia, may you continue to have patience and salve for your boys!

Dave GALVIN sent in meteorological reports. Seems Dave was part of the Paris Texas tornado alert and advising group and received a special unit citation. Weathermen do goodwork! Remember the Civil ReserveAir Fleet (CRAF) that we learned in Military Studies? Well, Dave pulled a shift during Desert Storm, supporting the ops, and in one instance worked a situation for an American Airlines DC-10. Of course, it wasn’t a smooth trip.. .one engine out, Saudi Arabian desert. Successful save ofpeople and resources. Dave retired as a meteorologist and is working for a law degree, possibly in Dallas, TX.

Another retirement note came in from our first colonel, Steve STERNE. “Well, the time has come and I’m retiring from my current office in the Pentagon. It’s with mixed emotions, because ofall the great people in theAF and the great things we’re doing, but I really want to have a greater input in my kids lives. I’ll be startingwith SouthwestAirlines in January.” Steve, I thinkmanyofus knowwhatyou’re feeling...there’s a stab in the heart to hang up the Blue. Craig ANDERSON and Rite are still in the Virginia area. Craig had lunch with Steve right before Steve’s retirement. As I understand it, Craig and Dave DALEY attended the ceremony. Class

Craig has a 15-year-old who will be getting his driver’s permit this spring. Craig’s not readyfor this (neither was I). His counsel to me was that no matter how closely you watch them, they still grow up. Although Dave is a civilian, he still supports the military. He had a short visit in his apparently favorite foreign nation, France. There, he worked with both countries on a Defense Space Cooperation agreement with France. While in Paris (with 30 other U.S. members) he toured the places he used to visit. Paris is cleaner that five years ago. There is a neon sign on the Eiffel Tower counting down the days to 2000. He also saw the bronze flame memorial near the site of Princess Diana’s accident.

From Belton, MO, comes a letter from John EPHLAND. John and Cheryl welcome all travelers-through. Being close to Lawrence, KS, it’s almost mid-America. One point of interest/warning for those planning a visit to Australia. John had already been back home after four weeks “TDY” there working with flight test data (as a civilian, mind you) on one of their military aircraft. While comfortable in the states, commuting to and from work, John received a speeding ticket from down-under. Yes, indeed! It seems the Australian police use a photographic device to catch speeders in the act! Then they mail the ticket to the owner of the vehicle with the tag number in the picture! Tough question now...does John pay the fine? The family had an uneventful 3,000-mile eight-state voyage during the summer. This included South Dakota Badlands, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, the Air Force Academy, and Whit’s End. Whit’s is in Colorado Springs at Focus on the Family. Oh, Becca, their daughter, drove them up Pikes Peak. That must’ve been scary for John and Cheryl. Do you remember the lack of guardrails, the hairpin turns, and the lonnngggg drop-offs? They survived!

Short note: From the islands ofHawaii, being stationed there, comes an “Aloha" from Steve and Suki LENZI. Samuel is seven andAndrew is four. Steve’s planning to see 74 classmates at the 25th reunion this fall. Avery short note: Brad LEE is at Seymour-Johnson. A little longer note: Bill CASEMENT got a flyingjob with American Eagle. He started in October in Dallas at the AAL FlightAcademy. He’s on one of those split domiciles that some of the active-duty guys have. You know the situation! Bill was in Texas while Terrymanaged the home in Hawaii. One daughter, Marie (22), graduating from Texas A&M. Janice (20) doing school and basketball in Boston. Bill promised to look friends up on the Texas metropolitan areas during the holidays when the family got together in Dallas. Besides Terry, did anyone else see him?

As for the 25th reunion, this is the latest I have from Ted Roth. 6 Nov vs. Army. The Army game should spark some interest and we were also able to get the Marriott Hotel, on Tech Center Drive for $85 per night. AreYOU planning to come? Even ifyou can’t, may you live long and prosper!

Jeff Hackett

1866 W. Aspen Ave. w sfJ

Gilbert, AZ 85233

Home: (602) 813-9605

Office: (602) 891-2734

E-mail: jeffrey.l.hackett@BOEING.COM

Percent members: 38

EXTENDED HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM SUNNY ARIZONA. Even though there’s a considerable time lag between me writing this and you reading it, here’s hoping that the joy and blessings of the Holiday Season are still with us all. It is a gorgeous day here in the Valley of the Sun (most are!) and there’s a plethora of material to pass along so let’s get on with seeing where we’re at and where we’re going (although, at this age it’s sometimes less taxing to think about where we’ve been!)

UR That’s where this distinguished group of classmates is going! Latest BG list had no less than five 75ers on it! Hope the list is published elsewhere in this magazine but right here is where the heartfelt, “proud-to-say-we’re-classmates” congratulations are registered for; Chip DIEHL, Stan GORENC, Pete HENNESSEY, Joe STEIN, and Mark VOLCHEF. No small accomplishment! And I’m sure many ofyou who are still serving on active duty (and maybe even a few of us Reservists) will be on future lists.

And while we’re on the general (or is that capital “G”, General?) subject, I'll begin the (received) Christmas card list with Dale MEYERROSE. His short note talked about hectic life and noted that he and Linda’s “ladies are growing up fast”. Also got a family picture and note from Bentley RAYBURN (must be something they teach you in brigadier general’s class). Was a very busy year for them, including sending their oldest off to college in Tennessee.

The Rayburn Family

EASTTOWEST. The rest ofthe Holiday greetings, moving (postmark-wise) from East to West. With great apologies to his wife and daughters, I am including a photo of Bill LYERLY and Chuck HIPPLER taken during Lyerly’s holiday vacation to Disneyworld. Once again, space constraints won’t permit detailed accounting ofall that’s going on with Bill, Sylvia and their family, but (what a surprise!) they’re very busy. Chuck is a 757 captain for UPS flying out of Orlando; he has two boys (five and two years old).

get one ofyou Plains-livers to write me in defense!). I think my wife has about as rugged a commute as there is outside of Southern California but it palls in comparison to Wayne WILLIS’s Albuquerque-to-Orlando trip to the office (of course “the office” is a Delta 737). Hard to believe Wayne and Amy have two already out of the house and that another son, Brian, will graduate this Spring (possibly USAFA-bound). Lisa is a freshman and I laughed just thinking about the “deer-inthe-headlights” look on big oldWayne’s face as he wrote me, “What’s the secret to surviving a teenage daughter?”

Birds of a Feather?

And it’s time to do our annual marveling at Mark DONNELLY’s unchanged address - ten years in Southern Maryland! [Can any classmate on active duty match that for geographic stability?] Of course Mark traveled a lot with his boss this year and even got to learn to fly a new airplane (757s taking the place of old 707s in the VTP fleet). Lucy and the kids are... well, busy! Scott SMITH and his family sent holiday greetings from slightly further south in Dumfries, VA. Believe this was first time we’d heard that Scott moved over to DeltaAirlines (727s out ofLaGuardia) from the cargo flying business. Jan is one offour RNs on the Heart Team at one of the hospitals in Fredicksburgh. Kids - busy.

On to the South where Chuck and Roxanne HOLLAND are getting ready for a move even further to the south - Chuck has been selected as the defense attache’ to La Paz, Bolivia! Lot’s ofthings to do (schools) between now and their expected arrival in Jul ’00. And just to make sure they’re ready for world traveling, Chuck and Roxanne were going off on a two-week vacation to Thailand with his parents in December.

Showing that we’re a well educated lot, there weren’t any cards from the Midwest so we’ll move on to the Rockies (oh come on, you know that’s just meant to

The Turnerfamilyin Greece.

Just up 1-25 in Colorado Springs, Jon and Diane TURNER may also be checking into the USAFA Class of 2003 Parent’s Club; Ric’s got a nomination and is being recruited by the football team. Whole family is busy, Jon has taken on position of flight operations supervisor for the 737-300/500 for United in Denver, but they did travel to the Holy Land last summer. Dennis and Leslie BROOKS are also still there in “Colo Spgs” and, like so many ofyou sent their child (Becky) off to college (Samford University in Birmingham, AL) this past year. Denny’s health is still a challenge but it's always a pleasure and inspiration for me to “read” his positive attitude.

Finally, out West there was but one card and that without a note or letter. I’ll only wish for coal in Brian BARNES’ Christmas stocking next year if he fails to send some additional, substantive correspondence later this year! But much better than a card was Debby’s and my visit with Kent, Carol, and Meagan TRAYLOR at New Year’s. We went up to the Beale AFB “Ranch” for a wonderful couple of days (to follow up on the great time we had together at the WAC Championship game earlier in December). On this trip we got to relax, see Meagan’s horse, took a tour ofthe U-2 Operations, ate exquisitely (and almost endlessly), and rediscovered the gift offriendship. As a bonus to the weekend, we ran into Brent HALL on the way back to Phoenix. He was “deadheading” back to Phoenix on the same Southwest Airlines flight we were on (he still flies for them). Brent and Kaye just relocated (from Las Vegas) to the same suburb of Phoenix we live in.

REGRESSING BACK TO KINDERGARTEN. In the interest of time, I’ll dispense with the paraphrasing and do the high-tech version of the “Cut & Paste” thing we used to do in kindergarten on all the e-mails I’ve received since the last column. From Jim DEARIAN (1 Oct): “I’m in Dallas working for Delta. Married 13 years now to Julie... have two girls, 12 (phew! just made it) and almost 10. My 12-yearold went to USAFA basketball camp this past summer... she called me the first night and said what a good time she was having. I had to call my parentsmy daughter had done in one day what I never did in five years - have a good time at USAFA! What a change in one generation” From John KAMBOURLAN (4 Oct): “I’ve been out of touch for a while due to a serious accident while I was down in Chile. In February (1998) I fell off a 120-foot waterfall in southern Chile (no, there wasn’t a pool of water at the bottom) and had a pretty close call with death. I did some pretty extensive damage to the old chassis, breaking my back, my right femur, my right arm, and eight ribs. I felt like Humpty Dumpty but the doctors (after an 11-hour operation and 20 units of blood) managed by some miracle to glue me back together - with a healthy amount of titanium, I might add. I’m recovering extremely quickly and am told I’ll be as good as new in three to four months. We left Chile a year early so that I could do rehab in the States.. .will be working at State Department for the next two to three years (at least). After seven overseas tours, we’d like to spend some time in the States for a while. By the way, the new air attache at our embassy in Chile is a ‘75 grad, A1PIOTER.”

BREAK - BREAK. O.K., the next e-mail (6 Oct) was from Buck ROGERS but it was short and I actually got better informed when we went to dinner with him and his daughter in November. Buck, who’s 19AF/DO, was in town as Mishap Board president for an F-16 out of Luke that I did structural damage assessment on (part of my USAFR duties). Megan had come out to see NAU and ASU as she has some interest in coming this way after high school graduation.

WEBMASTER. Marinaus BOSMA has included me on two e-mails that were actuallypointers to web sites he put together to document (in near realtime!): a) a trip to Israel he and Ginnymade, and b) a humanitarian mission to Crique Sarco, Belize he was involved with.

More excerpts - from Tony MAHONEY (20 Oct): “Cyndy and I had a chance to get awayfrom kids etc. and attend homecomingvs. NewMexico a fewweeks ago... I'm sure we never did so many push-ups in a season, much less in a single game! I’m with Southwest, going on eight years now... pretty good seniority on the cap-

tain list in Oakland but tired of commuting from Las Vegas. We are kept pretty busywith three kids at home and my 18-year-old college student in the guestroom full time. Our youngest just turned one last week, probably the youngest 75 offspring, or close to it!”

From Max DELLA PIA (6 Nov): “I have come full circle - am back on active duty as the Reserve advisor to commander 19th Air Force. I will be spending one week per month and two weeks every other month at Little Rock AFB for the next four years. I’m happy to be back flying but have spent more time there than I have in San Antonio over the past four months.” (Wish space would allow me to pass on the history ofhow one winds up in a job like this but I’lljust have to tease you with the keywords.) “Got my law degree from Marquette Law.. .during my 61/2 years in practice, flew C-130s with USAFR... Desert Storm... Air Reserve technician in Milwaukee ...Legis Fellow at Brookings... personal staff of Senator Carl Levin.. .worked for Colonel Rick PYATT (Class of75), division chief, Air Force Senate Liaison... finished ICAF in June as a “DG” (with “DG” classmate Colonel Dave ANHALT)... accepted AGR tour to Randolph AFB in August. Just missed seeing my old roommate Colonel Gary BARRENTINE before he left to be 71 FTW/CV Nancy has done a great job of getting the house up to speed, often without my help. The boys (13, 9, and 5) are growing up fast.”

Steve PITOTTI sent an e-mail from Holloman AFB with pledge to follow-up with pictures and stories of other “75 buds" there. I’m guessing Desert Fox interfered. And from John SCHERER who’s vice commander at the Air MobilityWarfare Center (19 Dec): “Was pleasantly surprised when we landed at McConnell AFB (on TDY) last Saturday to be met by Col. John GAUGHAN, 22 ARW/CV...he’s been there since August. Justyesterday on an out-and-back to KeeslerAFB, I saw Gerry MICHELETTI, who is the 403 AW/LG—the hurricane hunter C-130 unit. He was hobbling with a cane after having a knee repaired - old hockey injury he says.”

OUTER LIMITS. I’m pushing the editor’s space constraints and my own impatience to get back to time with my family on a beautiful day like today. Encourage each ofyou to do the same right now... you never know, itjust might be later than you think!

Ernie Woollard

216 E. Goettler St. S' i

Scott AFB, IL 62225-1710

Home: (618) 744-1044

DSN: 576-1931

E-mail: ernest.woollard@scott.af.mil

Class Website:

http://www.AFAcademy.com/76

John Bowen and son recapture Civil Wargloryat Gettysburg.

SCHLENER from his brother Dave (so I’m not sure how believable they can really be; especially the one about being bitten by a giant eel in the Amazon). Phil is currentlydoingwell headingup a new space camp project at the now-closed Casde AFB complex. And John, if you ever drop into the St Louis area again without giving Pam and I a call...

Shortly after hearing from John, I talked with Roger CONTACT from SHAPE, Belgium. He’s looking for a follow-on assignment back to the States. I filled him in on the routine here at TACC. Can you believe that he’s still interested! Over there with Roger is Jim “Jimbo” PHILLIPS. Both are doing fine and are very activelyinvolved in theAmerican community. Jimbo though is waiting for the “Colonels’ Group” for assignment information. Best of luck to you both.

From California’s Vandenberg AFB, Paul SOWADA sent some historic family news. Both Paul and his son, C2C Phillip Sowada, were awarded the Airman’s Medal for their lifesaving heroics in the Pacific Ocean Christmas Day 1997. This, Paul thinks, is the first time in our history that a father and son team was awarded the Airman’s Medal for the same heroic act. The special recognition was garnered at last summer’s Corona Parade. Thanks Paul; and well done!

mPercent members: 41 w

PLAY BALL! OK, I know that it’s only February or March (just think how difficult it was for me to write this in December), but at least Spring Training has started and tickets for the last Cardinals-Cubs series in October are nearly gone. Winter here in southern Illinois has been fairly typical, warm one day, sleeting the nextmaybe that’s whyI’m trying to rush both the baseball and golf seasons along. Hopefully, the airlift contingency business will taper off a bit so that I can have the time to enjoy both of those activities. Thank you all for your responses for this article; perhaps the news is a bit late, but it appears that the e-mail option for keeping me informed is working like a champ. Please note that our WEB address is now posted in the header; call it up and give it a try.

Congratulations to all of our newly pinned-on 0-6s out there and a very special congratulations to our newest general officers, Mike GOULD and Mark WELSH. The pin-on ceremonies here at Scott for Mike FRICANO and Mark MEYER went exceptionally well. I think now they are just waiting for news from the “Colonels’ Group” to decide future assignments and upcoming moves.

Monty LEE and Enrique SAA continue to “beat me up” about our WEB page; please use it and they too will provide me information for upcoming articles. Monty also sends news from the family and Fed Ex team (thank goodness for no holiday walkout last Christmas). Monty is settled in Collierville, TN, a virtual boomtown. The Lees are doing well, and Monty has even more spare time now that he has retired from the Reserves. He says that Fed Ex continues to hire pilots (Do they need any contingency planners?) and that there are 10 76ers there that he knows.

DirkWERHANE is alive and well, still working with Intel, soon to be a regular user of our class home page. Mark WHALEN sent news from Fort Monroe, VA. He’s there as a civilian military analyst. Mark, if you need any help, or better yet, if you’re hiring, please let me know. Syd McPHERSON has departed the Pentagon (lucky soul) for new duty at Robbins AFB, GA. He’s the new deputy director for Operations at Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters. The family is fine and he gets to fly the A-10 too; what a deal! You probably can no longer reach him at the office on the weekends (you know those Reserve guys), but check with me if you want his new e-mail. Best of luck Syd with the new job.

John BOWEN sent a greatupdate from the Lone Star State. He’s flying the “Barbie Jet” (Fokker 100) out of DFW, liking the flexibility he has with his schedule, and participating in as many CivilWar reenactments as he can travel to in all his spare time. Last summer he did both the Battle ofVicksburg and the 135th anniversary of the Batde of Gettysburg. (See photo next column.)

John also sent information about other folks in the Dallas area. Buddy LOTT is still in town and should be taking a command at the Joint Reserve FortWorth Center (formally Carswell AFB) soon. Both John and Buddy find it hard to believe that Joe WYSOCKI is already living the “good life” as a retired 0-6. A1 GRANGER was in the area recendy at a college fair looking for AFA data for his daughter. A1 is retiring from his ARC unit in Houston to devote full time to American flying the Super 80. Also flying for American out of DFW are: Jim DOLAN, Mike McGINNIS, Brett McINTIRE, RoryCHILDERS, and Mark McNAIR. John reports that Joel PALANDRO is in town too, but flying for that “other airline,” Delta. John has run into Andy PROBERT a couple of times during layovers at Dayton. Andy is doing well as an engineer at the Wright Labs. Finally, John says he’s heard several stories about Phil

We apologize for the quality of the two photos above. They were low resolution e-mail images and the only copies available at press time.)

As spring begins to arrive here in the Midwest I once again thank you for your updates and timely inputs for my articles. One last note here from Scott; Garland PANNEL retired in February to pursue his second career with ATA out of Midway Airport in Chicago. Til miss our friendly chats in the middle of the street discussing world affairs. Garland, you’ll have my resume on file soon.

That’s a wrap on this one. From our home here at Scott, Pam and I hope that everyone’s 1999 is off to a good start (I need to find more of that spare time that everyone else seems to be finding). Cheers for now. ERNIE.

John J “Lou” Michels, Jr. tSggffWJ

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

wI hope everybody’s holidays went well and that you are not still digging out from the miserable Christmas weather affecting me as I write this. Unhappiness is sitting inWashington, DC traffic withyourwife and kids, in the middle of an ice storm, knowing you have only 45 minutes to get to the theater for a play which you paid way too much to see. At least that’s how I spent my Christmas Eve. In the middle of this fiasco, however, I thought about those of you who are either in the Sandbox yourselves, or have family and friends there, and I stoppedfeeling sorry for myself.

I hope everybody returned safe and sound from Operation Deny Holiday, and my thanks and appreciation for the many personal sacrifices that you and the rest of the active force endured this winter.

GeneralMike Ryan, AirForce ChiefofStaff, with C2CPhillip Sowada andBrenda and Colonel Paul Sowada, Corona Parade 1998. (Editor’s note:

OLD NEWS, BUT GOOD NEWS: For those of you wondering about my cryptic reference to Oklahoma and Curt BEDKE (Ina), Curt is the Wing King at Vance. An interesting choice, since almost all of Curt’s flying time has been in B-52s. Pat MCVAY (Cyndee) has escaped his senior controller job at STRATCOM to handle the joint exercise group at Offutt. Fie talks on a regular basis to Joe HUGHES (Becky), who is now working for BETAC to develop exercise scenarios for the heavies. Pat also talks to CJ JONES who is out at EUCOM along with Chip ERESMAN (Diana). Both these gents are integrating EUCOM training with Pat’s group in Omaha. In his many travels (unlike the bad old days when SAC had plenty of assets at Omaha, Pat now has to leave Nebraska to see STRATCOM property), Pat has run into a few other folks in our dwindling active-duty group. Gus LIBY (Debbie) and Kevin “Dog” KENKEL (Julie) met at a training review group meeting at Fort Monroe working joint simulations. Paul SCHUTT (Barbara) is at TRANSCOM as the DeputyJ3 - Pat notes that Paul looks exactiy the same as he did when they were both at pilot training at Willy several years ago. I think this speaks very well for Paul’s looks, or very poorly for Pat’s eyesight/memory. I’ll leave it to those ofyou who have actually seen Paul to be the judge. Don MAGEE (Valerie) is still in C-Springs flying 727s for United and providing moral support to Pat’s son who is applying for the Academy this year. Thanks for all the updates Pat -1 hope the winter wasn’t too severe after Nebraska’s football season.

