Checkpoints September 2005

CLASS OF 2009 ARRIVES, SURVIVES AND THRIVES

The brave men and women who serve in our armed forces protect our freedom and the freedom of the world. We honor their courage

Heroes, every one.

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719-472-0300, DSN: 333-2067. FAX: 719-3334194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa.org.) It is provided as part of a membership package ofwhich the magazinesubscriptionannually accounts for $ 10. Single copies ofCheckpoints for members $2.50. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO and additional mailing offices.

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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 theAssociation ofGraduates ofthe products or services advertised. Copyright, Association ofGraduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy, September 2005.

ARC-Lessons Learned

Now that the initial firefight is over and the smoke is clearing, I think it would behoove each of us to ponder some of the tactics used in this skirmish. I applaud the ARC for fighting hard for their principles, and as noted by the election returns, they won on several fronts. I am happy they won their lawsuit on the release of e-mail addresses, as I think it sharpened the discussion, and “knowledge is power.” However, do any of us really believe that our honorable Board of Directors was doing anything more than protecting our e-mail addresses and following the advice of counsel? We must each individually be very careful when accusing any graduate ofunethical conduct.

There are three tactics used by the ARC during this effort that cause me grave concern. The first is taking this “family dispute” outside the membership and to The Gazette. There was nothing to be gained by going to the press other than an attempt to embarrass the AOG and our Board of Directors. At a time when our Academy was reeling from sexual assault and religious intolerance articles, it was very selfish and unprofessional to go outside the family and to the press.

The second tactic I find disturbing is unfairly dragging our President/CEO Jim Shaw’s good name through the mud. Jim Shaw was not on the BOD when the BOD changed the bylaws and did away with popularly elected Directors. He was not anointed President/CEO. The BOD engaged one ofthe very top executive search firms to fill the post vacated by Dick Coppock, and the firm did it pro bono. The entire popularly elected BOD reviewed the findings and unanimously selected Jim Shaw. As I recall, a couple ofthe AlRC founders also applied for the position. The ARC supplied misleading salary/compensation figures to The Gazette on Jim Shaw. And finally, comparing the cost offund rais

ing for mature capital programs with one in its infancy is ridiculous, as anyone with not-for-profit experience should know. These topics should have been ferreted out on our forum, not on the pages of a local newspaper. Attempting to embarrass one of us embarrasses all of us.

And finally, the election itself. Can you imagine the uproar if the BOD had recommended a slate of candidates? And yet, the ARC did just that. It gave an unfair advantage to each on their slate and the results verified it. Ifthe ARC wanted to run a slate, they should have publicly acknowledged it well before candidate letters were due. Their actions placed other candidates at a disadvantage and each ofthe other candidates is due an apology.

One ofthe first lessons in Ethics 101 is: the ends very seldom justify the means. This struggle certainly did not rise to that level. As we go forward and try to find the best governance model for our association, we need to remember the lessons learned from this, at times, uglyfight. I sincerely believe we will be stronger from this referendum, but an organization such as ours must always, always take the high road!

Respectfully,

Openness is key

RodJones, Class of1971

Thank you for publishing information related to the controversy over religious practices at USAFA. I’d heard conflicting rumors and had been wondering what was really happening. It sounds like once again the media microscope that’s always trained on USAFA has magnified and distorted events, forcing our leadership into action more to correct negative perceptions than to fix real serious problems. But still, the issue is a vital one and I find the discussion enlightening.

I particularly enjoyed reading the letters from John Buckley III, ’77, andJohn Michels Jr., ’77. They both touched on critical and often conflicting concerns related religion in the military: the fundamental rights ofreligious expression and free speech vice the need to maintain unity, order, and discipline.

I strongly agree with Mr. Buckley that our constitution protects religious expression in public. This protection applies to all faiths, but our culture seems to have an intolerant bias against evangelistic faiths, espedally evangelical Christians. (This bias is evident in Mr. Michels’ article when he describes how open expressions offaith are not tolerated in the corporate world.)

