Checkpoints September 2003

up front

4

news

12 LT. GEN. JOHN ROSA TAKES COMMAND

Lt. Gen. Rosa takes command ofthe Air Force AcademyJuly 9 in ceremonies officiated by Air Force Secretary Dr. James Roche.

48 WARRIOR RUN BEGINS A NEW TRADITION OF TEAMWORK

for the Class of2007 and brought back graduates from all classes. perspective

4 TED LEGACEY, ’67, BECOMES NEW AOG CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

He shares his vision for the future ofthe Board and AOG.

26

INSIDE IRAQ

Cholene Espinoza, ’87, shares her unique experiences as an embedded reporter with the U.S. Marine Corps inside Iraq.

up close 91 FALCONS FOOTBALL COACH FISHER DEBERRY ENTERS HIS 20TH YEAR

The coach talks about his team, his success, and his love for the Academy.

98

ACADEMY RECOGNIZES VALUABLE ATHLETES

Volume 32, number 2

Receptionist (719) 472-0300

DSN 333-4513

Fax (719) 333-4194

E-mail aog@aog-usafa.org

Web site http://www.aog-usafa.org

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

President/CEO: Col. (Ret.) James A. Shaw, ’67

FINANCE

Vice President: Col. (Ret.) Larry Smith, ’71

Accountants: Joyce Love, Cindi Kinder MISSION

Vice President: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gary S. Howe, ’69

Executive Support: Mary Charney

Customer Service Center:

WayneTaylor, Michele Cowan, Steve Knight, Celeste Storie

FacilityManagement: Dave Pfeil, “Jake”Jacobs

IT Director ofIS Operations: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jack Mueller, ’70

IT Director ofIS Systems: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rich Trentman, ’8 1

IT Programmer/Analyst: Christy Peppers

Data Control:

Sandy Luckhurst, Gift Administrator Chris Barry, Matching Gifts Barb Meyer, Gift

SACC: Wayne Taylor

(SABRD): WayneTaylor

Resume Service (JSARDS): Wayne

GolfReservations:

Merchandise Sales: Celeste Storie

Rental Car Cards: John Rice

Saber Rental: Steve Knight

Vice President: Sean Pieri

Assistant: Marsha Rosinski

Class

’80 Annual

contents continued...

off the shelf

TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE STORY OF FALCONRY AT THE ACADEMY

DR. JAMES ROCHE, SECAF, OFFERS PERSPECTIVE

SEN. ALLARD SPEAKS OUT

GLIDERS RESUME FLIGHT

WARRIOR UPDATE

AN ACADEMY FAMILY LEGACY

C1C KATIE DILDY, CADET FALL WING COMMANDER

SPRING 2003 FALCON HERITAGE FORUM

THE CLASS OF 2003 GRADUATES

HERE COMES THE CLASS OF 2007

SATELLITE FOR NASA

BREAKING FREE-BOOK REVIEW

WOMEN WARRIORS OF OSAN

EVERYONE

SUMMER TRAINING - PICTORIAL ESSAY

COMBAT SURVIVAL TRAINING

POPOVICH, ’70, UP CLOSE

BIG BAD BASIC

WAY OF LIFE REUNION

’67 PRESENTS ’07 CONTRAILS

CLASS OF 1960 PAVES THE WAY

COMMUNICATIONS

Vice President: Col. (Ret.) Dick Rauschkolb, ’70

Director ofMarketing & Media: Bob McAllister

Assistant Director ofMarketing: Chris Stewart

Media Designer: Sarah Wright

Photojoumalist: Ken Wright

Web site: Ken Wright

Checkpoints Editor: Bob McAllister

Assistant Editor: Tom Kroboth

Advertising: Chris Stewart, Bob McAllister

Class News: Tom Kroboth, Ken Wright

ALUMNI

Vice President: Col. (Ret.) Rich Downing, ’70

Constituent Liaison Membership: Marty Marcolongo, ’88

Don McCarthy

Chapters/Societies: Marty Marcolongo, ’88

Chapter News: Marty Marcolongo, ’88

Class Reunions: Lani Wing, Donna Porter

Class Rings: Donna Porter

Grad. Dependent Scholarships: Lani Wing

Special Functions/Reservations (Doolittle Hall): Jean Bickford, Mimi Mammano

DEATH NOTIFICATION

Notices: Michele Cowan

Obituaries: Tom Kroboth

CHECKPOINTS

Send change ofaddress to

Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude ofthe Association ofGraduates, its officers or the editorial staff. The appearance ofadvertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Association ofGraduates ofthe products or services

Copyright, Association ofGraduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy, SUMMER 2003.

AOG

from the (Board Chair

Dear Fellow Graduates and Friends of the Academy, It is truly an honor to be the new AOG Board Chair. Your Board members are an extraordinarily talented group ofpeople who represent a broad cross-section ofthe graduate community. You have Directors who graduated in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. There are some career military leaders, some business leaders, and some who are still “working their way up;” women and men; all of whom are committed to the ideals ofthe U.S. Air Force Academy. I look forward to working with them and with you as we go forward.

The mission of the AOG is to provide leadership and service to the graduate community, support for the Academy mission, and preservation of institutional heritage and traditions. I support each element of this mission and I pledge to do all I can to help the AOG deliver value on each element.

Leadership and Service to the Graduate Community - The last few months have been an extremely difficult period for both the Academy and the graduate community. During this period the AOG has been playing two roles: first, working with Air Force and Academy leadership to try to help bring about wise, lasting solutions to the difficult, complex problems that exist; and second, trying to provide an objective, timely source of accurate information to the graduate community.

In the first role, our approach has been to be constructive— trying to influence the nature of the changes being made, while supporting Air Force leadership. We registered our disagreements with some of the proposed changes without great fanfare, but with conviction. We believe that working with those charged with the responsibility to correct existing problems is the best way to bring about speedy, constructive change.

In the second role, we’ve used the AOG Web site to provide a high fidelity source of information about the sexual assault issue. No material was edited nor was any editorial opinion offered. The very high volume ofWeb site “hits” shows that many of you are using it to stay informed. Some graduates argue that the AOG should be more vocal and should take stronger public positions. I respect those views, and even agree that perhaps we should on occasion, particularly if the issue is “major.” But there’s the rub. Because we all know that the graduate community does not speak with one voice. Nonetheless, I hope that we can build on the value of the Web site by continuing to expand content and by finding ways to strengthen two-way communication. And I have challenged the AOG Board and staff to find even better ways to facilitate interaction among graduates.

Support for the Academy Mission - The AOG has made great strides in supporting the Academy mission. Through the gen-

erosity of graduates, parents and other friends of the Academy, the AOG has been able to provide the Academy with financial support for many key programs and activities that public monies simply will not or cannot support. As a cadet, I certainly had no idea where the money came from to fund things at the Academy. I guess I assumed “the government” paid for it all. And that view continued into my commissioned service because I had no better information. Well, today, I’ve learned it simply isn’t true. As a practical matter, there are a wide variety of programs and activities that require private funding, and the AOG is helping to secure that funding so that cadets today and tomorrow can continue to enjoy the richness of the Air Force Academy experience. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Academy, the needs for support are growing, and the AOG must help the Academy convey these needs to the graduate community.

Preservation of Institutional Heritage and Traditions - In this arena the AOG is leading the way in establishing heritage links to enable the cadets of today and tomorrow to connect with those who have gone before them. The Heritage and Tradition Committee, under the visionary leadership of Ron Yates, has developed a master plan for the Heritage Trail commemorating the service and sacrifices ofgraduates in battle, for celebrating the accomplishments of distinguished graduates, and for preserving the dignity of those who go to their final rest at the Academy. I hope on your next trip to the Academy that you visit Doolittle Hall and walk the Heritage Trail, view the Distinguished Graduate Awards, and see the plans for the Memorial Pavilion at the Academy cemetery. It is these links to the Long Blue Line that truly form the heritage and traditions of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

On June 26, the AOG ushered in the Class of 2007, hosting more than 1,300 cadets and their parents for cadet in-processing. On August 5, members of the Class of 1967 presented the new class with their Contrails thus establishing yet another heritage link.

Lt. Gen. John Rosa became the Academy’s 16th Superintendent on July 9, 2003. Gen. Rosa came to the Academy after a tour as the Deputy Director for Current Operations (J3) on the Joint Staff. General Rosa met with the AOG Board and staff at our August Board meeting. We were impressed with his vision, his cooperative approach, and his leadership style. We welcome him and his wife Donna to the Academy and look forward to working with them. Also, we owe real thanks to Brig. Gen. John Weida, the Academy’s new Commandant, who provided vigorous leadership as the acting Superintendent until Gen. Rosa’s arrival. And we sincerely thank General J.D. Dallager for his 34 years of service to the Air Force and the nation. J.D. and Jane are strong

supporters of the Academy and the AOG, and we wish them well in the next stage of their life.

We are all aware that the Academy has some difficult challenges ahead, and the new leadership team will need help from the graduate community. Some ofyou may be called upon directly to help. But, for most of us, the AOG will serve as the primary avenue ofsupport and counsel. The AOG is committed to supporting the Academy’s leaders—but not by simply “rubber stamping” all they say or do—we may need to challenge their ideas on occasion, and we may need to help go where the chain-of-command cannot comfortably venture. We want your input. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas; to ask your questions; and yes, to voice your concerns. The Academy experience was the single most valuable experience in my life, and I suspect that may be true for many ofyou too. Let’s work together to ensure the continuing quality of that experience for those young women and men who follow us.

Thanks,

Ted Legasey, ’67

YOUR ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mr. Edward E. Legasey, ’67, Board Chair

Mr. William W. Maywhort, ’68, Board Vice Chair **

Mr. John T. Moore, ’78, Treasurer **

Col. (Ret.) Martin T. Daack, ’66, Secretary

Col. (Ret.) James A. Shaw, ’67, President/CEO AOG

Col. (Ret.) Victor C. Andrews, ’66

Mr. Bill Boisture Jr., ’67

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Larry D. Fortner, ’39

Mr. Charles P. Garcia, ’83 ^

Col. Susan J. Helms, ’80 \

Mr. Gilbert D. Mook, ’67 AOG

Capt. Amber D. O’Grady, ’96 i\

Mr. HarryJ. Pearce, ’64 w

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Alan V. Rogers, ’64 **

Dr. Leon Smith-Harrison, ’75 *

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James P. Ulm, ’61

Gen. (Ret.) Ronald W. Yates, ’60

* new member re-elected

Challenges Facing USAFA

In about twenty months, it will be fifty years since I reported for duty at the USAFA at Lowry AFB, as an ATO. In a short time, I was dating the Cadet Activities secretary; one ofthree people on the entire Cadet Activities staff. We were married by the Cadet Chaplain in the chapel at Lowry 2. That night, in addition to the cake at our reception, we arranged for a wedding cake to be served in the Cadet Mess. The name ofmy wife’s brother, a graduate ofthe Class of 1963, is engraved on the War Memorial. So, we have a sizable, long standing, personal investment in, and affection for, the Academy.

From that perspective, let me say a few words about the difficulties of the past months. The service academies are human institutions. As such, they will always be subject to human frailties. It is not the traditions or facilities or, even, the honor codes that make the academies what they are; it is the people who staff and attend them—how they accept what has been passed on to them, how they deal with it while there, and how they pass it on. Given that, given the travails that all three of the major academies have had to deal with, they are, nonetheless, the finest leadership schools in the country, and possibly in the world.

Despite the fact that the academies’ errors are magnified by hysteria based on ignorance and by all kinds of overreactions, they are very highly regarded by the American people. An Academy degree is a priceless credential.

This storm will pass. Others will come. The Agendafor Change states that the best officers in the Air Force will be assigned to tours at the Academy. To mitigate future problems, it is important that the Air Force command structure honor and maintain this commitment. The Academy started that way, and it should always be that way.

An assignment to the Academy is an investment in the future. In its own interest, the Air Force cannot afford not to assign its best people to this fine institution. Role models do matter, tremendously. In the end, we will reap what we sow.

Aircraft have instruments so that stormy weather will not ground us or throw us off course. Now is the time for some good instrument flying.

Kimbrough S. Bassett, USNA, Class of1953

FFaving read the alumni responses to the removal of “Bring Me Men” from base of the ramp I am convinced that USAFA faces an even greater challenge than the sex abuse scandal.. .an Air Force that cannot evolve. Many critics of the removal seem to think that pointing out the obvious—that this was a political gesture to appease bureaucrats—is a stunning revelation. The position of the AOG, one ofabstention—is equally uninspiring. Both groups illustrate the greatest threat USAFA, the Air Force and the DOD face...un-wavering resistance to change, any change, no matter how small. Let’s get real and put our energy into something that matters. Those aluminum words did not produce better graduates, and I challenge anyone to prove that they inspired a single cadet during their years at USAFA. The people speaking out against removal of those words, speaking of them as “sacred” are cut from the same cloth as the short sighted, nostalgia inspired devotees who: argued against the integration of women at USAFA, rallied to maintain mandatory chapel, and fought to stop any reform of the honor policy. To all those neo-traditionalists a simple message.. .USAFA is not your personal shrine or museum, you will never be 21 again.. .live in the now! These armies of “loyalists” resist changes in the Air Force ranging from tactics to doctrine. Countless hours are spent undoing this resistance instead ofgetting on with the business ofconducting effective operations. Stop the silly bantering over a gesture that has no real significance and start addressing the real enemy...resistance to change.

Sean Roche, Class of1985

Some might think honor and sex are not connected but I believe that the failure to enforce strict standards ofhonor does indirectly have a bearing on the current challenges we are facing. Recently I attended the USAFA National Character and Leadership Symposium, I was in the audience when Secretary of the Air Force James Roche made his very forceful remarks, which have since caused much consternation, finger pointing, and searching for remedies.

I believe that this sex scandal problem, the last sex scandal, and other scandals related to behavior are partly the result of our failure to enforce high standards of honor. The decline in enforcement of honor standards has been of concern to me for nearly 20 years. Basically, I believe that the honor code has become more of a counseling device than a rigorous standard. We hear excuses for the lowering ofstandards such as the different backgrounds that entering cadets come from and how much harder it is for them to maintain the honor code than it was for my class (1967). We also hear about concerns that we might “ruin a cadet’s career” over a “minor infraction.” This approach to honor results in viewing offending cadets as the object of counseling rather than dismissal

and it has a spillover into other areas such as the current sex crisis.

If we cannot maintain even such fundamental standards as an agreement not to lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate, how can we maintain any other standards? My position is quite simple; I believe that, if we would enforce high standards of honor (as I believe we used to do), there would be no need for a character development program. The converse is also true; if we do not maintain high standards ofhonor, there is no amount of character education that can insure honorable graduates. Furthermore, failing to maintain high standards of honor reduces respect lor the honor code. Cadets logically wonder what other standards at USAFA arc “flexible” and they are, therefore, more inclined to test the limits.

A related trend that I consider to be pernicious is the attempt by the Academy to impose the guilt associated with honor infracdons onto rule infractions. That is, I believe there is an attempt to get cadets to believe that breaking of some rules like drinking in the dorm, going out after taps, etc., constitute “immoral behavior rather than just rule violations. This “elevates” these infractions as far as their seriousness but, at the same time, demeans the honor code.

If I am right and if my views are held by a significant number ofgraduates (as I believe they are), one might logically ask why these views do not receive attention and debate. Forums such as the Center for Character Development and its National Character and Leadership Symposium should be excellent tools for addressing these concerns but, unfortunately, there is a tendency to avoid the tough questions in these and other similar settings.

Let me offer a couple of thoughts by way of conclusion: First, I do believe that honor is the sine qua non of the Academy and that our failure to enforce it ultimately results from political concerns which essentially revolve around the inevitable need to occasionally dismiss large numbers of cadets. But 1 would argue that you cannot have a rigorous program in any sense without a high attrition rate. I believe that our attrition rates in recent years are far too low to convince anyone that we have high standards.

Second, I believe that the honor code is the most important feature distinguishing the Academy from other commissioning sources. If we do not produce graduates who, on average, are more honorable than those from other commissioning sources, then we are wasting huge amounts of taxpayer money. Secretary of the Air Force Sheila Widnall was quoted in Checkpoints as saying that “if honor and integrity are not emphasized above all else, then military academies have no purpose.” I agree.

Roy Miller, Class of1967

AOG Web Site

First ofall, let me thank you and the entire staff at the AOG. The Web site great! As I have a 3 Degree attending the Academy, your

Web site has been a great source of timely news, and wonderful PICTURES! Although the USAFA Web site posts pictures too, I have been very pleased with what I have found on your Web site. The Recognition set was incredible! It was wonderful this week to take a look at the parade, and the commencement ceremonies. Once again, thank you and keep it up!

Your up-to-date news helped us stay informed. It has helped us with a broad understanding ofall the issues, and to keep them in perspective with our friends and relatives. Although it has been a difficult year for the Academy, we still believe our daughter is attending an outstanding institution, a safe institution, and one that will prepare her for her Air Force career and her life ahead.

Thanks again for all you do for our cadets, and for the Academy.

ToddMorell

Graduate Dependent Scholarship

As a recent graduate ofArizona State University in Tempe, AZ, I would like to thank the members of the AOG for helping me with my education. As the daughter of a USAFA graduate, I received funding from the AOG’s Graduate Dependent Scholafship for all four years of my undergraduate career.

Because the AOG scholarship helped me focus on my education rather than a part-time job, I was able to graduate Sumrna Cum Laude from the Barrett Flonors College at ASU in four years. As a student, I recruited students from across the nation for ASU as a Peer Advisor and an Honors Devil, I was a member ofOmega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority, a forward for the ASU Women’s Rugby team, and a coordinator for an after school program encouraging Mexican-American middle school girls in science and math.

Thanks once again for the four years ofscholarship I received from the AOG. The monies you provided me allowed me to devote my time and energy to my education, my school, and my community.

Megan Ream

Checkpoints

I recently flew with a 1979 Academy Graduate, and during our busy two day trip together we shared the reading of the Checkpoints 2003 Spring Edition. I write offering positive comments to you, the Association, and the Academy.

Whoever is responsible for the development and production of the Checkpoints magazine they should know it is a wonderful production and truly a first class act. It is nice to see that Distinguished Graduates came back to USAFA serving as role models to our next generation of leaders while reinforcing and preserving the qualities of integrity, service, and excellence.

Respectfully,

Frank C. Schmuck, Class of1988

Board of Directors Welcomes Two New Members

The board provides important guidance, direction and oversight to the Association of Graduates.

DR. LEON I. SMITH-HARRISON, ’75, is a gifted urologic surgeon whose experience and accomplishments demonstrate superior skill and passion in the field ofpediatric urology. SmithHarrison currently is a practicing physician/partner at the Virginia Urology Center in Richmond, Va., one ofthe largest urologist groups in the country. He began his term with the Association ofGraduates Board ofDirectors in July 2003.

Smith-Harrison and his wife Stephanie have been married for 24 years. Chaviess, Luriel, Teisha and C2C Leon, ’05, are their children.

Born in the Republic of Panama to Warren and Margarita H. Smith, Smith-Harrison graduated in 1975 from the U.S. Air Force Academy. In 1979 he received his medical doctor’s degree from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. His postgraduate training and fellowship appointments included stays at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Tex.; the University of California San Francisco School ofMedicine; and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He later attended the E. Claiborne Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond and received his master’s in business administration. Smith-Harrison was on active duty for the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1991. He currently serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Smith-Harrison’s academic appointments include instructor of urology, chief of urology, clinical associate professor of surgery, and director of pediatric urology at various U.S. medical facilities. In addition to currently serving as associate/partner at the Virginia Urology Center, Smith-Harrison serves five fullstaff appointments and is a member of 15 medical associations. He has been recognized by professional organizations for his expertise and delivered numerous scientific presentations.

In addition to serving on the AOG Board of Directors and as president of the medical chapter ofAcademy graduates, he is a Boy Scout leader, soccer coach and was recently appointed to serve on a local county board that supervises mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

COL. SUSAN HELMS, ’80, is an accomplished NASA astronaut and current division chiefofthe space control division ofthe Requirements Directorate ofAir Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colo. She began her term with the Association ofGraduates Board of Directors in July 2003.

Helms was born in Charlotte, N.C., to retired Lt. Col. Pat and Doris Helms. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980, Helms was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where she served as an F-16 weapons separation engineer with the Air Force Armament Laboratory and later became the lead engineer for F-15 weapons separation.

Helms was selected to attend graduate school in 1984 and earned a master’s degree in aeronautics/astronautics from Stanford University. She then was assigned as an assistant professor of aeronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Her other service assignments included pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and flight test engineer and project officer at Canadian Forces Base, Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. She was managing the development of a CF-18 flight control system simulation for the Canadian Forces when NASA tapped her in 1990 for the astronaut program. As a flight test engineer, Helms has flown in 30 different types of U.S. and Canadian military aircraft.

Helms is a veteran of five space flights, logging 5,064 hours in space, including 163 days aboard the International Space Station. She also holds the world record for extra vehicular activity of eight hours and 56 minutes. After a 12-year NASA career that included 211 days in space, Helms accepted the chief space control position in July 2002 at HQ USAF Space Command.

In addition to serving on the AOG Board of Directors, Helms is involved in various other organizations including Women Military Aviators and the Association of Space Explorers. She also has received many special honors and recognitions, most notably the Distinguished Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal and Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School.

Falconry at the United States Air Force Academy

The Story ofthe Cadet Wing’s Performing Mascot

BY LT. GEN. A.P. CLARK, USAF (RET.)

when the United States

y Air Force Academy cadets chose the falcon to be their mascot, they broke new ground in the history of college and university mascots. The falcon was the first collegiate mascot to perform at sports events, free and untethered. These beautiful, alert and fierce-looking birds ofprey, flying free in demonstrations or perched calmly on the fists oftheir cadet handlers, seem to epitomize the mission and spirit ofthe Air Force and its Academy.

Since its inception, the falconry program has generated many inquiries and has intrigued countless visitors to the Academy. Falconry at the UnitedStates

Air Force Academy tells how the Academy’s unique falconry program came to exist and describes the imaginative and innovative work that has produced this exciting application of the ancient sport of fal corny. At the Academy, falcons are trained to flyfreely over stadiums filled with thousands of people and to perform thrilling aerial mancuvcrs-stoops and dives in recognizable simulation of the more spectacular aspects of the mission ofthe United States Air Force.

The Academy’s falconry program is one of a kind. Upper-class cadets introduce new cadets to the program and inspire them to devote most of their spare time during their four years at the Academy to the care, training, display and performance of these magnificent birds. This strong commitment and peer system has earned the program the status of a leadership laboratory.

Lt. Gen. A. P. Clark, USAF (Ret.) in 1973 with “Baffin,” a gyrfalcon captured on Baffin Island with the permission of the Canadian government and presented to the Cadet Wing in 1965.

During the more than forty' years of the Academy program’s development, the art of falconry and the meticulous aspects of handling these birds-their breeding and feed, their care and training—have been significantly advanced. Of equal importance, the cooperative way that the new knowledge and techniques have been shared with numerous local and national falconry organizations has gained recognition for the Air Force Academy and the respect ofexperts in the field.

Authored by Lt. Gen. A.P. Clark, USAF (Ret.) and sponsored by The Friends of the Air Force Academy Library and the AOG, Falconry at the United States Air Force Academy has been co-publishcd with Ful crum Publishing, Golden, Colo. The book is available for purchase from the AOG. Si

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Lt. Gen. Rosa Takes Command

LT. GEN. JOHN ROSA BECAME THE ACADEMY’S 16TH SUPERINTENDENT JULY 9TH IN CEREMONIES OFFI-

CIATED BY AIR FORCE SECRETARY DR. JAMES ROCHE.

Compiled by Rosa, a 1973 graduate ofThe Citadel and a command pilot with more than 3,600 Academy Spirit staff flying hours, has the full faith and confidence of the nation’s leadership, Roche told a formation of troops and a gathering of invited guests.

“He is assuming one of the most important commands for the future of the Air Force,” the secretary said. “It is to him I address my hopes and concerns for this institution and his command.”

Roche said the Academy is one of the nation’s top commissioning sources, where officer candidates are carefully screened not only for the essential qualities of a good officer, but also those of a great leader.

“While there are some rare individuals who are born with the innate qualities of a leader, even for these people, those qualities must be nurtured and developed in an environment that fosters respect for others, mutual cooperation, and adherence to the core values of our service—integrity, service and excellence.”

Photo by Ken Wright

The Air Force’s top civilian leader noted the Academy superintendent is responsible not only for the leadership of cadets, faculty and staff, but also for the strategic development of leadership training that will affect the entire Air Force’s future.

“This is an institution of learning as well as training, a chance for growing minds to probe the limits of their reasoning abilities, and to challenge conventional wisdom, to learn the skills ofcritical thinking that will allow them to probe the chinks in an enemy’s armor, to think ‘outside of the box,’ breaking down stovepipes and artificial barriers that prevent our ability to deliver the most decisive effects, regardless ofwho gets the credit, and to develop the necessary skills of team deliberation, listening brilliantly as well as speaking wisely,” said the service secretary.

Roche described the Academy as an institution that embraces the spirit ofacademic pursuit and one that encourages young people to push beyond their comfort zone to explore new frontiers and take intellectual risks within the safety ofthe academy environment.

“It is a careful balance, to encourage academic excellence and maintain military good order and discipline,” said Roche. “The two are far from mutually exclusive, but they must be carefully monitored and the equilibrium maintained.”

Secretary Roche told attendees that Rosa is the right man at the right time for this command.

“He is a man ofproven leadership who has demonstrated his command effectiveness at the squadron, group and wing level, time and again,” Roche said. “He is a three-time wing commander, a former commandant of the Air Command and StaffCollege at Air University, a man ofimpeccable character who comes with the highest recommendation from all with whom he has served.”

The new superintendent, Roche said, is a dedicated family man, a devoted son who spends every Thanksgiving he can with his parents, a loving husband to his college sweetheart, Donna Rosa.

In the warm morning sun, Rosa began his remarks with some unconventional humor by noting the formation of cadets had been standing for 45 minutes. The general had them stretch and loosen up, before snapping back to parade rest. The veteran combat pilot thanked Academy Commandant of Cadets and, until Wednesday, acting Academy Superintendent Brig. Gen. John Weida, Weida’s wife, Bonnie, and the entire Academy team for the great progress made over the past three months.

“Implementing the Agendafor Change has been a huge challenge,” Rosa said. “You’ve done remarkable work. We look forward to working with you to bring the Academy to the next level.”

The Academy Superintendent said that he and Mrs. Rosa were excited to be a part of a community that has faithfully and consistently supported the military, and especially the Academy. The move to the Academy is the Rosas’ 24th move in their 30-year marriage. S

The Sabre Society

The Sabre Society honors the dedication and commitment of leadership donors to the Air Force Academy Fund. Individuals who annually contribute $1,000 or more are recognized for their support at The Sabre Society level. Sabre Society donors contributed more than 60 percent of the $2 million raised for the Air Force Academy Fund last year. Sabre Society donors are invited to attend special dinners and events throughout the year. These events provide the perfect opportunity to network with other Air Force Academy Fund supporters and learn more from senior-level members of the Academy and AOG.

Upcoming Events

Washington, D.C. Sabre Society Dinner

October 3 at the Hilton McLean Tysons

Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Drive

Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. CS Dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Registration deadline: September 8

This event is in conjunction with the Air Force vs. Navy football game.

Accommodations: Rooms are available for $65 per night. For reservations, please contact the Hilton at (800) 445-8667 and ask for The Sabre Society block.

Biennial Recognition Weekend

February 19-20, 2004, at the Air Force Academy

This weekend provides a behind-the-scenes look at current Academy life. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the Academy, meet with senior staff, talk with cadets, and network with leaders from the Association of Graduates. Registration information will be mailed in late December.

To register or for more information, please call Becky Hureau at (719) 472-0300.

Reclaiming Education to Develop for the Future

by Dr. James G. Roche, Secretary of the Air Force

The last year has been a tumultuous one for those who care about the United States Air Force Academy. I count myselfamong that group. Yet I am convinced that, after the shock ofdisturbing revelations and the emotional turmoil over how to address the problem subside, the Academy will be a stronger institution, better able to fulfill its mission of educating, training, and inspiringAir Force leaders ofthe highest character and integrity. TheAgendafor Change we have implemented was designed with that intent and to correct a problem ofownership that General Jumper and I had seen. The Air Force, as an institution, allowed the Air Force Academy to exist as a separate entity with different rules for assignment, different standards of behavior, and different regulations for investigating criminal charges than those found in the rest of the Air Force. With the Agendafor Change, we-the Air Force-reclaim the Air Force Academy and reiterate our commitment to developing air and space leaders ofthe highest caliber.

The changes at the Academy are part of a total Force Development agenda we are pursuing. The current environment demands an expeditionary force optimized to deliver

maximum operational effect. That means that all airmen must think of themselves as airmen first, ahead oftheir specialties. In our visits to the Academy and discussions with Academy cadets, Gen. Jumper and I were dismayed to hear young men and women recite career ambitions that had more to do with avoiding deployments than with being warriors. We heard from cadets who looked forward to jobs as doctors, physical therapists, engineers, etc., with little mention of life in the Air Force as an officer. We could have been talking with students from any major university in the nation, but this isn’t just any university. This is an institution charged with developing warrior leaders. While it is commendable that we have so many young men and women who can compete with graduates from the most prestigious universities for medical, law, and graduate schools and competitive scholarships, our primary purpose should not be creating scholars who wear a uniform, but warriors who think critically about the art and science of military affairs. There will be time and opportunity for many of our brightest, most scholastically driven officers to pursue advanced degrees, but they will do

so from a position as an officer steeped in the operational culture.

The Service Academies have a special duty to develop the leaders of our armed forces. People should attend the Air Force Academy with the primary intent of becoming an Air Force officer. We select cadet candidates based on our determination that these men and women have the “right stuff” to be leaders of our Air Force. They follow a tremendous lineage. In April, Gen. Jumper and I were privileged to attend a gathering of representatives ofeach class year ofAcademy graduates. I was humbled to be in their presence, and reminded ofwhy the Air Force Academy has long held its reputation as one ofthe premier institutes ofacademic and leadership instruction in the country. I expect that the changes being implemented will only enhance and further that reputation and will lead the way for the future ofthe Air Force.

One change at the Air Force Academy that reflects a trend in the Air Force as a whole is the way we are selecting those tasked to train and educate our cadets. Throughout the Air Force, we are placing a higher value on training than we have in the past. Training positions will be a critical element of a successful career. At the Air Force Academy, we are picking the best of the best to fill the critical training positions in the military training environment of the cadet squadron and the classroom. We are circulating training opportunities and responsibilities through out the force to benefit all-the trainers, the trainees, and the rest of us who will learn from the trainers when they return to the field. We are changing the permanent professorships to allow senior academic leaders to rotate back into the regular Air Force so that the rest of the Air Force can learn from the wisdom of our senior instructors, and the senior instructors can keep current on how changes within their fields impact the Air Force. Across the Air Force, as we develop criteria for tours in training and education, we will be mindful of legitimate concerns about professional progression and proficiency in ones selected career field and balance those with the desire to expose our officers to a broader cross-section ofthe Air Force. It is essential to have a broad cross-section of officers, including those with operational experience, in our commissioning and professional development courses to represent the wide range ofmissions and capabilities our diverse force brings to the fight. We will also ensure that those responsible for training have the education and the tools necessary to be effective teachers. For example, we have implemented an education and training program for our new Air Officers Commanding that includes graduate education in a related field, such as counseling, resulting in a masters degree.

Despite concerns regarding the wisdom of sending newly minted lieutenants to graduate school, we have not retreated from our commitment to the value ofhigher education for our officers. To the contrary, we are reaffirm

ing and reinvigorating that commitment by replacing what has been an unwritten requirement for mid-level officers to possess an unspecified advanced degree, often obtained after work in a haphazard fashion, with a structured, expanded opportunity for more officers to study full-time in areas of critical need to the Air Force. No longer should officers feel compelled to complete a degree in a uninspiring or professionally unrelated field ofstudy, simply to “check a box” on a personnel sheet. Do not misconstrue our reluctance to send Air Force Academy graduates to advanced degree programs immediately upon graduation as a departure from the Ar Force s historic position as a leader in educational opportunities for our members. We made this change because the Air Force and the graduates are generally better served if tfie newly commissioned officer first gains operational experience before re-entering academia We need educated officers and enlisted memhers more than ever to harness and integrate the capabilities technology makes possible But we need focused education provided to proven operators who bring their practical, operational experience into the classroom and the lab as referent frameworks for academic exercises and the pursuit ofknowledge. Education is often more meaningful with a practical application in mind, an operational framework Delay of educational opportunities after some experience in the field will not harm our young officers’ chances to pursue that education; rather it will enhance their educational experience.

All of this reflects our restructure and refinement of the Air Force educational process. When we looked at education across the board, from our commissioning sources, to the Air Force Institute of Technology, to our professional military educational facilities, our education programs appeared disjointed and not optimized to foster the sort of professional development our officers and our sendee need. There was also a troubling distinction attached to some of our programs that suggested that mere attendance, rather

than performance, would confer special rights and privileges upon graduation. Most notable, there was a formal distinction created between the Air Force Academy and other commissioning sources.

In a service that promotes equal opportunity for all, it is not right that one group of second lieutenants enjoy significant advantages in date of rank based not on commissioning date but on commissioning source. Graduates of the Air Force Academy rightly should be proud of their achievement, and they are properly the beneficiaries of the specialized leadership training they have received. Flowever, such benefits should arise as a result of better preparation for competition among their peers from all commissioning sources, not as entitlements to earlier dates of rank than any other second lieutenant, particularly those who competed for and won competitive four-year ROTC scholarships This change in the date of rank calculation is not meant to cheapen your experience as former Air Force Academy cadets, nor should it devalue the Ar Force Academy as an institution that trains some of our finest officers. As Gen. Hubert Harmon said at the formation of the Academy, the Academy’s long-range mission is to train generals, not just second lieutenants. A1 of the additional experience of leadership

training, indoctrination into the military culture, and the additional knowledge cadets gain as a result oftheir four years at the Academywill leave them well-prepared to enter the officer corps. And Air Force Academy graduates will continue to have tremendous opportrinities throughout their careers. Special date of rank calculations for Air Force Academy graduates suggests the trappings ofaristocracy for graduates. We aim to make the Air Force a meritocracy where the best and the brightest rise to the top. Academy cadets graduate with many advantages, but it is only right that they should compete for rank among their peers from all services.

There are similar distinctions between some of our developmental education programs. Some forms ofin-residence professional military education enjoy more prestige with promotion boards than do residence programs at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Both schools train mid-career officers in skills the Air Force has identified as important for the mission, and both require officers to compete for slots. The revised intermediate developmental educational program goes a long way toward resolving that particular discrepancy. In our graduate education, if advanced education is a key component to success on par with professional military education, as our promotion boards have indicated through their selections, we should officially recognize it as such. And we should ensure that the right people, our best people, get the opportunity to study the subjects the Air Force needs.

These changes will better support the expeditionary mission. People will not bypass opportunities to deploy or attempt to delay rotations because they are completing an after-work degree program if they have more opportunities to compete for full-time study, and if we remove the artificial “requirement” for an advanced degree in “something” without regard for the quality of the degree. Restructuring our professional military education into tailorable modules will allow more people to participate bybreaking up the program into discrete units that can be taken

all together or one at a time as duty demands allow. Modularization will allow more people to participate in enduringcompetencies training-personal leadership, leading people and teams, and leading the institution-in the first module. It will also provide the focused education and training most useful to our people in their career progression. To be optimized as an expeditionary force-employing our military members to be in direct support of operations-we need to encourage specialized skill sets and promote those needed skills.

In addition to giving people a chance to develop in particular critical specialties, our new programs are designed to create an officer corps with a greater shared experience. The Air and Space Basic Course has been a great first step, introducing new second lieutenants from all commissioning sources to each other and the Air Force as a whole so that their early exposure to the Air Force is not limited to the isolated experiences of their home base. Squadron Officer School is a similar shared experience for all, and young officers learn from one another as they share their growing knowledge of their specialties with others in different specialties. With modularized PME, we can provide a comparable shared learning opportunity to more mid-career

officers, providing them a chance to develop the enduring competencies we need in all our officers: developing personal and team leadership skills in the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. The Air Force needs leaders who can lead across disciplines and it needs leaders with the specialized knowledge to provide the capabilities that help us maintain our dominance. These two types ofleadership are not necessarilymutuallyexclusive, particularly ifwe provide equal opportunity and clear developmental paths and as many opportunities for shared experience and cross-specialty training as possible.

The changes at the Air Force Academy reflect our commitment to the finest developmental training of our airmen and our desire to eliminate express formal distinctions between officers based on where they went to school as opposed to how they apply the knowledge they gained there. The Agendafor Changetargets the Air Force Academydirectly, but it is consistent with our focus on our core values and competencies and with our agenda for total Force Development. Change is always difficult, but it is often necessary when problems are manifest. We did not serve our officers or our service well with our prior ad hoc and disjointed development programs, and we did not serve our Academy well by allowing it to develop as an institution apart from the Air Force. As we continue to evolve our force to meet the emerging challenges of the 21st century, we must develop officers who possess the highest character and target their continuing education and development to meet the needs of our expeditionary service to sustain our position as the world s premier air and space force. The development begins for Air Force Academy cadets on “Day 1 and should continue throughout their careers. The Agendafor Change is part of our plan to make this vision a reality. With your continued support, the United States Air Force Academy will be better able to prepare our future leaders ofthe Air Force. 9

1 you have any doubt about the future of America, fear not.

Our newest photo galleries at www.aog-usafa.org, show you tomorrow’s leaders today.

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Senator Allard Syzaks out

OUR NATION’S AIR FORCE ACADEMY: A GREAT INSTITUTION WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE

TheAOG invited Sen. WayneAllard (R-CO) to comment on the recent events at theAcademy. He has been outspoken regarding the sexualassault issue and the recent leadership changes at this institution. Thefollowing essay is his response. We inviteyour comments regarding Sen. Allard’s viewpoint. -Ed.

By U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO)

Our victory in Iraq was possible because of the brilliant and courageous service of the men and women in the United States Air Force. Thanks to the outstanding work of our airmen, the Air Force quickly acquired and ultimately retained air supremacy throughout the war. Our forces on the ground knew without a doubt that they could count on their colleagues in the air and space to provide them with the support they needed—when they needed it.

This remarkable aerial and space campaign is a reflection of the Air Force’s rigorous training and superb leadership. Our Air Force personnel are top-notch, the best in the world, and have proven time and time again that they are capable of conducting tough missions over unfriendly skies.

The U.S. Air Force Academy plays a critical role in building upon and sustaining this excellent cadre ofpersonnel. Since its first graduating class in 1959, the Academy has produced nearly 36,000 Air Force officers, many ofwhich have become the nation’s top aviators, intelligence experts, space operators, and combatant commanders.

The Academy not only gives its graduates superior skills; it develops in them character and the respect for human dignity. The school’s core values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do” resonates in every aspect of a cadet’s life.

The Academy is built on honor and character, and it is seen as a critical national asset. Sadly though, the allegations of sexual assault and rape at the Academy have raised serious concerns. The current sexual misconduct crisis goes straight to the core values of the institution.

To the Air Force’s credit, the service has tried to correct these problems by pushing several reforms highlighted in the Air Force’s Agendafor Change and were further validated by the service’s Working Group report. Yet, the success of these reforms will depend on a large part on the leadership of the Academy

So far, I have been impressed by Academy’s new leadership team. Led by Generals Rosa and Weida, the Academy’s administration has worked tirelessly to instill discipline and improve the Academy’s response to sexual assaults. However, it will be the leadership teams of the future that will determine whether sexual misconduct cases will be pushed aside or dealt with in a fair, just fashion.

Since last December, more than 60 current and former cadets who were allegedly sexually assaulted or raped have approached my office. While the allegations themselves were certainly cause for investigation, the fact that these cadets felt more comfortable approaching my office than the prior Academy leadership team demonstrated just how poorly these allegations were being handled.

But, I think the tide is beginning to turn. In mid-July, two cadets were accused ofsexually assaulting a female cadet and a civilian. While I was disappointed to learn of these cases, I was pleased that the female cadet felt confidant enough in the Academy’s leadership to report her case. Restored confidence in the Academy’s new leadership will do more to prevent sexual assaults than any Air Force program or reform.

The sexual assault allegations tested the mettle of the Air Force and the Academy. Though there have been several rough spots, the Academy seems to be moving past this controversy and into a new era: an era where victims are embraced and where perpetrators are denied the privilege ofserving in the Air Force and are punished for their crimes; and an era where the Academy’s leadership immediately responds to allegations and cadets realize the importance of integrity, excellence, and service. This transformation will not take place overnight, but it is important to note that progress has been made.

The last six months have been difficult ones for those of us who support and strongly believe in the mission of the Academy. I am convinced though this experience will make our United States Air Force Academy a better institution. O

SUPERINTENDEN

Lt. Gen. John Rosa

Greetings, graduate community!

It’s truly an honor to become the Academy’s 16th Superintendent. Since 1959, the Academy has produced some of our nation’s finest leaders—and I’ve worked with and for many of them over the last 30 years. I have great respect for this institution and all it stands for—Donna and I are proud to become part of this great team of warriors. As I write, I’m still very much the “new kid on the block.” We’re still getting lost in the Carlton House as we unpack, but

we’re slowly getting the lay of the land. My senior staff just filled me in on this past semester’s happenings—thanks for giving me the opportunity to bring you up to speed.

CLASS OF 2003

During the May 28 graduation ceremony, Secretary Roche said the members ofthe Class of2003 are “the Centennial Airmen.. .the first airmen ofthe next 100 years.” The Secretary briefly walked those in attendance through the first century ofman-in-flight, and voiced the envy that all of us “old heads” feel when we think ofwhat’s in store for the next generation of airmen. Over the last 4 years, the Academy has helped the Richard Ira Bong Class develop the knowledge, character, and discipline needed to lead the world’s greatest air and space force—they’re ready! Of the 963 commissioned graduates, 57 percent of the new lieutenants are entering specialized undergraduate pilot training (SUPT), 11 percent will go into science and engineering career fields, 8 percent will go into operations-related career fields, 6 percent will go into support functions, 5 percent will go into

acquisitions, 4 percent will enter specialized undergraduate navigator training (SUNT), 4 percent will go into other areas (e.g., medical, dental, OSI, etc.), 3 percent will go into logistics, and 2 percent will enter the air battle management career field. The defense of our nation now rests squarely on their shoulders, and they are strong enough to heft it. As those who understand the responsibility they have willingly accepted, please keep them in your prayers.

AGENDA FOR CHANGE

By now, you’ve heard about the Agendafor Change and may be wonderingwhat it means to our Academy. Let me assure you that we remain true to our mission of inspiring and developing outstanding young men and women to become Air Force officers with knowledge, character and discipline; motivated to lead the world’s greatest air and space force in service to the nation. The Agendafor Change is another step on our continuing journey toward excellence. The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force co-signed the Agendafor Change on March 26, 2003, providing policies and guidance addressing leadership; cadet life; officer and NCO selection, training and roles; and the broader Academy climate. I want to thank Brig. Gen. Johnny ^t. ^osa mee^S Weida, ’78, for his leadership in getting the Warrior Run. Academy on-line with the Agendafor Change prior to my arrival. The first priority in implementing the “Agenda for Change’’ was establishing policies and procedures that ensure we handle every allegation ofsexual assault properly and expediently, while providing the victims ofsexual assault with the best support we can. The Vice Commandant has organized and instituted the Academy Response Team, which will provide quick and effective support and assistance to any future victims ofsexual assault. In addition to the Vice Commandant, the team includes a victim’s advocate along with law enforcement and legal assistance members. The support available to victims also includes a refocused Cadet Counseling Center. Under the new USAFAI 51201, Cadet Victim/Witness Assistance and Notification Procedures, every person assigned to the Academy is required to report any assault. Leaders at all levels, including cadet commanders, are accountable for the actions of their subordinates. Also, from now on, all AOCs will arrive with a master’s of arts in counseling and leadership—a new class ofAOCs started their program a few weeks ago.

While the Agendafor Change was written primarily in response to the Academy’s widely publicized problems with sexual assault, the

changes we’re implementing are broader in scope. To improve the climate that allowed such problems, we need to improve the underlying culture. There is now an officer presence in the dorms 24/7. Starting this summer, female cadets in each squadron will be assigned rooms in clusters near the female latrines, but cadets will still live and train as cohesive squadrons. When the Cadet Wing /'ll "T* r* JP returns to “the hill” in a few weeks, we’ll reestablish a true wing training system instead of the fourth class training system USAFA has drifted toward. It will be demanding— firsties will be actively involved in training not just the fourth class, but also the second and third classes. We’ll provide the tools they need to succeed. We’re in the process of designing a cadet-mentoring program where each doolie will have a second class mentor, and we’re working with the AOG to offer mentoring opportunities from the Long Blue Line. Thanks for your continued support and feedback as we implement the Agenda for Change and keep our Air Force Academy moving forward!

34TH TRAINING WING

with parents at the end

The year 2003 will be a year marked by efforts to “train like we fight.” The broad changes directed in the “Agenda for Change,” along with previously planned improvements, are aimed at enhancing the way we select, train, and prepare Air Force leaders of tomorrow to wield the awesome might of air and space power. Some of the most specific and immediate changes were in athletics, cadet training and flying operations. A short review of these changes reveals a clear effort toward posifive change, continuous improvement, and a net effect of further refining what is already a world class institution.

aligned under the 34th Training Wing (versus the Superintendent). Athletics remains a core pillar of the Academy. Brig. Gen. Weida and Col. Randy Spetman, 76, are committed to making the new organizational structure work. Gen. Weida affirmed, “Incredible leadership, discipline and dedication are learned on the ‘fields of friendly strife,’ and are essential to combat. The 34th Training Wing is absolutely committed to the Academy performing competitively at the Division I level.” It’s been a big year for Athletics in other ways as well. The Athletic Department will soon move into its new $20 million athletic facility that will house new sports medicine and weight training facilities, as well as new locker rooms, team meeting facilities and an equipment storage and issue facility. The 2002-2003 athletic seasons produced several team and individual milestones, thanks to the talents and positive winning attitude of the cadet-athletes and the entire coaching staff. Check out the great articles on these achievements in the Spring 2003 Checkpoints and elsewhere in this issue. Also, www.airforcesports.com is a great source for detailed information on all of our teams. GO FALCONS!!!

The life of a Warrior is one of constant “sharpening the sword.” Through consistent training at every turn, we’re teaching skills to prepare our cadets for their next challenge. As part of this effort, we’ve revised the Class of 2007 Training Program. This program comprises three distinct phases that guide doolies through the crucial first year of their development. Each phase correlates to increased levels of training, education, technical competence, experience and responsibilities.

March out to Jacks Valley

Phase one began at in-processing. On June 26, USAFA welcorned some 1,300 new members to the greatest air and space force on earth. Our 2003 BCT mission statement is: “to ensure each Basic Cadet will embrace our core values, view themselves as warriors in the profession of arms, and be proud members of the greatest air and space force on earth.” Excellence, professionalism, teamwork, warrior spirit, mutual respect, and leadershipby-example have been resounding throughout every part of BCT. I saw these qualities “up close and personal” when I marched out to Jacks Valley with the Class of 2007 earlier this week—I was truly impressed! Furthermore, each BCT cadre member is “becoming the leader they have always wanted to work for;” a warrior who sets high standards, creates conditions for team success, and leads by example in all areas of Air Force life. To celebrate the end of phase one training, Basics will participate in the Acceptance Parade as in years past.

Following the Acceptance Parade, basics will become Fourth Class Cadets and enter into the second phase of training. Phase two will continue until just prior to Thanksgiving Break. A major training event has been planned to conclude phase two—this event will replace what was formerly known as “Recognition.” The Cadet Wing Staff is currently in the process of developing the event, which will include detailed learning objectives and specific outcome objectives. The Commandant will update you on our plans in his fall 2003 article.

Phase three will run from the successful completion of phase two until sometime in the spring. Suecessful completion of phase three

will mark the end of the Four Degrees’ first year of training—we’ll then award their “Prop and Wings.” These changes will make the Academy experience more like the Air Force experience—one of constant development—and will help USAFA continue to produce officers of character for the best air and space force on earth!

As many ofyou are aware, the USAFA glider program has undergone a total aircraft replacement/implementation program over the last year. The aircraft that many grads cut their teeth on—TG-3s, TG-4s, and TG-9s—are being replaced by a new family of gliders from Blanik USA. The new primary “Soar-for-All” program glider is the Super Blanik L-23 (USAFA designation TG-10B). The 94th FTS owns 12 TG-lOBs that cadets have been flying and soloing in since August 2002. After an organizational stand-down in May and June, cadet flying has resumed in these gliders, and student training began on July 3. As for the motorglider aircraft that supplement the “Soar-For-All” program (instructed only by our rated officers), the old Schweizer TG-7s and Stemme TG-lls are out and the new Ximango AMT 200S (TG-14) is on its way in. We’re currently working with the Aeronautical Systems Center, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, and the 412th Test Wing to complete the operational testing needed to provide high-altitude performance charts and crosswind takeoff and landing execution data. With the engine shut down (and the prop feathered), the TG-14 has an amazing 33:1 glide ratio, making the new aircraft more compatible for teaching sailplane techniques. Overall, this has been a demanding year transitioning to an entirely new sailplane and motorglider “fleet,” and the future of the USAFA glider program is looking brighter than ever!

ACADEMICS

The past academic year has been one of USAFA’s best seen to date. The Academy continues to earn national recognition for its academic programs, and cadets continue to win highly-competitive scholarships and awards. Brig. Gen. Wagie, ’72, gave a comprehensive review of recent academic programs and successes in the spring 2003 Checkpoints so I won’t repeat those items here. I look forward to witnessing the academic prowess that the Class of2007 brings!

ADMISSIONS

Speaking of the Class of 2007, our Admissions team has brought some ofthe best and brightest ofAmerica’s sons and daughters to the Academy. Competition for a slot in the Class of2007 was one ofthe toughest in history. We had more than 10,700 applicants for only 1,300 spaces. The high applicant pool resulted in nearly 2,300 completely qualified candidates. The Class of2007 included 17 percent women and 17% percent minorities, and roughly 60 percent ofthe class is potentially pilot qualified—this means more than 550 should fill Air Force pilot requirements upon graduation.

The Pre-Junior program, implemented in 1995, has yielded increasing numbers of candidates to the Air Force Academy. Through this program, we both seek out and respond to inquiries from students who are not yet ageeligible to apply for admission, and add them to our database of prospects. Then, each February, we automatically send an application to those who have reached the second semester of their junior year in high school. For the Class of 2008, this meant an initial mail-out of more than 26,000 applications. Roughly 402 members of the Class of 2007 were in the Pre-Junior Program. Several weeks ago, we finished two highly successful one-week Summer Seminar sessions. Each session found approximately 350 rising high school seniors engaged in a variety of activities. They took part in everything from classes to laboratories to intramurals to “Doolie for a Day.” Ifthe recent trend holds true, 40-50 percent ofthe Summer Seminar attendees will join the Class of2008. Finally, it’s been another successful year for our joint, on-line application option with Air Force ROTC. We’re currently receiving an average of300 applications a week via www.academyadmissions.com, an increase of 300 percent from last year! Recognizing the constantly changing and highly competitive “marketplace,” we continue to seek ways to spread the Academy message and increase our pool of qualified candidates—thanks for your help in this effort—the future continues to look bright!

10TH AIR BASE WING

Upon arrival, I was pleased to learn ofthe stunning results achieved by the 10th Medical Group (MDG) during their three simultaneous inspections. The MDG team, including its external operat-

mg location at Peterson AFB, excelled in assessments from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Air Force Inspection Agency’s Health Services Inspection (HSI) Team and the College ofAmerican Pathologists (CAP) Survey Team, all in the span of four days! In all, 61 general areas were assessed under JCAHO and HSI in which the MDG scored a 91, earning them an “Excellent” rating. The laboratory’s rigorous CAP Survey examined compliance with over 200 clinical laboratory standards, which resulted in the facility’s re-accreditation for two additional years. In addition to the Med Group’s outstanding performance, the ABW continues to provide excellent support to USAFA with projects including the extensive infrastructure improvements mentioned in the winter 2003 Checkpoints.

AOG SUPPORT

I’m aware that the AOG plays a vital role in almost everything we do at the Academy. Jim Shaw, ’67, continues to provide solid leadership to his very talented and dedicated staff. I’m looking forward to working with Jim—we’ll be in tight formation, making sure the Academy becomes the best and most respected military training and education institution in the world.

Without the support of this great organization, many critical leadership and character development programs would not be fully funded. These are the programs that make the Academy experience unique and that play a critical role in building leaders of character for the Air Force and the nation. During the past five years, the AOG has given over $6 million to support the Academy! AOG funding also has allowed many of our cadets to experience other cultures first hand through cultural immersion programs. In today’s troubled world, these area study programs serve an important need and meet Air Force goals to develop officers with foreign language skills and firsthand knowledge of foreign cultures. Our cadet clubs continue to flourish because ofthe generosity ofsupporters like the AOG. Cadet clubs provide a great opportunity for our young men and women to develop their leadership and planning skills, and the “friendly strife” in club competitions will pay dividends for these budding warriors down the road. The AOG staff is committed to good stewardship of your generous donations, and our cadets deeply appreciate all that you do to make their Academy experience the best that it can be.

I was also extremely pleased to hear of the role the AOG played and continues to play during the recent sexual assault issue. The AOG has been fully involved at the highest levels of the Air Force and has been a keyplayer in many ofthe issues and events surrounding our recent problems. Both Dr. Roche and Gen. Jumper respect the AOG and believe it has played a crucial role in keeping graduates, parents, and Academy supporters informed. But more impor-

tantly, the AOG is a respected voice that has earned a reputation for providing good advice and recommendations during the process of implementing the Agendafor Change. Dr. Roche and Gen. Jumper praised the role the AOG played in bringing back 44 distinguished graduates representing each of the Academy’s graduating classes. This historic gathering served to restore morale in the cadet wing and is something that we are looking to make a recurring event.

In addition to its sizable monetary support of our many programs, the Association continues to assist the Academy in many other areas. This summer, the AOG hosted an Open House at graduation followed by in-processing for the Class of 2007. In a few short days the AOG will be the Academy’s information center for Parents’ Weekend. For the first time, the AOG has taken over the design and printing of the AOG Handbook for Parents. By giving each parent a free copy, they’re showing their support for some of our biggest supporters!

With that, I want to say again that it’s a great honor and privilege to serve as the United States Air Force Academy Superintendent. I do not take this responsibilitylightly, and I pledge that I will direct all of my energies to creating a climate at USAFA that produces the best officers for our great Air Force. This is a great challenge, and I need your help. Cadets are watching you and following your example. With this in mind, I want to let you know what I’ve asked of every member of team USAFA. First, to conduct themselves with utmost integrity—without integrity and trust, all we do is in vain. Second, to have a positive attitude—it’s contagious, and the key to our suecess. Third, to take pride in what they do—there is no greater calling than serving our country. I encourage you to join me in modeling these characteristics and in sharing your war stories—successes and struggles in these areas—with cadets whenever you can. Together, we’ll not only restore public trust and admiration of the Academy—we’ll bring the Academy to a new level of excellence. Donna and I look forward to working with the graduate community. The afterburner is lit.. .the gear’s up.. .let’s get to work! S3

Officer instructor pilots at the 94th Flying Training Squadron resumed flying the Academy’s TG-10 unmotorized gliders in June. They will resume currency and requalification Hying (.raining as needed, said Col. Jeffrey Kendall, 34th Operations Group commander. “They will then each have a full debrief to validate that our instructors are teaching correct techniques, and that all of our training procedures are standardized.”

Acting Academy superintendent Brig. Gen. John Weida suspended glider operations in mid-May to address glider operations guidance shortcomings, and leadership and cultural issues in the squadron.

Unpowered id „ Resume Flight

John Van Van Winkle, Media Relations

Photo by Ken Wright

Each of those issues has been addressed. New Technical Orders (guidance on the operations and maintenance of a specific type of aircraft) and preflight and inflight checklists are now in place.

But not all gliders will take to the skies for training. The Academy’s motorgliders will conduct further testing.

“We have received an approved test plan from the responsible test organization. We obtained the Air Force Chief of Staff’s tasking order to conduct the test, which will focus on determining takeoff, landing and climb data at our higher elevations,” said Kendall.

An amended test plan, now under review, will add crosswind limitations to the testing and evaluation criteria, he added.

The testing unit is the Air Force Flight Test Center’s 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Tests will be conducted at the Academy by Air Force test pilots, from Edwards, and supported by some of the Academy’s most experienced officer instructor pilots.

“We’re working hand-in-hand with the Air Logistics Center and Edward’s 412th Test Wing and we will not be flying any training missions in theTG-l4s until completion ofthe tests and receipt ofthe officially approved Technical Orders and checklists and test completion.” Test completion has got to come first, he emphasized, as that will determine any necessary changes to operational procedures, preflight and inflight checklists and other aircraft operating and maintenance guidance.

“We will resume our TG-14 motorglider operations when all flight tests and publications are complete,” said Brig. Gen. Weida. Initial estimates are for a resumption of normal TG-14 motorglider operations in early August.

The Academy is home to the Air Force’s busiest Visual Flight Rules airfield, with more than 32,000 sorties and 20,000 parachute jumps per year. S8

“I quickly realized the advantages ofbeing the only woman among 200+ Marines as they called out to me every 30 minutes throughout the sand storm, “You okay; Cho?”

by Cholene Espinoza, ’87

When was the last time you relinquished all control and placed your life at the mercy of a 19 year old? Does the word “Beast” come to mind? I can recall my first night of Basic Cadet Training like it was yesterday. I fell asleep with an enormous sense ofloss; loss of freedom, loss of control. It wasn’t too long after that first night that I began to feel part of a new family. The sense of loss gave way to a sense of belonging and purpose.

I had a similar experience last March as an “embedded” corresponMarine latrine incidentally the last time I saw them brush their teeth after crossing the line.

dent for Talk Radio News Service during the war in Iraq. I was assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps 1 st Tank Battalion ofTwenty Nine Palms, Calif. Only this time, camped within 30 miles of the Iraqi border, I didn’t cry myself to sleep the first night. That would have caused a mud slide in my tent which was miraculously holding up to the 30 mph winds. Instead, I thanked God for the two 19-year-old Marines who were told, “Take care of the reporter.” They put my two-man tent together, and it was soon dubbed, “The Palace.” I quickly realized the advantages of being the only woman among 200+ Marines as they called out to me every 30 minutes throughout the sand storm, “You okay, Cho?”

I had no expectations for being “embedded.” I figured it could be anything from sitting around watching majors move pegs on a board to being right next to the Marine on the front line. The Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Jim Chartier said on my first day, “Ifyou’re crazy enough to be here, we’re crazy enough to put you as close to the action as possible.” Giddy up. I chose to be attached to the T.O.W. Missile Platoon. It’s not that I was opposed to spending the

Sgt. Jason Kriz shows me how the “thermals” work toJind threats. These thermals were the most used capability they had, as they would constantly scan forpossible threats 24 hours a day through the war.

war in an M1 Abrams, the most advanced and protected ground fighting vehicle in the world, there just wasn’t room for me. Every seat in the M1 Abrams is occupied by someone with a real job.

The T.O.W. Missile Platoon was an amazing place to be. The “TOWs” are called “tank snipers.” They perform a versatile mission ranging from reconnaissance to security to tank assassination. The TOWs are “light skinned” Humvees with a tubular launched optically guided wire tracked missile on top.

I was privileged to witness a practice TOW launch on my first day with my unit. To see and feel that missile launched from the roof over my head

was a wake-up call to the tremendously deadly fire power these Marines were going to visit upon the Iraqi forces. The Humvee driver, Pfc. Jason Wolfhad just graduated from high school the previous June and had gotten to this unit two weeks before they deployed for Iraq.

Other than the practice missile launch, my first week with the Marines was spent getting to know them and their weapon system. I figured if I was going to tag along in what would likely be the most intense experience of their professional lives, the least I could do was get to know them.

As we waited for the war to begin, they did everything possible to make me feel comfortable with them. They took it upon themselves to teach me all they could about their weapon system and the Marine Corps; and about how good the Army had it compared to the Marine Corps. Each time they would bring up the Air Force, I would smile and say, “I know, no need to go there.”

We ate a lot ofsand, washed our clothes in ammo boxes, and talked about politics, ideas and families. I learned first hand of babies born in their absence, first anniversaries missed and hysterical mothers.

One Marine helicopter pilot recalled the birth ofhis son while he was away. The captain was forever indebted to his commander for letting him use the unit satellite phone to call home the night of the birth. He said, “I was okay until my wife put the phone next to my son and I heard him crying.” He stopped speaking

for a few moments and then said, “I felt such regret.” I will never forget the look on that man’s face as he recounted what was likely the most painful moment of his life, missing the birth of his first child.

Life in “Camp Ripper,” officially LSA 7 (Life Support Area 7) changed dramatically on St. Patrick’s Day. We were told to get ready to “go on a camping trip.” We later heard over BBC radio in the middle of the night that the commander-in-chief had given Saddam Hussein an ultimaturn: leave or be removed.

The camp became electrified. It was as though someone had shot a 1000 milligrams ofVivrin (or testosterone) into every Marine. Almost two months ofwaiting was over. They figured the sooner the war started, the sooner it ended-and the sooner they could go home to their families.

The 1 st Tank Battalion was not only going to war, they would lead the charge, and with that came tremendous risk and pressure. I quietly walked around the camp as they wrote their final letters home. I helped one young Marine record a message to his mother on my Mini-Disc. Later that night I found him in time to connect him with his mother on Radio America from my satellite phone. I could only hear his side ofthe conversation. “Really? You have a Marine Corps and a U.S. flag flying in the front yard? That’s awesome! I will, Mom, promise. I will.. .okay, Mom... Mom, I really have to go now.” He handed the phone back to me as he wiped his eyes.. .and I wiped mine. t>

The next morning, I was awakened at 0400, “Cho, Cho, you up? Were leavin’ early. Were goin’ over the line.” After eating my last hot meal of powdered eggs and green cupcakes (left over from St. Patty’s Day), I walked past the American flag flying in the brisk Kuwaiti morning. I thought of all the American flags I’d had the privilege of seeing, beginning at the Prep School in 1982. Watching the flag flying one last time gave me a familiar sense of comfort—one that comes from knowing where our nation has been, what it has sacrificed to get to this point, and finding strength in remembering those who have and will defend it-both in and out of uniform.

We didn’t leave camp until about 1400 hours. Remember “Hurry up and wait”? I learned that’s a “Joint” thing. And then, as if we were going on a camping trip, we all rolled out into the Kuwaiti desert heading toward the unknown. A few kilometers into the journey, an A-10 flew over at a couple hundred feet and rocked its wings, as though to say, “You’re not alone.” I have never been more proud to have been a member of the U.S. Air Force. S

This story is thefirstofa Checkpointsfour-partseries that willshare Cholene Epinoza’s experiences in Iraq. —Ed.

About the Author

Cholene Espinozagraduatedfrom the Air Eorce Academy in 1987. She was a T-37 Instructor Pilot at Columbus AFB, Miss., and thenflew the U-2 until 1995 when she was hired by UnitedAirlines. She currentlyflies the 767 for UnitedAirlines and lives in Manhattan, N. Y.

The Secret Life of TA/3|cI0

“Something seems different here at USAFA!” noted C/4C Waldo F. Dumbsquat as he returned from Spring Break.

He and his roommate, Warren Heels, stepped from the cab at the base of the Ramp formerly known as Bring Me Men. Wags gazed up at the historic walls, silent witnesses to a disturbing loss of tradition. Suddenly, Waldo accidentally bumped into a cadet dressed in flying gear.. .it was Bedcheck Charlie.

The Academy icon got into the cab and slumped in the seat. Perplexed, the doolies leaned in the window.

“What’s going on, Bedcheck?”

“I got canned. Something about my name being inappropriate. You dumb smacks be careful. I’m headed for a place where they appreciate tradition. Driver.. .Air Academy High School!”

The cab zoomed off past the library.

“I wonder what’s wrong with the name Charlie?” mused Waldo.