AndyTAWNEY (Joan) dropped me a line from Special Ops Command at MacDill where he shares space with Mario GARZA (Beverly) and Doug PALMER (Helga). Andy also works closely with Bob SOUCY (Beth), although Bob is at lovely Fort Bragg with the rest ofthe snake-eaters. Andy notes that they are all waiting the O6 board results, as are many ofyou reading this now. Best ofluck to all ofyou, and thanks for the news, Andy. Dave CHAFFEE (Ann) is at Hill dealing with logistics and his three daughters. The remark ofthe quarter from Dave: “Myjoys in life are mywife, Ann, and three daughters. I tell folks it’s like being married four times....” And I thought two boys were a handful. Jay JOINER (Patsy) is now safely in South Korea (as safely as anybody can be between the submarines, speedboats, famine and the various other stupidities up North). He’s working with Mark MATTHEWS (Donna) who commands the Air Ops group and Paul DETTMER (Catherine) who commands the Air Intel group. I hope all your Christmases went well - at least the shopping should have been good.

Got a nice note from Bob MCGRATH (Stephanie) who is now the director of MBA Programs at Embry-Riddle in lovely Daytona Beach. Lest anyone think Bob has it easy, he reported that he has been through floods, tornadoes, a drought, and then spent the latter half ofthe summer hosing down his house to protect it from the local forest fire. Not to mention the ever-present danger of sunburn and margarita overdose. Bob has been responsible for launching an executive MBA program at ER, as well as consulting relationships with NASA and Lockheed Martin. Bob claims he is not getting anything done now that he is a director, but it sounds like a load. Congrats on the promotion, Bob.

AND NOW FOR THE STUFF THAT CAME IN AFTER I ASKED FOR NEWS FOR

THE WINTER ISSUE: Our astronaut cadre is moving up (get it? moving “up”astronauts?). Tom JONES (Liz) is now the chiefofSpace Stations Ops, although he starts training for his mission in 2000 pretty soon. Charlie PRECOURT (Lynne) picked up the chief astronaut job and all the headaches associated with keeping everyone ready as the U.S. and Russia begin to put the space station together. Nice work, guys. Has anyone taught Tom how to open a door yet? Rick P1AT.F.T (Renell) is headed for the Springs sometime this spring as he moves from flying 737s out of L.A. to flying them from Denver. At least the commute will be shorter than his current hop from Oklahoma City. Bob VENDLEY (Nancy) just finished Airbus 320 school for US Airways and will be pushing the big jet out of Philadelphia. Sam RUPE (Cindy) retired at the end of October and immediately went to work as an attorney for the AF Base Conversion Agency handling BRAC property disposal. Congratulations on successful completion of the "JAG to conniving civilian lawyer” transition, Sam. I am sure you did it better than I.

Once again, I would like to point out the outstanding work being done, absolutely gratis, by John VISSER (Anne) on our class home page. John is gradually working throughupdating all the e-mail addresses there, butyou can save him some time by e-mailing him directly at gpvisser@flash.net. John maintains a variety of information on this site and would welcome any suggestions for things we ought to put on there, such as links to stories about Air Force athletics or other links. While I am promoting John’s work, let me also encourage those of you who are reading this second-hand to join the AOG so we can take better advantage of our database.

Mike ARD (Donna) makes his first appearance in these pages. Mike sent me a message identifying himself as a “closet” reader. Whatever, it’s nice to hear from you, Mike. He is working for Raytheon in Louisville, TX, but is getting ready to move to Tucson some time next year as Raytheon consolidates the former Hughes and TI missile operations in one facility. Mike’s oldest son is headed to Georgia Tech or Carnegie Mellon for a chemical engineering degree, while Mike reports his other kids (6th and 8th grade) are looking forward to getting out ofTexas and going to see snow in the mountains around Tucson.

The grapevine reports from Geno REDMON (Susan) atAltus note that Mike BILLINGS (Sandy) is the OG commander at Fairchild while TC JONES (Lisabeth) takes over as the Wing King shortly. Thanks, Geno, and hold it together there in Oklahoma. Slam BELLAMY (Lorraine) is doing the inspection thing with the NORAD IG. Slam reports that Dave EPPLEY (Christine) is a captain with American flying out of Dallas. Mark MEAK3NS (Gail) is an FO at Delta living in Park City, UT. (I wonder if Mark does any skiing?) Gail manages an aquatic center in Salt Lake. Thanks for the update, Slam. Pat SHAY (Beth) is still flying Reserve F-16s (and is CC at Luke) along with Randy SHASTEEN (who is CC at Homestead), and Frank ANDERSON (Kay) is at Carswell. Pat reports that Jack KEARNEY is moving to Atlanta, while Roger SMITH (Patti), who flies for Southwest, is headed to South Carolina fromAtlanta. Thanks for the heads-up, Pat, and best ofluck on your daughter’s application to the Zoo. Through John’s web page, I heard from Brian WHITING (Lorri), who I haven’t heard from for years. After spending five years at the 89th in the late ‘80s, Brian went to the Green World as an ALO at Fort Bliss.

Brian retired out of there, did some independent consulting work as a Novell engineer and is now working for EDS in Orlando. Thanks for the info, Brian. TG PARICER (Ginger) is flying for United and keeping his four kids, ages 17,6,4 and 1, in line. Again, I appreciate the news TG, but where is the information about the million dollars? RockyVILLAFANE (Janet) is with Delta, right seating a 727 out of Atlanta. In his spare time he pushes choppers out of Patrick where he is chief of Weapons and Tactics. It sounds like a tough transition from one cockpit to the other, but Rockyjust pinned on LC so he must be doing everything right. Fly safe, Rocky, and I hope to see you out of Hartsfield sometime soon.

Finally, Steve RUNER (Cristina) flies a DC-10 for Fedex where he has been for the last 11 years. Steve has two girls, ages 8 and 7. (Note to Steve - talk to Dave CHAFFEE) and he is still marveling at the growth in Fedex business. On a personal note, he and Cristina got a condo in Breckenridge, although Steve notes “we stay there only in the summer since I’m getting too old for the cold.” Thanks a ton for the information and the offer of help, Steve. I’ll be sure and take you up on it before the next column.

THEY MUST HAVE READ HIS OPRS, ETC. Darryl JONES (Myoushi) was reelected as a Florida State senator in November with 68 percent of the popular vote. Congrats, Senator.

PARTING SHOTS: That’s it from the forced hot air distribution capitol of the Western Hemisphere. Be seeing you.

Greg “Kais” Kaiser

595 Lake Shore Drive

twaiSiiBsjjJG(TiM

jfjJZ

Columbus, MS 39701 StM

Home: (601) 329-4533 W/7

Work: (601) 434-2781 or DSN 742-2781

E-mail: kais@crawdat.com w

Percent members: 42

The Big 20th for those who attended, I don’t know about you, but Kim and I had a “GREAT” time, and I mean that sincerely. Our hats should be off to the AOG and our reunion committee, headed by co-chairmen Ken PRUSAK and Tim TAYLOR. Ken, Tim, and all those that served on the committee (and I’m sure there were some spouses involved) worked their butts offputting our reunion together and “making it happen!” Should you see any of these folks, shake their hands, buy 'em a cup of coffee, or if it’s five o’clock somewhere in the world, buy ‘em a beer! I would like to write a separate article dedicated to the reunion for the next magazine: however, much of it will depend on your e-mails, notes, letters, and PICTURES! (Remember, I need the hard copies for publication.) Get your juicy stories and “pics” to me ASAP Nothing should be held back! For those that could not attend, we truly missed you, but I’m sure duty, business, or some other travail of life prevented your coming. Here’s briefly what you missed.

Many folks checked inWed, 30 Sep, at the Colorado Springs Marriott (no, it wasn’t there when we were cadets, but it’s a five-star hotel on the west side of 1-25 just off Rockrimmon, and I might add, they did a superbjob ofhosting our class). Thursday, we had a “survival ofthe fittest golf tournament” on the Blue Course at Eisenhower. The fog limited our visibility to about 100 yards most ofthe time, but that hid a lot of very ugly golf. Thank God none of us earn a living playing golf.. .we’d starve! For most, the game probably should have been named “flog;” that’s golf spelled backwards, which is much more descriptive and accurate as to some of the things that were done to little white balls that day. And, as ifthe fogwasn’t enough, it rained and the temperature went down to what seemed like the 30s to this “blood thinned out southern dweller.” Don’t remember who won. The important thing was, we survived! Or at least I think we survived, because everyone showed up that night for registration and “the big ice breaker” at the Marriott. We were treated to heavy “horse doofers” (can’t spell the real word) and of course, thirst-quenching beverages.

Friday, 2 Oct, was a day of recovery from Thursdaynight. I saw a lot ofbleeding eyes and people nursing headaches the next morning...must have been “the altitude.” The Academypretty much rolled out the red carpet for us, allowinggraduates to roam at will with family and friends over old stomping grounds in and around the cadet area. The Sup, Com, Dean, and AD briefed manyof us in Fairchild Hall about current Academy and cadet issues. That afternoon was the memorial ceremony where we honored and remembered our own late Dan SCHICK and Russ GLOVER as well as all other cadets and graduates who had passed away during the previous year. Needless to say, it was a very somber, touching, and emotional ceremony for all who attended. That night featured our class dinner and dance at the Marriott, going very late into the night. Next morning.. .you guessed it, more “altitude victims.” However, there was a tailgate party and a football game to perk up the sickest of souls.

The tailgate party was hosted by the AOG outside their new facilityjust up the hill from the stadium, and boy did theyput on some spread.. .a western barbecue catered by County Line. If we’d had tailgate parties like that when we were cadets, football games would have been a lot more bearable! However, times have changed, and we were treated to an outstanding game on a perfect fall day. We beat New Mexico 56-14. Holy cow! That’s more points in one game than the Falcons scored during our whole fouryears! Following the game, and that evening, we had informal dinners and “old cadet squadron” gatherings at various locations, and then a “late night rejoin” at the Marriott to cap off a very enjoyable and fast-paced weekend. Sunday morning...checkout, farewells, and for some, “the altitude sickness just wouldn’t go away.” It was good to be going home, but we hope to see all ofyou there next time. And finally, the “original cadet car” winner is Gary HUGHES. He drove the old ’77 Chevy van to the reunion. I saw it, heard it, and touched it while it was running in the Marriott parking lot. However, I also noticed Linda in a chase position with her Mercedes SUV Smart lady! Congratulations, Gary. You’ll receive your prize at our 30th reunion!

Cybermail: A1 “Lex” TRUJILLO and family are in Lima, Peru. He’s the AF section chief of the Mil Group in the U.S. Embassy. His wife, Sila, and their four children

(three girls and “gotta have a boy,” ages 16,11, 9, and 7 respectively) are doing well and enjoying Peru. Erdie “Buck” LANSFORD is probably retired by now after serving as an active-duty liaison officer commanding an ANG C-130 squadron in Cheyenne, WY. Go figure. Teresa and their three children (Meghan-14, John-11, and Brynn-16 months) are doingwell and lookingforward to dad gettinghired by one of those major air carriers. Kurt GEARHART sent me a short note with a picture attached. I believe he’s flying for Southwest Airlines and is a CFI on the side. He’s been working with Rick REASER at the Pentagon on GPS issues from a civilian perspective. Kurt, his cousin, and his father have taken on building a Glassair homebuilt airplane. Happy building and don’t cut any corners, Kurt! Ken CHARPIE sent several cybernotes. Ken, his wife, Kathy, and his daughter Kerry made it to the reunion. Kerri got an “up close and personal look” at cadet life. Seems she’s interested in following “ole’ dad’s footsteps,” but haven’t heard whether a decision’s been made yet. Ken’s alreadylooking forward to our 25th reunion and may be asking all ofyou to bring a white bed sheet. He was verydisappointed in the paltry number ofsheets on the flatiron when he and his CS-20 buds went up there during the reunion. He says, “we need to showthese wimpy new computer geek cadets how to reallyput up a number on the flatiron!” Let’s do it, Ken! All you “great ones” buy a white sheet (while they’re cheap) and put it in your bag for our 25th

Bill SILVESTRI sent a couple of electronic bits trying to overload my server, but his effort failed. He’s a line 757/767 copilot flying for Delta out of Salt Lake City. Gave me quite a bit of news on several folks, but room does not permit me to put it all in, and most ofthe folks were at the reunion. However, thanks Bill, for trying to sabotage “my well-oiled machine.” Ivan URREGO popped up on my screen. Ivan, his wife, Liliana, and children Gabriela and Julian are living in the Miami area. Unfortunately, he and the family didn’t make the reunion because his company relocated earlier this year, and he didn’t make the move. He’s trying to stay in the area as an aerospace technician specializing in repair and overhaul. He also passed on that Francisco TORRES is in the Miami area as an Allstate Insurance rep, and Willy WAGNER-LUNA is in SaoPablo, Brazil working for the WALMART Corp. Is everybody out of the Air Force but me? Nope, here’s someone still in and destined for greatness... Ken KNAPP! He finished ICAF last summer and is now on the OSD Staff in the new Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Specifically, Ken claims to be a “licensing officer in an office that develops DoD positions for export license applications.” Ken, I have but one question. Did the application for satellite and missile technology from China go through your office? Just kidding...sort of...that’s got to be a very tough job right now, as “we try to market everything we have overseas.” Yes, I’ve been at Columbus sinceACSC while you’ve been in Bahrain, Kirtland, ICAF, and now at the “five-sided puzzle palace.” Sucks to be one of us doesn’t it?

Jim ARNOLD gets the prize for fastest response to my plea for e-mail from the summer magazine. He was first to respond with the shortest note reading something like: Dear Kais.. .unemployed...will work...for food.. .went to reunion...now, working on a novel.. .inspired by cadets, AF officers, and myAcademy experience. Sounds like a potential best seller, Jim. Charlie SMITH missed the 20th because his wife, Susan, was accepting command of a Naval Reserve unit. Way to go Charlie! Retire at 20 years and a day and keep that wife working. Actually, Charlie’s working for Hughes Space and Communications, just down the street from his last assignment. Jim BAUGHMANN, also of CS-20 vintage, dropped me a note after the reunion. He just finished his PhD in software engineering at Maryland-College Park. He’s a department“cranium” and an AFITinstructor atWright-Pat. Christine, Monica (15), and Michael (13) are enjoying life in the Metro-Dayton area.

Doug SCHRAG answered “the e-mail challenge.” Jim ARNOLD beat you by a nose at the electronic wire. Maybe that old, slow computer you own cost you. 40MHz 386! Careful, Doug, that thing will explode with all these newer, highspeed trons running all over the place. Wayne CRENWELGE says “keep on truckin’!" Eric JQRCHNER couldn’t write much after feeling sorry for me. His basement was flooded after returning from the reunion. Next time, build it on stilts, Kirch! And almost last, but certainly not least, my old nemesis K-Bob. He’s still doin’ that ground poundin’ thing at Fort Drum, but there is a light at the end ofthe tunnel. He’s going back to Holloman as a “stink bug” driver. Not much of a light, K-Bob. His better half though, Miss Elbe, also known as the Coupon Queen or Her Royal Highness, had her book published, and it’s out there for the world to buy... Shop, Save, and Share\ She’s graciously agreed to give a complimentary, personally autographed copy to everyone in the class. All you have to do to get your copy is drive to Fort Drum, NY, shovel two feet of snow out of her driveway, wade through the Kay Herd, and catch her while she’s at home before the end of February. It’s as simple as that! Oh, and HRH.. .uuhhh, the Lear Jet.. .don’t forget, I’m supposed to fly it for you.

Finally, another HRH (His Royal Handsomeness), Bob CASTIGLIONE, one of my old "Double Deuce” brothers, sent the most e-mail with a lot of pictures from "the old days at the zoo.” Bob, I need hard copies. Seems Bob has settled in Tennessee, and he’s become a TennesseeVolunteer fan. Last e-mail he asked, “how ‘bout them Vols?” My counter, “how ‘bout them Falcons?” AF-45 and theWashington Huskies25 in the Aloha Bowl and a final #10 national ranking. Ain’t too shabby for “a bunch of kaydets from Colarada.” That’s the way we talk here in “Mizzsippi.” I’m

Mike Donatelli

1149 South Stone Ave.

La Grange, IL 60525

Percent members: 39

wAahhhh, Winter in Chicago... The NFL playoffs are over (they were over in September for da Bears), the NBA lockout is a study in breaking ofunions, da Hawks?

Class of 1979 - 20th Reunion Homecoming Utah at USAFA 13 - 17 October 1999

How ‘bout them Falcons! Hopefully, this dynasty will continue... the only thing that could’ve made this past football season more complete would’ve been a bowl game against Notre Dame... I know the AFA could have taken 'em. But, here in Chicago, we are surviving da blizzard of ’99... 20.6 inches of snow in one day... before the kids could head back to school post holidays, schools closed for snow days... I know this can’t compare to da dark ages AFA snow or to the Mike GEE Montana snows... but in Chicago, we don’t have the ski slopes to take advantage of the fluffy dark gray stuff (after a couple of days the Chicago snow turns a dark gray and sometimes yellow due to some minor pollution problems). So in Chicago, winter activities are limited to writing AOG articles, keeping up with lost souls, and Airline Pilots Association Union Duties.

My Delta responsibilities, ALPA duties, Air National Guard duties are still in full swing. I kept in contact with many of our NWA buds during their historic struggle and helped coordinate an ALPA national effort on their behalf. (I was made an “offer I couldn’t refuse” by the Delta MEC, DAL Strike chairman.) Struggles like these are proving grounds from our military studies/history classes. The biggest lesson learned is that this world is spinning so fast that we don’t have time to sleep for fear of being left behind.

Case in point, after meeting with the NWA Strike Team in Minneapolis (majority ofwhom were USAFA/USNA grads), our DAL team coordinated a national effort on behalfofNWA pilots. Two days later I’m on a Rome, Italy, layoverwatching CNN and the NWA strike and seeing DAL pilot Kevin MORGAN and others alongside of NWA pilots on the picket line! Many other stories, faces and places, but I promised the editor this would be short. We’ll catch up on all the lies, innuendoes and half-truths at our 20th reunion, 13-17 Oct 99.

Class Pres Mike VAN HOOMISSEN is heading the search committee to pick the reunion chairman. Let me tell you, if you’re nominated and then selected, it is a good deal. We truly will be grateful and many gifts of thanks will flow your way. Van Hoomissen and his dad flew their Bonanza to this great city in August. Mike and his dad had some legal business to attend to so they coordinated a crosscountryflight from Portiand to Chicago to Oshkosh and back. Unfortunately, they were not invited to fly in the Chicago Air and Water Show... But, Pete BUNCE’s A10 Hog drivers were there. Pete is the OG/CC at Davis Monthan and every Hog driver I saw at the VIP suites spoke very highly of their CC! One LCWBer who has pulled out of the running for reunion chairman is Col Greg ROMAN. Greg is in Colorado Springs J2 at Space Command but has volunteered to host the CS-11 festivities for that weekend. Congrats are also in order to Greg and new bride (9 Jan 99).

Hope this finds ali of you ‘79ers healthy, wealthy and wise... Let’s show USAFA what our class is made of! Hope to see you 13-17 Oct 99. The reunion headquarters is the Colorado Springs Marriott. Check six and keep your mach up. Mike Donatelli.

Don Myers

R O. 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: 42

Sad Start. I learned from Dave JONES that Tom JORDAN’S wife, Sharleen, passed awayrecently after a short battle with cancer. She worked in theWarnerRobins ANG pay office and “was universally beloved in the unit. They were truly in love and a model couple.” Our sincere condolences. Tom continues flying with American and has likely moved up from ANG B-l Sq CC to the Ops Group CC. Dave had lunch with Bev (PLOSA) (POINTER) when she passed through with a War College class. “She’s an instructor at Maxwell and they were taking an ‘introduction to the Guard’ type course. We all had lunch at the golf course so they could see what we really do.”

Your Stories? As you read this, the Dark Ages are almost over and many ofyou with children either plan on scattering to wonderfully warm places or will choose to spend some “quality time” at home with the family over Spring Break. Spring Break I remember, as a two-degree, making my way to TJ JOHNSON’S parents’ in Carmel on a C-9 from Buckley. We returned via L.A. and Flagstaff (behind a snowplow in a blizzard) in TJ’s just-purchased, overheating, slightly-early cadet car (his white 240Z) good times. Alas, I digress in memories of days gone by. However, it’s not without a point: For a while, I’d like to spotlight in each article a “Spring Break Memory” from your cadet days (acceptable to general audiences). I figure one short adventure shouldn’t take you too long to put into words - and I can only allot so much room. Ball’s in your court.