Our military leaders need to know that the Supreme Court has upheld the protection of public religious expression except in unusual circumstances, such as public schools. Then, ifyou restrict public religious expression you must do it universally. You can’t forbid an activity from one group and allow similar activities from another. Once you start regulating public religious expression, be careful—you can quickly find yourselfin a very complex legalistic quagmire.

I also strongly agree with Mr. Michels that our military commanders must maintain unit cohesion and can not allow religious controversy to disrupt our war fighting capability. The Supreme Court has upheld restrictions on free speech in the area of partisan politics among military members and I’m sure the same rationale applies to religious expression.

Unfortunately, due to our cultural hypersensitivity against religious “proselytizing” we often overreact to religious expression and err on the side ofallowing too little expression instead of too much. Worst ofall, we turn to the ridiculous notion that when military members openly express their faith they are establishing a state religion.

The bottom line for our leaders should be: create an environment of openness and trust where airmen feel free to express their beliefs and if someone offends someone else on religious grounds there’s enough cohesion to voice the offense and work it out without making it a point ofdivision. Ifwe fail to achieve this idealistic state we must restrict controversial expression just enough to restore order in the ranks, no more.

Maj. (Ret.) Roger Deemer, Class of1984

Grad Responds to Religious Respect Article

Despite the darkness that sometimes shadows our beloved institution, mere reflection on its bedrock fundamentals of“honor” and “integrity” tacidy reassures every USAFA grad that the issue pertaining to religious intolerance, like others that have come before it, will be resolved in an appropriate manner. However, Heather Beers article in the last issue of Checkpoints does not provide me the same reassurance and it should give each of us pause. In the article, she reports on the religious intolerance issue at USAEA and what the leadership has done to confront the issue. As many ofyou know, I have been a leading spokesperson/activist for reform on this issue, but nothing has surprised (and saddened) me more than how the issue was presented to the USAFA graduate community in her article. As a matter ofhonor and integrity, I wish to convey irrefutable facts that tell the “rest of the story.” Once you have read this rebuttal, you can judge for yourself what is really going on inside the Zoo with regards to religious intolerance at USAFA.

Chaplain Colonel Michael Whittingtons description of the Academy’s response to what he strategically labels as “religious insensitivity” is charming. Carefully he portrays USAFA leaders as involved and proactive, valiantlystruggling to discover and correct slowlydeveloping cultural conflicts. How could we not be impressed with his determination

and dedication to Constitutional freedoms? With teary-eyed awe, we are led to emote for his commitment to mutual respect and spiritual diversity. Unfortunately we find, as with many a sermonic presentation, the particulars ofthe truth are subsumed in the effervescence ofhis calculatingly theatrical production. Less drama and more attention to factual detail reveal a far different and disturbing account of religious intolerance at USAEA; an account ofsignificant unconstitutional proportions.

Ms. Beer reports that by August 30, 2004, Chaplain Whittington had briefed General Rosa on a “comprehensive three-phase program” to address “incidences ofreligious insensitivity.” Ifthis response was well in hand byAugust 30, 2004, why did the Academy delay implementation of even the first phase oftraining until March 28, 2005?

The truth is, the leadership of the Academy stalled for almost six months on the content and presentation of what became known as RSVP (Respecting the Spiritual Values of All People). The continual suppression tactics ofUSAFA’s Evangelical community rendered many RSVP developmental reviews so hostile they were referred to as “Black Tuesdays.” Conservative Evangelical Chaplains, Air Force Leadership and USAFA faculty members informed RSVP s creative team that they could not use the term “intolerant” or address aggressive Conservative Christian proselytization techniques. Christians were never to be “cast in a bad light.” Buddhist and Native American spiritual expressions were negated as illegitimate or non-instructive examples ofspirituality.

Chaplain Whittington’s mantra that RSVP training is “not about religion, it is about respect” conveniently avoids the truth that the Constitutional issue is very much about religious and spiritual expression. Furthermore, as Chaplain Whittington is very aware, the vast majority of reported religious intolerance at the Academy involves Evangelical Christian bigotry and hostility toward fellow Christians; non-bornagain Christians. It is disingenuous and dishonorable in the extreme to lecture non-Evangelical believers on the need to be more understanding of the religious sensitivities of the Evangelical faithful particularly when this latter group is in command control of almost all aspects of the USAFA corporate structure.. In reality, reports indicate that it is primarily the rigidity ofthe radicalized Evangelical community which is creating an overtly hostile spiritual climate.