“I can’t quite place my finger on it, but something has definitely changed at the Zoo,” replied Waldo’s roommate. “This is very eerie.”

The doolies double-timed back toward their squadron. They slowed only to square the corners on the marble pathways. As the freshpersons jogged past Mitchell Hall, they noticed an uneasy silence surrounded the Air Gardens.

“Waldo!” whispered Wags loudly.

“What?”

“Did you detect anything different with the Eagle and Fledglings Statue?”

“The words ‘Man’s flight through life is sustained by the power ofhis knowledge’ are missing. But other than that, I don’t see anything wrong.”

“I guess you’re right,” sighed Wags. “It just feels like someone has altered our world. I guess I’m just being paranoid.”

“Taking Captain Kafka’s English class doesn’t help any either,” observed Waldo at the stairwell entrance.

Once inside the squadron, Waldo and Wags entered their alcove and found the door to their room missing. In fact all the room doors had been removed.

CMC “Regs” Buch burst through the opening into their room.

“I would knock, but there is no door.”

“So we noticed,” commented Waldo. “What’s going on here?”

“I don’t know. I just heard that the Assault Course is being bulldozed. Even worse, I couldn’t find any books on WWII aircraft nose art in the library!”

“Next thing you know, the Dean will be running the Athletic Department and we’ll play football against Division II schools,” groaned Wags.

“Well, something is definitely wrong here. None of this would be happening at the Citadel. I’m going to write a strongly worded letter to the Air Force chiefofstaff.”

“I think someone tried that already.”

“You should use the chain ofcommand, Waldo,” suggested Regs.

“What do you suggest?”

“Your letter needs to first go to the super-commandant, then to the Board ofVisitors. After that you need to involve the entire U.S. Congress.”

Don’t you think some press coverage is necessary?”

“Let’s call the Dodo!”

Wags flopped down on his bunk. “I can’t believe so much has been changed in such a short time!”

“Well, at least we still have forty squadrons,” spoke Waldo unconvincingly.

“Ah, Waldo, there are only thirty-six.”

“How about Hell Week?”

“A brief, nasty moment.”

“Pegasus at Arnold Hall?”

“Nope. Flew away—a legend that finally came true!”

“Buffer rodeos?”

“Carpeted floors.”

“Astroturf in the Air Gardens?”

“Try water!”

“Wow, what will they think of next? How about mandatory chapel?”

“Unconstitutional.”

‘Computer punch cards?”

Personal computers.”

“Brown shoes?”

“Might make a comeback!”

“Wow,” exclaimed Waldo, “our only tradition is we have no traditions!”

“Somebody should do something to save the Academy!” moaned Wags.

Unnoticed, Waldo slipped out ofthe room. Humming the overture from Fiddler on the Roof, he sought out the sanctuary of the trunkroom. Inside, he uttered the now-forbidden mystical words: Mitch’s Mountain. Immediately, if not sooner, the puny underclassperson transformed into Col. Waldo F. Dumbsquat, a proud ring knocker. With giant strides, he crossed the terrazzodiggers and fillers giving way at his approach.

“Make a hole!” he bellowed as he entered the Command Post and pushed past the Officer in Charge. The colonel picked up the microphone. The intercom crackled to life as he pressed the transmit key.

“Attention in the area, attention in the area. CQs please post away silently. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Cadet Wing, we are under attack. It’s time to hunker down and ride this one out. Your best course of action is to work hard and graduate. The eternal traditions of Duty, Honor, Country will always be yours. Stay the course. Beat the Dean. Command Post out.”

The colonel marched down the BRING ME MEN RAMP. Halfway down, he mutated back into C/4C Waldo F. Dumbsquat. He proudly continued his march down to the parade field as so many cadets had done before him. The grand ramp still stood strong-a portal to professionalism. On the field, Waldo turned and gazed west at the Rockies. He hoped every man and woman entering USAFA would match those mountains.

WARRIOR UPDATE

from the Commandant

Brig. Gen. John A. Weida

Graduates,

our team is now beginning the fourth month of our journey ofexcellence. There are so many items to update you on; I am not sure where to start. If you have been following the Commander’s Guidance updates on the AOG web site (www.aog-usafa.org) then you are pretty well up to speed. If you have not seen these, I highly recommend you dive into the AOG Web site. Not only does it have the latest updates from the AFA leadership, it contains great pictures from recent AFA programs/activities.

Let me start by saying how great it is to finally have Lt. Gen. Rosa and his bride Donna on board. We could not have picked a better leadership team to take us to the next level ofexcellence! They have only been

here for two months, but are already making a big difference. Welcome, Rosas!

Let me start offwith a recap of this summer’s programs. The activity at your AFA does not slow down in the summer! Our cadets participate in a vast array of excellent programs designed to better prepare them for the challenges of the future.

The Class of 2007 arrived on the 26th ofJune to start Basic Cadet Training (BCT). In Commanders Guidance 06-1, we outlined the vision, mission, and training and education themes for BCT. Well, we are proud to report to you that BCT 2007 was an unqualified success! The cadet leadership stepped up to the challenge of a more professional approach in a big way. After some initial missteps, they

soon realized the wisdom of conducting BCT the way our great Air Force conducts all its training. There is absolutely no place in our Air Force for demeaning and dehumanizing training. But that does not mean BCT 2007 was easy. Those who say it was easy were not there. We made it tough, but we made sure it was professional. Not only was the training program tough, but it was conducted during the hottest July in 25 years! And we topped it offwith a 35-mile Warrior Run out ofJacks Valley. The spirit of 2007 after the run was awesome! To top it off, AFA graduates took

After some initial missteps, they soon realized the wisdom of conducting BCT the way our great Air Force conducts all of its training.

part in the run at the beginning and at the end. Finally, the retreat ceremony and combat dining-in that evening put a super capstone on the day’s warrior activities.

BCT was not the only show in town this summer. Hundreds ofcadets participated in Global Engagement (see Page 66), which is an awesome bare base/Air Expeditionary Force training event. Our cadets learned how tough it is to set up a bare base, sustain it, and protect it in hostile territory. The effectiveness ofthis program watered my eyes!

Operation Air Force allowed our cadets to see the operational Air Force first hand. Unfortunately, due to funding, this year’s program was only two weeks long. We have fixed this for next year.

Combat Survival Training (see Page 62) was as good as I remembered it from my cadet days. The only missing element still is the practical application ofresistance training. Our cadets only receive classroom instruction on resistance/POW techniques. They receive the resistance/POW practical application after graduation at Fairchild AFB. We finally got the gliders back in the air halfway through the second summer period. Our motorglider fleet is still grounded, pending the final outcome of the on-going flight tests to determine performance above 5000’ MSL and a max crosswind limit. Despite these handicaps, we got a bunch ofcadets in the air for a taste of the wild blue yonder.

However, our jump program never missed a beat! Our basic freefall program, Wings of Green, and Wings of Blue are programs we can all be proud of.

And our Introductory FlightTraining program is going strong. We have a package at

the Air Staffseeking approval of a program to return to a flight screening program at the AFA. This program would allow the AFA to train all of our pilot candidates on our turf. As it stands now, we only train about 300, out of over 500, at the Academy airfield. The rest are trained at FBOs in Colorado Springs and at other bases around the country.

The next item I want to cover is the phased training program for all four classes. Note I said allfour classes. In Commander’s Guidance 7-2 we outlined the phased training and education plan for all four classes. The training plan takes its direction from our Training and Education Strategic Plan (TESP). The TESP outlines our vision, mission, and training and education outcomes. The training plan outlines specific roles and responsibilities for all four classes. The training plan also outlines every lesson for this year’s Commandant’s Training Time (see the new schedule of calls outlined in Commander’s Guidance 5-7). The

training and education plan links every lesson/cadet activity to the training and education outcomes. This gives us a better gauge on how different events contribute to the mission. The new training plan is performance based. And the performance unit is the cadet squadron, just like our operational Air Force. The cadet leadership has come up with a very professional performance/privilege package for implementation by the squadron leadership. We will give you specifics in the next update.

Finally, it has been a labor oflove being the Commandant ofCadets for the last four months. There have been tough days, but most days I am fired up to go to work and spend time with the greatest young men and women America has to offer. In the next update we will outline our progress in designing/implementing an AFA leadership training system, mentoring program, character development, Honor Code, and our progress in sexual assault reporting process/procedures. Airpower! ffl

An Academy Family Legacy

by Christopher A. Stewart

t all started with my father,” remembers 1 st Lt. Jason Hrynyk, ’00. Jason is the first offour brothers and sisters in the same generation who attended the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The Hrynyk family story is one that warms the heart and reminds us all what being part of the Air Force family is all about. Linda Hrynyk, the proud mother of two U.S. Air Force Academy graduates and two current cadets, was forced to deal with the tragic death ofher husband when her oldest child was only six years old.

Almost 20 years later, Linda glows at the mention of her children. “They’re my life. I couldn’t be more proud,” she says.

Her determinism helped her raise all four children to become graduates and cadets of the finest leadership and character development institution in the country.

It all started in 1975 when Tom Hrynyk and Linda Barrett met at church in Jacksonville, Ark. In May 1976, the two wed, two weeks after Linda graduated from the University of Central Arkansas. The happy couple enjoyed the Air Force way of life.

Tom started his career after graduating from Texas A&M University. He joined the Air Force and later navigated C-130s and F-4s.

In 1977, Tom and Linda proudly welcomed Jason Paul Hrynyk into their family. One year later, Mary Frances Hrynyk, ’01, was born. ClC Justin Michael Hrynyk, ’04, and C4C Kate Elizabeth, ’07, soon followed. Tom and Linda were beginning to realize their dream, a loving American family.

In April 1983, Capt. Tom Hrynyk was diagnosed with leukemia. Linda says that her friends in the Air Force, many ofthem wives of other officers, generously supported her through difficult times. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without them,” she remembers.

Less than a year later, Tom passed away due to complications from the cancer. Linda was left with four children, and she was determined to raise them how she knew best.

Because of the help the Air Force provided to Linda and her family, the Hrynyks moved to Cabot, Ark., just outside Little Rock. The family regularly attended church, and Linda volunteered at the kids’ schools.

While it wasn’t easy, Linda provided as best she could, receiving help from her family and the Air Force.

Jim and Frances Barrett, Linda’s parents, lived down the road from her in Cabot. Both were members of the original Army Air Corps. Frances served as a nurse, and Jim was a member of the FlyingTigers. Linda’s father was a charter chief, among the first in the Army Air Corps to achieve the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

“He was the father figure,” says Justin. “I have a great respect for the enlisted force because of him.”

Justin, like his older siblings, received his pilot’s license from Barrett Aviation in Little Rock. Linda’s brother Robert owns the company, and he, too, has supported Linda and her family.

With a family history already rooted in military service, it was little surprise that Jason expressed an early interest in the Air Force. After attending a FlyingTigers reunion at the Academy, Jason’s grandfather brought back a video about the Academy and shared it with Jason.

“We really didn’t know much about the Academy then,” Linda said. “Jason was in the fifth grade. My mother asked him if he wanted to go, and he said, ‘Yes ma’am.’”

Four years later, during a long family road trip, the Hrynyks visited the Academy—and Jason quickly fell in love.

Photo by Ken Wright

C1C Justin Hrynyk, '04, pins on his sister's shoulder boards after the Class of 2007 Acceptance Parade Aug. 5. C4C Katie Hrynyk,'07, is the last of all of her brothers and sisters to attend the Academy.

“I was always told as a kid that I would never fly for the Air Force because my eyesight was so bad,” says Jason. However, his determinism proved his critics wrong.

Although his enrollment was delayed after he broke his wrist one month before taking the Academy required fitness test, Jason arrived for in-processing in June 1996. The first of a four single-generation family legacy had begun his journey at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Seven years later, Jason is stationed at Vance AFB, Okla., where the first lieutenant serves as a UPT instructor pilot. He earned the “Top Stick” award for his class after completingT-37 training, and he received the “Flight Commanders Award” at last years graduation. Jason says he enjoys teaching young pilots how to fly as much as he enjoys flying on his own. “It’s pretty rewarding to see a guy come in on day one who doesn’t know how to fly and then later on see him flying next to you in formation,” he says.

Jason’s experience as a doolie at the Academy inspired his younger brothers and sisters. One year after Jason arrived at the Academy, Mary joined him. Now, Mary, who just made first lieutenant, is stationed at Randolph AFB, Tex., serving in the behavioral science field.

The trials and tribulations of their experiences intrigued Justin and then Katie.

Justin is set to graduate from the Academy in May. He hopes to return to Cabot for casual duty before beginning pilot training. He calls his time at the Academy a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and a great experience. He’s very proud, too, ofhis sister, Katie, who recently was accepted into the Cadet Wing with her classmates after emerging from BCT in Jacks Valley.

Katie applied to the Academy three times before she was accepted. Her enrollment was first delayed for medical reasons. The second time she was passed over. Yet, on her third attempt, she was accepted and enthusiastically joined the ranks of more than 1,320 appointees, arriving for in-processing June 26.

Before her appointment, Katie completed three years of college at the University of Central Arkansas, the same college her mother attended. On full scholarship, Katie worked toward a degree in history.

“Everyone thinks she’s crazy because she wants to start over again,” Linda says. Still, she points out, “She wanted it badly enough.”

Katie is excited to be here. At the Class of 2007’s Acceptance Parade, Justin proudly presented Katie her C4C shoulder boards.

“I look around and I can’t believe I’m here,” Katie says. “There’s no comparison where I was before and where I’m at now.”

Director ofAdmissions Col. Trapper Carpenter says that families like the Hrynyks exemplify the types ofcandidates the Academy receives. “It was fun for us to work with this family knowing how well Jason and Mary are doing in the Air Force,” he says. “It’s very rewarding to see a family legacy within its own generation.”

The Hrynyk family is quick to tell you they’re very grateful for the support the Air Force has provided them. “I love the Air Force,” Linda says. “Everywhere you go, the Air Force is your family.”

Justin, too, credits the Air Force in its role of continuing to support his family, especially after his father’s death. “The Air Force has given us so much,” he says. He calls the Air Force his family’s “little small world,” and notes that he wants to give back to something that has given his family so much-Justin hopes to become a career officer.

While Linda and her family are incredibly proud ofher sons’ and daughters’ accomplishments, she knows that her husband Tom is just as—if not more—proud. She knows that looking down from heaven, he must be very happy. “He’s real proud,” she says. “They’re following in his footsteps.” SB

From left: Jason, '00; Linda; Justin, '04; Mary, '01; and Katie Hrynyk, '07; at Jason's UPT graduation in June 2002. (Photo courtesy of Linda Hrynyk)

room to

I envision a Cadet Wing that understands perspective, who at all times, whether good or bad, stands tall and proud to be a part of the Long Blue Line.

By ClC Katie Dildy, Cadet Fall Wing Commander

Photograph by Ken Wright

« f those to whom much is given, much is expected.”* As the new leaders of the Cadet Wing, the Class of2004 has been given a multitude ofexperiences, an incredible education, and a variety of unparalleled mentors. Unfortunately we have also wrongly received a disgraceful image by the actions of an unrepresentative few, and thus a lingering distrust from the American people we serve. As we assume command, we find ourselves in a perfect position: We have been developed and equipped by one of the finest institutions in the world and have been given possibly the greatest challenge USAFA has ever seen. The combination of these two factors yields a dynamic duo from which you can expect much. The Cadet Wing will not only rise from the blow it has recently received; it will rise to unprecedented heights with impeccable character and a new perspective. And ALL—cadets, parents, military members, Congress and the Nation—will feel a new and indescribable sense of PRIDE in the United States Air Force Academy.

I envision a Cadet Wing that understands perspective, who at all times, whether good or bad, stands tall and PROUD to be a part of the Long Blue Line. I’m referring to a deeply rooted pride that refuses to waver in the winds ofadversity, a pride that thrives on the past, the present, and the future to inspire

the best leaders in us all. This is a pride from which we embrace the legacy ofthose honorable men and women who have gone before us, who have made the Academy what it is today. This is a pride from realizing the multitude ofunique opportunities each of us has at USAFA today that allow us to develop ourselves into the most well-rounded and capable men and women of America. This is a pride from understanding the impact we can have as future leaders of this nation if we use the skills and experiences we can take advantage of now at USAFA. Ifwe focus on this all-encompassing bigger picture, we then have the potential to leave a legacy of

our own. The temptation to become bogged down in our demanding lives as cadets and the reality ofthe moraleknocking scrutiny of the media are not new challenges for any leader at USAFA. So, how do you inspire that intrinsic motivation in cadets? How do you instill the desire in them to take advantage of all the incredible opportunities at USAFA in order to proactively better themselves as leaders? How do you get them to stop focusing so intensely on the “here and now?” How do you get them to embrace change and adversity as opportunities for growth instead of wallowing in cynicism? I would argue this approach: get them to alter their perspective and see the bigger picture; to think outside of themselves, outside of the Academy walls and SEE what they are working for, to focus on the massive impact they can have as officer-leaders; to realize that they really do serve an ENTIRE nation through their roles as a future pilot or maintenance officer, to see that they are a vital member of the U.S. Air Force, a TEAM that ultimately serves and protects the greatest nation in the world. I believe that instilling this perspective will give rise to inspired young men and women forging through the ever-present barriers to truly become Air Force officers “motivated to lead the world’s greatest aerospace force in service to the nation.”

This perspective and inspiration to become the best leaders we can be means nothing without action. In everything that we do, there is an opportunity to learn and grow, especially at USAFA with the countless activities available. My vision is to inspire the Cadet Wing to take advantageofthese opportunities, acquire invaluable experiences, serve in as many capacities as they can, and in the process, discover who they really are. As leaders, we must “know thyself” first, as Socrates once said. Maintaining the motivation to self-improve, however, requires a right mindset or perspective. Perspective will not only encourage a right attitude but will also build that sense of PRIDE within cadets. When cadets realize the magnitude of their roles as future Ar Force officers, then pride in the Academy, the Ar Force and America will drive them to unprecedented heights.

There are several ways to see this vision of perspective and pride come to life. We want to emphasize group-wide service projects in the local area created and led by cadets, which will

boost morale within the Cadet Wing and provide the media with positive images that show America whom we really are. Some other ideas include group-wide programs that inspire the warrior spirit by simulating actual war scenarios. Were hoping to bring in speakers who can help cadets visualize this bigger picture—Ar Force four-star generals and motivational speakers such as those from the National Character and Leadership Symposium held this past spring semester. Additionally, the training group is focused on making all policies as similar to the operational Ar Force policies as possible. These ideas and more from the creative minds of cadets will help to see this vision take form.

The greatest factor of success for this vision, however, I believe comes through the TEAMWORK you can expect to see within the leaders of the Cadet Wing. The Class of Rickenbacker not only has a vast array oftalents and intelligence, it more importandyhas the motivated, passionate hearts desiring to

leave that new legacy I spoke ofbefore. From me, they can expect the freedom needed to lead their respective groups of cadets, using their own visions and creativity to mold each class into the Ar Force officers we strive to produce. As a team, we will utilize the minds of everyone, collectively listening to the ideas of the Cadet Wing, and in conjunction with the common goal of the entire Academy team, we will see that right perspective and the pride that comes with it.

With this new mindset in the Cadet Wing, you can expect to see a team of four classes unite through the legacy of the past, the opportunities of the present, and the vision of the future to help each other become the leaders, the Air Force officers, whom all will be proud to defend our great nation.

*Bible: Luke 12:48

The Spring 2003 Falcon Heritage Forum

By Mark Tarnow andJim Toner, Character Development Center ■ Illustration by Sarah Wright

he Spring 2003 Falcon Heritage Forum, hosted by the Center for Character Development and sponsored by the AOG was held May 1-3 at the Academy. The theme for the forum was celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Operation Homecoming, the return to freedom by nearly 600 Vietnam Prisoners ofWar. More than 80

cadets spent time with 37 former POWs, including 22 Academy graduates, to learn about their experiences, hear how they endured years of brutality, isolation, and still kept faith in their country and themselves. Now in its sixth year, the Falcon Heritage Forum is one of he most popular character development programs at the Academy.

“Falcon Heritage Forum is an awesome program. I participated for nearly three years and wish I could continue,” said 2nd Lt. Gabe Arrington, ’03, and former Cadet Vice-Wing Commander.

Sponsored by the AOG, the forum invites veterans and active duty members from diverse experiences—Tuskegee airmen, Women Air Service Pilots,

happens

what happens to him,

POWs, Medal ofHonor recipients, veterans from World War II through Iraqi Freedom, and active duty members from a variety ofspecialties—to take part in the cadet character development program. All cadets participants were volunteers who wanted the benefit ofthe veterans’ experiences in developing their own ideals. Each veteran is matched up with two or three cadets. This spring’s special forum started May 1 with an informal social in the Arnold Hall banquet rooms for all the forum guests and cadets. Friday morning, Brig. Gen. John Weida, Commandant of Cadets, welcomed the veterans during

eritage Forum veterans

a breakfast at the Officers Club, and Lt. Col. Russ Sojourner, ’84, Chief of the Character & Leadership Division at the Center for Character Development, spoke briefly about the mission of the center and the purpose of the Falcon Heritage Forum. There was an optional tour for the 19 spouses accompanying their husbands that included a tour of the Chapel, enjoying lunch at the staff tower, the USAFA Command Briefing, athletic facilities and Academy Visitors Center,

The cadets met their veterans outside of F-l before the fourth period and took them to the remainder oftheir morning classes.

The Cadet Wing honored the veterans with a Wing March-In-Review during the noon meal formation, and then hosted the veterans at their squadron or team tables. After lunch, the veterans went back to each squadron’s assembly area and talked for an hour about their experiences with the entire squadron, then spent the remainder ofthe afternoon with their cadet escorts.

Aldous Huxley once wrote that “Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.” Here were 37 men who had been “dealt a bad hand.” That they played their hand with exemplary courage, marked by

BEHIND THE SCENES

a stoic sense of commitment to do what they thought was right. Here were living witnesses to all the ideals the U.S. Air Force Academy tries to inculcate. Here were personal testimonies to the fact that courageous men, even as POWs, can do the right things for the right reasons at the right time. Here were flesh-and-blood examples ofdevotion to duty. By their very presence alone, these officers taught an unforgettable lesson to all in attendance; their very presence fulfills the Falcon Heritage and speaks to the humility heritage ofthe Long Blue Line. They model it without speaking a syllable.

As part ofthe Silver Training Week End activities, ten POWs gave a special presentation Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in the Arnold Hall theater. Each veteran spoke on a specific topic inluding: The Early Days and the Tap Code, The Hanoi March, The Cuban Program, Linebacker II, and fake POWs. Falfofthe Cadet Wing attended the Friday session, and the other halfattended Saturday morning.

“Courage,” Gen. George S. Patton once said, “is fear holding on a minute longer.” Cadets who listened to the 37 former Vietnam Prisoners ofWar saw and heard very little from the POWs about fear. But what the cadets observed were 37 men proud of their comrades-in-arms, proud of their heritage, and proud of their commissioned service during dark and dangerous days. These men are living exemplars of the Air Force core values of integrity, excellence, and service before before self. Much that cadets read about, hear about, and do during their years at the Academy help to instill these cherished values. But here, right in front of them, were flesh-

FALCON HERITAGE FORUM

and-blood testimonies to what it means to serve God and country. There were no textbooks or academic lectures—as valuable as they can sometimes be. There were no clips from television or the movies—as interesting as they can sometimes be. There were no second-hand stories or conjecture from well-meaning—ifsometimes inexperienced—instructors. There speaking directly to cadets, available to them for the tough personal and professional questions, were the men themselves, POWs with stories that occasionally put a tear into more than one eye as cadets listened, enthralled, to stories ofsacrifice, stories ofbravery, stories offamily separation—all told by men who lived the experiences, and 22 ofthem graduates ofthe Air Force Academy.

Here were graduates—now almost all retired from active Air Force service—who, not so very long ago, after all, were just like the young cadets watching

them and talking with them. Then came the bitter reality of a shoot-down, evasion attempts, capture, and POW status—some for many months, some for many years. The cadet questions were searching; the POWs’ responses were purposeful and sometimes poignant. “What happened during the shoot-down?” “Why were you captured?” “What kind of torture did you have to endure?”

“How did you deal with family separation?” “How did the chain of command function during captivity?” “How well did the tap code system work?” “Did you think you’d survive and get home again?”

Again and again the former POWs responded with candor, which occasionally revealed painful memories, thoughtful selfcriticism, and great pride in their comrades. If the recollections were sometimes difficult, the POWs made their points to cadets with the clear intention of helping the cadets understand the great difficulties and pressures of life as a POW.

Still, many of the POWs remembered numerous episodes ofheroic and successful resistance, tinged even by moments of humor. Many remembered, without any gustatory fondness, their “menu” during their POW ordeal.

Friday evening, veterans and cadets attended the heritage dinner at the Academy Club, sharing more stories and experiences throughout dinner and an informal social. Retired Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier, ’64, who served in Hanoi from 1967-73, was the after-dinner speaker, and shared insights on leadership in these electronic and revolutionary times. A special presentation was made by Dr. Fred Kiley, from the department of

The United States Air Force Academy Center for Character Development Sponsored

Graouatk cT'

VIA fcS AIR H)RO ACADEMY IT

English, to Lee Humiston for his numerous invaluable donations to the Academy’s Vietnam POW display.

After the Saturday morning panel presentation, the veterans were available in the Arnold Hall banquet rooms to sign books and programs, including the booklet printed by the Center for Character Development telling the story ofthe Academy graduates who were POWs in Vietnam.

The reaction of the cadets was uniform: pride that they were about to join these heroes as Academy graduates and as fellow commissioned officers, gratitude for the service and careers of these distinguished alumni, virtual astonishment at some of the stories they heard about courage and spirit and patriotism, and increased awareness of the responsibilities they are about to undertake as leaders of character for our nation—which is exactly what Falcon Heritage Forum is all about.

This was military history in the flesh, living lessons in the core values, personal witness to the best ofwhat the Air Force and the Academy are all about. The POWs represent and

reflect integrity, excellence, and service, and no one who heard them or talked with them could have failed to be deeply impressed with the character of these warriors.

These men are all about, in one word, character. They honored the cadets and their alma mater by their return presence here—and the cadets knew that. An observer, watching as the cadets listened to these POWs, would have detected the rapt attention of the cadets, as they absorbed every word—every syllable—ofwhat these officers said. It was as if the cadets knew there were critical lessons to be learned from the often-bitter experience of these men, these mentors, who had come to share an intimate part of their lives with their apprentices. To judge from the interaction between the cadets and their seasoned teacher-officers, the Falcon Heritage Forum was a great success.

The next Falcon Heritage Forum, which will highlight 100 years ofpoweredflight, will tkae place September 18-20. For more information about theprogram, please contact Lt. Col. Pete Edgar at (719) 333-8460. H

FALCONRY AT THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

The story of an extraordinary performing mascot

By Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret.), AP. Clark and sponsored byThe Friends ofthe Air Force AcademyLibrary and the Association ofGraduates

The United States Air Force Academy made history when the Class of 1959 selected the falcon as the Cadet Wing mascot on Sepember 25, 1955.

Falconry at the United States Air Force Academy, written by former Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. (Ret.) A.R Clark, tells how the Academy’s unique falconry program came to exist and describes the imaginative and innovative work that has produced this exciting application of ancient sport.

Available forpurchasefrom the Association of Graduates for $34.95 by calling (719) 472-0300 or visiting us online www. aog-usafa. org.

Mascot

CLARK Lieutenant General,

It seems like every day somewhere in the world an Academy graduate is recognized in the news for an outstanding achievment or for making our country better than it was just yesterday. Here are a few from the “Long Blue Line” who showed up on our radar screen this past quarter.

Vautrinot, ’82, Takes Command of 50th Space Wing

Col. Suzanne Vautrinot, ’82, recently took command of Schriever Air Force Base’s 50th Space Wing. In doing so, she became the wing’s first female commander.

Shriever personnel command and control 140 satellites for communications, global positioning and missile warning that represent a crucial piece of the United States’ warfighting arsenal.

Vautrinot, who worked at Schriever from 1993 to 1995 and from 1997 to 1999, said she knows she has a tough job ahead.

Most recently, she was deputy of air and space operations at Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base.

(Courtesy ofthe Colorado Springs Gazettej

Schmuck ’88, Earns Award for ALS Work

The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association recently awarded Arizona chapter board member Frank Schmuck, ’88, the Rasmussen Advocate of the Year Award.

The award is presented to an individual whose initiative and efforts increase awareness of the association through education and advocacy at the local, state or federal level.

According to the Tempe, Ariz., ALS chapter, Shmuck has displayed a relentless commitment to lobbying members of

Congress and government officials for more research money to find a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and for better benefits for those living with ALS.

(Courtesy ofthe Arizona Republic)

Tambone, ’69, Joins Department of Homeland Security

Col. (Ret.) Victor J. Tambone, ’69, was recently named the new chief of staff to the undersecretary for science and technology at the Department of Homeland Security.

The directorate coordinates the Department’s efforts in research and development, including preparing for and responding to the full range of terrorist threats involving weapons of mass destruction.

Campos, ’71, Serves

as Commissioner of SEC Roel C. Campos, ’71, was nominated to the Securities and Exchange Commission by President George W. Bush on July 16, 2002, and confirmed by the Senate on July 25, 2002. He was sworn in as a commissioner on August 22, 2002.

Prior to being nominated to the commission, Mr. Campos was one of two principal

owners of El Dorado Communications and served as an executive with the radio broadcasting company at its headquarters in Houston, Texas. Mr. Campos began his career, however, with the government, serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

For the next fifteen years, he worked in Los Angeles, Calif., for major law firms as a corporate transactions/securities lawyer and litigator. Campos served in the government for a second time beginning in 1985 as a federal prosecutor for several years in the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles. He successfully prosecuted complex and violent narcotics cartels. He also investigated and prosecuted major government contractors for fraudulent conduct. After being in private law practice for several years, he cofounded El Dorado Communications Inc.

BLUE LINE

Hanson, 77, Named CIO and Assistant Sergeant at Arms for U.S. Senate Dr. J. Greg Hanson, ’77, was recently hired as the first chiefinformation officer and assistant sergeant at arms for the U.S. Senate.

Cutting-edge technology is essential to facilitating the Senates work with constituents, colleagues and staff. Hanson’s expertise in enterprise systems and advanced technology will enable the Senate to take advantage of innovations and changes in technology.

Hanson has a long and distinguished career in technology, with a Ph.D. in computer science and more than 25 years leading technology for companies and for the government. He was also the Chief Technology Officer for Universal Systems and Technology for Telos Corporation and for a startup software corporation.

Yong, ’86, Named ‘Inventor of the Year’

Ed Yong, ’86, received the “Inventor ofthe Year” award from Gateway Corporation.

Yong has disclosed nearly 300 innovative ideas since 1996.

Yong’s concept for an input device with a retractable cord is now being licensed to other companies, like Kensington, which is marketing a mouse with a retractable cord.

The “Inventor of the Year” is selected from all Gateway inventors who submitted disclosures during the program year. The award recognizes inventors who go above and beyond the call of duty in their support of the Patent Incentive Program and who meet these criteria: overall disclosure quality, creativity, idea support throughout the patent process,

patent program support and assistance to other inventors.

Lawhead, ’88, Earns Howard W. Leaf Inspector General Award

The Air Force Inspector General recently named Maj. Peter S. Lawhead, ’88, the winner of the 2002 Howard W. Leaf Inspector General Award.

The award recognizes the outstanding enlisted and officer inspectors in the Air Force assigned to a major command inspector-general team.

Lawhead is currentlyassigned to Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Faulkenberry Takes Reins of Wing at Scott AFB

Col. Barbara Faulkenberry, ’82, a former instructor at the Air Force Academy and an air refueling navigator, recently took command of the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., becoming the base’s first female wing commander.

The 375th Airlift Wing operates the base’s fleet of C-9 Nightingale aeromedical airlifters and C-21 Learjets.

The wing also is Scott’s host, responsible for security, maintenance and the day-today needs ofall entities based there, including the base’s two worldwide headquarters.

Previously, the master navigator with nearly 2,000 flying hours was assigned to Robins Air Force Base, Ga., where she was commander ofthe 19th Air Refueling Group.

Faulkenberry is a 12-time interservice racquetball champion and a former director of the instruction division of the Athletic Department at the Air Force Academy.

(Courtesy ofthe St. Louis Post-Dispatch) K

THE AOGAND ITS MORE THAN 19,000 MEMBERS EXTENDTHEIR CONGRATULATIONSTOTHE ACADEMY’S NEWGRADUATES. THE MENANDWOMENWHO HAVE GONE BEFORETHEM CONTINUE TO LEAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE AIRFORCE AND THE NATION.

Compiled from the Academy Spirit

Photos by Ken Wright

On May 28, 2003, the Class of 2003 joined the ranks of 35,022 graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy. During the commencement ceremony at Falcon Stadium, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper addressed the 974 graduating members of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 45th class.

“When you walk across this stage.. .you will join the lineage of achievement and sacrifice that Academy graduates have embraced since the first class ofgraduates in 1959,’ Roche said. “1 urge each ofyou to remember your experiences here and the lessons you have learned. Use them-—and a lifetime of learning that brought you to this day—to lead the men and women of our Air Force.

The new Air Force Second Lieutenants will report to a variety of assignments, including 540 to pilot training and 40 to navigator training, Thirty-five will enter into space and missile operations, 46 into developmental engineering, 30 into civil engineering, 41 into intelligence, 45 into cominunications-computers and 32 into acquisitions.

The Academy’s 45th class will also see 60 of its members enter into graduate programs at various colleges and universities throughout the country and world including FFarvard, Oxford and MIT as part of their first Air Force assignment. Eighteen will attend medical, nursing or dental school, and six graduates will attend an 11month basic meteorology program as part of the weather officer career field.

During the Class of2003 s tenure here , the AOGgave more than $5 million to theAcademyfor cadetprograms the government was unable tofund.

Others will go immediately to nonrated Air Force assignments, and six graduates accepted commissions in other military services. Four went to the Army, one to the Navy and one to the Marine Corps.

In the Academy’s short history, it has established a tradition ofbuilding leaders ofcharacter for the nation. One hundred and sixty-three graduates have made the ultimate sacrifice in America’s battles. Graduates have attained many ofAmerica’s highest awards including one Medal ofHonor, 16 Air Force Crosses and 228 Silver Stars. Thirty-six graduates have been prisoners of war, and graduates have saved precious lives and produced victories in conflicts around the world.

The Class of 2003 boasted 100 distinguished graduates, 62 cadets earning academic distinction, 59 earning military distinction and 62 earning athletic distinction. Top graduates include ClC Tyler W. Robarge, of Fishers, Ind., who receivied the Outstanding Cadet in Academic Performance Award and the Outstanding Cadet in Order of Graduation Award. ClC Jeffrey S. Cameron, of Midland, Tex., received the Outstanding Cadet in Military Performance Award. The Class of 2003 also recognized its outstanding athletes. (See related story in Falcon Sports.)

“The sky is the limit because the Academy has tested and tried me in so many different ways...No matter what the difficulty, I am confident that both my team and the Air Force will be successful,” said 2nd Ft. Bill Burich, ‘03.

To date, 360 Academy graduates have been promoted to general officer rank, including former Air Force Chiefs of Staff Gen. Ron Fogleman, ’63, and Gen. Michael E. Ryan, ‘65; current Dean of Faculty Brig. Gen. David Wagie, ‘72, former Commandant of Cadets, Maj. Gen. Mark Welsh III, ‘76, and current Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. John Weida, ‘78.

The Association of Graduates will continue to support the Academy in building leaders of character for the nation. During the Class of2003’s tenure here, the AOG gave more than $5 million to the Academy for cadet programs the government was unable to fund. The AOG is able to support the Academy through the generous support ofloyal graduates, parents and friends of the Academy. This money comes from donations and membership dues.

The AOG is proud to welcome the Academy’s 45 th class to the Academy graduate community.

“We extend our best wishes to the graduates of the Class of 2003 as they join the Fong Blue Fine,” says Jim Shaw, ’67, president and CEO of the Association of Graduates.

These 974 newly commissioned officers join the storied lineage of the Academy and will go on to serve the Air Force and the nation, many becoming prominent military and civilian leaders. S

Pilot: 544

Security forces: 8

Personnel: 6

Cross-commission: 6

Army, 1 Marine, 1 Navy)

Public affairs: 4

Health service administration: 4 Services: 4

Combat control: 3

Aerospace physiology: 3

Bioenvironmental engineer: 3

Air traffic control: 3

Space/missile maintenance: 2

Cost analysis: 2

Manpower: 2

Physical therapy: 1

Health physics: 1

Dentist: 1

An Odyssey Begins:

Here comes the Class of 2007

by Lt. Greg Hignite Academy Spirit

photo by Ken Wright

It seems to be working.

The palpable absence of in-the-face shouting hasn’t decreased the full attention basic cadets are paying to the cadet cadre instructors.

The Class of 2007 arrived from across the country and around the globe to begin the mission of becoming an officer in the world’s finest Air Force.

This year, things were different for more than 1,300 cadets stepping off the bus at the Warrior Ramp and placing their feet on the black footprints. In years past, basic cadets could expect a vigorous welcome from the cadet cadre, to include a fair share ofspirited, motivated drill-sergeant-like yelling.

This year the cadet cadre replaced that behavior with a stern, subdued demeanor and quiet professionalism.

There may not be as many in-yourface sessions, but the cadet cadre’s intent to instruct and teach basic cadets on what to expect in the upcoming weeks hasn’t diminished, said ClC Calvin Peterson, cadet cadre member.

“The new changes ensure basic cadets know what is expected of them, and they receive the skills necessary to reach the goals we have set for them,” he said.

Peterson, 21, a management major from Lompoc, Calif., feels the changes to in-processing will maximize the basic cadets’ growth as they move to become part of the Cadet Wing.

Many Academy officials echo Peterson’s comments about the effectiveness of the training.

“I was proud to be associated with the Air Force and Academy,” said Lt. Col. David Bjornson, ’79, 34th Training Wing’s officer-in-charge of in-processing. “I have no doubt that if I had been standing on that line as a basic cadet I would be impressed and proud to be here.”

ClC Anthonelli White Jr., cadet cadre member during in-processing, still remembers which footprints he stood on when he arrived here more than three years ago.

“Working on the footprints and seeing practically every cadet candidate from the Class of 2007 definitely conjured

up some memories of my first days as a doolie,” he said.

White, 20, a legal studies major from Sadieville, Ky., said he could remember the thoughts that “run through your head when you’re standing there...like ‘Wow, I can’t believe I finally made it; I’m here.’”

White said the new training policy presented several challenges for the cadet cadre because it required a paradigm shift in training procedures.

Since this is unlike what most upperclassman experienced, it required creative thinking and a focus on the goal of preparing these individuals for the Academy, White said.

White didn’t underestimate the importance ofmaking a good first

impression on the basic cadets. If the initial reception was subdued, the eyes of the upperclassmen seemed full of pentup drive that no newcomer ignored.

“All I could think was how my experience at the footprints as a candidate set the tone for the rest of my BCT experience. It was an honor and privilege to make a first-and hopefully lasting—impression on a brand new class of officer candidates,” White said.

Despite the shift in training procedures for the Class of 2007, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to have it easy.

“Basic Cadet Training this summer will be as tough or tougher than it has ever been,” Brig. Gen. John Weida, Academy commandant and then acting

BEHIND THE SCENES

C1C Anthonelli White

Jr. inspects the Class of 2007 after the new appointees arrived by bus at the Base of the Ramp. superintendent, told news media June 19. “Right now [the basic cadets] don’t measure up to our standards. So we’re going to welcome them into the world’s greatest air and space force. And we’re going to tell them that you don’t measure up right now, but we’re going to help you,” he said.

Weida addressed the issue of last year’s shouts and yells by saying that he wants the upperclass cadets to have tools of leadership they can use in our great air and space force.

“Well, yelling typically isn’t one of those things,” he said.

The cadet cadre are doing a phenomenal job training the new basic cadets, said TSgt. John “Chip” Coleman, Basic Cadet Training director. “I’ve been a training instructor for five years, and I had 14 weeks of training to prepare for the job. This cadet cadre had one week to prepare and run the program.”

Coleman, 33, from Clawson, Mich., likes what he sees so far from the new cadets.

The cadets are improving their marching, military bearing is coming along, and table decorum in Mitchell Hall is on the rise, he said.

Since their arrival June 26, the basic cadets had been busy from dawn to dusk with haircuts, uniform issue, physical fitness tests, placement exams, drill and ceremony practice, briefings on character development and core values, and other tasks.

To celebrate the Fourth ofJuly, cadets watched the movie We Were Soldiers at Arnold Hall and then enjoyed music and fireworks on the adjoining patio. S

BEHIND THE SCENES

BY THE NUMBERS

The basics of the Class of 2007:

1 / 086 men

225 women

254 minority

17 % female

21 international students from 16 countries, including Jordan, Latvia, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar and Ukraine

3.90 average grade point average

85 % lettered in a sport, the most prevalent being track & field

67 % in honor society

27 % play a musical instrument

20% participated in drama

15% were Boy or Girl Scouts

11% were class presidents

The spires of the Cadet Chapel and the sight of cadets slipping “the surly bonds” will always remain a part of the Air Force Academy. But some things do change. Your Association of Graduates is trying harder than ever to provide more, and improved services for you.

Our Web site, http://www.aog-usafa.org places a variety of valuable services at your fingertips, such as:

Merchandise

-f Specialized news stories

-f Reunion registration

T Photo galleries

T Graduate job programs

-f Bio updates

Whether you’ve visited our site regularly in the past, or never before, we hope you take time to see how we’re changing. If you like what you see, or even if you don’t, please let us know. Our goal is to provide you with the excellent and personal service you’ve come to expect from us over the years.

Air Force vs. San Diego Tailgate Nov. 22

The AOG San Diego chapter will sponsor a tailgate party before the Air Force vs. San Diego State University football game Nov. 22 at the Qualcomm parking lot. For more information, please contact Lindsey Bierer, ’68, at (858) 679-9082 or lindseybierer@aol.com; or Rob Pollock, ’63, at (858) 679-2053 or pollockr@cox.net.

Cadets Build Satellite for NASA

Story by Jennifer Brugman and Capt. David Richie, 94

Photo by Ken Wright

Acadet-built satellite is in launch limbo in the wake ofthe Columbia space shuttle disaster.

The satellite was built by students of the Academy’s small satelkite engineering class. “It [the class] was a huge learning experience in real-world engineering and real-world problems,” said Cl C Brad Balling. “Nothing ever worked as expected or on the first try, but ifyou kept at it you got it.”

FalconSAT-2, which was designed and built over the course of two years by cadets in the astronautics lab, contains sensors that can measure plasma bubbles in the ionosphere. These bubbles can block communications from systems such as Global Positioning System satellites, according to astronautics instructor, Capt. David Richie, ’94. Richie earned his bachelor’s of science degree in astronautical engineering from the Academy and a master’s of science in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech. The astronautic instructors and contractors involved with mentoring the cadets have more than 100 years of combined satellite engineering experience.

Cadets built the satellite in three phases by building three different models; the Engineering model, the qualification model, and then the flight model.

“FalconSAT challenges me everyday not only to be a better engineer but also to learn more about small satellite engineering and the Air Force’s mission in space,” said Cadet 1st Class John Ownby. “No other class I’ve taken at the Academy has taught me more in terms of practical knowledge and application to solving real Air Force problems.”

The engineering model is like a rough draft, which allows cadets to see where everything in the satellite fits and how it works together. The qualification model is identical to the final flight model. The qualification model is tested at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

“We try to break it so we know what to tweak in our final flight model,” Richie said.

The qualification model is put on a vibration table that shakes it around to makes sure nothing comes loose, then it goes into a thermal vacuum and it is heated then cooled to mimic the extreme temperatures in space.

Capt. Dave Richie, ’94, director of the FalconSAT-3 program, looks forward to seeing the hard work of so many cadets eventually making it into space.

According to Richie, FalconSAT-2 was scheduled to be delivered last summer but it was taken out of the space shuttle manifest to make way from some cargo going to the International Space Station. Then the satellite was scheduled to go into space in January until the shuttle explosion.

“So right now we don’t know,” Richie said. “We’re searching for other launches.”

While cadets are waiting for FalconSAT-2 to get off the ground, they are working on FalconSAT-3. This newest USAFA satellite recently passed its preliminary design review. This is a major event, according to Richie. The review decides what kind of funding and support the cadet project will receive.

FalconSAT-3 is designed to continue with its predecessor’s research Two of the three experiments the satellite will accomplish will further investigate the plasma bubble environment and the bubbles change over time. It will also create detailed models to characterize the bubbles’ environment.

A third experiment uses small micropulse propulsion engines. New engineering technology using electric propulsion instead of fossil fuels makes this engine more efficient. S

Warrior begins a new tradition of teamwork

BY 2ND LT. GREG HIGNITE, ACADEMYSPIRIT AND CHRISTOPHER A. STEWART

PHOTOS BY KEN WRIGHT

Students here participated in a new part of Basic Cadet TrainingJuly 30 that involves heart, sweat and a desire to complete the training as a team, officials said.

The Warrior Run required freshmen cadets to complete an arduous 35-mile relay run along the Front Range and into the mountains above the Academy. Every basic cadet participated in the event but was only required to run about three miles of the course.

The run is the ultimate event in reinforcing the benefits of team over self, according to the academy’s commandant.

“None of the.. .cadets could complete the run on their own,” said Brig. Gen. John Weida. “But together, running a relay.. .over rugged terrain, they accomplished their goal.”

ABOVE: Brig. Gen. John Weida, Commandant of Cadets, led the first leg of the 35-mile relay Warrior Run out of Jacks Valley.

BELOW: Basic Cadets and BCT cadre pass through the foothills near Monument, Colo.

More than 1,250 freshmen cadets and 250 upperclass cadet cadre were divided into 12 relay sessions. The first three legs of the relay traveled across roads and trails that can accommodate large numbers of runners. When the course snaked through the mountains, relay sizes shrank to smaller numbers.

The run replaced the traditional “march back” ceremony, where the entire class of basic cadets marches back to the Academy’s campus from their field training in Jacks Valley.

Academy leaders were looking for a new way to provide a challenging event to cement the bonds of teamwork formed during field training, according to Lt. Col. Jim Imlay, the officer in charge of organizing the run.

“The Warrior Run is going to be a significant event in theif;training. It’s going to be something they remember for a lifetime,” he said.

Throughout the run, cadets carried a special memento signifying their training and commitment to excellence in the Air Force. On a swatch ofgold fabric, a small prop and wings pin was mounted to signal the cadets’ goal of being recognized in the cadet wing. Also, all 36 squadrons’ pins were placed on the fabric, along with the Air Force seal.

A list ofall the cadets who made it through Basic Cadet

Training this year and a list ofgraduates who have died in combat were also on the memento. The fabric was carefully rolled and placed in a heritage baton for cadets to carry throughout the run.

Before the run started, Weida told the class the run is about teamwork, and basic cadet training is about “showing cadets how to operate as a team. If they run the Warrior Run as a team, they will succeed.”

n addition to building a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment among basic cadets, the run symbolized a continued awareness of the Long Blue Line and the common bond that graduates share with cadets. Graduate representatives from all Academy classes participated in the Warrior Run ceremonies.

“The response, enthusiasm and support from the local graduate community was overwhelming. We received positive comments from all the participants,” said Rich Trentman, ’81, who works at the AOG and coordinated the graduates’ presence at the run and ceremonies. “As a group, they felt honored and privileged to be part ofwelcoming our newest Academy class.”

During the morning reveille at Jacks Valley, Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. John Weida passed the heritage baton to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jim Brown, representing the Class of 1959. The baton was then passed to a graduate representative from each class until the representative from the Class of 2007 received the heritage baton.

With pieces ofcloth and lists of names of cadets and graduates in hand, the run was on from Jacks Valley through the mountains and back to the Academy.

Cadets ran with the baton during the entire 35-mile relay. After all members ofthe basic cadet Class of2007 had finished the run, the baton was again ceremoniously passed among all class representatives during a presentation on the terrazzo.

Joe Personett, ’69, participated in both the morning and afternoon ceremonies. “I can truly say that was one of the most moving moments of my life since I left the service,” said Personett. “I was honored to be there at Jacks Valley and the Academy terrazzo to pass the baton.”

The Warrior Run marked the culmination of a challenging BCT experience for the Class of 2007. Six days after returning from Jacks Valley, the Academy’s newest class was accepted into the Cadet Wing. H

Above: Susan Hirst, ’83; and Gary Weber, ’82; look on as Steve Hirst, ’81; passes the heritage baton to Ginny Tonneson, ’80. Ginny’s son Matt will graduate from the Academy in May, and Steve and Susan’s daughter Stephanie is a member of the Class of 2007. The ceremony, held on the terrazzo, marked the end of BCT. Below: (L to R) Joe Personett,’69; Roger Hill,70; and Brian Binn,’72; salute during the early morning Reville, marking the beginning of the Warrior Run.

A Book Review

BY COL. C. D. MOORE, ’80

Breaking Free is a stunning, one-of-a-kind collection of aerial photographs taken byJudson Brohmer, a masterful aerial photographer who died in 2001 during an F-16 photo chase mission supporting a USAF flight test program. Judson was arguably one ofthe best aerial photographers in the world, as his celebrated photographs graced the covers of many international aviation magazines, and his videos appeared frequently on television documentaries. Breaking Free the book he began prior to his death, has been completed by his devoted wife and is an incredible treasure of 280 breath-taking color photos in a 340 page hardbound volume with an accompanying 80-minute DVD ofhis best aviation video clips. Judson’s photographs capture the aspirations of every airman and reflect the exciting past, present and future of the Long Blue Line. His photographs and videos provide an uncanny blend of man, machine and environment into collectible pieces of aviation art. His work includes classic shots ofthe F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, F/A-22 Raptor, SR-71 Blackbird, B-2 Spirit, F-117 Nighthawk, and many other state-of-the-art military aircraft. The photographs in Breaking Free are simply the best oftheir kind. For anyone who has a passion for military aviation, experimental flight, and an appreciation for the most advanced machinery ever flown, this book is a must addition to the personal library. It’s also a great gift for the aviation enthusiast, particularly as we celebrate 100 years ofpowered flight in 2003. More information on Breaking Free can be found at www.ThinAirPublishing.com. S

The Aerial Photography of Judson P. Brohmer

The Falcon Women’s Rugby Team and the Association of Graduates thank

you for your support of the Air Force Academy Fund.

The Air Force Academy Fund is proud to support the Women’s Rugby Team and nearly 50 other cadet clubs and organizations. The fund also supports Academy character development, academic, athletic and heritage programs.

The Air Force Academy Fund is the best and easiest way graduates, parents and friends can support the Air Force Academy. Last year, more than 6,000 people helped give more than $2.1 million to support the Air Force Academy.

Give to the Air Force Academy Fund: To thankyou foryour gift of $50 or more to the Air Force Academy Fund, you’ll receive the 2004 Air Force Academy Fund wall calendar. The calendar is filled with beautiful, professional photographs of the Academy and is a great way to keep in touch with the cadet experience. For more information, please contact Liz Winn at (719) 472-0300 or liz.winn@usafa.af.mil.

The 2003 U.S. Air Force Academy Womens Rugby Team celebrates as back-to-back national champions.

Last April, then C3C Christina Washington was praying in her dorm room, ill from worry and questioning whether to stay at the Academy. That same night, a California congressman told a story during a talk at the Truman Lecture series about a silver dollar a non-commissioned officer gave him when he was struggling decades ago to get through officer candidate school.

Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA), a Vietnam War veteran who earned the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, Air Medals and the Purple Heart, carried the silver coin as a reminder ofwhat he overcame to become a commissioned officer.

Although Cunningham had never met Washington, he asked Cadet Wing Commander Cl C Jeff Cameron to deliver his silver dollar coin to the struggling cadet.

Just as the coin arrived, Washington was contemplating going to her Air Officer Commanding’s office to ask for forms to disenroll from the Academy.

“I never gave up. I always worked hard,” she said. “This particular day was my ‘breakdown.’ I was tired ofworking so hard, of not seeing results, feeling like I was constantly failing.”

“I was really worried,” Washington said. “I had confined myself to my room for hours. I did not want to be bothered, or for others to see how I was feeling. I wanted to collect myself.”

Washington has struggled physically and militarily since arriving at the Academy Preparatory School. She said some looked down at her because she was not as athletically capable as others.

How Congressman Cunningham knew enough about Washington to send his coin ofhope mystified many.

“I knew it was God’s doing,” Washington said. Later, she learned that her military strategic studies teacher, Maj. Jeff Kozyra, had shared Washington’s story with Cunningham.

“I had told Maj. Kozyra about my day, how things were not going well, and that I was tired ofworking hard and feeling like a failure,” said Washington. “He told me a story of a skater who tried for six years, six days a week, to get a triple axle. It was a story ofperseverance.”

She had prayed earlier that week for God to give her confirmation that she was meant to be at the Academy. The 1972 coin gave her that confirmation.

“It gave me inspiration, hope,” said the cadet who dreams of attending dental school. “It shows me not to give up, regardless ofwhat people say or what things may happen.”

“It reminds me not to judge others, to never let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything.”

Washington realizes that there may be another fourthclassman in her situation, one who does not have the physical stamina equal to his or her classmates. “I may have to be the person to push them,” said Washington.

“I carry it everywhere with me,” Washington says of the coin. “I am hoping Congressman Cunningham comes to my graduation so I may present him with another silver dollar and say, ‘Sir, I spent my silver dollar’ and render him a salute.” B

M#omen Warriors

Photos and Article by Rene Ekman, Code One Magazine

“Going to war is myjob. It’s also whatI can give back to my country.

of Osan

DUKE, DOUBLE, SHOTGUN, AND DIRTY— NAMES NEVER GIVEN TO THE DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA—ARE THE CALL SIGNS OF FOUR F-16 PILOTS WHO JUST HAPPEN TO BE WOMEN.

The world is changing, and the faces of those who fight our wars are also changing. While women have been flying combat missions since the early 1990s, four female pilots in the same squadron at the same time is still rare, if not a first for an F-16 unit. The 36th FS at Osan AB, Republic of Korea, also known as the “Flying Fiends,” welcomes the talent and dedication these four women bring to this F-16 squadron. What has always been the most exclusive ofbrotherhoods, that of the pilots privileged to fly the world’s premier multi role fighter, is now becoming the brother-and-sisterhood ofAmericas best and bravest. These females and their male colleagues uphold US commitments to the Republic of Korea and peace in northeast Asia.

So, what brought these four female Fiends to Osan? Two still aspire to become astronauts. One is the daughter of a career Navy man who served on aircraft carriers. Two graduated from the Air Force Academy, class of 1996. One majored in math at the University of Georgia, and one graduated from Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology. Two are married to F-16 pilots stationed in the 8th FW at Kunsan AB, Korea. One is married to a T-37 instructor in Air Education and Training Command. One is single. Two are on their second operational F-16 assignments. Two are on their first assignment, after previously serving as T-38 instructors. Like their male contemporaries, they were attracted to the F-16 by its multi role mission, single seat, advanced avionics, and the challenge of pushing their own capabilities.

Each ofthe four has developed the ability to fit into a male-dominated environment. “I learned at the Academy that the only way to fit in is to be yourself,” says Kerre “Duke” Scarborough, ’96. “Women who choose to fly fighters are much like men who choose to flyfighters,” explains Sheryl “Double” Ott. “As soon as male pilots see that female pilots are just as capable as they are, most ofthe problems go away.”

Sheryl Ott, Kerre Scarborough, ’96, Esther McElhinney, ’96, and Dawn Hokaj are F-16 pilots with the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, Republic of Korea.

“Women fighter pilots need to be tough,” says Dawn “Dirty” Hokaj. “To succeed in this career, they have to be able to dish out what the men can dish out. They need a fighter pilot mentality. They have to be open to honest criticisms. If I have a bad flight, my fellow pilots let me know about it.”

“Women need a thick skin,” explains Esther “Shotgun” McElhinney, ’96. “The guys need a thick skin, too. We come back from every mission and watch the tapes. In those debriefings, we basically destroy each other for two hours. We detail everything we did wrong to try to improve our skills. No one sugarcoats these debriefings because a woman is in the room.”

These four pilots all think like warriors. “I fell in love with the absolute concept of the military and of knowing that I was going to serve my country,” says Scarborough. “Going to war is my job. It’s also what I can give back to my country.”

“I’ve explained to my family that this is what I choose to do,” says Hokaj. “They shouldn’t blame the Air Force ifsomething happens to me. This is my choice. We have to be as safe as we can in combat. But we have to get the mission done.”

“I’ve spent two deployments flying over Iraq,” says McElhinney. “While they weren’t exactly combat deployments, I was shot at many times. When it comes down to it, everyone is here to do a job. Who cares whether the pilot is male or female? This job is not harder for women; it is just different. We share those hardships with the people we love and trust. We get up every day, put on our flight suits, and walk proudly into our fighter squadron knowing how blessed we are to have the opportunity to serve our country and a cause greater than ourselves.” S

&-\teA4j<Mve L0cw)U>s ta cTxtuyo.

BUT 10 AVE TO FOXTROT FIRST

Story by Ken Wright Illustration by Sarah Wright

“Everyone wants to Tango, but they have to learn to Foxtrot first.” As Jon D. Williams talks about the thousands ofAir Force Academy cadets he taught to dance over the past half century, his passion for protocol is as clear as Pikes Peak rising above the Colorado Front Range.

“Protocol,” he says, “is the intelligent consideration of other people.” And without it, this master of dance feels the very core of cultures and organizations can fall prey to social and professional catastrophe.

Starting with the very first class of USAFA cadets in 1955, Williams and his wife, Vivian, decided it was their civic duty to help mold the future leaders into officers who could travel the world and represent the United States with chivalry and good manners.

However, the elegant duo got their start in dance long before the first piece of granite was laid on the Academy grounds. Jon remembers his first experience on the dance floor as a third-grader in the small town of Orangeville, Pa.

He recalls, “My teacher, Ms. Jones, and my family thought I had great rhythm. Although I didn’t really know anything, they would put on the music and I would dance.” Williams doesn’t describe himself as “a natural,” but over time he would find that his parents and elementary school teacher saw something in him that would encompass his entire life.

In the coming years the young two-stepper would enjoy countless Friday night “round dances” in the town’s pavilion. But the pastime became a profession when he read an ad for a dance instructor at the Arthur Murray School of Dance in New York City in 1932. At the time, Williams was in his second year of Pre-Med at New York University, but after mustering the courage to apply for the instructor position, he says he dropped medicine “like a hot potato.”

Not long after joining Arthur Murray, the company’s namesake

would forever change his life by introducing him to a new dance partner. Ironically, he was resistant to the change. After all, his original partner, Gloria McLean, was a beautiful young woman whom he felt matched him perfectly. But Murray wouldn’t have it.

“He felt she was too tall for me,” Williams said. And in a not-so-subtle fashion, his boss told him, “do as I tell you, or find another job.”

“There was nothing indefinite about that,” Williams now chuckles.

But fate would have it that like his parents and school teacher, Murray also saw great potential before him. And that potential would be complimented by Vivian.

During their first dance together, Vivian actually led Jon in a Waltz. “She was a society girl,” he said. Meaning that her experience on the dance floor and formal occasions far exceeded his at the time.

The two were so compatible in personality—and even in looks—that many people thought they were brother and sister when they saw them dance together. They were a smash wherever they went. And as time passed, romance blossomed, and the partners in dance soon became partners in matrimony.

After dancing their way across America and surviving World War II, the couple decided to take a final bow from the dance floor and start a family.

Soon their daughter, Gail, was born and Jon accepted an offer to work for his father-in-law as an account executive on Wall Street. The couple’s plans for domestic tranquility could not have been better choreographed.

But just as serendipity had reared its surprising head in their past, it soon appeared again in a business transaction with then living legend of dance, Fred Astaire.

After Jon cinched a deal to provide financial services for Astaire, the famed showman offered him an even better deal; He asked Jon to assist him in the creation ofdance studios around the country. When Jon heard the offer, he could hardly believe his ears. It was a dream come true. But not everyone thought the dream was so sweet.

Vivian fumed as she learned ofher husband’s intent to leave her father’s firm. But for better or worse, the couple made the move.

As Jon went about his new task, Vivian stayed at home and raised their baby girl. But once again, the dance floor beckoned.

It wasn’t very long before Astaire was looking for a new dance partner, and one ofhis colleagues felt he knew just the girl-Vivian. Although she wasn’t immediately fond ofgetting back into the business, the lure ofdancing with Astaire was too much to resist.

After the couple worked in Astaire’s Houston studio for awhile, Jon arranged for a business visit to the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo., where other dancers had found success. Soon an Astaire studio was created at the Broadmoor, and the Williams’ planted roots that would run long and deep throughout the community.

By 1949 the couple decided to start their own studio, named the “Jon D. Williams Cotillion.”

Coincidently, the ereation of the U.S. Air Force Academy would also soon be a new feature in Colorado Springs.

“My wife and I decided right then and there that we would donate our services,” Williams recalls. “We considered it a civil service.”

Little did they know that over the 50 years that would follow, their civil service would train thousands ofcadets in proper table manners and traditional dances. Recently the service was estimated to be worth more than half a million dollars. But saving the military’s budget wasn’t the impetus for the Williams’ altruism. They wanted to do something that would affect the lives and careers of young cadets. Something that would last a lifetime.

Some may ask why it’s important to train warriors how to hold their forks and to address a partner properly. But Williams is quick with the answer. “If their social skills are weak, they will be ill-equipped to be effective officers in the United States Air Force,” he insists. “So many things are discussed at the table. You are on review the minute you sit down.”

Although the classes are no longer mandatory and enrollment is lower than it used to be, some things have not changed since the Class of 1959 learned to Waltz with their imaginary partners. And to Williams’ pleasure, dance has once again become en vogue over the past decade.

“Dance is an international language,” he says with a smile. “Knowing how to dance well might make an evening the most interesting night in your life.”

But more importantly, Williams emphasizes the importance of learning how to show proper respect for one another. Now,

more than ever, he insists these skills are fundamental for the grooming of future officers.

One person who agrees with Williams wholeheartedly is C3C Jacqueline Davis. She coincidently attended Cotillion classes prior to coming to the Academy last year. And in a letter to Williams she recalls the experience as one of her most prized young adult memories. During her first year as a cadet she found she had a real advantage as she was already familiar with the etiquette and customs taught at the Academy.

“Here,” Davis says, “they teach cadets proper decorum, ballroom dancing, and equip us with the tools necessary to be a charismatic officer.”

Williams feels that cadets are all “quick studies” because of their experience marching together on the drill pads. He also credits their impeccable academic credentials as one of the keys to their success.

But even for the brightest and most coordinated cadets, inhibitions about strutting their stuff make many hesitate to participate in dance classes.

“They are the most bashful people,” Williams recalls. “Even with all their wonderful assets, they’re still shy. But the minute they get to the dance class and they have already attended our table manners class, they are far more confident. Suddenly they are ready to be ambassadors all over the world.”

When Williams reflects upon his long and fascinating career, he considers the countless hours training cadets as some of the most well spent. According to him, he would have done nothing different. Being taught to dance by Arthur Murray—incredible. Working with Fred Astaire—remarkable. Working with the Academy—“the most interesting thing we’ve done in our lives.” S

Ifyou would like to learn more about theJon D. Williams Cotillions, you can visit them at www.cotillion.com.

Northwestern Preparatory School

Located in Southern California

Post High School Service Academy Preparation Exclusively

*4" Appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy and other Service Academies have been received by over 90 percent of our students.

4" SAT/ACT Enhancement

4" PAE Improvement

“Northwestern Prepprovided me with an academicfoundation that raised my SAT scores by 200 points, as well as an ability to focus on the essential preparation to succeed at the Academy. As a result ofthe self-confidence I gained there, I became Outstanding Student in CST, Outstanding 2nd Class Cadet in 3rd Group, Team Captain of Women s Fencing, and Outstanding Squadron Commander ofthe #J ranked squadron ofthe wing!

2002 USAFA Graduate

Suzanne Durbeck, Executive Director 1-800-367-8839 / www.northwesternprep.com / E-mail: prepnwp@aol.com

Explore the world with other service academy alumni.