(Somewhat-more) Current Events. Rob (Julie) SCHAFER claims to be first in our class to be married, “at least legitimately. Threw my hat up and ran to the chapel.” Two girls and a weapons system acquisition career later, Rob took the early retirement in ’97 to work for CACI, a federal info tech company. “The nonAF life is great except I miss the camaraderie.” While Rob is into his vintage 1990 Nissan 300ZX (which Julie will sell “when she pries the steering wheel out of my cold dead hands”), Julie takes the safer? route byriding horses (dressage). They round out the family with “Butter” (just think of Old Yeller). Rob says his

gang and Jim (Cathy) CASHATT have dinner parties together and that Jim is a civvy at Wright-Pat working “weapons system acquisition (mostly black programs).” Mike (Cindy+3) HILL is “selling all the red estate in sight in southern New Hampshire and Maine and life is good. I still enjoy running around on the soccer pitch.” Mike’s hoping all the ’80 soccer team players are still able to take the field at our 20th. Some updates from Mike: Don SADLOWSKI is in Belmont, CA flying for? and is leaving the C-130 ANG business to keep the clock going as a LO; Tom NEAL is at Wright-Pat as an internal medicine doc; and Bob ZAPATA is in either Combat Control or Spec Ops at McChord as Sq CC. Marge (GLAZIER)

(Jay 75+2) SCHELL now lives in Tucson near DMAFB. They had the typical military move (lots broken), but maywait to replace items until after the “final move” in 2001. Before tackling the big challenges of a PCS (home, school, church) the family went to Colorado for a couple of weeks of R&R in the mountains: summer sledding, horseback riding, and canoeing. George RYAN now makes his home only five miles from USNA. “In a nutshell, the Secret Service has turned me into a geek with a gun.” He overseas the electronic crimes program, including counterfeit currency, threats against the Pres., and computer system intrusions. This is one step away from permanent protective details (Pres, or VP), so he expects to live next to his USNA professor neighbor for a long time - and gloat after AF-Navy football games. Mario (Karen+2) RODRIGUEZ is at the AF Comm & Info Center—supporting the AF Chief Info Officer. Since that part of the Pentagon is being renovated, he’s in an office building in Virginia. He just came from being the CC of a comm sq at McConnell and it was “absolutely incredible - nothing beats leading people and just makingthings happen to support the mission.” On their two-car cross-countrytrip to D.C., Karen would hold the CB mike next to the crying baby as a signal it was time for the family to pull over for a break. (I wonder ifthat would work to clear trucks off congested highways). Karen quit her Price Waterhouse consulting job “to stay home with the kiddies. There went halfof our income...but like a fellow grad told me, ‘Money is like Doritos...we’ll make more.’” Good perspective, Mario.

Glenn (Donna+2) ROSENBERGER has settled near DFW and punches in at American as well as being an AFRES electrical engineer for DIA. He flew RF4s at Bergstrom, got his MSEE at night at Utah, taught EE at the Zoo, then left with a Colorado bride to fly for AA in ’90. (Now, if that’s not enough alphabet soup for you, I give up). Sam (Barbara) NELSON is “a civilian at Eglin AFB. I am the chief of the Intel Applications Branch. My wife and I have seven children. We home educate them all. I would say we home educate for the positive reasons, not avoidance of the negative. We have found home education an invaluable vehide for the passing on and retention of our values, developing the character we desire to see in our children, and insuringthey know how to think instead of mindlesslyacceptingwhatever they are told.” Their oldest is 17 and should know by now whether he gets to follow in dad’s footsteps in the Springs.

"Grich” (Cathy PRIOR ’82+2) GOODWIN is flying F-16s and living in Syracuse and also works out of JFK for American. If 11 and 8-year-old boys, a wife, and two part-time flying jobs weren’t enough, “I’m setting up for Phase III of my career and havejustsigned up to be an Academyliaison officer.” Trey STACKMAN is the Sq CC and John EVANS also flies F-16s with Grich. “Rob SCOTT and I flew to London together on an all-night mission and didn’t solve a singleastrodynamic problem the whole way, nor did we get violated.” Larry and Ginny+2 (CAINE) TONNESON are at Langley. Ginny is at the Aerospace C2 Agency (AC2A) and is integrating C2 and ISR for the AF. She went back to the Zoo for a career day and was amazed at how many cadets “immediately asked how a particular career field would translate to a civilian job. Despite that, I was impressed with how many doolies stopped by to talk about different career fields-something I never even thought about until the week we had to pick! Larry took the 15-year retirement and is a defense contractor working C2 issues withACC as well as some space-related projects.

Christmas/Holiday Letters. Thanks for those who added me to your list. Dave (Cindy+6) PRAHST also educate their children at home and, “As our teenager is startingAlgebra 2, our baby is starting to walk-these extremes have given us real variety in our parenting!” When Dave was on a trip (naturally), Cindy and the kids were in an accident that totaled their van (no injuries). They continue to camp in the area. Paul and Ricki (SMITH) SELVA’s letter was written solo by Ricki since Paul was deployed from Travis to Diego Garcia (while we were reaching out and touching someone in Iraq). They have a computer/printer that turns out neat products; this one had five small pictures (two ofRicki’s beautiful quilts, them at some metal tower in Paris, the two hounds, and Paul in his “new” 79 MGB to celebrate 40 and 0-6). The jaunt to France “was the trip of a lifetime and I would return in a heartbeat!”

Dean (Carla+4) EISBERG had an El Nino summer in their Anchorage suburb. “You might say it occasionally got warm enough for the kids to run through the sprinkler, but remember, Kim thinks it’s funny to stand barefoot in the snow and Kelly goes to basketball wearing shorts when it is below freezing outside. Next year I think we’ll schedule the Fourth of July in the summer. Speaking of Independence Day, we celebrated in a big way this year by paying off our house. No more being a slave to the lender. Now if we could only pay offthe tax man so that he would stay away.” (I wish I could fit the whole letter here-it would cheer you all up). “Just remember, if you call our house and Jeff answers the phone, don’t ask how old he is. He has to set the phone down to count his fingers and he might not remember to pick it back up.”

From the e-mail fire hose. Curt ELKIN ischiefofStan/Evalat412TW (Edwards) and “wishing I didn’t have to live in a desert. But I’m still flying the F-15 and C12 with the Test Pilot School so life is good.” Tim (Mary+3) BRENNAN is CC of 2d Air Support Ops Sq at Ramstein. Flip (Debbie) FILIPPI moved from WrightPat as chief of Contracts for the B-l to D.C. as a Pentagon action officer for the B-l program. “It’s a great job, but the best part is I finally get to live with my wife. She’s a D.C. native who’s worked here since college, and we’ve been apart the past two years.” Larry DePATIS is at Randolph from Moody and flying T-38s “while I look for a job.” Neil CATONE is back in T-38s at Randolph. Allen BAKER,

when he’s not flying the friendly skies (UAL) or instructing, has taken up marathons. He will have run at least three by now and finished the Chicago Marathon achieving “all three of my goals: finished, uninjured, under four hours.” Also, spies found Tim HARTIGAN returning to the States after running the Dublin Marathon. Ed (Cindy) HERLIK left Delaware after seven years and moved just south of the Zoo. Timing was right as Cindy took a job buyout and was able to get hired as an accountant “by everyone who interviewed her. She accepted a position with Cook Communication Ministries.” Ed’s flying C-5s at Dover (AFRES), for Continental out of Cleveland, and as soon as CAL moves the 737s to Guam, the Herliks will relocate there.

Kirk YOST claims to have the crummiest working space at the Pentagon (do I hear a challenge?) “I and two other 0-5s share 24 square feet of space. I moved to JCS J-8, replacing Dave LARIVEE, who had replaced Bob O’NEILL. Apparently, this position belongs to our class.” LarryWHITE gets to be intimate with our Navy brethren: He moved from the EUCOM staff to NAS Whidbey Island (near Seattle) and is transitioning to the EA-6B as an electronic countermeasures officer. He and the 30 other AF types will soon be assigned to one of the land-based squadrons that deploy for contingency ops, “so I will get a chance to spend some time in Incirlik (Turkey), Aviano (Italy), and PSAB (Saudi Arabia).” Sherrie wrote that Vinnie DiFRONSO is “not real good about keeping in touch. We’re at Eglin. He’s the 58th FS commander. Life is good.” Matt NEUENSWANDER moved up to CC at the 69th FS (F-16Cs/Ds at Moody) and “got some great cigars from John POSNER” who is the CC of the Blue Flag sq at Hurlburt. Do I detect a lost bet? Matt also notes Jim POWELL is the senior USAF rep at the Egyptian FighterWeapons School.

Reach Out XIV. Tom ROBINSON “found” Scott PEATROSS. “He lives across the street from me and has for the last 8.5 years. Scott is flying for NWA and is just about to start his upgrade to DC-9 captain. He is getting greedy for the cash-his daughter just got her driving permit so his insurance premiums are scaring him. I’m hanging around as a DC-10 copilot and instructor - and my daughter does not get her permit until next year.” Keep your eyes and ears open for this next batch offolks and tell me what they’re doing: NancyJ. (NEWBERRY)

BETTIS, Edward E. NEVES, Randy E. NELSON, Eric G. NELSON, Ray I. NAKASONE, Kevin A. NAGIE. As you know, the AOG sent update forms to everyone they could. Many of our classmates have faded away. Why not help reconnect them?

And, Eddie FOLSOM’s update: “Laura and I are enjoying our fifth year ofmarital bliss...good health...two near-perfect children...one dog, two semi-old cars, one 60-year-old house 30 miles east of San Francisco...lots of dreams for the future...one big mortgage payment now...Mom is full time, dad is United Airlines 727 captain, ALO commander for the SFO area, and older than normal for daddy oflittle ones...feeling it too. I love being a pilot for a living, but it pales in comparison to being a daddy and I thank God every day for my wife.”

I can’t add to that and I’d better wrap this up. Next time, more stuff from your Christmas letters - even some photos! Be good. 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: 38

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My notes, taken after the AF-Navy game while sitting on Sean BISHOP’S backyard deck in the crossfire of a water gun fight between Gary OCHENKOSKI and Sean’s daughters, are all but illegible - and after all the beer that had been consumed, they weren’t very coherent in the first place. If we’re to believe the class news I got from these guys, most of our classmates are living in Los Angeles and working as “adult film” stars. So, while I usually say any errors are mine, there are (many) others to blame this time. But, hey, I’ll take the hit for my classmates. Here’s the crew at the tailgate.

Ochenkoski, Kilty, Beef, Potsy, Bob andSilvi, Madden, Grunstad, Agee andBishop.

An update on some of the AF-Navy weekend attendees: Sean BISHOP home from one of his worldwide Delta airline jaunts, hosted the weekend, with his Lt. Col. and Ph.D. wife, Carlee MURPHY (‘82) BISHOP Jim KILTY, wife Kay, and their two boys are living in Illinois where Kay is an American flight attendant, and KILTY flies for American and the ANG. Beef HADDAD and his wife, Ginger, a Reserve JAG, live in Ft Walton Beach with their two children, Alex and Tori. Beef flies the 757 and 767 for TWA out of St Louis. After a foray into the local political arena, Beefs put politics on the back burner for now. Jim AGEE, flying the F-16 for the Jacksonville ANG and the 767 for Delta domestic routes, swears the only way he’s able to do it all is that he’s married to “the most wonderful woman in the world," Michelle POMPILI (‘80) AGEE. Gary OCHENKOSKf is living in Phoenix, flying the 737 for Delta out ofSalt Lake City. He’s become a real estate mogul (read slumlord owning six shacks without air conditioning that he rents for lots of$$). Dan “Potsy” POTKULSKI, wife Jackie, and their two children live in Macon, GA, where he flies the MD-80 for Delta. Denny GRUNSTAD and the STEIGERWALDS also came down from Fort Collins. Jesse GOSSNER flewthe Otter and dropped the parachute team prior to the game, then he and his wife, Susan, stopped by our part of the stands.

KellyOBERBILLIG, who rumor has it lives in Denver, while not physically present, was commemorated by those who were.

What follows are the rumors, innuendoes and outright lies about those who weren’t there to defend themselves. Ned RUDD is in Saudi as an F-15 instructor for Boeing. Dan LEY is a 737 captain for Delta Express. He’s married to a Delta flight attendant, and they have one child and another on the way. Denny POLUMBO is in Korea flying the F-16 and is the OSS/CC. Dave ROBERTS is an Ob/Gyn in Rochester, NY. Terry RYAN is a family doctor on Michigan’s upper peninsula, where’s he’s happy to be treating people who are actually sick, as opposed to treating healthy young males like he had to in the AF. Ray PIJMA is an EWO in an MC-130 Talon 1 squadron, and also works for an outfit out of Birmingham. Mike KELTZ is ops officer for the Centralized Training Flight at the Special Ops School at Hurlburt. Scott SCHAEFFER is a “helicopter puke” at Hurlburt. Bob GABRESKI has gone from being ops officer to being squadron commander of an AC-130 squadron. Lenny ROBINSON, who flies for TWA, was last seen hard at work in Las Vegas at his second job playing craps. Barry JOHNSON is flying the MD-80 for TWA. Bart BLESSING is a TWA FO who also flies C- 130s out of Louisville, KY for the ANG. Dave SCHOLL, a Delta guy who lives in FtWalton Beach, got married in Birmingham, and Jim AGEE did the honors as best man. According to Beef, Jim gave the couple an eloquent toast.

Steve BARNES (wife Jan and three lovelykids) is a 767 instructor at Delta, who is, according to sources, “loved by all students and sim checkout pilots.” Paul SULLIVAN, married with three children, flies the MD-88 for Delta out of Adanta. Hope this column finds him fully recovered from his “back problems.” Joe NYPAVER is married with five children, flying the MD-88 out of Cincinnati. Jim ZILLY flies the L-1011 on domestic routes for Delta out ofAtlanta. Jim LONG, his wife, Jeanne, and two children are in the Langley area. Along with Chet NOWAK, he’s working special programs at HQ ACC, and his 9 handicap is proof ofjust how hard he’s working. Debbie (LUMPKINS) HORGAN is doing the NATO AWACS Guard thing in Geilenkirchen, Germany. Brian DOMINGUEZ, seen on a Boston layover, is living in Dayton and looks the same as always.

Other notes from e-mail: Steve FITZGERALD, married with children, is working in the financial department of Bell Atlantic. Bill SCHOENEMAN is, as previously noted, entering his 10th year with Eli Lilly and Company. He’s a program manager in theirTraining and Development group, and also working on some kind of huge project for Lilly that begins in France and Spain next year. Bill says Dan BELL is up in the Detroit, area, where he’s a director for Lear Corporation. Dan’s still doing the hockey stuff with his middle son, Michael, and continues to do some hockeyrefereeing. At the Marine Corps Marathon on 25 Oct, Marty FRANCE finished 34th overall out of 13,248 total finishers, with a time of 2:46:48. He was the 5th overall Air Force finisher, and despite his protests that “it was a weak field”, sounds pretty impressive to me. Marty ran into Dennis NORTHCUTT during a TDY to Ramstein, where Dennis works in the Air Operations Center.

A certain former scribe who asked not to be mentioned will be leaving the Political Science Department this summer to become the head of the ROTC unit at the University of New Hampshire. (How’d I do, Scott?) Joan CUNNINGFIAM is the head ofthe ROTC unit at Cal State-Fresno - hometown ofher husband, Michael. Scott SCHROEDER (T-38 IP at Randolph) won the International Skeet World Cup Competition last year, and, as a result, is back in the Air Force’s “world-class athlete program.” He apparently flies in the morning and shoots clay targets in the afternoon - a routine he’ll continue at least until the 2000 Olympic Team is chosen. Frank and Debbie CHEESEMAN had a baby boy last summer - their first. Mike PAVLOFF is the ops officer of a T-38 squadron at Vance. Bill MCLENDON is a high school math teacher in the backwoods ofMississippi. Yvonne (WILHELM) SCHILZ and Bob “Rowdy” YATES are both on the Joint Staff in the J-5 Strategy Division.

Pat ALMAZAR is working in Space Policy with Tim HAWES and they’re having a great time in the Pentagon. Pat got there in August after a stint in the National Imagery and MappingAgency (NIMA). Sean MURPHYis also on the move (again) - in July he’ll be going to D.C. to work at the Air Force Headquarters Building as consultant for Pediatrics for the Surgeon General of the Air Force. He’ll also be doing staffwork and working in the policy-making branch of the Air Force Medical Corps. John CASEY is off to Vance from Colorado Springs after upgrade trainingin theTl.

Rob BONN, who flies for FedEx out of Connecticut, wrote that Rein FOERG, who’s teaching in the USAFA Foreign Language Department, just completed his Ph.D. and just got checked out doing Rob’s old job...flying the motorglider at Airmanship. Sheldon DENNIS is in northern Californiawhere he has a business with a 1978West Point grad. They’ve started two magazines targeted to African-American families, FamilyDigest, and FamilyDigestBaby. They’re trying to carve out a niche in the publishing industry and 1999 will be their second year of a full publication schedule. EvWALLACE was last known to be running a software consulting

business on Long Island, NY. Gregg MONTIJO is the 355 OSS Weapons and training flight commander in Tucson. In the OSS with him is Scott ALEXANDER, chief of Weapons, and Tim JACOBY is teaching in the Training Squadron. Gregg recendy ran into Terry DICKENSHEET in the 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, saw Mike KUKULSKI when Mike came through the squadron getting requalified in theA-10, and also saw KurtANDERS at 7thAF whileTDYin Korea about six months ago.

Mark ROLING’s also been spotted in Tucson - word is Mark’s working as the active-dutyAF representative to the ANG/AFRTC at Tucson International Airport. Gregg spent some time this past summer at A1 Jaber as the 4406 Operations Support Squadron Commander, and saw several ‘81ers. Steve RUEHL, the 70th Fighter ops officer at MoodyAFB, spent 45 days with his squadron and took over as commander shordy after returning to Moody in August. A four-ship of F-16CJs diverted into A1 Jaber due to a broken tanker, one ofthem flownby SamANGELELLA, who was TDY to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Gregg also filled in as the A1 Jaber Deputy Operations Group commander - then Ken BYRD showed up as the new deputy OG from Mountain Home. At the same time, Paul FULTON from the 75 FS at Pope AFB replaced Steve RUEHL’s deployed squadron. In early Septemher, Gregg and the Byrdman helped bed down the first-ever F-15E deployment to A1 Jaber, led by the 335 FS commander, Mike SPENCER. Just after Paul’s departure, they snapped the obligatory ’81 class photo in front of one of Mike’s jets.

Jim Ratti

5301 Palo Verde Dr.

Edwards, CA 93523-2405

Home: (805) 258-8280/DSN: 527-7782

rattijm@mindspring.com

http://www.usafa82.org

Percent members: 37

Hello again!

The holidays have passed, and most of us “on-time” Lt Cols should be pinned on by now. There’s a fair amount of mail in the bag this time, but I want to start out with an apology to Blake PIERSON. He sent his first-ever submission early last summer. Careful as I am about double-checking the spelling of names when I write this column, I misspelled his when I did the summer article. Blake, I promise you ifyou write again, I’ll get it right!

Back in the early fall I got an e-mail from Tim COLLINS, updating his e-mail address. He’s now in Seoul, serving as the exec for the deputy commander of the U.S. Forces in Korea. I was able to stop in for a quick visit there during a TDY and had dinner with Tim and his family. Drenda and the kids were very kind to me and treated me like an old friend even thoughthey’d never before laid eyes on me. We had a wonderful (ifshort) visit. Tim’s doingverywell there but stays incredibly busy, as you might imagine.

Rick WHITE dropped a quick note to say he’s enjoying life as a United pilot in Denver. He promised a more completeupdate “one ofthese days,” probably about the same time that I get around to updating the web page!

Karl KUSCHNER checked in from Tyndall where he was attending F-15 training. By the time you read this though he’ll be in Japan. And for those ofyou who are confused, no, Karl didn’t graduate with ’82 - he did the “stop-out” thing and finished up with ’83. But he was my roomie as a SMACK, so I’ve gotto mention his news here!

Stephen J. SMITH (the CS-19 Steve Smith, not the Steven Michael SMITH I wrote about a couple columns ago) sent a note from Houston where he’s a 727 first officer for FedEx. He’d previouslyflown RF-4s at Kadenaand Bergstrom before separating to haul the freight. His wife is a second-year med student, and they haven’t started a family yet. Steve says they figure they’ll be 60 years old with teenagers! Now that’s a scary thought. Anyway, Steve spends his spare time building an RV6 homebuilt aircraft and wondering whateverhappened to Phil Parker.

John CERRA sent word that he’s living on Hickam and working in the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, a joint billet that involves working conferences in support ofCINCPAC’s “Cooperative Engagement” strategy in the Pacific region.

I got an e-mail fromTamara SENZ telling me that she’s an Airbus pilotwith FedEx, and in the Reserves as well. She also said that Marc and Judy (MARTINI) ABSHIRE are still in Italy (for two more years) and would love to have visitors before they

Ken Byrd, Mike Spencerand GreggMontijo atAlJaberAirBase.

PCS. The onlything I can’t tell you is where in Italy. Oh well. Some things you just have to figure out for yourself!

Jack MOHNEY sent a newsy message from his home in Coopersville MI where he’s nursing his fledgling land development business. His wife, Linda, is about a year away from a master’s in occupational therapy, so they plan to combine their skills and consult on and build homes modified for injured and older folks. Sounds like they’ve got a line on how to reap some benefits from this aging boomer population! Jack and Linda have two daughters, seven and four. The seven-year-old (Becky) is doing quite well in the 2nd grade, and the four-year-old (Sam) is outgrowing the SWC (Strong-willed child) phase. Overall, Jack says his clan is acclimating well to civilian life, but he says it was quite an adjustment, in ways he never anticipated. Jack sent a litde gossip too. He says Jeff“JK” McKAY is working in D.C. for a financial group, Tom SYLVESTER (in addition to flying for Northwest) has become quite the Visual Basic computer guru and is helping Jack with some programmingchores, and long-lost soul and bi-centurion Gary“Snootchcavootch” NOGRADY is working for AFOTEC at Kirtland.

Rick MRAZ zapped a note from his new (August ‘98) job at the JointWarfighting Center in Fort MonroeVA. He’s the Model & Simulation action officer for the Joint Theater Level Simulation (JTLS), and he coordinates the database builds, Simulation configuration, C4I systems and logistics to support training exercises for EUCOM, PACOM, SOUTHCOM, SOCOM, and CENTCOM.