Chaplain Whittington discounts the observations and recommendations ofDr. Kristen Leslie, an ordained minister, and the Yale Practicum team. He points out that the team consisted of six students and one professor. True. Yet he fails to mention that these “students” possessed graduate level education and specific pastoral care training far in excess ofthe majority ofUSAFA Chaplains. Dr. Leslie is extremelywell versed in the USAFA environment. In addition, her national credentials and universally acclaimed stature as an expert in pastoral care are above reproach. The report ofthe Yale Team was factually correct and immediately corroborated with AcademyChaplains. Every issue in the report was briefed to all USAFA Chaplains during a July 27, 2004 practicum review, (interestingly, Chaplain Whittington absented himselffrom this briefing.) The fact that for 10 months Whittington failed to appropriately up-channel the clearly alarming findings of the Yale Practicum Team to his boss, Lt. General Rosa, clearly reflects his lack of leadership. ChaplainWhittington’s attempt to demean the significance of the Yale Team report does not alter Whittington’s profound leadership failure. C>

Furthermore, the questions of the Yale Team Report remain unanswered. How is overt, omnipresent proselytization considered to be appropriate pastoral care in the Basic Cadet Training environment? How does an overly emotive appeal by Air Force Officer/Chaplains to stereotypic religious differences among basic cadets and their cadre support the team-oriented mission ofBCT? Can Chaplains not serve Basic Cadets better byencouraging religious understanding and the appreciation ofspiritual difference?

In Ms. Beer’s report, she describes the process of“correcting” USAFA’s “Spiritual landscape” as “unavoidably slow.” Why? What great impediment apparently restricts the Academy’s timely return to Constitutional priorities? Perhaps it is the leadership’s commitment to a profoundly disingenuous and willfully skewed characterization ofthe problem.

For example, Chaplain Whittington would have us believe that each example ofreligious intolerance is just a sample “incident” of isolated (Cadet) misconduct. Befuddled Academy leadership apparently searched in vain for a causal link between these isolated incidents and the continuingly sour spiritual climate. The fact that the majority of reported activities of religious intolerance emanate from a radicalized Evangelical communityseeminglyprovides no revelatory clue? In addition, the confluence of large and powerful, national and international Evangelical organizations around the external perimeter of USAEA and the overwhelmingly welcomed influence of such organizations within

the comprehensive core ofAcademy leadership, as well as throughout the Cadet SPIRE programs, apparently produce a causal sound wave too indistinct to detect? Please! There are none so blind and deaf as those who will not see and hear.

Chaplain Whittington’s recent personal activities provide a profoundly instructive example USAFA’s true religious climate. Apparently, his dedication to personal respect and spiritual diversity is truncated by his commitment to religiously based self-aggrandizement.

As the former Senior StaffChaplain ofthe USAFA Chaplain Service, Chaplain Whittington should have been quite familiar with the Cadet Chapel regulations regarding military retirements and other secular events; the regulation clearly forbids the use of the Cadet Chapel for non-religious proceedings. The regulation goes so far as to specifically declare that a primarily secular military retirement may not be deemed a “religious event” by the inclusion ofa prayer or invocation. The purpose ofthis regulation is two-fold: One, to ensure that the limited resources ofthe Cadet Chapel and the Cadet Chapel staff are provided primarily to Cadets. And two, because of the sectarian limitations of the Cadet Chapel’s unique architecture (worship space may not be rendered spiritually “neutral”), to preserve the specifically spiritual integrity ofCadet Chapel worship space. In other words, this regulation is specifically designed to ensure the Constitutionally-mandated separation between the governmental powers expressed in secular military events as con-

The

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

trasted with individual freedom to worship and express spirituality. Chaplain Whittington, supported this exclusionary regulation in his staff’s refusal of dozens of requests for secular USAFA Chapel use by non-Academy and Academy active duty military personnel, including requests from injured and recently returning war veterans from the Middle East. However, when it came to his own recent retirement, Chaplain Whittington, (a non-grad) planned an elaborate ceremony, complete with high-ranking Air Force dignitaries, to be held in direct violation ofthis regulation in the Protestant level ofthe Cadet Chapel.