Travel with those who know what it is to serve and share new experiences together. Join our new program and enjoy the benefits of group travel with us; complete pre-departure service and a program that combines a great and unique itinerary with great staff and service every step of the way.

Alumni College in Sorrento (Oct. 21-29, 2003) (2 weeks to choose from Oct. 21-29 OR Oct. 29-Nov. 5, 2003) See the best part of Italy after the heat and crowds of summer are gone. Stay in Sorrento at the Ambassiatore Hotel, with its stunning cliffviews, and then venture out to Naples, Amalfi, the Isle of Capri and Pompeii to see the ruins. Travel the fabled Amalfi Coast with its charming seaside village including Positano and more. 9 days ($2595 including air from NY) (Alumni Holidays)

PLAN YOUR 2004 TRIP NOW

Village Life Along the Waterways of Holland and Belgium (Apr. 9-17, 2004) See the beauty and history of Holland in full spring bloom. Cruise aboard the five-star M.V. Katharina along the canals and rivers of the low country, visiting Amsterdam, Bruges, Delft, Middleburg, Antwerp and Zierikzee. (from $3095 with air) (T.P. Gohagan and Co.)

Alumni College in Ireland (Kilkenny) (May 11-19, 2004) The newest Irish ACA destination by popular request. Visits Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford (including the factory!), Cashel Rock, Cahir Castle, Jerpoint Abbey and Dublin and me re. See the famous Book of Kells and trace your Irish heritage. ($1795 plus air ) (Alumni Holidays)

D-Day Remembered—The Liberation of Europe

60 Years Later (May 20-30, 2004) Two nights in London, and seven nights aboard the M.VAndrea retracing the march to D-Day; with visits to Portsmouth, Dartmouth, Isle ofJersey, ST. Malo and Normandy’s beaches. Special tours of historic sites and a lecture by Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill (from $4595 w/air) (T.P. Gohagan and Co.)

Germany’s Legendary Holiday Markets (Dec. 4-12, 2004) Explore the great towns and villages along the Main River and see the wonderful Christmas Markets each town creates. See the old world Christmas traditions and wonderful hospitality ofGermany without the huge crowds of summer. Cruise aboard the M/S Swiss Pearlunpack only once and shop till you drop! (from $1895 plus air) (Alumni Holidays)

***Please note prices and dates are tentative, please see brochure for final information

PLEASE VISIT www.jointacademytravel.org

EMAIL bobbi.collins@jointacademytravel.org OR CALL 410-263-4448, EXT. 139.

summer training at USAFA

The highest reward for a PERSON S TOIL IS NOT WHAT THEY GET FOR IT, BUT WHAT THEY BECOME BY IT.

-John Ruskin

This is Overlord. Scramble Jollys to Alpha One and pick up Nightstar on Copper One. Survivor is movingsouth, away from crash site...

Cadet Summer Military Training

Story by Christopher A. Stewart

Photos by Ken Wright

Air Force officers assigned to duties with a high risk of capture know the potential risks, and the Academy’s CST summer program prepares cadets to survive these extremely challenging situations.

COMBAT SURVIVAL TRAINING

(CST) provides the knowledge and skills necessary for survival, evasion and rescue in a combat situation.

“CST teaches students to survive in various environments, evade captivity after being shot down in enemy territory, resist interrogation if captured and return to friendly forces with honor,” says Group Cadet Commander ClC Christopher Mahoney. Mahoney is one of more than 200 cadre participating in Combat Survival Training as cadet instructors, element leaders and commanders.

The training program is coordinated by the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) office. The Academy is home to seven SERE specialists. Eight SERE specialists temporarily assigned to the Academy are also called in to assist with the summer training program. Each specialist is required to undergo 18 months of intense survival, evasion, resistance and escape training. Most have

ALL CADETS are required to participate in two summer programs each year. As a first or secondclass cadet, one of the programs must be a leadership program. All cadets must complete certain military training programs to meet graduation requirements.

Combat Survival Training is one of the Academy’s required summer programs that all cadets must successfully complete between their third- and fourth-class years. If spots are still open after all Academy cadets are enrolled, classes are open to students from other U.S. military affiliations, including Reserve Officer Training Corps and other service academies. The 20-day program runs during all three summer program periods, and about 400 cadets and other students participate in each session.

Cadets learn how to communicate with rescue aircraft using signal mirrors.

Vector training allows cadets, using a compass and survival radio, to direct aircraft to a designated rescue location.

at least six years of teaching experience training prior to working at the Academy.

SMSgt. William Welch is the non-commissioned officer in charge ofCST and oversees the Academy’s SERE program. Welch says that CST has two major purposes. The first is to provide basic survival and evasion training to thirdclass cadets. Combat survival training helps students gain knowledge, build confidence and develop the courage needed to survive in any location in the world. The second purpose ofthe program is to provide leadership opportunities for first- and secondclass cadets. Cadre members serve as members ofthe programs command staffand instructors.

CST prepares cadets, especially those who may eventually serve in fields ofhigh risk of capture such as pilots, navigators, combat recovery specialists and combat controllers, for worst-case scenarios.

Element Leader ClC James Conley says the program is designed to train cadets with skills and knowledge they may never use. “Hopefully they won’t have to use it,” Conley says. “But if they get shot down, they’re going to have to use it.”

After successful completion of the program, cadets receive survival and evasion credit for level C wartime Code of Conduct training. Students also receive level B Code of Conduct wartime training and S-V90-A water survival ditching credit.

While the primary purpose of the CST program is to train third-class cadets to survive and evade in a real-world combat situation, the program also provides significant leadership opportunities for upper-class cadets. SERE professionals train cadet cadre element leaders and instructors. Members ofthe cadre work directly with students and provide instruction. SERE specialists closely monitor instruction and troubleshoot for accuracy and completeness.

Empowering cadets in leadership positions is a hallmark ofthe Academy experience. Cadets in instructor and command positions give cadre members the opportunity to practice leadership skills in an operations environment while still providing an exceptional quality ofcadet-led instruction for students.

“These cadets are getting top-notch training,” says TSgt. Robert Graham, the NCO in charge of base training.

“What they’re doing is exactly what they’re doing in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,” emphasizing the real-world application of the program.

Success stories from Operation Desert Storm and Operation Allied Force validate the effectiveness and importance

“Ifyou get shot down andyou eject,

you’ll

have to survive and evade the enemy and eventually get rescued.

Element Leader C1C James Conley

of the Academy’s combat survival training. According to Welch, five Academy graduates applied what they learned in CST while serving in Operation Desert Storm, and two Academy graduates did the same during Operation Allied Force. All returned home with honor.

“Ifyou get shot down and you eject, you’ll have to survive and evade the enemy and eventually get rescued,” says Element Leader ClC James Conley.

The Academy’s Combat Survival Training is broken into three major components: on-base training, survival training and evasion training. All three

Combat Survival Training teaches cadets how to safely pass through barriers to evasion.

JtfA

The simulated helicopter hoist gives cadets the chance to participate in a real-water rescue attempt at Kettle Lake.

elements incorporate simulated real-world situations that allow students to test their newly learned skills and knowledge.

Academic training begins on base, reviewing the theories and background information that cadets will put to use when they begin wilderness field training.

On-base training also includes lessons on vectoring, evasion plans of action, navigation, signaling, care and use ofequipment, and water survival. During vector training, students learn how to use mirrors and flares. Cadet cadre instructors teach students to guide aircraft to a rescue location using a compass and survival radio.

Water survival training takes place at Kettle Lake, located near the Academy’s airfield. Students learn how to safely exit a ditched aircraft and deploy water survival equipment carried on non-ejecting seat aircraft. Students train in life rafts, life preservers and explorer suits. Lessons include learning how to board and survive in life rafts, finding and using the rafts’ survival kits and tools, and safely using rescue hoist equipment.

Students’ skills are put to test during an afternoon ejection and rescue simulation. Cadets jump in to the lake from the training egression platform. They board life rafts, practice raft-living skills, and simulate a water rescue on the helicopter hoist simulator using a U.S. Navy strop, U.S. Coast Guard basket and a force penetrator.

The field experience in Saylor Park gives cadets the opportunity to practice what they

learned in academics and instruction in a simulated real-world field environment.

Before hiking into the wilderness, students participate in demonstration day. Cadre members briefstudents on plants and snares, medical care, barriers to evasion, shelters and global positioning systems.

“Demo day is a chance for the students to get hands-on experience,” says TSgt. Rusty Hays, the NCO in charge of survival training.

The day gives students an important chance to ask questions and test the various survival techniques and skills before they’re put to the test.

Plants and snares lessons include the various characteristics ofpoisonous, non-poisonous and medicinal plants. Students also learn how to construct and use snares to capture wildlife such as birds, squirrels and deer.

“When you’re shot down and need to survive in the wilderness, you’re probably going to have injuries,” says Cadet Instructor C1C Jason Levi. That’s why demo day also includes lessons on first aid, such as treatment for shock and bleeding.

Students are briefed on natural barriers to evasion-such as rivers, swamps and wildlife-and man-made barriers—such

Learning how to board rescue rafts, finding and using first-aid and survival tools, and participating in a simulated survival situation comprise the major elements of water survival training.

as fences, roads and railway ties. Special emphasis is given on how to pass through barriers and travel to points ofconcealment without detection.

CST student C3C Jennifer Young says she appreciates the valuable training she’s receiving. “I can see this having real relevance in survival and evasion situations.”

Lessons on techniques used for establishing a shelter and how to travel to a recovery site also are reviewed.

The cadre remind students that while survival and evasion is essential, the ultimate goal is rescue by friendly forces. “As a survivor, your responsibility doesn’t end until you’re safe at home,” says Cadet Instructor C2C Michael Holly.

Another element of demo day includes learning how to use a Global Positioning System receiver. GPS is a system of satellites that allows you to determine your precise location, says Cadet Instructor ClC Caleb Gaw. This high-tech system uses the process of triangulation in a three-dimensional environment.

Following demo day, students hike five or six miles into the bowels of Pike National Forest and take in three days of simulated survival training and then three days ofsimulated evasion training.

“It’s like a camping trip gone to hell,” says CST student C3C Ben Weaver.

With

Evasion training teaches students how to evade the enemy, select and use shelters, and work with friendly forces. In order to receive the best training, Welch says that cadets have to experience the stress associated with a real survival-evasion situation and know how to deal with it. Stress inoculation allows students to prove to themselves that they can handle a combat-survival-evasion situation. It builds their confidence and provides exposure to successful evasion. Part ofthe field training includes a solo experience, where students independently test their skills in navigation, finding water and food, and establishing shelter. Ultimately, the program teaches cadets how to live up to the moral imperative ofthe Code ofConduct.

Students’ objectives include avoiding cadre who take positions as aggressors. After capturing the students, cadet instructors help students understand what they did right and how to improve their evasion skills.

“I think it’s one of those things that you don’t want to do, but you do it because in a real-world situation you want to know what you need to do in order to survive,” says CST student C3C Donald Aretz.

Students like Aretz appreciate the value of the Academy’s Combat Survival Training and recognize its importance. “I have full confidence in myself that if I need to survive or evade capture, I could.” S

THE FIELD TRAINING element of CST takes place in Saylor Park located in Pike National Forest. The area is approximately 18 miles northwest of the Academy at an elevation of 8,5009,200 ft. Cadets are supplied with a survival kit during the field experience. The kit includes three canteens, a sleeping bag, compass, map, flashlight, GPS, signaling mirror, whistle, matches, two knives, poncho, waterproof bag, harness pack, two sets of BDUs, web belt, clothing, and water purification tablets. The environment, combined with the stresses of survival and evasion, provides the ideal setting for CST. SMSgt, Welch, who is the NCO in charge of the program and heads the Academy’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape office, says that many cadets have never participated in a survival training exercise. The element of simulated aggressors adds an additional stressor on the students, which best prepares cadets for combat survival and evasion situations.

Global Engagement is a summer program directed at teaching third class cadets how to set up and operate a forward-deployed base in a war-time situation.

Last July, cadets spent three days in a classroom learning techniques and ideas for building and operating a base. They also were sent through a mock-deployment line at the 10th Air Base Wing to prepare for their deployment.

“This is preparing the cadets for active duty-probably more so than anything else they do here,” said Maj. James Rickman, cadet squadron 27 commander. “This is their introduction to the air expeditionary force.”

Cadets went through everything as ifit were a real deployment. A lawyer was present to go over power-of-attorney and wills, and a chaplain provided morale and a culture briefing. Medical personnel reviewed the cadets’ medical records and briefed them on diseases and dangerous animals in the area oftheir deployment. The cadets then rode to Jacks Valley in a bus simulating their travel to a foreign country.

“When they arrive[d] at Jacks valley, [it was] an empty field,” Rickman said. “They [took] pallets of equipment and [came] up with a plan for all the different facilities that make a base operate.”

“They arrive[d] at a bare encampment and [had] it pretty well set up within a day,” Rickman said.

Base operations were broken down into three areas: security forces, services and civil engineering. The cadets spent three days working in each ofthe areas, instructed by active duty noncommissioned officers.

While working in the security forces area, cadets protected an entry control point and patrolled the fields surrounding the encampment.

As services workers, cadets prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner for themselves and their fellow cadets.

Maintaining morale among the simulated base was an important element ofglobal engagement. Evening entertainment was planned to build esprit de corp.

Also in line with a real-word base, service workers learn how to operate mortuary affairs and casualty response centers.

During civil engineering training, cadets were taught to combat fires and rescue victims in a simulated burning building. They also learned about nuclear, chemical and biological defense and wore chemical suits and masks. Part of the training involved removing their masks after entering a tear gas tent, learning how to properly evacuate the area under duress.

On the final day ofGlobal Engagement, during one ofmany exercises simulating a series ofenemy attacks, cadets were attacked with tear gas, exposing them to war-time elements and practicing proper evacuation methods. The instructors became evaluators and critiqued how well the cadets survived and operated.

When the exercise was complete, the cadets broke down all the elements of the base.

According to Rickman, whether or not the cadets enjoyed Global Engagement depended on where they came from.

“Iftheyjust completed Cadet Survival Training, they [loved] it,” he said. “The conditions are better than what they were living in.” S

During Global Engagement, upperclassmen learn the skills necessary to survive and thrive in a wartime environment.

They learn how to build, operate and secure a deployed base from the bottom up.

Spurs coach was forged in Academy’s crucible

By Meri-Jo Borzilleri, The Colorado Springs Gazette

Illustration by Sarah Wright

Gregg Popovich, ’70, was 17 years old with the world on a string. Trouble is, it was about to tug back. Popovich came to the Air Force Academy as a cocksure teenager who got good grades and played basketball.

“I came in there as the ultimate wise guy with a jock sort of mentality,” said Popovich. “I figured, ‘OK. They’re going to yell a little bit. Big deal. Who are these guys?”’

Popovich didn’t know it then, but he was about to get a rude awakening. He would also get an education that would not only shape him but the team he has brought to the NBA championship, the Spurs’ second in four years.

In his first few weeks at the Academy, “Very quickly I learned I needed to change my impression of both myself and the world,” said Popovich by phone following a recent Spurs shootaround in San Antonio. “I was scared to death.

“I spent several nights crying, asking, ‘What am I doing here?’ I’d be in my bed crying, while my buddies at Indiana State were having a helluva time. Meanwhile, I’ve got a 4-foot3 guy yelling at me.”

It’s telling that Popovich, 54, considers his graduation from the Academy “to this day, the most special accomplishment of my life,” because he has accomplished much since then.

He won NBA Coach of the Year honors this season. For two years he has coached league MVP Tim Duncan. Popovich coached the Spurs to the team’s first title in 1999 and guided them to a defeat of the three-time champion Los Angeles Lakers in this year’s conference semifinals.

Popovich keeps such a low profile, few realize he has the NBAs sixth-best winning percentage of all time (.662). Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, two of the league’s glamour coaches, are the only active coaches ahead of him.

To begin to understand Popovich, know he carries a large chunk of the Academy with him.

In a league where coaches dress like celebrities and get nearly as much TV time as players, Popovich shuns attention. It’s the Academy way.

“My big deal is: Get over yourself. Too many people are unable to get over themselves,” he said.

“The Air Force Academy teaches you there is more value in being selfless, in deflecting praise onto others. It makes a team stronger ifyou’re able to understand how to work with others.”

Popovich walks the talk.

He doesn’t do glamour. Just ask about the suits he wears.

“They’re not Italian,” he said.

He doesn’t do commercials or endorsements.

“I refuse,” Popovich said. “I’d rather spend time in other ways. ...I’d rather be working out. Spending time with my wife, pruning the lemon trees in my yard.”

He takes a back seat to his players. They call him “Pop.”

It was Riley, the guru ofmind games, who once told USA Today the Spurs are the “most emotionally stable team in the league.”

That’s because they take after Popovich. He built the team, picking players who complemented one another.

“He said it because our group works really hard and understands this is a game, period,” Popovich said when he read Riley’s comment. “You’re not a hero when you win. You’re not a dog when you lose. All of those (pronouncements) are moronic. Whatever the outcome, you just live with it.”

Don’t mistake Popovich for the mild-mannered type. He does not suffer fools. His relationship with reporters can be prickly.

After losing to the New Jersey Nets in Game 4 of the finals, someone asked why he kept 3-point specialist Steve Kerr on the bench late.

“Because I decided to do something else,” Popovich said, according to the postgame interview transcript on the Spurs’ Web site.

He guards his privacy fiercely. Friends and relatives are loyal to his wishes.

Popovich is as competitive as they come. He showed that early as a player and later as an assistant at Air Force.

The Academy did not recruit him for basketball, but Popovich played anyway—four years, two on junior varsity, two on varsity. A scrappy guard/forward, he was named captain as a senior, leading the team in scoring (14.3 points per game).

“He was just a very hard-nosed, disciplined player,” said teammate Mike Thiessen, ’69. “He got far more out ofhis talent than he should have.”

After graduation, he served his five-year military commitment, and toured Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union playing for the U.S. Armed Forces team. He played well enough to be invited to try out for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team. He didn’t make it. D>

But he wrung every bit of energy out of himself trying. At the time, he was renting a room from Thiessen. Both were stationed at Sunnyvale Air Force Station in Los Altos Hills, Calif.

“He would get up, run the hills with weights on his legs,” Thiessen said. “He’d go to work, then he and I would go to the gym at lunch. We’d return to work, then he’d go back and run hills again. I get tired thinking about it.”

As a coach, he works hard. He expects others to, also.

“There’s just no compromise,” Thiessen said. “Just no in-between.”

Said Popovich: “I’ve always been amazed, after graduation, you run into a lot of people who just don’t get it, the work ethic. They work to a point and that’s it.”

Popovich might have entered the Academy as a jock, but he left it with his eyes open to the world. Early on, he never intended to be a coach.

“He used to tell me I should get out of coaching and do something worthwhile,” said Colorado Springs’ Hank Egan, ’65, who coached Popovich at the Academy and was his assistant with the Spurs until last year. “He said I should get into dealing with young people in some kind of clinical way. I said, ‘Look, if you get into coaching, you’re going to touch a lot of people, who touch a lot of people, who touch a lot of people.’”

A Soviet studies major, Popovich worked in Air Force intelligence after graduation. He is fascinated by Russia and the Middle East.

He misses the fiery debates he and Egan would get into on road trips. Egan worked as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors this season.

“Both of us are opinionated,” Egan said. “I’m to the right of center. He’s to the left of center.

“The other coaches, younger guys, they thought we were absolutely off the chart. We’d get very heated, yelling and screaming. It was active and invigorating.”

Said Popovich: “You can’t just talk about basketball. You get burned out.” When Popovich walks away, it won’t be because of burnout. It’ll be because of his myriad interests.

Popovich is a renaissance man in a singleminded profession. Friends say he possesses a wicked sense of humor. He’s a good dancer. He’s knows wine—drinking it as much as absorbing its culture and history.

He and wife Erin have been married for 26 years and have two children, Micky and Jill.

Like much else in his life, Erin has academy connections. She’s the daughter of Jim Conboy, Air Force’s

athletic trainer for 43 years. Conboy died in 1998 but remains an icon in the Athletic Department. “My father thought the world of him, Brian Conboy said. “They were very close. He’s a great teacher.”

Popovich is still a student, too. On this NBA Finals road trip, Popovich brought a book for nighttime reading, given to him by a friend. It’s a book about the Middle East crisis, and it’s about 500 pages. “It takes me far, far away from thinking about Xs and Os,” Popovich said, adding, “I’m probably overcoaching anyway.” ft

Printed with thepermission ofthe Colorado Springs Gazette. ©

Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs went on to win the NBA Championship after this article was written. —Ed.

Academy Seeks Bios, Photos of Grads

The Academy’s dean offaculty is seeking biographies and high quality on-the-job and in-training photos ofAcademy graduates who are in the Air Force work force or attending flight training or other technical schools.

The items will be used in a display along the entire length ofthe second floor in Fairchild Hall, the Academy’s academic facility. The Dean hopes to have at least four academy graduates from each major and unified command represented in the display.

The display will highlight the accomplishments, activities, opinions and commentaries of recent graduates so current cadets can visualize their own futures in the Air Force.

Graduates interested in donating to this project are asked to send items by March 20 to: Maj. John Modinger, 34th Education Group/34th ES, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840. For more information, e-mail Modinger at john.modinger@usafa.af.mil.

BEHIND THE SCENES

ron in the competition. “I get in there and get’em fast because I’m not big.”

Nearly two months ago, Basic Cadet Timothy Jastrabs hopes of competing in Big Bad Basic were dashed when he fell 15 feet from a confidence course obstacle. Jastrab broke his right ankle in two places and watched Tuesday’s competition from a distance on crutches. “The competition is great, all the adrenaline and all the music...I wish 1 could be part ofit,” said Jastrab.

Jastrab was given the option by the medical staff to drop out of training and return next year when his ankle heals or to stay in training. He never thought twice about it and tightly wraped his ankle every day, wearing a walking cast so he can keep up with his flight during training.

The Big Bad Basic competition signaled an end to the field training portion ofBCT. This year’s Basic CadetTraining was a little different from previous years. A new policy instituted by Brig. Gen. John Weida, Academy Com-

Lt. Gen. John Rosa, Academy Superintendent, watches the Big Bad Basic competition as Basic Cadets Jared Baxley (left) and Joseph Keller battle during the final championship round of the tournament in Jacks Valley.

BIO BAB BASIC

BY 2ND LT. GREG HIGNITE, ACADEMY SPIRIT

ith the soundtrack from the movie “Rocky” playing in the background, basic cadets from the Class of 2007 gathered in Jacks Valley to pummel each other with pugil sticks to determine who wears the title “Big Bad Basic.”

“My goal is to be quicker than the other guy,” said Basic Cadet Matt Barnard. “I plan to duck in, jab my opponent and get out of there quick.”

Barnard is one of 18 other basic cadets selected through flight and squadron competitions to represent his squadron. Big Bad

PHOTO BY DANNY MEYER

Basic is divided between the men and women with nine cadets each.

The goal of the competition isn’t simply for cadets to beat each other senseless. Placement in the tournament goes for points in the overall squadron competiton for Basic Cadet Training, said Lt. Col. James Harden, BCT commander. “This is the only individual event in the squadron competition. It’s designed to inspire a warrior spirit,” he said. Basic Cadet Jenna Dorsey, defeated more than 20 other women to represent her squad-

mandant, was established to have the training reflect a more professional environment with less-in-your-face yelling, which is more consistent with the rest of the Air Force. That didn’t mean, however, that the training regime was any easier.

Field training was tough and physically challenging, Barnard said. “I’m proud of my flight because no one quit...we kept saying ‘no one quits.

The victors of Big Bad Basic don't receive any special treatment or accolades for winning the competition, other than the respect oftheir peers. This year basic cadet Arianne Morrison and Joseph Keller will wear the crown of Big Bad Basics for the Class of2007. H

98th FTS wows the IliCtnril

By2ndLt.GregHignite

Photos by Pam Ancker

New ‘Guts & Bolts’series to feature Academy skydiving

The 98th FlyingTraining Squadron, typically charged with training cadets to skydive, turned Hollywood recently when the History Channel spent three days with the squadron filming for a new series set to premiere Sept. 13.

“Guts & Bolts,” a new series on the History Channel, will provide viewers a glimpse behind the magic curtain to look at the history and inner-workings of todays most fascinating technologies.

The key to producing a segment for “Guts & Bolts” is to find a cool, process-oriented story that allows the show to explain how

a device works, said Chris Gidez, a producer for the series. Being able to skydive with an elite team and examine the intricacies of parachute rigging really appealed to me, added Gidez. Another important element that must be present is that the show’s host must be able to participate. “We look for stories that put the host in challenging environments,” Gidez said.

Gidez wasn’t joking when he said he wanted the host, Tim Beggy, to get interactive with his stories. Beggy, an accomplished athlete who competed in the 2002 Eco-Challenge Expedition Race in Fiji, wasn’t shy about getting up close and personal with the staff

Top: Tim Beggy, host of the History Channel’s Guts and Bolts, files a report after his tandem jump with MSgt. (select) Rick McClure of the 98th Flying Training Squadron. Right: Beggy (center), practices his position in the five-man arc before jumping.

Bottom: Series producer Chris Gidez films staff and cadets practicing aerial formations.

of the 98th FTS. Beggy was fortunate enough to score a tandem jump with MSgt. (select) Rick McClure and participate in ground training with the AM 490 basic freefall parachuting class.

Before Beggy jumped, cadet instructors with AM 490 taught him how to exit the aircraft, soar in freefall body position, wear a harness and land safely. Beggy also learned the basics ofaerial maneuvers needed for competive skydiving.

Once airborne, Beggy exited the UV-18B Twin Otter aircraft at 17,500 feet, 11,000 above the Academy. Beggy experienced the sheer exhiliaration of 35 seconds of freefall down to earth.

During those 35 seconds, Beggy joined SSgt. Mike Buechell, SSgt. Alex Guerrero, TSgt. Pat Atkin and Steve Archuletta who formed a five-man arc with Beggy in the center, said Lt. Col. Mark Gillott, ’84, 98th FTS Commander. “During the actual flights and tandem jump he did well...his athletic skills and previous experience in unfamiliar and demanding situations helped him significantly,” he said.

Beggy wasn’t spared any of the traditions of the 98th FTS after his tandem jump. It’s customary, after a significant jump, to tackle a skydiver after landing to celebrate the jump. After Beggy’s tandem with the Wings of Blue, the team gave Beggy a proper “dog pile” to initiate him into the world ofskydiving.

Along with jumping with the 98th FTS, Beggy and the History Channel crew spent a day with the parachute riggers to explain how a chute works along with the various safety devices. According to Gillott, Beggy examined all the parts and pieces of parachute rigging that make the 98th FTS the largest and safest freefall training school in the world.

In addition to featuring the professionalism and precision of the 98th FTS during the program, Gidez was also excited about the high-quality video cameramen at the squadron. “What an incredible opportunity to have highly-skilled jump cameramen offer four cameras to document the jump,” Gidez said. MSgt. Gary Dean, SSgt. Grant Adams and Mr. John Morrisson all jumped with video cameras mounted on their helmets while another cameraman filmed the action from the ground. The footage from Beggy’s jump turned out so well the network is considering moving “Gut’s & Bolts” to a primetime slot after “Mail Call,” one ofthe History Channel’s most popular programs, Gillott said. There’s enough interesting footage from their visit here that the 98th FTS segment might be stretched into a two-part story, he added.

“Guts & Bolts” is designed to transport the viewer to an interesting location and explain a complex topic each week. According to Gidez, the show’s producers like working with the Air Force and hope to travel soon to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., to shoot a story on flight simulators and possibly have Beggy fly in an F-16 aircraft.

The History Channel reaches an estimated 83.2 million Nielsen television subscribers. 9

The Sabre Society

The Sabre Society recognizes donors who annually make a leadership gift of $1,000 or more to the Air Force Academy Fund. The fund is the best and easiest way graduates, parents and friends can support the Academy. You are invited to join this group of Academy benefactors who provide extraordinary support to advance the Academy as one of our nations premiere military and educational institutions.

During the 2002-03 academic year, Sabre Society donors contributed more than 60 percent of the $2 million raised for the Air Force Academy Fund. This support provides significant funding for character development, academic, athletic and heritage programs at the Academy, including the National Character and Leadership Seminar, Falcon Heritage Forum, and cadet clubs and organizations.

Consider contributing at The Sabre Society level. Your leadership gift sends a clear message to our cadets that you support theirjourney to become leaders of character for our nation.

An Academy

BY RICHARD HALL, 79

ost grads since the mid 70s know about the Way of Life. It is—and used to be—a predominantly African-American group of cadets who operate much like a “student union” at other colleges and universities. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Academy’s first graduating class ofAfrican Americans. The group celebrated its anniversary and paid tribute to the first class ofAfrican-American graduates with a reunion held June 5-8 in the Radisson Inn North, Colorado Springs. Frank Wallace, ’77, and James McReynolds, ’77, and I organized the event. More than 100 graduates attended.

We honored the first three African-American graduates from the Class of 1963. Two of the three grads, Charles V. Bush and Roger B. Sims, attended the reunion. The third graduate, retired Col. Isaac S. Payne IV, was not able to attend.

Chuck and Roger talked about their experiences and memories at the Academy. Chuck was the first African-American page on Capitol Hill. He graduated from the Harvard School of Business Administration and served as the former Senior Vice President at Hughes Electronics Corporation. He is a successful Fortune 500 chief financial officer.

Prior to his appointment at the Academy, Roger was an engineering student at Howard University. He was a pilot and Vietnam Veteran in special operations. He also was the former NBC bureau chief for Orange County, Calif., and he worked as a TV producer for CBS for more than 25 years.

Isaac served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years, retiring in 1987.

Graduates lined up for a picture at the opening ceremony for the first Way of Life reunion. L to R: Michael Hoyes, 76; Richard Hall, 79; Charles Thomas, ’65; Charles Bush, ’63; Thomas Cunningham, ’67; and Fletcher Wiley, ’65.

Reunion

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Retired Col. Jim Shaw, ’67, AOG president and CEO, attended the reunion. During his briefing, he said that there are more than 35,000 USAFA graduates. More than 1,500 of these graduates are African-American, comprising approximately 3 percent ofall graduates. Also, Brig. Gen. John Weida, USAFA Commandant, and his staff briefed us on the latest Academy news.

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Three seminars comprised the business portion of the reunion. Col. Will A. Gunn, ’80, moderated the first session. Will is a Harvard Law School graduate and is the Chief Defense Counsel for the Office ofMilitary Commissions. He currently serves as the defense counsel for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Col. Gail B. Colvin, ’80; Daryl L. Jones, ’77; and Tony A. Marshall, ’68; served on the panel.

Each talked about his experiences at the Academy, focusing on the impact the Academy has in his personal development.

The second seminar started Saturday morning and explored the world of networking. Fletcher “Flash” H. Wiley, ’65, moderated the session. Flash was a Fulbright Scholar and Harvard Law School graduate with more than two decades of corporate and commercial real estate law experience. The panelists included Charles “Chuck” V. Bush, ’63; Danielle L. Hargrove, ’85; the Rev. Ken E. Stevenson, ’69; and Col. Doc Warr, ’80. Panelists discussed the importance ol building personal and spiritual relationships and answered questions about their career moves, which were influenced by personal contacts.

The theme of the third seminar was “Passing the Baton: Each One, Reach One.” The seminar explored the value of mentoring. Panelists discussed our roles in assisting the Academy to recruit and retain African Americans. Maurice Ecung, ’68, moderated the session. Maurice is the Senior Vice President of Screenfaire Productions, Bon Vivant. Two ofhis daughters are graduates,

members of the classes of 2001 and 2003, and his nephew is a 2001 Academy graduate. Those serving on the panel were Calvin L. Allen, ’76; Carlton P. “Hap” Hairston, ’74; Frank Wallace, ’77; and Roger B. Sims, ’63. The panelists encouraged us to be mentors and said that we owe our communities a more concerted effort in helping potential Academy appointees reach their goals.

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A memorial ceremony was held Friday afternoon in the cadet Catholic chapel. Dr. Ken Stevenson, ’69, led the ceremony. Danielle Hargrove, ’85, and I read the roll call ofdeceased graduates, and everyone received a commemorative program with cadet pictures of the 30 deceased Way of Life alumni.

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A family-style lunch, dinner and dance at the Prep School capped off the weekend. Way of Life alumni also conducted a business meeting Sunday afternoon. The group elected four interim officers, who will work to have Way of Life recognized by the AOG Board of Directors as an official USAFA graduate affinity group. For more information on Way of Life, please contact any of the below newly elected interim officers:

President Richard “Rich” Hall, ’79, rphl47532@aoI.com

Vice President Nathaniel “Dean” Christian, ’82, nathaniel.christian@usafa.af.mil

Treasurer John Hicks, ’78, JHicks78@aol.com

SecretaryJames “MAC” McReynolds, ’77, jcmcreynolds@cox.net SB

“The Class of’67stands ready to bepart ofyourAcademy experience and to render any supportyou may require.

present Contrails to

BY CHERY

FLORES, AOG DIRECTOR

OF AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND PHOTOS BY KEN WRIGHT

Gary Koldyke, ’67, hands

The morning ofAug. 5 marked a significant rite of passage for the Class of 2007. Members of the Class of 1967 presented Conrails to the newly accepted class.

The Class of 2007 is the third consecutive cadet class to receive their Contrails as a gift from an Academy graduate class. The tradition started three years ago when the Class of 1964 presented Contrails to the Class of 2004.

The gift project has since developed into an annual graduate-cadet tradition, linking a cadet class with the graduate class celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The Class of 1967 raised $25,000 in support ofthe heritage project, which continues to strenthen the relationship between today’s cadets and the Long Blue Line. Reinforcing the Academy’s heritage helps inspire cadets to continue to make the most oftheir time here and serve the nation with pride and distinction.

In Contrails, fourth-class cadets learn about the significant accomplishments, history and heritage of their sponsoring class. The cover is gold, the same as the Class of 1967. Graduates of this class are also encouraged to serve as mentors and interact with the class throughout their four year journey.

Col. (Ret.) Paul Henry, who delivered the dedication address to the new cadets on behalf of the Class of 1967, congratulated the Class of 2007 for completing BCT and for being accepted into the wing.

“The Class of ’67 stands ready to be part ofyour Academy experience, and to render any support you may require,” Henry said.

Class of 1967 members Doug Beatty, Frank Chuba, George Cole, Gary Koldyke, Greg Freix, Jack Fry, John McCrillis, Gil Mook and Bob Resling presented Contrails to representatives from the Class of 2007.

The AOG and Academy are committed to carrying on important and meaningful traditions that enhance cadets’ Academy experience. The AOG, Academy and Class of 2007 thank the Class of 1967 for its support of this important project.

Class of 1967 Contrails Dedication to the Class of 2007, Remarks by Paul Henry, ’67

Good morning. It’s an honor to represent the members of the Class of 1967 in addressing today’s parade. This occasion marks the acceptance of 2007 into the Wing, and represents a transition from being Basic Cadets to being members of the Fourth Class. But looking at this event from our vantage point, across some forty summers, it’s safe to say this day means much more than that!

a copy of Contrails to a member of the Class of 2007 during the Acceptance Parade Aug. 5.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Col. Paul Henry, USAF (Ret.), ’67, congratulates the Class of 2007 during their Acceptance Parade.

The members of the cadre deserve a great deal of credit for bringing you to this point. No doubt you’ve learned a lot from them, and will continue to benefit from their example in the future. Perhaps a more important aspect of the summer, because it will stay with you for many summers to come, is your journey to self-discovery as individuals and as a class.

The training you’re undergoing is intended to heighten your confidence and to develop a sense of team. In that regard, it’s been your first opportunity to do what no upperclassman can do for you: to develop the special character that will identify your

class during your Academy years and beyond.

The Class of 1967 has expressed a few thoughts on this topic in the dedication page ofyour Contrails. We hope you’ll read them and take them to heart. Make the words of the dedication a starting point from which you can cultivate those values and principles that are most important to the Class of 2007.

Contrails dedications not only reinforce continuity among members of the Long Blue Line, but also provide an opportunity to forge a unique relationship between classes. In that spirit, the Class of ’67 stands ready to be part ofyour Academy experience and to render (through the good offices of the Association of Graduates) any support you may require.

The headlines tell us all too starkly that these are challenging times; challenging for you, for the Academy, for the Air Force, and for the Nation. But remember this: Times are always challenging; they were for us 40 years ago, as they are for you today. To those of us who’ve taken the road upon which you are just now embarking, there’s no question you have what it takes to meet those challenges!

Please accept ’67’s very best wishes for your continued suecess. Godspeed, and may all who come in contact with 2007 recognize and respect the outstanding qualities you possess-not just as the talented individuals you are—but as the superb class you will become. S

The Quest for American Aerospace Power

For current information visit our web site at

34th Operations Group gets new commander

By ACADEMY Col. Jeffrey Kendall recently assumed command in the Air Force while gaining an appreciation for SPIRITSTAFF of the Academy’s 34th Operations Group. Kendall, and, hopefully, an enduring love of flight,” said the a 1983 Academy graduate, arrives in Colorado commander, who has served in various positions in from his job as the Defense Department’s Training the United States, Europe and the Far East.

Ranges and Areas assistant at the Pentagon.

Kendall spoke with nostalgia about his first days

The 34th Operations Group provides man- in the Air Force while attending the Academy Preagement and oversight of Academy Airmanship paratory School.

Programs involving 4,200 cadets at the Air Force’s “During that time, 1 developed a great deal of busiest airfield, with 75,000 sorties and 350,000 respect for combat arms, the ideals of which were events logged annually. embodied in the Prep School commander, Col. Ben Powered flight course standards and objectives Pollard, a Vietnam veteran who served with distinccontribute measurably to leadership and character tion for seven years as a POW,” said Kendall, who development ofofficer candidates. calls himself a “Navy brat,” and considers the East

“Taking command of the 34th Operations Coast his home. “While not as heroic as Col. Pollard, Group provides me with a chance to give back to 1 nonetheless hope to be able to instill in our newest the institution that opened the doors to my career,” Air Force warriors the same pride, sense of duty, and said the command pilot who has flown T-37, T-38, drive for excellence that he instilled in me.” and F-15 A, B, C and D aircraft.

Kendall is accompanied to Colorado by his wife, He has more than 3,000 flight hours, includ- Lori, sons Neil, 13, Jacob, 6, and daughter Ryan, 11. ing 363 combat hours during Operations Desert “I love the Colorado Springs area and have missed Shield. Desert Storm and Southern Watch. the outdoor life that the mountains provide,” said Kendall was candid about plans for his new job. the new operations group commander. “1 look for“As a member of the Class of 1983, which inci- ward to working with the local community and the dentally celebrates its 20th reunion in the fall, I other members of the Academy organizational team look forward to the opportunity to motivate our as we provide superior leaders for the most powerful young warriors to pursue aviation-related careers Air Force in world history, tfr

ocal Colorado Springs residents decided en mass to go into the bed and breakfast business this pastJune.

The Association of Graduates hosted a Bed and Breakfast Program, where local Academygraduates, faculty and staffoffered room and board to appointees the night before they in-processed.

The Rampart Chapter of the AOG started the Bed and Breakfast Program eight years ago in response to appointees having problems finding hotel rooms before in-processing. Donna Porter, the Bed and Breakfast program director, finds graduates in the area to take in the appointees for the night. Assistance starts at the airport where Rampart Chapter volunteers meet the arriving appointees and connect them with their hosts.

Pat Ashenfelter, whose late husband was a 1976 Academy graduate, has volunteered for seven years. This year she took care of five appointees.

“It’s a blast, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it,” said Ashenfelter. “I pick them up at the airport, feed them dinner and breakfast and make sure they’re at in-processing.”

“Some of them are nervous,” she said. “Some ofthem don’t get nervous until that morning. They get a little quietwhen we get closer to the Academy. It’s a lot easier when five [appointees] go on the bus together. They’re able to know somebody instead ofbeing alone.”

The anxious appointees Ashenfelter put up for the night think she’s extraordinary.

“She was really cool,” said C4C Brian Christopher from Bradenton, Fla. “She fed us and had some cadets come over to talk with us about the Academy. With her help, and the other appointees staying there, it relieved a lot of tension.”

“As many of us that have kids know, when we think about sending them away to college, it’s comforting to know that someone’s looking ou

for them; taking care ofthem,” said Rich Downing, ’70, AOG Vice President of Alumni Relations. “The appointees are able to gain information and the hosts are happy to share information. The hosts are so generous.”

The AOG’s Bed and Breakfast Program’s success has grown from 29 appointee participants to 350 appointees split amongst more than 200 hosts.

“It worked so well to not have people alone and apprehensive the night before in-processing,” Porter said.

Porter has a database ofall graduates who live in the Colorado Springs area. However, the program has grown so large that she also asks members ofthe Academy’s faculty and staff to host the appointees.

“We like for people to have some kind of knowledge of the Academy—to have experienced it and to be able to share that background with appointees,” Porter said.

The appointees don’t pay anything for room and board for the night. All expenses come out of the pockets of the hosts.

By Jennifer Brugman, Academy Spirit

1 PPOINTEES RECEIVE COMFORT FROM THE B&B PROGRAM

Photo by Ken Wright

Cyber AIR FORCE ACADEMY WINS Trophy

by John Van Winkle USAFA PA Media Relations

he Air Force Academy recently won cyber-bragging rights, via dominance of one ofwarfare’s new realms: cyberspace.

An Academy team earned the National Security Agency Information Assurance Director’s Trophy in a cyber defense exercise, against cyberspace foes that included West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the Air Force Institute ofTechnology, and the Naval Post Graduate School. The Academy will keep the traveling trophy for the next year.

“This is a big deal for our team, the computer science department and the Academy,” said Capt. Todd Stratton, ’94, executive officer and computer science department instructor. Stratton, course director for Computer Science 467, Analysis and Design of Secure Networks, had his 14 students do all of the design and network implementation.

“Our cadets turned in a nearly flawless performance that would top virtually any undergraduate team in the country if others were able to play,” said Stratton. “We were actually in contact with the ‘Red (opposing) Forces’ that were trying to hack us. They never did. A lot of friendly taunting was going on.”

Stratton said cadets monitored the network each day and were allowed to make changes or recover compromised systems in the afternoon.

“Each night, a detailed situation report was required to be sent to the exercise headquarters in Maryland,” he said.

Teams were challenged to provide security for e-mail, web sites, remotely updatable databases, video teleconferencing, file transfers, domain name systems and local workstations, said the computer science instructor.

“Our team also set up perimeter security, intrusion detection, forensics and disaster recovery,” said Stratton.

A single-system compromise was the difference between a determined Air Force team and the two-time defending champions from West Point.

Two attacks from the “Red Forces” were successful in degrading services. However, these attacks were characterized by Academy cadets and recovered.

The exercise is a joint effort between the NSA and the U.S. Military Academy and pits cadet teams against NSA’s security experts. Each team was challenged to securely configure a network of computers to service users both locally and remotely.

The exercise was created to represent coalition information sharing.

Students entered into direct cyber combat with “Red Forces” to keep their systems on-line and running, NSA officials said.

Teams were evaluated on maintaining services, as well as their efforts to recover from and prevent future security breaches, id

Rise to Your Next Challenge at P&G

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To take the first step in joining forces with Procter & Gamble, please visit our website at www.pg.com When completing the application form, please indicate Military Advertisement when responding to where you heard about P&G opportunities.

CAMARADERIE

by Mark Johnson, ’65, Joe Britan, ’65, and Roy Kilgore, ’65

We were 34 young men from every corner of the country, as we arrived in June of 1961 at the base of the ramp with the rest of the Class of 1965. Some arrived earlier than others and were rewarded the opportunity to do many more pushups. Others arrived later and, given the year of “square” meals that followed, unwisely declined offers of refreshments. We all blithely disregarded the din of loud voices we could hear before turning that Vandenberg Hall corner from civilian life into a lifelong association as comrades in arms.

At the end of that first day, all of us questioned why we had elected to subject ourselves to such an environment, but we persevered. During that most rigorous Basic Cadet Training, we learned a lot. We learned all of Contrails the local chain of command, the menu for every meal, and specifications for the most innocuous Air Force equipment. We learned innumerable pieces of useless trivia related to some upper classman’s hometown or favorite sports team—or whatever. We were routinely given the opportunity to recite some or all of this “knowledge” from the front leaning rest position.

Attendees of the

Class of ’65 reunion

back row (L to R): Neil Jacobs,Chuck Wood, Mike Chorvat, Bob Hanley, Loren Pool, Rick Shuey, Bruce Witty, Bob McCollough, Max Creamer, Nino Baldachi. Front row (L to R): Roy Kilgore, Joe Britan, Mason Botts, John Blackmar, Mark Johnson, Bill Cathey, Lynn Coleman

Most importantly, we learned about each other and ourselves. We learned names, hometowns, personalities, physical strengths and weaknesses, senses of humor, and certainly, our reactions to stress. We coalesced into a self-preserving group of young men, which by the end of doolie summer had lost only three to attrition.

The 31 of us were assigned to the newly created 6th Cadet Squadron, and one of us, Ted Johnson, won the competition with his design for the new squadron emblem. Amost 43 years later, that black bull with the white 6 and red background still looks out over the parade ground and McDermott Library.

Over time, we developed nicknames for each other. Most of them uncomplimentary and/or irreverent (e.g., Snake, Trash, Buzzard, Benny the Grunge, Mudface, Chief, etc.), but we never used them pejo ratively. The untimely death of Cliff Masters during our third-class summer left us with 30 members, and we came to call ourselves the Dirty Thirty.

In those earlier days, cadets in the squadron were not routinely moved to other areas, so the gang stayed together-more or less-for all four years. During our third- and second-class years, the medics eliminated one of us, the dean received one of us, and sent another back to the Class of’66. At the beginning of our first-class year, the commandant (against our will, not that we were consulted) reassigned Bob Hanley to a shorthanded 2nd Squadron.

Those who remained, ended that year by winning the overall intramural title (lacrosse championship, lost handball [11-0-0] and swimming [6-0-0] in tiebreakers), and the best academic record title. Al Pfeltz was captain of the intercollegiate wrestling team, and Lynn Coleman was the commander of the 1st Cadet Group. Together, we led the (now politically incorrect) “Sexy 6th” to win it all, Honor Squadron ’65.

Graduation sent us off on our different paths to serve. Many went to fly, some to graduate school, others directly to Air Force duty, and Al Pfeltz to the Marines. Most served 20 or more years in the military, either all active duty or in combination with reserve duty. Four of us retired as 0-6s. We became

physicians, a veterinarian, an attorney, an actuary, educators, commercial pilots, defense industry engineers, a cost analyst, entrepreneurs and more. Inevitably, war took some of us. Ted Johnson, Jim Wood and Steve Melnick were killed in action in Vietnam. Tom Oravetz, Leroy Schroeder and Jim Ough died young, too. They, along with the KIAs, are missed by all and remain members ofthe Dirty 30, forever alive in the stories we tell.

Since those of us still surviving were all turning the ripe old age of 60 on or about 2003, the time seemed right to reassemble. Due in large part to the selfless urging and hard work ofJoe Britan and me, 17 of us, plus some spouses and Neil Jacobs’ daughter Nikky, rejoined in April 2003, in San Antonio, Texas, to reaffirm our camaraderie.

After nearly 38 years since graduation, the experience was extraordinary—far different from that which some of us enjoyed in past class-wide reunions. To paraphrase one of us, “Take away the wrinkles, gray hair and extra pounds and you have the same young man we all met 42 years ago!”

We reflected on our Academy experience, our war, the new war and our lives in general.

While visiting the San Antonio sites, we caught up on our careers, our children and grandchildren, and our hobbies. We retold Academy stories and especially embellished the ones involving the five survivors who could not show up.

Six of us “played” a round ofgolf at Ft. Sam Houston. Joe Britan, Mike Chorvat and Lynn Coleman proved able amateurs, and Bob McCollough avoided wrecking the cart while Roy Kilgore provided comic relief.

We ended the reunion with a dinner for the group at a local Mexican restaurant. Befitting of the weekend and the bond between us, one of us anonymously picked up the tab. We each had our own list ofprime suspects, but the collective total included all of us, and no one fessed up. Another Dirty 30 story to be added, embellished and retold many times.

Despite years without having seen or even communicated with each other, the camaraderie we established those decades ago proved to be alive and well. We intend rejoin in the near future.

’65, Best Alive! Ri

Hope Springs

ACADEMY PROGRAM ALLOWS CADETS TO BECOME BIG BROTHERS TO AT RISK YOUTH

group of cadets are deaicating their free time for the next three years to mentoring local Colorado Springs teens.

“Seventh grade through ninth is considered a transitional time for at-risk-youth,” said Lt. Col. Pete Edgar, the manager of the Academy Center for Character Developments Cadet Mentoring Program. “They’re feeling out their future.”

In order to help some local children through this time, six cadets have volunteered to meet with them once a month and contact them once a week to mentor them, as part of the Academy’s Hope Springs mentoring program.

“We have six kids and six mentors,” said ClC Montgomery Coleman, who, along with ClC Arthur Harrison, started the program six months ago. “We kept it small to create a family environment and to give these middle schoolers a lot of encouragement and a lot of love. We also wanted to give them different cultural experiences and to be able to look out for them academically.”

Along with encouragement and sharing cultural experiences, the cadets also offer their students character development perspectives.

By Jennifer Brugman, Academy Spirit Illustration by Sarah Wright

“It ranges,” Coleman said ofwhat the cadets teach their mentees.

“At our last session we talked about the type ofperson that we hope to be as a member of Hope Springs and we talked about the aeronym CHIEF—courage, honest, industrious, educated and faithful steward. We talk about life lessons and try to convey that information to them. We cover everything from hygiene to manhood.”

Coleman decided to create the program here because of a mentor he had growing up.

“My mentor just provided me with a lot ofstructure,” said Coleman. “He basically took me under his wing. I learned a lot about manhood, faith and family from him.

“Some ofthe values he instilled in me pushed me towards always helping out my community and helping out those around me.”

Coleman’s drive was pivotal in creating a mentoring program here, said the program manager.

“Coleman really wanted to give something back but he kept running into problems here,” said Edgar. After months of running into logistical problems with the school district, Edgar contacted Big Brothers, Big Sisters and arranged to have the program fall under their umbrella.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters had the system in place for liability insurance coverage and also trained Edgar and the mentors.

“I went to one month of Big Brothers, Big Sisters training,” Edgar said. “They make you aware of issues and warning signs.”

The short-range goal of the mentoring program is to have cadets contact their students once a week and meet with them one or two times a month at an event.

Coleman would like to see the program expand to female cadets and mentees and add even more mentors and mentees.

As for the students he mentors, Coleman would like them to follow in his footsteps.

“Hopefully, they’ll become people who give back to their community,” he said. “That’s the reason we teach them all the lessons we do—so they can be a productive member ofsociety and try to better the people around them.” S

Class of I960 Gift Paves Way for Future Generations

The Class of 1960 recently made a generous gift that not only beautified the outside of Doolittle Hall, but will affect the history offuture Air Force Academy classes

The $44,000 gift provided the funding necessary for a substantiai landscape renovation at the south end of the building.

The project included the leveling of the outside area, the laying of a new sidewalk, and the addition of colorful plants and stones that are consistent with the natural beauty of the Front Range.

Additionally, a granite pedestal topped with a bronze plaque was placed at the entrance to welcome future classes. The plaque is inscribed with an inspirational message from the Class of ’60 to future generations of cadets who will begin their Academy journey at Doolittle Hall.

The following words are inscribed on the plaque:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and 1I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

The Graduates ofthe United States Air Force Academy Leave You Our Legacy

We, who have gone before, salute the cadets of the United States Air Force Academy.

We have served our country with pride and honor. We have fought and died for her.

We hold our service to our Nation above all other obligations. We leave our love of country, and our passion for serving her, with each of you.

Every American is counting on you. We expect great things.

The Class of 1960

value or space in Air Force operations

BY JENNIFER BRUGMAN, ACADEMY SPIRIT

his summer the Academy held its second “Space Day” event, which educated over 900 cadets on the importance of space in modern warfare.

“Space is integral to the way we fight wars,” said Brig. Gen. Douglas Fraser, ’75, Headquarters Air Force Space Command Operations director.

Fraser introduced the cadets to all the ways Global Positioning Systems assists the Air Force during wartime.

“What happens if [those GPS satellites] aren’t there?”

Fraser asked in Fairchild Hall. GPS systems allow the Air Force to find targets more efficiently; they also help bombs find the right target.

“I would have a string ofbombs, and I would hope,” said Fraser, describing how he would hit a target before GPS.

GPS also provides weather conditions.

During Operation'Iraqi Freedom, GPS helped the Air Force pinpoint Saddam Hussein’s location at a given time so they could drop bombs in an area where they thought he would most likely be, according to Fraser.

“You can’t do that without space,” he said. “It really makes us much more efficient.”

Fraser’s speech was part of“Space Day” for Operation Launch Pad. The commandant’s program is designed to increase cadets’ space education, training and interest.

“It was interesting-as far as things going on in the war-it was very insightful,” said C2C Samira Jackson.

“Senior leaders understand that space is a large part of the Air Force future,” said Maj. Dwight Andersen, Operation Launch Pad director. “We’re trying to give them an idea ofwhat space is all about from an operational standpoint.”

Global Engagement and Combat Survival Training also use space assets in training the cadets, according to Andersen.

Operation Launch Pad is purchasing satellite phones and laptop computers that are capable of downloading voice and image data so cadets will be able to use this information in the field while training. Cadets are also being trained on GPS jammers-what they do, how to recognize them, their capabilities and how to get around them.

Three hundred cadets participated in “Space Day” three times this summer nine hundred in all.

“It’s [purpose is to] try to give them an idea ofwhat the different missions in space are,” Andersen said.

After Fraser’s speech, cadets received classified briefings about how space operations affected the war in Iraq.

“This is one piece ofthe total picture,” Andersen said of how “Space Day” fits into Project Launch Pad’s mission.

Plans are in place to create a mini space operations center at the Academy to increase cadets’ space training.

“We’re starting small but we’re going to get big real quick,” Andersen said. B

Annuities:

Good for the Investor or the Agent?

By EricS. Holt, *91, CFA

At some point, many of us have heard the term “annuity,” but some may wonder what it is. In financial terms, an annuity is a stream of equal cash flows received at regular intervals over some period of time. It can come in many forms—for retired service members, it’s wonderful, as it represents the pension they’ll receive for the rest of their lives.

The annuities described in this article are insurance contracts, which may not be as wonderful. When purchasing an annuity, you can either make a lump sum contribution or invest over some period oftime; the contract states that in exchange for your capital, the insurance company will provide future cash flow (as a lump sum or income stream). There are two primary forms of annuities:

• Fixed - these earn a set amount of interest for the life of the contract; they are not dependent on market conditions and currently pay somewhere around 3 to 4 percent. The insurance company absorbs the risk ofthe market returns being less than the fixed rate—but keeps

CHECKPOINTS,

any excess returns. Note: The “guaranteed” rate is only as good as the stability ofthe insurance company-these contracts are not backed by any outside party, like the FDIC. The policyholder’s future cash flow will be known with certainty, assuming the issuer is still in business.

Variable - The funds are invested in mutual-fund-like vehicles called sub-accounts and may be invested in bonds, stocks or real estate. The investor absorbs the risk but also keeps any upside the markets may provide. The policy holder’s future cash flow will depend on the performance of the underlying sub-accounts.

Why would you buy an annuity? In my opinion, there are two real selling points: tax deferral and the income stream.

TAXES

Taxes on gains are deferred until funds are withdrawn, like an IRA, a 10 percent penaltyapplies iffunds are withdrawn before age 59 Vi, but there are hardship exceptions. The longer taxes are deferred the better

annual taxes reduce the amount available for compounding and inflation reduces the “value” ofthe future tax outlay. It is important to note that contributions are not tax deductible. When money is withdrawn, the gains are taxed as ordinary income. The tax rate at retirement has to be less than the current tax rate for deferral to be a compelling advantage. Finally, there is no step up in the basis ofthe annuity assets at death, which would have adverse tax consequences—unless the death followed a prolonged bear market.

INCOME STREAM

You may choose to “annuitize” your withdrawals and, for some, this could be a compelling reason to purchase the annuity. Here are a few choices ofhow you may receive the funds:

A. Income for your life receive an equal amount of money for the rest of your life. CAUTION: Unless you’ve purchased a term insurance rider, the insurance company keeps the funds left in the account at your death. Number crunchers (actuaries) are going to figure out how much your monthly flow will be based on the amount you’ve contributed, your age, a discount rate and your life expectancy. If you live longer than they expected—and they’ll tell you that you’re going to live for a very long time so they can reduce the payout as much as possible—the insurance company has to make up the difference. Conversely, if you die before their life-expectancy models project, the company keeps the balance.

B. Incomeforyou and yourspouse’s life - receive an equal amount of money for the rest of your OR your spouse’s life. Monthly flow will be smaller than the income for “your life” and the longer life expectancy typically will be used (female). The advantage is that the surviving spouse has cash flow to sustain them for the rest oftheir life.

C. Income for a certain period, often called “term certain”- length oftime is determined by the policyholder. For example, the individual could decide to take equal distributions for five years, and these distributions would continue for that period of time-even ifyou and your spouse have passed away. This annuity provides no risk for the insurance company, but ifthe policyholder is using it as a retirement income stream, you could—and hopefully will—outlive your assumptions. Some people will take comfort in believing they will receive a certain amount ofincome for a certain period oftime. It’s important to remember that nothing is free, and the insurance company is happy to take on the risks of you outliving their models. That risk is built into the expense structure. You may decide not to annuitize and you may withdraw money in unequal amounts in irregular intervals, which means tax-deferral is the only meaningful advantage.

THE ISSUES

1. Relative to other investments, annuities are VERY expensive vehicles. Consider the following:

While there may be some creditor protection and probate advantages to owning an annuity, the essential question becomes: Are the tax deferral benefits worth the extra annual expenses? I believe the answer is no. My former colleague, Dr. William Jennings, in the USAFA Department ofManagement, presents the following analysis:

In his analysis, Dr. Jennings assumed a tax bracket of 25percent before/during retirement. As the tax bracket increases while you’re still working, the break-even point decreases. As all tax rates are reduced, the case for annuities gets harder and harder to make.

Note that Dr. Jennings used the low-cost annuity in his analysis; as the expense ratio rises, the break-even point goes further and further out. As the data suggests, if you could earn an extraordinary rate of return (12 percent) on a low cost product (< .60%), you’d still need to leave the money untouched for eight years for the account values to be in line with only investing in a stock index fund. I’ve even seen agents add an additional 1-2% in annual expenses to compensate them for their “management” of the underlying sub-accounts-I find this layering of costs to be difficult to justify. I’m not convinced the markets will provide the necessary rates of return or that anyone could live long enough to justify the costs in the average annuity.

Also note that under President Bush’s tax cuts, investors will have substantial opportunities to save in other tax-deferred vehicles.

Working couples can save a total of $30,000 this year in their IRA, TSPs or 401(k)s. Because a mutual fund held inside these vehicles avoids the additional expenses of annuities, most savers will be better offwith the IRAs, TSPs and 401 (k)s.

2. Liquidity - Annuities are long-term contracts; unless it’s from one of the low-cost families, the annuity will have a surrender fee. This entails forefeiting/paying a paying a percentage of your account value if you need—or move—your account within a set period of time. Typically, the set period is six years and the charge starts at 6 percent and falls 1 percent per year before running out at the sixth year. So, if you put $50,000 into an annuity with a 6 percent surrender fee and you changed your mind at the end of the first year, it would cost you at least $3,000 to get that money out of the contract, ignoring taxes and penalties. Keep in mind that typically the higher the commission paid to the agent, the longer your surrender fee will apply.

I’ve seen commissions as high as 5-6 percent on a $100,000 annuity; that’s a significant pay-day for the agent. Low-cost annuities don’t pay sales commissions, which is why they’re low cost and why your agent won’t be touting them. Many companies will allow you to withdraw 10 percent of the account value without paying a surrender fee, but you may have to pay a IRS imposed penalty. Also note that you will pay taxes on any gains—and a penalty if you’re under the age of59 Vi) unless you move the money from one annuity to another (called a Section 1035 exchange). I’ve yet to see a fee-based financial advisor recommend an annuity for a client.

3. Bells and Whistles With the recent declines in the equity markets, some companies are guaranteeing a fixed rate of return for a short period of time on variable contracts. Of course, they’re trying to give the customer some feel of stability, but keep a few things in mind: 1.) This will cost you something (.10 to .25percent,—Whatever the amount, it will drive the expense ratio up and the break point further out); 2.) If you choose this option, you will almost certainly have to annuitize out of the contact, so the insurance company can tilt the odds back in their favor; and 3.) The “guarantee’’ is only as good as the credit ofthe insurance company and an extended bear market like we saw in the 70s may eliminate some ofthe weaker insurance companies—and your policy/contract.

THE CONCLUSION

Be careful when purchasing an annuity and understand the value you are—and are not—getting. The additional costs make it very difficult to justify buying an annuity instead of investing in a passively managed (index) stock/bond fund. Before buying an annuity, an investor would be well-served to contribute the maximum amounts into their 401(k), TSP and IRAs and put those funds in

an index fund. Ifyou decide to buy an annuity, make sure it’s from a reputable company, the total expenses are less than 1 percent, and you have 20+ years before you need the money.

I know an annuity is good for your agent, but I’m not as sure they are good for the investor; don’t pay a dime to your insurance company to save a nickel in taxes. S

NEXT ISSUE: Charitable Remainder Trusts—What and Why?

If you have any comments!questions, please contact me at eholt@abundancellc.com or yourfinancial advisor. The above does not constitute investmentadvice. Please note my new e-mailaddress as we have moved to Pennsylvania, whereIhavejoineda much larger wealth managementfirm using very sophisticatedfinancialplanningtechniques.

GRADUATE-TO-GRADUATE AOG-mail System

The AOG maintains an e-mail forwarding system that graduates can use to communicate with other graduates.* Grad-mail is accessible through the “SERVICES” link on the left side of the AOG Web page at www.aog-usafa.org.

AOG members can search the Grad-mail database by name, class and/or squadron to find other grads. You can add, change or delete your e-mail address from Grad-mail at any time.

To update your e-mail address with the AOG and Grad-mail:

1. Click on the Grad-mail link on the AOG Web site AND...

2. Click on the “Bio Updates" link, located on the left side of the AOG Web page under “SERVICES.”

For personal use only. Not for mass mailing or commercial use. See Grad-mail Web page for other restrictions.

Old Prep School Yearbooks Needed

The

call the Prep School at(719) 333-2581.

the COACH

The Coach is like a fine wine, getting better with age. At 64, Coach Fisher DeBerry enters his 20th year as Head Football Coach of the Air Force Falcons He sat down with Checkpoints for a conversation about his team, his success, and his love for the Academy.

INTERVIEWED BY BOB MCALLISTER

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH WRIGHT

PHOTOS BY KEN WRIGHT

Q: As the football season begins, is there something special about this team versus other teams that you’ve coached?

A: I am excited about this team. This is probably the most returning starters we’ve had since I’ve been the head football coach. Last year we had five returning starters and we won eight games; and this year we’ve got seventeen returning starters. We can be a very competitive team this year if we can stay healthy and the ball bounces our way and, most importantly, ifyou have a little luck.

Q: Who are some of the key returning starters and what are some ofyour expectations of them?

A: Chance Harridge probably is, maybe, at his position, maybe the finest leader we’ve had as a quarterback since I’ve been here. When he says something to the players, they really take to

Quarterback

Chance Harridge raises his arms in celebration after throwing a touchdown pass during a 52-9 win against Brigham Young University in 2002.

heart what he says. He’s a competitor. He’s not going to back away from anything. He had an outstanding year last year scoring twenty-two touchdowns, the most by any quarterback, and set a record doing that. We probably have as talented fullbacks as we’ve had since I’ve been here. I really like our offensive front. I think size-wise, we probably are as big as we’ve ever been, strong as we’ve ever been. We’ve got some guys that have some good athleticism up there. Brett Heiser, we think has got a chance to be possibly a potential All American if our football team is competitive. He’s already been invited to the East West Shrine Game, and that’s a great compliment to the Academy and to our program and to Brett. We do have Joey Ashcroft back. Joey was sixteen of eighteen last year in field goals, and he was voted as a semifinalist in the Lou Groza Award. We’re going to really, really emphasize our special teams this year. In the past few years we’ve used the starters on our special teams because we felt they

were the better athletes at the time. But, I think you take a fresh athlete, you take an enthusiastic athlete, you take a young man that wants to make his mark and really takes a lot of pride in what he’s doing, then we’re going to really, really go in that direction and we’re really going to develop, I hope, a very, very strong kicking game and special teams.