Our resident NASA bureaucrat Doug SANDER sent an update from his job in the Space Station Program Office in Houston. He ran his first (and probably last!) marathon last January in the blistering time of4:20. That’s six-minute miles ifmy math is right, and I’d have been damn proud to run the old 1.5-mile run at that pace! He says it cost him four toenails, and he enjoyed the assault course far more! Thinking that he might be the last from ’82 to fall, he got married (Ann) in March. Attendees included such ’82 notables as Tom SYLVESTER, Chip LINDENLAUB and Lee HARVEY. When he and Ann moved into their new house this past fall, they discovered they were neighbors to John Glenn’s chauffeur and space shuttle pilot Steve LINDSEY. After comparing notes, Doug and Ann decided they had to “keep up with the Lindseys” and so are expecting their first child in May.

Bryan BRANBY sent me his Christmas letter, and it sounds like he, Laura and the kids had a really busy year. The kids are all doing well, and Bryan is loving life as a flight crew training instructor for US Airways in Pittsburgh. He’s also flying with the C-130 Reserve unit there, but had to take a fewweeks offwork in October to afford a surgeon the opportunity to polish his gall bladder removal skills. The operation (Bryan’s first) went very well.

I saw SteveVOGT the end of November when he stopped by during a layover in Ontario CA. It worked out reallynicely, because that was the day I had my pin-on. It was great to see Steve again and get caught up on all the news from his family. As you’ll recall, Steve flies for Northwest. He’ll be in training as a DC-8 captain by the time this is published.

Ellen and I joined a group from our squadron and traveled to Las Vegas for the WAC championship game between USAFA and BYU in December. It was a great game, with USAFA winning nicely. There were lots of grads there from all classes, and it was kind of fun to run around wearing my ’82 parka and feeling like an old fart! It’s only the second game Ellen and I have attended since graduation (the other was at the ’82 reunion), and USAFA won both times. I guess we’d better keep showing up!

Other than that, there’s not much else to report. Keep the cards and e-mails coming, and above all, be safe. Ratman.

Ray Blust

149 South Park Street

Wheeling, WV 2600-5924

Home: (304) 242-7182

E-mail: 104055.444@compuserve.com

Percent members: 37

uyiHappy NewYear (again)! I’m really getting tired of saying that as I just read the last few issues I’ve written, and yes they all begin the same. Oh well! Since the last time, a lot has happened. Julie, Matthew, and I did make it out to the Academy and the slopes in January. I hadn’t been on the slopes since ’83 and only fell once getting offthe lift; at least they didn’t have to stop the lift. Julie and Matthew took lessons and bythe second day I was trying to keep up with Matthew, and Juliejust met us at the bottom. Thanks to DaveWRIGHT the logistics were a piece of cake.

I did just return from the Academy as I flew out to swear in my nephew who took the four and half year plan due to a family death. He’s too big to fly and is heading to Kirtland as a contractor. Julie is now the head ofthe fitness program at a small Catholic University in Wheeling and continues to work on her exercise physiology degree, getting all A’s as usual. Matthew is now in first grade, had an undefeated baseball regular season this summer and is now in his fourth year of hockey. I continue to fly the F-100 at Chicago for AA and am the ALO director for the huge state ofWestVirginia. Life has been good for us and we wish all the best in ’99.

Now on to the good stuff. I’ve got lots of info so please be seated! I can’t even think of writing this article until I got the letter from A1 “Sheefus” GAILEY and

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO YOUR AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE CADET WING AND GRADUATE PROJECTS FOR WHICH FEDERAL FUNDS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

familia. As you can tell from their enclosed photo they made a trip west to Hawaii. While there they hob-knobbed with Tiger Woods, John Travolta yada yada yada and bunch of other celebs. A1 is now an FO on the 737 with Delta out of Atlanta. Cathy is now cancer free and has a full head of curlier and softer hair. They appreciated all your prayers, they are truly needed. Cathy continues to be a devoted realtor and mother ofBrittany-9 and Kenny-5. They are moving this summer so if you need their new info please e-mail me.

Leslee (FORSBERG) and Chris WASHER are finally a family unit again. Chris joined Leslee in Albuquerque in March and will pin on 0-5 in March, congrats Chris. Leslee is the family taxi for Rebecca who’s in the 5th grade and Jacob who’s the tether ball champ of his first grade.

Next in the mailbag comes from a fellow UPT-mate, Mike SHANAHAN. Mike is an IP on the C-17 at Charleston, SC. Like Mike and Giesla the two boys devote much of their free time to gymnastics and have been practicing with an ’84 and '88 Olympian and are shooting for the 2008 Olympics here in Wheeling.

The Shanahans on top ofStone Mountain.

Robert GREGOR writes from UPS Hq in Louisville where he continues to fly those nocturnal hours. I couldn’t do it! Robert is now a DC-8 captain and hopes to bid to Ontario CA. Ralinda, the better half, is busywith Rachel, their adorable first grader and takingpiano lessons. Good for you Ralinda. Robert of course is still as studly as he was in CS-24. He has been known to take his bike with him on his trips. Robert, be a man and take up sports like the rest of us 40-something, 36inch waist, love-handled slobs do. Like golfand walking! I’m not speaking forjust myself, I’ve seen a lot of ’83ers out there and you knowwhat I mean. Julie continues to buy me 33-inch waist pants but sooner or later something’s got to give.

JeffFIEBIG finally made the bigplunge and is now a proud member ofthe United team. Jeff is currently an FO on the A-320 out of L.A. Jeff and Ellen are both now in the ANG at Luke. They have taken advantage ofthe liberal passes this past year and have gone to Germany, Cancun, spring break in Florida, and to Durango, CO to see the T-Birds. Jeff and Ellen have two great kids, Derek-11 and Danielle-9.

Now some notes on a few AAers I ran into in Chicago. Rick SCHOLZ and Frank “LM” CURRY were both hanging out at the CQ desk looking for the sign-out log! Rick is on the S-80 out ofSan Fran, he also flies the HC- 130s out ofMoffett Field, is married and has two kids. Frank and Candy have four kids now, if you want the details please call me when you’ve got some time. They told me young Roger “Rohair” WITT is up for 0-6, he’s currendy the adviser to the Youngstown ANG unit.

Back to the mailbag. Mike “BRRRR” and Edith PADILLA are currendy in Memphis where Mike is an FE on the DC-10 for Fed Ex. Mike and Edith are busyraising Mikey-4 who is now in preschool. Doug and Kim “Aim” HIGH (I’m sorry, I had to do just one) wrote from Seymour Johnson in North Carolina. Doug wrote of his excitingflight while training in the F- 15E. While on a lowlevel (500 ft at 500 knots) just prior to bomb drop they were greeted by a rather large turkey vulture. He punched through the canopy, passed over Doug’s right shoulder and came to rest behind him. Doug and his pilot, now covered in vulture goo, were able to get the plane on the ground in seven minutes with two-thirds oftheir canopy gone. Great job Doug! Doug, Kim and Hilary-7 added Anna to the HIGH family in November.

Next up are the DENNY’s (JOHNSON’s). John and Gayle write from the shores of the Ohio River in Cincinnati where John (’84) (weak beast) is an FO on the DC-

The Gailey’s motto - “Life’s a Beach!”

8 with Airborne and is considering switching to the 767. Gayle continues to be the hero mom, as she runs Grace-11 and Wes around to the too many to mention activities. Gayle also has been an ALO forever and she was actually the person who first mentioned the program to me, thanks Gayle. Fore, we’ll be down to play!

The Dennys in Ireland.

It happened again. Jon DURESKY is back to his two-page, I love to write about myself, Christmas letters. Actuallyitwasverygoodbecause his daughterKendalwrote most ifit. Jon and Brenda are still at Scott but are headed for Dyess as Jon is going to learn to fly again. Brenda, the boss, is training to be a medical assistant while she takes care of Kendal-11 and Jeffrey-15. It seems as though young Jeffrey is following his pop’s footsteps and is wrestling on the high school varsity team as a mere freshman. Jeffrey, I got $10 that’s yours when you can pin your dad like I used to! Ha, ha.

That just about does it for me. I would be nuts not to mention the Falcon’s football team and all their success this past year. On behalf of the Class of 1983, Sierra Hotel guys! We’ll see you at the AF-Navy game of '99. Jon DURESKY is writing the next article but will be in Abilene so please write/call/e-mail me and I’ll see JDQ gets it. Until next time mates, take care. Ray. ’83 - Best To Be!

Mike Jensen

12035 Milam Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80908

1-800-GO-AFA-GO /(719) 481-4646

E-mail: jens@usafa.com iiiliili?

Home page:www.us-afa.com/84

Percent members: 31

It is just after the holidays and the year isn’t old enough for me to be so behind. This will not be a real long update, because the Christmas updates weren’t in a huge supply, and for some unknown reason many ofyou were scared to send me those long Christmas letters. I need you to give me something to work with - but I’ll spare Chris ERICKSON et al from my versions of the year (for now). For those of you who did send me cards, thank you! I enjoyed them all and wish you and yours a great 1999. That’s right, it is 1999, and it will be 15 years since our illustrious graduation from “the ZOO” and what a long way we have come. We went from the massive military buildups of the cold war to now. It is hard to believe how much the world has changed since we were commissioned. It is no secret that we have 60 percent of our class out ofthe active Air Force, serving their country in different ways. Whether you are in or out, I appreciate the time you take to help me keep this article going, and a big thank you again to Brett MAYHEW, for taking the duties of the webmaster and having that medium available.

On a personal note, I’ve had a pretty good year, full of family and friends, and I hope you have had the same. I spent many a great time with Tom WILSON and his family while in Dallas. Tom and Polly have three great girls, Haley, Marah and Tatum. He’s flying with American and still is a great storyteller! Also down in the Metroplex are check airman Tom McDONALD, the golfing wonder Jay CHARMELLA, Gary SEIFRIED, and Scott HENN. All of the aforementioned are withAmericanAirlines. I know I have missed a few and will have another drink to refresh my memory.

The Dureskys andMark

Another letter from a fellow UPT-mate has found it’s way to Wheeling. Kevin and Cara MCMILLIN write from the bright skies of California. Kevin is still flying with Fed Ex, I assume, since his letter only mentioned the kids. Josh-16, Kelli-14, and Maureen-3 are about all they can handle for now. They also have two goofy reindeer dogs, KC and Max.

My best man and roommate finally wrote from California. Bill and Holly RUJEVCAN have been in California since graduation as Bill was working on the west launch site for the shutde. He has since separated, has been self-employed for 10 or so years but is now happily employedbyBoeing. He is currentlyworking on the Delta IV rocket program. Holly works in pharmaceutical sales and is the top sales rep in the company for Johnson and Johnson. No wonder, as Holly tries out all the products on Marielle-3. The good news in the Ruj household is that Bill had the new Lasik procedure and is now almost 20/20.

Well myfinal letter/photo comes fromRon andTonia GRAVES. I think Ron wins the award for most ruthless commute. Ron and Tonia finally sold their house in Del Rio but Ron was commuting from there to LA. to fly for United. But now Ron flies out of Denver and they are now living in Parker CO, a southern burb ofDenver. I figured I’d better throw in their picture. With Ron and Tonia are Eric, Kathryn and George.

Update from Mike BRENNAN: I got a greatupdate from Mikewho is at USACOM, keeping busy with staffweenie duties. I’m still waiting for a picture of their children to add to a Checkpoints article (thank God they have their mother’s looks!). He ran into Jim HOWARD and his wife, Tammy, at the USACOM Christmas ball. He is working at the Joint Warfighting Center at Fort Monroe and is doing very well. Mark CHANCE was seen at the Langley Flight Surgeons office (yahoo!). He is doing great and working the F-22 procurement program at HQ ACC. Getting short and possiblymoving on this summer to unknown assignment. Mike “Hopeless Oriole Fan” BENEVENTO is out of the AF and living and working back in his belovedVermont. He makes sure we don’t miss any information on the awesome Fighting Falcons football season (How about the final standings #13 in AP and #10 in the USA Todaypolls!) Steve SADLER is alive and well in Colorado. He is out of the AF and is working for a technology company. I get some pretty humorous e-mails from him from time to time. John PETERSON and his wife, Karen, are living and working in Arizona. John is doing great and can be occasionally found at L.A. AFB when he is doing his Reserve duty.

Electronic Updates: Mike BABAUTA is still in the AF working in Chantilly, VA, since ‘95 as a software engineer. He has been married for nine years and has three beautiful children: Maria (6), Angelica (4) and Matthew (2). From the “have you seen..files: Chuck LOCASCIO is out of the AF and working with USAA in San Antonio, TX, as a consultant. He is married and has four beautiful children: Remy, Christopher, Matthew, and Sarah. Scott DICKMEYER has recently signed on with the Reserves at McConnell AFB inWichita, KS. He just finished school at Altus AFB, OK becoming a KC135 aircraft commander. His full-time civilian job is with Flight Safety International at Raytheon Aircraft teaching Navy and Marine pilots to fly their version of the C-12, using only simulators and ground school in the current contract. Good Luck!

Jay HORN been out of the USAF since ’92 and had a variety of exciting and interesting jobs - sales manager for a manufacturing company, business manager for a car dealership, high school science teacher and head football coach, and now seminar coordinator for a growing international ministry in Florence, KY! Bob SMITH has been selected to attend a master’s of laws program in information technology at John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Classes start this fall.

Bob THOMAS is at the Pentagon (AF/XPP) with Keith DULANEY and gave the following report. Ifanyone inAMC needs an assignmentthey can call Chris POWERS in AMC/DP - he says he’ll give you anythingyou want! Saw Kyle SKALISKY at the annual Pentagon Fighter bar Christmas party - he was wowing the crowd with tales ofgreat heroic Fighter Pilot deeds - again. Bob says to tell all to drop by for a few beers when they’re in town (if it is the Bob Thomas of old - he’s still not buyin’). Chris DINENNA is still hanging out at SeymourJohnson by the sea (NC). Not a lot is new here in the flying game (F-15Es). They basically had a mellow winter after two trips to southwest Asia.

Last thought: I will continue to bug you about getting me updates for this artide, and also to check out the home page! By the time you read this we will probably have a new message board to give information. If any ofyou are interested in a mini-reunion (nothing official through the AOG), let me know. We can put something together for the homecoming game! Info will be on the web if there seems to be any interest. As always, if there is anything I can do for you or yours please do not hesitate to call!

Visit our website:

www.aog-usafa.org.

The Graves in Del

Quintel Williams

2585 Deliverance Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918-1333

Home: (719) 599-7782

DSN: 692-6163

E-mail: USAFA1985@aol.com

Percent members: 33

Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a happyholiday season and that you’re offto a great NewYear. I received e-mails from Shep SPARKS, Mark NAUMANN and Michael TAYLOR with class news so I’m passing the messages along...

Quintel, hope all is well with you. Thought I’d e-mail you when I saw your address listed in Checkpoints and update you on the boys I’m close to. lust saw most of them last month when I traveled to two of their weddings. Mark “Muggo”

MULLANEYwas married inAlexandria,VA to the lovelyKathleen Mataldi, a former Navy, now civilian, dentist. Muggo is a consultant with Sparta, Inc., Rosslyn VA. Mike MURRAY (married, two kids, Peregrine Systems, Inc, San Diego), Von CAMERON (married, Oracle, Los Angeles), and DougWELLS (married, three kids, USAE Colorado Springs, pursuing PhD.), Bob BLACKMON (Unigraphics, Inc., Albuquerque), and Wayne “Bone” MILLER (American Airlines, Los Angeles) were there in force. Greg Philpotts was also on the scene.

The very next weekend I was inWayzata, MN for Mike OTT’s wedding. He married the lovely Stephanie Burnet, a local businesswoman. Mike is in institutional equity sales with Piper Jaffray (still also breeding and showing standard poodles and pot-bellied Vietnamese pigs). Pete JAHNS (married, USAF, Oklahoma City), Mike LAWLESS (married, one child, consultant, Boulder), JohnWILLIAMS (United Airlines, San Francisco, and usually in the companyof one lovelyAustralian lady), Frank LUCCI (married, three kids, American Airlines, Philadelphia), and Eric DEARDORF (married, two kids, United Airlines,Valparaiso IN) were there as well. Two incredibly beautiful outdoor weddings/receptions.

Also, at my last contact: Brooks FREEMAN (married, one child, American Airlines, Richmond VA); Geoff SEWELL (married, microbrew restaurant owner, Longmont CO); Jeff SMITH (married, two kids, Brinker Int’l, Inc., Dallas); Tom GEOGHAN (married, two kids, consultant, Modesto CA); Dan O’CONNER (money manager, Longmont CO); Jeff FARMER (Ford?, Detroit); Tim DERUYTER (married, two kids?, offensive coordinator, Ohio U., Athens OH); MarkMELCHER (married, three kids, defense/government contractor?, San Antonio). Also heard from Doug that Dan JORDAN (married, kids?, USAF/Pentagon) is up for Lt Col. Dan, I bow to you...you deserve it.

I’m still back home in Des Moines, now managing investor relations, assisting the general counsel for a software company, Engineering Animation, Inc. My wife, Kathy, and I have one son, Warren, and are expecting another. I also recently joined the U.S. Army Reserves as a judge advocate, which I thought OK until they handed me a holster, bullet-proofvest, sleeping bag, helmet, etc. for my overseas TDY. I was like, “Wait! I’m just a lawyer hoping for some office space and visiting officers quarters...” Next month I have a five-hour antiterrorism briefing to attend. I’m now questioning my judgement.

Hope all is well with everyone out there. I do get around a bit, especially to the big money management cities like NewYork, Boston, San Francisco, etc. so let me knowwhere you are. Our bond is alive and well; I can’t tell you how good it was to be with all my buds last month. Take care. Warren Sheppard “Shep" Sparks. PS. Sean ROCHE (N. Virginia, National Reconnaissance Office, married, one child), and Paul VANCE (San Francisco, Chicago Express Airlines - he became a pilot after separating from the AF!-one child).

Hi Quintel, I’m sending you some material for the next issue of Checkpoints. Starting with myself - after three years at HQ AMC/XPR, I separated from active duty (effective 17 Aug 98), and am currentlyflying with the C-130 Reserve unit at Willow Grove, PA. From Oct 98 through Feb 99, I’ll be at Little RockAFB for C-130 training. Myfamily and I left Scott AFB area in late July and moved to New Jersey. My wife is an active duty JAG assigned to 21AF at McGuire AFB. Why’d I get out? The short answer is that the Air Force just wasn’t fun any more. I didn’t mind the hard work, but I missed having a “golden apple” thrown my way occasionally. That, combined with trying to balance family needs, Join Spouse assignments, and personal goals led to my decision to leave active duty and join the Reserve.

I’ve run into a couple of ’85 classmates who are also stationed at Willow Grove. Mike NOVAKOVIC is an intel officer in the unit. In his real life, he is an attorney working for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Philadelphia. He’s married and has two kids. Mark LENKE is a pilot in the unit. He’s been in the unit for about a year and was recendy hired by a commuter airline stationed in Ohio.

Before I left New Jersey to come to Little Rock, I saw Mark RANDOLPH. He’s assigned in the AMOG (Air Mobility Operations Group) at McGuire. If you are traveling through Jersey, please stop and look me up. We live in Burlington (exit 5 off the Turnpike) and are in the phone book. Best wishes, MarkNaumann.

Hello, Merry Christmas, etc, etc, from the token Navy grad from ‘85. Can’t give you much of an update on anyone else in the class except for me, but wanted to write and say hi and also to say thanks for doing the job as class scribe. My wife (Heidi) and I are currently serving on an exchange tour with the Royal Navy in Southern England. We have been here for over a year now and are reallyenjoying the chance to spend time together and travel. Our two sons (Morgan-11 and James-9) are both enjoying the British school system and even learning how to play cricket. We are about three hours from Mildenhall and Lakenheath, so we wind up doingwithout most ofthe services one would find at a large base. Carmelo HERNANDEZ has completed medical school and is a full-fledged doctor now near Fairborn OH. We were able to see them and visit when we came across country on our way to England. Other than that, tell everyone that I said hi, and if they ever get the chance to do an exchange job with the English, they should take it.

Michael Taylor ‘85. CS-39 and CS-02

Shep, Mark and Mike, thanks a million for all ofthe scoop. I really appreciate it, as well as the rest of our classmates who read Checkpoints. Everyone please keep the news on both the active duty and civilian members of our class coming in. So far the e-mails have been great and I’m developing a good list ofe-mail addresses, more extensive than what’s listed in theAOG’s annual RegisterofGraduates. Note: Checkpoints folks discourage listing e-mail addresses in these articles, so if you want a classmate’s e-mail address, drop me an line and I’ll let you know what it is

if I have it. Until the next time, take care.

Gary Burg

1740 11th St. Langley AFB, VA 23665-1730

(757) 865-4681

DSN: 574-9010

E-mail: Beaker90FS@aol.com

Percent members: 32

IPpF

Well first I would like to extend a big Class of‘86 congratulations to the Falcon football team of 1998. Well done guys! Your season is right up there with the season the Falcons had during our senior year, when we won the Bluebonnet Bowl againstTexas. Other than beingundefeated, you accomplished allyour goals and left the WAC as the last champion of the expanded league. Way to do it right during your last opportunity.

Greetings one and all. Good to be back in the good ol’ U.S.A. Korea was a hoot but too much fun can be bad for one’s health. Thanks Bob for picking up the load while I was away and for offering to alternate with the column. No pics this time around but with the holiday cards and letters I have a full column’s worth of information. Also Bob forwarded me e-mail he received that’s for the column.