To his credit, the current Senior Staff Chaplain, Chaplain Colonel Warren (Randy) Robnett, correctly informed Chaplain Whittington that holding the retirement ceremony in the Cadet Chapel directly violated regulations, and that Chaplain Whittington, accordingly, should make immediate arrangements to hold his retirement ceremony elsewhere. But, Chaplain Whittington did not believe that those petty regulations, supporting the Constitutional separation of church and state, applied to him. Instead, Chaplain Whittington availed himself of his well-developed, cozy power relationships and took his request to the Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service, Chaplain Major General Charles Baldwin (USAFA, Class of 1969). Chaplain Baldwin not only approved the waiver, but also traveled from Washington D.C. to participate in Chaplain Whittington’s retirement. Apparently, for Chaplain Baldwin, idolizing the military career of a fellow Evangelical was far more important than upholding time-honored, sensible regulations, which ensure the proper use of the Cadet Chapel, as well as facilitate the constitutionally appropriate, secular dignity of a military retirement. No surprise there, as Chaplain Baldwin’s Deputy, Brigadier General Cecil R. Richardson, apparently with the bill support of his boss, had publicly announced in an astonishing article published on the front page of the July 12, 2005 New York Times, the following still unrebutted AF policy: that while it would not “proselytize” its members, the United States Air Force would “reserve the right to evangelize the unchurched.” The mind literally boggles at what blatantly unconstitutional, operational definitions would apply to those contextual verbs and nouns. Indeed, as the father of a 2004 USAFA grad and father-in-law of another 2004 USAFA grad (my son’s wife) as well as the father of a current Secondclassman in the USAFA Class of 2007, I now demand to know if any of my three children have been determined by the United States Air Force to be in the undesired “unchurched” category and, if so, does Chaplain Baldwin and his vast staffofhundreds ofAir Force chaplains intend to exercise their “reserved right to evangelize” them?

And herein lies a key to the systemic and pervasive issue ofreligious intolerance at the United States Air Force Academy. Some Conservative Christian Evangelical leaders of the Defense Department, the Air Force, the Air Force Academy and the Air Force Chaplain Service, apparently cannot or will not make appropriate decisions regarding the use oftheir governmental power and position. Instead, command influence and its associated power ofmilitary rank and position is used, time and time again, to privilege events that solely articulate Evangelical themes and solely promote Evangelical perspectives. This government-sponsored aggrandizement of Evangelical religious ideology also noxiously normalizes profoundly unconstitutional expressions of civil religion. Secular military pursuits are legitimated under religious

rubrics wholly inappropriate, indeed unlawfully unconstitutional, in a required pluralistic environment.

When military leaders feel that their personal religious goals and desires may be actualized byengaging and deliberatelyinstrumentalizing networks ofgovernmental power to influence their colleagues and subordinates, the very real dangers anticipated in the carefully constructed clauses ofthe 1 st Amendment andArticle 6 ofthe United States Constitution become abundantly apparent. Cadets, faculty and staff7 are NOT blind and deaf. They clearly see, hear and vibrantly experience the horrendous destruction of unit cohesion and the ready condemnation of spiritualities that fall outside of“approved” Evangelical discourse.

Indeed, all ofthe foregoing is made just that much more exigent and egregious when it is superimposed over the stark, geo-political reality that our nation’s USAFA grads, as an integral part ofour national armed forces, are today engaged in the bloody Global War on Terror. They confront an enemy that already sees us, monolithically, as Christian Crusaders engaged in a cosmic battle against Islam. As a well known commentator recently stated, we need to THINK our way through this international conflagration and not FAITH our way through it.. Certainly, our grand Constitution demands no less.