Q: We talked about returners. How was the recruiting for this year and what newcomers should we be looking for?

A: I think we had a solid recruiting year. I really do. This year we’re going to coach five freshmen from our prep school and one incoming freshman right out ofhigh school with our varsity football team. We hope that they can give us some depth, maybe on those special teams or at a particular position.

Q: Do you see any major difference between this corps, this team, versus last year’s team? Is there a personality difference, are there character traits that are different?

A: The fun thing about coaching is that no two teams are alike, and every team has its own personality, and a lot of the quality and personality of this team will determine how this team is going to do. If we put the team first in everything that we do, and we don’t have any egos and any selfish points anywhere in our football program, then I think we’re going to be a very, very competitive football team.

Q: Coach, you’ve had a lot of wins in your career and been very successful here. When you lose, how disappointing is it—what does it feel like to lose?

A: It really hurts. I’m competitive by nature, and I guess that’s the reason I’ve stayed in athletics as long as I have, and I hate to lose. But yet, at the same time, I understand that you do learn some of your best lessons in life whenever you’re not successful. We’ve not lost many two games in a row. So I credit our players and their attitude, and our coaches and the way they prepare them. But I think they know how I feel about losing also. I think you do develop a lot of positive character traits. I tell our football team every Saturday in the dressing room before we go out for every game that there’s going to be some adversity in the game. I don’t know what it is, I’d be happy to tell you before the game if I knew, but I don’t know what it’s going to be. How we respond to that adversity is going to say volumes about the character and the quality of program that we have.

Q: How proud are you to be Coach Fisher DeBerry of the Air Force Academy Falcons?

A: I am very, very proud to be the coach of the United States Air Force Academy Falcons because I know that we have the finest educational institution in the country. I’m also very proud to represent an institution that has core values and whose core values, as we all know, are integrity above all, service before self

and excellence in all that we do. So we’re going to always do what’s right. It might not be the most popular thing, but we’re going to try to always do what’s right. I think the greatest satisfaction I’ve had in this program is not necessarily what’s on the scoreboard at the end of the game and what the final record is, but it’s seeing our kids at graduation throw their hats up in the air, and when they’re pronounced graduates of the Academy and Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force. To me, that’s a very, very proud moment. And to see the tears running down their cheeks and down the cheeks of their families, you know, is a very emotional time, because our kids—they go through a little bit more than the typical state university guy, and it is a challenge, and it is tougher, and that’s why there’s such an enormous amount of pride there. For former players to write back and say football really served me well, makes me realize that football is really, really important here. That’s one reason why we’ve elected to stay here at the Academy, because we love the Academy but we also feel that what we’re doing here is very important, because we are a leadership training school and I don’t know of any better place in the country that you can learn leadership training than right here at the Academy, and particularly out there on the football field every afternoon or in the stadium in front of fifty-five thousand people every Saturday afternoon.

Q: With all the success that you’ve had as a football coach and, certainly, as a leader in the community and a part of this institution for almost a quarter of a century, do you ever sit back and just pinch yourself and say, wow, and just reflect on all the success you’ve had?

A: I have to worry about what’s happening today and what I can do to be better tomorrow. I never try to reflect on what Fisher DeBerry’s done because I know Fisher DeBerry hasn’t

On the wall of Fisher DeBerry’s office a plaque reads, “A coach’s success is not measured by wins or losses, but by the men his players become.”

done anything by himself. There’s been a lot ofcommitted athletes and a lot ofgreat coaches that we’ve been privileged to work with here at the Academy, and we’ve had tremendous support from our administration, and we’ve had great leadership from the Superintendent on down.

Q: Is the Academy a special place to you?

A: There’s no question about it. I’ve been here now twenty-four years. We love Colorado, but certainly it’s the Academy that’s kept us here; and I have such a respect for the military. I was in the military, I was in the Army, came very close to making my career in the military. But I just have such a respect for—my heroes are military people, firemen, doctors, military police and policemen—service people, people that are there whenever you need them. These are the people that I’d like to emulate and be like, because they have such a service attitude, and they care about people. I think coaching today is not so much the X’s and O’s as much as it is the Johnnies and the Joes. I mean, kids want to know today, I think, not so much what you know but how much you really, really care about them. And I think that’s certainly the reason that I am in coaching. I really feel that as long as I think I’m making a difference in some young person’s life, then that’s what I think coaching is all about. Jim Bowman here is a very, very dear friend and a hero of mine. And when I first came here he gave me a quote one time, and I have it hanging up in my office. It says a coach’s success is not measured by the number of wins and losses but the real success in coaching is measured by the men your players become. And that’s what we’re doing here at the Academy. We’re trying every day, particularly through athletics, to build men of character that can go out and represent this institution and our nation and make the right decisions for you and I and for our families. So it’s an awesome responsibility that we have.

Q: Building leaders of character for the nation. That’s what this place is all about—that’s why it exists. How does a football team, or any intercollegiate sport, prepare men and women, to become leaders of character for our nation?

A: I think that to win and to win honorably makes you feel good. But I think that football, being a tough physical sport, can help you develop traits of character and toughness. We had a motto one year, champions every day. And we weren’t talking just about champions on the football field and winning every game and going to bowl games and being conference champions, even though that was important and part of it. But the thing we were just as concerned about is that people perceived us as being champions in everything that we did, academics, athletics and our spiritual walk in our daily life in existence, the role model

that we are for everybody else—that we did our best. And, again, it goes back to one of the virtues, and that is excellence in everything that we do—to be the best. So our main focus is to make it a great experience for a young man, but an experience where he really comes to know a lot about himself.

Q: Have you or the team had to overcome any major or unique challenges to coach here at the Air Force Academy?

A: Well, I’m not sure everybody could coach at an Academy. That doesn’t mean that I’m anything special because I’ve elected to stay here that long. It’s just that I think you have to understand that football is not the most important thing here at the Academy. But football can help teach you a lot about the main things that you want to learn and carry with you from the Academy. But just the regiment of the daily schedule—we probably spend less time with our football players in coaching situations, meeting situations, than maybe any Division I football program in the country. It also, then, forces us, as coaches, to be very, very organized and to not waste any time, and to really be able to get in everything. We’ve been blessed to have a lot, a lot, of outstanding coaches—coaches that not just know the game of football but, again, care about our young people.

Q: Some say that leaders are born not made. How would you attribute your success as a leader?

A: Well, I feel flattered that you would classify me as a leader and with success. I think it all comes from the experience, the good fortune, maybe God’s plan, the people that you’ve been able to affiliate with, work under, spend time with, get to know, associations. I don’t think it’s just a product of one thing. I really believe that you choose to be a leader and there’s something inside ofyou that motivates you and won’t let you be content.

Q: How much impact do you think this institution has had on you, on your personal and professional life? Has it made a unique difference in your life?

A: Oh, no question. I’m just in awe of the quality of people that I have been privileged to serve with and to speak with and visit with and become friends with. I have such a respect for military people and for the sacrifices that they make and the commitments that they have. And I know that my commitment to football and to responsibilities that I have, have been greatly enhanced by the commitment that I see in people here.

Q: What do you think makes the Air Force Academy great?

A: Well, it’s the best, and it has standards, it has traditions. Unfortunately, we have gone through some tough times here in

Nose guard Nicholas Taylor takes down Notre Dame quarterback Carlyle Holiday during the Falcons toughest battle last season.

the last few months, but we still have the best school in America and we still have the best young people in America. When things are tough and when there’s a storm, the way you weather a storm is to huddle up and get closer together and go through it together. It’s a new era, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new leadership, and I’m so excited about the leadership of our administration, General Rosa and General Weida, and the renewed enthusiasm that I see by a lot ofpeople.

Q: What do you think you’re most proud of during the time you’ve spent here as a coach and leader in the community and a part of this institution?

A: The privilege of having been able to stay here and coach. To see them throw their hats up in the stadium when they’re pronounced graduates and then to have them to come back here and visit and tell me all the exciting things that they’re doing and to meet their families and their kids and then to see kids in camp this year of former players. I think that’s a great compliment for a former player to want his own son to come back and participate in your summer camp and then hoping that our staffwill be of some influence and can help him develop some skills. I think that’s just a great, great compliment. But, again, the letters that you get and the experiences that they’re sharing and you see the successes that they’re having, and you vision the differences that they’re going to make in not only protecting our freedom and maintaining our freedom, but the things that they’re going to contribute to, make society better, whether it’s through medicine, whether it’s through the corporate world, whether it’s through their service in our great Air Force, whether they fly, whether they have an engineering job or whatever. But just knowing that they are working because of their feeling of commitment to help make our world a better place and a safer place.

Q: What are your expectations or goals for the team off the field? Do you talk to the players about their conduct and behavior, not necessarily on the field, but off the field?

A: You better believe we do. I tell them three things—one, I tell them I expect them to go to church on Sunday, two, I expect them to call their parents and tell them how much they love them and appreciate them, and then, three, I tell them I want them to be proud that they’re a fighting Falcon and that they don’t do anything and use judgment in any way to blacken the eye or damage the image of our football program, that a lot, a lot ofplayers have really worked hard to build tradition and to build the reputation of this program. I tell them that we not only represent our Wing and each other and this Academy, but we represent the young people in this great state, throughout this nation, and there’s just more expected out of an Academy athlete and cadet than there is out of the typical college student CHECKPOINTS,

throughout America. But, most important of all, we represent the men and women who proudly wear the blue suit throughout the entire world. I think a lot of kids want to come to the Academy not just because they want a career in the military, or they want to fly, or they want the best education, but I think they want a well-rounded experience and they want to be a part of a winning football team. If you’ll research that, most institutions will tell you when the team was on top and the team was winning, their quality ofapplicants, their number ofapplicants was so much greater. So that’s why I think the athletic program is so important. Enthusiasm is contagious, you know, so I think you’ve got to have a positive attitude. I’m the eternal optimist. I think we’re going to win every game this year. Time might run out on one or two, but I really believe the Fighting Falcons will fight you until the last play of the game, until the last breath. And I have a big sign that you see as you go into the office every day, The traditions and excellence of Falcon football will not be entrusted to the weak and timid.” The greatest compliment, I think, to our football program is that when we have players that are on wing staff position, players that are squadron commanders, players that hold leadership positions in their squadron and in the wing—that says an awful lot about, I think, what we’re doing and the quality ofpeople we’re recruiting.

Q: I’m sure that for the number ofyears you’ve been here you’ve been afforded other opportunities. What’s kept you here at the United States Air Force Academy?

A: It’s the Academy. It’s the standards of the Academy, and it’s the feeling that I have, which is hard to describe, for the Academy and the pride that I have in serving the Academy. Sure, living in Colorado, I don’t know anywhere better in the world to live than Colorado. That’s a lot said by an old southerner, you know. But, at the same time, my family’s here, my daughter and her husband and five grandchildren live in Denver, and my son currently is here. So it’s important to me because we’re very, very family oriented— to be around my family and around my kids. I certainly have been blessed and certainly have been able to live comfortably and I think my wife has been happy and satisfied. We just have felt so blessed being here. And I believe that we’re all called to do something, that God ultimately has a plan for everybody.

Q: Do you still have the excitement and enthusiasm, do you still enjoy getting up every morning and being the coach of the Falcons and being part of this Academy?

A: I sure do. I’m just as excited about this year as I was the first year in 1984, because I think we can be a very competitive football team with the right attitudes. We have the finest people, our doctors, our trainers, our equipment people. Our equip-

ment manager, Dan Siermine, was just selected as the Equipment Manager of the Year by his profession. Richard Bell, one of our assistant coaches, was selected by his peers as the National Assistant Coach of the Year one time. And our coaches are called all over the country to speak. And then, so many high school and colleges come in here to visit, which I think is, again, a great credit. I want to give my coaches a lot of latitude to coach, because I was given that when I was an assistant coach. And, I think that’s one reason why we’ve been able to maintain our staff. I don’t mandate and dictate. I make suggestions, but yet, at the same time, I want them to coach and get that personal satisfaction themselves ofseeing their position players and their sides of the ball and the responsibilities they have mature and develop. As long as we can keep quality staff and as long as there’s the support for football—the thing that excites me is that we’ve only scratched the surface in our athletic program, we’ve only scratched the surface as an institution. What’s out there on the horizon and in the future is what’s exciting. So I really look forward to seeing our graduates grow closer together. Em speaking of the AOG, and I really believe that they can be as powerful an organization as we’ve got on campus, because it can be, really, the lifeblood or the future, of the Academy.

Q: You put in a new defense last year. Are you still going to run with the same defense this year or are you going to have some changes?

A: Yes, we ought to be a better defensive football team because ofwhat we learned from that defense. Unfortunately, we lost one of our better players in the middle that transferred to Ohio State. But we’ve got a young man that I’m really excited about that’s going to step into that position. So our players are more familiar with it, our coaches are more familiar with it. I think we will be, structurally-wise, very, very similar, but there will be a lot of different things that we’re doing.

Q: Coach, you’re approaching a quarter of a century here, you’re not just a football coach, you’re part of the fabric of this institution and part of the fabric of this community, you mean a lot to a lot of people, and what you say is important to people. What do you think about the future of this institution? Are there any words ofwisdom?

A: I’m so proud that, many of the educational resources have indicated that we are the number one educational opportunity in the country. I’m very, very proud of that. So that’s a standard that we’ve got to work and to maintain. There is no limit as to what can be accomplished here. It just amazes me the capabilities every year that not only our athletes bring, but that the academic student brings here. And the excitement—guys like Chris Howard

who was just recognized by the National Foundation Hall of Fame for academic excellence and being voted into the Academic Hall of Fame—to me, is just as important as being voted into the Athletic Hall of Fame or the Football Hall of Fame in December. We’ve had five. We have more in that elite group than any institution in the country—we’ve had so many guys here in the last five years to get unbelievable opportunity through post-graduate study and scholarships I really feel that we’ve got to continue to ensure that the institution maintains its excellence and even go to the next level. It’s also very encouraging to see so many young people that want to serve our nation and to protect our freedom, and that are thankful for the freedoms that we do enjoy and the opportunities that we do have in life.

Q: What sense of responsibility and special relationship do you feel towards the graduate community?

A: Well, I feel an awesome responsibility, because I feel that I represent them, and I want to represent them in the most positive way. If it hadn’t been for athletics and certainly for the little bit of scholarship money that I got to go to college, with my mother just a minimum-wager, and not having any financial background, I wouldn’t have been able to go to school. So, ever since the day I graduated, I have supported the institution that I went to financially. You’ve got to have resources to be able to do that. So I just hope that our graduate community feels that responsibility to want to give back, because it really didn’t cost them very much. They paid a price because they had to work hard, study hard and they’ve served, and we’re thankful for that, but I do hope that all of the graduate community feels a responsibility that if, it hadn’t been for the Academy I probably would not be where I am today or have the opportunities in life that I’ve gotten, and they want to feel that commitment to come back and give so that others can enjoy some of the experiences and opportunities they’ve had.

Coach, thank you so much for your time. Go Falcons! 9

Halfback Darnell Stephens shakes off a San Diego State University defender.

7th

ANNUAL BEN MARTIN GOLF TOURNAMENT

BY DERMOT COLL, ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

The 7th Annual Ben Martin GolfTournament was held on June 6th on the Blue Course at the Eisenhower GolfClub. The annual golf tournament is a charity fund raiser for the Air Force Academy Athletic Association and honors long-time Air Force Coach Ben Martin.

The festivities kicked-off on Thursday evening with a reception at the Embassy Suites where participants could gather and meet their playing partners for the next days events. Over 50 people came out to join in the fun and place a few friendly wagers on the tournament the next day.

Unlike years past, the morning of the tournament the weather cooperated. Over 100 golfers teed off in an early morning shot gun start. Fortunately for our golfers, the tournament saw the only four hour window ofgood weather in several days. The golfers enjoyed a fun and entertaining round of golf and followed it up with an amazing lunch catered by the local Outback Steakhouse. The enjoyable experience was capped off by a great evening of dinner and fun at the USAA Building thanks in great part to Vic Andrews, ’66 and Marty Daack, '66. Col. Randy Spetman, ’76, delivered a state of the athletic department speech and included updates on the progress of the new athletic facility. The Ben Martin GolfTournament was a huge success and served as a great vehicle to raise funds to help our cadet-athletes and honor an outstanding football coach. Unfortunately, Coach Martin could not join us for the tournament this year and wish him the best. We look forward to having him out there next year as we continue the great tradition. Please checkout the spring edition of Checkpoints for more information on next year’s tournament, which should be held in early June. Thanks to all the participants and GO FALCONS!!!

* Annual Service Academy Golf Classic

Honorary Chairmen

Doc Blanchard USMA '47

Pete Dawkins USMA ’59

Roger Staubach USNA '65

Glenn Davis USMA ’47

Joe Bellino USNA ’61

Chad Hennings USAFA '88

The Trophy Club Country Club

Dallas, Texas (15 MINUTES FROM DFW AIRPORT)

October 17 - 20 2003

U.S. Air Force Academy Alumni and their guests are invited to participate in this annual golf outing, which directly benefits the USAFA golf program, and is the only NCAA sanctioned tournament that features four Service Academies in direct competition.

Enjoy a round of golf with the Cadets in a Pro-Am format on Saturday, a second round ofgolfin an Alumni & Guest tournament on Sunday and a variety ofother activities with the Cadets throughout the weekend. Player entree and sponsorship packages covering the weekend's events start at $350.

Please support this outstanding event by calling Kelly Mayer at 214.720.7869 or Melissa Whisenhunt at 817.335.4111 Or visit us online at www.sagc.org

SCORECARD

Academy Athletics Announces Top Award Winners

Athletic Media Relations

2003 Academy graduates 2nd Lts. Kevin Hoy, wrestler, and Allison Todd, women’s gymnast, were named top male and female athletes, respectively, for the 2002-03 sports season by the Air Force Academy athletic department during its recent awards ceremony.

The athletic department also recognized its most valuable athletes during the ceremony. A complete list of the winners follows:

MOST VALUABLE ATHLETE MEN

2nd Lt. Kevin Hoy finished the 2002-03 wrestling season with a 42-4 overall record. He placed second in the nation at the NCAA Championships—the highest Falcon finish since 1971-to become a two-time All-American. At one point during the season, he was on a 24-match win streak, including six victories against top-10 opponents. He became only the second four-time All Academy Champion and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2003 tournament with the other service academies. He also became the first Air Force four-time Colorado Collegiate Champion and only the fourth wrestler in the 18-year history of the tournament to win the honor all four years. He currently holds the Academy all-time record for career victories with 160.

MOST VALUABLE ATHLETE WOMEN

2nd Lt. Allison Todd, women’s gymnastics team captain, had an outstanding finish to her career at the Academy when she was crowned balance beam champion at the 2003 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championship. Todd also finished eighth on

the uneven bars and second on the floor exercise during the individual competition. Todd was the only Falcon to qualify for the 2003 NCAA north central regional championship in April. She qualified as an individual allaround competitor and was an individual event alternate on the balance beam. Todd tied for seventh place on floor exercise with a 9.850 and took 12th in the individual all-around with a 38.475. At this year’s Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship, she tied for second on balance beam (9.825) and took second on the floor with a 9.950 for the Falcons. Todd was named academic All-MPSF scholar-athlete.

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

2nd Lt. Aaron Jackson, men’s gymnastics team captain, finished his career as a Falcon by winning the vault title at the 2003 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championship in April. Jackson won the event with a 9.225 and finished third on floor exercise, and fourth on rings and parallel bars during the individual competition. Jackson also secured a third-place finish in the all-around at the team and all-around competition to help the Falcons to a third-place team finish. Jackson was one ofeight Falcons to qualify to the NCAA qualifiers in Philadelphia. For his accomplishments at the Academy, Jackson was also named one ofeight finalists for the Nissen-Emery Award, which is given every year to the outstanding NCAA senior gymnast. Jackson was also a 2003 academic All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation scholar-athlete.

ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP

2nd Lt. Elissa Balias’ leadership has been instrumental in the academic, athletic and leadership accomplishments of the women’s cross country team. She was team captain and squadron commander, cadet squadron 23, fall 2002. She also was selected as team captain for track and field, spring 2003. Balias earned 12 varsity letters, four each in cross country (including one at Ohio State), indoor track (including one at Ohio State) and outdoor track. She placed in the top five in

SCORECARD

the Mountain West Conference championships three times. She’s a 2003 NCAA Regional qualifier in outdoor track and field. She was named academic all-conference in cross country and track and field every season that she was eligible for the award.

OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT

2nd Lt. Weston S. Kelsey won the 2003 men’s epee national title and led the Falcons to a ninth place finish at the NCAA Fencing Championships. Kelsey became just the fifth NCAA Division I individual national champion at Air Force and the first since 1974. He finished the 2002-2003 season with 31-1 record during the regular season. He is the first cadet-athlete to ever represent the United States at the senior World Championships in an Olympic sport. He was the highest finishing American at the 2002 World Championships and the youngest member of the 1998 and 2002 senior world teams. A

three-time all-American, Kelsey is also the men’s fencing team’s MVP.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE

2nd Lt. John C. Dayton ranks

s I seventh in his class of 1,000 j and will graduate with a minor in Russian. He is a four-time member ofthe MWC all-academic team and is a four-time

NCAA Academic All-American honorable mention selection. Dayton was one offour MWC student-athletes to earn an NCAA postgraduate scholarship this past winter. As the team captain ofthe men’s swimming team, he helped lead the team to a 12-2 record and a second-place finish in the conference (both regular season and tournament), the highest in Academyhistory. He has won two conference championships as a member ofthe 200-medley relay team in 2001 and the 400-medley relay in 2002. A two-time all-conference selection, he finished among the league’s top five in six individual events and holds three Ar Force Academy records. Rf

President PresentsTrophy to USAFA Football Team

By Staff Sgt. AJ. Bosker, Air Force Print News

President Bush presented the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy to the senior cadets of the Air Force Academy football team during a May ceremony at the White House.

The trophy is presented annually to the service academy football team that beats its academy rivals in collegiate football. The Air Force Academy Fighting Falcons have gone undefeated againstArmy and Navy since 1996.

“I’m proud to welcome back to the White House the Air Force Academy Falcons who have now won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the sixth consecutive year and the 16th time overall,” Bush said.

“The football rivalry amongst our military academies is one of the greatest traditions in our nation,” the president told the cadets. “And the qualities that you learn on the football field will serve our nation in good stead after you graduate.”

Former Falcon Chris Howard to be Inducted into Academic All-American Hall of Fame

Athletic Media Relations

Dr. Chris Howard, ’91, former Falcon football standout, is one of five former college student-athletes to be inducted into the Verizon Academic All-American Hall of Fame at ceremonies in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 28.

Howard joins former Brigham Young University football star Steve Young, Texas A&M football player Kip Corrington, and basketball standout Kim Mulkey Robertson of Louisiana Tech. Donna Lopiana, a threesport start from Southern Connecticut State, was also inducted as an honorary member.

Howard’s selection now gives the Academy five inductees which is the most among all schools nationally. Howard joins Brock Strom, ’59, (football), inducted in 1991; Rich Mayo, ’61, (football), inducted in 1994; Col. Michelle Johnson, ’81, (women’s basketball), inducted in 1995; and Chad Hennings, ’88, (football), inducted in 1999.

To be eligible, a candidate had to be an Academic All-American team member who graduated at least 10 years ago. The 2003 inductees were selected from a group of 160 individuals who were nominated by the sports information directors at their schools, all members of the College Sports Information Directors ofAmerica. There are now 78 members of the Hall of Fame, including this year’s class.

Howard is the classic example ofhow athletic excellence and academic commitment can ultimately join forces to achieve heroic levels of success in society, both personally and professionally.

A two-year starter at running back for the Air Force Academy, Howard was a three-time letterman who averaged 4.5 yards per carry. In his 1990 Academic AllAmerican year, he helped the Falcons to one of the most significant wins in school history, a 23-11 upset over Ohio State in the Liberty Bowl, where he was named the Scholar-Athlete of the game for “typifying the highest ideals of scholastic and athletic excellence.” That same season, Howard was named the Anson Mount Playboy Magazine Scholar-Athlete of the Year, a Center for the study of Presidency fellow and to the Walt Disney scholastic all-american team for all intercollegiate sports.

In his four years at Air Force, Howard made the superintendent’s list every semester and was class president as a sophomore, junior and senior. As a junior, he was a Wing Sergeant Major, the highest-ranking cadet in his class. As a senior, Howard served as the Fourth Group Commander, where he was responsible for the discipline, training, morale and welfare of more than 1,200 cadets. Howard ranked 13th in a class of 980 with a 3.78 GPA as a political science major, earning a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University.

Howard earned his doctoral and master of philosophy degrees in politics from Oxford, writing on the role of the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs committees in the United States’ decision to use military force from 1975-1991. After completing his PhD, Howard served as a helicopter pilot, and later attended intelligence officer school where he finished first in his class. He was subsequently assigned to the elite U.S. Special Operations Command, serving as the officer-in-charge of intelligence for the 24th Special Tactics squadron.

In 1999, Howard was asked by Defense Secretary William Cohen to travel to South Africa as a politicalmilitary advisor. The youngest member of the U.S. delegation, Howard briefed Secretary Cohen and the media, assisted in speech writing, and provided expertise on special operations and intelligence affairs. During his eight

years ofactive duty and final year at the Air Force Academy, Howard served in Bosnia and completed assignments at NATO, the RAND Corporation, the House Armed Services Committee, the State Department and the United Nations. He remains a major in the Air Force Reserves where he was named the 2001 “USAF Reserve Company Grade Intelligence Officer of the Year.” Upon leaving active duty, Howard was one of five individuals handpicked by the CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb to participate in a fast-track general management program where he held positions in sales, marketing, strategic planning and internal consulting. He also was an international project manager for the largest corporate philanthropic initiative devoted to assisting women and children with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

Howard also spends much time in the community, volunteering and speaking for many organizations. In 2000, he founded the Impact Young Lives Foundation, a not-for-profit group that provides scholarship, travel and mentoring opportunities for South African 11th graders ofcolor. He currently serves as IYL’s CEO.

He has continued his commitment to community service, volunteering with Salvation Army soup kitchens and rehabilitation programs, coaching his son’s football team, and mentoring youth both in South Africa and the U.S. In addition, he has contributed to many community programs, principally speaking to teens about the need for racial understanding, academic excellence, teen pregnancy and teen violence. He recently earned an MBA at Harvard Business School. B

Grad Cyclist Overcomes Injuries

by Capt. Paula Kurtz

47th FlyingTrainingWing Public Affairs

On July 20, 2002, Capt. Matt Stanley, ’99, was hit by a vehicle while cycling down a highway near Del Rio, Texas. One year later, Stanley will celebrate recovering from serious injuries by cycling 500 miles across Iowa.

Stanley, a T-6 Texan II instructor pilot at Laughlin AFB, is taking part in the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI.

For the past eight years, the Air Force has participated in the RAGBRAI event by registering a 100-person team made up ofactive-duty and retired airmen known as Team Aim High. Wearing bold red, white and blue cycling uniforms, the team talks up the Air Force for recruiting while visiting towns across the state.

In 2002, Stanley was on the return leg of a training ride to Brackettville, Texas, when a vehicle traveling about 70 mph veered onto the shoulder. The impact catapulted him 20 feet, breaking both his left leg and left arm in two places, and breaking his right clavicle. And, he landed on a rattlesnake.

In a stroke of luck, the snake did not bite him.

“I guess he figured when it starts raining people, it’s just time to leave,” Stanley quipped.

In another stroke ofluck, the first responder to the accident was Laughlin’s new medical group commander, Col. (Dr.) Chuck Hardin, who was on his way to San Antonio.

Hardin treated Stanley’s injuries and accompanied him to Val Verde Regional Medical Center in Del Rio.

Two months, three surgeries later, and with a metal rod in his femur, Stanley was back on his feet learning how to walk again.

After four months ofrehabilitation and physical therapy, Stanley was cleared for flying duty and reported to Randolph AFB, Texas, for instructor training.

As a boy, Stanley first took notice of the RAGBRAI event when it came through his small hometown of Dennison, Iowa, and his family opened their home to a few of the participants. He and his father set a goal of completing the tour the next year.

The 2003 tour will mark the third time Stanley has completed the RAGBRAI, which is in its 31st year and boasts 8,500 registered riders. B

SCORECARD

Assistant Wrestling Coach Earns Academic Award

By Kendahl Johnson Athletic Media Relations

Lt. Col. Doug Wells, ’85, an assistant coach for the Air Force Academy Wrestling Team, was the co-winner of the John Grenzebach Research Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation, selected by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

The award was presented at the CASE International Assembly in Washington, D.C. on July 7. Wells received $500 and an expense-paid trip to the assembly.

Wells won the award for his dissertation while studying at the University of Northern Colorado in 2001. He created a formula for Division I athletic directors which enables them to set an annual fundraising goal to meet their programs’ financial needs. Wells studied variables such as season football ticket sales, total number of living alumni and the size of the prospective donor list.

“I am honored to get the award,” Wells said. “I am very appreciative of the CASE organization.”

Along with coaching wrestling, Wells is also the deputy department head for instructor development at the Air Force Academy.

His dissertation was titled “Factors Related to Annual Fund Raising Contributions from Individual Donors to NCAA I-A Institutions.”

The John Grenzebach Research Awards were established in 1988 and are named for the founder ofJohn Grenzebach & Associates, now Grenzebach, Glier and Associates, a philanthropic management consulting firm.

Grenzebach was a leader in educational philanthropy and had a strong interest in fundraising research. B

Academy Rugby Players Named All-Americans

Athletic Media Relations

Five members of the Air Force Academy’s twotime national championship women’s rugby team were named Women’s Collegiate All-Americans for the 2002-2003 academic year.

First Team All-American honors went to 2003 Academy graduate and now 2nd Lt. Tess Labowitch and sophomore Leslie Kastrop. Les was also the National Championship Series MVP for 2003.

Second Team All-American honors went to 2003 Academy graduate and now 2nd Lt. Nicole Hamilton-Brown and juniors Victoria Whittaker and Christina Williams.

The Academy women’s rugby team entered the 2003 national rugby championship tournament as the numberone seed by virtue ofdefending its 2002 national title. The Air Force women played Penn State and UC-San Diego May 3 before beating Illinois 17-15 in the May 4 finals again with the national championship.

Fifty-eight players from 32 colleges have been named to this prestigious team; athletes from across the nation are selected based on their performances throughout the collegiate rugby season.

With more than 7,000 collegiate women now playing rugby, selection to the all-American squad is very difficult and competitive. “This is the ninth year of the women’s All-American program,” said all-American Committee Chair Alan Osur. “Our job as a selection committee is made more difficult each year because of the increased competition, number of teams, and playing skills represented by the rugby community. We are proud that the program is able to include so many fine players from around the country.” B

Volleyball Players Serve Up Leadership Off the Court

By Kendahl Johnson Athletic Media Relations

Two volleyball players have been chosen to serve in leadership positions for the Air Force Academy cadet wing.

Cadets 1st Class Delavane Diaz servid as wing commander for the summer and Katie Dildy will serve this fall. Wing commander is the highest leadership role attainable by a cadet.

To become a wing commander, a cadet must pass a rigorous selection process. Over 200 cadets are nominated at the squadron level.

LOOKING FOR PROGRAMS

Coach Weichers (Boxing Coach) is looking for copies of the Wing Open Championship programs from 1958-1968 and 1983. If you have a program and the complete results for any of the listed years please forward to:

Eddie Weichers Jr.

Head Boxing Coach

Athletic Dept. (AHPM)

U.S. Air Force Academy Colorado, 80840

The wing commander is responsible for good order and discipline of the 4000 cadets at the academy. Only three wing commanders are selected for the summer and fall semesters, with one more being selected for the spring.

“I am really proud of our two players,” head coach Penny Lucas-White said. “They are leaders on and off they court. They will both excel at these new leadership opportunities.”

Diaz, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Tampa, Fla., has been the team’s most valuable player for the past two season. Dildy, a 5-foot-11 setter from Houston, Texas, was the team’s co-captain last year.

“This is the most challenging experience I have ever had and probably the most challenging experience I will ever have,” Dildy said. “I represent the health, welfare, morale, education and training of my fellow cadets, which is a huge responsibility.”

Dildy had leadership aspirations and the opportunity to serve as wing commander is an opportunity that will carry her throughout her career as an officer in the Air Force.

“My aspiration was to influence the women to be a good example ofwhat a leader should be,” Dildy said. “I see the good of the Academy and what it can do for you and I desire to share that.” #

Diaz was also excited about the opportunity. She sees herself as a “natural” leader.

“I expect to learn an incredible amount about myself and about leadership,” Diaz said. “The times I have been in the position to lead-whether on the volleyball court or on the Hill (Cadet Area)—leadership has come naturally to me. H

Building Leaders of

The Air Force Academy Fund mm

AOG secures more than $7.3 million in gifts to the Air Force Academy

Thanks to the generous contributions of nearly 8,000 graduates, parents, corporations, foundations, and friends, the Association of Graduates secured more than $7.3 million in gifts and commitments for the Academy and graduate programs. This marks an alltime record level of giving to the AOG, surpassing the previous record by 50 percent.

haracier for the Nation

Air Force Academy Fund

Donations to the Air Force Academy Fund by graduates, parents and friends set record numbers this year. Annual gifts secured through this fund, which are primarily unrestricted (meaning the donor allows the Academy and the AOG to determine how the money is used), are applied in a variety ofways, having a direct impact on the everyday lives ofcadets. Unrestricted gifts provide discretionary funds that allow the Superintendent to meet unexpected needs and to utilize funds in an expeditious manner.

Last year alone, nearly 6,000 individuals contributed more than $2.1 million to the Air Force Academy Fund. More than 60 percent ofthese funds were contributed by leadership gifts to The Sabre Society. For the first time since its inception, more than 1,000 individuals supported the Air Force Academy Fund with gifts of $1,000 or more.

Air Force Academy Funds were used to support:

• Character Development - More than $244,000 was used for character development programs such as character enrichment seminars conducted by the Center for Character Development. All cadets must participate in these seminars. Many administrators, faculty, and coaches participate as well.

Academics - Nearly $345,000 of unrestricted funds were used to enhance the cadet academic experience including support for summer research programs, cadet international travel and distinguished guest lecturers.

• Athletics Under the guidance of the Commandant, cadet clubs were given $50,000 in unrestricted support. These funds, in part, assisted both the men and women’s rugby teams in winning their national championships.

Heritage - Unrestricted support has been used to develop marketing materials for the admissions office. These brochures and CDROMs enable the Academy to compete with the top universities in the country to attract the best and brightest students.

• Investing in Opportunity More than $100,000 was given to the Academy to provide a state-of-the-art video system in Mitchell Hall that will be used for leadership training for all cadets and to promote the heritage of the Academy.

Corporations and Foundations

In the 2002-03 fiscal year, 138 corporations and foundations provided more than $560,000 in gifts to the Academy. Through the efforts of more than 400 individuals, the Air Force Academy Fund received nearly $176,000 in matching contributions. This represents an increase of 20 percent from the previous year.

Class Giving

During the 2002-03 fiscal year, the classes of’62, ’67, 72, 77, ’82, and ’92 celebrated their class reunions. As part of these landmark events, each class identified an Academy project they will support through contributions to their class gift. Together these classes committed more than $903,000. We thank these classes for working with the AOG and making a difference for the cadets. Ginny Tonneson, ’80, is the new AOG contact for class giving, and we look forward to working with the classes to support Academy initiatives.

Throughout the years, all classes have been generous in supporting initiatives at the Academy. The top-five all-time leaders in class giving are listed to the right. Dollar amounts represent all gifts received from any member of the class for any purpose.

TOP 10 Matching Gift Companies Delta Airlines Northrop

Grumman Litton Alliant Energy

For information on how you can support the Academy and cadets, please call (719) 472-0300 and direct your questions to:

Sean Pieri, Vice President, Development, sean.pieri@usafa.af.mil

Chery Flores, Director, Air Force Academy Fund, chery.flores@usafa.af.mil

Ginny Tonneson, Director, Class Giving, ginny.tonneson@usafa.af.mil

CHECKPOINTS, SUMMER 2003

POLARIS

The North Star, the guiding light, a light that lives on long after the star is gone!

Your light can live on long after you are gone by making a gift to the Air Force Academy and AOG through your estate. A bequest in your will, a life insurance policy that you no longer need, a charitable remainder trust or other types of trusts can make a substantial difference to the future of the Academy and the officers it produces. Estate gifts can substantially reduce taxes and will be used according to your wishes. People who establish estate gifts will be recognized Polaris Donors.

Polaris will recognize everyone who has included a gift to the Academy in their estate plans. All you need to do to be recognized is to notify the AOG’s development office that you have established the gift. No documentation is required, and no specific gift amount need be specified. Donors who do provide documentation of an irrevocable estate gift will be recognized accordingly.

The needs of the Academy increase every year, and the Academy’s future success will depend on private support. Help provide that support by leaving a legacy. Light the way for the future. Be a Polaris donor!

“YOU MAKE IT BETTER!”

WTHE AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND

hat do the Visitors’ Center, Eisenhower Golf Course, Doolittle Hall, and Falcon Stadium all have in common? The answer is that without private funds, none ofthese facilities would exist! As the television commercial says, “We don’t make the product, we make it better!” That’s what the Air Force Academy Fund strives to do. While government funding is adequate for producing fine Air Force officers, there are over 150 programs, events, and activities which depend on private funding to provide the “extra margin ofexcellence.”

The Academy was recently ranked #6 for “Best Academic Experience Overall” by the Princeton Review. There is no doubt that the educational experience cadets receive here is outstanding. But what if we could provide an opportunity to take that experience one step further? For example, why simply read about a leader in a textbook when you can have the individual speak to the cadets in person?

Private Funding Takes the Experience One Step Further

The Distinguished Guest Speaker Program

This program exposes cadets and faculty to high level civilian and military experts, policy makers, and business professionals. Private funding makes this series possible and allows cadets to become involved in otheracademic-related activities such as summer research programs, international programs, and highly specialized engineering programs. For example, the Small Satellite Research Program gives cadets hands-on experience in designing, building, and testing small, low-cost satellites. One of the cadet projects, FalconSAT-3 is scheduled to be launched on a future shuttle mission.

Recruiting Quality Cadets

In today’s competitive environment, it’s increasingly important that we make qualified high school students aware of the opportunities the Academy has to offer. Private funding helps sponsor scholarships for students to attend the Academy’s Summer Seminar, create recruiting CD-ROMs and training CD-ROMs for Admission Liaison Officers. These activities and products help the Academy attract highly qualified young men and women.

Center for Character Development

Character development is an integral part of all Academy activities. The Center for Character Development provides one of the Academy’s most important, visible programs by organizing focused forums. Private donations enable the Academy to remain in the forefront of these national character programs. This money helps the Academy host such nationally recognized programs as the National Character and Leadership Symposium, a confer

ence on selected character development and core value issues in which renowned guest speakers and students from around the nation interact with our cadets.

Heritage Programs

Academy graduates have built an impressive legacy in less than 50 years. Two have become the Air Force ChiefofStaff, one is a member of Congress, 33 have become astronauts and one recently received a Presidential appointment as Deputy Administrator for NASA. Preserving, recording, and broadcasting that legacy is the duty of our graduates. By supporting heritage programs with private funding we help to strengthen the Long Blue Line.

The Falcon Heritage Forum is one example of A highly successful program that relies on private funding. This forum brings veterans to interact with cadets, bringing alive the experiences ofsoldiers and airmen ofWWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Athletics

To remain competitive at the Division I level, the Academy needs new equipment and modernized facilities. Often times, the only way to purchase these items is through private funding. Whether it’s a replacement scoreboard for the Field House or a dry land training room for the swim team, private funds make the difference between having an average athletic program and being able to recruit top quality student-athletes.

Club Activities

Cadet clubs provide an oudet from the everyday challenges ofAcademy life. Last year, the Air Force Academy Fund provided $100,000 toward that effort. By participating in intercollegiate and intramural athletics or club activities cadets learn valuable lessons in teamwork and dedication which help them develop into well-rounded leaders ofstrong character.

The Air Force Academy Fund

The Air Force Academy Fund is critical to supporting the above programs and many others. Gifts to the Fund are espedally important because they provide annual, unrestricted dollars that the Academy uses for those programs it believes are most important. Last year, the AOG provided over $1 million in direct support to 72 programs, events, and activities and provided indirect support to 15 others. The goal this year is to provide over $1.5 million in support. Your gift plays an important role in enriching the cadet experience for our future leaders. Please give that “extra margin ofexcellence” to the institution that has made such a positive impact on us all. Together we can “make it better!” S

For information on giving to the Air Force Academy Fund, visit our Web site at www.aog-usafa.org

SABRD

2003

The information reflected in the directory is obtained from members of the Service Academy 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 22,000 graduates in business across the country and worldwide. Born from the belief that the Associations of Graduates and alumni associations exist not only to serve their academies but their membership, this directory is an excellent business leadership network. The information also provides those in need of certain services an efficient way to find a fellow graduate.

SABRD data is also available online (iSABRD).

Order flow and receive your copy of SABRD for only $45.00 plus $8.95 shipping and handling. SABRD can be purchased on our Web site at www.aog-usafa.org or by calling (719) 472-0300.

For information on subscribing to iSABRD log on to:

www.aog-usafa.org/iSABRD.html

The 2003 Holiday Ornament IS HOW available. This multi-level ornament depicts a scene sure to evoke strong memories of the Air Force Academy. It shows the cadet area as one might see it when approaching from the northeast. The flag flying over the Academy shows “2003’’-the year of issue.

Alumni Relations

Rich Downing, Col.,(Ret.), ’70 Vice President, Alumni Relations

Rich.Downing@usafa.af.mil (719) 472-0300 ext. 500

The Class of 2003 is gone and 2007 has taken their place-and the cycle begins again. The AOG is proud to serve classes from inprocessing at Doolittle Hall through graduation where the AOG is a key part of the Outstanding Squadron Banquet, Ring Dining Out, the Open House and Commissioning ceremonies. The honor of being commissioned in Doolittle Hall is offered to the squadrons that have the highest per cent of their cadets enrolled in the LMAG (Lifetime Membership at Graduation) Program. The top squadrons this year were near 70% enrolled.

On the serious side—grad rings go lost and missing, but the AOG has a process to recover them but we can use your help and understanding-read more below. Hope you had a great summer-Go Falcons!!

7A.

Inprocessing Support

The AOG continues to find support to enhance inprocessing for appointees and parents. It started outside in the waiting line where First Command supplied and manned water stations while T-Mobile provided each Appointee with a cell phone call to say goodbye to family or friends that didn’t make the trip to Colorado. USAA provided individual phone cards, funded sandwiches, sodas and chips for everyone and gave “Class of2007” tote bags to parents. The Windham Hotel donated cookies and the NCO Association spent the day handing out snacks to folks in the parking lot. New this year, Shamrock Foods discounted the food we purchased and Coca-Cola donated sodas and water. A special thanks to all ofthese Academy sponsors!!

Joint Travel

Off and running: After an initial delay on the China trip due to the SARs outbreak, Joint travel program kicked off their first trip with the cruise to Alaska. Hosted by the CEOs from both Army and Navy those that

went said it was “superb.” The 2004 program promises to be even better. Trips are planned to the canals ofHolland/Belgium, Ireland with all its charm, London/ Normandy for D-Day remembered and to Germany for Christmas shopping. We are also looking at the possibility ofadding a Lewis and Clark or a Mississippi cruise for an American adventure. All trips include Alumni Association hosts and special Academy events. See page 59 for details.

Chapter Support

Lending a hand: The local Rampart Chapter jumped in with both feet as hosts and “meeters/greeters” at the airport to support the Bed and Breakfast program. And as before, they were there at Doolittle Hall for Inprocessing Day. The local chapter was also extremely helpful in finding volunteers for the LBL BCT run (see page 48)—Thanks!!

Grad Rings on eBay!!

What should I do? Unfortunately it is not unusual for Grad rings to show up for auc-

CHECKPOINTS, SUMMER 2003

tion on eBay, pawn shops or in newspapers. The AOG has a process for trying to recover these rings. In fact it is the responsibility of an employee at the Navy Alumni Association to search the web routinely for Academy unique items-rings, sabers, diplomas-and then alert the appropriate Academy ifanything is found. Once we are alerted of a ring, we contact the seller and explain the uniqueness and pride grads have in their rings. We then ask the seller for a description ofthe ring and anything that is engraved on the inside to try to ID the owner. Ifwe can find the owner, we put the owner and seller in contact with each other so they can come to a mutual agreement on returning the ring. We may also ask the seller to donate the ring to the AOG (nonprofit organization) for a tax deduction. Our final option ifthe seller is not willing to help, is to contact a class officer ofthe affected class and ask them to authorize class funds in an attempt to buy the ring back. Either way, once we get the ring back in our hands, we will continue to try to determine the actual owner. How can

you help? First, there is a lost and found area on the AOG web (Services/Class rings) that gives directions on how to report a lost ring. Ifyou’ve lost your ring, report it to us with a good description so we can enter it into our log. Second, ifyou find a ring on eBay, in a pawn shop, in the newspaper or know someone who has found a ring—report it to us for action. To date, we have been quite successful in recovering rings and getting them back to their original owners. What shouldn’t you do? Please do not contact the seller directly unless you are planning to buy the ring. We have found in trying to recover rings, we (and Army and Navy) are more successful in ASSUMING the current owner got it legitimately. Even ifit might have been stolen somewhere along the line. We have all failed to recover rings because ofthe good intentions ofgrads that verbally “beat up” the seller. A recent recovery not only led to the ring being returned to the grad (the ring had been stolen in this case, not by the seller but

by someone who had pawned it before the seller purchased it), but the seller provided information on the pawn shop so the grad could notify police to try to track the real thiefthrough the pawn shop. Ifyou have a lost or found ring to report, or have comments about our process, please contact us at classrings@aog-usafa.org.

Reunions

Don’t wait: Registration in final days for: Class of’83/’93, 11-14 Sept., North Texas. Class of’68/78, 9-12 Oct., UNLV. Class of’63/73, 6—9 Nov., Army.

For more information, visit the AOG web site, www.aog-usafa.org, or email reunions@aog-usafa.org

Breitling Watch

Unique AOG/AFA face: The AOG has sold nearly 60 of these one-of-a-kind watches and those that have purchased them are extremely pleased with the price

of the Cell Course

The following procedures have been arranged by the AOG for graduates to play golf at the Academy’s Eisenhower Golf course. Graduates with a military ID: Call (719) 333-3456 no more than 72 hours in advance and follow the same reservation rules applicable to active-duty personnel not stationed at the Academy and retirees. Green fees are $22. Reciprocal privileges are in effect for active-duty graduates who have annual memberships at other Air Force courses. Golf cart fees are $22.

Nonretired, nonactive-dutygraduate AOG members: The AOG is allocated eight tee times per month (tee times will be 10 a.m. or later).

AOG members who do not have a military ID card may reserve these tee times by contacting Steve Knight at (719) 472-0300 or email steve.knight@usafa.af.mil. He will contact the golf course and notify you ofthe specific date and tee time reserved. Graduates may schedule only one tee time per month to ensure all eligible graduates have an opportunity to play golf. If by the 25th of each month the eight tee times have not been reserved, a graduate may schedule a second tee time. Green fees for nonretired, nonactive-dutygraduates are $55 and golf cart fees are $22.

Reunions and Homecoming: A tournament will be scheduled by the Academy and the AOG to accommodate graduates at a set fee of $51 for all players. The fee is independent of military status or golf course membership.

and the quality. Ifyou are interested in purchasing an “Instrument for Professionals,” contact AOG at rich.downing@usafa.af.mil for details.

2003AOG MAJOR EVENTSSCHEDULE

Chapter News

Outlook

AFA Society of North Carolina (N.C.) Fall events include our monthly lunches on Sep. 17, Oct. 24, and Nov. 21 at Newton’s Southwest in Cary, N.C. On Oct. 16, we’ll gather to watch the AFA-CSU game. Visit our web site for event details www.usafa-nc.com.

Alamo Chapter (TX) The chapter is looking forward to new events for our Friday Night Flings this fall. In Sept, we’ll enjoy horse racing at local Retama Park. We hope to organize a picnic on the grass in the first turn for an up-close view of the race! In Oct. we’ll celebrate Oktoberfest in style at Maennerchor Halle, downtown San Antonio. The first weekend in Nov. will find many grads enjoying the Randolph Air Show. For more details about all events, visit www.alamoaog.org.

Arizona Chapter (Ariz.) Our chapter will once again travel to San Diego for the USAFA-San Diego State Football game Nov. 22. We will join California chapters for a joint tailgate party before the game. If you are interested, please contact Tim Furst, ’78, (480)893-0600, tim@familiesfurst.com or Jim Sienicki, ’74, (602)328-6157, jsienicki@swlaw.com. On Dec. 13, Jim and 110

Chirl Sienicki will again host a holiday party at their house in Phoenix. We hope we have a big turnout to spread some holiday cheer.

Hampton Roads Chapter (Va.) Greetings from the Hampton Roads area ofVirginia. We’re putting back together our local AOG chapter to serve the graduate community, current cadets, cadet parents and other friends of USAFA in our area. We’re trying to establish a temporary board to serve until elections in Oct. More to follow in future Checkpoints on our reorganization. We’re putting together a bus trip to FedEx Field at Landover, MI, to observe the annual rout ofNavy on Oct. 4. If interested in helping, contact Wade McRoberts, ’76, (757)7648091, wade.mcroberts@langley.af.mil.

Medical Chapter The chapter will have its annual meeting at USAFA from Nov. 79. The scientific and business meetings will be held at the Hospital Nov 7. The topics currently scheduled are: Air Force Medical Service Readiness Platforms: Current & Future Vision; Management ofFatigue in Combat Flying Operations; and Sports Medicine in College Athletes. This will provide 3 hrs of CME. We hope to arrange a tour of the life sciences/biology departments. Saturday is reserved for tailgating and football. For registration information visit www.aog-usafa.org.

Northern California Chapter(Calif. We plan to meet and go to the Giants footba game with the homeless veterans grouf Swords to Plowshares, on Aug. 21 in PacBe Park. In Sept., we will have our second annu; sports day/picnic at the Moraga Country Clut Football season then starts, and we plan to hav a couple potlucks for the Falcons to watch th big games. For a special treat, we hope to have VIP guest speaker from USAFA for a presents tion and discussion. To learn more about th group, see pictures and find out what is hap pening next, visit www.aog-usafa.org.

San Diego Chapter (Calif.) Greet ings San Diego & Air Force football fan: As I’m sure you know, Air Force plays Sa: Diego State at San Diego this year. We’v already started planning the tailgate part and are looking forward to our best turnou ever. If you have not received e-mails fror the local San Diego chapter representative regarding our local events or ifyou live else where and are interested in joining us fo the tailgate, please e-mail Kelly Healy, ’94 at kellhealy@hotmail.com.

Vandenberg Chapter (Calif.) Th chapter is up and running! Here is a pictur of our new group. Visit our Web site fo updates on meetings and activities.

8.

Chapter Goals

GOAL 1

Celebrate Academy heritage

Alamo Chapter (Tex.) The Chapter is already planning the 50th anniversary Founders Day dinner. Chapter contacts are welcome to submit ideas to Mike Nishimuta, ’73, mike@nishimuta.net, who will help share these ideas with other chapters in recognizing this momentous event.

Middle Tennessee Chapter (Tenn.) The :hapter has decided to plan the first Middle Tenn. Chapter Founders Day event for spring 2004 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Academy. We hope to enlist a recognized military/ government person to speak at this function. We will need a volunteer to coordinate planning. Anyone interested in helping should let the chapter know.

GOAL 4

Provide graduates networking opportunities

Alamo Chapter (TX) The San Antonio Business And Networking Group—BANG—continues in an outstanding fashion, meeting on the fourth Tuesday, ofthe month. Copernicus Guerra, ’94, hosted the June meeting with a ocal personnel recruiter as guest speaker at foe’s Crab Shack in the Quarry Market. See apcoming events at www.alamoaog.org. Networking opportunities include resume’ costings, business cards and job leads.

Puget Sound Chapter (Wash.) The chapter :ontinues to participate in the Joint Service Academy Alumni breakfasts. It’s a great opportunity to network, hear outstanding ;peakers, and find out what other grads are ioing in the business world. If you’re inter;sted in attending future functions, contact Larry Graham, ’87, (206)381-3304.

GOAL 5

Interact with other service academygraduates

AFA Society of North Carolina (N.C.) The alumni packed the Fetzer Field stands April 26 to cheer the Falcon lacrosse team as they took on the nationally ranked University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Following the pre-game tailgate party, we braved a driving rainstorm to join cadet parents and other local Air Force fans in the stadium. The “wine & cheese” UNC fans were deterred by the weather, enabling Air Force to have nearly one-third of the 305 supporters at the game. Everyone had a good time and several former Falcon lacrosse players pledged to begin an adult league team, ensuring their doctors will have plenty ofbusiness in 2004.

The annual Air Force-Army-Navy golf tournament was held June 21 at The Crossings in Durham. In keeping with tradition, the Navy backed into winning by changing the rules to their sole benefit after the event.

Our monthly luncheon program continues to be a favorite opportunity to meet informally. Lunches are held on the third Friday of each month at Newton’s Southwest Grill in Cary. Plans are underway for our annual fall dinner in Sept. Details on all events will be posted at www.usafa-nc.com.

Alamo Chapter (Texas) The annual San Antonio Tri-Service Academy Golf Tournament will be held in Oct. The event always proves very enjoyable as grads swap stories and battle it out on the links.

Arizona Chapter (Ariz.) On Jul 4, Ron, ’71 and Barb Marusiak again hosted a fireworks/ dessert/beverages party at their house on the Arizona Country Club golf course. The

New Chapters

★

fireworks and patriotic music were awesome. There was a nice turnout of grads/spouses/ friends and everyone had a good time.

Hampton Roads Chapter (Va.) On June 6, we combined with the Daedalians and the Airlift-Tanker Association for an annual golf tournament at Eaglewood at Langley AFB. Everybody had a great time.

Middle Tennessee Chapter (TN) On Aug. 26, we will meet for the all-academy golf outing (won the last two years by the mighty Air Force Falcons), held every year on the Monday before Labor Day. If you have questions about this or other chapter events, contact Stewart Anderson, ’92, on the Web site at www.aog-usafa.org.

New England Chapter (Mass.) In Aug., Ken Hasegawa, ’81, assumed the chapter presidency at a Hail and Farewell.

Northern California Chapter (CA) The northern California chapter had several nice events over the summer. The alumni rubbed elbows with our rival Westpointers as we cheered on the women and men USAFA rugby teams to win the national championships at Stanford.

Puget Sound Chapter (Wash.) In June, local wine expert Stan Clarke, ’72, hosted a group of 14 grads and guests to a personal “insiders” tour of the wine country ofWashington’s Yakima Valley. The group enjoyed great wine, food, and the opportunity to interact with other grads from the local area. On Aug. 3, we had our annual summer party/barbeque at John Banbury’s, ’69, house overlooking Lake Washington. We were able to see the Blue

Angels flying over the final heats ofthe Professional Unlimited Hydro Races-a premier stop on their racing circuit. Don’t forget to check out our Web site http://home.attbi.com/ ^ketone64/PSAOG_Websire.htm for information on future events.

Southwest Ohio Chapter (Ohio) The chapter held its 4th annual USAF Academy Alumni & Friends Golf Outing Aug. 7 at the Prairie Trace Golf Course. The annual event is always a great time for grads to get together for fun and to support a great cause. We hope to see more grads next year.

GOAL 7

Support the needs and objectives of the Academy

New England Chapter (Mass.) The chapter donated $5,000 to the Air Force Academy Fund as part of our annual gift.

GOAL 9

Assistparents clubs/cadets

Alamo Chapter (Texas) The Alamo AOG would like to congratulate the newly elected president of the very active south Texas USAFA parents club, David Swiger, ’77, father of Craig, ’05.

Middle Tennessee Chapter (Tenn.) For our new appointees, we joined with cadets, liaison officers, parents, and friends for a send-off picnic. We grilled burgers and hot dogs, and met new friends.

New England Chapter (Mass.) The chapter participated in doolie send-offfor New England area appointees ofthe Class of2007 Jun 14.

Northern California Chapter (Calif.) In May, a group of us met for cocktails and dinner to toast the graduating Class of 2003 and watch the sun set over the city from the top of the Marines Memorial panoramic restaurant.

Piedmont Chapter (N.C.) The Piedmont Chapter hosted cadets of the Class of ’07 from N.C. during a luncheon held at a local country club in Charlotte.

The cadets had a chance to meet and speak with grads regarding Academy life, military career, and civilian opportunities. The cadets also exchanged e-mail addresses and flight schedules for their upcoming departure. Each grad provided a brief summary of their respective Air Force careers and current job positions, which included attorneys, commercial airline pilots, charter

airline pilots, and airport administrators. The cadets then asked their classmates questions regarding in-processing, report dates, approved clothing articles and placement tests. The Chapter sponsored cadets from Columbia, S.C.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Franklin, N.C.; Concord, N.C.; and various other cites and towns throughout the Piedmont region. The chapter intends to keep in contact with the cadets and encouraged them to call one of our members during the winter and summer holidays. This will be an annual event sponsored by the chapter, and we encourage grads in the local area to plan on attending the luncheon next year.

Baltimore Chapter (Md.) The chapter desires to support USAFA’s programs in the Maryland region. The chapter is in the process of offering a “Falcon Nest” in Maryland to the USAFA exchange cadets who will be spending their fall semester at the Naval Academy. We hope to host the cadets for a tailgate party at one of the fall football games. This will be a warmup for the real matchup: Air Force vs. Navy Oct. 11 at FedEx field. Any grads living in the Baltimore region are encouraged to contact the chapter’s president Jeff Kubik, ’93, jkubik@cablespeed.com, (410)5194904 for details.

- C**— In financial support of the highly successful event, Buddy Lott, ’76, (left), president of the association, presented Lt. Col. Steve Gregg, director of the North Texas AL0 group, a check for $250.

North Texas Association (Texas) On June 21, the association, along with the north Texas parents club, and northeast Texas admissions liaison officers sponsored an Academy summer send-off picnic and softball tournament for the Class of 2007 and Prep School Class of 2004. The event was held at the recreation area of the Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base. Appointees and grads participated in a spirited softball game to unite the grads and future cadets in a common bond ofcamaraderie.

NORTH TEXAS ASSOCIATION

MR FORCE KCADEMY graduates

AREER Conference

OVEMBER 13-14, 2003

DALLAS, TEXAS

iACC Schedule of Events

hursday, November 13, 2003

iterview Prep Seminar at 6:30pm - 8:30pm

riday, November 14, 2003

reakfast (provided)

7am - 10am registration - All Day

ACC - 12:30pm

unch (not provided) 12:30pm - 3pm

ACC 2pm - 6pm

aturday, November 15, 2003

iterviews only if directly scheduled between company icruiters and candidates; Companies will contact you irectly regarding any on-site interviews during the SACC.

you have any questions, please contact Wayne Taylor at r 19) 472-0300 or DSN 333-4513.

NAME (for name tag, no ranks):

ADDRESS:

What is SACC?

The SACCis the Service Academy Career Conference supported by the Associations of Graduates from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy, and Alumni Associations from the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Previous conferences have been attended by hundreds ofcompanies and thousands ofalumni.

Where will the SACC be held?

The next SACCwill be held at the Hyatt Regency DFW, inside Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas, TX. You may obtain a room for the SACC rate, if available. Call (972) 453-1234 for reservations and ask for the SACC rate. There are many other hotels available in the area or stay with classmates or family.

Registration Fee

The SACC Candidate registration fee is $35 and may be paid by check or credit card. Please mail the attached registration with form ofpayment and one copy ofyour resume—resumes must be one page/one sided and on plain copy paper. Please mail your registration, or email to: sacc@usna.com. Please do not fax-we need a nice, clean copy ofyour resume. Registration deadline November 1, 2003.

SACC Hotel Information

The Hyatt Regency DFW Inside DFW Airport Dallas, TX 75261-9014 972-453-1234

Next

Scheduled

SACC Washington DC May 6-7, 2004

SACC Candidate Registration Form (Dallas, TX.)

USAFA CLASS:

PHONE (Home): (Work):_ (E-mail):

RESUME CATEGORY: (from web site at www.aog-usafa.org/SACC_Registration.htm)

Will you attend the free Interview Prep Seminar? (^Yes ONo

Mail to. SACC 7 v

Please include: dJRegistration Form

247 King George St.

side) Annapolis, MD 21402-5068

Cadet Running Suits

Cadet issue item. Available in two styles.

S - XXL (Sizes run large) Available to members only.

Dark blue with reflective strips

Jackets $83.00

Pants $50.00

Light blue with reflective strips (Limited sizes. Please call for availability)

Jackets Not Available

Pants $26.00

Crew Sweatshirts

Crewneck sweatshirt. Features “Air Force” applique with “Academy” embroidered beneath.

Available in Blue or Gray.

S-XL $30.25

Hooded Zip Sweats

Hooded sweatshirt with pockets. Full length zipper. Features “Air Force” applique with “Academy” embroidered beneath.

Available in Blue or Gray.

S-XL $34.50

Cadet Sweat Suits, T-Shirts & Shorts

Cadet issue items. Oversized to accommodate shrinkage.

Available to members only.

Tops (S-XXL) $38.50

Pants (S-XXL) $25.50

Set (S-XXL) $60.50

T-Shirt (S-XXL) $10.50

Shorts (S-XXL).... $15.75

Jacket

Dark Navy with new AOG logo on the left. Cotton/nylon (70/30) shell with polyester/poplin lining. Stain and water resistant.

S-XXL $63.75

Shirts

Polo Shirts by Cutter & Buck. 100% cotton with new AOG logo. Available in dark navy and white.

S-XXXL $39.50

Denim Shirts by Vantage. Long sleeve with new AOG logo.

S-XXXL $40.75

Ties

100% silk. Repeating silver-colored AFA/AOG motif under a stylized

Prop & Wing. Two basic colors from which to choose.

Red with gold, blue, and silver accent stripes.

Blue with gold, red and silver accent stripes.

Regular length $28.00

Extra long length $29.00

Saber

Official United States Air Force Academy Cadet Saber.

*Available to Graduate members only.

Saber with scabbard $192.25

License Plate Frames

Three styles from which to choose.

FALCONS - White lettering on a blue background

ALUMNI - White lettering on a blue background

PARENT - White lettering on a blue background

Each frame $ 6.25

Any two frames $10.50

Plaques

Marble plaque

Etched falcon on white marble $72.75

Wooden chapel plaque $17.75

Walnut plaque Laser engraved of the cadet area. Can be purchased with or without a plate suitable for engraving. $114.50

Books and Videos

Into the Mouth of the Cat* The story of Lance Sijan, '65

The Iskra Incident Autographed by Grad, author Jimmie Butler, ’63 Red Lightning, Black Thunder Autographed by Grad, author Jimmie Butler, ’63

Separated by War Autographed by Grad, author Ed Herlik, '80

Modernism at Mid Century History of the architecture of USAFA

The Secret Life of Waldo F. Dumbsquat* Autographed by Grad author Don Hall, ’76

A Certain Brotherhood* Autographed by Grad author Jimmie Butler, '63

Honor Bound Autographed by one of the authors

Return With Honor (Video) Documentary of the experiences of POWs in Vietnam (DVD)

Spirit and Flight A photographic salute to the USAF Academy. Over 150 color photographs. Sponsored by the AOG. By Elizabeth Gill Lui (* Paperback)

Class Notebooks

...Item #0340 $ 4.25

...Item #0342 $20.75

...Item #0344 $23.00

...Item #0345 $26.00

...Item #0347 $52.00

...Item #0350 $10.50

...Item #0352 $10.50

...Item #0354 $39.50

...Item #0510 $19.75

...Item #0515 $25.00

...Item #0351 $41.75

Two-tone gray suede cover, junior legal size (6” x 9”), with class crest embossed on front and class color stripe; inside note pad and pen; available for the following classes only.