The first e-mail comes from my old squadron mate Jeff FRANKHOUSER. Jeff’s one ofthe authors of our classes web site by the way. He has done a greatjob plus posts the “uncensored” version of Checkpoints. Jeffhas just left MalmstromAFB, MT. After almost 10 years in the ICBM Operations business, he jumped ship and moved into the missile maintenance business and was the generationflight commander, supervising about 280 folks and keeping 200 Minuteman ICBMs and 20 Launch Control Centers up and running. I guess he was featured on the Learning Channel and The Discovery Channel for a show called “Forbidden Places”. Jeff is working in the Logistics Directorate at HQ AFSPC in C Springs. He is in charge of plans and policy, enlisted manning issues, outsourcing and privatization, and a variety ofother issues forICBM and spaceliftlogistics/maintenance. He also made the AFSPC Logistics Squadron Commander Board so is hoping to have his own squadron in a couple of years. The FRANKHOUSER family grew by two in Septemberwith twin boys, Grant and Paul, born on Labor Day. All in all it sounds like Jeff and family are doing quite well and have high prospects for the future.

We now have one of our own in politics. Kelly B.ARLEAN was elected to the 10th Legislative District House of Representatives for the State ofWashington. Kelly won by three-quarters of a percentage point. As Kelly put it, “It was fitting that the vote count was so close because as a cadet I lived by the maxim, ‘if the minimum wasn’t good enough, it wouldn’t be the minimum’. I look forward to learning a lot and having the opportunity to help make good things happen for a lot of people.” Kelly was a Langley City Council member prior to being elected to the state legislator position. His two-year term has a whopping $28,300 a year salary - it’s a good thing he’s a lawyer too.

Darren ZWOLINSKI dropped a short note that I’ll include as he wrote it, "Just a quick note to help you with the next round of Checkpoints. Writing this article is probably worse than a jab in the eye with a sharp stick or a Saturdaylocal - but I’ll try to help with the pain. I was recendy hired to fly the VC-9 (did I say I love this job?), here at Andrews AFB and ran into a few ’86 folks. Tim NEUMANN recently departed active duty and is employed by USAir. Brad SENEF is out and on with Northwest. Todd BEER is a VC-9 IP/FE and has abused me on a few locals - I deserved it (never pass up a good training opportunity!). Sticking with the C-9 community, Sandy BALKAN is chief of C-9 Initial/Upgrade training at Scott AFB. Flewwith Sandyduring initial qual and wish all IP’s could have his demeanor and skills. Chuck GERSTENECKER is a DV pilot with the 76AS at Ramstein AB after serving a year-long, non-vol sentence at Camp Red Cloud, S. Korea. Across the squadron are Ken KOPKO, C-20 (Gulfstream III/IV) and Greg CAYON (GIII/IVand VC-25A/747 augmentee). In the 1 st AS, Kelly PITTMAN is flying C-32s (B757’s) and Scott TURNER is a VC-137 pilot and attending VC-25A/747 training. Cheers at this end”.

Ed YONG sent me a Christmas card and letter covering his activities. Ed has two wonderful girls keeping him and his wife, Julee, busy. Ed’s wife writes, “Ed works at Gateway 2000 in North Sioux City, SD and lives in my old stomping grounds. Ed has been keeping busy at work. He was on the modem team working on communications when he had the opportunity to move to the Destination team. He is working on graphics and video, something he’s never done before and it’s keeping him reallybusy. He recendy got to bring home some of the testing that he does. We now have the latest Destination system plus a satellite dish and subscription to the top 100 package with the Dish Network (EchoStar). These are suppose to be “free” items. The only drawback is that when new software is available, he must redo the system to see ifthe new software works right. Ed is on his way to getting a couple of patents with Gateway. Although Gateway will get the rights, Ed did get a nice reward. Not a lot, but good enough to get a few extra presents.” Way to go Ed. If any ofyou are looking at job opportunities with Gateway, Ed might be able to help you out plus I’m sure he would like the additional Air Force Academy support. I have his email/address ifyou want to get in touch with him.

I had a chat session with Kevin YEOMANS. Kevin has a new member to his family also. His new son’s name is Kelly. Kevin is doing the ACSC thing by corre-

spondence too these days and I think hating it as much as I am. Kevin is back at the Academy these days teaching in the Math Department. Sounds like he is enjoying teaching cadets a lot better than working on his doctorate degree, I’m sure. The next letter I have to share comes from SteveTREMAIN. Steve and familyspent their last Christmas in Texas. Steve is currently going through upgrade training at Altus, OK. From there he and the family will be moving up to McGuire AFB. The move will put Steve closer to relatives and they are definitely looking forward to the new adventure. T.K. SMITH finishes off the outside news I have this time around. TK is flying the C-21 for the 76th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein AB, Germany these days. They arrived in Germany on Halloween and moved into their new home in Reichenbach-Steegen the week before Thanksgiving. They spent Christmas this year with a former 20th squadron zoomie Ken RIZER and family in Stockholm, Sweden. It sounds like they are very happy to be in Europe and are planning to make the best out of it.

Well, I’ll close with my adventures over the last few months. I got back from Korea at the end ofJulyand spentthe first two weeks ofAugustgettingreacquainted with my family. One week was spent at ColonialWilliamsburg - what a great place to visit. The other just getting settled into the new community and moving on base. I’m working at HQ ACC Training Support Squadron as a contract manager. It is definitely a change of pace from the Ops world but I'm starting to get settled in and enjoying the change. Working normal duty hours and not getting deployed every time I turn around definitely has its advantages. I still do some TDY’s but not for the length I am normally exposed to. I’ve run into a few other ‘86ers here or in the local area. Rich BASAK is working in DOT and just got picked up for school so will probably not be here much longer. I’ve met up with Jeff HENRY at Seymour-Johnson a couple of time. He’s an IWSO working as the ADO in the 4th FS. There are others but just can’t think ofthem right offhand. Ifany ofyou get to Langley, please look me up. I’m alwayslookingfor some good news plus the O’Club serves a pretty good lunch. And ifany ofyou get assigned to Korea, drop me a line too and I’ll fill you in on the hot spots and things to do while you’re there. Until this summer, take care and give Bob a hand with inputs for the next issue. His information is Bob Colella, 1304 Cheatham Court,Warrensburg, MO 64093. Phone: (816) 747-7964. DSN: 975-3248. E-mail: rcolella@iLand.net.

mmm

Sharon (Hullinger) Giletti

304 North Road Garden City NY 11530 (516) 745-6059

E-mail: giletti@aol.com

Percent members: 39

J

WHappy holidays to you all and I hope the NewYear brings you much happiness, good health, and success! I was fortunate this fall and winter to be able to see many classmates at several festive events. This September, my husband and I headed north to Martha’sVineyard for the wedding ofKeithWAGNER, CS-30, and Michelle CLARK (’92). Keith had a great group of guys as his groomsmen: Dave PALMER, Franz PLESCHA, Rip LEE, and Matt RIORDAN.

In October we headed to the AF-Army game. I saw so many grads you would have thought we were at USAFA! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to talk to everyone I saw as I had our four kids in tow. We hit the Pfizer tailgate hosted byRayWRIGHT and Dawn HORNER (’88), then headed up to the stadium for the JOHNSON brothers’ tailgate. Ray is doing well. He just got a promotion, but sadly for us, that meant a move from Long Island to Rhode Island. They have been house hunting and Ray is busy learning more than he probably ever wanted to know about the physiology behind the impotency drug, Viagra.

We met up with BobbyJOHNSON and his brotherJ.J. (’85) at their tailgate. Bobby is still living in NewJersey and workingin NYC as an equitytrader. Cholene “Chuck” ESPINOZA came by, too, and we caught up with each other. Chuck is planning on relocating to NYC in March and is still flying for United Airlines. Several other grads (not all ’87) met us there for a pretty fun, yet freezing, pre and post-game party- pictured are Greg GILETTI (’86), HollyVICTORIA CALDWELL (’88), Bobby, Tyler BARTH (’88), J.J., myself and my youngest, Jack, and Chuck ESPINOZA.

Needless to say, we had a blast and the wedding and reception were beautiful. Dave, Matt, and Rip gave memorable toasts to the bride and groom. We all enjoyed seeing the sights ofthe vineyard and catching up with each other. Here’s the group ofus at the reception: Franz, Matt and his wife, Katie, Keith, Rip’swife, Becky, Dave’s wife, Christy, Rip, Dave, and my husband, Greg.

The USAFA alumni and onepossible futuregrad.

The best part of the day though was watching AF crush Army and clinch the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

I didn’t receive any e-mail this quarter, but I did get some Christmas photos from classmates. The STEWARTs (Mike, JoEllen, Erica, and Matthew) send their hellos fromVirginia. Mike has upgraded to instructor pilot in the C-20B/H (Gulfstream 3 & 4) and he pinned on major 1 Nov. They are still enjoying theWashington, DC area and are trying to travel and sightsee as much as possible. This year’s picture is in front of the Lincoln Memorial. (How is it that they don’t age at all?)

The Stewarts

I got a great picture and holiday letter from the SPRANGERs too. They are still at USAFA and they have been spending as much time as possible hiking and skiing before they relocate. Kurt is getting out of the AF and is looking for an airline jobany connections out there? Mafia (BELL) has gotten back into her blue suit as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) at Peterson AFB.

The Wagner Wedding Party

The Spranger Clan

I also heard from JeffCLIATT who is doingwell, but is another pilot getting out. He plans on separating in April ‘99 and will fly full-time for the Reserves.

Well, that’s all I have for now. Not much, but a lot to look at. I look forward to hearing from you all in 1999 and seeing those ofyou selected forACSC at Maxwell AFB, AL! We’ll be heading souththis summer to Montgomery. Also, this year Checkpoints magazine will be initiating a new feature called “Spodight on Graduates.” If there’s an ’87 grad out there who you would like to recognize, just let me know and we’ll put an article together. One graduate will be highlighted each issue and the editors at the magazine will choose who the worthy individual will be. Please e-mail or write to me with updates on what is going on in your life and I’ll include them in future articles.

Until next quarter - S.

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: 43

Hi 88!

\WP1kIwit

Lots going on in my soon-to-be-out-of-the-Air-Force world, but there’s always time to write the column. The bad news is that I didn’t get all that many submissions for the column, but the good news is that the material was rather lengthy so I’m set.

First, I received a short e-mail from Ross RIDDER who is certainly living the good life in southern California. “I live in paradise on the coast just north of San Diego. I have an advertising agency that specializes in direct mail that I run out of my house. It’s great working in shorts and T-shirts all year round! My local gym has a boot camp class where they run you down to the beach and make you do low crawls through the sand and water, push-ups, rope climbing, pull-ups, situps, etc it brings back BCT memories! Overall, life couldn’t be any better.”

Ralph and Suzi GALETTI sent me a nice note with a picture of their new baby, Max Russell Galetti. Maxjoined the Group of Possible Future Cadets (GPFC’s) on Nov 4th with a takeoff gross weight of 7 lbs, 2 oz, and a fuselage length of 20.5 inches. I thought their customized announcement card was especially cute with the tide, “We had a baby!” followed by “(Well, actually Suzi had a baby, Ralphjust stood and watched...)”

I received an e-mail note from KipTURAIN, withwhom I was privileged to spend several weeks in UAE. “Greetings from the sun and sand ofthe United Arab Emirates! I’ve been gone from home since 21 Oct and am due back on 18 Nov. So far, I’ve never had more of a challenging four legs in a row as I did getting out here. Dealing with the Navy and maintenance problems that weren’t clearly addressed anywhere was enough for me. Arrived safely, though, and have flown about once every three days. Just starting into my two days off and hmmm what to do! Last night we flew at ‘barber pole minus one’ to get back to watch the Falcons WAX that little school on the Hudson, tradition unhampered by success, and all that othergood stuff. The team looked impressive from halfwayaround the world!

“My roommate down here is a lLt who went to the Zoo. We sang the AF Song on the flight back to the homedrome (tough for both of us to stand up in the cockpit) and ran to our engineer and boom operator’s room to do pushups! We should have taken them up on the 14-point spread! Maria and I talked with Col ‘Happy’ Hyatt (our 6th Squadron AOC) during the reunion. We saw him on the sidelines of the game. He’s in charge of the Character Development Center at the Zoo and provides ‘moral & character guidance to the football players.’ It sure was great to see those ofyou who attended the 10-year reunion. Sorry the rest ofyou couldn’t be there. I heard from many older graduates that it was worth going to and Maria and I weren’t disappointed! We are still wondering how many of our classmates are in the AF versus departed to civilian life? I’m just hoping all you pilot-types will remember me when I get out and grovel for a job! Everyone at the Turain household is doing well. Maria is very busy in my absence. She has a few conferences with some travel in-between and seems to be holding up well.

Kip also mentioned a quick visit here at the Travis BX with Stu RODRIGUEZ (CS-10). He’s got a five-month-old, Olivia, and is now living in Dixon, CA. He’s had some interesting times flying with World Airways and is currently flying with the March AFB C-141 reserve unit.

Glenn and Allyson GRAHAM sent me their Christmas letter, which, with some editing for size, I’ve forwarded below. “On behalf ofAllyson and myself we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear. We hope that you’ve had a great ’98. For our part, we haven’t been able to keep in touch very well, due to a roller coaster of events that have kept us incrediblybusy all year. As Dickens once said, ‘It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.’ Last year when Allyson wrote this letter, we were justsettling into our new home in California and spending our Christmas vacation in Lake Tahoe. Then, as the NewYear rolled around, Allyson began a new job as a school nurse and I went off to North Carolina to check out in the F-15E. The year was starting out great. But in early February, Allyson’s mom, Sallie, unexpectedly and tragically passed away from complications due to heart surgery. Despite the shock we all felt, the outpouring ofsympathy from Sallie’s friends and colleagues proved to be a blessing to her family and a great testimony to her life as a Christian. NeitherAllyson nor I had ever lost someone that close before, and though traumatic, the ordeal reaffirmed the importance of Christ’s role in our lives.

“On a good note, we were able to go back to Ohio in March for my folks’ 50th anniversary. Lauren and John enjoyed playing on the farm and seeing their only cousin, Colin. Between kid parties, TDYs, and work, the year seemed to accelerate into a blur. We were able to go camping a few times, and had just come back from a great trip in June to Sequoia National Park, when we learned of Allyson’s

grandfather’s death. Once again emotions dropped, but somehow seeing all the extended relatives again seemed to help us, especially Allyson, get through the ordeal. As summer progressed, Lauren started second grade (we have year-round school here), and both she and John took swimming lessons. Allyson kept busy with work, and I found myself knee-deep in air show preparation. As air show coordinator for Edwards AFB, I organized all the aerial events for our open house on Oct 3rd I ended up missing my 10-year reunion because ofthe show. Instead, I got to watch and direct over 40 airplanes that flew in the show from our control tower.

“Since October, we’ve been able to catch up on some family time. We went back to Ohio this time to relax and enjoy the autumn leaves. We spentThanksgiving in Las Vegas and swung through Death Valley on our way home. Allyson gave me a lot of grieffor taking her to the most desolate place in the country on the busiest shopping day of the year, and now the kids want to move permanently to the Excalibur hotel - oh well! This is the first Christmas since 1994 that our address hasn’t changed and we like that! Hopefully, we’ll do a better job keeping in touch with you next year.”

In closing, there’s a remarkablyinterestingweb site that’s sure to pique any grad’s interest. Surf on over to “www.thegeek.com/edodo” and you’ll be sure to be surprised. Thanks for reading the column, but be sure to do your part. Find that extra Christmas letter that you’ve been planning to send me and just send it! (And include a hard copy picture, too, since we all want to see who’s aging gracefully.)

Paul W. Tibbets, IV

1410 Rockford Dive

Warrensburg, MO 64093

Home: (660) 429-1198 /DSN: 975-3215

E-mail: patibb@iland.net

Class Website:

http://www.usafa.net/1989/index.htm

Percent members: 40

wWinteris upon us again, and I hope this column finds everyone warm and happy. Time is flyingby, and beforeyou knowit we will all be together in Colorado Springs celebrating 10 years of post USAFA bliss! Everyone should have the first reunion mailing in their hands - if you don’t, contact the AOG immediately and ensure they have a current mailing address on you. Also, please contact your squadron rep ASAP ifyou haven’t already done so. These individuals are the focal points for contacting everyone in our class, so please help them complete their list. Our ’89 web page (address above) is full of info about the reunion - check it out! See the class web page for the most current info or call or e-mail me for individual group or squadron reps and their e-mail addresses. Don Simpson and Steve Whiting are the reunion committee chairman and Rondall Rice and I are the reunion committee class gift chairmen.

With Christmas just behind me now (you know these articles are due to the AOG about two months before you receive them!), I received quite a few Christmas cards and therefore have a lot of info to pass along. So, let’s get to it!

I did receive several e-mails in October and November. The first comes from PJ PUTNAM, who was recentlymedically separated from the Air Force due to some injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Although PJ and his wife were rearended while sitting at a stoplight and obviously not at fault, the Air Force decided it was easier to separate PJ without benefits than to heal him. PJ now has a job with Keystone International, which is the company Congresswoman Heather Wilson founded a few years ago. Things have definitely changed dramatically in PJ’s life, but he credits his wife, Kathleen (RILEY) PUTNAM, as a great source of support through it all. Best wishes PJ, and thanks for the note.

Mike MORNINGSTAR and Bob JORDAN each dropped me a brief update on theirlives. Mike is a KC-135 IP at Fairchild with Ken O’CONNELL and KenTHIELE, who both recently moved on from active duty. Bob is at McGuire AFB with his wife, Lisa, son Bobby, and new daughter Katie. He heard from Alex ALI, who got out in '95 and is currently working for the FAA as a controller in the San Juan, Puerto Rico tower. He and his wife, Gloria, daughter Jacqueline, and new son are doing well. Bob saw Allan DAY, who is in maintenance at McConnell, and hears from Bruce BEYERLY, who is a B-l WSO at Mt. Home, often. John CLARK is at McGuire (punching soon?), and Bob says EdWHITE loves life in Cocoa Beach, FL doing intel. Thanks for writing Mike and Bob.

My last e-mail comes from Mary O’BRIEN, who recently PCSd from Osan, Korea to the Pentagon on the Air Staffto work intelligence program resources. While she was in Korea, Mary worked with John COLLEY in intel and saw Steve KELLER (who works in civil engineering) quite a bit. She also ran into Doug NIKOLAI (F16 pilot) and Dave HICKS (A-10 pilot) at the club a few times. Since being back in the states, Mary spent a weekend in Virginia Beach with Nancy (BAERWALD) KEARNEY and Mary (MORGAN) KNOCHE. They are both out of the Air Force and living in Wisconsin and have greatjobs working for Compuware. Nancy has a cute girl and a stepson who keep her busy. Mary has been married a little over a year to Dave and is very happy.

During her firstweek at work, Mary was being introduced to Dan DRUMMOND at a Capital Region intel picnic when they both recognized each other. Dan is in D.C. as an intel officer. While TDY to Wright-Pat Mary ran into Gerry ASHBY and

Jackie JONES, who were both in CS-16 as four degrees with her. Gerry works as the executive officer for the commander of the National Air Intelligence Center, after recently finishing up his master’s through AFIT at Wright-Pat. Jackie was there TDY from Kirtland, but was getting ready to PCS to Eglin. She’s an intel officer and spent some time in Germany before Kirtland.

Mary received a phone call from Gil PETRINA, who was at the Pentagon with his boss, as he’s the aide-to-camp for CINCSTRATCOM. He used to fly B-52s at Barksdale and is hoping to return to flying something sometime in the next year.

Angela THORNHILL was in D.C. sitting in on a court case similar to the one she is handling for her firm in Birmingham, where she works as a lawyer on nuclear regulatory issues. Angela was on the Academy nomination interview committee for an Alabama congressman for this year’s new class. She was in intel and has stayed involved through the Reserves.

In an odd coincidence, Mary works in the same office with Dawn KEASLEY’s brother-in-law. He married her identical twin, Shawna, who graduated in ’90. His name is Sean O’Brien, causing great confusion for anyone looking for a “Capt O’Brien”. Both Dawn and Shawna are still in the Air Force. Mary hopes to stay in D.C. for a few years, since she has PCSd three times in the past four years and would really like to unpack! Thanks for the note Mary.

Scottand Melinda Madison enjoying thegoodlife!

My first Christmas letter comes from Scott MADISON, one of my roommates at the Zoo, who officially became a civilian this past Labor Day weekend. Scott and his wife, Melinda, are still in New Jersey, where Scott is flying with the KC-10 Reserves and Melinda is teaching first grade. Scott takes many more trips than he did when he was active duty, and has been to Hawaii twice and Germany since getting out in September. The airlines are testing their patience, but Scott and Melinda know all good things are worth the wait! Thanks for the letter guys. Next I heard from Christy KAYSER-COOK, who is stationed at Vance AFB with her husband, Gary. Christy had some exciting news - she is due 23 Jan! By the time you read this, Christy and Gary will be very proud parents. Due to the pregnancy, Christy had to give up flying airplanes for flying a desk until the baby is born. She moved from flight commander to chief of Joint Training, working with the Navy and Marine Corps coordinating all joint aspects of training including the new water survival program, advanced training assignments, and syllabus changes. Garystayed busyflying around the country on various trips. Thanks for the letter gang. Best wishes with the new addition to the family!

Eric and Shelly (ZUEHLKE) CHANDLER are doing well, living in South Ogden, UT where Eric is a “civilian” and Shelly is a newly-promoted majorworking as the Base Radiation Safety Officer at Hill AFB. Eric decided to hang it up, and had his final F-16 flight last September. Eric may already have a job as ofthis publication, looking to “take to the skies” with a different uniform! Eric and Shelly have done quite a bit of skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and camping this past year. Best wishes, guys, and thanks for the letter.

Jeremy HORN dropped me a line from SheppardAFB, where he is stationed as a T-38 IE Jeremy graduated UPT from Sheppard, and is enjoying being back, now with his sons Dylan and Cody. Prior to this assignment, Jeremy flew A-10s at England AFB and worked as a FAC and Airborne Ranger ALO. Jeremy and I went through the USAFA application process together many, many years ago. I think we actually got accepted about the same time! Good to hear from you Jeremy.

From England I received a letter by an old squadron-mate (CS-39) Doug MALONE. With another year came another move, but the Malone’s are doingwell. Doug is the wing safety officer, and is still flying with the 492nd Fighter Squadron, but not nearly as much as he wants to. His wife, Jacqui, has buried herself into redecorating the house, including upgrading the baths to U.S. specs (a great deal ofwork!). Thomas (the oldest son) started school, is learning to read, and having a great time. Their youngest son, Will, is getting bigger and bigger and should be a middle linebacker soon! Thanks for the letter guys.

The DARGERS write from sunny Alamogordo, NM, where Thad is flying the F117 Stealth “Little” Bomber (we all know it’s not a fighter!). He is the chief/only scheduler in the squadron, keeping his days busy. His wife, Danyel, has her hands busy with their two daughters, Alyx and Payton. She also volunteers as a counselor for the senior high school students at church, helps with the OWC, and stays involved with their squadron. Good to hear from you.

My old roommate from Ellsworth AFB/Rapid City, Mike TREFRY, wrote from beautiful Pensacola, FL where he is a navigator-training instructor. Mike finally completed his MBA this past May, and it only took six shortyears (Mike, I am still on the eight-year plan!). His house escaped the wrath of hurricanes Earl and Georges. He has been seeing a Canadian gal, Patti, and enjoying life in the deep south. Thanks for writing Mike.

Another squadron-mate, Tony POLLIZZI, wrote to say hello. Tony is stationed at Little RockAFB, and like me made the decision this year to stay in the Air Force for at least five additional years. Besides teaching the C-130 initial qualification course, Tony recentlybegan teaching low-level/airdrop qualification as well. He and his wife, Raquel, “adopted” a four-month old puppy with a lab-shepherdwho-knows-what-else mix that was left on their doorstep. Thanks for keeping in touch.

I received a Christmas letter from the parents of my roommate at the Zoo, Ken THIELE. Ken and his wife, Michelle, are still living in Spokane,WA, where they left active duty Air Force in September. Ken is flying for the Washington ANG while working on an airline job. Michelle is working in the lab at two hospitals in Spokane. Steve and Holly (CAMPBELL) THOMPSON wrote from Altus, OK where they are both stationed. As new parents of a babygirl, Joy, they have been blessed but extremelybusy! Good to hear from you all!

Steve, Holly,Alfie, andJoyThompson all enjoyflying!

Well, that brings us to the close ofanother Fine ’89 Checkpoints article. With our reunion just a few months away, I can’t help but think about how great it will be to see everybody. I must say, I never would have guessed so many ‘89ers would no longer be active duty. But, the Air Force has presented many challenges to us and our families over the past 10 years. Each of you and your families should be extremely proud of the service you have given your country in and out of the Air Force. I am often asked if I plan on making the military a “career”. Well, our time in the Air Force is a career, whether it be 5, 10, or 20 years. I salute you all. Take care and God bless.

James R. Sanchez 124 Roble Road #103

Walnut Creek, CA 94596 flf

Home: (925) 280-9714

E-Mail: checkpoints@usafa90.com

Homepage: http://www.usafa90.com

Percent members: 35 mV

Greetings, Class of 1990!

Joe RICHARDSON asked me to fill in for him because he got sent overseas on “Operation Deny Christmas." I know many of us are there now, or on their way there, and our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Jeremy, Dylan, and CodyHorn at DisneyWorld.

I’m writing this just a few days before Christmas, and I don’t know when it will be published, so forgive me if some of the information is old. Current information can be found at www.usafa90.com which is the official web page for our class. Almost 500 Mighty Ninety e-mail addresses are there, as well as news and pictures. The web page gets news from people almost every day, so I’m using those updates to put together this Checkpoints submission.

We had a mini-reunion at the Navy game this year. Present were DerekABEYTA and Kyle VOIGT (who are AOCs now), Kurt KUNTZELMEN, Jay LENNON, Dave KALIVODA (and wife, Corrie), Carl BRENNER (now teaching at the zoo), Karen and Rod HOUSER, Steve KISER, and Jeff GALLINO. Jim DRAPE, Steve FRASER, and Steve MORTENSEN were also spotted in the stands. Charlie THORPE did the ASK demo, and Craig DYE, Mark LADTKOW, and Trevor SCHAEFER did the F-15 fly-by for the parade before the game. Finally, I was able to track down Jordan THOMAS at Forrest HARE’s house, where we had a few beers after the game.

I saw Darin DAGGETT in November, on his way from Hickam to Holloman, where he’s doing the F-117 maintenance thing. Tim KANE wrote that his software company, Neocor, was recently acquired by Lernout & Hauspie. Needless to say, it was an intense six-month negotiation and everyone (on the Neocor side at least) is now wearing a big smile, albeit with tired eyes. All ofthe employees except Tim are joining the ranks ofthe new, larger firm. Instead, he’ll be focusing on his studies (which he says every year about this time).

I went to Akshai GANDHI’s wedding reception. Actually, he was married two weeks before, but this second reception was in his hometown (Walnut Creek, CA) for the benefit of his friends and relatives who couldn’t make it to the East Coast wedding. The only other ‘90 grad there was Nicole BLATT. Merri and Akshai are doing great, and send their thanks to all the people who congratulated them.

Doug BUGADO sent this announcement: “The Bugados are proud to announce that Devin Alexander Bugado was born on Oct 3,1998 at 1152 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. He weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20 in. long. Both baby and mommy are doing fine and should be returning home very soon.”

Kevin CAMPBELL wrote: “Sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. Just wanted to let you know what’s going on here at Osan. First and most importantly, I got married! Her name is/was Kelly (Harrigan) Campbell, and she’s a lieutenant at Kunsan. We got married Sep 13 in Hawaii (we eloped) and honeymooned in Bali, Singapore and Bangkok. As far as the AF goes, I’m now a flight commander and instructor pilot here in the 25FS at Osan. I also got to run Ops Air Force this past summer. Fun!”

JeffCORCORAN wrote from Dyess: CS-12, B-l instructor pilot now, wife ofeight years Andrea - nursingstudent, kids - Nick (5), Alexis (3): “I’ve got Pat HARRISON, Wim LIBBY, Steve DANTZLER, here in the 9th. Jordan THOMAS, Andy DENNIS, are here too in the 28th. Mike BLAIR was flying B- Is until he fell out of a tree stand while hunting and hurt his back. Now he’s flying a T-l. Bill POWER just went to the B-2 from the B-1 recently. Kevin KENNEDY is a B-1 Weapons School grad now at Mtn Home. Jay LENNON got paroled from the B-l: should be driving a fighter

soon. Brad BARNETTE and Steve MILEYjust went to Ellsworth in the B-l. Marlena (VENTRESCA) Parker and Boyd PARKER are flying KC-lOs in California, at least for a little while. Just got a grad as our Ops O so life is getting better.”

From James LAW: “Jeff CORCORAN mentioned that Kevin KENNEDY is here at Mountain Home and I wanted to add some info on him. In September I hosted a Discovery Channel crew doing an hour-long show on the B-l. Kevin and three of his squadron mates were selected to be the ones the TV crew followed around for a couple weeks to get the footage and interviews they needed - they even followed Kevin and his pals as they went to the Expeditionary Force Experiment in Florida. As the lead guy in that four-person B-l crew, Kevin’s going to be the big star in the show. The show will air sometime next spring and I’ll let you know when so you can spread the word and we can all watch it!”

Otto HABEDANK wrote from McGuire: “I’ve been flying C- 141s here for about a year. Before that it was the same job at Charleston. Having a lot of fun with my wife offive-plus years, Holly. No kids yet. I have the same job as I had in the 3rd at the Academy, Stan/Eval, and am about as hard on the pilots as I used to be on your room inspection. Just call me Santa.”

Dan DIRNBERGER wrote: "As a physician at Lackland AFB, there are a number of us grads here in medicine. I’m a board-certified pediatrician, sub-specializing in neonatology. One of my regular patients is Grace Gleason, the daughter of Howard GLEASON (CS-29). Others I’ve seen around the Pediatric Clinic include Don MCCARTITY and Dave COLEY. My old roommate, Jim SMITH, is flying Aggressors at Nellis. Steve MILEYis married and back at Ellsworth. He and his wife, Tracy, are expecting their first. Erik KODAwent to medical school with me, as did Paul SHERMAN, Tom KNOLLMAYER, Chris STREETER, Heather CALLUM, and Tasha PRAVACEK. Erik is now a familypractitioner atYokota, Paul is here with me as a radiology resident, Tom is a surgery resident at Travis, and Tasha returned to USAFA as a biology instructor. Kurt MENTZER is an orthopedic resident, and he just operated on my knee a couple months ago. He has a six-month-old, Savannah.”

David LEE wrote: “I’ve been out ofthe military for the past three and a halfyears now, and have been living in the Dallas area ever since. I’ve worked for Applied Materials for the entire time, and have reallyenjoyed the opportunity to work in a different field (semiconductors). My wife (Tara) and I have two boys, Alec and Anderson. They, for the most part, keep us busy. The only other ’90s grad I’m up to date with is Vince REYNA. He’s left the Air Force and is currently working for Motorola in Austin. Last time I saw him he came up to Dallas to run the Dallas/ White Rock marathon.”

Paul LAMBERTSONwrote: “I’m also on the move again. I’mTDYatAltus enroute to Charleston to fly the C-17. Leaving “El Forko Grande” after four years was sweeeeeet! Anyway, I’m assigned to the 14 AS and will get there in mid Feb. Please pass on my thanks for the house-hunting help. I got lucky and bought a house three miles from the beach in Mt Pleasant. No more blizzards for me! ’90 folks I’ve seen here (Altus) so far include

Russ SCAGGS (C-17, Charleston), Guy BARNI

(C-17, Charleston), Ted DETWILER (C-5), and Scott LAVIGNE (C-141 -1 think). I saw the last two a few months ago when I was here for IP school. The Altus reunion continues...”

Lynn WAGNER wrote: “I’m out myself (active with Reserves though). I married an Army officer and living in the same country became difficult. Anyway I have a daughter (3) and son (6 months) and they keep me very busy. We’re moving to Colorado Springs in the spring and I hope to get back into the professional world then.”

Reggie ROBINSON sent news from Okinawa: “I have been here for one year now. My girlfriend Bianca (from Tucson) moved over last week. Mike CALTA, Dan FANDREI, and Somchai ODOM and I are all in the Special Ops Group. I attended Jeff ADDISON’s wedding in September. He married a lovely lady from Dayton. He recendy PCSed to D-M and is flying C- 130s. KeithWESLEYand JayCee STENNIS also attended. Keith is at Pope flying C-130s and JayCee is doing the logistics career broadening program at Tinker.”

Kevin ROOTS wrote: “After I left UPT at Reese I spent a couple of years doing aircraft maintenance at McChord and then two more at Rhein-Main. My last job in Frankfurt was as the flight commander for the Enroute - an ultimate assignment at the time for a new captain. While I was in Germany I got a master’s degree through the U. of Maryland and decided to go business school full-time as a transition into international business. I (with a USAFA 2.59 GPA and not overly stellar GMAT scores) got into Georgetown’s MBA with a huge scholarship. I’m convinced that top business schools like academygraduates, especially since corporate recruiters that visit the campuses love to hire us. During and right after the graduate program, I worked toward starting my own business (Jazz Roots - a modern jazz club and restaurant). My concept hasn’t taken (yet!), but I’ve had lots of fun with it and learned tons. My MBA made it very easy to get a sweet offer from AT&T in our management consulting division. For all who are still wondering what the private sector can offer academy grads, believe me when I say I had no idea it could be this good! Still, I really appreciate my USAF experience and keep in touch as a Reservist at Andrews. I’m settled in the D.C. area and welcome visitors. If anyone’s interested in business school or some of the corporate opportunities available to us, let me know.”

From Cal MERCER and Brad RICE: “Here we are at McGuire. Cal did five years at Charleston before McGuire and Brad did one and a half in California before doing four years at CHS. (If anyone is looking for a place to raise a family {or a good time fishing the coastal waters 10 months the year [Shrimp season runs Sept through Nov] or a great place to drink beer on the beach for those who are still single or wish to be} in a temperate climate, look at CHS). McGoo has a bad rep for TDY. It’s not as bad for permanent party. In our squad house we are lucky enough to have Mat ROUSH, Snoop Natty Nat WARD, Steve MILIGIAN, and Jeff HARDER. There are probable 20 ’90 grads at McGuire overall. (Cal wrote this and he was an astro major as I’m sure you can tell - Brad)”

Adam MORTENSEN wrote: “Bre is 28 weeks along on our second child. We already have her named! I’ll leave you to ask what so you have to write back! I am now the military assistant to the Air Force Research Laboratory chief scientist. I PCAd to this job in September after only a year in the Sensors directorate. Bre is still working at KPMG part time, but that probably won’t last long. Who knows? I am scoutmaster for our church’s troop. It is probably the toughestjob I have taken in our church so far. It is interesting however.”

Melissa STANDLEYJAMES sent me some info: “Darren and I wanted to give you some information about Jim GLOSS. He and his wife, Jaci, and their three girls are in Japan. They PCSd in August. Their daughters are: Madeleine (3), Allison (2) and Kati (newborn, Nov 98). He’s flying KC-135S and they’re coming from McConnell. Tom SUELZER is stationed at Vance with us where he is a T-37 IP He and his wife, Jennifer, have one four-year-old son, Hunter. Larry EARLS is instructing with Darren and is marriedwith three children. His wife’s name is Shana and they have two boys and one daughter. Larry’s next-door neighbor is Vinnie GILLIS and his family. Vinnie’s inWing Safety and is also a T-1 IE He and his wife, Michele, have two daughters, Ashleigh and Madeline.”

That’s it for now! Keep the e-mail and pictures coming!

Carson Tavenner mmrn

1816 Tacoma Road

Puyallup WA 98371 (253) 435-0235

E-mail: tavenner@hotmail.com

Percent members: 40

Hello, friends! You all must be very, very busy. I have noticed a downturn in incoming news, but it hasn’t dried up completely. I hope you are all safe and comfortable whileyou read this, not because it has any bad news, just because it seems there has been a lot on the plate recently (meaning, this entire decade). With the Christmas season over and the NewYear quickly approaching, I’m reflecting on a few of the more significant current events. Our Commander-in-Chief’s impeachment, his foreign policy bungling in the Middle East, and the Air Force’s absolute domination over the Huskies! I’m currently a student at the University ofWashington, and had originallythoughtabout becoming a Huskyfan. Butwhen I learned the Falcons were playing them in a bowl game, and will be meeting them again during next year’s season, I decided to retain my loyalties. Well, it’s a good thing, because airpower proved itself once again, 45-25. Still, what a shame to have to playfootball on Christmas, not to mentionhaving to go fly a mission during Christmas, no matter where it was. My hats are off to those ofyou who were sacrificing while we stayed at home relaxing. I think of you often.

Dave DAMRATH provides our most touching story for the quarter. He was on the Team in Training marathon team for the Leukemia Society to raise money for research, and did it in memory ofEd MOODY. Dave says, “You pick a race or races

and then raise $2,800 for the Leukemia Society in memory of someone. I had been thinking about something to do since Ed passed away and this seemed right up my alley. I will have to write up a testimonial on Ed I plan on wearing a special shirt with something about Ed and the Class on it. Ed and I were sparring partners in freshmen boxing class. We tooled on each other hard.”

Allow me to brag about another of our crazy runners, Paul GRIMM, who managed to complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in early October. This, in concert with getting out of the AF and starting work with Perot Systems (yes, Paul is a Ross man), has got to earn him a good ranking near the top of the ‘most exhausted classmates’ list.

Paul Grimm proving to the world thathe has Thighs-O-Iron!

I received a card awhile back from Dane BLOCK’S wife, Jana. Jana, Dane, and their two-year-old son Dane William Jr. have left their home of three years in Macon, GA, and moved to Columbus AFB. Dane had opted to be a T-37 instructor there, and is planning on finishing his last three years there. He was trained at Columbus, and that’s where he met Jana, so they’ve now come full circle!

Sometimes it seems I get more mail from your spouses and relatives than I do from y’all direcdy! Frank PATRINOSTRO’s wife, Patrice, also wrote me a note and included a cute picture ofJoey, their son. Unfortunately I have to admit this note was written over a year ago, and it got lost in my “pile” and wasn’t rediscovered until after my recent PCS! Patrice, my many apologies - thank you for writing! By now, Frank and Patrice have been at Edwards AFB for some time, assigned to the 412th FTS, flying the Speckled Trout. Well, at least Frank is! Hey Frank, which is better, North Dakota snow or the Mojave heat?

A chip offthe old block!

Not all my news comes from mail. On occasion I get to see some ofyou, even at grad school! Many ofyou know George HALLEY, who is now out of the Air Force and preparing to travel to India. He was here in Western Washington visiting his parents. We met for lunch up in Seatde and he came down to my house for dinner in early December. He is currendy in school in Los Angeles but will soon be going to work in India, telling everyone he can about Jesus Christ. I encourage all ofyou to remember him and his work, and to pray for his safety, success, and his father’s health.

Before that, close to the beginning of the autumn quarter, I met with Max TORRENS, who is also here doinggrad work, but in the English field. She’s scheduled to teach the same at USAFA in 2000. She’s having a pretty good time of it so far; unfortunately we haven’t visited much since then.

While hopping around the McChord BX, I’ve seen Pat RHATIGAN and Hans BLEY,

both flying a lot ofmissions. Pat and I were both in a hurry, so we exchanged a few words about our exciting and invigorating lives in the Air Force. We had a good laugh. I saw Hans the day we started bombing Iraqjust before the impeachment vote, and when I mentioned wanting to have everybody over to my house for a Christmas get-together, he looked at me as if to say “what are you thinking? No one’s going to come.” I hadn’t been watching the news at the time, but now I understand what he meant. Hans, I’m not as crazy as you think!

Then there’s email, the great provider of snippets and updates! There’ve been a few in the past three months that have included a lot ofother names. I’ll just let you read them in slighdy edited form. Anna (VINCENT) ADAMS writes “Howdy folks, greetings from HOT southwest Oklahoma. We PCSed to Altus inAug ’97 after spendingfouryears in Charleston, SC. I’m flying the C-17 at the schoolhouse here inAltus so if you’re ever passing through for a TDY, look me up. Other ‘91ers flying the Globemaster III include GaryHIGGENBOTHEM, Mike KAZLAUSKY, RodneyLEWIS, John RIORDAN, Doug SOHO (who’s here at Altus as an IP as well), and Derek OAKS. Just saw Dan MALLES a few weeks ago, out here for KC-135 AC school. He’s stationed at McConnell, is married and has two children.”

Todd KINROSS, despite my misidentifying him two issues ago, provided some excellent updates. “I am out of the Navy after six years and doing the civilian life in Cincinnati. After cross commissioning into the Navy at graduation I moved to San Diego where I started the Navy SEAL program, but did not finish. I still have a floating bone chip in my foot as a memento. Anyhow I got to spend a few months at school learning about Navy things, and then I was assigned to a ship where I spent the next three years. After a few trips to Hawaii (it takes seven days to get there via the Navymethod) and a great six-month cruise to the Middle East I found myselfworking with a Spec Ops Marine Corps Company as a Navy liaison. While I was there, lo and behold; Jim “Snoopy” SZEPESY was assigned there in-between Cobra squadrons. Mywife, Karen, daughter Allison and I spent a couple of days with Jeff HENTZ, his wife, Heather, and daughter Samantha here in Cincinnati not too long ago. Jeff is flying C-130s out ofArkansas, but is overseas for a couple ofmonths. Mark HOELSCHER and his wife, Kim, are over in Italy while Mark flies one of those lawn darts around. Mark HOEHN is flying F- 15s out of Florida last I heard, and Hank CORMIER just recently PCSed to Florida. I saw Colleen (MCCRARY) LESTER at the Wright-Pat marathon last year and she is now expecting, she may have even had the baby by the time you get this and take excerpts from it. MaxTORRENS is at the U ofWashington getting her master’s to return to the Zoo and teach. I told her AOCs make rank faster but she said her major was English not Home Ec. Tauni (SEARCY) CREFELD, her husband, Jon (’93) - who are both civilians now - and their son live in New Jersey. I’ve gotten a couple of emails from the ‘Buddies’ of CS-25, but I don’t think that the info I got is very reliable, especially since the beverages seemed to be flowing freely. At least that is what the e-mails sounded like.” Thanks, Todd!