’66 Notebook ’91 Notebook ’92 Notebook ’93 Notebook ’94 Notebook ’95 Notebook

Item #5366 ....$12.50 ’97 Notebook

Item #5391 ’98 Notebook

Item #0592 ’99 Notebook

Item #5340 ’00 Notebook

Item #5397

Item #5398

Item #5399

Item #5200

Item #5394 ’01 Notebook Item #5201

Item #5395 ’03 Notebook Item #5203

AOG Accessories & Other Items

DECALS

Class crests on a window decal (self-adhesive to inside of glass) for all years through ’03. Specify class year.

Class Decals

UMBRELLA

#43XX $ 1.25

AOG Membership Decal Item #0502

HONOR MEDALLION

A 2 1/2” diameter brass medallion with the Honor Code on one side and Prop & Wings on the other.

Honor Medallion

Pin-back

Item #0504 $21.00

Alternating blue & white panels, AOG crest on white panels.

SWEATERS

Blue and white, 80% 0rlon/20% wool crew neck. “Falcons”

L & XLG only

NOTECARDS

Doolittle Hall Notecards (6”

#0540 $12.50

Blue

Pins

specify squadron)

MAGNETS

#0150 ....$22.00

Set of 10 with envelopes.... x 4.5”) Item #0503 $ 5.25

Falcon Notecards

Set of 10 with envelopes.... Item #0506 $15.75

Phoenix Notecards

Set of 10 with envelopes.... Item #0506 $15.75

JEWELRY

Sterling Silver AOG Charm Item #0430 $25.00

Sterling Silver AOG Tie Tack Item #0431.... $25.00

HATS

AFA hat w/class year. Navy blue w/embroidered AFA crest ar class year. Please specify class year.

Adjustable leather strap for size.... Item #0310 $18.75

AOG hat. Navy blue with brown bill.

Adjustable strap for fit Item #0311 $16.75

Item #0501 $ 3.25

AOG or USAFA. Blue, silver, gold or red.

Class Crested Merchandise

The AOG has obtained excess merchandise from the Visitors Center that remained from recent graduating classes and reunions.

Items are in limited quantities, sizes and colors and availability varies from class to class and includes: sweatshirts, clipperjackets, T-shirts, buttons, etc.

This merchandise is only available for the following classes:

’69 ’73 ’74

Partial listing of available class crested items can be found on AOG web page under “merchandise/special sale items.” You car also email Celeste at merchandise@aog-usafa.org or call (719) 472-0300, ext. 521.

John D. “Jake”Jacohcik, ’63

On April 13, 2003, the world lost a dear friend and gallant warrior when retired Col. J.D. “Jake” Jacohcik suddenly passed away in his home of natural causes. He was 65 years old and was a resident of Shalimar, Fla. for the past 15 years.

Jake was a stalwart in the local community as one ofthe architects ofthe Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) weapon so effectively used in every recent conflict including Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Jake enlisted in the Air Force in 1955 and later received an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Graduating in the Class of 1963, he received his pilot wings and flew “heavies” with the Strategic Air Command. His combat career began with small interruptions to SouthVietnam as a forward air controller in 1968. He was also an instructor at his Academy alma mater from 1970 to 1975.

He was highly decorated in combat with a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 18 Air Medals. A highlight of his career was flying the B-52 bomber as the commander ofthe 337th Bombardment Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, through 1980. His military career ended in 1984 after important Air Logistics Command jobs in Utah and Oklahoma. Jake also received a master’s degree from Abilene Christian University to complement his multiple Air Force Staff schools.

After his retirement, Jake joined the McDonnell Douglas Aeronautics Co. as a manager in the Short Range Attack Missile Program and moved to the Emerald Coast in 1988. He structured the company’s vision for future armament needs of the Air Force and his mark was left on the Innovative Phantom Works efforts. now household names like JDAM and Small Smart Bomb. Always the professional, he was respected by all who came into contact with him, both in and out of the government.

Jake is survived by his mother, Carrie Seeley Jacohcik; daughter Michelle Jacohcik; and brothers Sam and William Jacohcik. Jake is also survived by his loving companion, Thalia Newton of Shalimar. His father, Sam Jacohcik, predeceased Jake. (Compiled from Fort Walton Beach Daily News/

Robert G. Lawrence, ’64

Robert Grant Lawrence served his country, his friends and his family for 60 years. He was born in Marshfield, WI on September 18, 1942 to Roger and Rita Lawrence. He was a star athlete and honor student in high school. At the Air Force Academy he played (freshman) football and excelled in the classroom.

Upon graduation in 1964, Robert left for pilot training in Valdosta, GA (Moody AFB) where he flew the T-37. Next, he was stationed in Big Spring, TX (Webb AFB) where he trained on the T-38. He spent several years as a T-38 instructor. During 1968/69 he flew the A-37 in

For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site.

www.aog-usafa.org

but not forgotten

Vietnam. After returning home he served as an air officer commanding at the Air Force Academy.

Bob then received a master’s degree in Middle East Affairs from the University of Utah. This set the foundation for the remainder of his career in the Air Force and after. He was stationed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as the Air Attache from 1977 to 1979.

Upon his return to the United States he worked in the Pentagon and the State Department in Washington, D.C. During this period he attended theWar College and published the book, “US Policy in Southwest Asia: A Failure in Perspective.”

After 22 years in the Air Force, Robert retired, joining General Dynamics and eventually Lockheed Martin. He spent six ofthose years in Cairo, Egypt. In his last position before retirement from Lockheed he was the President of Middle East and Africa.

During the latter part of his career with Lockheed he became a board member of Seeds of Peace, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing together and resolving the differences between Palestinian and Israeli youths.

In 1999, he retired to Ponte Vedra, FL where he spent his time fishing, golfing and with his family and friends.

Robert died January 8 in Kauai, HI after battling cancer for over a year. He is survived by his two sons, Mike and Brad; his wife, Patricia; and his three grand children. He is deeply missed but fortunately his legacy lives in those he touched, for anyone who crossed paths with him was instantly his friend. The country he loved he defended until his passing and to his family he gave of himself everyday. (His Family)

Henry W. "Bill"Manning, ’66

Our good friend Bill Manning, “The Lip”, passed away on April 25, 2003 at his home in Rupert, Idaho. The light of his life, his grandson Austin, had spent the night before with him.

Bill is survived by his mother, Margarite Manning; his sisters Kathleen Rivard, Carol Stein, and Jane Heiskell; his brother James Manning; his daughters Rachelle Peterson, Christina Manning, and Monica Fessenden; and four grandchildren. His father, DarylManning, and his brother John Manning preceded him in death.

Bill was born on May 4, 1944 in Rupert, Idaho to Daryl W. and Margarite Manning. He grew up in the Paul area and graduated in 1962 Bill Manning from Minico High School where he is remembered as a great athlete and good student. He was captain of the football team and an allstate track athlete.

Bill spent all four years at the Air Force Academy in 11th Squadron, played four years of football was a member of the famous “Brown

“Jake”Jacohcik

Bob Lawrence

Tide” JV squad which was undefeated, played in the 1963 Gator Bowl, and during his last two years was the starting running/blocking back. In 1965 he caught three passes from Paul Stein against the University of Arizona Wildcats. He played in the 1965/6 Blue Gray game first Falcon selected for that honor.

Probably the finest piece ofwork Lip produced while at the zoo was his “Ode to the Class of ’66", which he penned to use in his role as MisterVice for our Hundredth Night Dining In. We fondly remember many famous lines that brought the house down. Bill always had a big smile, a quick joke to tell, and nothingbut kind words to say. He was revered by all those that came in contact with him because of his sense of humor, honesty, and steadfast friendship. There were none better than Bill during a tense moment where he would make a quick comment to change the tone and keep the situation in perspective. Bill is also famous for cutting a wide swath through Europe in the summer of 1963 Field Trip, 3rd Lieutenant and on leave after graduation from Oslo to Mallorca, stopping to visit Basque relatives in the Spanish Pyrenees.

After graduation, Bill spent four eventful and fun-filled years in the Air Force coaching football at the Academy, playing football (I mean being a Services Officer) at Sembach Air Base, Germany, and finding a wife (his sister, Carol) for our classmate, Paul Stein.

After leaving the Air Force, Bill earned his Law Degree from the University of Utah Law School and returned to the Rupert/Burley area. It is here that he made a huge impact for the rest of his life as the as the Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney and later, in private practice. His commitment to and involvement in the community was simply amazing. He was a member of the Elks, worked with the Special Olympics, and in many other civic endeavors. He served on the Parish Council, led the Knights of Columbus and the Cursillo at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in Rupert. Bill enjoyed sports of any kind and continued to play throughout the area. His passion, however, was being with his daughters and his grandson, Austin. He was a devoted father and grandfather. Everything else took second place. Bill was always the champion of the underdog. We found out how much when we attended his funeral in Rupert. The little church of Saint Nicholas probably can hold 200 people on a normal day. At the

First Commandant’s Widow Dies

Fanny (“Noopie”) Graham Stillman; lovingly surrounded by her adoring family, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2003. She was born in El Paso, Texas on Dec. 29, 1914 to Lt. Col. and Mrs. Ephraim Foster Graham. In 1937 she married Robert M. Stillman.

Brigadier General Stillman served as the first Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy from Sept. 1, 1954 to Aug. 1, 1958 and authored the first Honor Code for the first group of Academy cadets. The Maj. Gen. Robert M. Stillman Parade Field was dedicated in his memory on Sept. 17, 1994.

After a distinguished 30-year career in the U. S. Air Force, they retired in San Antonio. Noopie was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her sister Helen G. Slayton; her brother Brig. Gen. Ephraim Foster Graham, Jr. and wife, Dorothy; her brother E. Hoyle Graham and wife, Bunnie; her daughter Sharon C. Wood and son-in-law Dean C. Wood; her grand son Lawrence Robert (Bob) Cotton; grand daughterin-law Ellen Dean Cotton; great grand children; Sarah Ellen, William Robert, Jonathan Graham and Harrison David Cotton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Children’s Ministry or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A celebration of her life was held at a memorial service on July 19 at St, Mark’s Episcopal Church, The Rev. Jay George officiating. The family invites you to leave a message of memory at www.porterloring.com by selecting Visitation and Services. Select “Sign Guestbook” at the bottom of the Individual Memorial.

Rosary Service, it was full and everyone stayed to talk to the family. The next day, at the Funeral Mass, the church was full to capacity an hour before the service, and people continued to come. They filled the aisles and stood outside in a slight drizzle. These people came to honor a man they loved and respected. A man who had impacted their lives. These were not just Bill’s family and friends, but people from all walks oflife from prominent citizens to migrant workers. This was a side of Bill that most of us who thought we knew Bill well had never suspected. We came to find out that Bill was notoriously slow to charge those who he knew would have trouble meeting his legal fees. We don’t know how many ofthose who filled every inch ofthe church, packed the aisles and stood in the rain (man, you had to be there to believe it!) to pay homage to Bill owed him for legal services. But we came to find out something more important Bill didn’t care a whit about legal fees for the simple reason that Bill cared more about the people he represented. Bill gave in a world where so many take.

We left Rupert, Idaho shaken, knowing more about a good friend after his passing than we ever suspected while he was alive. Bill died with but a few bucks, but boy, he died a rich man. We, and a wide community along the Snake River in southern Idaho, are immeasurably richer for sharing his life. He is a terrific credit to a class that has, “blood that sticks.” We ask God to take him in his arms, hug him and thank him for so many.

Bill will be remembered as a proud, attentive father and grandfather; man ofhighintegrity and boundless energy; and a steadfast friend. Bill’s ashes will be interred at the United States Air Force Academy.

We will miss him. Godspeed, Lip. (Vic Andrews, Jerry Becker, Bill Berry, Jim Bowman, Tom Brandon, Mike Heenan, John Marshall, and Hans Mueh)

PeterP. Strunk, *75

While driving through his favorite part ofArizona, the White Mountains, an impaired driver crossed the center line and hit head-on the car Pete was driving. He died a few hours later on April 11, 2003. His ashes will be scattered in Hawaii, where he had been based for several years while flying for Northwest Airlines. Pete was a 747 first officer who loved and lived to fly.

That love of flying began as a boy and grew as he did, first in building model planes and then rockets he could launch. He often rode his bike to the airport to watch the planes take off. The second date with his high school sweetheart ended up at the end ofthe runway so he could explain the aerodynamics of flying, and she married him anyway. With his appointment to USAFA, his dreams of flying actually took wing when he joined the flying club and earned his private pilot’s license, followed by an instrument rating. After graduating in 1975 with a degree in physics, he set off for pilot training at Webb AFB in Big Spring, Texas, and then received an assignment to Luke AFB where he completed F-4 training. A brief 18-month stay at Nellis AFB flying the F-4 preceded an assignment to Sembach AB in Germany. Although initially disappointed with an OV-IO assignment, he would later say that the Sembach years were the best of his time in the Air Force. An F-15, however, was waiting in the wings, and Pete moved on to more training at Luke and then two more years at Holloman AFB in New Mexico.

Pete moved into the civilian sector in 1985, working for Garrett

Pete Strunk

Pneumatics System Division in Phoenix, Ariz. as a project engineer. He also joined the Air National Guard and then later changed to a Reserve position as an Air Force Academy Liaison Officer, traveling to high schools around Arizona to counsel students interested in attending the Academy. To keep his feet “off” the ground, he became a light plane instructor at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa. Four years later he applied to Northwest Airlines and was hired in 1989. During his career at Northwest, Pete flew the DC-9, the 727, and finally the 747-200, first out of Alaska and then Hawaii. One of his favorite jobs at Northwest was as an instructor, which combined Pete’s flying skills with his love of teaching others to fly. He also shared this love of flying by speaking to elementary students about both the science of flight and careers in flying.

Intense discussions were a favorite pastime of Pete. On long layovers, during lengthy trans-Pacific flights, and while relaxing on the patio at home, he would often carry on conversations about mathematical and scientific concepts he had read about. His family often teased him about the fact that he read math books “for fun,” but Kathe, his wife of 28 years, enjoyed getting the condensed account of the books he read. Pete loved learning, was a voracious reader, and an avid PBS fan. After being on reserve in Hawaii and Alaska and experiencing their natural splendor, he developed a passionate interest in the environment and was involved in various aspects of protecting the places he wanted to see preserved for future generations.

Pete was proudest ofhis three daughters and their successes as emerging adults. All honors college students/graduates, Pete took great joy in their intellectual accomplishments as well as their dedication to helping others. Emily works in development for a non-profit organization in Washington D. C., Elisabeth is a graduate student at the University of Michigan, and Elaine will transfer to Michigan State in the fall. He was excited to finally have a male (especially one who loved math and science) join the family when Elisabeth married Matt last year. Aside from his love of learning, Pete inspired his family with a love of travel and a compassionate global perspective. He was a man of uncompromising honor and integrity, and yet amazingly unpretentious. His fellow pilots describe him as “a genuine professional, a great stick and throttle pilot, and a true gentleman. He will be missed by all those who knew himhe was one of the good guys.” (Pete’s wife and daughter)

Eric B. Das, ’95

Early on April 6th 2003 over the battlefield in Iraq, the United States lost one of its great sons and we lost a brother and friend, Eric Bruce Das.

Eric’s F-15E went down near Tikrit, Iraq, during an exceptionally difficult close air support combat mission in what other pilotsflying that night described as the worst weather conditions they had ever encountered in their flying career. It was Eric’s 17th combat mission after havingvolunteered to augment the forces in Iraq while serving as an instructor pilot at F-15E FTU.

There was never any doubt what Eric wanted to do duringOperationIraqi Freedom. His nation was at war, his brothers and sisters were in harm’s way, and Eric’s wife, Nikki (an F-15E intelligence officer), was among them. Eric’s commander at FTU granted his request to volunteer to go to Iraqwith the sure knowledge he was sending the best of the best.

On that unfortunate night, being the best wasn’t enough to bring Eric back home safely. At least not to this home.

God’s will that night was to bring Eric to his true home in heaven to the One who he loved more than anyone, his savior Jesus Christ. And while we all wish Eric could have spent many more years among us here, I

keep thinking even Eric knew that night that he was going home for good... God couldn’t wait any longer to have Eric with him.

There are so many great things to say about Eric, but perhaps the easiest thing to say is he loved and was loved by all he met. Though his years were short by our standards, he lived more fully and more beautifully in those years than most live during lives much longer. To a great friend, brother, son, husband, and hero, here’s a toast... (Alex Sansone,’95)

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

Lt. Col. (Ret) Norman B. Congdon, Class of 1960, who died on Aug. 5, 2003 of cancer in Albuquerque, N.M.

Col. (Ret) Bruce W. Sharer, Class of 1966, who died on June 21, 2003 of a pulmonary embolism in Fair Oaks, Calif.

Col. (Ret) Robert J. Hager, Class of 1968, who died on Oct. 15, 1999 ofcomplications from heart surgeryin Houston, Texas. (The AOG was not notified of Colonel Hager's death until May 2003.)

Lt. Col. (Ret) Roy M. Clayton, Class of 1981, who died in an automobile accident on June 26, 2003 in Dayton Ohio.

Mr. James L. Price, Class of 1973, who died on July 25, 2003 in Colorado Springs, Colo, of pneumonia.

Mr. Kash S. Johnson, Class of 1982, who died on Aug. 5, 2003 in an auto accident in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

OBITUARY POLICY EXPLAINED

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

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

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

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

Life membership dues are not transferable to the graduate’s spouse, unless the life membership was joint, in which case it does transfer to the spouse. However, if the life member has purchased the “survivorship” option for their spouse, then their spouse can exercise member benefits until their own death. If you wish to add “survivorship” to your life membership, contact our membership department for details and prices.

Class NEWS

1250 Big Valley Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80919-1015

H: (719) 531-5874 FAX: (719) 531-6697

E-mail: petetodd@aol.com

As my dog has taught me, an annoying and pathetic whine often produces felicitous results. In this case, last spring’s laments about an empty mailbag have produced a veritable torrent of news.

CV Miller recalled that I had written admiringly about Wayne and Bonnie Jefferson’s freeloading on various classmates for protracted periods of time under the pretense that they were building a new house. CVwrites, Sandy and I found this to be a great way to go, especially since they closed our golf course for about six months for some reconstruction of the greens and tees. [Ed.: A weak but plausible coverstory.)

“We started out in April and headed for a reunion of a unit I flew with out of Goose Bay in the mid-’60 s. On the way out to Las Vegas for the reunion, we stopped through Albuquerque and did get a chance to snitch a beer from Jay Mitchell. He sure seems to be working a lot on his cabinet making.

“Next we stopped at Sun CityWest and stayed with Bill and BettyToney and played one ofthe golf courses they have at that area before we headed to the reunion in Las Vegas. After spending a week in Vegas, we headed down to Carlsbad, CA, to sponge offLarry and Carol Thomson. They have a great place right next to the 18th green, about a 2-3 minute walk to the pro-shop/fitness center. Played a round of golf with Larry on his new course. (It was his first time around the course.). Neither of us did much, as far as golf, but we did have a great time.

“Next, we headed up to stay with DJ and Phyllis Phillips. That was a really good time. Tried to play a little golf, but actually quit after 9 holes because of the cold and wet. We stayed with them for a couple of nights and then headed up the coast to San Francisco. Stayed there as a guest of

DJ and Phyllis and had a great time.

“We then started back to Florida, but found that takes more than a day when you are traveling by car. We drove throughYosemite and Zion Parks on the way back, and then went south and stayed with Ed and Sharon Rosane in San Antonio. Played golf with them and spent a day on the Riverwalk and looking around the city. Really a great time.

“Got back to Niceville, and found the course was still torn up, but the house was doing fine. So we headed for Colorado Springs to play in the Ben Martin Memorial tournament. Stayed with Brock and Claire Strom; had another great time. Brock, Bill Toney (came down from Anchorage) and I played together with another gentleman from the Academy in the tournament. Did not win anything, but we actually had some fairly decent weather to play in. Days before and after were terrible, cold and rain, plus thunder. Also had a chance to see Jim and Rose Brown while in the Springs area.”

“We are now in Iowa, have been for about a month, and will leave on 5 July to head for Anchorage to see our daughter and her family. Probably drop in on Bill and Betty Toney while we are up there.”

Hard on the heels of CV’s report came a note from Roger Counts recounting their spring trip, Fulfilling Roger’s 46-year dream (since the USAFA class trip of 1957) to return to Bavaria, Germany, Roger and Lora did so in May. Under the auspices of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) and accompanied by their close friends Mike and Joyce Wilson ofLaguna Miguel, they were able to spend four days at the Chiemsee Resort near Munich and four days at the General Patton Hotel in Garmisch. This was a package deal offered by the AFRC Resorts and ineluded all breakfasts, tours, and three theme dinners. Activities included tours ofBerchtesgaden’s salt mines, the Eagle’s Nest (highlight ofthe trip), Munich, Dachau, Salzburg, Garmisch, Oberammergau, and a myriad of castles and cathedrals. A truly exceptional value for $1800 per couple! Unfortunately, all the original AFRC resort hotels in Europe will be closing permanently, with only one remaining: a new 350-room hotel currently under construction in Garmisch near theAFRC ski area. Roger notes that ifyou are interested in this Retiree Escapes package offered byAFRC, you can check it out online and make reservations on their web site at http:// www. afreeurope. com /vacation/ summer/retirees/.

Following their visit to Germany, the four visited Lora’s relatives in Sweden for a week, partaking of the renowned Stockholm smargasbords and visiting the Stadhus (site of the Nobel Prize banquet), Vasa Museet (site of the ship Flagship Vasa which capsized in Stockholm harbor in 1628 and was salvaged in 1961), and more castles and cathedrals. They even spent a night in a Stockholm jail (actually the Langholmen Hotell, converted from an 18th Century prison), replete with barred doors, a museum and room mirrors in the motif of a guillotine!

Here in the Springs, the annual Founders’ Day dinner in April served as the occasion to honor formally one of our own. Bob Oaks was recognized as a USAFA Distinguished Graduate for his many achievements both in uniform and in retirement. In his characteristically eloquent and self-effacing remarks, he paid tribute to the foundations and support providedbychurch, family (especiallythe ever-youthful Gloria), theAcademy and the Air Force. Bob and Gloria will return from their mission in Africa in the summer and will be settling in the Salt Lake City area.

Comingfrom near andfar to celebrate Bob Oaks’honor were, from left, Herman Gilster (ATO, present to provide adult supervision), Curt Cook, MaxMiller, D.DAnderson, LarryFortner, WileyBurch, BobBrowning, Brad Hosmer, Pete Todd, Ed Montgomery, Brock Strom and the honoree, Bob Oaks.

Two other classmates and their spouses were honored this spring by us! Over about the past 20 years or so, many of us have attended the tailgates and mini-reunions organized by Ed and Judy Josephson and Fred and Brenda Wynn when the Falcons played Army and Navy back east. At the suggestion of many of the attendees, the Class officers authorized a modest but tangible expression ofClass gratitude for their hard work and contributions to Class camaraderie. RL Penn and Kent Montavon served as the local crew chiefs for procuring the appropriate recognition. Well done to all concerned.

Class Gift Status: As of last June, 83 classmates (-49%) had donated

Pete Todd

Sabre Society Donors

and/or pledged to the fund. Meanwhile, 18 ATOs have pledged well over $10,000 to the CLASS Gift. (What’s wrong with this picture?)

Finally, with the help ofJerry Garber, I’ve managed to sleuth out a fascinating story about one of our classmates. Space limitations prohibit a full account until next issue, but I’ll leave you with this “teaser” to whet your appetites.

Directed by Arnold Richie

Thought for the Quarter: Men occasionally stumble on the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. Sir Winston Churchill

AJ. (Rosie) Cler, Jr.

214 Poppy St. Golden, CO 80401

H: (303) 238-4973 e-Fax: (509) 463-4700

E-mail: RCtherose@aol.com

Class Web Site: www.usafa.net/1960

On April 28th and 29 th 2003, former Commandant of Cadets Tony Burshnick (Jun 82- Jul 84) represented our class as one ofthe Distinguished Graduates from the Academy’s 44 classes showing support for the Wing in the aftermath of the sexual assault issue. Set in Arnold Hall, the gathering spoke before first and second classmen, and AF COS General Jumper and SecAF Roche chaired the meeting (forTony’s full story—ABURSH@aol.com. Tony even got a roundtrip from DC in an almost-new C-40!).

This Is Your Life, Michael Jerome Clarke, who gave us his career highlights: “While we were cadets, Colonel Polvi, Deputy Chair of Aeronautics, and former Deputy Commander of the USAF TPS (Test Pilot School), helped me map out a career path to enter TPS and realize my goal ofbecoming a test pilot. It was a nine-year path, and I made it on my first try, just as he predicted, after several operational assignments including two tours in Vietnam, the first as an Agent Orange pilot, the second as the Ops Advisor to Premier Ky’s personal fighter squadron in Saigon flying single seat AlH/Js. Following a tour in the Netherlands flying F-102s and F-4Es, I was selected to attend the ARPS (Aerospace Research Pilot School, renamed from TPS when the space program geared-up), where Ron Yates, Dean Vikan and Don Thurman were on the staff.

“My class was the last ARPS class, and the last to get the Astronautics/ Orbital Mechanics/Space Vehicle Simulator Training curriculum, before the school reverted to the TPS. I used to bait Ron Yates in the classroom by drawing the fickle finger of fate on the obverse side of his overhead projector glass so he could not erase it, which showed through his slides, and I engineered a few other tricks on him. He would smile when he realized he had been ‘had’, but I’m not sure ever he figured out which of us Academy grads was baiting him. He was an excellent instructor, as was Don. In addition, Dean ran a lean and mean Ops Department. This was in 1970/71, during which Don and I flewaT-Bird to Colorado for our 10th class reunion (unfortunately, the last either of us attended).

“Three in my ARPS class were eventually considered for the potential shuttle astronauts list, along with three other test pilots at Edwards. General Stafford, the Flight Test Center Commander, encouraged us to reconsider, and I remained in place as the Deputy Director of the YF-16/17 Test Force.

“During my six years as an experimental test pilot at Edwards, I was fortunate to flight test both theYF-17 and theYF-16.1 was the principle USAF Project Test Pilot for the YF-17. Additionally, I flew high altitude research projects in the U-2 for three years. I was exposed to technologies that led to my eventual involvement in the ‘black world,’ and with this experience and advanced clearances, I was brought straight into the ‘black world’ by Northrop when I retired as an LC in 1982, as director on a program which eventually became known as theYF-23. At Northrop I was also in charge of an advanced design team pursuing new stealth fighter concepts while still involved in the embryonic YF-23; unfortunately, I unknowingly stumbled onto the B-2 design, the upshotbeing I had to be briefed on the B-2 so they could swear me to secrecy. My wife, Emma, was also accessed to the B-2 program as the Program Manager’s Executive Secretary.

“Between us, we have six children, two sons and four daughters. Mark and Matt distinguished themselves by achieving 20+ year careers in the Coast Guard, Cindy (Summa Cum Laude) and Caren graduated from Regis University and are respectively a CPAfor the City ofDenver and Senior Librarian at Regis; Kim is a dental hygienist in Panama City, and Cheryl a homemaker in Denver. We have nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“In retirement, I’m building a Van’s RV-8. After more than two years effort, with support from the FAA, I successfully secured the registration number: ‘N60NS’ Class of 1960, Nulli Secundus! I will use our school colors when painting the aircraft.” Mike and Emma live in Southbury, CT. (FlyMike55@aol.com)

Those ebullient “DC-60 Guys"celebratedFounders Daywith their usual panache and hell bent bravado. In the back row are Les Querry Bob Badger, BillHodson, TonyBurshnick, RichardHead, Tom Burke, Bill Carnegie, JoeHiggins, andBob Odenweller.

FriendlyFire: Most of us have our own yawn-inducing manner ofrelating to lesser mortals just how “put-upon" we were in the “old days” at school, but try Jim Alexander’s: We had to run 14 miles to class six times a day and remember the names of all of General George Washington’s horsies: Dancer, Prancer, and ? ...The U of Nebraska sells caskets emblazoned with the Cornhuskers’ logo to members of its alumni. Drats, we don’t (have caskets, that is). But, we will soon have our very own license plates with “USAF Academy” displayed (available only in certain states).

Call Marty Marcolongo (’88) on the AOG staff at (719) 472-0300... I heard from Ron Giblin (he’s on doolie summer roommate Don Thurman’s right in our 1956 class photo, and was in 7th squadron). Ron left our second semester at Lowry. He’s at N85FOX@hotmail.com... And, speaking of “doolies,” General Albert P. Clark said the term never came from USMA. It is of Greek origin and means “one without status,” and comes from the word “doulos,” which means “slave”... The AFA graveside ceremony for George Hines is 09/11/03 at 11a.m... REMINDER: Our 45th Class Reunion is 15-19 June, 2005 at the Radisson Inn-Colorado Springs.

“Bullet-ProofMike” vertical in a YF-17 (the cover ofAviation & Space Technologymagazine in Fall 1974), andin his Baron von Richthofen garb. Class of 1960 AFA-ArmyWeekend. The Colorado Classmates will once again host a three-dayweekend for classmates, wives, families and guests around that inter-service football game at the Academy, and this year that’s Nov 7-9, 2003 for the AFA-Army game. (Visit with those living in

FrontRow:Mike (A.) Clarke, Norm Haller, Gerryde la Cruz, Bill Goodyear, Bob Weinaug, and GeorgeFries.

Sabre Society Donors

Colorado: Bilello, Bishop, Brush, Cler, Glaza, Kendall, Mosier, Porter, Pupich, Reed, Savage, Schehr, Schwank, Sexton, Waddle, Walsh, Yates). Hotel Headquarters is the Radisson Inn (North), and we’ve reserved rooms at $74/night. Party starts Friday afternoon at Bruce and Caryl Mosier’s house, Friday evening’s your get together with local classmates, Saturday morning’s GlazaGate precedes the football game (A1 Fresco menu: French wines, Possum steaks, cheesecake, Courvoisier), victory dinner at the Radisson, and Sunday brunch as the “get-away” event. (E-mail ME at RCtherose@aol.com, or Jock Schwank at JCHSchwank@aol.com to register for the weekend).

“Lovein Bloom.”

Some smarmy informant sent photos of a legendary “Shock and Awe” event taken during one of our previous lives. “Hah, you say, but return with me now for a briefglimpse into our sometimes-sordid past and study the photos. If anyone can name the people, date and location, Karen will (definitely) pay (maybe) their hotel bill (Not!) for the AFA-Army weekend... Bye from the Rose.

Sad Note: Norman Buck Congdon died of cancer on Aug. 5, 2003 in Albuquerque, NM. Walt Futch’s wife, Marti, died 30 March 2003.

Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear 50582 Stonington Drive Granger, IN 46530-8243

H: (574) 273-2597

E-mail: ENOandTJO@ameritech.net

Class Web Site: http://www.USAFA1961.org/

Richard Milnes was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 25th escorted by family, friends, and classmates. It was a beautiful ceremony with full military honors. Most of the D.C. Class of 1961 contingent attended. Among those present were Pat Buckley, Bill Foster, Steve Ho and Lynn Funkhouser, Ron Muller, Hector Negroni, Jim Rogers, Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse, Neal and Gwen Westbrook Karl Whitaker, and Tony Burshnick (’60). At the conclusion of the ceremony, the members of the Class of 1961 sang the “Here’s a toast...” as a final a Capella tribute to Dick. Although many eyes teared and voices quavered, all started and finished the song in unison.

After chasing the little white ball around golf courses for 50 years, Mark Anderson got his first hole-in-one! (June 7th at his local Fair Oaks Ranch golf course).

Bill and Lil Aylsworth have made Miami home since 1967, though they spent 41 years in the Washington area and a year in New York during that period. He was a pilot with Eastern Air Lines, 1967-1991, and had various assignments with the USAF Reserve through 1990. When Eastern folded in 1991, Bill attended law school and hung out his shingle in 1995. Since 2001, he’s been an Appeals Referee with the State of Florida, hearing appeals to unemployment compensation claims. Business is booming.

Stu Boyd reports that their first fillyjust passed the six-week mark, and they now irrigate 20 acres from their irrigation pond. With 10 acres of

alfalfa growing and the barn and fences going in, Stu says that those who said he was crazy to take up ranching after retiring may have been right.

In June Dee and Doug Cairns drove along the southeast Atlantic, including a week at Tybee Island near Savannah. They shared a condo with Bob and Winnie Wagner, who are happy and well, for two days. Then Dee and Doug rendezvoused with Larry and Marie Shewmaker for lunch at one of Savannah’s River Street bistros. Larry and Doug were roommates their thirdclass year and had not seen each other since the summer of ’61. They had a grand time together. Getting to know Marie was a special treat. Thanks to the Internet, Larry and Doug reconnected just this past year. The next day they enjoyed Bobby and Anne Grace's company during dinner at one of Savannah’s old establishments.

Tom and Anne Eller took a 40th Wedding Anniversary trip to Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, and Carmel, CA. They toured a historic flag exhibit at the Presidio and had dinner with Susan Porth and Brice Jones in San Francisco. Wonderful time!

Tom Hill has accepted an assignment to teach both the undergraduate and the MBA capstone courses this fall at Indiana University South Bend.

Henry Howe’s daughter, Capt Tricia Paulsen-Howe, and her crew received the Air Medal for their efforts during the search and rescue (SAR) supporting the F-15 that went down Feb 7/8. She was the navigator on the KC-135 crew that went inland to keep the fighter cap fueled during the SAR. She and Henry may be the first father-daughter team to receive the Air Medal as navigators in an Asian conflict (SEA & SWA).

Reb Jones has lived in Birmingham for 31 years and will start his 29th year of coaching this fall at one of their high schools in Hoover. He has been retired from Delta for six years. Reb recently returned from a mission trip to Brazil where his group built most of a dormitory and eating facilities for a drug rehab camp run by the Canadian Baptists. In June, he also attended the Senior Olympic Games inVirginia Beach and competed in basketball for the fourth time in the national tournament.

In June Wayne and Mary Jones spent a wonderful week in Dayton, OH, attending the Daedalians National Convention, which celebrated the lives and work of the Wright Brothers and 100 years of powered flight. Prior to the convention, they flew to Columbus, OH, and drove to Charleston, WV, to spend three great days with Charlie and Sarah Stebbins, who are both looking well and enjoying retirement. What an experience to walk through Huffman Prairie, where the Wright’s performed their early development work and trained the first militarypilots, while a reconstructed Wright “B” Flyer flew over their heads. The dedication of the Daedalian Monument at the AF Museum was also momentous. The museum continues to get bigger and better. If you haven’t been there lately, it’s worth the effort. Other ’61ers attending were Dean Jones and Mark Anderson. Larry Karnowski also hosted Wayne and Mary during a good visit at his beautiful home/estate/farm.

Lee and Joanie McCleskey in June traveled 3,600 miles to deliver furniture to their sons and families in Fairfax County, VA, and to their daughter and husband in Dover, DE. The furniture was from the estate of Joanie’s late parents in Arkansas. Some had already been delivered to one son and his family at Little Rock AFB. That son has been in Iraq, so they took his wife and two daughters with them on the trip to visit all the other aunts, uncles, and cousins. They’relooking forward to usingthe trailer theybought for this trip in a couple ofyears when Lee retires from Texas A&M.

Charlie Moores, his wife, Maureen, and their 11-year-old daughter Chelsea had a fabulous two-week cruise from San Francisco to Alaska in June. From Alaska they went to their summer home in Texas and will return to Michigan for the winter!?)!

Hector and Joan Negroni hosted a practice party on Friday, June 6th in theirVienna, VA, home for Brice Jones and his wife, Susan Porth; and Bob Brickey and his wife, Jan, who were attending Bill Kosco’s daughter’s w edding in Carlisle, PA. Attendees included John and Lydia Boesch, Barbara Campbell, Bill and Theda Foster, Lowell and Sandy Jones, John Kohout (Joan was DNIF), John and Diane McDonough, Ron and Cathy Muller, Jim and Linda Rogers, Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse, John and Ellen Sullivan, Karl and Dianne Whitaker, Lanny and Barbara Lancaster, Jim and Diane Wiltjer, and Gerry Dawes and friend. Around midnight they practiced some Air Force songs, a Capella, to the delight of the Negroni neighborswho called in with comments. Our class web site shows a photo of some of the group who were still standing or sitting when the photo was taken.

PB O’Connor reports that Mer’s business is thriving. She’ll likely net enough to pay her income taxes this year. No kidding. She sells to a half dozen retailers, and displays in two galleries. PB mostly makes holes in sea shells, and little pieces ofwood out ofbig ones. PB’s tenure as “Sewer Commissioner” has entered rough shoals. He’s fighting the uphill battle against ignorance, and when you consider what always “flows downhill,” you can understand his predicament.

Jimmy Poole continues planning for the 2003 Redneck reunion, October 10-13 in Orange Beach AL. Confirmed attendees include: In three beach homes Poole, Gill, Cairns, Westbrook, Hourin, Rawlins, Boesch, Rees Wagner,Wayne Jones, Brickey, Lefton, McDonough, O’Connor, Bob Wagner, Anderson, Darnauer, Theurer, Payne, Foster, O’Rear. In Negroni condo Negroni, Butler, Stebbins. In RV’s McCollum, Lowell Jones. In hotel Reb Jones, Jim Rogers, Bob Best. There will be a shrimp feast on Friday night and catered dinner on Saturday night. Beach roaming, body surfing, swimming, golf, fishing, shopping, games, and lots ofgood times together are on the schedule. Let Jimmy know if you want to attend (jpoolejr@knology.net or 334-272-1863). There is still time to get a fourth home for those who prefer to stay in a nearby beach home. The hotel option is open through October 1 st

The Broward County Bar Association honored Ross Shulmister in June, for the second consecutive year, with the president’s award for outstanding service to the legal community. He has also been re-appointed to vicechair of the Bench-Bar Committee, which serves as the liaison between the county’sjudges and attorneys, and also as chair ofthe Clerk-Bar Committee, which serves as liaison between the clerk of courts and attorneys.

In March, Bob and Pat Smith attended the Lansing, MI, civil wedding of his daughter Elizabeth to Peter Tobias, a post-doctoral researcher at Michigan State University. Bob and Pat will also attend the church ceremony slated for late September in Gladbeck, Germany.

The Richard Smith family is enjoying life in the Hill Country outside of San Antonio and still celebrating the NBA Championship of their S.A. Spurs. They are blessed with good health with the exception of aging and Carolyn’s knees. She will have a knee replacement operation at Wilford Hall Medical Center on 15 July, and he will be her caretaker for a few weeks until she recovers. Sometime in the next couple of months, he will be leaving CACI and joining the ranks of either the unemployed or retired depending on how he feels about not going to work each day. Any Gray Tag who happens to come to San Antonio is welcome at the Smith house. They have extra bedrooms and warm meals.

Bill Stackhouse is slooowly moving their house construction towards completion. Rhoda has really bonded with her grandchildren but is looking forward to having her own house again. He should have the guest rooms on by October and finish everything a few months later. Rhoda will probably arrive when the guest rooms are ready. Bill passed his Class A Contractor license tests and will soon be doing other houses on a custom basis under the banner of Hickory Cove LLC. Ron Muller said he would go down sometime this year if he can get the boat to find some wind. For some reason, when Bill is involved with Ron’s yacht, there is no ‘go’ in the air.

Charlie and Sarah Stebbins had three sets of ’61 visitors in June at their West Virginia retirement home: Wayne and Mary Jones, John and Lydia Boesch, and Jerry and Sue Lefton. They served West Virginia Roadkill to each couple all said it was “fender-lickin’ good!”

Paul Stephen's right hip replacement on June 18th went well. He is now ambulatory with a walker, and his hip is getting better each day. He should be going to a cane soon.

Nancy and Twy Williams continue to live the quiet life on the northern neck. They have done little sailing this year due to weather.

Tom Wilson reports that they are looking forward to August with a visit from the Wilhelms and possibly the Karnowskis. It will be short but sweet.

John W. “Jack” Jamba

4 Judy Court

Satellite Beach, FL 32937

H: (321) 777-5520 0: (321) 861-6279

Cell: (321) 432-1370

E-Mail: jwjamba@aol.com

Hi Redtags! I hope everything is going well with you. It’s been a busy Spring here in Florida. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board is just about ready to release its report. Then we start doing corrective actions. I am looking forward to seeing the Shuttle fly again in about nine months. In the meantime, there is still plenty to do.

E-mail from GeorgeThompson: “Just finished the second year as Headmaster at Patterson School in North Carolina. I’m missing being in Russia but maybe next summer I’ll get a trip together for a few weeks back. Anyone interested e-mail me. This year I had arranged a trip with three days in Moscow, three days in St. Petersburg and 10 days in Pskov for

home-stays with Russian families while getting some lectures on Russian language, history and culture atVolnyUniversity. The tour companypriced it at about $2500. Not bad for two weeks including airfare from NewYork. Not enough signed up. Had to cancel.

“I am going to see my youngest daughter for two weeks the end of June in... wait for it... Ho Chi Minh City! (Formerly known as Saigon!) She has been there a year now teaching English as a foreign language. I’ll be interested to see the airport, since I FACd out of TSN and spent the bulk of my tour in and around Saigon. I’ll report at a later time with impressions.

Sabre Society Donors

At this point I

“I am still upset about the ‘Bring Me Men’ business. Cheers to all! George.”

Thanks for the news, George. My wife and I would be very interested in that trip to Russia, am including a 40th Reunion picture of A1 Jackson in his Redtag Bathrobe holding “a bottle ofAlka Seltzer.”

Also, I sent an e-mail asking if the Redtags in the Atlanta area would be agreeable to a get together during the week of 14-18 July when I’ll be going there on TDY. From Mike Butler: “Good morning Jack...don’t know ifI’m going to be in town (currentlymanaging disaster response in Kentucky)... let me know ifthere’s a gathering... would love to come.” Also heard from Warren Snyder and George Harrison. I’ll let you know.

Got an e-mail from Gail Peck. “Daughter, Elizabeth, and a ‘friend’ of mine and I went up to AFA the weekend after graduation and in addition to paying respects at the cemetery, went river rafting with Rip Blaisdell for two days. We had a ball and a great evening with Rip and Jean in their home. Hospitality plus! Rip is an AFA recreation services river guide and did a great job, even if he was the only one that didn’t get pitched out of the boat in a Class IV or V rapid. (It was more than an III, wasn’t it Rip? LOL). Rip’s daughter Allison is also a certified guide and went with us on day two. She’s a great young lady. If you have even a faint interest in that recreation, get hold of Rip for details. It’s inexpensive, great AFA equipment, and a real treat. Season is May through late July I’m told. After that the river is low. But the AFA is still a beautiful place and we enjoyed the experience of being back there very much and especially the time with Rip, Jean and Allison. Gail.” Thanks, Gail. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Got an e-mail from Bob Lightsey: “I was recently racing (bicycle) in the US Senior Olympics. Got involved in a huge multiple bike crash just near the end of a 40K road race and am currently nursing a broken collarbone and broken hip. Expect to recover - but it is slow going. Too old, going too fast." Thanks Bob. Congrats to you for competing. You must be in great shape. With my shape, I’d be lucky to finish a 40 meter race, provided I didn’t crush the bike.

Got an update from John Flanagan: “John Flanagan, accompanied by Mari Jo, was official AF representative at US Merchant Marine Academy graduation as four midshipmen were commissioned in the Air Force. He bought a new uniform since his was ‘about two generations out of style, and that doesn’t include the McPeak airline captain costume.’ He wonders if he can get per diem to add to his retirement on Cape Cod. The Flanagans spent a few minutes chatting with Tom Ridge, the commencement speaker.” Good update. Thanks for the words.

And this from Owen Hawkins: “Great news #3 son and daughter-inlaw expecting their first baby (actually it’s a PAIR)... and on Dec 25th to boot.” If I remember correctly, my old roommate Charlie Price was born on Dec 25th Thanks for the update, Owen. Congrats on the expectant grandchild. And thanks for sponsoring and running the Redtag Net.

Got a short update from Hesh Altman: “I’m on my way to Manassas, VA, to start a new job with GMR. Bobbi is staying in Vegas to help with our grandson.” Thanks for the update, Hesh. What’s GMR? Good luck in new job.

And an update from Butch Viccellio: “Sumo... things are busy here with hail and tornado season just ending and early tropical activity showing indications that Dr. Grey’s predictions of an active hurricane season might be accurate... hope not, in the interest of all USAA members! Class 64A fromWebb comingtogether in Ft. Walton Beach in October... first reunion ever! The planners appear to be the same ‘fun gang’ they were 40 years ago... ought to be fun/high risk (pick one...or maybe both). Will provide feedback if I survive. All the best, Butch” Thanks for that news, Butch. I expect that the pilot training reunion will be a blast. Send pictures, please.

In April, I attended the USAFA Class of 2006 Recognition Dining-In as the dinner speaker. They are the 12th Redtag Class and they wanted to hear some original Redtag stories. I spoke for 35 minutes about our class, recalling some stories and giving them some statistics and facts about us. The initial feedback was very favorable.

Got word from Dave Bockelman about a Redtag mini-reunion in Hermosa Beach at Roger Smith’s new restaurant/pub called The Underground. See photo.

Russ Goodenough, Dan Pemberton, Bob Connolly, Mike Quinton and Jim Gallagher. Also present for the festivities were Rose Pemberton, Pat Connolly and Judy Quinton. The Southern California Group plan to repeat this every six months. Any other Redtags in the area can contact Dave at dvdbock@aol.com for the next gathering.

And now here is another 40lh Reunion photo: Dave and Betsy Roe share old times with Fred Fiedler.

Class of 1963 - 40th Reunion USAFA vs. Army 5-9 November 2003

and Boeing. Michelle has been invited to the Class Reunion in November and Dick wants to encourage some of Jake’s Cadet Squadron mates and others who served with Jake in the Air Lorce to include her in on the festivities she would enjoy hearing about her dad.

Jim Diffendorfer, our Class President, asked me to include the following note to the Class: “By now you have received a letter and a call about the AFA Fund. If not, you will. I debated long and hard before I agreed to ‘sponsor’ this drive. I receive one/two calls nightly either selling stuff or soliciting money for some cause fortunately, most are worthwhile. As I write this piece, it is ‘open season’ to register on ‘donotcall’, the national effort to reduce home calls. I have done that.

Now, I feel the AFA Fund IS a different ‘breed of cat’. We have the opportunity to do for ourselves, in effect! This program goes a long way in providing ‘practical’ experience and wisdom we did not have. I, alongwith the band of players who are planning the 40th, decided not to organize a class fund; rather, we’ll actively support the AFA Fund. Please do so. I was asked to provide ‘nicknames’ or informal ‘tags’ for every one of you in the literature I received from the AOG. I found it a memorable experience to read thru every one ofyour names, put a face with it, and remember the ‘tag’ you went by. If I have messed up your name/nickname, please no offense; the years go by!! And now, the 40th. Your boys at the zoo, Butch Verdier and Bob Hayes, AND many others have done ‘stellar’ work in putting together what will be the greatest. Yes, the cost has risen, but not by much. Hotels do these things to make money, football tickets are expensive, and the AOG has fees, too. I questioned the costs and was given a complete outline ofall items. Myhope and desire is that every one ofyou (ifyou desire to come) will be able to make the 40th. There are fun events planned; yet time for ‘bragging and telling lies’, and showing off pictures of the grandchildren. Be there or... BEAT ARMY!” Thanks go to Jim for the words.

Because of all the extensive national press coverage you could not help but notice the latest scandal to hit the Academy. The AOG was really good about keeping us updated through the e-mail. The news also launched a spate of e-mails from grads and classmates full of opinions, speculations and gnashing of teeth. In early June Tom Fryer forwarded a particularly interesting press writing. The article reported a new position on the scandal beingtaken bythe SecAF, Roche and theAF ChiefofStaffGeneralJumper who “Both say a long line ofAcademy problems likely signals a failure of command, and they won’t be surprised to see more problems surface.” Their conclusions seem to be that the scandal of2003 and a previous scandal in 2001 were the result of problems with command. I remember several conversations many years ago when the Air Officers Commanding (AOC) role became that of an advisor to the Cadet Chain of Command rather than that of a commander. That philosophical shift taken by the Academy leadership way back then had the effect of taking away the essential elements of command from officers assigned as commanders at the lowest level ofthe CadetWingorganizational structure. How it affected today’s issues is probably hard to evaluate. However, my personal opinion is the pattern of events and behavior leading up to the current situation might well be traced back to those early events.

On a much lighter note, John Nehring: sent us an adventure story he and Jack McTasneyexperienced in mid-May. John writes, “This past weekend,

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

Reporting on the passing ofanother of our classmates is getting to be a regularthing. Again, I regret to have to report the passing ofJake Jacobcik. Two memorial services were held for Jake: one if Florida and one at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in St Louis, MO. Dick Slowik attended the memorial service in St. Louis on June 7th and sent me some of the material from the service. He said Jake’s daughter, Michelle Jacobcik, organized the ceremony. Most of those in attendance were folks who had worked with Jake during his second career at McDonnell Douglas

The picture is fairly dark so it may not show everyone clearly. That may be a blessing in disguise. In front from left are Jim Whitted, Dave Bockelman, Roger Smith, and Willie Holbrow. In the rear are

That’s it for now. Send me an update when you receive this issue of Checkpoints. Ifyou haven’t written in 20 years, don’t you think it’s about time? GO REDTAGS!

Sabre Society Donors

Lewis

my two sons, my son-in-law, several friends, and I rushed the season a bit on a four-day, 59-mile canoe trip down central Montana’s Smith River. Jack McTasney drove up here from Sacramento to join us, and we had a great time together, despite the wintry weather. The attached photo was taken at our halfway camp on Monday, May 19th. The snow you see directly behind us fell the day before as we paddled our way down the river! We knew the storm was coming when we set out. However, the popular Smith River can be floated only by those holding permits that are awarded during a drawing held in February. I was a lucky permit winner this year, and we weren’t about to give up our opportunity. Fortunately, there’s a hot springs pool a half mile from my home, so we were able to soak our chilled bones after completing the trip!”

Got another super photograph you will all enjoy. Pat Caruana, Ron Fogleman and their lovely wives, Lauraine and Miss Jane, attended a gala Air Force event at the March AFB Officer’s Club. During the event they posed for a picture for us to see and enjoy. What do you think? I see two super good looking couples!

A group of our ABQ classmates got together for lunch on the occasion of a visit to their fair city by Bob Hall. They had so much fun they have decided to have lunch together again in about three months. They also say all of them will be in Colorado for the 40th.

From a Previous War: Fred Malmstrom shared the following via e-mail: “On 1-3 May 2003 The Falcon Heritage Foundation hosted its most suecessful yet semi-annual get-together of distinguished veterans at USAFA. This year’s event centered around 30 of our own ex-POWs. For better or worse, the Class of’64 boasted the largest representation of ex-POWsseven of ’em. Representing a total of 50+ years in the calaboose, they are pictured below. Myjustification for appearing in the photo is having been a prison psychologist for a decade. I certified (mostly) everyone as sane.”

Here’s hoping everyone is geared up for the Reunion. By the time you read this it will be late September and there won’t be much time left before we head for the hills. We can’t start soon enough to get our Reunion plans in place. To help out here is a short checklist: a.) find your registration package, b.) sign up and have your form into the AOG by 23 October, c.) make your hotel reservations now, and e.) complete your travel plans. Butch and Bob say that you should get in touch with them pronto if you need a scholarship!

That’s it for this time. See you in November!

Bob Hovde

206 Walker Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801 (256) 532-3923

Fax: (256) 895-9222

bob.hovde@earthlink.net

TheWar: Listening to all ofthe Presidential Primarycandidates, we sure screwed up the war in Iraq. It’s going to be an interesting Primary season as the politicians try to make points by re-writing history to prove how smart they are.

From left are Don Spoon, EdMechenbier, GuyGruters, Leroy

Jim

Kevin

immediately replied that

McNish, Ron Bliss and Marty Nuens were missing. (I thought 70 percent was pretty good for any get-together.) Regardless, I’m sure we all agree with Fred G. in thanking Fred M. for sharing the happy shot of our friends and classmates who, by their sacrifices, allowed us to live in peace.

Head Cop Moves Up: Shirley Denko sent in the “official” photo of John upon his recent appointment as Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Public Safety. John was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to his Cabinet in January. Shirley, if Sandy and I drop by for a visit when we’re in Santa Fe this September, do we have to call John “Mr. Secretary?”

John Denko - Part of“The Men in Black’’ team. Watch out, badguys!

Other News: The news/pictures above were nice, but short. There must be more news out there, somewhere. In my own little world, you’ll notice that my address only has “home” numbers now. Hopefully, this is just temporary, as I’m not quite ready to hang it up, yet. My previous position with the Universities Space Research Association went the way of all NASA contracts when NASA decided to make our scientists “support contractors” and (after a full and open competition that only took six months and three tries for the other bidder to get the price down), gave our scientists to BAE Systems. The only thing that changed was the program manager (me). The next time one ofyou wants to open the bids on a contract that NASA is going to let sole-source due to the incumbent having all of the “experts,” give me a call. I can give you the details on how NASA can level that ground, if they desire. (At the same time they were competing this contract, they gave the other half of our scientists across town a solesource agreement for five years.)

USAFA News: I just wanted to report that when we were in Colorado Springs in June (to attend the grandkids’ dance recital), I looked across the valley to the Academy. It's still there - or at least the chapel is. I guess that means we can have a reunion next year. Plan on it Colorado needs the snow.

Stutz,

McManus,

Shively, Fred Malmstrom (non-POW) and Tom Browning. Fred Gregory and Lucky Luchtel

Tom

From left in front are Howie Kraye and Bill Browning. In back are Ike Payne,John Hockemeier, Don Washburn, Don Carey, BobHall, GaryBender, and Ted Sahd.

54 Sabre Society Donors

Rick Zurbrugg

Box 22615

Hilton Head Island, SC 29925

(843) 689-5321

FAX: (843) 689-5403

E-mail: ezurb@mindspring.com

Hey '65!

A memorial for Lance Sijan was dedicated in Milwaukee on June 8th Ken McAlear: “The ceremony was very nice solemn, respectful, and well attended, probably 150-200 people. Six of us from ’65 were in attendance Flash Wiley (Master of Ceremonies), Larry and Karen McCracken, Leon Rausch, Ray Bevivino, John and Joyce Rademacher, and myself. It rained on and off throughout the ceremony, befitting the sober tone ofthe proceedings. Flash did a great job and Mr. H. Ross Perot had some most appropriate remarks about the sacrifice and example that Lance left for all to seek to emulate. Lance’s nephew, Caleb Lance Rozina, read a letter from Senator John McCain that talked about the high esteem that Lance’s fellow POWs had for him. Guy Gruters ’64, another fellow POW, (Scribe note: and 21 st Squadron mate ofLance) also paid tribute... The clouds broke up at the end ofthe ceremony in time for all to see the flyby of an F-117. The marble monument itself is most appropriate and fitting and is in a beautiful setting... There were numerous sponsors listed in the program, including the Class of 1965.1 don’t know the extent of our involvement or who spearheaded/ helped this effort, but he/they should be commended and we all should be proud to have our class associated with it. It is worth your effort to stop byArlington Park Cemetery in Milwaukee the next time you are close. Lance left a legacy and example that hopefully will be emulated by future Air Force officers.” Thanks Ken, you and Flash, and Larry, Leon, Ray and John have our thanks and admiration for attending the dedication.

five in September... See you in two years!” Thanks Jeff, it is inspiring to hear from a man with a noble mission and such rich blessings.

Tack Hamby: “Myboys and I set up a trip to celebrate my 60th Birthday. We went to Scotland and played golf on several great courses, I played only 10 rounds in eight days (May 23-30). My sons played more with the oldest, Brad (Class of ’91), playing 14. He also won the Scottish Hamby Invitational Tournament for the inaugural year with an average score of 83 over the five tournament courses. These were Turnberry, Gleneagles, St.Andrews Old, Kingsbarnes (best course I have ever played) and Muirfield. We had a great time. I have attached a picture of us at St. Andrews.... Oldest is still in. A Major flying C-5s at Dover. Other two are in commercial IT business. I do have four grandchildren: three girls and a boy, 2-8 years. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the 40th. It’ll be here soon.” Tack, you are THE MAN.

From left are John Rademacher, Leon Rausch, Ken McAlear, Sylvester Sijan, Flash Wiley, Larry McCracken, and Ray Bevivino. (Photo courtesy Ken McAlear)

Thank God that the conflict in Iraq appears to be winding down. USAFA graduates have continued to distinguish themselves in battle and for some the ultimate sacrifice was made. May we never forget them and our tradition of selfless service.

JeffValentine: “I’ve just finished my first year as Math Department Chair and seventh year teaching at Ball High School, a 5A (2,500 students) school on Galveston Island. I’ve been at this teaching stuff for 11 years now and have enjoyed the challenges, so I’ll probably keep it up for another five years or so. At least that’s what my principal wants since we’re embarking on a five-year AP Incentive Program sponsored by AP Strategies, Inc. We are also in the first year of a new state-wide testing program consisting of four tests the juniors must pass to graduate from high school. Only 60% passed the field test last year, so you see where the challenge is here. Additionally, my department was decreased by over 30% last month when five of my most experienced teachers elected to retire. I guess you can see why I feel I’ve got to stay around and keep the train moving smoothly over the bumps the next few years will surely provide. Not much time for golf yet. On the family front, Kathy still works for Exxon Mobil in Products Research, son Jeff Jr. works as a contractor for White Lion, an outfit in Austin that designs and maintains web sites for companies, and daughter Megan is an assistant supervisor for Quality Assurance for Counterforce USA, a subsidiary of Chubb here in Houston. Megan is a little more special as she presented us with our second grandchild, Tyler Wayne Clotfelter, in February. Her other child, Michael Ryan, will turn

Big winners at The Inaugural Scottish Hamby Invitational. From left are Jonathan ’95, Tack ’65, Brad ’91, and Chris FSU '93.

Paul Dickey: “Greetings from Philomath, OR. Philomath is Greek for “Love of Learning” and is located just west of Corvallis in the northern 1 / 3 of the state. We have been here almost four years, having retired from Procter & Gamble after 29 years. I was actively (physically) involved in building our house to include building a couple of retaining walls and clearing brush from our partiallylogged five acres. I am currentlyinvolved in activities as varied as being a County Planning Commissioner, being on the Supervisory Committee of the OSU Federal Credit Union, being on the board and treasurer of our local “Learning in Retirement” organization, being a board member of the local Food Bank, Gleaners and Children’s Clothing Exchange, and, finally reading on a 1:1 basis with selected 1st and 2nd graders in a program named SMART. (Start Making A Reader Today). Aside from frequent trips to Ashland, OR to attend presentations of the theater company there, we have not traveled a whole lot. This summer we will be going over to McMinville, OR to the Aeronautical Museum there to see the Spruce Goose and the recently placed SR-71. Yes, I am still running. I cut back my miles once I retired (no longer need as much stress relief) plus the old body complains more bitterly these days when I abuse it. I have been doing 10k three times a week for the last three years. I took a break while working on the house and, finally, to have arthroscopic surgery to fix the damage initially caused by a “hit from the side” while playing lacrosse at USAFA. It had been causing problems for the last 10 years and finally blew out. The surgery was wonderful. I was walking the next day and back on the running path in six weeks. So there you have it.” Thanks Paul, anyone still running is my hero!

Chuck Specht: “... here’s some personal news from Colorado Springs. Mydaughter Christa and her husband,Tim, are stationed in the area serving as AF lawyers. Christa is a 0-4 on the USAFA faculty in the Law Dept and Tim is an 0-5 assigned to Northern Command. My youngest daughter, Teresa, will be married here on Aug 9th with the reception at Doolittle Hall and my middle daughter, Michele,, will be married in L.A. next May. The way the stock market has run the past couple ofyears hasn’t helped a family marry-off three daughters! I’m sort of retired, working part time as a chaplain at Pikes Peak Hospice and still having some duties as a deacon at St Mary’s Cathedral, and my wife, Martha, continues to teach 3rd grade. I recently sold my sport bike motorcycle (I’ve been riding for 45 years) and bought a dirt bike (I raced them years ago). The last time I rode the street bike I took it up to 155mph and then it finally sunk in that I was too old to die from a motorcycle accident so I bought the dirt bike.”

Hey Chuck, any chaplain that races dirt bikes and has a kid on the faculty has got all the right stuff! Thanks for letting us hear from you.

News Flash! SkiWilkowski reports that Scotty Schaefer has a new bride, Jo picture and details to follow. Thanks Ken, Jeff, Tack, Paul, Chuck, and SKI.’65—you are the best alive! Enjoy each precious moment. Be well, do good work, keep in touch, and as the ROC would say, Cheers! Rick

Sabre Society Donors

Ryan Denny

1635 Mary Todd Lane

O’Fallon, IL 62269

H: (618) 624-4255

W: (314) 232-5117

E-mail: ryanden@aol.com

Greetings, Redtags! As promised, RandyJayne sent us all ofthe reports (his, the police, innocent bystanders, etc) from the 7th Squadron “expanded” mini-reunion that was held this Spring inWashington DC.

Randy says that the weekend startedwith a quick round of golf at Andrews on Thursday for the “addicts” who wanted to come in early, as well as locals like Dick McConn, John Grozier, Jim Hamernick, etc. He says they rounded out the last foursome bygrabbing a young captain who was standing in the clubhouse, Dane Neilson, class of ’94 son, of course, of Reese and Judy Nielsen. Friday was relaxed as the out-of-towners arrived, visited friends and relatives, or did a little sightseeing. Friday night they gathered at a local McLean VA watering hole for Italian cheer and dinner. This was the 7th Squadron bunch trying to recreate a scene from yesteryear at Guiseppe’s in Colorado Springs.

Sabre Society Donors

On Saturday, the entire group gathered at the Congressional Country Club for a more “formal” dinner (I guess they all wore shoes). Randy says that they had their own private dining room (a good idea) with a patio that overlooked the splendid golf course where the 1997 PGA Championship was held. This expanded group included 14 Redtags from the “Seagrams Seven Squadron” and other Redtags from the surrounding area. Dick and Milli McConn were the gracious hosts who sponsored the event at Congressional. Thanks, Randy, for the great report and pictures!

did), butVic has been watching this one for a long time and was ready to grab the opportunity when it became available. Great job, Vic!

An item ofinterest thatVic discovered during this exercise was that only about 95 of our classmates have given our e-mail addresses to the AOG. I know that more of you have e-mail addresses, so just log on to aogusafa.org and update your profile. It reallyhelps when we need to get the word out in a hurry on something important. No spam we promise!

Gary Palmer and a few Redtags attended a Daedalians event at Ft Myers not too long ago and Gary was able to get a few of them to hold still long enough to get this picture. Gary has volunteered to give anyone an update on Daedalian activities in the DC area that is interested.

and John Grozier, Melinda and Brad Ashton, Bill and

Hudspeth, Nancy and RandyJayne, and Pam and Bill Dunne.

Vic Andrews discovered that the annual award that the Academy gives to the “Outstanding Parachutist” in honor of our classmate Pete Johnston was looking for a sponsor. After doing a quick e-mail survey of our class, Vic signed us up. I don’t know how we missed out on this opportunity the first time (probably because we had no money and someone else

Redtags at a D.C. Daedalian event: Manson and Pamela Botts, Fritz and SuzanneMcDougall, Nickand Paula Kehoe, and GaryandDianne Palmer.

Now for the serious stuff. First, Bill Manning died of a sudden heart attack in April. The funeral service was in Rupert, ID and his ashes were interred at the USAFA cemetery. Bill had been practicing law for almost 30 years and was a great supporter of the Class of ’66. More details are in the “Gone but Not Forgotten” section ofthis magazine. Bill was the third member of our class to die this year.

Which brings me to my second point. We were commissioned during the Vietnam War and many of us went into a flying career that involved combat or just the normal dangers that go with defying gravity on a regular basis. In spite of that, we have now lost almost as many of our classmates to cancer and heart attacks as we have to aircraft-related deaths. The point is that some of these deaths are preventable. Here’s my story:

Like most ofyou, I got a physical every year from the time I was 17 until I retired at age 50 and they never found anything wrong. (OK, not much wrong.) Since I was invincible, I didn’t bother with physicals after I retired. Finally,just after Christmas this year, mywife nagged me enough that I went in for a quick checkup, which included a PSA test. It was high, I had a biopsy, I had cancer.

Fortunately, it was discovered early enough; and in April the surgeon removed the cancer, my prostate, and some other odds and ends that he thought I didn’t use often enough to justifykeeping. If I had continued to put off the physical as long as I had planned to maybe age 65 or so we would be looking for someone else to write this newsletter every three months. So, guys, get those tests, lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, or whatever. With a little preventive maintenance maybe we can all see each other at our 40th and 50th Reunions. Oh yeah since we will all be living such a long time, you’ll have a chance to send me an email, a note, or some pictures so that I have something to put into this newsletter every three months. Until next time... Happy Landings!

Larry Wilson

13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE Albuquerque, NM 87111

H: (505) 291-8949

W: (505) 816-2092/DSN: 246-2404

E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

Greetings, Golden Boys. Or perhaps I should say “Golden Ones.” More on that to follow. Meanwhile - it is summer in New Mexico, hot and dry. Fires in the city and scattered throughout the state. And heated issues appear to abound.

To begin: Some photos that are not quite new - first, one taken by Ray Leopold earlier this year when he was in Albuquerque with his family to Visit the AOG Web Site - Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.aog-usafa.org

The boys from Seagrams Seven rallyin D. C: Seated are BillEubank, Bob Gravelle, Lou Finch, Larry Sidwell, and Tobe Gooden. Standing are Jim Simpson, Bob Brost, Bill Hudspeth, BillDunne, RandyJayne, Dick Guido, Jim Hamernick, BradAshton, and Bill Hamm.

Class of’66/Seventh Squadron SpringFling at the Congressional CountryClub. Seated are Jean andBob Brost, Suzan and Bill Eubank, Tobe and Donna Gooden, Dick and Gail Guido, Lou and Sharon Finch, Bill Hamm, Jim and Eileen Simpson, and Bob Gravelle. Standing are Fran

Judy

receive his UNM award. This photo was intended to have been in the previous Checkpoints but... stuff happens. Anyway - here is a picture of my daughter Kate and me. Great kid. Looks just like me... unless you may have met or seen photo of her mother...

(Editor’s note: Humble apologies from assistant editor Tom Kroboth for runningthe wrongphoto in thelastmagazine. The “CS-17at thePumfrey’s” photo was inadvertently duplicated and run instead of this photo with Larryand his daughter.)

Also - In the spring, Pete Milne scaled the Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, perhaps familiar to some as the UFO landing site in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Here is Pete, having fun.

to be because ofthe exciting changes that are in process here in the transition to a free economy. They realize that to many, ‘Democracy’ just means freedom to vandalize and steal. They know, with an innate sense ofjustice, about the need to have responsibilitywith freedom. They know too that in Bulgaria that principle has not been widely applied. They see the changes that will have to be made, they really do. That might have been the best hour I have ever spent with those kids.”

Bruce, thankyou again foryour communicationyour Peace Corps adventure seems all you hoped it would be. All of us I’m sure are aware of the continuing publicity and/ or issues related to the incidents ofsexual assault at the Academy. To take this out ofthe abstract and bring it closer to home at least one of our classmates has a daughter who, as a cadet, was a victim of sexual harassment/abuse. Info from the AOG is that the first formal inquiry, by a committee of 52 senior Air Force officials led by the Air Force General Counsel, has been concluded. Additionally, the Air Force Inspector General is reviewingspecific cases and will issue a separate report. And the Defense Department Inspector General is reviewing sexual assault and sexual harassment issues at all the service academies. The Secretary of Defense, in response to legislation, appointed a sevenmember committee to look at the sexual assault issue at theAir ForceAcademy. The committee held its first meetings the week of 23 june. Some of our class have serious reservations about the composition of the inquiry groups; the direction ofthe Academy in its approach to honor and character, both prior to the current situation and now; and the AOG’s position and activities. I will not try to summarize their issues or concerns. I encourage all who have such concerns to express them through our class and AOG representatives, where I trust they will receive appropriate attention and response, perhaps in some future AOG communication(s).

Not specifically a finding or direct action ofthe first inquiry, but undoubtedly related, was changed wording to one ofthe traditional USAFA hymns, with perhaps more to follow. Here are some cut- and- pasted comments:

“...PC-ness has reallyoverstepped the bounds this time! Over lastweekend all hymnals in the Cadet Chapel had a sheet pasted over the ‘Lord, guard and guide the men who fly ...’ hymn; the hymn reads now reads: ‘Lord, guard and guide all those who fly...’! Fact! An unconfirmed rumor says that the “Eagle and Fledglings” statue is the next target: “Man’s flight through life ...” As one might imagine, that generated a series of spirited responses which my 1200 word- limit precludes my including. Let your imaginations run wild.

On to more contemporary stuff: What follows are excerpts from a lengthy e-mail from Bruce and Stormy McDonald, still with the Peace Corps in Bulgaria, describing more of their recent adventures:

“...We are wrapping up the school year here. We will be working in summer youth camps and a few other projects for a while, before heading for Colorado to meet our new grandchild, then coming back for our second year... We came here to teach, but as is always the case there is more learning involved... Bruce was the victim of a pickpocket and figured he was toast, that he was stuck with loss of cash and - far more problematic - loss of various identification documents. Then... the next morning I got a call from someone in the Sofia Peace Corps office. He had gotten a call from the tram company, and they have my ‘documents.’ He said not only that he would go over and pick up what had been turned in, but he was already planning to come to Pazardjik this evening and he’d deliver it! I started thinking about being lucky, and how a loss of money can be a big setback or, as in this case, ‘lucky I got the other stuff back.’ Guess I was lucky the tram didn’t catch fire too. The billfold was probably tossed aside right after it was harvested and stripped of cash. Knowing there are pickpockets is one thing, but it is more important to knowthat there are people in Sofiawho care enough to pickup a stranger’s billfold on a tram and give it to the driver. As long as that is so, there is good luck here in Bulgaria...”

One day Bruce spent some time in an informal schoolyard exchange with some ofhis students: “.. .They asked interesting questions and they were interested in listening to my answers. What do people in other countries think about Bulgarians? Why did you want to come here? Do you like it here? Now really, we can’t believe that why, why? I described the ‘Peace Corps Mission,’ and about how we felt this was such a good place

Another question arose about the Contrails Presentation to the Class of 2007, our 40 year legacy class. I am probably confused again, but I seem to recall that we received our non-legacy Contrails not in August butwhen we showed up, and then had the privilege of memorizing them, inspired by the BCT firsties, throughout the summer. Another tradition come and gone. Anyway - this info from FryfackFry and Doug Beatty and the AOG: there apparently were some communication issues but the plan is for presentation of the Contrails to the ’07ers at a parade on August 5, to which all ’67ers are invited. Remarks will be provided by Paul Henry, who authored the Contrails’ dedication for our class; or other class rep if Paul is not available. If any ofyou will be in the area and wish to attend/ participate - contact the AOG directly and/ or Bob Muldrow, Jack Fry or any of the other area members of our class for details.

One final note: George Frushour’s daughter Kelly is back in the USA, after “going in to Iraq with the earliest units...” Welcome home, Kelly.

God

Larry Wilson and daughter Kate in Albuquerque. She is on her way to graduate schoolin psychologyin Minnesota.

Pete Milne, effortlesslyscaling theDevil’s Tower!

Joyousreunion ofKellyFrushourandparents upon herreturn homefrom Iraq - representative ofallreturningwarriors, from this andpastconflicts.

bless the troopsmay they all come home safely, with their self respect, having accomplished their missions. God bless USAFA, and God bless America.

30 Sabre Society Donors

Tim Davidson

9712 Hidden Valley Road

Vienna, VA 22181-6094

(703) 255-5313

Fax: (703) 255-5377

E-mail: timd@erols.com

Sabre Society Donors

HELLO ’68! Where were you on 29 June 1964? Did you realize that you weren’t in Kansas anymore? What was your emotional angst level? Except for your classmates and those “sunny beaches” from ’65, who could possibly know anything about the rite of passage we all went through? Well, in the “Where Are TheyNow?” department, I received a note from Bill Hoge, who got into a conversation with his nextdoor neighbor in Sumter, SC. The fellow’s name is Forrest Ray and he has lived next to Bill for 20 years. They have even gone to church together on most Sundays. Despite this close personalrelationship, it seems that theveritable light bulb did not go offin either one oftheir minds until this past spring. After pulling a few pieces of history together, Bill and Forrest were able to determine that then Sergeant Ray had been one of those guys from the Air Force Academy Band who introduced our class to Academy life. Bill noted that it would be great if we could get some of those musicians who played such an instrumental role in our lives to join us at USAFAfor our 35th

35th REUNION DEPT: Hopefully, you have already made your commitment to attend our 35th reunion. In the event that you have put the particulars of events in what Jim Reese liked to call a “safe place” and you can no longer find said documents, then the following will provide you with a quick review ofthe basics. The reunion hotel will be theWyndham (719-260-1800/$92 per night) and the class reunion dates will be from 812 October (Columbus Day weekend). The planned activities schedule is as follows: Wednesday evening: registration, pick-up ’68 paraphernalia, social gathering. Thursday: morning is open, golf on the Blue Course in the afternoon, reception at night. Friday: activities on campus during the day (tour of new athletic facility: lunch buffet at Doolittle Hall, 11001300; lunch with Cadet Wing at Mitchell Hall for first 200 who sign up, 1130-1230; and meetings with cadets in squadron assembly areas, 12301320) and banquet at night. Saturday: AOG tailgate at Doolittle Hall, football game against UNLV, and unstructured social activities at a variety of venues at night. Sunday: religious services at the Academy, squadron activities, brunch, picnic at Farrish, and more golf. Two memorial services will be held. One will be in the chapel and the other will be near the flagpole, which will honor our classmates killed in action. Please contact Gene Rose via e-Mail at genjanrose@aol.com or Carl Janssen at cjanssenjr@aol.com if you have any last minute questions.

35th REUNION CLASS GIFT DEPT: If you have received information concerning a 35th Reunion class gift in a separate mailing and have already responded, thank you for your support. For those who are still on the fence, our goal is to raise $68,000. The funds will be used to do a number ofthings. The first is to purchase Contrails books for the Class of 2008. The second is to upgrade plaques and financial support to the discipline ofEconomics in memory ofArt Moxon and the discipline ofManagement in memory of Frank Burke. The third is to provide funding for the “Exemplar Program” which supports bringing information about members of historic note to the Academy, to have these members speak to cadets (if still alive), to perform research about these members’ lives, and to procure memorabilia that serves to enrich cadets through these real life examples. If you do the math and everyone contributes around $200 we will achieve our goal. For those who would like to contribute please make your checks payable to the Association of Graduates and mark in the "for” space at the bottom ofthe check ’68 Class Fund.” Please sendyour checks to: Association ofGraduates, 3116AcademyDrive, USAF Academy, CO 80840. Thanks!

FAIR-HAIRED LEGACY DEPT: Times have certainly changed since our cadet days. And for the Bill Crimmels ofthis world, these changes are for the better. In his first letter to this column, he takes great pride that his legacy some 30 years after his own graduation came with the graduation and commissioning of his daughter Beth in 1998. Bill and his wife, Bea, live just across 1-25 from the Academy and both enjoy all that Colorado offers. Bill’s son Bill works for the Aspen Ski Company and his other son

Class of 1968 - 35th Reunion

“AirForcePromotion Poster: Want to Be One?—Join theAirForce!”From left are Bill Crimmel, USAFpilot, daughterBeth, and a Dyess B-l. Brett, is a minister in a town south of Denver. When not providing a sermon, Brett can be found managing a local Starbucks to bolster family finances. His daughter Beth is married and a B-l pilot at Dyess AFB. Bill wrote that Beth just returned from a deployment to Guam where she worked for a four-star general at PACAF named Bill Begert. He said the last time Bill Begert saw Beth, prior to this most recent deployment, she was still in diapers!

Speaking of legacies, I had a beautiful announcement sent to me stating that Maurice and AntoniaMarie Ecung’s daughter, Allison Marie Ecung, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and International Affairs from USAFA in the Class of 2003. Congrats to the proud parents and their very special daughter.

LATE BLOOMER DEPT: From the heart of Texas, Mike Bednarz wrote that having retired twice, once from the Air Force and once from the defense industry, he thought he would try to master his confuscation skills byhitting the bar. So, after three years of study, he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law in December 2002 and passed the Texas Bar Exam in February 2003. He was sworn in to the Texas Bar on May 19th Mike opines that his effort in law may be coming late in his life (age 57), but it proves once again that it is never too late to have a happy childhood.

(Johnston) Hiner and Kelly Hiner. Standing: Michael Johnston, Scribe, Dan and Kathy Barker, Bob Johnston, Donna Sasz, Thuyjohnston, BillSasz, Brooke andCathyBailey, andAlexandDave Prevost.

FATHER OFTHE BRIDE DEPT: There was a major event in the Johnston family on 26 April as Bob’s and Thuy’s lovely daughter Carolyn married Kelly Hiner in La Jolla, CA. A bunch of ’68ers flew in to help the happy couple celebrate and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course and the wedding reception thrown by Bob and Thuy at the adjoining Torrey Pines Hilton Hotel. It was a beautiful wedding and an outstanding reunion for those of us who winged our way to La Jolla. Congrats and best wishes to Carolyn and Kelly, who are now residing in the Las Vegas area.

THAT’S A WRAP: Hope to see one and all at our 35th gala in October including our already once retired John Longenecker from Kabul! Mind the flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in. Ciao for now. Tim

“Father ofthe Bride Hosts WeddingReception at TorreyPines. Seated from left are bride Carolyn

Lindsey Parris

616 King’s Cloister Circle

Alexandria, VA 22302

Home: (703) 836-3604

E-mail: 102177.1033@compuserve.com

I expect your summers were spectacular, and hope the upcoming fall will prove as perfect for you and yours. “Arriba Falcones!” should be on all our lips throughout this season, especially given the events of last spring that so roiled our beloved institution.

Though most of us are no longer in uniform, the “I do and I’m packed” mantra persists for many. Tom Keck, recently ensconced in Phoenix, is now relocating to Tucson where he will be a Raytheon Vice President. Ron Marcotte, who recently settled into D.C. life, has headed to St Louis with Boeing. Switching careers in place (San Diego) is Steve Kirby, who was recently named #23 in the country among rookie mortgage loan officers. In the almost-too-pat (“error inside the Chi-square” for Joe Hasek, Ed Land, and Bill McNaught) category is the fact that Steve accomplished this feat with only 69 loans half as many as those ranked #22 and #24, but with the same level of sales. Those USAFA real estate courses coming in handyagain, dontcha’ know. All three of these ’69ers vow not to move again, unless offered a $1B lifetime contract, with no-cut clauses. Also out in San Diego (and, like Steve, not apologizing for it), is Randy Walti, who is now Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary for General Atomics, the company which, among many other things, manufactures the Predator UAV, so much in the news of late for its contributions to the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. Keck, while traveling Continental 757 from Fort Lauderdale to Houston, heard the Captain introduce himself as “Busching,”... sent a business card up to the cockpit with a comment that his left pogo was hanging (carryover from U-2 days, and avoiding the potential for “threat interpretation ofthe ‘fast-neat-average’” insider commentary), and was later greeted by Kit his own self. Becky is teachingTai Chi, son Colby is a greensuiter, and daughter Piper is Spanish-immersioning this summer. Ask Tom, or Kit, about their landing in Houston.

Ifyou have input on transitioning to a consolidated military exchange system, contact CJ Wax. CJ, the former commander of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, reportedly will head up the transition effort if consolidation is approved by the Congress.

Jerry Ball, motivated by Dick Doyle’s Macchu Picchu pictures, has taken his last two vacations delving into the Mayan ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan. In the attached picture, he is seeing the lights fantastic at Tonina, and early Mayan site.

Many, many notes on the situation at USAFA, none more heartfelt than a short e-mail from Bob Crittenden. Remembering singing the debut of “Bring Me Men” with Hugo Montenegro, he wonders ifthe message (connotation versus denotation) will survive the soundbites. The Critter is thriving in the development business, involved in building new NBA arenas for Memphis and Charlotte and in USAA’s new campus in the Phoenix area as well.

Bob ran into John Hopper at San Antonio’s Fiesta Week celebration in April, and the two had a chance to catch up. Many ofyou may know that USAFA brought in an exemplar from each Class for an evening’s activities with the entire cadet wing. John, serving as Vice Commander ofAir Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB, represented the Class of 1969, and we couldn’t have been represented better.

Brother Mike Goode, he of the “scchweet” golf swing, played a round

with JR Richards recently. JR lives in Chicago and is a check airman for the A320 and 737 for United and is based in Chicago. I had an opportunity to chat with Charlie Weinert, who is in D.C. temporarily, doing the Lord’s work in helping keep future generations of airmen and women safer in the always-dangerous business of flying and fighting.

Ron Pierce orchestrated the production (CD) of a wonderfully emotive version of the Star Spangled Banner, performed by Suzi Wilson of the Red Ridge United Methodist Church in Dadeville, AL.

Al McCree, he of Altissimo! and music both martial and patriotic, is having a look at incorporating it into some ofhis company’s offerings. Al occasionally sees John Burns (who lives near Nashville) and Larry Harris, who hails now from Eastern Tennessee.

Tom McGrain is still captaining for Northwest, and lives in Phoenix. Tom Baumgartner, one of our reunion stalwarts for whom the Class cannot extend adequate thanks, also plies the skies for Northwest, and lives in C-Springs. Tom McG recently chatted with Bob Harris, still in Montgomery after all these years. Both Toms are putting on the full-court press to get Bob back for next year’s 35th reunion, which would be Bob’s first. Please start thinking about those you haven’t seen for a while and coaxing them (or, if coaxing isn’t possible, then coercing them) back to the Zoo for our too-infrequent get-together.

Tom Fleming, in D.C. for a short consulting stint, continues to thrive with his base of operations in Hawaii. He continues his work with U.S. and foreign governments to help prevent, thwart, and attenuate the affects ofterrorism, along with consulting in the more traditional securityrelated areas. Karen, too, is now working in the area.

Les Dyer, Roy Coppinger, and I (along with ’63 grad Mike Christy, and for one round, Jeffand Julie Grime) met for a few days ofgolf on Alabama’s RT Jones Golf Trail. The courses near Montgomery and in Auburn were as spectacular as we had heard, though the roughs and out-of-bounds (outs-of-bound?) got a stiff challenge, at least from my shots. Shamelessly, Grime took all our money on the final day.

A sad note for those ofyou who remember and enjoyed rollicking good times at the Pit in the basement ofthe Maxwell AFB O-Club. Fridaynight, prime time happy hour, found no one there but us. Dyer was incredulous. A later check by Roy and me, at about 10:30 PM, formerly the high-water hour for the place, found the bar closed and a mere (though lively) three couples alternating slots at the crud table in the back room. Roy and I didn’t want to show the youngsters up, of course, so shot a couple quiet rounds ofdarts andleft, amazed still at howdrasticallythe times do change.

Need the cards and letters, e-mails and phone calls.

Cheers to all for now. Lindsey

Dick Rauschkolb

14640 River Oaks Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80921

H: (719) 487-0887

W: (719) 472-0300/DSN: 333-2067

E-mail: Dick.Rauschkolb@usafa.af.mil

Are you ready for some football? As Wild Wood Woodhead would say, “Slash’em with a beak - Rip’em with a claw Bring on the meat wagon Raw Raw!” This year promises to be a great one for Falcon football. With 17 returning letterman and record-breaking QB Chance Harridge returning, the Falcons have a chance to win every game. Your fearless prognosticator is predicting a 9-3 season anything less would be a disaster. CSU, BYU and New Mexico will be tough games all are on the road. The boys will win another Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and cause Army to go looking for a new coach. The Falcons will also be in a bowl game probably in San Francisco again. See the great interview we did with Coach DeBerry elsewhere in this magazine.

Wow how about Gregg Popovich! Not only was he selected the NBA Coach of the Year, but his San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship! Quite an accomplishment for a guy who wasn’t even recruited to play at USAFA. It is a fitting tribute to Popo that all the articles printed about him talk about not only what a super coach he is, but also what a great person he embodies. His players laud his character and integrity and it is obvious they greatly respect him as a coach and role model. Way to go Pop your classmates are proud of you and Erin!

We had a mini-Reunion in June. Our gracious hosts were Roger and Sharon Hill, Cook and Chris Villareal and Ray Barleben and his charming girlfriend, Nancy Moran. Cook makes a mean burger and Ray cooks a super Brat. The event was at Roger’s and Sharon’s beautiful mansion just south ofCastle Rock. Theyreally have a magnificent home with a breathtakingview ofthe entire RampartRange from Denver to Colorado Springs. Absolutely awesome! As a matter of fact, their house is big enough to host the entire class at our next Reunion! Lots of adult beverages were

Mayan enthusiast Jerry Ball presides over the ruins at Tonina in the Yucatan.

consumed and we all concurred that the older we get the better we were! Here is a list of attendees: Tooey and Carol Emery, Shawn Raintree, Jack and Margie Mueller, Rich and Nanci (with an “i”) Downing, Larry and Joanne Vaughn, Gary and Mary Finley, Carl and Barbara Bang, Rick and Laurie Lesch, Mark and Kristie Ewig, Greg Gilles, Carol Humke, Tony and Val Marietta, and your scribe and his bride, Marilyn. Apologies to anyone I may have missed.

SeventyMen Prepare for Survival Training!

Speedy Martin stopped by for a chat while at USAFA for a Wings ofBlue function. It was great to see him. By the time you read this, he should be at Wright-Pat as the Commander ofAFMC. He andWendy are doing well and his youngest son is becoming quite the golfer. Speedy retiredA1 Swaim on 21 July. A1 and Jane will be headed to Arizona I believe. Dave Sterling wrote that he participated in Steve Hoagland’s retirement ceremony. Dave said he is now fully retired and enjoying rebuilding computers at home, doing car repairs and working on his house. Let’s see I almost flunked comp sci, physics was a battle, and mech 120 was touch and go. Don’t think I would be good at any of your hobbies Dave.

Heard from Joe Kupko he may be our last field-grader on active duty. Anyone headed for England has an invite to stay with Joe. He will also act as a guide for local castle tours. Jim Reel and Jim Bechtel are reliving their exploits on the lacrosse fields through Jim R’s son’s exploits for the middies at the Naval Academy. Seems Jim’s son chose Navy over Air Force because they had a better lacrosse program. Wouldn’t you know it the Falcons beat them this year first time in history! Why would you want to be in the Navy being on a ship is like living in a Walmart dumpster for six months?!

he is the Dept Chair for Math/Science at Lake Michigan College. Tom Stuart and TommyThompson were trying to hook up in Idaho for some fishing and adult beverage consumption. Saw Ashby Taylor escorting some folks around Doolittle Hall. He introduced me to his friends who just happened to be from Augusta, GA. Once I found that out, I took them to the Penrose Room and paid for a week’s stay at the Broadmoor for them. Alas to no avail the guy told me he still couldn’t get me on Augusta National Golf Course kept saying something about “couth” or lack of it!

George andTom Rayl were in town for the annual Ben Martin GolfTournament. We teamed up in the tournament but a few errant shots by all of us cost us a place in the money. Nevertheless, as is the Seventy tradition, we did win the parties! I think George and Tom lost a few skins to me in a practice round, but I promised them I wouldn’t mention it in this column. Also had the chance to tee it up with A1 Simoncic. We linked up with A1 and Judy in Pagosa Springs by chance and persuaded them to come to the Springs for a weekend of golf and good times.

The war on terrorism is affecting the families of our classmates. Brian Maher wrote to tell me that Frank and Karen Michaud’s son was killed in a training accident in Djibouti. Seth Michaud was a ’98 grad from the Naval Academy. Mick and Jan Davey wrote to say that Critt and Andrea Hughes’ son, K.C., was seriously wounded in an ambush in Fallujah, Iraq. K.C. lost two of his fellow soldiers in the attack. He is a 2000 West Point grad.

Have had some very enjoyable email exchanges with RudyAragon who is a lawyer in Miami. He wrote a very moving tribute to Dick Christy that I hope to get in a future issue of Checkpoints. Joe Boyles also sent me an article he wrote for his local paper about Mike Turose. It was also very moving. Mike and Dick were about 24 when they were killed in Vietnam. Just think of all the years and experiences we have enjoyed since they made their sacrifice.

Gary Dahlen and the Class Gift Committee have authorized the AOG to press on with plans to build a scaled-down replica of the War Memorial along the Heritage Trail by Doolittle Hall. This is a great project that will honor all graduates who lost their lives in combat to include nine of our classmates. The MemorialWall will also allow our class to be prominently recognized in perpetuity for contributing to a very significant historical monument. The project is going to cost around a $100K which is making a dent in the $164K we have in our class fund. So if you have any spare cash laying around in this thriving economy, please consider a donation.

is

Saw Mike Torreano in King Soopers he was shopping while Anne was handling the grandkids. Yikes! Tucker Flaherty (Joni) stopped by the AOG a few months ago. He was one of the stalwarts on our great swim teams ofyesteryear. He is living in Ohio working for Lexus-Nexus. I tried to persuade him to come to our next Reunion. Ran into Brian Prendergast at the driving range his game is in serious disrepair based on the swing I observed. I have a better swing on my porch. Bob and Peggy McKinney were proud parents the last few months. Son Mike graduated from USAFA in May. He also was the MVP at the national rugby championships where he led the Falcons to the National Championship! Mike is playing for the AF Rugby Team and will be attending pilot training in the near future. Bob helped coach the rugby team and both Bob and Peggy hosted a great graduation party for Mike.

Russ Carparelli is now an official state circuit court of appeals judge here in Colorado. He is shown here with his first customers two of whom are appealing their hair loss.

Bill Yamokoski (Wendy) sent me a picture of a Glastar aircraft that he built. Very impressive only took 5V2 years! Bill is in St. Joseph, MI where

Arriba Falconesl

Paul D. Knott

5565 Lantana Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80915

H: (719) 570-9162

W: (719) 594-0100

E-mail: pknott@acninc.net

The newest graduating class ofthe Air Force Academy is now out in the world. If they have one thing to tell us, it is that they are not all rapists, molesters or even perverts. As were we, they are tired of four years preparing for life and are ready to go out and do something. We had the institution ofVietnam coloring the way strangers looked at us. This class has something much darker the suspicion that their affiliation with USAFA has somehow “tainted” them. I would hope that you have seen more fact than press flack by now, and realize that our school was nothing more than headline fodder for several groups seeking an easy target

Jim Bechtel, at left, and Jim Reel remind Jim Reel’s son that USAFA

better than Canoe U.

Russ Carparelli holds court for Seventy. From left are Shawn Raintree, Rich Downing, Russ Carparelli, and Dave Gaw.

for their agendas. Some don’t like the military, some soughtjustification for why they didn’t graduate, and some wanted votes. Whatever the reasons, the classes of 2003 through 2006 saw more turbulence in the past six months than we lived through in four years.

About the time that the last issue hit the mailboxes with the article on the “Long Blue Line", I got a short note from our Class’ representative in this historic event, Bob Lowe: “Feedback from the cadets was very positive. I believe their morale is headed back up. They really appreciated us taking the time to come see them and voice our support. The problems have been caused by a small number ofbad apples. I am very optimistic about the future oftheAcademyandAir Force after havingspent some time with the cadets they are very, very impressive. But they are so young

“I talked to several women graduates who were absolutely irate about the ‘Bring Me Men’ poem being removed. They took it much harder than the rest of us and had already circulated a petition. Unfortunately, it will have no effect. I believe someone with some money to invest should open a ‘Bring Me Men’ bar in Colorado Springs (maybe in place of Spike’s place). They would make a fortune on grad business.

“AH now reporting to the Commandant seems to be the most controversial issue. Many old recommended changes will be resurfaced during this window of change and I imagine most will stick. The Secretary and Chief are very involved. It will be interesting to see if the next Secretary remains as involved if Roche moves to Secretary of the Army. Wouldn’t it be nice to get an Academy graduate as Air Force Secretary?

“Tom Berry is the best focal point for updates he is right in the middle of this. The AOG website has also been great for keeping us informed. Funny how quickly we can lose contact my youngest son and daughter-in-law just graduated in 2001 and I already feel very out of touch.”

My bride, Andrea, spent a few days in the Academyhospital this spring. Just a few doors down from her hospital bed is the office of Dr. David Range. When he retired from the Air Force a couple ofyears ago, the hospital would have been without his specialty, so he hired on as a civilian consultant and works out of the same office he had as a colonel.

A recent but pleasant surprise was opening up my hometown newspaper and reading an article about Lynn “Willy” Willadsen and how he has started a business helping lenders and businesses throughout the USA connect with leasing options in the Midwest area. Supposing that you were a business in Iowa or surrounding states. You look at your business and think, “If I only could get my hands on X, my business would really take off!” The answer? CallWilly and his partner, who will provide a leasing solution to obtain the equipment without having to cut into operating capital for a down payment. While Willy is providing his expertise, Pam is a nurse with the Home/Public Health and Hospice Department of the county Health System.

Lynn

Willadsen, Midwestentrepreneuratleft.

As always, Bob Manning sent along several note with information about our classmates in the D.C. area. “I attended a small get-together last night for Ted Schofield who came into town to visit family. Ted is living in Southern California after retiring from theAir Force in 1991 and then beingmedically retired from American Airlines a few years ago. (He suffered a minor stroke but is pretty much fully recovered.) He describes himself as the king ofvolunteers. First with Habitat for Humanity but now with the Forest Service. He is VP of a nonprofit with 120 volunteer forest rangers, and he says they pretty much run the San Gorgonio Wilderness (SGWA.org). Also in attendance were Mark Lewonowski, Rusty Schaefer, Chip Hamby, Bob Peterman and GordyKage. I also saw Bob Lowe on Mondaywhen he came in for a retirement of a friend, and Bob Peterman and I had lunch with Mike Downie and his son (Class of 2004) on Tuesday.

“I had an-all-too short phone visit with my former roommate, Mike

Smith, yesterday and caught up on the last five years since we saw each other. Mike and his wife, Elizabeth, enjoy life in sunny Tallahassee, FL. They are both working and they have two children out of the house. Life is good.”

Bob also passed on a note from John Wahlquist: “Happy 32nd Anniversary—has it really been that long? I reallyenjoyedvisitingwith Bill Rajczak last week. It is great to see how successful our classmates are and how much service they have given and continue to give to our great country. Until meeting Bill, the only other classmate in the area that I had any regular contact with was Mike Dziedzic. Mike retired from the USAF in 2001 and now works for the U.S. Institute ofPeace. Though he was a Latin American specialist foryears (PhD from the University ofTexas and former attach to El Salvador during some harrowing times there), for the last eight years or so his focus has been on peace-keeping in Bosnia and Kosovo. He has spent considerable time on the ground and is in the final throes of completing a second book on the subject. His work seems especially relevant as we face the prospect of a long occupation in Iraq.

“I retired on 1 July 2002, after spending an additional year on active duty to finish up an attach tour in the Middle East in Oman. That last year was especially rewarding because of the opportunity to support Operation Enduring Freedom. I’m still hoping to get back to the Middle East, having spent multiple tours in the region, but that hasn’t worked out yet. Right now I’m working for Booz Allen as a contractor to NIMA. I made the switch to intelligence during the last 10 years or so ofmy career and that has turned out to be quite interesting. Bill and I compared notes and determined that the most important thing we had in common, besides our 71 second to none” and 7th squadron heritage, is that we’re both still married to our “first” wives.”

Speaking offirst wives, as ofTax Day, my bride has a titanium knee. She has been working hard in physical therapy to get her range of motion back to normal. The damage started back in college when she injured her knee on a ride at old Elitch’s, and progressed to the point that the joint had no padding at all. A big benefit to waiting is that the joint is expected to last as long as she does. There are a few trade-offs, though. According to the fact sheet her doctor gave her, she no longer is allowed to ski moguls or play lacrosse. Her reply? “I’m disappointed, but I’ll survive!” We’re looking forward to football season. Hope that we see a few ofyou at the games! GBA

Bob Bell 13 Pacific Ave.

Sinking Spring, PA 19608 (610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513

E-mail: rabell767@aol.com

Hey guys, it is time once again for you to hear from your ever-loving class scribe. There are only a few messages that I will quickly pass on. So here goes...

An e-mail received in May reports on the nomination by President Bush of MGEN Mike DUNN (Pam) to become the president of the National Defense University which is a three-star position. Senate willing, the pinon ceremony (was) planned to occur in June. Additionally, the AirForce Times reports on the selection ofMGEN Walter E. “Buck” BUCHANAN III (Sharon) to a three-star billet as commander ofanother major command. (Sorry that I did not get all the pertinent information on that, but will have it in the next news ifnot reported elsewhere in Checkpoints.) Congratulations to both of these fine gentlemen on their well-deserved selection for further command!

Brian BINN (Barbara) sent a brief note accompanied by photos of a golfing foursome in which he participated at a recent tournament near Granby, CO. Brian has been retired from the Air Force since July 2002 working since then as Campaign Coordinator for the AOG.

Jim REED (Debbie) then sent an e-mail as well reporting on beingjoined for a day of golf on 13 June at the Grand Elk Ranch and Club near Winter Park, CO by Brian (Binn), A1 SELLERS (Julie), and Phil Delich, the son of former USAFA hockey team coach Chuck Delich. Their foursome suecessfully ended up in a tie with another foursome which included pro golfer Craig Stadler, and then won the whole she-bang after breaking that tie during the second playoff hole. Jim also said the guys in his foursome scrambled to a 60 on a tough golf course. Their prize for success included

Visit the AOG Web Site - Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.aog-usafa.org

“Willy”

Sabre Society Donors

There was a very brief

Dan “Scro”

the 190th Fighter Squadron during January-February. Thanks for the update, Scro!

Dudley KARSTENSEN (Charlotte) ofAltoona, PAwrote to report on a great time he had the opportunity to share with classmate Karl RODEFER (Joanne) in May. Karl had flown out from Southern California to join them for the swearing in of Karl’s son Erik as a new second lieutenant in the US Army. The event allowed Dudley and Karl to share memories and reminisce about their time in the Air Force while looking ahead to Erik’s future in the Army. The Karstensens still have a daughter in her sophomore year in chemistry at Pitt, so with Erik recently graduated from Penn State, you could say they have a “divided family.” Karl works as a representative of Fiserv (NASDAQ) which sells data processing services to credit unions.

Sadly, the last thing I wish to pass on is the recent passing of Jennifer BOWMAN, loving wife of our friend and classmate Dave, and a real supporter of the Class of 72. Still able to attend the 30th Reunion with us last October, Jennifer had lately battled long and hard after being afflicted with a disease that finally took her from us just last month. Jennifer ably served as a staffmember oftheAOG for manyyears and was widelyknown by more than just our own class. She will be missed by all who knew her, and we send our condolences to Dave and the rest ofthe Bowman family.

That does it for this time folks since there was so much less to work with, so I hope to be hearing from more ofyou in the future to allow more meat to be added to your newsletter column. F. P. A.

Dan 0’ Hollaren

19803 Derby St

West Linn, OR 97068

H: (503) 657-0299

W: (503) 667-8554

E-mail: danoh73@attbi.com

Autumn is in the air, the ‘Wing is back’, and the Class of 73 is galloping up on the celebration commemorating the 30th anniversary of our graduation. My, how the world has changed since June 6th 30 years ago. But the constant is our stories are still happening within whatever life’s endeavors we have chosen to pursue. So let’s hear about some of those endeavors and achievements.

Mike Patton and bride, Cindy, wrote with some family updates and a chilling anecdote. Their eldest offspring, Casey, recently separated from

theAirForce as a paramedic butstilllivingin Germany,justblessed the Patton familywith their first grandchild. Second son Donovan is a budding actor in New York, playing “Joe” on Blue’s Clues (a Nickelodeon children’s show, in case you were like me and had absolutely no clue!). Mike sees the convent in seven-year-old daughter Annabelle’s future, “just to keep the boys away” in his words. Cindy is traveling internationally 3-4 months a year as head of her own small publishing house. Mike’s working long days in New York City as an architect and construction manager. On 9/11, Mike had just left a meeting 15 minutes prior to the first plane hitting theWTC. Witnessing the towers collapsing and loss of life has left an indelible image in Mike’s memory. He’s looking forward, nonetheless, to the reunion and sharing stories with all of us. Glad you’re still with us, Mike!

An obviously elated John Eisenhart and fiance in Guatemala immediatelyfollowing hisproposal ofmarriage.

Mike Arnett spoke with Mike Schiefer recently. The two Mikes spent three years together at the Pentagon in the late ’80s, becoming close friends. Mike S just recently retired from the AF while working at the Personnel Center at Randolph AFB. Looks like traveling, beginning with Fox, Arkansas, is in Mike’s immediate plans. John Eisenhart is flying the friendly (albeit struggling) skies of United and hopes the mass exodus of senior pilots will open the door for a B-747-400 or even a B-777. John’s living in Las Vegas and commuting to L.A. He included a photo of his new bride at the moment of his proposal in Guatemala - geesh, John, you forgot to pop the cork on the champagne! She is also a new attorney, so John’s set for retirement!

Bruce Bennett and Chris Lauderdale in San Antonio with N2900Y. John Foreman wrote of his son Scott (USAFA ‘2000) who recently returned from a three-month desert vacation at Prince Sultan AB where he was keeping the F-15s and ’16s maintained. Commenting on my “Bring Me Men" discourse in the summer column, John would like to see the Air ForceValues ofIntegrity, Service & Excellence go up in place ofthe “politically incorrect” quote. This might be worth considering, John. Bruce Bennett still finds himselfin Bulgaria, though he was home in June. While slipping the surly bonds in his Cessna, he dropped in for gas at Stinson Municipal Airport in San Antonio on the way back from Mexico and ran into Chris Lauderdale. Chris and his wife just started a Fixed Based Operator called Ace Flyers. He’s got three airplanes and starting a training school replacing one that just went bankrupt. Bruce and Nancyjoined

Class of 1973 - 30th Reunion

USAFA

vs. Army

5-9 November 2003

From left are Brian Binn, A1 Sellers, Phil Delich andJim Reed. airfare, a three-day hotel stay, and 36 holes of great golf in Florida.

message attached to an e-mailed photo of

SKOTTE, our “continuing active/part-time military flight surgeon, standing in front of the aircraft on which he flew during the Iraqi Freedom operations with

them on the RiverWalk for lunch. Bruce, Nancy and daughter Brandi also stopped in to see JohnWigington in Huntsville, AL. Unfortunately, Bruce’s father passed away during the trip home. Glen Johnston forwarded a photo of Joe Kahoe’s retirement ceremony at Langley AFB. Four ’73ers were there: Glen, Joe, Lt Gen Bruce “Orville” Wright and Dennis Rensel.

Celebrating Joe Kahoe’s retirement at Langley are fellow’73ers Glen Johnston, Joe, Lt Gen Bruce WrightandDennis Rensel Ross Mulhare’s son Tony (USAFA ’95) wrote seeking information, contacts, memorabilia, etc., from those classmates in CS-26 who may have remembered his father. Ross left the Academy after two years but ended up as an Air Force pilot. Unfortunately, he lost his life in the crash of a F117 in 1986. Tony’s drivingVipers out of Cannon AFB and would love to be able to “fill in the blanks” of his father’s legacy that he can pass on to his son. Drop me a note ifyou have something and I’ll get everyone connected. Fred Beckmann dropped a note to the AOG with a few sightings in Ankara (the one in Turkey!). MGen ‘Pete’ Peterson was heading up the Office of Defense Cooperation, Denny Danielson was serving as the Defense Attache for the U.S. Embassy and Fred was augmenting the Defense Attache Office as a Reservist. Fred has previously been performing Reserve duty with the Defense Attache Office in Paris (the one in France!) supporting the May 2002 visit by President Bush.

Sad news arrived since our last column. Robert Griffith, a member of our class that left before graduation, passed away on 20 April in NewYork. No other details were available.

Well, the mail was slim this time around, but I know it’s because everyone’s saving up stories for the 30th Reunion. As I close out the final column before the Reunion, I’d like to serve notice that the position of Class Scribe, Class of ’73, is open for a new occupant. It’s been a rewarding ride having the honor to represent each and all ofyou. But it’s time to allow someone else the opportunity to represent our experiences, our achievements, our stories and our lives. Phone lines are open. See you in November. AMF and Check Six!

Joe Brezovic

1209 Bayou Oaks Drive Friendswood, TX 77546

H: (281) 482-6860

0: (281) 244-8325/Fax: (281) 244-8909

E-mail: jbrezovicl@bigplanet.com joseph.brezovicl@jsc.nasa.gov

Greetings classmates! I hope all is continuing to get better and better for you in wealth, smarts, and that health is still greatly manageable!! I’ve noticed my warranty is lagging in some parts!

The e-mail and letter traffic has slipped away these few months. World events certainly have kept our attention focused away from writing outside of the home. I’m sure many of us Reservists have been recalled to support the rest of the classmates still on active duty. I’ve been activated for a short time to work in Missile Fuels. That’s been an experience worth having. Family life is reduced to phone calls, e-mails just as if you are on extended TDY. As we think about it, though, each of you have your own good reasons to celebrate life, liberty and happinessmay they continue.

E-mail traffic includes one from Mike Pefley. He’s a Reserve colonel doing well in Chicago (20 years) and active Reserves at Hurlburt. He’s serving as an AFMC rep to the HQ there. Mike just completed about 10 years as a liaison officer (deja vu from about 34 years ago). So far, Mike has helped eight cadets go to USAFA (three graduated and five still there) and a bunch of ROTC cadets. Mike says he’s flown F-4s in Spain, A-7s in the Ohio Guard and has worked at Northrop Grumman in Chicago for 20 years in Marketing and Program Management. Mike wrote he’s been happily married to Gloria for over 14 years and they have two daughters

that are serving in the Illinois ANG out of Peoria. [See pic below!] Sara is currently serving overseas in the Middle East to support OIF and nationbuilding over there. She was Airman of the Year for the state of Illinois about three years ago. Their youngest, Katie, returned from basic and tech school (she’s a videographer) in February. Katie was Airman Leader for the detachment of over 100 airmen at Fort Meade. Mike writes “Needless to say, but I’ll say it anyway, we’re very proud of them both.” Mike says “I still keep in touchwith a number ofCS-15,War Eagles (Bob Brooke, Gary Baldwin, Gary Sambuchi, Dave Rusk, Andy Galik and others). I’ve also crossed paths with Ross Miles, who is at USAA in Texas and Spike Murphree, recently retired from active duty and looking to move to New Mexico. Hope all is well for you and we are looking forward to the reunion next year.”

Another e-mail came in from Steve Lenzi. There is basically no change from the last e-mail for those who may remember it. Steve is working his old job as a contractor at PACAF AMOCC at Hickam. “Since commercial real estate was very slow at the time, I decided to try the defense contractor life. It is great; I highly recommend it; and hope to stay in defense contracting. Currently, he is with ITT Industries Systems Division. Steve wrote that they started the AMOCC contract in Apr 2001, and it was fun, but then after 9-11 attack it became more rewarding, almost like being in the service again.” Seems like Steve, Suki (wife), sons Sam and Andrew, are alive and well in Hawaii.

Three visual and personal contacts I’ve had with classmates: Ron Sega is the Director, Defense Research & Engineering, DoD. Ron came into Colorado Springs for the 19th National Space Symposium to speak on promoting the growth of a scientific and technology competent aerospace firms to “Boldly pioneer new frontiers in aerospace technology, commerce, and exploration.” Evidently he flew in and out because I did not see him around the Broadmoor Conference area after the panel discussions. I was able to visit with another classmate at the symposium Charlie Bryant. Charlie is a program manager at XonTech, Inc in Colorado Springs. These are notes from discussions thru the week, ifmemory serves well and my notes are translated correctly: Gil Perry is working a Civil Engineering position in COS, pretty high in the citypositions; Steve Boyce is COS somewhere. Nick Puzak is there somewhere, too, in COS; Mark Hyatt is retired and working in one ofthe COS school districts. Other reports include: A1 Young is in Delta out ofAtlanta; Tom Hayden is a CE group CC; Ted Macey is an orthopedic MD in Florida; Carrol Chandler, congrats three star, is Alaskan Air Command CC; Chris Kelly, congrats for two-star, is in Dover; Kelvin Coppock, BG is in Space Command; Rick Cleaveland is still in Poland. I lost track ofDon McMonagle from Kennedy Space Center. I’ve met with JJ Romano several times in San Antonio. JJ is happily supporting the entrepreneuring SAIC company care for the Air Force through the SAIC programs.

Hmmmmm, did anyone ever hear from [fill in the blank, classmates! Certainly this is the time of life we’re looking around and we can use this network to help!] I’ve been recalled for Noble Eagle and am working at the old KellyAFB in the Defense Energy Support Center for Missile Fuels. So I get to be re-inspired by the TIs working with the new recruits and leaders of tomorrow in Lackland AFB next door. My, my, my. They look young, even younger than Pef’s daughter above. I do have a niece SSgt at Lackland. I’d be willing to see if I can support any of you/your youngsters going thru Basic and watch their graduation - -if you let me know. Sometimes my TDY here can coincide. Other exciting personal moments this year, I’ve been able to shake hands and talk with Buzz Aidrin, Jim Lovell, Dick Gordon of our Space Pioneers as well as Flight Director Gene Krantz [pictures to prove it!]. My civilian job with United SpaceAlliance at Johnson Space Center is on hold while I’mAF for a while. The JSC tasking brings us in contact with the super heroes of the skies. And I must pause for a moment for the Columbia crew... and those of our service brothers and sisters in the present conflicts.

The 30-year reunion is coming up. It may be a surprise for some as to how fast the time flies it is for me. An unknown number of us will be

up against the mandated 30 years officership, then retire. I’ll be one of them. Ifyou read this and have e-mail, would you classmates send in an e-mail that you are retiring at/around the 30 so that I can make a list. I’d like to do the 20-year retirees as a list, too, since I didn’t schedule this idea 10 years ago (sorry)! But I need: Input. Input. Oh, I’ve also found a way to get input to the wallet as in some reimbursement for Mastercard andVisa card expenditures that I can pass on to you; if you’d like to know, e-mail me! That’s the sum for this report. See you around “campus!” And, May each of you and yours live long and prosper.

Jeff Hackett

2610 E. Stottler Drive Gilbert, AZ 85296-8825

Home/Mobile: (602) 318-6152

E-mail: jhackett75@cox.net

LIKE RIDING A BIKE. Yeah, by golly took an issue off and I still know how to get this thing to the editors after the deadline! A big thanks to Jim Burling for taking the reigns while Chris and I were busy planning/pulling-off our “Big A Party” in March.

LIKE FALLING OFF A BIKE. It was on the other hand a painful experience to attend the Memorial Service for Pete Strunk here in mid AprilPete was killed in an auto accident. A large number of folks representing family, friends, church, current coworkers (Northwest Airlines), and former co-workers were there to say good-bye and to extend support to Kathe and the girls. I didn’t know Pete at school; we actually met when I helped him get his first off-active-duty job in the mid ’80s, but he was likable/admirable in every way from the start of our friendship. Sorry now that we had fallen out of touch over the years (inexcusablewe lived less than 12 miles apart).

On an onlyslightly less somber note I report that CW4 John Sims (MarylandArmy National Guard) suffered severe head trauma in a UH-60 Black Hawk crash in Iraq in March. He was initially treated in Kuwait, evacuated to the USNS Comfort, and then moved to theWalter ReedArmy Medical Center. He was transferred in earlyMay to Virginia Medical Center in Richmond, VA. Hope some e-mail excerpts from Scott Smith, John Charlton, and Jim Carlson who have all been to visit John will bring you up to date; “Neither he nor his copilot are sure whether they went down because ofmechanical malfunction or enemy action... He suffered compression injuries, broken bones, and severe head trauma... not yet able to read; can recognize some words, but cannot comprehend sentences, and has some difficulty with retention; still has some form of short-term memory loss... John’s not sure where his next stop will be, but further treatment is almost a sure thing; John has lost his airline job, and most likely his Guard job, so he’s concerned about how he’ll be able to make a living when he is ready for release... I am proud ofhis service to our country and was personally refreshed to see a classmate taking this “bump in the road” so well; I really am proud to have him as a classmate.” (JH: as we all are!) For those that may not have been reached by e-mail, note that there’s a move afoot to pump up the ’75 Class Fund in order that we might be in a better position to help John and his family in some way. Whatever you feel’s right ($5 - $50 has been bandied about) send to: USAFA ’75 CLASS FUND, c/o Scott Hente, 2760 Brogans Bluff Dr, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919.

BE SURE YOU’RE NOT AT THE AIRPORT WHEN YOUR SHIP COMES

IN! The proverbial clock is ticking for those who don’t want to miss getting on-board the Golden Princess for Class of ’75 Caribbean Cruise (Jan ’04). Twenty-four-hour buffet/bistro, largest casino afloat, full-service spa with ocean-view gym, a wide variety of bars and lounges, four pools, and a wedding-at-sea program officiated by the ship’s captain - what more could you ask for? Arrangements are being handled by Keoki Alge at Cruises Only (1-800-683-7447 EXT. 77112). I recently ran into one confirmed “cruiser” - Lamar Lewis was Captain of Southwest Airlines flight I took on my way to USAFR duty in Albuquerque. Lamar looked great and said that life was good; he and his wife/family are still in Napa, CA and he’s still a very ardent golfer. Lamar’s an experienced cruise-taker and said this looks like a smoking-good deal.

The always newsworthy Bill Murray sent a couple of e-mails this quarter - one providing details of daughter Rosemary’s wedding (pictures of the lovely bride were included but none with dad so I can’t include here).

Visit the AOG Web Site - Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.aog-usafa.org

His second note announced a change of assignment at Ogden ALC - Bill is now the F-16 System Support Manager.

AFTER TWENTY-EIGHT SHORTYEARS. Saw a note from Walt Burns announcing his retirement; Walt will be staying in the Tidewater area and starting a business with Joe May. Don Henney will also be getting new work clothes out of the same old closet; he’s remaining in the D.C. area where he’ll be taking on job as civilian comptroller for the 11thWing serving Bolling AFB and the National Capital Region. Bill Percival lamented that he, “...cleverly timed my retirement this summer to coincide with an Airline Industry crisis. Nevertheless, fearless in the face of adversity... and stop loss be damned...”. Also saw a note that said Chuck Nystrom was retiring and one from Jim Fellows that announced his retirement was delayed for 60 days (March timeframe) while he took the reigns as 62 AW/CC. And a just-in-time e-mail from Jim Burling announced that he had just returned from a golfing weekend with Bill Hughes and Jack Huffman in Milwaukee which celebrated 32nd anniversary (July 5th) of our first walk up the now-nameless ramp and Jack’s retirement from USAFR. Jack flies for Southwest out of Chicago and lives in Lake Geneva. Bill and his wife, Peggy, live in Milwaukee where he’s an attorney.

USAFA TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS LATER. If you didn’t see the e-mail Bentley Rayburn sent on 4 Jun, let me know so I can forward it to you. Bentley offered an excellent report on his visit to USAFA in late April. He was there at the invitation of the Chief of Staff, as were representatives from every other graduated class, to meet with all 1 st and 2nd classmen. In Bentley’s words, “The purpose was to ‘put a stake in the ground,’ with regard to the current crisis at the Academy surrounding all the allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against a number of female cadets, and say to the Wing, in essence, ‘It’s time to move on.’” Closer to home, Bentley let us know, “Mark Wells is holding down the fort running the History Department... the Dean and others all remarked about Mark’s strong leadership and steady hand on the faculty. Bumped into Larry Farris as well. Everybody is effusive in their praise for great job Larry is doing as Commander of the Prep School. Saw Larry Bryant, too. Larry, of course, retired a few years ago but is still teaching in the Computer Science department, and doing great. Rod Kallman’s son Lance found me and said “Hi,” as did Mark McConnell’s son, and Ric Turner, Jon Turner’s son.” Bentley mentioned that Tom Skillman is on staff at Air War College with him.

COLLECT CALLS NOT ACCEPTED... unless of course you have something really good (with photos) for the next column. Calling your attention to the fact that Chris and I have moved into new millennium by killing off hard-line home phone in favor of mobile-only service (see number in byline). As for photos this time, I’m saving us from Deja Vu as the leading candidates were highly redundant with last issue: 1) margaritainfluenced group shot of D.C. Best Alive crowd, and 2) wine-influenced shot of Phil Pearce and Mike Perry in tuxedos (on the occasion of son Sean Pearce’s wedding which Chris and I also attended).

Not to disappoint the editors or you - I’m now late and over the word limit but there’s still time/space to urge you to hug the ones you love - it’s later than you think.

Dan Beatty

12196 Stanley Canyon Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

H: (719) 488-1962 W: (719) 554-6160

E-Mail: whrlybrd76@aol.com or Da n ieI. Beatty@Peterson.af. m

Class Website:http://www.AFAcademy.com/76

Fellow 76’ers, AHHHH summer in Colorado Springs....warm (high 80s-low 90s) days....cool (low 60s-high 50s) nites....and on quiet evenings, with a gentlewesterlybreeze (ifyou live just east ofthe terrazzo across the interstate like I do), if you listen closely you can hear the faint sound of the terrazzo frogs chirping....”YES SIR!, NO SIR!, NO EXCUSE SIR!, SIR I DO NOT KNOW!” I look forward to the fireworks displayfrom USAFA this comingweekend. Can watch them from my deck with a beverage of my choice in hand. It’s a wonderful life!

No sad news that I am aware of to report this time. I like that. Would love to start all my articles that way. Heard from several of y’all in the last few months, but not as many as before the last letter. I appreciate the input and updates. After all, the info from you is what this is all about.

A few of our helo brethren rang in. Craig Jensen says retirement life is good. He retired last year after commanding the USAF Survival School at Fairchild AFB. The family (Debbie, Brandon, and himself) decided to settle down in the Inland Northwest with definite seasons and a great climate, close to a large city (Spokane), yet near many outdoor activities

(hiking, snow-shoeing, Nordic & Alpine skiing, fly-fishing, etc). They’re currently building a house on 10 acres and have performance Shelties (Shetland Sheepdogs) competing in obedience, tracking, agility, fly ball, drill team, and herding. Son Brandon just finished his first year at Eastern Washington University. Craig is now a government civilian at the Personnel Recovery Academy keeping involved in teaching Survival to America’s finest.

Walt “Mouse” Heidmous says with the stop-loss gone he can now plan for retirement effective 01 Jan 04. He is finishing a teaching certification in Florida and hopes to export to mountain west or west coast. He has also put his name in the hat for AFJrROTC. Mouse says they are looking to increase programs by several hundred schools over the next few years, and if anyone lives in a community that does not have a program, go to the ‘afoats.af.mil’ web site and drill down via the JrROTC button to get details for the program.

Dave Dingley says he and Virginia are still in Florida and expect to stay there until at least next summer. Good to hear from Craig, Mouse, and Dave since we went to helo school at the same time and/or served together over the years.

Mike McGinty reports Kitty has been reassigned from AIA Information Operations Guru to Joint Forces Command Norfolk, VA, and that they sold “casa Grande” in San Antonio and now live in Chesapeake. Michael B. is still doing the Mr. Mom thing, loving life and living large when the munchkins are off to school. He is active in his Catholic parish and looking at getting his third master’s degree, in theology or divinity or Christian Education. His oldest, Audrey, 25, still works for Vail Resorts in Keystone as an auditor. The twins finished kindergarten and head off to first grade in the fall. Mike also says he is still modifying his Randolph AFB Tweet Driver, “sideways to the trough” physique and working on “the body for life.” I’m sure a few of us are doing the same thing Mike!

Ben “Boats” Bartlett let me knowthat last month he, Don “Fritz” Frasier, and Ric “Ricko” Kempton, all former 29th CSers, met to chat about old times. Boats works for Northwest and is the Superintendent’s Mobilization Assistant. Fritz, who works for United, was in town for simulator bounces. Ric was in town on business, and all met at the Rock Yard Microbrewery in Castle Rock to ops check their beers. The 29er gang reports Ops Check Good. We appreciate your community service attitudes gents, by ensuring quality fare in local establishments.

Bob Norman reminded me that Ernie Woolard sent a picture of several ’76ers in an airport terminal. Told me if I hadn’t received it, to please let him know and he’d go ‘encourage’ Ernie (which translate to “I’ll go beat him up”) to send it. Ernie did in fact send it. Wade McRoberts sent a pic of a mini-Grim Reaper reunion during graduation week. Unfortunately gents, my capability to scan in those hard copy photos ceased to function and I was not able to find another scanner and still meet my deadline. I will endeavor to get them both scanned in for the next article. Mea culpa! Did get an electronic photo (much better if y’all can send that format vice hard copy pis) from Greg Schneider with several ’76er’s who attend Greg’s retirement on Apr 26. Official retirement date was 1 Jun. The pic shows Mark Rogers, working Northrop Grumman in D.C.; Mike Rosenbalm, working for Scitor in D.C.; Greg; Jack Catton who is in J-3; and John Rivera, working for Medtronics in Reading, PA. Casey Henkel was also there but missed the photo. Casey is at the Joint Intelligence College on Bolling.

the Metro in Washington one May evening while TDY there. Tony was taking his turn in the Pentagon’s command center. Bob Oleksy popped up on my scope. He’s working for Boeing as an engineer on the Groundbased Midcourse Defense portion of missile defense. And Kim Weber emailed that I am trouble with Laurie! Seems discussion about Carlic vs Garlic capitols in my last letter wasn’t supposed to be broadcast to the general population. So all y’all out there just forget I wrote it and keep me out of trouble with Laurie. Please? Laurie sent the Weber munchkin photo a few months ago but I did not have room in the last article. Is this a Class of 2020 or so budding candidate?

Greg says that post-blue-suit he moved to Chicago and started working for Northrop Grumman, Advanced Defensive Systems Technology Center. Mike Beyers hailed from Albuquerque to tell us about his 1 July retirement. He was the 58th Special Operations Wing Commander where he got to fly special ops helos and C-130s. Says he will miss that part (I know that feeling!) and will settle in Albuquerque where he plans to put Barbara to work. Will have to track that for success rate. Ifit works mebbe I can apply the same logic next year when I retire! (Yeah right!) Jeff Larsen ran into Tony Przblyslawski (in his nice general’s jacket) on

Katie Weber tries her skills at aviation with a little help from Dad. Will wrap this up for now. Send in your cards and letters, send e-mail, or call about yourself or anyone you know about. All my contact data is in the header. Ifyou are headed to the Springs, let me or any of the other locals know and we’ll see if we can’t join up for a few stories and updates. Keep flying your flags and let our deployed troops know you have them in your thoughts and prayers. The Spirit of '76 is STILL alive and well! Until next time Beatty

John J “Lou” Michels, Jr. 4107 Harvey Western Springs, IL 60558

Voice: (312) 849-8150

Fax: (312) 849-3690

E-Mail: jmichels@mcquirewoods.com

UPLINKS: Greetings from Downtown Chicago, where summer is in full, humid swing. By the time you read this, Labor Day will have passed, the kids will be back in school and, I hope, Air Force will have beaten a couple of people in football. Right now, though, I am waiting for the latest severe thunderstorm to pass to see whether I have any trees left standing in front of my house.

DOWNLINKS: A number of our folks played important roles in the recent unpleasantness (apparently, the President’s assessment that the war is over has not been translated and read by the majority of the Iraqi people given the current casualty rate). I welcome any and all reports that you guys can give me concerning your efforts and results.

And to begin the “There I Was” chapter of this column is Jim Moshgat, formerly the Commander ofthe 12th OG at Randolph. Last summer James was shifted to Prince Sultan in Saudi as theVice of the 363d AEW. He was doing the Southern Watch shtick, and finally broke 2,000 hours in the F16. Then the shooting started for real. Jim had five Weasel missions during the war interspersed with what apparently was a Mitchell Hall-class

MarkRogers, MikeRosenbalm, GregSchneider, JackCatton, John Rivera at Greg’s retirementceremony26Apr03.

bout offood poisoning. His best mission was his last (aren’t theyalways). While flying CAP over Baghdad, Jim’s flight was directed to the area of Mosul by a FAC. Specifically, there was a large anti-US rally going on downtown that turned into a riot, and the FAC wanted some non-lethal way of breaking it up. He suggested Jim come in supersonic as low as possible, with which aforementioned suggestion Jim was only too happy to comply. I can only imagine an F-16 at the speed of sound a couple of hundred feet over a downtown area. I assume nobody got to the locals in time to tell them to shut their curtains. Anyway, after destroying the highfrequency hearing of several thousand malcontents, Jim pulled up and called it a day. He was able to get a pic of himselfjust before that fateful mission; you can just make out the foam earplug inserts.

Jim ran into Hoerst Roehler (Mary) who was working command and control upgrades at the AirOps Center in Saudi, and Curt Cichowski (Laura). Curt is Deputy for the Mobility Forces and I suspect has been busier than all of us combined. On a final note, Jim says he’s headed for Maxwell in September to work as theVice Comm ofACSC. He’ll be working for Ron Ladnier (Pam), but more on Ron later.

Just to make sure the Reserves aren’t cheated on this deal, Rocky Villafane, Lt. Col., USAFR, found himself activated for SAR work when things went south (or more appropriately, northwest) in Iraq. Rocky was deployed 150 straight days from his Delta job as the Commander of the 332 ERQS in Kuwait. As befits classified rescue stories, Rocky’s version of events is somewhat truncated. However, his initial message to me says plenty: “Saved 17 lives, didn’t bend any metal, and brought all the boys back in one piece. Took in the sights ofTallil, and Baghdad along the way successful mission!” I asked Rocky for more details and got very terse responses. Basically, Rocky and his cohorts picked up several marine recon teams in serious trouble, medevac’d two critically wounded Army folks, and picked up an A-10 pilot shot down over Baghdad, all in the space of 14 days.

Rocky graciously forwarded several pictures, my favorite of which is below. He’s third from the right.

Santa’s little helpers on an offday.

This picture was taken around the Christmas holiday when Rocky was first deployed with his group. To the people that he picked up later in the year, I suspect these guys looked like Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and the Wizard of Oz all rolled into one. Nice work, Rock!

CUFFLINKS: Well, maybe not cufflinks, but at least stars. Dave Scott (Leslie) pinned on his first star at Little Rock on 30 May. Several of the Cellar Ratz were in attendance, notably Mike Weinstein (Bonnie), who presented Dave with a token reminder of when he was a common toad like the rest of us.

’77 alumni touring Little Rock noted that pictures of Dave were everywhere on the base, “Guard shacks, BX, base paper, everywhere you’d turn,

the visage of a benevolent but vaguely threatening Dave leering down like some mix between Chairman Mao and the late JimVarney.” The pinon occurred in conjunction with the Little Rock Air Show/Open House, and to open it, Dave led a one-mile-plusparade ofHarleyDavidsons down the flight line. Sounds like a hell of a day all told. Congrats, Dave, and touch base with us when you get to the new job.

Mike Hainsey (Brenda) is working at lovely Columbus, MS where he’s a sim instructor for soon-to-be pilots and getting a solid dose of aged reality. As Mike puts it, “You know you’re getting old when you see the sons of your classmates come through and graduate from SUPT.” Mike has seen sons of Paul Music (Deborah) and Rick Rasmussen (Kandi) through the pipeline.

For the 105 or so ofyou that live in the Colorado area, I hope the picnic put together by Jim Ilse went well, and I want pictures. Preferably, the more embarrassing, the better.