Joe RUBLER writes, “I just got back from another wonderful six weeks at Altus AFB, OK going through airdrop and formation air refueling class. I ran into Chris SULLIVAN (AC school, KC-135, Fairchild), Rick WILLIAMSON (C-17, AC school), Sarah BEYER (C-5, IP school, Travis), Todd CARLSON (C-17, AC school) and Tim MCCAFFERY (C-141 AC school, McChord). I ran into some other folks at the TCU game: Rich FOGLE, Aaron TROXELL and Mike BLADES. All seem to be doing well. I was out at USAFA for Greg CINDRICH’S internment and memorial service and ran into Dan FLYNN receiving the JabaraAward. He told me that Rick LESAN is an instructor in Poly Sci (I think). Kevin CARLIN and his wife, Rennin, moved to McGuire about a year ago, maybe a little more, and have two litde boys.”

Jim McDonald says, "Besides Scott STEWART, TracySZCZEPANIAK, and Michelle CLARK, there are a lot of other people (at Dyess). Ted TREFFEISEN is an IP in the 40thAS, Jason McDonald is also in the 40th (I think he’s working an assignment to Germany), Mitch McDonald was an IP in the 39th, but he just left for Australia as an exchange officer. Jeff HARRISON is an IP in the 39th Keith GREEN is upgrading to AC and he’s in the 39th (he’s at school in Little Rock right now). Scott STEWART and I just upgraded to AC in the 39th (Chris BOW from Pope and I were flying partners at school in LR). Terry FRADY was an instructor nav in the 40th, but he PCSd to Little Rock last month. Matt BAKER is upgrading to AC in the 39th; Pat REED was an IP in the 39th, but he PCSd to LR and is now an IP in the 62nd AS; Mike MURRAY is an AC in the 40th; Pat CLANCY is flying in the 40th, as is CJ HEMMER (as an AC) and Jay BRAWKA. Dave COOPER just showed up at in the 39th from Ramstein (as an AC); Julie (SLAWSON) VENABLE is an AC in the 39th; and Jon WATSON is a CP in the 39th. I’ve probably left somebody out, but that’s the best I can do right now. At Little Rock I ran into JD (John) DAVIS, who is now stationed at the Rock after gettingspoiled in Elmendorf. I also saw Ben KAM, who is a flight surgeon in the LR Fit Medicine office. I also know Missy LEOS is flying C-130s at Pope, as is Mark LIVELSBERGER, who is at LR going through AC school right now. Kevin VANDEWATER is flying C-130s at LR. On a side note, Jay OSURMAN, who is the USAF maintenance exchange officer in Quito, Ecuador, visited Dyess two weeks ago with his Ecuadorian superiors; their Mx exchange officer is in the 39th AS.”

Finally, Lynn GAWELL sent us a lot of tips about traveling in East Asia. They were so extensive, however, that instead of reprinting them here I’ll refer you to the August Monthly Update at www.usafa91.com Having traveled that region myself, I’d say they were good advice.

Within a year ofyour reading this issue, our reunion plans should be underway. Be thinking about them, and please post any ideas in the Bold Gold Forum the next time you visit our web page. And start saving money for tickets. I don’t have any information on this event except to say I haven’t uncovered any. So, who’s interested in working with me on this?

Don’t miss a magazine.

Send us your new address now!

Get a friend to join the AOG!

James S. Mehta , 47-050 C Laenani Dr. Kaneohe HI 96744-4740 m?/

DSN: (315) 448-6569

(808) 239-4240

Percent members: 34

jamesmehta@usafa.com IP

Greetings from the Hawaiian Islands True Blue Class! This was the sight of the last ofmany Falcon football wins this year - The Oahu Bowl. I hope you all had as much fun this year following the Falcons as I did. By the time you read this, the weather should be warming up and Spring will be near. For me, that means the weather will be warmingup from a chilly 75 to a more comfortable 80 degrees. It’s toughliving in the Islands! I am still waiting to hear from anyone passing through Hawaii. I did get the opportunity to travel to some of the PACAF bases recently, but it was a quick trip and I only ran into one ’92 grad. I’ll have to plan better in the future. Anyone in Korea or Japan, please drop me a note since I’ll be at bases in both countries from time to time.

While at Kunsan AB, I ran into Brian DELAMETER at the O-Club on Fridaynight. Brian recendy got engaged and was looking forward to getting out of Korea so he can spend more time with his fiancee. Brian is flying F-16s there and says the flying is great; it’s just Kunsan and Korea that aren’t so great. It had been quite some time since we’d seen one another last and spent a few hours and a few beers catching up.

This time I’m going to start the nagging early and remind you often.. .write more letters! My mailbox was completely empty this time and my computer received only a few e-mails. And, I will point out that the best and most detailed e-mails were sent by spouses. I first thought that e-mail would overwhelm me with inputs and I was worried about fitting it all in my limited space. I guess that was wasted worrying.

Rob ZERBE sent me an e-mail from Panama where he is stationed flying C-27s. He describes the C-27 as “a little two engine turboprop - looks like a small C-130, but isn’t.” Rob has been qualified as an IP in the C-27 and loves flying and living in Panama. In Jan 99, he will be flying several C-27s to Davis-Monthan AFB to the Boneyard and then is uncertain of where he and his family will be headed next. Rob married the former Michele Mason and has a two-year-old, Riley, and a fivemonth-old, Mason. Rob, let us know where you end up this time. He also provided me some updated information: JJ FREOLICH is flying C-130s and recently PCSed from Pope to Germany, and he thinks Shelly RIPPLE is still flying HC-130s at Hurlburt Field. I know Shelly has been there a long time, so maybe she’ll write and give me an update of where she is and what she’s doing.

Matt BECKLEY wrote from Spangdahlem AB in Germany. He is a recent survivor ofKunsan and PCSed to Germany in April of 1998. Not surprisingly, he and his wife, Carolyn, are loving Germany. Matt is flyingVipers in the 22nd Fighter Squadron with Lee ALFORD. He noted there are a lot of grads there, but only a few ‘92ers. Kevin SUTTON and Rick ROSALES (both ’93) are also in the squadron. My old fellow Tarantula, Jim MEGER, is in the 81 st there flying A-lOs. I haven’t heard from Jim in a while... he should drop me a note and update me on life in Germany! Recendy Matt participated in Operation Northern Watch where he ran into John DEYARMON and Rod RICARD at IncirlikAB in Turkey. John is flying KC135s and Rod, my old Edwards buddy, is flying E-3s.

The KUTRIEB’s sent me a great Halloween picture featuring the four members oftheir clan: Josh, Kristin, Hayden, and Jared. This was a fabulous picture sent by Kristin.

That e-mail was shortly followed by an expressive letter by Steve ANDERSON’s wife, Brandy. Last column, I wrote that Steve and Brandy had recendy moved to Virginia where Steve is in the Intel Squadron at LangleyAFB. Steve’s squadron has added an UAV mission, which is keeping him extremely busy. It will probably involve some deployments to get everything operational. Brandy’s company was awarded a contract to train middle and high school teachers to use computers. However, this has been quite a challenge, since most ofthe teachers don't want to be there and have never touched a computer before. Needless to say, Brandy is ready for a nice, relaxing vacation. Both she and Steve are working hard and have not had much time to work on their house. Steve did sand the paint off the deck, but Brandy didn’t say if he ever got around to repainting or staining it. They are already hoping to go to Germany for their next assignment, but are keeping busy in the meantime. One way they will do that is by mountain biking. This Christmas Santa brought them mountain bikes and they are excited about getting them dirty on the trails.

Shana (HUNT) TILLMAN "checked in” from Beale AFB in Northern California. She’s been married to Richie for three years and they have two wonderful children - a girl, Shanice, who is two, and a boy, Richie Jr, who will be one this April. Shana and Richie met atWright-Patterson. She is now theAirfield Operations flight commander “doing the air traffic control/base operations thing.”

Well, that does it for e-mail. Actually, I did get some regular mail... I got some Christmas cards from some old Tarantulas. Rob and Leisa TOBLER sent me their annual Christmas letter from Germany. Rob has upgraded to aircraft commander and IP in the C-9 and is still at Ramstein AB. In August 1999, Rob, Leisa, and little Andrew are going to Altus, OK where Rob will cross-train into the C-5. From there they will be headed to Dover for a few years to fly the C-5. Speaking of C-5 guys, I recendy spoke with Dave KUMASHIRO who will be finishing the intern program in D.C. and getting his master’s degree from GeorgeWashington University. From there he is most likely headed to Travis to resume flying the C-5.

Don and Kathleen UNWIN are making the trek from the Arctic Alaskan Tundra in February to my island paradise. They are meeting Matt and Vickie RAFTER here in Hawaii for a week or so. I have lined up tickets for the Pro Bowl for all of us that weekend. What better time ofyear to leave Alaska for the sunshine ofHawaii?

Don is flying C-130s at ElmendorfAFB and Matt is a C-5 driver at Travis. Don and Kathleen actuallyenjoyAlaska quite a bit. Once the snow melts some, I will venture up there to visit them and figure out why everyone loves it there.

The author enjoying the Christmas holidays in his frontyard.

I will finish up with a photo of myself that I used as my Christmas card this year. The car you see is my new “project.” I must admit I like it here more every day. The warm weather is wonderful and the outdoor activities are endless. I went SCUBA diving last month for the first time since Spring Break in two-degree year! It was great... warm water and a lot of marine life to see. Anyway, Aloha ’92 and may you all have the chance to visit me here soon! James.

Michael D. Sundsted

441 Kelham Court Kj

Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

(609) 787-0988

DSN: 440-3057

Email: bravecowboy.@aol.com

Percent members: 86

Guten Morgen friends! I am writing our beloved article from Frankfurt, Germany where my unit is involved with Operation Deny Sleep. Woops! I meant to say Operation Desert Fox. Hope this finds you well after a great holiday season, wherever it was spent.

Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to experience are the lives of several of your USAFA classmates in action in all areas of the globe. The following dialogues are real and the men and women you hear from are not actorsl Let’s take a look at our first individual.

I introduce to you, Captain Curt “Vellie” VELASQUEZ. Vellie, What do you have for this issue? “Well Mike, I would like to take this opportunity to say that it is a distinct pleasure to be honored in this manner.” What do you mean? “It’s an honor to be the first person in our article.” Vellie, I have to apologize. The reason you are first is because your letter was on the top of the stack. “Oh, well I wanted to update you on myself and some of our classmates.”

“I (Curt) am currendy flying F-15Es at Elmendorf, AK. Jason SCHOTT and Kirk ‘Rooney’ REICKHOFF are here with me as well. Jason and his wife, Emily, enjoy spending time with their daughter Erika. They are expecting another child by the way. We enjoyed our wonderful TDY to Kwang Ju, Korea. After returning from there, I met up with Jon KRYSTENIAK in Texas. He is still enjoying his time on the C-130. Back in Alaska, Steve SCHERZER is a maintenance officer for the 90th Fighter Squadron.” HeyVellie, from what I hear, Steve is constanfiy repairing F15s that happen to be flown by Kirk and you! “Mike, you weren’t supposed to tell everyone that! A couple of more updates include Lance ORR who was married to Manu while in Germany. They are now with CENTCOM at MacDill where he continues to ensure everyone maintains their intelligence. One more update is Jeff NEDROWwho just finishedwithT-37s in UPT. I think that’s about it Mike!” Thanks Vellie, it was a pleasure to hear from you.

“Excuse me Mike, before you get rambling along in another article, I would like to say something.” Is that you Brendan HARRIS? Where are you? “I am actually in Korea enjoying the land of non-volunteers.” I hear you have some great news for us Brendan. “I do Mike. I would like to let everyone know that on June 12th I asked Elizabeth Rebecca Graney to marry me in September of 1999.” I know all our classmates are with you! I am sure Becky is just as excited as you are to be in this article. “Mike, I am required to be in my chemical weapons gear in five minutes so I must bid all farewell for the time being.” Well Brendan, good luck and congratulations from all of us in 1993. From what I hear about Brendan he is tearing up the intel world with his intelligence and will also have a paper published in the USAF Weapons Review (Fall 98).

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO YOUR AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND.

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE CADET WING AND GRADUATE PROJECTS FOR WHICH FEDERAL FUNDS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

Hey look who’s next! “It’s me, Mike, Chris CHAPLIN. I am here at Vance AFB. I am finishing glorious Tweet training, and, oh by the way, got married in September. I have some information on some folks from ’93!” Great, let’s hear about them. “Dave JOHNSON is off to Columbus AFB for IFF and then to the A-10. He always had the HAWG on his heart. I think he may even have a tattoo!” Walt REISS graduated from T-1 s as a DG, but I can’t remember what he selected.” Well, maybe he’ll write me an e-mail like so many others have and let us know! “Don’t interrupt me Mike! My mother interrupted me once, only once! Cliff HICKS is now at Fort Rucker flying helicopters and putting up with being hazed byArmy guys. Charlie CARLSON is also in the 25th FTS in T-38s and Kirk FIESBECK is enjoying T-ls. A.J. WERNER, when he is not wrestling on the WCW tour against Goldberg, is now flying the U-2. And I’m not talking about the group either.” Hey, Chris are you done yet? ‘Almost. At my wedding were Joe IMWALLE and Konrad COTE. Konrad is doing the maintenance thing at Langley and Joe is acquiring things at Holloman AFB. I think I am done now Mike.” Thanks for the great update Chris!

Hey Mike, it’s JeffVOETBERG at SOS. How are you?” Thanks Jeff, I am doinggreat! Good to hear from you! “I have a quickupdate foryou. Mywife, Kate, and my daughterMaggie will be moving soon. I am trying to score a career change into Space and Missiles.” Wow that was quick!

I’ll give you an update while I wait for the next caller. Over Thanksgiving weekend mywife and I enjoyedthe pleasure ofentertaining Kevin and Kelly KOSEFESKL Kevin is enjoying his stint as the officer in charge of the duty desk while he awaits helicopter training in Albuquerque, NM. Kelly manages to keep her sanity by teachinglittle ones in elementaryschool. Kevin enjoyed the holidaywith his family in Philadelphia. He graduated from SOS as the distinguished graduate, but I expected nothing less! Congratulations you honeymooners.

“Sir, yes sir! Army Captain Ryan CARRIGAN reporting sir!” My goodness Ryan! Don’t yell at me and what are you doing reporting in for a Checkpoints article?

“Sir, after two years of being a logistics officer in the AFI thought it fit to transfer my commission to the Army and utilize the training I received in Air Base Ground Defense, Army style. I am now a civilian living in Michigan. I enjoyed my service in the Army as a platoon leader and then brigade logistics officer.” I guess that’s our version of a wing? "You got that right Mike. I want to let everyone know that I married mysweetheart Lynn. I am working for Chrysler and enjoyingeveryminute of it. I no longer have to report in or worry about being non-volunteered like Brendan HARRIS. I want to let ’93 know that Mark PIZZIMENTI is now a civilian as well and quite the writing machine. He wrote a book called Victor Padrini - a scathing account ofAcademylife. Pizz and his wife, Dena, are doing great in Colorado Springs.

“Hey Sunny, it’s the Birdman.” Brad, long time no hear! Thanks for writing. “Yeah, sorryit’s belated, but I have been so busy over in England. Mywife, Tammy, and I have been busy. We now have a beautiful boy named Ryan. Hey, when are you and Lori going to have kids? Don’t mean to pressure you.” Thanks Brad. “So far England has been great. Both sons have been born here and we’ve traveled all over Europe. We’ll be going to Eglin for my next assignment. For those who are in Florida after February, look us up - we’ll have room. Take care Sunny.”

I’ve heard from a lot of people, but have yet to hear from my roommates from USAFA and UPT! “Hey Mike, it’s Phil TUCKER and Jason MILLS. We’ve been busy flying in the‘real AF.’ None of that sissy C-9 flying! Phil’s flying KC-lOs now and I am upgrading to aircraft commander and hopefully moving on to Texas for T-ls soon. Phil’s wife, Amy, is teaching 4th graders the basics of elementary education. NapaValley and San Francisco is their refuge for sanity, that is, when Phil is not in some unknown location refueling some C-141.”

Hey before all the dialogue has vanished, how ‘bout them Falcons! Can you believe we finally won a WAC Championship as well as knocked off an admirable PAC-10 opponent! God Bless Blane Morgan and crew! Thank you for allowing us to savor USAFA Football!

While on my travels I have seen many individuals such as RobYOUNG who is at McConnell with his wife, Amber. Rob’s positive spirits lifted me through the doldrums ofpossiblymissing a Christmas at home. LarryTRITTSCHUH and his wife, Christy, are enjoying McGuire. Trittsky is looking for a move to Texas to fly the mighty T-l soon. Mark BUTLER’s time at McGuire is running short as he will be moving shortiy. He thinks Nellis AFB is on the horizon. Mark is currently the airfield manager at McGuire AFB. Dan ENGBERSON just arrived to the 13th AS to fly C-14 Is. Kevin LOUCKS enjoys the Turkish environment, but has applied to the AF aviation board for a UPT slot - best wishes Kevin! Jo and Kristin SUCICH are enjoying “Enid by the Sea” where Joe is loving life as a T-37 instructor. Frank FLEITAS is here at McGuire in the other C-141 squadron awaiting much flying time sitting alert. AIRFLEITAS to the rescue!

Look forward to hearing about all your escapades over the holidays! Have a great spring. Before I forget, the AOG would like me to nominate one person from our class to compete for the AOG individual of the month among all classes. If you know someone who has a legitimate shot by virtue of what he/she has done in the military/civilian world let me know and I’ll draft the nominee’s package! Stay great! 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/index.htm

Percent members: 76

XjjsdlgK.^3/

Up*

Editor’s Note: At press time we had not received CC and Trevor’s column. Ifit comes in prior to shipment to our printers, you will find it at the end ofthe class news section.

884

Oklahoma City, OK 73139

Home phone: 405-691-6997

Home e-mail: bmas0801@aol.com

Work e-mail: Rebecca.Mason@tinker.af.mil

Percent members: 67

Happyholidays everyone! As I write this, Christmas and the NewYear are slowly approaching. I am hoping that all ofyou had a fantastic holiday season and that you were able to spend it with those you love. Also, congratulations to all of the captain selectees! I know I will be happy to put it on come May31! I want to thank Andrea ROLFE for writing the last article on such short notice. I was pretty sick and couldn’t write it so I appreciate her covering it. Well, onto the big news! I heard from Kevin HUEBERT, who is stationed at Hurlburt. He got married to Sara in June 1997—kind of late news for me to report, but better late than never! The picture shown here is their wedding party. Congratulations!

The Huebert Wedding Party

Kevin also got the chance to travel to Taegu, Korea. While he was there he saw Matt LOWE, who flew a mission with them, while otherwise guarding their little base as a cop. Kevin also talked to Glen CHRISTENSEN (’93), who was completing his tour at Osan. He told Kevin his wife, Colleen, (McBRATNEY ’96) is doing well in med school. Bill TOLMAN was also finishing up a TDY at Taegu as Kevin wrote. Kevin and Bill are EWOs on the AC-130 gunships in the 16th Special Operations Squadron. They had the “unfortunate” duty of heading to Brindisi, Italy, this fall, for operations supporting Bosnia. He says the beach in Florida is great so if anyone is ever in the area to look him up!

I also received a Christmas card from Tammy (RIVERS) and Pat POHLE. They are finallyboth together in the southeast U.S., Tammy at Moody and Pat at Florida State University. Tammy is doing a stint as the general’s protocol officer there, and Pat is getting a master’s degree in clinical social work and will head back to USAFA to be an instructor. Not too bad a deal!

I was very fortunate to be able to see a couple of people before I moved here, and since I’ve been here in Oklahoma. Elizabeth TEMPLETON and her friend, Vanessa, stopped by my house in Kansas on their way to Montana. Elizabeth is teaching there at the University of Montana in Bozeman. She wrote and said she loves the teaching gig, and that she has a new black lab puppy to keep her company on her spread of land there. A1 ADAMS was driving through on his way to Altus, where he was finishing up his KC-135 training, and stopped by for breakfast. He’s doing well and should be all settled in at Robins AFB (flying that beautiful tanker).

I was also able to meet with Stacie KREYKES and Don JONES in London in November while I was there on vacation with my aunt. They are both at Lakenheath and love it. We wandered around London, ate fish and chips, and they filled me in on the great things they were doing there. Stacie is a munitions officer and Don is anEWOfortheF-15s. Maria DONOVAN (’94) is also stationed there with them, as well as a lot ofother grads that I unfortunately cannot remember - the memory is the first thing to go! I also saw Rob WILLIAMSON (’96) while I was driving down the road here at Tinker. He is a pilot in the AWACS squadron here. Also, Deedra FOGLE and Celeste COLVIN are here in the MPF. I saw Steve RENY with his wife and child in the commissary one ofthe days I had lost my voice. He is also a pilot here at Tinker. Drew AMONETT and I sat next to each other at a briefing and he and his wife are looking for an assignment. Also, Jon CORY (Guido!) is now engaged and will be married soon. Jim and Teggin HUSCROFT made the move to Alamogordo, NM successfully, and they are getting settled in there. Finally,Wendell HERTZELL moved to McConnell just as I was leaving... seems he is living with Todd COOK (’96) in the eternal bachelor pad. Soon he’ll have to find another roomie, as Todd is PCSing to Charleston in March.