GOLFLINKS: On April 7, 2003,1 officially ended my active Reserve career and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel at Maxwell. The noteworthypart of the afternoon, however, was that the aforementioned Brigadier General-Select Ladnier, Rick Cosby, Ron Kennedy (Karen) and Steve Schwalbe (Ingrid) all staggered over from their various assignments at AU to pay their respects. The class is developing a real cadre of people at Maxwell; I was asked to continue teaching my employment law material there notwithstanding the fact I was no longer on active duty, and hope to continue seeing these folks. Rick, Steve and Ron are all at AWC as professors. I managed to miss Dave Lawton (Susan), who is now heading up the International Officers Program at Maxwell, but caught up with him at Hurlburt, when I was teaching a block on doing business in Russia. Dave graciously managed to stay awake during my four hours on stage, no doubt stimulated by my unparalleled speaking style and the half gallon jug of Starbucks double cappuccino that he had by his seat. Again, my thanks to all these guys for taking the time to come to yet another retirement ceremony, and staying awake, respectively.

POSTLINKS: Rex Williams (Linda) dropped me a nice post in which he reminded me, again, that he is not our only active duty chaplain. In fact, Jim Glass (Susan) has just been picked up for major, and I owe him an apology for the omission. Rex just returned from a world tour ofTampa, Qatar, Kuwait City and Baghdad, as a guest ofyou know who. He recommends skipping the Baghdad portion of the tour if offered the optional day trip to anywhere else in the world. Thanks again, Rex.

That’s it for this time around. Please send me some news from your summer moves, activities and other embarrassing moments. I hope the summer treated you well. Be seeing you.

Bob Kay

2386 Cherry Hills Loop Alamogordo, NM 88311

Home:(505) 439-5463

Work: (505) 572-5382

Email: K-bob@charter.net or Robert.Kay@holloman.af.mil

Greetings ’78ers...

It was with great sadness that I received an e-mail from Rick Searfoss concerning Ron Rosepink. Ron was paragliding near Tehachapi CA (close to Edwards AFB) and had been missing since the end ofJune. The search was called off on July 9 with Ron presumed dead. Our thoughts and prayers go to Deborah and the family during this tragic time. Ron served our nation and Air Force with distinction for many years in the test pilot community. After separatingfrom active duty several years back, he remained active with testing as a Reserve Test Pilot School flight instructor. He was on one ofhis tours when the accident occurred... we’ll miss you Ron.

This has been an extremely busy summer in the hot desert of New Mexico. One place where it’s fairly nice however, is C Springs. Took my two oldest sons up in June for USAFA basketball sports camp and we made a family vacation out of it. Due to advancing senility and maybe some repression, I forgot how beautiful it is. Those of you who live there truly have it made.

While we were in the area, my wife and I no-noticed John Weida and he graciously ushered us into his office, had his exec bring us some coffee and treated us like he didn’t have anything else to do. We only took 20 minutes of his time but I can assure you that he’s on top of the situation. Was proud to see a classmate not only with a star on his shoulder but sitting in Gen Beck’s office... brought back a few memories to be sure.

While we were in the Springs, I was looking through the Gazette Metro section and saw a huge picture ofLarry James during his change of command (his replacement came up to his shoulders). As I reported last article, Larry gave up his job as boss of the 50th Space Wing at Schreiver. The article mentioned that Larry oversaw the coordination of all space

General Dave with a newguidon standard.

Sabre Society Donors

assets at the CAOC in Saudi... no small task. I tried to get a hold of him after I saw the article but in his new job at Space Command XT’ he’s one busy person and wasn’t in the office. Congrats on a job well done Larry and all the best in your new job.

Guess I read too much but also saw an article in the Early Bird on one Tanker Snyder who was called the commander of MacDill air patch (6th Air MobilityWing commander... hmmm, does that mean CENTCOM is a tenant?). He was commenting on his wing getting 32 of the new KC-767s in the next few years along with a couple hundred million dollars for military construction. Tanker was understandably happy and proud of his gang for showing the AF that this made sense.

The Denver Post published an article in May on the challenging issues that ’03 had to deal with this past year. One cadet who was quoted extensively was C1C (now 2 LT) Justin Bronder, son of T.J. Bronder. The Post seemed to be trying to bait Justin but he stood his ground and remarked that the class was leaving with their heads held high. His certainly is after graduatingwith a 3.95 and winning a full-ride scholarship to Harvard next year. After reading the article (and sending TJ a “congrats” e-mail), I asked the AOG if they had a list of other classmates who have progeny at the Zoo. Turns out there are quite a few '78 second generation members who eitherjust graduated with’03 or are still there: Already mentioned TJ and Justin, Todd Cienski (Caleb, ’06), Andy Cox (Ryan, ’06), Del Eulberg (Kasey “06), Steve Goldfein (Alex, ’05), Glenn Gruner (Christopher, ’03), fellow Bulldawg Steve Hocking (Christopher, '06). Wayne Kellenbence (Christopher ’06), Phil McBride (Matthew, ’05), Ken Rachocki (Julie, ’06) Randy Reed (Trevin, ’06), Bob Steel (James, ’06), Matt VanSteenwyk (son...didn’t get his name, ’07), Dave Wetlesen (Michael, ’07) and Keith Zdeb (Wynn, ’03). Congrats to all you guys!

Being involved with the reunion has generated some great e-mails from you guys... thanks! Already mentioned Matt VanSteenwykwho was medically retired in ’85 and “went into business taking dead or dying companies and turning them around. Some good successes to date, and some outright ‘crash and burns’, but it is fun and as intense as I want to make it!"

Greg Hollister lives in the Springs with both daughters going to UCCS and his wife student teaching at a local elementary school. I forgot to ask him ifhe won the city council seat he ran for... hope he did. TJ Whitehair told me that he has recently undergone treatment for colon cancer. I asked him if I could share it with you all and ask for continued prayer support. He’s hanging in there and started chemo in June. He said he’s feeling pretty decent and is confident that he’s going to beat this thing. We’re pulling for you TJ!

Ron Magnus sent an update on his position. He was recently selected to lead all combined consulting business for his large consulting firm in Denver. They rolled up all manufacturing, contractors, leader development and owner market segment into one. His plate just got very full but I’m sure he’ll do well. Congrats Ron.

Fellow UPT classmate Gary Dean has been the 142nd FW CC at Portand Oregon ANG (F-15 Unit) for 2 1/2 years. He thinks he might move to on to State Headquarters later this summer. Wife (Lisa), four daughters, and coaching Girls 6th grade Basketball keep him busy. Mark Werthman has been living the hardship life in Bavaria the past fewl years and PCSd in August to Mountain Home AFB to work in wing XP. He hated to leave Germany but was glad to get back to the land ofthe big BX. Former Drum and Bugle Corps refugee Ken Gronewald has been flying for Alaska Airlines for several years and enjoys life in the Puget Sound area. John Hicks lives in Shawnee KS and works for Honeywell as the manger for the Defense Systems Program Office.

Hadn’t heard from former Bulldawger Ted Roush in a few years... he lives in Tucson and is the Regional Director for Academic Programs for Pima Community College. He also taught school and was a school principal for three years before taking his current position. Steve Slick is the Mission Support Group Commander in the Reserves at Dover and loves the area but is thinking about trying to relocate back here to the Southwest (think about it Slicker, it was 104 degrees yesterday here in lovely Alamogordo).

In closing, this should get to you guys in September, a fewweeks before our 25th reunion. It should be a great time... for those of you who have signed up, see you there. For those ofyou who have decided not to go or are still waffling... be there! The initial showing has been promising, this is an event that you don’t want to miss. Until next time: God bless all of you and your families and God bless America.

Brian Koechel

11625 Boom Pointer Way

Gold River, CA 95670-7626

Home: (916) 847-2875

E-mail: Bkoechel@comcast.net

Hello for the first time from sunny Northern California! Yours truly has relocated from the Seattle area to greater Sacramento, decided to take a new opportunity in a new industry.

Health Net Federal Services, as one of their Directors of Government Contracts. Our focus is on the TRICARE Program, with which I’m sure most of you are familiar. So, if you’re in the area, call. Holly and I’d love to see you. Mi casa, es su casa.

Enough on me, on to you! First, Big, big thanks are owed to Dave Callaway and the absolutely top-notch job he has single handedly done with the class website.

I encourage all to sign up and log in, especially as our 25th Reunion approaches. Email me for the address.

New wife and I I now work for

6

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Second to Dave is Guy Wills. Guy is a colonel at the Air War College running the Dept of Strategy & Intern’l Security. He has sent numerous emails keeping many class members informed on your whereabouts, not just me. Thanks Guy for forwarding me the latest news.

Speaking of the website, that’s how Ken Barker found me. He wrote, “Great to see our new website and glad to see you were registered. I’m still active out here at Wright-Patterson. Debi and kids are doing well and enjoying the Dayton area.” Ken is one of our 0-6s. Now that I think about it, most of our classmates still on active duty are either colonels or generals with an LC scattered here and there. Got a great note from George Morgan. He moved to Warrenton, VA a few years back and is doing great. Kids are into soccer and cheerleading; wife, Carol is a veep with The Fauquier Bank in Fauquier County. Apparently it’s quite close to where George’s ancestors first settled when they came to America from England in the late 1600s. With a little thought, you now know why George has the middle name he does.

A nice note was forwarded to me on Gerry Franklin. He commissioned his son David as a 2LT in the Air Force. David was commissioned through ROTC at ERAU/Prescott with a BS/Computer Science. He will be a communications officer at Shriever AFB, Colorado Springs. Here’s picture of the proud poppa.

Frank Gorenc went from Special Assistant to Supreme Allied Commander Europe at SHAPE to the Commander, 1st FighterWing, Langley AFB, VA. I’m sure most of our sierra hotel fighter pilots are quite jealous Frank! Brig Gen (S) Burt Fieldjumped Pentagon offices and is now Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs (Western Hemisphere), J-5, Joint Staff. Randy Fullhart dropped a note on his new job —Vice Director and Military Commander of the Air Force Studies and Analyses Agency. Randy says, “Kathy and I have been very privileged to command the wing at Fairchild.” Change of command was 12 Aug and he’s now in D.C. Writing these articles is tough, especially without input. So when I put out the call, it was great that so many of you responded. Thank you. Jimmie Rodgers wrote, “News you want, news you get! 1) We (myself and Lisa and couple of kids) are moving to Germany in a few days [he moved in June]. I’ll be assigned to USEUCOM as the ECJ39, Chief of Information Operations guess I’ll be cleared for weird, once again. Don’t know yet ifliving on or off-base. Stuttgart should be nice, by all accounts. Temporary e-mail: rodgersfaml980@yahoo.comTemporarymailing address: HQ, USEUCOM, CMR 480, Box 2631, APOAE 09128-2631. 2) Other news: Kid #3, Jon, is accepted and will attend USAFA, Class of 2007." Another proud poppa!

Steve Lepper met the challenge as well. He had this to say, “1) I’m currently the staff judge advocate for US Forces, Japan, and Fifth Air Force. I’m on my way to become the PACAF staffjudge advocate at Hickam. All ’79ers have an open invitation to visit us there. 2) My daughterJenny is a rising firstie at USAFA...” This is great-another proud poppa!

“Juice” Jouas let us know the following: Greg Brundidge is also moving to Hickam as the PACAF/SC; John Duhamel is retired in Alaska, runs a very successful contractingbusiness, became a grandfather recently; Dan Cvelbar just retired from L.A. AFB, will be living in southern California; Michael Englebrecht just made international Captain with Delta; Ken Kraak still a Southwest Captain; Robin Rand gave up theWeapons School to take command oftheWolfpack at Kunsan (he’s theWolf); Randy Meyer is on his way to Luke as the IG; and Mike Leggett still running DRZ at ACC. Juice is still at Eielson.

Got a quick note from Scott Adams who is the USAFE Director ofSafety

how’s that for quick! Spoke with Vance Skarstedt for the first time in years. He and Sandy are doing wonderful. He’s on the academic staff at USAFA. Since CRS has set in with me, I might screw this up, but I’m pretty sure their son is at the zoo-another... you get the point. We all should never forget how much we all have to be proud of!

Before I close down this update, I must comment on the recent traffic on “where the heck is USAFA esprit de corps?” For those ofyou who have been in the traffic, it’s a pretty sad situation without any easy answers or fixes. For many USAFA grads, apathy seems to be as good as it gets. Contrasting to our Marine counterparts whose last word utterances are “Semper Fi.” I encourage all to get on the AOG website and read some of the things Johnny Weida is doing as the new Comm. He’s saying and doing all the right things as far as I can tell. I wish him the best in turning attitudes and perceptions around. He has lots of work in meeting the challenges faced with the aftermath of the rape debacle. He needs and deserves our support. Adios Loyalty, Courage, Wisdom, and Brawn!

Don Myers

401 Chambray Hill Peachtree City, GA 30269-4247

(770) 631-1429

E-mail: DMyers80@hotmail.com

Class Home Page: http://usafa80.tripod.com

A carousel of time. For me, seasons seem to be measured by Checkpoints deadlines. And each time I sit in front of the computer to report to you, I find myself thinking about what we were doing at the Zoo during this time. Often, it even gives me pause to consider some ofthe highlights ofmylife and career since then. For instance, Kathy and I have now been married longer than we’ve been single. Also, I’ve had four totally unrelated jobs since the 20-plus years with Uncle Sam I’m currentlyunder contract with the CDC; doing mysmall part to battle diseases, etc. What are YOU up to?

The news. I saw a nice write-up about the big C-17 personnel airdrop in northern Iraq. Seems our Bob Allardice, commander ofthe McChord wing, was the mission commander on this trip. They dropped 1,000 troops the first night and eventually brought a full Army brigade to the area. It was quite a show, I’m sure. Also on the airlifter side ofthe house (I’ll pose that as a challenge to other communities), BG Paul Selva moved-up to take command of the Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB this summer.

Another of our classmates was featured on PBS’s NOVA: Tom Ehrhard. This episode was titled, Spies in the Sky. Seems Tom is considered a subject matter expert on UAVs after his doctoral dissertation at the John Hopkins School of Advance International Studies a while back. He was shuttling between teaching Advanced Airpower Studies at Maxwell and UAV consulting at the Pentagon.

The airline turmoil finally caught Dave Prahst. He’d been with US Airways for well over a decade. “For me this is a real blessing! I’ve been studying, trying to get into the pastorate, for going on 10 years now. But, since I retired from the Guard last May, and got furloughed from USAir in January, I now have lots of time for studying, on top of keeping up with the family (Cindy+7)! Lord willing, I’m trying to finish up my studies through the Christian & MissionaryAlliance Church in the next couple of months, and hope to be interviewed for accreditation (licensing) in August.”

Shorts. Marge (Glazier) (Jay) Schell recently moved to Bogota where Jay is attached to the embassy. The Office of the General Counsel of the Department ofDefense announced the names ofthree keyMilitary Commission officials. They included Will Gunn, Acting Chief Defense Counsel. Tom and Ann Williams continue investing in the next generation as part of the Navigator Ministry at Auburn University. The three girls are adjusting well to their new sister (both Ann and baby are fine). Factoid: I read that Sue Helms flew on five space flights and is co-holder of the

world record for the longest space walk of eight hours and 56 minutes. Another of our many classmates that went back on active duty after retiring (and being furloughed by Northwest) is Cary (Susan+2) Davidson. Cary ran the airlift side at the Kuwait airport for about a month before heading 100 miles north of Baghdad to live in a tent for another month.

Peggy’s Corner: She saw Greg Minear (AA 737 Capt.) at the Denver airport. lie’s flies out of Chicago, lives on the left coast, has a couple ofkids, and “looks like he’s in his mid-30s.” Diane (Moyer) Byrne is the Ops Group Commander at McConnell. Jim Sturch is the Vice Wing Commander at Elmendorf.

Reach Out XXIII. I haven’t had much room lately to put this section into my input. These are the folks that seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth (nothing has been updated for quite a while in the Register). Keep an eye out for the following and let me know what they’re up to: Joseph P. Hedrick, Richard H. Harwood, Christopher T. Harvey, Andre W. Harris, Alan D. Hamm, Charles A. Hamilton, Phillip T. Glotfelty, Edward I. Gjermundsen, and Gregory R. Gerth.

Since I do have so much room, I thought I’d go to the archives (there were still some pieces of holiday letters I haven’t used): Scott (Jan+2) Carrothers decided the annual letter “won’t be a listing of our extremely gifted children’s state and national accomplishments in academic, sport, and musical endeavors, detailed travel logs of trips to exotic locales, or photos and medical history of the colonoscopy.” He did, however, pass along a tongue-in-cheek remark about research into raising cattle in the backyard, due to the amount of food the boys consume something which others of you might relate.

Speaking of annual letters. About this time each year I ask you to add me to your list. How about taking a moment and doing that and feel free to send me an e-mail now (and pictures that at least include you). Also, have you got something of interest to the rest of us regarding one or more of our classmates?

Until next time. Don.

Rich Trentman

11102 Asbee St.

Falcon, CO 80831-8170

H: (719) 494-9438

W: (719) 472-0300/DSN 333-2067

E-mail: Trentman@usafa81.com

Class Website: www.usafa81.com

Gone But Not Forgotten. It is with a heavy heart that I must let you know that we lost our classmate, Roy Clayton, CS-12. Roy died tragically in an auto accident on June 26th. Roy served 20 years in the AF and retired in 2001. We extend our sympathies to his wife, Belinda, and his four children.

Things are looking better here at USAFA. The Class of 2007 entered in June with six more second-generation

’81ers: John Sparks (son of Jeff Sparks), James Johnson (son of C. Wade Johnson), Joel Brown (son of Bruce Brown), Krysten McPherson (daughter of Mike McPherson - Mike’s second daughter at USAFA), Stephanie Hirst (daughter of Steve Hirst) and William Bell (son of Dan Bell). Dan’s son even came up to say “Hi” to me during in-processing. New class day is always fun! The faces tell it all (nervousness, confidence, fear, excitement).

Thanks to all who responded to my class e-mail requesting info. Gulf Coast area’81ers: Paul “Sully” Sullivan is busy working on his house on the water in Ft Walton Beach. He saw Craig Franklin at Craig’s assumption of command ceremony for the 53rd Test WG at Eglin. Dave Scholl is still flying with Delta and working as an ALO for USAFA. His wife just opened a small giftshop, his 15-year-olddaughter is busydating and driving (can you say stress), and his boys (age two and three) are... keeping him busy. Dave spoke with Bruce Stark, who’s working as a defense contractor at Eglin. Dave also had lunch with Sean Bishop in Atlanta. He said Sean still has quite the wit (translation: sarcasm) that we all knew and loved about him in our younger days. Dave visited Jim Agee and his wife, Michelle Pompelli (’80), in Jacksonville, FL Memorial Day weekend. They both recently retired from the ANG and have built a nice home on the water. Jim’s either in the pool or on the wave runner with his kids, Mitch and Chelsea. Pam Sanders (McGinty) is still in the Reserves at Eglin and works out like a madwoman. Vince Jones is in the Reserves reading Xrays at Eglin. He says Vince and his family are always on the road camping. Beef Haddad is finally back in Florida after fighting the last two wars. He was activated longer and working harder than the active duty gang.

Others: Steve Doss just returned from Frankfurt, Germany where he was helping run airlift support for the war. Pat Almazar is retired from the AF and working for MITRE in Virginia. Jim Zilly is buying, renovating, and selling property in the San Antonio area and flying as a senior copilot in the 767-400. John “Roscoe” Adams is back on active duty and

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’81 atWar. BeefHaddadis commander ofthe 711 th Special Ops Sqd. He has two daughters ages 15 and 16, and his wife, Ginger, made 0-6 in the JAG.

working in the “Mil Sci” department here at USAFA. Steve and Meredith Muhs are off to Ramstein AB where Steve will be Director of Plans and Programs in USAFE/SCX. Their oldest is off to college this fall in North Dakota while the remaining three are coming to Europe. Wade ’81, and Kathy ’83 Johnson are off to Vance AFB where Wade will be theVice Wing Commander. Sheldon Dennis is co-owner of FamilyDigestmagazine, a national magazine focused on developing strongAfrican-American families and relationships, and he visited with Chuck Phillips and his wife, Karen (and son, Chaz), while in NewYork City. Chuck has been very busy traveling around as VP of Oracle. Sheldon also said he attended a San Francisco Giants game with Dale Andrews. Dale is a Captain with United and lives in Sacramento with his wife, Natalie, and their daughter. Andre Campbell also lives in Sacramento and is an attorney there.

Terry Szanto e-mailed with news on Hanscom ’81ers. Terry is moving to Langley AFB to be Program Director for the AOC. Bill Nelson is the Program Director ofthe Mission Planning program at Flanscom. Yvonne Schilz (Wilhelm) is the Recruiting Group Commander. John Casserino just arrived to be deputy ofthe Air and Space Ops Center (AOC) weapons system and Ken Hasegawa is coming to take Terry’s job as Director of International Programs. John Marlin is busy working on his basement and 1,000 other projects in his new house in Pennsylvania while commuting to his job with Exxon Mobile in New Jersey (arrrgh). Pete DeWolff is an MD-80 pilot with American and living in north New Jersey.

Toney Hinen and Phil Swanson are teaming up and moving to Fairchild to be the Vice Wing and Deputy OG, respectively. Phil was at Quantico teaching and is ready to get back in the cockpit. Tim Harris has retired and taken a GS job as Chief, Plans and Programs at the Space Warfare Center at Schriever AFB. Greg Biscone relinquished command of the B2 Ops Group at Whiteman AFB to requal in the B-52 and then will head north to take over theWing at Minot. Scott Land, his deputy OG, sent me a photo of his farewell golf tournament with some other ’81ers.

Jim Schwindt, Rich Vandenhurgh, GregBiscone, and ScottLand. Jim Schwindt was in town for another retirement. Jim is with FedEx and lives here in the Springs. Rich VanderBurgh was retired, but came back on active duty and is still the AF’s high-time B-2 pilot. He safely recovered a B2 with an engine failure just outside Iraq. Bob Mahoney, new 0-6, is leaving his job in J-3 at the Pentagon to teach Poli Sci at the industrial College ofthe Armed Forces at Ft McNair in D.C. Mike Buck is still at the Pentagon working fairly normal hours. Fred Mullard retired in 2001 like many of us and works as Deputy Public Works Director and the Airport Manager for

the municipal airport at Village of Lake in the Hills in northeast Illinois. His wife, Kathy, and the girls have adapted to civilian life.

Mart Waugh is staying in four-star hotels along the Riviera and baby sitting the Global Express aircraft... rough life. He spoke with Mike Zepfwho’s still at the Pentagon, and coordinates VIP trips for the 89th at Andrews AFB. Tim Wallender is busy as President ofthe Project Management Institute in L.A. and running a consulting firm. Gregg Montijo is still in Tucson teaching Cockpit Resource Mgt (CRM). He’s waiting to see ifhis company wins the A-10/EC-130 academic contract for Davis-Monthan. He ran into Hank Lane in Atlanta. Hank’s a first officer with Delta. Bryan Funke is in Misawa AB, Japan as the 35th Med Gp commander. Jeff “Sleepy” Stambaugh was the OG there, but is now the Vice Wing commander at Cannon. Kurt “Nubes” Neubauer is the OG at Kunsan.

Kelvin “Hex” Manning has been busy working shuttle processing issues in Orlando while his golf game continues to degrade. Kelvin and his wife, Judy, are busy with their 16-month-old son David. Mike Schilz and his wife, Pari, spent 10 days in Germany and asked me to look for his babysitter, who entered here with 2007. Bill Sneeder should be out east at Wright-Patterson as HQ AFMC, Chief, Aerospace Medicine. Kevin Lopez is also back at Wright-Patterson following AWC. John Mooney is still at Buckley AFB up north. Jeff Braley should be out here to see his son, Andrew ’06, for Parent’s Weekend. Cecil Stevens and family look proud at their son’s graduation!

Cecil Stevens and family

John and Kathryn Reinheimer recently had a son, Jared. (Class of2025??) Way to go!

With 75 ’81ers in Colorado and 48 in the Colorado Springs area, I’m working hard to start getting us together locally. Our first lunch went well with six of us (Jesse Gossner, Deven Volk, Russ DeFusco, Randy Peterson, Blane Hook, and me) getting together. I appreciate the work of others around the country and world that keep us in touch as a class. Thanks foryour overwhelming response to my email! ’81 Second to None.

Jim Ratti 6329 Pheasant Valley Road Dayton, OH 45424-7100

H: (937) 236-9306

DSN: 785-8695 ext. 3444 (work) rattijm@mindspring.com http://usafa82.org

Hello Redtags!

As I get older, it seems time flies faster and faster. I can hardly believe another quarter has rushed by and it’s now time for the next installment of “What’s New with ’82?” I’ve got a fair bit of news in the mailbag, so here goes!

Dunn Idle sent a note saying he’s back in Albuquerque again, this time doing all sorts ofrocket science type stuff for Schafer Corp. He was actually trying to scrounge an e-mail/snailmail address or phone number for his exroomie Mike Kempton, but I drew a blank. Can any of you help? Reserve Lt Col and Delta pilot Jeff Watson checked in from Scott, where he took advantage of his lunch “hour” (10 minutes?) to fire off a quick e-mail. He’s been doing Reserve duty there for over 10 years, working in the TACC exercise and contingency planning directorate. He said he’s sorry he missed the reunion. We’re sorry too, Jeff! Don’t miss the next one, or you’re buying. Heck, you can buy even ifyou DO make it there!

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Published author (Core Values, still selling well at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and Books-a-Million) and Air War College student Phil Bossert sent word that he attended John Bridge’s retirement atWest Point last June. John taught mechanical engineering there, and retired to Maine

where he’s teachinghigh school physics. Phil also witnessedTom Pfeiffer’s retirement last November at Eglin, where Tom was an F-16 pilot. Tom stayed in the area working for one of the local defense contractors. Phil was at the Army War College taking part in the Jim Thorpe athletic competition in April, and he ran into Ben Huff. Ben was representing Army, and Phil was on the Air War College team. Phil didn’t tell me who won... Ben should be at STRATCOM by the time you read this. Phil sends word that Joe Romanko, Chris Conway, and J.J. Johnson all live in Medford, NJ near Phil’s family. Joe and Chris fly for American, and J.J. is a United pilot. Phil graduated from War College in June and is now at Ramstein, working for NATO in Air North. And, I received word that Phil was the recipient of the James B. Davis Award from Auburn University this year. The Davis award is given annually to the leading student attending Auburn who is also enrolled at Air University. Sounds like Phil didn’t spend too much time on the links while at AWC! Congrats!

My fellow Preppie Ray J Cornay sent a nice note relating a serendipitous encounter with Rick Broome, the artist who did our class painting. Ray was doing some research on “the effects of constructive and deconstructiveinterferencewith respect to theproperties oflightandcolof with his sixth-grader (yikes - sounds like the title of a PhD dissertation) when he stumbled across Rick’s website. Turns out that Rick applies these principles in his “starlite” technique. Ray had a nice e-mail exchange with Rick, and Rick related some interesting stories regarding the ereation of our print. You can read the entire letter from Rick on the website. Ray noted that there are still copies of the print for sale, both through Rick and the AOG, and encourages us all to buy them so that they can appreciate like ’80’s “boring old T-38” did!

Mary Stevenson-Miller sent in a coin order along with her news update (you can too!), and let me know that she’s stationed at Brunssum, the Netherlands in a NATO position. She’s in the staff training branch there, and says that the job is very different from any she’s had previously in her military career. She’s been introduced to the somewhat disconcerting practice of having certain nation’s military members represented by unions! Mary is the single Mom of two teenagers, Jonathan (16) and Jazmine (14), and is grateful that the driving age in Europe is 18. Mary says we’re all welcome next time we’re in the Netherlands.

Time now for some “short takes”. Don Kessler retired as ofJun ’03, and as far as I know is still in the Dayton area. Tony Mauer returned safe and sound from his deployment (can’t remember where he went, ‘cept it was probably hot and dry). Chris Widseth also retired (Jan ’03) and is a civil servant at STRATCOM in Omaha. DJ Bauch is a Chief Scientist for SAIC, working in the same building he reported to in San Antonio as a 2Lt. Jim Bigham is retired and, along with Lee Harvey, is flying for JetBlue.

Mike Ryan and his family are on their way to Brussels, where Mike will take over the defense portfolio in the U.S. Mission to the European Union. He’ll be working with his counterparts to develop/refine “European Security and Defense Policy” or ESDP. Mike chose to leave his old assignment in Paris on 4 July, as he “couldn’t resist the symbolism and the irony”!

Bryan Branby passed along an AF News article from Operation IRAQI FREEDOM about a group of KC-135S for which Cathy Clothier was the Ops Group Commander. It was really a kick seeing her quoted in the artide, talking about all the great things her young aircrews contributed to the fight. As an ex-tanker driver, I get reallyproud when I hear her say that “...Not a single bomb gets dropped...unless tankers make it happen.”

And as for me here in the home of the Wright Brothers, all is well. We’re gearing up for about three weeks of celebrations in recognition of the centennial of powered flight, and our airshow promises to be a blowout. We’ll have the T-Birds, the Blue Angels, and the Snowbirds flying each day of a four-day airshow!

On a personal note, I now have a license to be a geek -1 recently earned my amateur radio license. Of course, those of you who know me well have always recognized that I’m a ham - now it’s official! I went from no license at all to Amateur Extra Class (the highest grade) just five weeks after starting to study, and as my sister so wisely pointed out, it’s not a license to talk on the radio - it’s a license to spend money! As you prowl the shortwave bands, keep an ear out for KC8WTA.

That’s all for now. Whatever you do out there, for fun or work, do it safely. Ratman

ries for the 20-year reunion. And I can dig that. Just be prepared to be loquacious. In the meantime, here’s the info I do have:

My old UPT amigo Mark Holland recently re-appeared on the radar for first time since our debaucherous Del Rio days, writing to say he’s flying for Delta and is doing the ALO thing in the Reserves. Mark spent 14 years on active duty, finishing up with C-17s at Charleston. He and Ruthi now live in Atlanta, have been married 19 years and are members ofthe Two Daughters Club (along with me, Colin Moffat, Brian Harriett, Hawk, G-Man...the list goes on and on). Speaking of Delta pilots, I dropped in on the Mof and crew in Park City a couple of weeks ago for our annual masochistic mountain biking adventure and some groovy hiking in the Wasatch Range. Naturally, we hooked up with Delta pilots Dan Williamson and Chris Haerter for some Utah brews at “The Thumb,” an infamous Haerter hangout. Dan and his clan are currently living in Scottsdale but seem to be spending more and more time in Park City. Chris and his crew are longtime local fixtures.

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The way I see it, the dearth of input I received this go-around can only mean one thing: everyone’s hoarding up all their fascinating recent sto

Trouble brewin’at “The Thumb”-Dan Williamson, Stu Pope, Colin Moffat and Chris Haerter.

Joe Schwartz wrote to report that he and four other Bohicans (Gary “Grass” Hopper, Jeff Kendall, Darryl Roberson and Jay Moody “Blues”) finished up SSS (hey, aren’t they kind of old for Summer Scientific Seminar?) at National Defense University, Ft. McNair, DC. Joe’s now off to USSTRATCOM/J413, where he hopes to lay low in a vast sea of acronymic letters.

GaryHopper, JeffKendall, DarrylRoberson, Joe Schwarz andJayMoody - ready to partylike rock stars.

During a recent trip to Microsoft, I made the pilgrimage to Vashon Island to visit the legendary Mark Abbott. He and Sherry have a righteous, isolated waterfront abode, well stocked with large slabs of Pacific Northwest salmon and primo Australian wines. Markflies for FedEx, which may explain how stuff like a Filipino caribou cart and the front end of a DC-3 found their way to his front yard. (See photo on next page.)

Ray Blust tells me he ran into “Bananas” Foster Sinclair at the Newark Airport. Foster flies for Bell (phones, not helicopters) and was in New York getting re-current on his jet. Ray also heard from fellow AA (as in American Airlines, I’m guessing) pilot John Mulhearn, who’s now a BOS 7671FO. John, Pam and the familyrecentlyhad fellowBohican Ben Hulsey

MarkAbbottshows offhis innovative outhouse. and his wife, Connie, over while Ben was attending Naval War College in Newport, RI. Ben’s since boogied to AMC HDQ at Scott AFB.

The Mulhearns: Kevin (4), Pam, Brendan (8), Taylor (6), andJohn. Got e-mails from both Drew Wacker and Rob Huguley letting me know that The Soundtrack of Our Lives discs I burned for them rock, and yes, TSOOL’s “Behind the Music” album is among the new millennium’s best, I must say. Rob and family have left Leesburg, VA for a big spread in Covington, LA, where Rob’s French-sounding surname scores him points with the local Cajuns. Rob’s still commuting to D.C. with American and is flying Eagles for the Louisiana Guard.

Okay, that’s it - short and sweet. Send your next batch of missives to Dave "Treat Me” Ruffley, 4202A Muledeer Dr., USAFA, CO 80840-1137, or e-mail him at dlrwy@compuserve.com. Hey, wait a minute - as long as we’re going to be in the Springs for the reunion, why don’t we just drop by his house for a “hospitality check?” Yo, stock up that fridge, Dave!

Mike Jensen

12035 Milam Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (800) G0-AFA-G0

E-mail: jensen@usafa.com

Home page: www.usafa.net/1984

Ma’am, there are 368 days until the 20th reunion! If I am correct on that prognostication, it will be one of the first things I’ve been right on since C2C Heather Wilson (’82, now a representative from New Mexico) asked me Scholfield’s quote on the way to the noon meal formation. Well I guess it worked for her! As for me, I’m late on the deadline for this artide, but you have come through again to bail me out with great intel on what is happening on the world and your lives, so let’s get to it! Big Brother maybewatching: Ed“KTOWN” Knouse finished his squadron command tour in the U-2. He says it was the fastest year of his life, the hardest year of his life, but by far the most rewarding! Most pilots dream to lead a squadron. But to do it in time of conflict, and having the success they had as an Air Force squadron (along with the other services and our Allies), made it that much more special! He is now off to Cairo to work at the Ministry of Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy. If anyone is passingthrough Cairo, please look him up! (Or iftheyrecognize you, they may call you out!)

The ultimate woman of the ’80s can now be referred as “Super Mom!”

Yes, Monica (Schweitz) Smith is holding things together in the D.C. area. Recently celebrating their 17th anniversary with husband, Tim Smith, they are a family once again, Tim is back after a six-month hiatus to

Bagram AB, Afghanistan, and the family is very glad to see him, welcoming him with open arms and a laundry list of “honey-do’s” which will keep him busy for quite some time! Tim was flying A-10 CAS missions for the Army and Special Forces from other countries. Of course, while he was off flying, everything seemed to break, but Monica and the kids, Jake (now 8) and Roxanne (6) handled it well. So well they even added to their family a new pug puppy! (We men are too easily replaced!) News from LA! Ken Arteaga and the family are in L.A. (LowerAlabama) and he is the commander of the 23d Flying Training Squadron (SUPT-H) working out of Ft. Rucker. Married to Di, their three kids are getting older and spending all his money while he is still driving his 1986 Ford Pickup. (Sounds familiar.) Now the real LA! Greetings from Southern California! Christina (Fromdahl) Lehnertz wrote in that after serving as a Nav, she left the AF to attend Graduate School at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND majoring in Public Administration. She has been employed as the Immigration Specialist at University of North Dakota and as the Director of International Programs and Services at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA until about March 1998. Now CEO of Lehnertz Inc, she is celebrating her 15th anniversary to husband, Shawn, and taking care of their three children: Michael (10 V2), Jake (4), and Catherine almost 1. More from California! Marty Ellingsworth checked in from Northern California wine country where he works at a large insurance company Property & Casualty (like USAA but not). Has a great wife of 15 years with two girls 13 and 11. Brian Simpson is taking over as the 412th Operations Group Commander at Edwards AFB on 1 August. He pinned on 0-6 the same day. Married to his lovely wife, Cindy (17 years on 12 July). They have a 15-year-old son (Christopher) who plans to attend USAFA and fly F-16s (not sure where he got that calling from...) and an 11-year-old son (Drew) who plans to be the next Greg Maddox or Javy Lopez. They are hoping to come out to the reunion, as well. He passed on that Chris Short and Mark Ward are also out at Eddie. Chris is the F-22 Ops Officer, but may be moving soon. Mark is the F-15/F-16 SQ/CC.

Mark Schlaefer has been located! He and his wife, (Connie Kee - USAFA ’88), are moving to Edwards AFB. (I heard there was a new 0-6 there.) Connie just finished her PhD at Penn State in engineering science and mechanics. She was supposed to go to the Academy to teach since she was sponsored by the mech. department but, with the present engineering manning crisis in the Air Force, the Academy couldn’t get her back. Mark is a general contractor doing mostly remodeling work and is still doing a lot ofrock climbing. He will be attempting the Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley in September.

Kurt Hornbacker is back in sunny albeit cool Northern California (Livermore). He had been mobilized by the Navy Reserves to the Office of Naval Intelligence after 9/11 for a year. He is back at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory working on the National Ignition Facility, which is designed to fire 192 laser beams into a chamber, aimed at a piece of deuterium (and other materials). The resulting data is fed into the world’s largest super-computer at the Lab, and the analysis is part of the nuclear stockpile stewardship program, verifying the viability of our current nuclear stockpile. He says this is all of this is far over his head (just like EE at the zoo). He says he is just trying to make sure the physicists cross their i’s and dot their t’s in the design and requirements areas. (I’m just hoping my spell check works on this article!)

Outside of California! Pat Ryan is flying for United out ofWashington DC, living in Northwest Florida near Eglin. He has been working a USAFR job at Hurlburt in the C2TIG (C2 Training and Innovation Group).

Pictured here is Pat, with his two kids, Alia (4) and Katerina (1), both adopted from Russia. Julie Gonzales is living in Tacoma, WA with three kids: Ashley (15), Brett (11) and Madison (6). Her husband, Jim Covell, flies forAlaska Airlines and C-17 at McChord forAFRES. Julie left the military in ’91 when her son was born. She home-schooled her oldest for two

years through junior high, and is currently home-schooling her 11-yearold, and six-year-old next year. She also finds time to volunteer at her 15year-old daughter’s Jesuit High School and at church. Also, will be teaching at a home-schooling co-op next year. If that is not enough, she runs 5k-12k races and is aiming to get up to marathon shape in the next year or so. For relaxation she loves to scrapbook and garden. For a small vacation she is planning on attending the reunion and is looking forward to seeing the zoo again. (And we will have the ultimate woman competition between Monica, Julie and others... only at our 20th reunion, brought to you by Mike’s Lazy-Boys and TVs. This event will not be televised!)

Anita Eigner Latin (perhaps another contestant!) graduated from the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA on 7 Jun and now I’m headed to Hanscom AFB, MA to become the Systems Program Director for the Tactical Data Link Program Office. Roger Deemer is teaching in the Program Management and Leadership department at Defense Acquisition University and loves it. He says it’s quite a change from previous years as a physicist, but that’s one ofthe cool things about being on active duty— every three or four years we have an opportunity to do something totally new and different. His wife and three kids love living near D.C. (5 minutes from Mount Vernon) without the pressure of Pentagon work and a long commute normally associated with assignments in this neighborhood. (He says that working on an Army Post has also helped me to appredate that choice he made 24 years ago to go into the USAF.)

Scott Dickmeyer is in the Reserves at McConnell. Just finished his fifth year with the 931 Air Refueling Group, where he works in the Operations Plans shop and flies the KC-135 as an attached pilot. He was activated for active duty at the end of February 2003. Since then he has been back and forth across the Atlantic eight times. Spent eight weeks in the Persian Gulf for Iraqi Freedom and the other trips have been to Spain for varied amounts of time. He is hoping for demobilization soon so he can get back to his civilian job at Flight Safety International in Wichita.

Nick Matchefts wrote to tease me about my 41 st birthday. He is a pastor of a small church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His wife is expecting their first child in October. That will keep them moving!

And in conclusion: Remember those lovely works from speech class? In conclusion, I thank you for your great inputs, your great service, and your dedication to all of the causes you take on. I look forward to even more in the future, and next time I will even have an update from those of you who ask... Where’s Marty?

Quintel Williams

6410 Katherine Ann Lane Springfield, VA 22150

E-mail: USAFA1985@aol.com

’85 Best Alive!

Rich Klumpp

unit operates Air Force One to provide air transportation for the President of the United States. Congratulations Irv and Rich!

Renea (Toliver) Lewis (’86) forwarded an article to me via e-mail inwhich Mr Ron Jensen of Stars and Stripes interviewed Chevy Cleaves, an activeduty lieutenant colonel and commander of the 351 st Air Refueling Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England. Chevy’s interview was published in the June 22nd edition of Stars and Stripes. “Commander proud oflegacy, hopeful for change,” highlighted Chevy’s pride in being a graduate of the USAF Academy and being anAir Force pilot. Chevy is fullycognizantofthe legacy of“black wings” left by the famed Tuskegee Airmen ofWorldWar II. Chevy said we need to get the message out to young people (particular blacks): “There’s an opportunity to succeed here.” Well done, Chevy!

I saw Lieutenant Colonels Ron Marselle, Tina (Therrien) Harvey, and Robert “Bobby”Valin in June. I saw Ron and Trish at a conference in June. Ron’s working in the Future Concept Development Division in the Directorate of Strategic Planning (HQ USAF/XPX). Trish just moved to the area to work for the Deputy Chief ofStaffforWarfighter Integration (HQ USAF/ XII) as a “matrix” communications officer to support XI and the Concept of Operations Champion organization in HQ USAF/XOR. I saw Bobby at the Flight Surgeon’s office while I was at sick call for an appointment and he was there for an annual flying physical. Bobby’s a reserve lieutenant colonel and former F-16 pilot who works in AF/XORC (Combat Forces Division) about one week per month. Bobby’s regular job is flying as a pilot with United Airlines in NewYork. Bobby lives in Connecticut with his wife and two kids (son 14 years old and daughter 11 years old).

Doug Rider sent an e-mail with information for Checkpoints since “there’s a lot going on in the Rider family.” Doug said that he was currently working at the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) Central ImageryTasking Office, but he would be moving this summer to Ramstein AB, Germany to become the division chief of the USAFE Command and Control Division, USAFE/A31. Doug is really excited about this move because not many folks in his career field (Engineering) get to go to Europe. Another big event in Doug’s family life is the birth of his third son, Jonah, on 14 May. Attached is a picture of Doug’s family taken at the National Naval Medical Center after Jonah’s birth. In the photo with Doug is Jennifer, his wife, his twin two-year-old sons, Caleb (on the left) and Nate, and obviously Jonah in the center.

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I hope everyone had a great 4th of July (a.k.a. Independence Day 2003) and now you’re ready for Labor Day and Falcon football! Of course, I support all of the other athletic teams at the Academy as well. But after four years of mandatory home-game attendance, complete with rotational march-on duty, Falcon football is always in the forefront ofmymind during the fall. I guess you could say I’ve been sort of brain washed sorry, meant to say “indoctrinated!” After all, I’m still in the Air Force and when we graduated I’d planned to only serve the minimum tour and get out. I guess the Academy reallyaccomplished its mission with me. I’ll bet many of you are in the same boat and we’ll share stories about this at our rapidly-approaching 20th reunion!

George Weathersbypassed along some news on a couple ofclassmates on the 4th of July. Irv Higa is chief of Intelligence for the Hawaii Air National Guard and was recently selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel. Irv was also selected for deployment to southern France to support an Air Expeditionary Force in the southern Mediterranean area. On the active-duty side, Rich Klumpp is a lieutenant colonel who assumed command ofthe 1 st Airlift Squadron at Andrews AFB, MD this summer. Rich’s

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The Rider Family

Doug also said he keeps in contact with a couple of classmates: Brian Leshko and Bob St. Marie. Brian lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Debra, and their two daughters, Shana and Talia. Brian works for an engineering company doing bridge inspection and construction work around the country. Debra is a pediatrician. And Bob lives in Salt Lake City. Bob flies for UPS and is recently married to Kirsi. Additionally, Doug said he’s

good friends with Eric Stewart (’86) and his wife, Amy. Eric is working for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) doing spectral sensor work. Amy works part-time for SAIC. Doug said his family had recently had dinner at the Stewart’s home and caught up with their two sons, Mark and Matthew.

Gary Rafferty wrote an e-mail and said he was facing an overwhelming work schedule and new health challenges. Gary asked that you and I (once again) lift him up in prayer because he got some bad news from the doctors. Gary said we just don’t know how much he needs and feel our prayers... they truly carry him.

In May, Kevin andWendy (Link) Routhier sent an e-mail to let me know that they were able to get back on line after a couple ofweeks downtime during their move from Illinois to Virginia. You can contact Kevin and Wendy to get the day-by-day details of their traumatic DITY move via email at routhierkw@earthlink.net or via snail mail at their new address: 6001 Claypoint Road, Chesterfield VA 23832 // 804-744-3478.

In April, jim Lovell passed along some scoop on seven classmates. John Sheppard is still on active duty and is a pilot flying C-9 “Nightingale” medical airlift missions out of Andrews AFB, MD. john commutes from upstate New York. Bruce Magoon is a pilot too but he has a 2,000-acre farm in Tennessee. Bruce has quite a bit of help running the farm and hardly has to do any of the work himself. Dave Horton is also on active duty and the squadron commander for a KC-135 unit at Fairchild AFB. Dave was deployed over 200 days last year! Jim Sweeney III is on the Air Staff in AF/IL. Elise Vander Vennet works on the Joint Staff. Marilyn (Garcia) Kott is the executive officer for the AF/XP. And finally, Neal McElhannon was scheduled to take command of a squadron at Mildenhall, UK this summer.

Michael Rits sent an e-mail to let me know that he and his wife just had a baby (#5) on 6 Mar 03. Michael said that he named his son Isaac Michael, and that he and mom are both doing fine. By now Michael and his growingfamily should have settled into their new place at HickamAFB, HI since they were scheduled to move there in May. Michael is the chief of operations in the civil engineering unit. Michael said he likes the great location and said it’s better than the three months I spent at Bagram, Afghanistan.

Well, that’s all for now. Take care. Quintel

Bob Colella

103 Hap Arnold Road Barksdale AFB, LA 71110 (318) 747-5115

cole2964@bellsouth.net

Greetings Classmates!

I am writing to you from the desk of the Commander of the 96lh Bomb Squadron here at Barksdale AFB LA, and believe or not, I don’t have to worry about him coming in and throwing me out because he is me!

Check out that Grip - I never held my M-l that tight. So it is pretty much time for the rest ofyou to run for cover, and it is also likely time for those ofyou who have gotten out to reflect on the fact that if I have made it this far, most of you likely threw away an 0-6 parking space. If I just hang around long enough, I could wind up running the whole company! Hey, seriously, command is great. I have seven days of experience and I have already handed out several form 10s. As you can see from the photo below, everyone in the family was pretty excited and I have to tell you that it was a great Air Force Day for Katy, Allison, Sam and I. We are just so thrilled to have this opportunity and I look forward to relating to you all the graduates that trample through my gates.

First, I am very fortunate to have as my operations officer a former Grim Reaper/ Mechanical Engineering Buddy - Bruce K. Way. Bruce and his wife, Melissa, are about to move across the street from us in base housing. Together we will be able to neatly bracket the 8th AF Commanders

Bob, Katy, Sam andAllison takingcommand. house with playground equipment. I have to tell you that he took his Mechanical Engineering degree to heart and while it is isn’t over designed, a habit he broke senior year, his playhouse is over sized. His great little bunch of kids: Miles (9), Savanah (8) (our God Daughter), and Avery (60 are sure to enjoy it and the rest ofthe equipment that is in our back yard. (I didn’t do as well as Bruce in Mech, so my tire swing that is suspended to a branch about 40 feet off the ground is not only useful as a swing, it can also be used as a wrecking ball for small children.)

I also have C. Ben Quintana, a fellow Road Runner, as an ADO in the squadron. I don’t know if I was happier to see him or ifKaty was happier to see his very resourceful wife, Donna. They are here with their son Anthony and I look forward to having a picture to send next issue.

I ran into Jack “JL” Briggs at the ACC Commanders Conference this past June. He volunteered to send me a recap of the event for Checkpoints and here it is: “Thought I’d give my semi-decade input to Checkpoints. It’s been a very busy year here at Holloman. Deployed to SWA in the F-117 and got to go downtown a few times. Now we’re back and Margaret the kids and I are packing the house for our next adventure. I’m off to Soto Cano AB, Honduras to be the 612 ABS Commander supporting JTF-Bravo. Marg and the kids are moving to Tucson where I will hopefully appear on a semi-regular basis for meetings, ALS graduations, etc. Recently attended theACC Squadron Commander’s course and saw Bob Colella (Barksdale), Kevin Houdek (Offutt) and John Montgomery (Shaw). Interesting to get caught up with them. (Espedally that Colella Guy, he has lost a lot ofweight!) Chris Knehans is now here at Holloman checked out in the Black Jet. Got an e-mail that Fred Gaudlip in enroute to Colorado from Hawaii and my old roommate Dave Irvin is now a Guard tanker guy in Pittsburgh.

John Miller writes (a long time agosorry John). “Springtime in lovely Qatar, it just doesn’t get much better for the mighty Falcon Grads. All sarcasm aside, it’s actually not too shabby here in wonderful Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar. There are a ton of us grads supporting CENTCOM all over the theater as you might guess. The gang of bandits in the picture are just the guys who work in the Joint Operations Center here at CENTCOM. From left are Jackson “Chubber” Fox (’89) working Air Issue, Scott “Hoff” Hoffman (’87) working TST issues, John “Big John” Miller (’86) working TAMD issues, Bill (Space Guys don’t have nicknames) Brogan (’86) Space LNO, Steve "Smack” Miller (’87) working as Exec Officer for the JOC, and John (Info Ops guys also don’t have nicknames) Sells (’85) working Info Ops.

Lt Col Colella takes command ofthe 96th Bomb Squadron.

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“Strangely enough, all of us are actually full-time CENTCOM guys, so the work pace has been pretty crazy for a while and the lobotomies completed long ago. Fred “Jazz” Armstrong (’86) has passed through CENTCOM at least a couple of times and I talk with Greg “Gooey” Guillot (’89) over at PSAB on almost a daily basis as we work the staff qweep that hopefully allows the gang at the pointy end of the spear to concentrate on getting good BDA and not worry about the six-gigabit Powerpoint briefing requirements. I don’t remember Powerpoint being emphasized in PMS 440 way back when.

“The chow is pretty darn good (which has always been a driving factor for someone my size) and we have a heated pool, not that we have time to use it, but it is there. I have to admit, I probably won’t be telling anybody about the heated pool when the “what did you do in the war” questions start coming. Besides the pool, having my brother working 20 feet away is pretty awesome too. Although I have to admit, we are rooming together for the first time since I left for the Prep School in 1981 and he says my snoring has gotten much worse. I tell him that it was due to the much tougher hell week that brought it on. I also have several Hudson High grads working with me that I have to keep in line; I repeatedly show them the Air Force-Army score from the last gazillion years.

“My wife, daughter, our inbound little rascal and I are all really looking forward to coming home soon. We don’t know when it will be, but hopefullythere will be some water ski season left in Tampa before we get home.”

Well that is all for now. I had a pretty big life-changing experience at the Maintenance Course for Operational Commanders. I went in to brief a bunch of 18-year-old B-52 crew chiefs goingthrough tech school (I have Scotch older than you in my bottom drawer!) and when I left the room, I got hit by the Old Age Bus... You never see it coming, but alas my friends we are THEM!

Cheers, join the AOG, and in the words ofthe new Superintendent, “get a life.” Bob Colella, new email cole2964@bellsouth.net.

Sharon (Hullinger) Giletti

500 Lunalilo Home Road, #45F Honolulu, HI 96825

Phone and Fax: (808) 394-6397

E-mail: Sharongiletti@aol.com

Hello everyone once again! I have gotten a few updates this quarter. I’ve been involved with the creation of the Hawaii Chapter of the AOG and am now stationed at Camp Smith here on Oahu (AD Reserve) so I hope to run into a few more classmates in the future the odds have to increase.

mand of the 62nd OSS. I ran into Mike Zech (’85) here last month. He’s going to be one ofthe initial cadre for the C-17 at Jackson, MS. He’s been out flying with us getting acquainted with how we do things.

“Last but certainly not least I was tagged to attend a local Navy League luncheon downtown and ran into our old WolfpackAOC, Maj Ralph Tice (Now Col Ralph Tice). It turns out he is running the ROTC Det at the Citadel and lives five houses down my street. We’ve both lived here for almost three years and I’d never seen him until this lunch. He said he’s still got some dirt on me so I need to watch my step. Until next time I’ll send pictures. Shafe.”

I’ve also been in touch with Pam Haug Kaufman via e-mail. She’s been stationed here at Hickam, but is now trading one sunny, warm place for another Florida. She and her family PCSd this June. Carolyn Moore is back in Colorado Springs at Shriever after leaving the Washington, DC area.

I spent a fabulous weekend with Mafia Bell Spranger, her children, her sister Sabrina (Naval Academy grad), her sister’s daughter, and my children on the Big Island three moms and seven kids! We managed to see the entire island and keep our sanity. Mafia was on Oahu for her youngest sister’s (USAFA grad too) wedding to fellow classmate and football player Jeff Mohr. Kurt made it in with their son Craig for the wedding, but then headed back home to start prepping the house for major renovations they plan on doing themselves in their free time. Keep us posted. Kurt’s still flying for AA with layoffs imminent, unfortunately, and Mafia is an AD Reservist (LtCol) with CENTCOM

Thanks for the e-mails that keep coming in. It’s great to hear from you - Sharon.

inn Mpirk Ppfpr<;

2437 Bedford Circle

Bedford, TX 76021-1823

Home: (817) 684-7764

Cell: (817) 937-9696

E-mail: pylt@attbi.com

Greeting’s ’88! I was pleased to find Tim Ashley in American Airline’s Operations a few months ago. Deadlines being what they are, however, I wasn’t able to insert his info in my last column. This turned out to be a good thing since my meeting with him was the only material I have for this quarter’s issue. Fortunately, it seems like he knows a large number of’88ers. (And if you haven’t written yet, it’s time!) Tim’s input follows below:

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Don Shaffer sent a long e-mail from Charleston to update me on several classmates: "For starters I’ve been here flying the C-17 since we left ACSC in June 00. I spent about a year working as the Chief of Wing Combat Operations and took command of the 17th Airlift Squadron in June of 2002. It’s been a blast so far, although I’ve only got about 15% of my squadron in town at any given time due to the movement of forces to and from Afghanistan and Iraq. Right after taking command, I got deployed to Frankfurt for 100 days to command the deployed C-17 squadron there. We’ve really been racking up the flying hours in a constant surge mode since Sept 11th. No relief in sight yet. We’ll probably be at this for a few months while the rest ofthe AF “reconstitutes” from the war effort. We’re looking forward to one more year here and then hopefully school next summer.

“There are quite a few ’87ers around right now. Greg “Shiner” Schwartz is here working in my old job in Wing Combat Operations & Tactics. He’s a true war hero piled up quite a few “C-17 Firsts” over the last two years. He actually gave me the honor of pinning him on after we agreed to NO STORIES! Kenny Olsen just PCSd out for a schoolhouse tour at Altus by the sea and claims to love it there although he calls me more now than he did when he was here. Shiner and I definitely miss his monthly ‘donations’ at the card table. Mike Bettner is running the Wing Command Post and keepingverybusywith the current contingency. Mike Russel just PCSd in from his last hardship assignment flying C-9s at Ramstein and is currentlyworking as my senior ADO waiting to pin on Lt Col. He’s passing on his expertise at working back-to-back good deals to all the young guys in the squadron. Finally, Jim Davis just checked into the squadron in April and is actually on the road flying his first mission. Jeff Myers lives in my neighborhood. He jumped to the Reserves here at Charleston a couple years ago but is activated now.

“We’ve also got quite a few ’85 and ’86 guys around. I ran into Eric Eeidheiser (’86) a month or so ago in Frankfurt. He’s flying C-17s in the Reserves. Bob Holba (’86) is the DO for the 15th Airlift Squadron. He took over for Rich Anderson (’85) who just PCSd to McChord to take com

Ashleyand Chris Moulton (’83) in Qatar.

“Lt Col Chris Moulton (’83) and I were hoochmates way back in the GulfWar (’90-’91) when we were with the 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron. Now he’s commander of the 61st Airlift Squadron. I ran into him at his base when I was doing theater airlift in and out ofAfghanistan. The 50th and 61st are sister squadrons at Little Rock AFB. He’s been all over between the two assignments.

“This picture shows me and my flight engineer, TSgt Dusty Larsen (no association with the zoo). We’re standing behind our C-130H3 at Bagram

Tim

Tim Ashleyand TSgtDusty Larsen.

AB, Afghanistan waiting in line behind some Chinooks and a C-17 at a forward aircraft refueling point. We’d just dropped off a one-star and his entourage and were gassing up for the long flight back to the roost. We had the inboard engines running and the outboards shut down so we could keep creeping forward in line. The E’s decided they wanted to take some pictures with the flags we were carrying for people back home. My copilot was guarding the brakes up front. Dusty is about 6’5" tall and weighs about 300 lbs in this picture the helmet, body armor, and survival vest with holstered M9 add a few pounds. Dusty helps run a gas turbine power plant in his civilian job.

7

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“There are a couple of other ’88ers in my Guard unit

Ian Biggins and Jay Wood. We didn’t get a picture to ther zoomies from our era are Mark Christian (’89), Kevin Mock (’89), Ed Black (’91), and Mike Murray (’91). Mark and Ed were freshmen in CS-28, so there is sort of a multi-generational Magpie thing going on. Mark was hired by Northwest, and American hired Ed and Mike before things got bad in the airline industry. They’re Guard bumming and seeking other civilian employment while they wait for things to turn around.

“Other’88ers from CS-28 that I’ve heard from recently are: Ancel Yarbrough We’ve kept in touch a lot over the years. He’s at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, doing an extended study program called SAMS after doingArmyWar College in residence. He and A1 Konkel (’87) came to my wedding. Mark “Bubba” Swartz (actually from CS-27) and I shared a crash pad together when I was first based at DFW and he came to my wedding, too. He’s flying FI00s for American and IPing at Columbus in the Reserves. Ken Kilmurray was managing test programs for radar and such at Nellis AFB when we last talked. Norm Worthen is or was at ACSC. Bill Brown is an attorney at a law firm in California. Dave LaValley is at Ramstein. Nick Seaward is at Kadena as ADO in the 909 ARS. Mark Smekrud is doing CE at Dover. Paul Story’s e-mail address may place him near San Antonio, TX.”

Since I can’t always be hitting up my small circle of’88ers for inputs, or relying on finding Tim at AA Operations, it’s time for the rest of you to write. Do it now!

Paul W. Tibbets, IV

854 Westover Road Whiteman AFB, MO 65305

Cell: (660) 233-3119

E-mail: patibb@charter.net

Hello classmates! The Tibbets family has completed the much-anticipated return to Knob Noster, MO. This is our first opportunity for a repeat assignment, and we are excited about reuniting old friendships and the new challenges ahead. I will requal in the B-2 and T-38, then serve as an Assistant Director of Operations in the 325th Bomb Squadron. We certainly consider ourselves fortunate to be returning to the Midwest and the wonderful Team Whiteman family.

This was a disappointing quarter for ’89 class news. Unfortunately, I only received two e-mails. The first was a short note from Jeff Louie announcing his big break into the international fashion modeling industry.

Jim Jablonski wrote to say hello from beautiful Anderson AB, Guam, where he is the doc for the 613th CRG. He recently finished four years as a Family Practice Faculty Physician at Scott AFB teaching residents how to do family practice. Jim’s wife, Angela, and girls Kendra and Min-Ha (whom they adopted from Korea) are doing well, and they are all excited to be back on the island for their second tour. Good to hear from you Jim!

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Although I have only been back at Whiteman a few days, I ran across classmates Ed Redman and Gil Petrina. Ed, a former member of CS-39 Campus Rads with me, is headed to Maxwell for ACSC. Gil just departed for Leavenworth to study with the Army. On a side note, Angelle and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Newport, RI. The school is top-notch, and the area is stunning. I am thankful for the opportunity to study the art ofwar with fellow service members from all branches, especially during a time when our nation was engaged in battle. Although I desired to be fightingalongwith my colleagues in arms, the time at the Naval War College was well spent criticallyexaminingpast and present combat at all levels of war and the security environment we are still trying to get our arms around.

Angelle, PaulV,Avery, and I enjoyEaster in Newport.

Best wishes to you and your families. Let me hear from you! Take care and God bless.

James Sanchez

8301 Emerald Circle

North Richland Hills, TX 76180

H: (817) 946-1802

E-Mail: james.sanchez@usafa-aog.org

WEB: WWW.USAFA-A0G.ORG/1990

(I didn’t have room for everything—sorry!)

Dawn Cobb: My Husband is Maj. Paul Cobb. I would forward this to him but I’m not sure that he will get it. He is somewhere in the Middle East helping out in the war. He is the OSS squadron commander for the 61 st ALS from Little Rock. He has flow in OEF inAfghanistan, and now is assisting in the Iraq Conflict. He is a C-130 pilot as well, and has flow in with provision and aid for those troops that are in need. For all the troops that are over there I hope that you re doing well. Next time you see a C-130 check to see who is flying; you might run in to Paul.

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Steve “Adolph” Brandt: I am at Edwards still testing F16s. It makes me proud to see the work done by the guys over there. Please pass on to Nick Gentile that I was the project pilot that did a huge amount of the testing for all the new capability on his CJs. I ran the test from start to finish on the Litening II pod they are dropping

Jeffprepares to take the runwayin Tokyo. Thanks Jeff!

Liz Orie, Drake and Kristi Daggett

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bombs with. When they get back maybe they could come to Edwards and tell us what they did. It would be a great morale boost for us all! God Bless you all over there.

Rory Shrum: Scott Lavigne is out of Laughlin on his way to Charleston C-17s. I’m a civilian now although it doesn’t feel like it. I’m with the Reserves here at Laughlin flying T-ls and LSI (Leer Siegler) hired me to instruct T-6 simulators. So I’m staying close to the border for the time being. Planning to get a house (maybe with a pool).

Amanda and Doug Thompson, Jeff Philippart and Tim Kane

Chris Morgan: Chris Ogren and I returned recently from 3 1/2 months in support of Southern Watch and Iraqi Lreedom. We’re still full-time Reservists at Hill APB flying the F-16C+ Block 30. All is well here in Utah.

James Law: Cornin’ atcha from Baghdad! I’m here doing PA with the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance that’s getting the Iraqi government up and running. It certainly is exciting work, and being here in Baghdad is surreal. Still stationed at Hickam and can’t wait to get back and enjoy the beach again.

Paul Lambertson: I’m gettingmarried in two weeks (June 1st) to the most wonderful girl I’ve ever met. I PCSed to McChord (9/11/01) and met Michelle two weeks later. She used to be a C-141 nav and is now a civilian. As for work, I’m still a C-17 pilot and I just changed jobs from Chief of Stan/Eval to Chiefofthe Command Post. (Never thought I’d have thatjob!) The bad news is that I don’t get to fly much anymore. It was hard not flying during OIF thanks to all of you who did, this was my first time on the support end of a war in the last 10 years. The good news is that this job keeps me close to my bride-to-be and that’s a pretty nice change.

Lightening II pods and LANTIRN pods) on Block 50 series F-16s. We have dropped an array of weapons from GBU-12s to CBU-103 and 107 to airburst and instantaneous JDAMs and used the gun. We are the only SEAD unit in the Air Force capable oftargeting SAMS with these new pods while suppressing the threat with HTS pods and HARMs. We are blessed to have the newest F-16s with the best equipment in the entire CAF and have an outstanding cadre of pilots averaging over 1,900 hrs per pilot. I have the fortune ofserving in the South Carolina Air National Guard with Maj Mike Lightner (’90), Maj Akshai Gandhi (’90) and six other grads from’82-’89. I have been with the SCANG since Dec’99. Here at Al Udied I have run into Maj Ferelle Smith (’90), Seymour-Johnson MX Squadron CC deployed here; Maj Andy Demboski (’90), 9AF Stan/Eval flying with us and Spangdalhem’s F-16CJs; and Maj Chip Weaver (’90), A/C flying KC-135s with the Alabama Air Guard in Birmingham. We’re trying to get everybodytogether for a picture to send to you for the updates. Will send it when able. Mike Lightner, Akshai Gandhi and Andy Demboski have all had the opportunity to drop bombs and shoot HARMs. Everyone is kicking some serious ass! Chip Weaver refueled my two-ship the other night so’90 continues to be well represented in the war.

On the civilian side, Mike Lightner flies for Jetblue when not deployed and Chip Weaver and I are Delta bubbas. Unfortunately, Chip is furloughed and I am sure I am not far behind. Just wanted to pass along the status of some ’90 guys fighting in Iraq.

Robin and Joe Deane, Rebecca and Joe Pendon

Joe Richardson: Currently assigned to the Pentagon as a Program Element Monitor for the F-16 Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System (TARS), C-130 ScatheView, and Predator UAV Basically I’m the conduit for the moneyflowbetween Capitol Hill and the warfighter forthese platforms. I’ve been here for a year and just got a short notice assignment already. I got picked up for an AFIT program to attend the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for a year to get a master’s (my second) in Counseling and Leadership, and then over to the Academy for two years as part of the “fix-it-up” cadre as an AOC. My report date is 15 Jun 03, so we are moving out fast... after only one year here in D.C. I saw a couple of other ’90 folks on the list as well... Dave Morrissey going straight into the AOC job after ACSC and Dave Murphy going to school with me for a year first

Duane Thompson: We will be moving 15 Jul from Incirlik Air Base to Washington DC, where I will be at GWU for a year obtaining a Master’s of Law (LLM) in International Law. In addition to a fun funded year, it also looks to be a ticket back overseas. For those keeping track, Suong and I have two kids now: D’Michael (4) and Sapphira (1). If anyone within the Class of’90 surfs, feel free to drop me a line. I picked it up as a pastime in Okinawa, and would be interested in keeping track ofwhere others ofsimilar interest are currently stationed (especially the lucky ones in Hawaii!).

Frank Rivera: ...the biggest news is that we are expecting again! Our new arrival is due at the end of December/beginning of January! This one took us by surprise; that is for sure! But it is exciting! Liz says that I got to get “snipped”! ARGH!

Nick “Stalker” Gentile: Just a quickupdate from the war. I am here in Al Udied, Quatar enjoying the sand, sun, surf and 12 to a tent. Yeah, this is why I joined the Guard. On a better note, I am dropping quite a few GBU-31A JDAM 2000# GPS bombs from our Block 52 F-16CJs and have been among the first (and only) pilots to ever use a targeting pod (both

What a fascinating three months have passed at USAFA since I wrote the previous column. Change, change, and more change made. Being assigned there an interesting job indeed. Forgive me, but I am not going to spend time here talking about all that; I encourage you to read other relevant articles. However, around the beginning ofMay there was a wonderful speech given to the cadets by the SECAF and the Chief of Staff. Representatives of every class from ’02 back to ’59 were introduced onto the stage as a visual metaphor of USAFA heritage. Does anyone know who represented our class? Everyone I’ve asked doesn’t know who it was, and I think most of us would be interested in hearing from our rep about how it happened and what it was like. So if you’re the one, please take a few minutes to send me something to be pubfished. Thank you!

And now, for the rest of the column, I am just going to share with you the news that was passed to me from the past several months. Thanks to all who sent stuff in; I have really enjoyed having lots of items of news to use! I apologize that I am not always able to use the photos some ofyou have attached.

Mike Czarnedd: “[I’m] coming off a nice New Year’s Eve celebration here in NewYork City with fellow classmate Garvin Louie (CS-03) and his significant other Lisa. They are both living up just outside ofBoston where Garv is an engineering type for Texas Instruments but who is now possibly going to be moving within the company to somewhere in the Pennsylvania or New Jersey area. I’ve just got back from traveling out West for interviews for a residency position in Internal Medicine now that I’m graduating from med school this April. I’m happy to announce that not only did I accept a job in Portland, OR... but I’m also getting married to a wonderful lady named Tracy who I met about a year ago while waiting for another date, who was running late, at an event in the Museum of Modern Art here in NewYork City. ‘I met one hot MOMMA at the MOMA is our slogan!’ It is funny how things happen. Anyway, I got a chance to stay the weekend with Tim Greminger (CS-03) and his wife, Pam, and their first son, Luke. Tim is flying forAlaska while also doing the Reserves at McChord. They are also expecting an addition to the family soon. I’m trying to track down my fellow Deucer Missy Leos. Anyone have any info? Thanks and take care. Included some pictures, the first is from our 10-year [reunion] when a couple of us got together and did some rock climbing in the Garden of the Gods. The second is at our reunion dinner of everyone who made it from CS-02.”

John “Wags” Wagner has done his service in “the Cape in Florida, Vandenberg in California, the Springs, Germany and Europe, AFIT tour in Ohio, and back to the Springs, “...my new job (AFSPC/CCspeechwriter) [is] something that as a football playing Astro geek, I never thought I’d have to do. Who needs English class? [I’ve been at this] for about a month to answer your question on enjoying it, it’s an exciting challenge and at the same time, a real stresser. Take 15 sheets of paper, write an essay on something you may have no experience with or absolutely no idea, make it connect to the audience, make it witty, and do it in a day. It is a fun challenge. Since I’ve been here in the Springs, I’ve been mainly focused on building the first and second national-level (actually the second was international with the Canadians, Brits and Aussies) space-centrie wargames. That was a huge learning experience. We project 15 years in the future and fight a major theater war with multiple detracting events occurring around the world.”

Most of you will recall Mohammed Odeh A1 Rehaief, the Iraqi lawyer who risked his life to save Army POW Jessica Lynch. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from Peter Garretson, “It was our crew that had the privilege of taking Mohammed and his family out of Kuwait, on my last mission. He and his family were very nice, and we were happy to have given them the ride to freedom they so richly deserved.” Cool, Pete!

Curt Hafer says he, “and Haley Donoho (both of us from CS-39) [were] at Prince Sultan Air Base during a recent Operation SOUTHERN WATCH deployment. Haley is assigned to USCENTAF at Shaw AFB and Curt was assigned to the 389th Fighter Sq at Mountain Home AFB. Since then, I PCSed to Sheppard AFB, and I think Haley is back in the desert again supporting IRAQI FREEDOM.”

From Christy Leader: “I was furloughed from Delta in March, 2002. Divorced in May. So took me and my two cats and moved back to the New Orleans area (my parents and high school buddies are all here). I have been enjoying my unemployed status to the fullest... went to Australia for a month last year... had a family reunion in Ireland... and recently returned from a month in South Africa, Zambia and Botswana! Working for Reserves at Maxwell... doing statistical analysis for the Squadron Officer College (I guess that whole math thing came in handy, huh?). Still running lots of races and hoping to start back with triathlons this summer, now that I am settled again.”

Dave Suzuki: “I got out of the AF at the end of ’99. I was assigned to NRO at the time. I then became a contractor out at NRO for a couple of years. I went to work for the same company as Dan Fonte, although he was working for them out in Sunnyvale (Dan has since left and now works at Sandia Livermore National Labs). Last January I joined CIA as a government civilian. I’ve run across Scott Sullivan on a few issues, as he is in the JS/J2 office. On the personal side, I got married about 2.5 years ago; no kids at this point. We moved to Vienna, VA about 1.5 years ago, along with our two dogs, two cats, and a bunch of fish. [Sister] Karen is doing

well. She got out a couple years before I did. She and her husband now live in Christiansburg, VA (near Virginia Tech). They have a girl, Leah, who’s now about 20 months old.”

Mark Beres: “Enjoying the test pilot business here at Hurlburt Field. I am going to Edwards AFB in summer 2004 to take over the developmental testing ofthe new CV-22 tilt-rotor; should be fun. I just returned from an operational four-month tour with AFSOC in ‘the desert”; was flying Pave Lows again. I am getting married in May back in Spokane!”

Tav’s Closing Note: Please reference the new address at the top of this column. As of next week, I will be working at Yokota AB as the 605 Air Intelligence Squadron Ops Officer.

James S. Mehta

PSC 94, Box 1472

APO AE 09824

DSN: 314-676-6488

Home: jamesmehta@incirlik.net

Work: james.mehta@ogn.af.mil

Class of 1992! It’s always tough getting started, but usually once I do, I have trouble keeping it within my allowed space. I got some good emails this time and I found a few classmates making the AF News. So, here it is...

First time caller from Iraq. I’ve only seen Terry Gostomski twice since graduation: at the reunion and by chance in the Atlanta airport in 1996. I know Terry from Northwestern Prep School in 1987, so it’s great to hear from him anytime. In June, he was in Doha, Qatar serving a two-week stint as an A-10 LNO. It was really a break from the action and a chance to spend some time enjoying showers, real toilets, hot food, and beer. But, I’ll let Terry narrate: “After our big blow-out 10year reunion bash I separated... from active duty and went to the 303 FS at Whiteman AFB doing exactly the same thing that I did on AD flying the mighty A-10. After three months... we were activated and I was right back on AD. No problem though there was a war to fight and the A-10 had a major role. Well, our unit was supposed to be the guys flying out of Batman, Turkey and we all know the rest of the story. We finally departed on 1 April and... our squadron arrived in Kuwait. I was there for 36 hours (10 ofwhich were spent in the jet on one sortie) before heading to my new home for the next 27 days—TaJlil, Iraq. We flewcombat sorties for a month and the conditions were primitive at best. After that, we moved to Kirkuk where we have been for a little over a month now. We’ve been eating MREs, taking solar showers every third day, sleeping on a cot, and going to the bathroom in a hole on in the ground. Living is good, bullets are still flying, but it is safe. And, to date, I currently have the last shots fired in the war from the air.” He promised to send some pictures soon.

More deployed notes. Another note came in from Dave Kumashiro who was flying UAVs somewhere in/around Iraq. Kumo finished his deployment and was awaiting airlift back to Nellis. He had a chance to see things from the other side this time. “You wouldn’t believe what a pain it is to get airlift to go back home. It seems so easy when you’re the one flying.” Yeah, Dave, I guess as a C-5 crew, you had a little more control of how to get home.

Dave Durbin who was in Hawaii with me sent a note from the Contingency Forward Central Command Headquarters where he was deployed since Oct 02. He’s enjoying being a “fly on the wall” at the HQ during such a historic time. I liked Dave’s conclusion to his e-mail when he said, “This is a long ways from the comforts of Hawaii we enjoyed; for some reason the sand under my feet now is not as palatable.” That’s understandable.

From left are Bryan Amundson, Mike Czarnecki, Leigh Merola, Garvin Louie, and Tim Greminger.

From leftare Mike Czarnecki, Chris Collett, BryanAmundson,JeffDavies, Kevin Kennelly, John Cinnamon, and Brian Johnson.

USAFA

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USAFA. Some habits die hard. As smacks we were taught to do things together and support our classmates, but it’s been 15 years since BCT. Anyway, it was funny when I got the same photo from Dean Boerrigter and Jeff and Alisha Stamp with similar e-mails. Great class unity! A group of’92ers at USAFA have been gathering monthly and decided it was time to take a picture for Checkpoints. The dinner gang usually includes Dean and Cara Boerrigter, John and Debbie Hutton, Jim and Gretchen (Berry) Lee, Scotty and Joelyn (Taylor) Nowlin, David Souza and Jeff and Alisha Stamp.

Alisha also announced the birth ofCaleb Jeffrey who arrived April 6 (my birthday!). Dean and Carrie were also expecting a girl in June. Finally, she said Jeff won the ZookAward for Teaching Excellence at USAFA. Also, sighted in C-Springs: Tina Bragdon, Dave Bond, Steve Glendenning, and Fred Taylor who is at the Pentagon, but has been planning an Air Attache visit to USAFA.

Jeff, withAlisha and Caleb, receiving theZookAwardfrom Colonel Wells for teachingWorldHistory.

1992 in the real news. AF Press News did an article on the F-l 17s suecess hitting communication nodes and command bunkers in Baghdad. Clint Hinote was interviewed as an F-l 17 pilot assigned to the forward deployed CAOC. “The F-117 has been given some verytough assignments in this war and our people and aircraft have performed superbly. We are making important contributions to the coalition team working to disarm and liberate Iraq.” The AF‘s new precision bomb, the EGBU-27, was used operationally for the first time March 20 in Baghdad. Clint continued, “Our new weapon helps us contribute to the overall objectives ofthe campaign by precisely targeting the Iraqi leadership without hurting the innocent citizens of Iraq.”

Another classmate, Todd McDowell, a JA, was appointed the investigative officer for the Article 32 hearing of a cadet who was later referred to a general court martial. Todd was originally in OSI, but got his law degree and is now litigating a case at USAFA. Unfortunately, the Academy has been getting a lot of bad press lately regarding the current investigation of sexual assault going back to 1993. This will be a highly visible case in light of the current environment and it’s another example of 1992’s critical role in today’s USAF.

Paul is from Pennsylvania. Last time I wrote that Paul Pidgeon was here unaccompanied and was heading home on leave to Minnesota for the birth ofhis sixth son! Well, I misspoke. Of course you’re thinking that I got my numbers wrong. Right? Wrong! I got the number right, Alexander is #6, but Paul’s family is in Jermyn, PA not in Minnesota as I had written. I just wanted to make that clear. If you don’t believe me about Paul having his own basketball team with a one-deep bench, see for yourself in the next photo!

Turkish politics. Troy still spent three months before returning to D.C. where he was named to the position ofAFOSI Counterintelligence Collections Manager in May. Also, during that time, Norm Dozier landed here at Incirlik as the Finance Flight Commander. We were sitting next to one another duringWing stand-up and realized we were both in ’92. We are both quite sure we never knew one another at the Zoo, but it didn’t take long to become friends and enjoy a cold beer together.

That’s the news for True Blue’92. Michelle and I continue to enjoy our time in Turkey and we just got back from a long July 4th weekend at the beach. On the drive we listened to tapes ofGarrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion from the library. He’s a great storyteller and for your sake I hope I’m at least a tiny bit as interesting. Ifyou’ve ever heard him, you’ll understand: that’s the news from the Class of ’92, where all those on active duty are brave, all those in the civilian world are upstanding, and all of our children are “above average.” James.

Michael D. Sundsted

4530 East Castle Drive McGuire AFB, NJ 08641 (609) 724-0866 / DSN: 650-8221

E-mail: Bravecwboy@aol.com

Class Website: www.highflight.com

Reunion Merchandise Website: www.costore.com/usafa93reunion.

The last few articles for our class have been written on the road, and this one has been as well. I am currently in Puerto Rico where my glorious C-141B has had a maintenance problem (I’m serious!) - a bad # 2 engine fire test circuit to be exact! I know that our reunion date is quickly approaching. In fact I am sure that many ofyou won’t read this until after our 10th Anniversary Celebration. For all of those who will be unable to meet up at our alma mater, I wish everyone could attend because it's going to be a great time with all sorts of great food and events planned by your reunion staff.

I have had the pleasure to rely on several key individuals to make everything “just right” for our reunion! We cannot give enough thanks to Mike and Damara Rice (Hotel and Menu Committee), Eric Buhr (Golf Committee), Steve and Jenna Masiello (Merchandise Committee), Nicole Haines (Events) and finally our Association ofGraduates Reunion Representative, Mrs. Donna Porter. Make sure that if and when you see or talk to these individuals you give them many thanks!

Make sure to check for any last minute changes before you depart for the reunion on the AOG website link to our class reunion as well as the above merchandise website shown above.

I just wanted to thank Jeff Kubik and Robert Garza who sent many in our class a great e-mail on our 10 year-anniversary date (2 Jun 03)! Here is what Jeff wrote:

“Take a moment to reflect upon your accomplishments today. Thank God for the opportunities you have been given and the adventures that the future holds for us. It’s a great feeling to say we’ve made it to our first decade anniversary. I salute each of you still on active duty (Reserves and Guard, too). For the rest ofus,Ihope thatyou are winning the battles on the corporate front.”

And here is part of Robert Garza’s email: “10 years ago we were extremely happy to leave the Zoo, but now that time has passed, we can see, and appreciate that we had a unique experience that changed our lives forever. Not just the institution, which is still one of the finest, but mostly the people we all met, studied, laughed, and shared with. What is truly remarkable is that you can see a name or a face from our class, and can connect it to some personal memory of an event, be it as small as someone you carried a ‘blue bag’ across the strips with, or as big as the Ring Dance...”

Thanks a bunch guys for your very meaningful words! We have a great class and a lot closer than most. I constantly hear of how we help one another out. As we get older and more advanced in our careers we will have more of an opportunity to help.

For example, I was tasked with a no-notice mission out to Japan and when I looked in my “trusty” AOG yearly graduate book I found that Stephen Mcllnay was there flying the slow-moving C-130. I talked to the

The Pidgeon crew: From left are Timothy (7), Joseph (5), Paul with Alexander (6 hours), Thomas (2), and Christopher (8).

1992 in Turkey. During the war, Troy Sullivan deployed to Eastern Turkey for OSI. Unfortunately, USAF planes never got to bases there due to

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base operator and within minutes I was talking with Stephen. We set up plans for a great Japanese dinner. He entertained part of my crew and we got to “catch-up” on old times. Even if the opportunity is just for dinner, take advantage of such times to renew or update a friendship/ acquaintance. Enough of my teary-eyed dribble and on with the letter! The next day as I was flying a critically-ill one-day-old baby to Hickam I heard Stephen making a radio call on the radio as he was flying his C-130 to Elmendorf, AK. We both laughed at what a small world this really is!

Steve “Odie” Odum reports from Altus AFB, OK where he is currently grindingthrough C-17 training. His wife, Annessa, and son Erick are doing well. At the time he sent the e-mail, they had actually made it to McChord AFB for some serious house hunting. Erick is growing so fast that he is destined to beat his dad by the age of eight in basketball.

Steve updates us on Troy Born and Hassan Siddiqui who are C-17 instructor pilots. Scott Knaub is still flying the C-5 and Duffy Hall and Brice Middleton are both flying the KC-135 as instructors in the summer heat of Oklahoma. Odie received an e-mail from Pete (Gbelia) Adolphus who is currently at Yokota flying the C-9 awaiting his turn at strategic airlift as soon as the assignment system catches up with him. Thanks!

Jennifer (Joyce) Krischer is now back in the D.C. area and judging from her @pentagon.af.mil email address I know that she is very busy!

Tony Gomillion briefly checks in from seminary (although this is an unofficial update - more to follow says Tony). Thanks for the great compliments and also best blessings on your calling!

Dustin Zierold checks in to get some information and also gave us an update! He just completed his surgical training as of May 03 at David Grant Medical Center at Travis AFB. As of June 03 he is operating as a staff general surgeon. See you at the reunion!

Congratulations go out to Jason “Millsy” and Julainne Mills on the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Chloe Elizabeth. Jason is still at Columbus flying theT-1.

A proud Mills family!

Brian Wolford checks in and says that he will be part of the F-16 fly-by at our reunion football game! He was on leave in May and had the blessing of seeing the aforementioned newly made proud parents. Thanks goodness, Wolfy says that Chloe looks like her mommy. Whew!

Hank Buck and family (Natalie, Pierce, and Jocelyn) made their move into Kirtland AFB housing in May 03.

Thanks again for the great updates and I really look forward to seeing as many of you as possible attend the reunion. Some of you won’t read this until after the reunion and you will realize how valuable it was to attend. For those who for some circumstance miss the reunion - we will miss you, but make sure you stay in touch with as many of us as possible. By all means DON’T MISS THE NEXT REUNION! See you soon. Mike

C. C. Masotti

7608 Southern Oak Drive Springfield, VA 22153

H: (703) 644-4332

W: (703) 697-1383 or DSN 227-1383

Fax: (703) 695-8884 or DSN 225-8884

E-mail: bowhead94@hotmail.com

Class homepage: http://www.usafa.net/1994/index.htm

Where has the summer gone, ’94? By the time this goes to print, the results of our majors’ board will have been released, but for now, I’m sunning on the shores of Myrtle Beach with Shelley Strong (’93) discussing the upcoming promotion announcement.

One classmate who doesn’t have to wait for any announcements is Major Dave Ham, who pinned on as a maintenance officer in the Alaska ANG. He and Erin are still enjoying Anchorage, where he’s flying the Saab 340 for PenAir and now has type ratings in both that aircraft and the 737. His newest coworker is none other than Chad Frazier, who moved up there

last summer to fly the Fairchild Metro for Pen Air and teach at the Elmendorf Aero Club.

Dave also signed on to the class website recently, along with fellow Elmendorf residents, Dave Brynteson (F-15E), Jon Landis (C-130 Nav), Joel and Elizabeth (Barton) Meyers, and James Lee. Actually, Joel and Elizabeth recentiy moved on to Seymour-Johnson, where Joel is an IP at F-15E RTU and Elizabeth is a full-time mom to Joshua (5), Abigail (3) and Samuel (6 months). And James left Alaska for a few months for a deployment to Osan. He just missed Jennifer (Patrick) and CJ Sovada, who PCSd to Korea in June CJ to Camp Red Cloud and Jenn to Osan.

None Yet

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Also on the move is Brian Mikus, who is moving from Langley to Tinker for a Logistics Career Broadening program. In addition to the move, he and his bride are expecting their 3rd in August. There must be something in the Langleywater, because Rich and Nikki Cimino are there and are looking forward to giving Kiersten and Katelyn a new sibling. Others logging in to the class website included Chris Sunseri (Engineering Operations Mgr, Applied Materials, Portland OR); Tom & Marcie Hood (Design Engineer, General Motors & MBA Student, Michigan State, Royal Oak MI); Todd Hudgins (KC-10, McGuire PCSing to Travis in Aug); Steve Wales (Fit CC, Maxwell); and Jeff LaRock (DEA Agent, Ventura CA).

Weheardfrom GeorgiaresidentsXavianDraper (HQAFRC Staff, Robins); Rick Wageman (AT-38C IR Moody) and Dave Meggett (Chief, HC-130 Stan/Eval, Moody), as well as from Michael Haspil (Satellite Contractor, Colorado Springs); Trevor and Jennifer Smith (C-130, Dyess and have three little ones and a successful home-building business); Tom Skarda (UN Military Observer, Jerusalem you have to log on and read his storyyourself

I won’t be able to do it justice here!); and Jessica (Lambert) Lane (full-time mom to one-year-old son and wife of a Marine; Phoenix, AZ).

I’m not sure if he’s seen the site lately, but I got an e-mail recently from Dr. Dave Padilla (CA), who was reminiscing after visiting with some of this year’s Ops AF cadets and was asking about our 10-year reunion (can you believe it’s next year!). Whether it’s reunion prep or just that we’re getting older, I think it’s becoming increasingly important to us to reconnect with others. Luckily, I’ve had several opportunities to do just that lately in the D.C. area. Back in May, I was blessed to take part in Natalie Holzherr (’96)’s wedding to Army Major Bill Fischer. Also in attendance at the waterfront wedding were Stu Eberhart; the Healy sisters Susan (nowFeland, ’93), Kelly (’94 lawyer, San Diego), and Tracy (’96); Stewart LeBlanc (’84); Diane Allen (’87); Suzy Streeter (’92); Tanya Hurwitz; Gretchen Bronson and Jennifer Rollins (all ’95); Penny (Brooks) and Brandon Wood (both ’96); and Natalie’s brother Erik (’01).

In June, I met Rich Rupanovik (L.A. AFB, ’93) for dinner during his TDY to the area. In early July, I had dinner with classmate Peggy Moskaluk and several fellow grads from Catholic Choir, including ’92 grads Suzy Streeter, Rick Bailey and Donna Ward, and ’91ers Stephanie (Konieczny) Brinley (and hubbyDarrold), and Ed “Mo” Monarez (and bride Robin they’re off to Spain where Ed will be the Assistant Air Attache). Finally, after I return from the beach, I’m supposed to meet up with a group of ’94 grads for cocktails at the Old Ebbitt Grill across from the White House. It’s being organized by recent GWU Law School graduate Tom Rozylowicz and our own John Gifft, but we hope to also see Peggy Moskaluk, Sean Singleton; WayneYoung; Lisa (Dyer) Beames; JeffBarlow; Marc Sands; Ethan Stanton; Don Supon; Paul Wagner; Allen Bartolome; and Mark and Lisa Wood (just moved to Ft Meade for a three-year internship with NSA).

Chris Ford (Chief, Contingency Plans, Pentagon), Brian Ralston (Analyst, Pentagon), and Rich and Amy Bejtlich (Principal Consultant, Foundstone Security) recently signed on to the website as new locals, so we hope they’ll show too. We’ll be sure to send a picture, but we’ll be sad to miss Bob Goodwin that night. Bob recently got selected as the Chiefof Staff to the Interim Director of Health to Baghdad and left within two weeks to start the new job. He sends updates occasionally, sharing his experiences and observations, along with stories that show that, regardless ofweapons inspection results, Saddam Hussein was, in fact, the worst “weapon of mass destruction” to ever hit the Iraqi people. Bob is in our prayers, along with all our other classmates and fellow grads deployed in support of OIF, OEF, or any other contingencies. Two such folks were Deb Reuther and Rich LaDue.

Fred Cunningham (KC-135, Robins) also checked in from Qatar, where he was deployed for several months. Keeping the reunion spirit alive in Germany, Matt and Sara Gamblin checked in from Ramstein, where they moved with baby Kate in Jan. They’re in touch with Sean and Melissa Larcher (Ramstein), Mark O’Reilly (Mildenhall), and Michelle “Xena” Vestal (Spangdahlem) on a regular basis.

Back on our side of the pond, we have some Red Hot classmates “reuniting” on a daily basis as members of USAF Thunderbirds. Dave Steinheiser (Thunderbird #9 Flight Surgeon), Chris Callaghan (#3 Right Wing), and Chris Stricklin (#6 Opposing Solo) compose a full 25% of the current Thunderbird officers! Check out their picture!

’94 grads taking over the Thunderbirds?

Here is a great photo I just received from Wendy (Wachholtz) Barnes. She and Kevin (“KB”, as many remember him) are at Langley with daughters Hannah (2) and Haley (4 months). Wendy is a Medical Services Corps Officer at Langley, while Kevin will soon graduate from William & Mary’s joint degree program (JD/MBA) in Dec. After that, Wendy will become an IMA and they’ll move to either Atlanta or Charlotte, depending on where Kevin’s job takes them. Despite his busy school schedule, it’s great to see that Kevin can take time to read with his girls —Wendy wanted all to notice his and Haley’s matching hairlines!

Checkpoints wins out overHarryPotter? Kevin Barnes introduces daughter Haley to USAFA.

Well, the beach is calling, as this will likely be my only real break until October or so. In September, CSAF is hosting a huge conference with his counterparts from nearly 100 countries and guess who’s right in the thick ofplanning? Our next column is due in September as well, so please don’t be surprised ifwe have either a veryshort column or a guest scribe. Thanks in advance for understanding!

Despite my busy schedule, I’ll always try to make time for classmates new to the area or just passing through. Please be sure to give me a call if you’re ever in DC! Until then, take care & God Bless! C.C.

Don Kang

5806 B Poplar Circle Shaw AFB, SC 29152

BudaF16@yahoo.com

Farewell. About midwaythrough the war, the weather over Iraq made a turn for the worse... especially so for the night players. Upon RTB one night, we gotword over OCA common thatwe’d lost someone. It absolutely crushed me to find out that it was my Bull Six brother, Eric “Boot” Das who we’d lost near Tikrit that night. Boot’s WSO was also killed in the F-15E crash. Those of us who knew Boot began prayers for his loved ones - and the war instantly took on new meaning. I think Boot would have appreciated that our resolve to finish the business at hand was only strengthened. A thanks to AinselyO’Reilly for keeping us as well informed from their deployed location as he could. Boot was postumously awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.

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We had a pretty tight crew back then at the zoo and most of us made it to the operational CAF, so we’d seen this before. But Eric’s loss was espedally hard because we respected and admired him so much. We always

Eric “Boot” Das and his wife, Nikki, in the desert. Nikki is an intelligence officer.

looked to Boot as the leader. Jon Tinsley and Keith Crawford remembered that he honcho’s our pig roasts and led our climb up the highest mountain in Colorado. Kevin Merrill and Alex Sansone reminded me that he had the entire squadron at his home in Amarillo and we all got to meet his wonderful parents and siblings. Boot was an SOS DG and, far more importantly, was selected for the F-15E fighter weapons instructor course (FWIC). No doubt, he was the best of us and will be sorely missed in the days ahead. Here’s a toast...

Boot and the Bull Six crew at Squadron Officer School as always, in the center ofthe action.

The War. From my vantage in Saudi Arabia, I was able to make the pleasant observation that while our class was involved in every aspect of the war, we were mainly on the point for the fighting. The majority of the time I coordinated off station with other package leads and mission commanders, more often than not, I was dealingwith someone I’d shared a beer with at O’Malley’s. This has more to do with timing than anything, as most of us had assumed roles as flight commanders, IP’s, weapons officers, mission commanders, and package leads by the time this shooting war had begun.

The crew from Misawa brought the heat from Saudi Arabia and saw their F-16CJs quickly turn from SEAD assets to TST and XCAS players. Sam “Vandal” Mann, Garret “Swing” Lowe, Jason “Nails” Plourde, and Liz “Shock” May are all in the 14th FS and performed heroically during the war. They and the rest of the 14th had been in theater for six months by the time the shooting ended and were able to return home to Japan. I asked Vandal to go back and tell Dave Sundlov, a weapons officer at Misawa, every detail about the war and remind him daily about missing out on the show. Vandal was Dave’s best man at his wedding in Colorado Springs.

Class ofl995’s "gift” to Saddam and his cronies... “Sayhello to mylittle friend...

Say goodbye to ONW and OSW! This is what it’s all about. 77th FS maintainers on oursquadron flagship in SaudiArabia... proudlydisplaying the symbol offreedom for the whole world to see. Note the flash burns on the 20mm gun port... signs ofheavy use.

Bill “Wilbur” Betts was the weapons officer for the 524th FS from Cannon AFB, operating out of Kuwait. Fie led his squadron of F-16 strikers on many a hair-raising night. Wilbur and I were Fiends together at Osan and it was great to see him again when he came down to our location to see firsthand why we referred to the CAOC as “the chaos.” Fleard word that Joel Higley was doing some good work with the tanker force during the war as well. Mike Thode came out to the war from Eielson AFB to provide some much needed CAS expertise.

The majority of our work over there is still in the process of being declassified, so unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of war stories yet. As time passes and the word gets out, we’ll get to share some good ones. I think I speak for all of us when I say that it was quite an experience and we were all proud and very fortunate to be part of something that saved the free world from a great evil.

Hails. Nick “Cat” Guttman is a daddy - Camron Kelly Guttman was born on 20 May and rang in at 8 pounds, 21 ounces (pictures at www.joshuaguttman.com/ckg). Mike Barten also added on to the clan with #2: Nathan Barten was born in South Korea in May. Mike is finally leaving Osan and will assume duties as MiG-1 with theAggressors at Nellis this fall. Robert Jayme became a dad on March 6th baby Jacob and wife, Michelle, are with him at Tyndall AFB, where he is a communications officer.

Jobs. Tom “RJ” Seymour is doing great work testing F-16 weapons and tactics out at Eglin. Jim “Latex” Collins (F-16) and Dave Abba (F-15C) were selected for the summer fighter weapons school instructor course. Becky Fox is a major in the Reserves and works at McConnell AFB. Russ Driggers and Justin Fletcher are Eagle IPs at Tyndall AFB. Nick McFalls was on ESPN the other day running a 1,500 in less than four minutes.

Wrap Up. That about does it from sunny Sumter, S.C. (It’s good to be home!) Keep the e-mails flowing, be safe, and enjoy a much-deserved summer. Harrumph!

Melissa S. Cunningham

220 Bowens Mill Drive Bonaire, GA 31005 (478) 975-9707

E-mail: fmcunningham@aol.com or melissa.cunningham@robins.af.mil

Hello again from Andrea Vinyard in Korea. As you read this, I will have PCSd from Kunsan to D.C. and Mel hopefully will have returned from

Iraq. I never thought I would step foot inside the Beltway, but I, along with several TABs: Clay Freeman, Ann (MacGhee) Igl, Matt Brooks, Ken Cushing, Stephanie Fox, Jeff Goggin, Ryan Link, Andre McMillan, Todd Moore, and Mark Robinson will be starting the AF Intern Program in August. On with the rest ofyour lives...

Stephanie Fox wrote in from Germanysaying that she had recently been TDY to RAF Mildenhall for an AIB and that when home, she frequently sees Jim and Carrie (Loudermilk) Pedersen and their little girlAshley. Joyce (Gange) Storm, a Logistics Readiness Officer atAviano, and her husband, Andy, have a little girl. With everything going on Joyce still manages to find time to train for the upcoming Venice marathon. She continues to keep in touch with Dante and Colleen (Lehne) Johnson. Colleen is a recruiter in the Los Angeles area and Dante is enjoying life as a civilian.

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Anthony Barrett is finishing up his second stint at the zoo; he has been teaching civil engineering and has enjoyed life much more the second time around. He did such a great job that they are sending him to Virginia Tech for a PhD. Anthony finished SOS in Dec and ran into Dave Lercher, Lori (Edinger) Rasmussen, and Darryl Brown. Carrie (Barker) Wood just finished SOS with Jake Campbell (San Antonio), Ritchie Marsh (Peterson AFB), Meghan McCann (Offutt), Scott Campbell (Aviano), and Maria (Villalpando) Holbrook (Wright Patterson).

While Osan is just a short hike up the expressway, there are a lot offolks I haven’t seen. After the last article, I did hear from more folks in Korea to include Brian Baude and Ken Cushing. Brian is currently working as a Combat Airspace Manager and has a follow-on to DM. Erin Pyle has been working as an Intel Officer and is heading to Weapons School before his follow-on to Eglin. John and Mary (Cancellara) Plasterer are stationed at Edwards. John is at Test Pilot School and Mary is pursuing a master’s in biology. Kelley Chase is an Air Battie Manager at Tinker.

Another civilian classmate, Brent Buckner, has recently been skydiving with Jennifer Bivens and Doug Brock in Gila Bend AFAF, Arizona. These three were at the Wings of Blue spring break training deployment in March. Doug and Brent were on the team as cadets and have been attached stafffor spring break for a few years now. Doug is currently doing HUMINT in Washington DC. Jen is a pilot at the 98th FTS, flying the Twin Otter for the Wings of Blue. Brent is psyching himself up to go back to school.

Michael Donaghy has one year left at Elmendorf flying the C-130 and he recently got engaged to Kristin from St. Louis. He has recently seen Clay Freeman, an MC-130P nav at Hurlbert Field, and is stationed with

GarretLowe, Jason Plourde, Sam Mann, and Liz Mayin SaudiArabia. F16CJ “Wild Weasels" in Operation IRAQIFREEDOM.

Will Clark, Ryan Barney, and Tom Ulmer (’95) in the 517 AS. Karinna (Coleman) DeGarmo (with husband, Mike) while busy flying the C-5 at Travis, has managed to become pregnant with their second child. Tammy Smith recently showed up to Travis to fly C-5s in the other squadron.

The USAF Weapons School is getting a new teacher... Lisle Babcock. Lisle just left Offutt with his son and expectant wife. While at Offutt, he has run into Judd Fite, Judd JP Sicotte, Nate Downing, Jai Pope, and Nate Owendoff. James Conley has recently returned to the BIB, 37 BS at Ellsworth AFB, after teaching at the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin the past two years.

Dale Riedel just sent out a squadron update wishing everyone a happy seven-year graduation anniversary. Dale is attending the University of Dayton School of Law under the FLEP program and his wife, Jennifer (Kornacker), is in veterinary school. Keyan Riley is finishing his general surgery residency at Keesler AFB, MS, is married and has two kids. Brett O’Halloran separated from the AF and is working as a consultant to HQ AFMC. He’s married and has one daughter. Jason Avram is currently at Hill AFB and recently returned from OIF. Frank Howard is doing Intel at Tyndall AFB and will cross-train into Air Battle Management. Brian Grasky is an F-16 instructor at Luke AFB. Keep your eyes open for Brian on the AF Team at the Ironman Competition in Hawaii.

Eric Moraes is at Laughlin AFB as a T-37 instructor. He’s married with two kids and a third one on the way. Doug Eaton is currently in France on a C-130 exchange program and Dave Ciesielski is writing policy at the Pentagon. Stephen (’95) and Gigi (Angeles) Simko have been at Dover for two years. Stephen is the senior maintenance officer for CMS and Gigi is the Group Practice Manager for the Medical Group. Elton Dixon is attending Pepperdine University Law School and was married while stationed in Germany. Audrey Sandrock is engaged to Dave Page (’97); they are both at Hill AFB.

PK Carlton writes from Shaw AFB and included some pictures from OIF, where he and Matt Ayers were flying F-16s out of PSAB. Other folks included Adam Starr and Marcelo Morales from Langley. Shawn Lane was also there and spent time between A1 Udied and the CAOC in PSAB. Jon Kalberer is also the weapons officer for the 79th FS.

Mike Casey wrote from Kadena where he and Steve Fino fly F-15Cs in the 44th FS. He recently ran into Bobby Goodwin on a trip to Guam. She and her husband, Jason, also ’96, fly KC- 135s in the 909th at Kadena. Brian Pardee and his wife, Alison, are stationed at Moody AFB, where he currently flies AT-38s.

Speaking of F-15s, Jeff Alexander wrote in from the RTU at Seymour Johnson. Geoff Lohmiller, Bryce Silver, and Pat Farrell are all teaching at the 333d. Jeff is teaching at the 334th and Dan Badia is in the 336th. Jeff Ward is teaching IFF in AT-38s at Sheppard AFB.

More info from the Korean Peninsula. Ken Cushing writes from Osan where he is currently the Intel Weapons Officer at 7AF. He’s kept in touch with several folks from his squadron to include John Orchard and Chris Bridges who recently graduated from Weapons School as F-15E weapons officers. Marc Smith is a civilian running his own real estate company in California with his wife, Michelle. Marcus Prince cross-trained from Comm and is now an F-15E WSO. Chris and Page Cullenbine are in D.C. where his is doing comm/analysis for the National Reconnaissance Officer. Pete Vitt was in A-10 training and Mark Mitchum is flyingVipers at Aviano. JeremyJenness is flying Eagles at Kadena and JeremyArmagost was flying C-130s at Little Rock. Dave Michaud is flyingVipers at Eielson. Jeff Schreiner is flying B-2s at Whiteman.

In the past week I’ve run into Paul Graddon, Manpower at Kunsan, his wife, Sarah (CC ’98) is intel at Osan, andYumi (Ramirez) LaFortune, USFK finance, Todd (’97) flies F-16s at Kunsan with Rob Monberg (’91).

Thanks for writing over the past six months; it’s been great catching up with everyone. Ifyou didn’t see your submission in this edition of Checkpoints, keep your eyes open as I’ve forwarded it to Melissa for the next edition. Ifyou ever get to D.C. over the next two years, look me up the light will be on for ya.

Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr.

1479 Eagle Highlands Fairborn, OH 45324

Home: (937) 320-1587

Cell: (937) 367-7196

W: melvin.maxwell@afit.edu

H: mel_maxwell97@hotmail.com

What’s up all? I hope you all are doing well out there. I’ve been excited to hear about all the tremendous things our classmates have been doing in the past few months. If you hadn’t seen the story of Kim Campbell’s (Reed) amazing landing of her battle damagedA-10 in a hundred different e-mails, you surely saw it in the last issue of Checkpoints. And just in case you haven’t seen the Air Force News article, Waynetta Gentry and Heather Hall were pilots of an all-female air refueling aircrew flying a mission into Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The mission took place at the end of January of this year but I didn’t see the article until April. Check it out on the Air Force website ifyou haven’t seen it.

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Samantha Weeks (Glinski) is always dependable and ready with class news so without further adieu... “Well I’m sure many ofyou have recently returned from the land of sand and fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and on behalf of us that stayed home... welcome back. I’ve heard a lot of stories regarding some of our classmates, and the roles they’ve been playing in OEF and OIF. In addition to whatyou’ve heard about Kim,Waynetta, and Heather, Sloan Hollis and Chris Wachter have made news. They were the pilot and aircraft commander of the B-l that dropped bombs in Baghdad, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for that mission. It’s not only our military classmates making the news though. I was looking through the May 2003 issue of Oxygen magazine and thought that one day I would see Tanji Jonhson in a fitness magazine. A few pages later there it is... Tanji and a full-page article on her accomplishments in the fitness community. I’m sure there are lots of other great stories, but if you don’t share...Mel can’t write about them!

“I recently arrived at Osan and have run into numerous classmates, so I’ll update you with what I’ve heard and seen. Chris Huber is here flying F-16s and his wife is pregnant with their first child. Jared Johnson and Jack Harmon are at Kunsan flying F-16s. Jack’s wife is staying in California and is pregnant with twin boys. And they say you can’t have boys if you’re flying in fighters! Ryan Haden is flying A-10s at Osan along with Erik Knauff; Erik will be PCSing shortly to Holloman to learn how to fly the F-117. I ran into Mike Sovitsky one day in the BX. He was TDY to Osan for a few months. While he was here, he accomplished his first U-2 flight. Must be pretty cool to see the earth from that cockpit. Jeannie “Dream" Connor (Roellich) just PCAd to the 36th FS as an intel officer. Her naming was a fun night! Another Jeanne in the intel world is also at Osan. Jeanne Bedleck just moved from Kunsan to Osan to be stationed near her fiance. They’ll be married later this year. Now some more married and baby news... Heather Hall was married at the Academy on July 5th congrats to her, and hopefully she’ll share a picture for the next issue. Shannon Hamrick (Goff) gave birth to her first baby boy, Jayden, on 14 June 2003. Derek and Maryanne Sawser are PCSing to Tyndall and they are expecting their first child this August.” Samantha, as always thanks for the news.

On to baby news... Jeremy Raley is a classmate of mine two times over. Jeremy is also a student here at AFIT. His wife Leah, gave birth to their son Preston in May of this year at the Wright Patterson AFB Medical Center. Check out the fellow ’97 grad doctor who delivered the baby (it’s Bart Staat)!

The all-female airrefueling crew: In backfrom left are Waynetta Gentry and Heather Hall.

Jeremy, Preston, and Bart

Kevin Templin dropped me a line back in June from Holloman AFB where Kevin flies F-l 17s. Kevin was happy to announce he is now a married man, having married the former Dionna Owens in September of2001. Kevin and Dionna were introduced by Dionna’s best friend and neighbor, Catherine O’Brien, while Kevin was back at Eglin AFB. Those ’97 connections just keep paying dividends! But ofcourse, the most exciting news was the fact that Kevin and Dionna were blessed with the birth of their son, Dawson, on May 26th of this year. Check out the happy family.

Dionna, Dawson, and Kevin Templin

Alright everybody, that’s all we’ve got this go round. Take care and hey, drop me a line.. .Mel

Karin (Klein) McWhorter

9811 E. Cisco Court Tucson, AZ 85748

H: (520) 885-8697/W: (520) 228-3829 kleinmcwhorter@aol.com

Hello again.. .this is my last article as a member on active duty, so make sure you send any updates to my home account. As of 11 Aug 03,1 will be teaching intermediate algebra at a local high school. I will also be a Reservist with the wing here at Davis-Monthan. So, once a year I will be able to access the global e-mail and chat with old friends!

I don’t have a lot of updates this time because I know that ’98ers are busy all over the world. So, once you all return from “undisclosed locations” be sure to drop me a line.

The first update is from Jeremy Gordon who wrote from “craptastically sunny PSAB” (his words not mine!). The 77th Fighter Squadron from Shaw AFB is packed full of ’98ers who spend many months “stickin’ it to Saadam” from Saudi. They got to employ just about every weapon the F-16 can shoot or drop and “blew up lots ofbad guys”. The picture below was sent in byJeremy and the art work surrounding the photo is also his nice to see that some things never change...

Other ’98ers “wailin’ on Iraq” from PSAB are Jim “Ping” Maxwell from the 14th FS at Misawa; Matt “Rip” Hayden, who’s wife recently had their second daughter; and Jeff “Gyro” Jeffries from the 22nd FS were based in Qatar. Geoff “Kid” Jensen and Dan Fowler were at PSAB flying F-15Cs and Jeff Kennedy was there flying F-16s from Cannon.

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The next update I got was from Mari Garcia (Schroering). She got married on April 5th in a small beach ceremony near Destin, FL. Her husband, Brandon, is an Army Special Forces officer and they actually met in the combat zone during Operation Enduring Freedom. Brandon lost Wm

Jeremy “Mount” Gordon, Chad “Rud” Burdick, Jay "Axle” Mahajan, Will “Juice” Vaughn, Scott “Beave” Sieting and Brad “Fletch" Turner. (Brad is a memberofthe 78th, but deployed with the 77th.)

Mari, Brandon and Aurianna Garcia

his first wife last year and was a single dad for a while. So, Mari also gained a three-year-old-daughter, Aurianna. Congratulations Mari!

Jenn Bagozzi sent the next update from Ramstein, Germany. She has been stationed there just over three years flying C-9s as an instructor pilot and she will be moving on to C-130s once the C-9 squadron shuts down. But she has no idea where she will move next. Jimmy Smith is also there flying C-9s and he recently upgraded to instructor. He and his wife, Mandy, are having a little girl at the end of June. He is also moving to C-130s. Moe Moon, AJ Jennings and Amy Petrina are all at Ramstein flying C-130s and have been extremely busy flying missions for Operations Iraqi Freedom. AJ and Moe both married their pilot training sweethearts. Michelle Tibits is also stationed at Ramstein, but isn’t seen much due to frequent TDYs.

Mona Mirtich (Alexander) sent a short e-mail from A1 Dhafra UAE where she is flying KC-lOs in support of OIF. Other ’98ers from both Travis and McGuire were also there: John Mirtich, Karsten Anderson, Ben Menges, Tait Stamp, Chuck Whitehead, Pat Fox, Aaron Tallman, Mac Segal, Ian Larive, Wally Adams, Joe Agulair, Sean Lee and Kevin Williams.

I also got a short note from Angel Santiago, who has been in Kyrgystan/ Uzbekistan doing OEF duties in the C-130 with no end in site. He is an A/ C in the Here and is deployed with a lot of ’98ers. A picture was promised but never arrived...He also wrote that both Angela Taurianen and Trent Jacobs were also leaving active duty and moving onto civilian careers.

And, last but not least, I got a short note from Melissa Parent (Cabot). She recently PCSd to Yokota and Charlie will join her in September after he finishes training in the C-130. I think they are happy to be out of Del Rio! She also mentioned that Sue Whalen is flying C-17s at Charleston and that Matt Morrison and his wife, Helena, recently moved to Davis-Monthan.

Also here at DM are Jason Thornburg and his wife, Sheri (Webb). Jason is flying helos and Sheri is working at Twelfth Air Force. She is expecting their second child.

Ok, I think that about wraps it up for this month. I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to hearing more “war stories” as people trickle home.

James

4050A Cambridge Loop Hill AFB, UT 84056

(801) 776-3586

E-mails: busch99@earthlink.net

James.busch@hill.af.mil

Hey Captains. I hope you all had fun at your promotion parties and that you are spending your pay raises wisely. Due to the market’s volatility, I decided to spend my raise on solid investments: a Maxim subscription, a ping-pong table, and a case of Swisher Sweets no disappointments so far. Pictured below was our pin-on here at Hill for the Shiners of the 4 FS Fighting Fuujins, conducted in the squadron bar with our CC administering the Oath of Office.

The Foster Wedding: From left in the first row: Matt Dunker ’98, Jason Nalepa '99, Jesung Kim ’99, WesAhadie ’99, Mike Foster ’99, Erika Foster (Schenavar) '94, CamiStock ’98, and Tom Gustin ’99. In the second roware John Fenwick, Chuck Holland, Sharon Holland ’98, andJimmyMitchell. at Sheppard and Ben recently got married (where’s the pictures, Ben?). Brian Sherry and Greg Barasch are enjoying 20+ hours ofsunshine flying Vipers at Eielson, and John Fenwick recently affirmed his physical prowess by finishing the San Diego marathon in personal record time. That is all for this issue and by all means, keep sending pictures and news my way (note address and e-mail changes). James

Jason “JW” Simmons

110 Mara Court

Prattville, AL 36066

Email: Simmons@HotPop.com

Choir practice for the new Captains. Nick ‘‘Tulsa" Evans, Terry Rowdy” Blakemore, Matt “Trap" Crowell, and myself(still an FNGfornow).

It was great to hear how many of you spent your June seconds. Dave “Weasel” Allen wrote to fill me in on the promotion party over in the ROK. Included were ’99ers Keenan Zerkel, Andy Quinn, Jefferson Deberry, Dave Allen, Scott Meng, and Ben Bartlett. Keenan is the 51st OSS Exec, while Andy “Lobo” Quinn is flying the mighty A-10 with the Draggins of the 25th. Jefferson is also working in the 51 OSS in the ATC Tower, while Dave is pulling his stint as the OG Exec. Scott and Ben were just up visiting from Kunsan where they are both Juvats. Chris Dinote is also at Osan and going out to Weapons School for Intel, but wasn’t around for the picture.

Korean service dress (and chocolate Yoo-Hoos allaround).

A few other dudes not from the ROK: Guys from Dirty 30 Pat Eldridge is flying C-5s at Travis and living on a houseboat, Bob Bryant is flying the Buff at Minot, Dave Wilson is still at McChord and is acting in all kinds of plays up in the Seattle area. Jen Ortiz is at Hurlburt doing AMU work for those special ops birds. Dan “I hear they have nice golf courses in Europe” Crump is flying C-21s at Ramstein and Will "Do they play golf in Wyoming?” Riordan should be just about finishing up his tour at FE Warren as he makes the transition into acquisitions. Also fromWeasel: Guys that were 4 degrees in 31: Tom Wiggins is in Afghanistan, Mike Foster is a physicist at Shriever, Nick Evans is flying the world’s most lethal fighter in the world’s greatest fightersquadron, Chris Papa is flying RC-135S at Offutt (but he’s never there due to OIF and OEF), John Cancellara is still at Hanscom, Chuck Bris-Bois is at .LA., Jessie Bogart and his wife just had a baby at Aviano, Rheo Ofalsa is the Deputy Chief of the CE Ops flight at Offutt, Josh Knowles and Leigh Ottati are both at Maxwell, Josh is teaching ASBC and Leigh is doing the OTS gig.

Mike Foster, who I hadn’t seen since Ray Johnson’s crawfish boil back in ’99, got married to Erika Schenavar, USAFA class of ’94 on May 3rd in Palmer Lake, CO. You might wear the pants in the family, Mike, but she when she puts on the gold oak leaves, look out.

In other random news, Sean Baerman is pulling BALO duty with some Army unit in Iraq, Dan Diehl and Skylar Clark were involved in the air effort flying B-ls, Ed Sligar is suffering through the Air Force intern program in D.C., Travis Walters, Ben Griffith, and Kevin Pritz are all still FAIPs

Jason.Simmons@Maxwell.af.mil

Classmates, I hope everyone is having a great summer. Be sure to take some leave and spend some quality time with friends and family. Lots of classmates have some pretty nice couches that can make a trip to Hawaii or Europe fairly inexpensive. Okay, on with the class news

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Some of our classmates are making some wise moves and getting advanced degrees. Matt Schmitz is finishing his third year of medical school at Loyola Chicago and is hoping to go into orthopedic surgery. He continues to play rugby and will travel with the U.S. National Men’s RugbyTeam to take on the Russian National Team in July. Hans Anker is getting out ofOklahoma and heading to Boulder for masters in CE at CU with follow-on instructor duty at AFIT. Ann (Hatley) Redd was selected for the Funded Legal Education Program at the University of Arizona in August. Her husband, Dejon, will be Public Affairs for the 355th at D-M.

Patrick Parsons has one more year of dental school at Ohio State and was reelected the President of the College of Dentistry. Recently Pat went to Honduras and provide some missionary dental care to children and adults down there. He relays that it was pretty hot there with a heat index of 112, but he had a great time. Here’s a shot ofhim as a volunteer dentist

Other classmates are moving or doing great where they are right now. Beth Cherney is going to be in Asia the rest of her career. Okay, for a few years at least. She’s moving to Osan AB, ROK and has follow-on to Misawa AB, Japan. Brent Stark is at McChord flying the C-17, flying in support of Iraqi efforts. Pat DuBe finished pilot training and is now headed to RAF Mildenhall with his wife, Elizabeth. He will be flying the MC-130P Combat Shadow with the 67th SOS. Luke Urish has been at McGuire for four months flying C-9s. Joy Param will be PCSing to Travis AFB; she is currently at Mildenhall RAF. Charles Alonzo will be doing a short tour in Korea; he is currently at Incirlik AB. Brent Dishman just finished his first year of law at University of Oklahoma under the AF legal education program. He hit his first ever hole-in-one last October on a 142-yard par 3 with a Top Flite XL 2000 golf ball.

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A1 Lowe, Ernie Mayfield, Andy Stockman, and Pete Schnobrich are all mission qualified and hanging out at Hill. Ernie himself may or may not have had his hands in some of the massive destruction in our most recent operation.

Jason Liska, Matthew “Mackie” Miller, and Matthew Russell cannot get away from choosing only academy roommates. The three are stationed together at MoodyAFB, Ga. Jason and Matt are two of the first ever chosen to fly the T-6 Texan II. Mackie is flying the mighty HH-60G Pave Hawk in the 41st RQS. Buster Ascol is flying the President’s convoy to Africa in a C-5. Josh Miller is leaving Maxwell-Gunter, and so I’ll have to find another drinking team member. He’s headed to Robbins as a C-130 SPO. He heard Jimmy Cooke was married on 5 July.

On to some other marriage news: Ryan (Bowers) Goris was married in Barbados in March to Alanka Goris. Jason Goldberg was married July 19,h He and Brooke are at Hurlburt where Jason flies U-model gunships. That’s Jason and Brooke on the left below. Dave Brown got married on June 28th to Stephanie Capstick. Tom Still and James Norman were groomsmen and Ben Matthews, Paul Gomez (’96) and Seth Deam (’99) were saber bearers. Tyler Nelson and Charlie Miles even made an appearance. Ben is engaged now and heading off to Kunsan at the end of December. Here’s a shot from the wedding, on the right.

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I heard from Greg Elia stationed out at Dover. He has been going through a medical discharge hearing and just recently found out that he lost his last appeal. His date of separation is 22 July 03 and he asked that I include his contact information for anyone interested. He will be staying in California after a coast-to-coast road trip to visit friends and family. Good luck Greg and keep us updated. (Greg Elia, 4320 HazelbrookAve., Long Beach, CA 90808. grege365@earthlink.net or greg_elia@hotmail.com)

Tim Paschke married Jessica Rumczikas in March 02; they’re headed to Mildenhall. While stopping through Fairchild for SERE, Tim met up with Johnnie Green, Dave Zeytoonjan, and Logan Sisson. Dan Scherdt and JR Smith took some time off over the Memorial Day weekend to go up to Siren, WI for Josh Imme’s wedding. Josh is doing well with his lovely new bride, Amy, and they are now living in Alaska where Josh flys C-130s. After the wedding, Dan headed back to Laughlin where he’s a T-l FAIP and JR went back to Columbus where he is a T-37 FAIP. Summer (Koons) Deaton and I ran into each other at Patrick for the Eastern CGOC Conference; she was electedVice and I was elected Executive Officer. From there she went to Nick Anderson’s wedding along with many others. From left in the photo reclining: Amy (Corrigan) Anderson. Front row: Meghann McNiff, Shaun Willhite, Mark McGill, Nick Anderson, Matt Early, Summer (Koons) Deaton and Mike Tyler. Back row: Erik Martin, Jackson Whiting, Kelly (Klein) Polsgrove, Sam Deaton and Dan Polsgrove.

I planned on leaving the last part for your carpet crawler news. I only heard of one newborn Dave Och is the happy father of a baby girl. Are their any other new parents out there? Chris Allred, I heard you had a crew. I’d like to see that, send some photos. Well, and as for me, I’ve been wake boarding on Lake Martin and having a busy summer. I hope to hear from you all soon. Best wishes - JDub.

Faith Hitchcock 1968 Crosslake Cove, Apt F Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 faith.hitchcock@eglin.af.mil or fire_it_up_40@hotmail.com

Hello ’01s. First I would like to say congrats to the class on the much awaited promotion to 1 st Lt hope you all are enjoying the pay raise... if you haven’t already spent it! Not much for grad news this time around... please e-mail me anytime with updates on yourself or anyone you keep in touch with. I knowyou all are doingsomething, so please let me know!

Christy and Eric Music e-mailed to say they are quite excited about a fewthings happening in their lives... Eric starts RTU at Luke in July and they are expecting an addition to the family - a baby girl in early November. Congrats you two!

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Stacey (Boggs) and Todd Allison sent a great picture from a recent gettogetherthey had to celebrate their promotion. From left are Greg Tovrea ’81, Stacey and Todd '01, Bert Giovannetti ’01, Shelby (Bowen) Curry ’00, Tim Curry ’99 and Joe Del Campo '90. Stacey and Todd are still having fun in Germany - her parents came to visit in June and they went to Switzerland and Austria... rough life!

I have heard from a few of our classmates in the flying world. Jason Feuring just had his first flight in the A-10 at Davis-Monthan. Jim Schiess is in Survival Training right now and will be going to F- 15C RTU in Oregon. Mark Lennon is in Del Rio flying T- Is. Brent Bak is about to finish T-38s at Sheppard and is hoping to get F-15s. Elliott Nelson is going through F-15 RTU at Tyndall. From the non-rated side: Brian Nealon is getting married July 5th and Jesse Goolsby will no longer be single in August. Givey Kochanowski just PCSd to Korea for a year-long tour at Kunsan.

As for me, I am anxiously awaiting an assignment and just trying to finish my time here at Eglin. I am working in the RADAR Maintenance shop right now. It is pretty cool and I am learning a lot. Mike Dunn and I are keeping busy with the wedding plans and life in general. We went up to Nashville in May for the First Annual Holly Adams Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament. Her parents established a scholarship in Holly’s name that will go to a senior from her high school who best exemplifies the qualities emulated byHolly - academic excellence, personal integrity, outstanding character and a charitable heart. We dodged some rain and got to golf all afternoon followed by dinner and a silent auction. They had a great turnout; we had a lot offun and raised money for a great cause. That is all I have this time. Take care ofyourselves and keep in touch! Faith

Tony Carson tonyc02@yahoo.com

Class Website: www.usafa02.org

Class of2002, how does it feel to be halfway to promotion to 1 st Lieutenant? That’s right, it’s now 2003 and we’ve been commissioned for more than a year now. My thanks to Antoine McNeal and the others who contributed and wrote articles while I was in primary training at Columbus AFB. Now I am down in south Texas for advanced training with the Navy at NAS Corpus Christi and I’m picking up where they left off. If any ofyou have updates, news, pictures, or anything that you want to include in these articles please email them to me and I’ll do my best to include them in the next issue.

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So what did we accomplish this pastyear and where did we end up? Dave Henze received his wings on 02 JUL 03 and will be flying the KC-10 out ofTravis AFB. Rod Faulk is serving in the communications squadron at LangleyAFB with Tripp Dibble, who will be married in August and soon thereafter will be attending intel school at Goodfellow AFB. Nathan Powell, Dan Hilferty, and Cody Burroughs are flying the T-44 at NAS Corpus Christi and will be going on to fly C-130s. Bede Bolin, Jeremy

Simmons,JeffLederhouse,AndyGilmer, Dave Siemion, and Keegan Mcleese are flying the newT-38C at Columbus AFB. Damon Field, Jay Ford and Joe Carr are flying the T-l at Columbus AFB. Joe Elam and Antoine McNeal are flying the T-37 at Shepphard AFB. Zach Sauerman and Matt Booth are flying T-38s at Laughlin AFB. Bryan Summers is working as a cost analyst at Los Angeles AFB. Heather Gagnon will be starting dental school soon.

Tom Haas stands outside ofa recentmissile strike target.

Tom Haas had his Checkpointsforwarded to him in the desert and wanted to share his experiences with everyone: “I deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to Ali A1 Salem Air Base in Kuwait in February as PERSCO Team Chiefwith a 10-man team.

fashion which parallels in excellence to that of their time at good ole’ USAFA.

There are so many memories each of us has taken from our time at USAFA. The friends we made and the times shared with our classmates, squadmates and the like will never be forgotten. By no means are all of these times and memories good; for instance (some of you may want to not read these next few words) think back to in-processing, not what I consider the best day of my life. The best day is, and probably will be for a very long time, graduation.

Nineteen missile strikes and 134 days later, 10 July, I head home. It’s been a blast (sometimes literally), but at 120 degrees a day average, it’s hot and I’m ready to head back, even if it is to Columbus AFB, MS.” Speaking of Columbus AFB, Anta Plowden and Andy Beckett are there flying the T-37.

Myapologies for the short article; hopefully the next article will be more comprehensive and informative now that everyone knows where to send information. Everyone take it easy and have a great summer! Anthony Carson, Class Scribe

Richard Giles Whiting, Jr.

50 Craigie St., Suite 8 Summerville MO 02143 (719) 210-6946

gileswhiting@hotmail.com

It’s been almost two months since those two marvelous words were uttered, that is: “Class Dismissed.” For many these words were quickly rivaled by two other marvelous words “I do.” To all of those who did tie the knot (there are way too many to list here) congratulations and all the best.

In our honor I have included with this writing a few of our graduation photos, another reminder of that red-letter day. The entire collection of memories, however, the good and the bad, is what makes each of our Academy experiences what they are, and is what saturates those years with priceless learning; academic and practical. Our life lessons taken from USAFA are just as invaluable as those taught to us in the classroom. These will be the lessons that will guide us through the rest of our lives.

Now that 60 days is coming to a close the ’03 Lt’s will begin making their way out into that mythical and legendary “Real Air Force.” About time. Hopefully the Air Force is ready for us; I know that we are ready for them.

It does still seem surreal to thinkthat our time at USAFA has ended; yet this is something of a welcomed revelation. I personally was warmly awakened sometime around mid June, when first leave would have been ending, to the fact that I indeed had more than five weeks of zero commitments in front of me. No doubt many of you experienced the same epiphany. Interclass contact has been more limited than that of the days at the Academy, yet from hearing about many of you before, and now post graduation; it seems that our class’ summer has been interspersed with trips to various countries, cruises, and seeing friends, family, girlfriends and boyfriends. The Class of 2003 seems to be making the most of their vacation time in a

None Yet Sabre Society Donors

Haas and others at “The Rock”.

^ As cadets and graduates ofthe Academy, you hold integrity

in the highest regard. Your official ring is created with that

same integrity byJostens, your partner in expressing pride

in the United States Air Force Academy.

THE DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD

Nomination Instructions DG

The Distinguished Graduate Award is intended to recognize those exceptional graduates who have set themselves apart by making extraordinarily significant contributions to our nation and/or their communities. It is a unique honor bestowed by the Academy and the AOG recognizing graduates whose accomplishments have inspired us all and elevated the reputation and the standing ofthe U.S. Air Force Academy. Distinguished Graduates should provide an example to all graduates and cadets of the standards that we value and of the abilities that have made our country and society great.This is our opportunity to recognize graduates who can serve as an inspiration to future generations ofAmericas leaders.

Anyone may submit a nomination package. The package should not exceed three pages. The first page is a concise information sheet on the candidate and should contain a short narrative or bullets addressing the following headings, if applicable:

- Professional accomplishments

- Education history

- Professional organizations

- Professional career summary, include job titles and location

- Honors, awards and public recognition

- Community service

- Three additional references (include addresses and phone numbers)

The remaining page(s) should be a strong written justification.

Submit nomination package by April 30, 2003

Mail to: Ms. Mary Charney

Association of Graduates

3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840-4473 OR

Email as a MS Word attachment to: mary.charney@usafa.af.mil

Questions:

Contact Col. (Ret.) Dick Rauschkolb, ’70, AOG Vice President for External Communications.

Phone: (719) 472-0300

Email: dick.rauschkolb@usafa.af.mil

Distinguished GraduateAward Calendar ofEvents

Sept 2002 - April 2003

Publicize award

Request nominations Deadline for nominations April 30

May - July 2003

Selection committee reviews nominations

August 2003

Selection committee recommends award recipient to Chairman of the Board and U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent

Recipient notified and agrees to accept award at the U.S. Air Force Academy

April 2004

Award presentation ceremony at U.S. Air Force Academy in conjunction with Founders’ Day

Additional information may be found on the AOG Web site at www.aog-usafa.org

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