I received an e-mail from Andrea ROLFE and she said she is getting ready to head to the desert again in February for 45-90 days. She loves herjob and is completing the flight lead program, which Brett BLAKE has just completed. James BIERLYA (‘94) from her F-15 squadronjust got picked up for F-117s at Holloman, so he PCSes this spring. She sent a letter from Rhett TURNBULL and his wife, Sarah. He has completed his master’s and defended his thesis so he is off to Hanscom in March. Keel ROSS is PCSing to Germany next month so he decided to get a Porsche. I guess he has been testing it out here in the states prior to his leaving... be careful or you’ll be in jail! Matt KOZMA is working for the NRO in Washington, DC. He likes D.C. and is learning to like his job. Bobby and Julie (Garcia) VEAZEY (’94) are getting out of the Air Force to pursue other interests in May. Julie is due soon with their second child. Rhett took the opportunity to give

some feedback to the USAFAAstro department regarding the curriculum... seems he thought it was too easy! All I can say is I’m glad I’ve already graduated!

Don Kang wrote from Kuwait where he is in the thick of things. Brad GLENN, Jim COLLINS, and Mike BARTEN are there with him in the 522d Brad SEGER and Mike HENKELMEN are there flyingVipers from Hill. Seems like the Class of‘95 is taking care of Saddam and his cronies. I also heard from Andy LYONS. He sent this picture of the “cool guys” as well!

‘95ers in the desert!

They are assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron in Aviano AB, Italy. It seems in addition to real missions, they have gotten the chance to fight MiG-29s while deployed to a former East German base

pretty neat adventure. On a much sadder note, I received a notice that lLt Melvin (Brice) SIMPSON died on 16 Sept at Brooks Army Medical Center from injuries he sustained in a July F-16 crash. He leaves behind his wife, Katharine. If you would like to send her a note, her address is: 7134 S. Sedalia, Foxfield, CO 80016. Try to take some time to remember those of our friends and classmates who are no longer with us. We’ve got so many people that are doing so many great things in such different places. So, stay safe, and write when you can so we can all share your adventures andjoys! Until next time... From the heartland, Becky.

Melissa S. Cunningham

1308 Hembre Court Suisun City, CA 94585

Phone: (707) 422-7975 If

DSN: 837-2088

E-mail: melissa.cunningham@travis.af.mil or msc 96@hotmail.com

Percent members: 58

I hope everyone had a wonderful NewYear. I rung in the NewYear in Stuttgart, Germany where I'm deployed. Major Katein and her family (CS 35s AOC while we were juniors and seniors) let me join them for dinner, and later I met the rest of my deployed buddies for fireworks over the city of Stuttgart. It was a lot of fun and the Germans really know how to throw a party.

The first set of pictures comes from PK CARLTON. The gang had one last gettogether before PK left for Kunsan to fly F-16s. He’s mission qualified and will be

Chad CHAFFEE is flying RC- 135s at Offutt. IkeWilliams is currendy at Ellsworth flying the B-l. Ben HOLLO is flying F-16s and Darron DROWN is flying F-15Cs at Tyndall.

Kim and her husband are stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. Kim is currently filling a communication billet there. I haven’t had a chance to ask her yet how they work their assignments together. I’ve found it’s hard enough to get stationed with your spouse when you’re in the same service. I can imagine a different service marriage is even more challenging.

I got an e-mail from Steve HAHN. He’s back from his deployment and I guess his expectations of post-deployment bliss were unfounded. He’s working longer hours now than he did before his trip. Upon returning from the deployment, he

Chad Chaffee, PKCarlton, Ben Hollo (’97), Darron Drown, and Ike Williams in Alaska during April for Exercise COPE THUNDER.

ANNOUNCING THE 1998 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

Mail:

AOG Ornament

3116 Academy Drive USAFA CO 80840-4475

Fax to:

(719) 333-4194

Credit Card orders to: (719) 472-0300

POLARIS AND CROSSED SABERS (’98)

The major elements of the 1998 ornament include a silver replica of the Polaris superimposed over crossed silver sabers. Polaris, 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 committment to a disciplined military way of life, are raised and crossed in a silent salute to those values ingrained in all cadets. Both the Polaris and the sabers are traditionally associated with the cadet wing and are featured on the class rings of each graduate.

Prop and Wings (’97)

Symbolic of the origins of the US Air Force in theArmyAir Corps, the Prop andWings are worn on the cadet uniform and have been a part ofthe tradition of the cadet wing since the first class entered in 1955.

The Pegasus Statue (’95)

This marble replica of the mythical winged horse is outside of the Association of Graduates building, Doolittle Hall. It was presented to the Air Force Academy as a gift of the Italian government and was dedicated in 1959. The original stands in Florence, Italy.

The Academy Falcon (’94)

Chosen in 1955 by the first class (Class of ’59) as the official mascot of the Cadet Wing, the falcon’s speed, powerful flight, temperament, and courage make it a fitting and proud symbol for the Air Force Academy.

Thelastgatheringat the Carlton home in SanAntonio: Ben Hollo (’97), Kim (Taylor) Payne andherhusband, Jeff(USMA, ’96);AmyandDarron Drown, PKCarlton, Ike Williams, Chad Chaffee and barelypeekingin, Steve Ross. was moved into a new job. Now he’s in the battalion’s heavy weapons company as the heavy machine gun and and-armor platoon commander. He says it’s a little better now that his previous days ofhumping in the field are somewhat over. But at the same time, it’s more complex than just having to worry about 40 Marines and only the gear that they can carry. With any luck, he hopes to deploy with his battalion in Jan 00 to the Gulf again. Right now, he’s considering moving to the beachfront in Southern California to add a little excitement to his life.

The “HerkyBoys”from '96: BradDowns, KurtKremser, John Coyle, andBlairKaiser.

I actually ran into Brad at “Humpy’s”, a bar in Anchorage, last September when Fred and I were enjoying our long-awaited honeymoon in Alaska. He seemed to be enjoying his new location. There is something to do there year round, if you are home enough to enjoy it. Although it sounds like Brad and the rest of the “HerkyBoys” will be deployed most of'99.

In January, Melissa BAUMANN pulled an alert at Ramstein with her C-141 crew. I was able to drive up and spend a day sightseeing with her. We took the morning and headed to Trier, a German city full of old Roman ruins. During her stay, Mel stopped in Turkey to do a little rug shopping and to collect a tax exemption. In Turkey, she ran into Tony PRINCIPI. Tony is enjoying his 15-month remote assignment there with hopes of a follow-on assignment to England. A lot of folks pass through Turkey, including Erik COYNE on this 120-day tour last fall. Earlier that day, I caught a flight from Sarajevo and the pilot performing the preflight checklist was none other than Megan McCANN. She is really enjoying flying the C-21 here at Stuttgart. She’s been all over Europe. She was also on her way to Ramstein that evening to meet up with Mike FELONA. Mike is flying C-130s out of Ramstein. They were headed out for a day in Brussels, Belgium. Heard that there were many happy fans during the Fiesta Bowl including Andi VINYARD and Matt MENNEL. The two were lucky enough to score tickets to the game. Melissa BAUMANN made it a point to wear her UT sweatshirt when I came to pick her up at Ramstein knowing that I’m an avid Florida State fan. When this article is printed Lori EDINGER and Reid RASSMUSEN will just be getting married. They set a date for 20 March 99. Best ofluck to them! I also got a

note from Katie EKMAN’s folks. She is stationed at Kadena, Okinawa, where she’ll be flying the F-15 with the famous 67th FS for the next two years. I also heard that Nicole ELLINGWOOD, AndiVINYARD, and Tom DAVIS are going to England next assignment. Chad ROBBINS is on his way to Mt. Home, and Steve DAMICO is headed to North Carolina.

Well, the first board for the new assignment systemjust met. I know it will affect those of us who are in support career fields who have almost three years on station. I’m anxious to see where I’ll end up next. Sorry this article has been short. I’ve been a little cut off from everyone during this tour, so I’ll get back into the swing of things next article. Take care and keep in touch! Harley.

Melvin T. Maxwell, Jr.

14466 N. 58th Lane m

Glendale, AZ 85306

Home: (602) 588-9397

DSN: 896-6576

E-mail: melvin.maxwell@luke.af.mil

Percent members: 66

Kgjilp

Hey there everyone. Lets start with a congratulations to the Air Force football team for a fantastic season and a dominating bowl win over the University of Washington. Kyle KLOECKNER is at UW getting his master’s in EE but I’m sure his loyalties weren’t split. He’s worn his uniform about five times in the last year. His thesis is on a new display technology that uses lasers to scan images direcdy onto the retina. Kyle hopes to get a follow-on assignment into combat communications when his second year is up. Kyle’s roommate, Devin O’DOWD finished school and is now at Edwards.

Kyle passed on news about a few Reapers. Jac COIL got married last May at the Academy. Kyle was the best man and Jason TRUDEL headed up the saber bearers. Mark SANDOR is flying T-38s at Sheppard and Mars ANDERSON is working Public Affairs at McChord.

Steve HOSPODAR wrote me from the other side of the country. Steve lives in Richmond, VA and goes to school at the Medical College of Virginia. According to Steve, Richmond claims the nation’s highest murder rate, slea2y women, and biggest NWO fans, information probably not published in the Richmond Visitor’s Guide. Steve’s going to be an orthopedic surgeon after his four-year tour is over. Right now, Steve watches a lot of hip and knee replacements but should be getting his hands dirty (literally) next year.

Jerod RICK recently dropped me a line from Columbus. He headed down to San Antonio to become an instructor pilot in the T-38 before returning to Columbus where he’ll be for the next three years. In fact, J.D. WHITE, Chris SENSENY, andTom BLADEN are all Jerod’s students. Sloan HOLLIS is pulling instructor duty in the T-37 at Laughlin. Mitch SPILLERS was also in Sloan’s PIT class but hurt his knee water-skiing which forced him to the sidelines for a couple weeks.

Jerod passed on word of Andy LIPINA’s October wedding in Indiana. Kevin MINER was also in attendence. Jerod said it was a great event but mentioned something aboutAndy’s brother and a dead pig. I didn’t inquire any further. While Jerod was in San Antonio he attended Billy SHIPMAN’s wedding. Other ‘97ers in attendance were StaceyWALSER, Todd EPICH, Felix JOHNFINN, Chris DOTUR, and Dave BROWDER. While in San Antonio, Jerod visited Dave ELLIOT and Jim GUMP at Sheppard. Jim is on his way to Luke for F- 16s.

Jerod and Leslie (HOLLAND) are expecting a child February and Sloan and his wife, Amber, are expecting in May. Matt TACKETT is in Columbus for UPT, and he and his wife, Julie, are expecting also. Finally, Scott LANIS is also in Columbus, and his wife had a babyboy in mid-December. While I’m talking about expecting classmates, Chris KAY passed on that Keith and Cherae ENSOR are expecting a new baby also.

Leslie is doing great as the chief of Customer Support in the MPF. She won the base and AETC level Personnel Manager of the Year Award and is competing the Air Force level. Jamie ANDERSON (MELTON ‘98) works in the same office and her husband Keith (’98) works in PA.

I’ve received a few wedding invitations over the past few months. Pat SUERMANN got married to Megan Kouns, a Navy ensign no less, on Dec 19th in Charleston, SC; Traci and David DENGLER were wed Jan 9th in Omaha, NE; and Anne-Marie CHAFFEE and Eric SHAW were wed at the Academy Chapel on Dec 31 st Congratulations and best wishes for long, joyful, and prosperous marriages. I spoke with DeAndre DEVANE during the holiday season. He is living in Virginia and is still at the Pentagon. He is doing computer programming, writing codeyour basic comp sci stuff. He’s working those executive Air Force, bankertype hours and is going to school too. The penny pincher claims to be broke but I hardly believe that.

Well, I just got finished with my first Air Force ORI and boy was it fun. Unfortunately, it consumed my life for the past five months and I’ve been unable to reach out and talk to anyone and that is all I have to report this go-round. Take care and best wishes for 1999... Mel.

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) Karin.Klein@barksdale.af.mil (H) Klein-ds@worldnet.att.net

Percent members: 61

Hi Everyone, I hope you all had a terrific holiday season. I like that it is now 1999 because we can all say we graduated from college “last year”!

I finished the Defense Information School in early December, so I am officially

Steve Hahn, thirdfrom theleft, with some ofhis troops in the Gulf. Our last picture comes from Blair KAISER stationed in Anchorage, AK.

a Public Affairs officer, and by the time this article comes out, I will be the Public Affairs officer for U.S. Support Group Haiti. It is a 90-day deployment beginning in February, so Kerrie GRIBUSKI will be writing the next article. Please e-mail her with your inputs at Kerrie.Gribuski@barksdale.af.mil.

I only received two letters since writing the last article, so I asked other people here at Barksdale to tell me what they know about classmates, and I checked the web site for other information for this article. It would reallyhelp if more people sent in pictures and letters.

Ian LAUGHREY wrote me and sent a picture. He, along with Morgan MOON and Mike HAGAN, went on a “Pacific Tour” this past June and in his words “fed kangaroos, held koala bears and survived all the wild Australian women!” He is engaged to Mellissa FEYEREISEN (’97) with a wedding planned for this summer.

Mike Hagan, Morgan Moon and Ian Laughreypose with kangaroos in Australia.

A lot more ‘98ers have tied the knot or promised to since the last article. Here are the ones I know about so far: Jenn ASKINS is now Jenn DAINES and is stationed at Offutt AFB, NE. Jason FOSTER got married the 14th of Nov in Billings, MT, and RickWILSON got married on the 24th. Chad CONNOR married Jeannie ROELLICH (’97) in a Christmas Eve wedding at the Academy. Andy STOHLMAN and Beth ZEMAN also tied the knot at the Academy in earlyJanuary. She and Lisa JOHNSON start Intel school in early 1999. Our class web site also mentions that Nathanael CRIMMINS, Jeremiah KLOMP, Matt JAMES, and Chip CONSTANTINEANU are all married.

There are also some engagements to report. Jannell ZICARELLI is now engaged to Chris MACAULAY, and the wedding is planned for late May. Also, Roy BLANCO is engaged to Kristin BOZARTH (’99), and Shawn KELLYis planning a May 8th wedding. Jeff GREEN got engaged very recendy, and lasdy, Erin MUNSON, who is in pilot training at Del Rio, and Frank STAINE-PYNE, who is working at the Prep School, are now engaged. That is all the info I have - if anyone knows ofany other marriages/engagements let me know.

OK, now for the flow of people and places in no particular order: Byron ARMSTRONG, Matt DUNKER, Craig FITZPATRICK, Mason DULA, Charity KAUFMAN, Roy (Patrick) RECKER, Suzie ROURKE and Mo LEE finished up maintenance school at Sheppard AFB, TX and have now returned to their respective bases. JenniferYOUNG is at Seymour-Johnsonwaiting to go to pilottraining. Mack ERWIN is living with Tobin RUFF until he goes to Pensacola for pilot training in late January. ConnerWYATT is at the University ofVirginia pursuing a master’s in English. Lauren ECKERT just soloed and is having a good time at Laughlin AFB.

Rob MEYERS and Blake CHANEY are finishing up SEAL training. Sara EMORY is the section commander for the emergency recovery squadron and livingwith Sara VICTOREEN who is on casual until she heads to pilot training. They are both at Nellis AFB, NV Felicia BELL is an executive officer at Hanscom and hostessing in the Boston area. Beth CRIMMEL is at Harvard at the JFK School for International Relations and is certainly enjoying her time with the liberals. Joy BOSTON came down to Cajun Country on her way to air traffic control school in Mississippi to celebrate the NewYear with KERRIE GRIBUSKI and me. Oh, what a night!

Keesler AFB and is currendy the security forces section commander at Edwards AFB. She’s been riding her motorcycle a ton but she did find time to get her private pilot’s license.

Paige WYATT is working manpower and quality there as well. Felicia THOMPSON is also at Edwards and is a behavioral scientist for the F-22. Shalanda BAKER is in Dallas recruiting and ran into Kerrie while she was down at Sheppard AFB for a round ofgolf. Real rough, huh? Candice MCBRAYER is doing minority affairs at the Academy along with Juan CASTRO, Tim MUKASA-MAGOYE, Brandon EVANS, Tonya BRONSON and Steve PIPES.

Damian SCHLUSSEL and Jay MEIER just got back from Security Police, I mean Forces, school. They were there with Tony JIOVANNI and Marcus CORBETT, and MelissaYOUDERIAN and Joe SCHULTZ are on their way to Security Forces school. Damian is going to be the commanderofBarksdaleAFB’s SWAT team once it comes on line and Jay is going to be involved with hostage negotiations. TaraVICE just returned from spending the holidays in Miami. StuALLEY, Brian BELLAMY, Derek MENTZER and Johnny BEURER are all living together at Columbus AFB.

JoshWARREN is also at Columbus and says he is really enjoying UPT so far. As people progress through pilot training please keep me informed on solos, checkrides and other milestones. Kirby ENSSER e-mailed me to let me know he will be at the Academy even longer now, as his start date for ENJJPT got pushed back from Feb to March.

I ran into Brian SMITH, Brian CHUNG, and Rick ALTOBELLO on the runway at Barksdale. They were coming into base ops on their cross-country sorties, and I was awaiting the arrival ofGeneral Hawley -1 think they got the better deal! Just a quick note: Barksdale is a fun place to come on a cross-country. We have casinos, great food, and clubs that stay open until 6 a.m. If anyone does plan a trip here please let me, Kerrie and Tara know and we will take you out!

In unrelated news, I also got a call from Angel SANTIAGO who some ofyou may have seen on Wheel of Fortune. He got called away from pilot training to participate, and went back empty handed. But, he says it was a lot offun! Nate HARTLEY has completed Airborne School and is currently going through Ranger School. Dave ACOSTA also started Ranger School in January. Jaak TARIEN is back in Estonia, and recentlywrote the year’s goals for the entire Estonian Defense Force. Kind of crazy for a second lieutenant who has only been working in the system for a couple months!

In the last article Chad MARCHESSEAULT, who is on his way to pilot training in Enid, wrote about people who were still at the Academy. But, as brought to my attention by Scott KLEMPNER, I neglected to mention all the AFIT people who are doing language, computer, or master’s programs in the Springs. Scott, Dan DEYOUNG, Michelle ROXBURGH, and Brian EGBERT (who got married soon after graduation) are all in the Space Ops program and will head to Vandenburg at the end ofJune. EricWINTERBOTTOM and Andrea MAUGERI are doing the computer training and Jeremy EDWARDS and Mike CONNERS (among others) are doing the language training. Dre is living in a small honor guard conclave with Sammy BERENGUER and Sean BRAMMER-HOGAN among others, and Derek SALMI and Chad BURDICK left for pilot training in late October.

Well, that is everything I have for this edition. Remember to write Kerrie with lots of great stuff for the next one. I am hoping to post these articles on our class web site for those non-AOG classmates, so hopefully more people will write via the message board and e-mail. Again, the offer remains open if someone would like to help write these in order to get more stuff out about more people. Just let me know. Have a great winter -1 will be getting a great tan in Haiti! Karin.

(Cadet Teams and Clubs: From page 11.)

Collegiate Volleyball Championship, Division I.

Nordic SkiTeam: 1998 United States Collegiate SkiAssociation Championships, Women’s Team, 1 st place; Men’s Team 4th place.

Pistol Team: 1998 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championships, Aggregate, 3rd place.

Powerlifting Team: 1998 American Drug Free Powerlifting Association Collegiate National Championships, 5th Place.

Soaring Team: 1998 National Intercollegiate Gliding and Soaring Champions.

Wings of Blue (Parachute) Team: 1997 and 1998 National Collegiate Parachute Champions.

Women’s Fastpitch: First Annual National Women’s Softball Championships, 2nd place.

Women’s Lacrosse Team: 1998 Colorado Women’s Lacrosse Association Tournament, 4th place.

Women’s RugbyTeam: 1998 USA Rugby Football, Women’s Collegiate Nationals, 4th place. 2nd Lt. Shalanda Baker was selected to the 1998 National Women’s Rugby Team and played in the World Cup in Amsterdam, Holland in May 98.

Sean Bess, Mason Dula, SteveBehmer, JessePeterson, unknown dominator, Suzie Rourke andBrad Turnerpose with TCUsororitygirls at the TCUgamein FortWorth lastSeptember.

Jon BORIA and Trey HALL are trying to stay out of trouble at Vance during pilot training. Geoff MANN, Lou ROUSCETTA and Ryan COLLINS are all at Space and Missile School at Vandenberg AFB. Michelle TIBBITTS is the section commander for the 95 MSS at Edwards AFB. She recently headed to Tahoe with Lynn ALEXANDER to snowboard and ski. Lynn is enjoying civilian life and working in the Hermosa Beach area. Mandy SCOTT just returned from personnel school at

Annually, the Association ofGraduates (AOG) ofthe the United States Air Force Academy makes a generous donation to the Cadet Club’s Program. They have donated $81,651 for the current academic year to support cadet and Academy needs. Last year the AOG supported 26 cadet clubs and teams. The clubs and teams used the funds to purchase equipment, uniforms, awards, trophies, books, videos and supplies, and to pay for conference fees and travel expenses.

This past summer the Illinois Parent’s Club donated $500 to the Cadet Clubs program. These funds were used by the Cadet Aikido Club to send members to the annual Aikido Conference.

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