Regardless ofwhat each of our faiths or “truths” dictate to us as the solution to the serious, unconstitutional, religious intolerance issues at USAFA, we must all remain united on one point; to wit, all that we do, we do in the spirit of cadet development and success of each and every individual we commission and send into the officer corps. We must remind ourselves that this IS NOT their problem. The problem belongs to the leadership. It is also NOT a “religious respect” problem. It is wholly a Constitutional problem. In the spirit ofthe newly unveiled Officer Development System, we mustn’t merely tell the cadets what accountability means, but rather SHOW them. Regardless ofwhat we say, our actions will necessarily define for them the principles ofhonor, integrity and accountability. Time will tell, but time is running out.

Mikey Weinstein, Class of1977

Mr. Weinstein is an attorney, businessman andpolitical activist living in Albuquerque, N.M. Formerly, he served as Assistant General Counsel, White House Office ofAdministration in the Reagan White House and as General Counselfor H. Ross Perot and Perot Systems Corporation. He is an Honor Graduatefrom the USAFA Class of1977.

Malmstrom’s work enlightening

I think Fred Malmstrom, ’64, Visiting Scholar for Honor, deserves a giant “attaboy” for successfullytackling such a Herculean task as chronicling the history ofthe Honor Code. More than just a recitation ofpast facts, his work provides an important perspective; and I hope its significance doesn’t escape the wider graduate community.

As I sat in a cadet lectinar listening to current cadets being quizzed by attendees of our second Graduate Leadership Conference, I was struck again by how ill-informed older grads were concerning the current administration of the Honor Code system. But even more disconcerting was the feelingby some grads that somehow “the school has gone to hell” because things weren’t the same as they remembered them.

The extensive briefings during the GLC concerning the current state ofthe Honor Code system at least brought grads up-to-date as to

how and why the system has changed; but that did little to assuage the lamenting of “how it used to be” by several of those viewing the cadet experience through their dimly recalled “four-year peephole.”

Fred Malmstrom’s work has served to raise the level ofunderstanding of the graduate community to a realization that the administration of the Honor Code system is, has been, and necessarily should be amenable to change. This understanding should go a long way in helping us to accept the notion that producing an honorable graduate is a developmental process, not a pass-fail litmus test administered shortly after entering. Such an understandinghelps us accept such notions as “probation” and “discretion.” Fred Malmstrom should receive our warm congratulations for helping to give us this insight.

Rod

Wells, Class of1964

Correction to Honor Articles

In reference to my April and July 2005 Checkpoints articles, A Brief History of the Honor System—Parts II and III, I was in error when I stated that Rose et. al “lost” their Supreme Court case [Department of the Air Force v. Rose, 425 U.S. 352 (1976)]. In fact, in Rose et al. the U.S. District Court originally found for the Air Force in part, but the finding was reversed by the 2nd Circuit Court ofAppeals and ultimately Rose et al. was upheld in 1976 by the Supreme Court. Honor case summaries were found not to hold the privacy status of medical and personnel files, and to be releasable to the public but only with identifying information removed as requested by Rose. Subsequently, from 1976 on all honor case summaries released to the public would be referred to as “Cadet X Letters.”

In addition, I was in error when I stated that Rose “re-entered this important contest in 1975, this time as a civilian attorney” and that “the Air Force countered Rose by filing a federal suit.” The Air Force did not sue Rose. Rose brought Rose, et. al under the Freedom ofInformation Act in 1972 as a law student while in the Air Force on “excess leave” status, to document his NYU Law Review article about the five service academies’ disciplinary systems.

Michael Rose’s Herculean effort, A Prayer for Relief (1973), presents a powerful, well documented case that cadets and midshipmen were denied due process of law in honor cases. However, his book by itself did not fit the definition of an officially binding legal or scientific finding. Up until 1973, service academy students may well have been guaranteed due process, but the Fifth Amendment guarantee of due process as applied to honor cases was not tested in court and upheld until Andrews v. Knowlton and White v. Knowlton (1975). From this point on, both constitutional rights and the Honor System were to be accepted as undeniable truths.

Indeed, Michael Rose, ’69, went on to represent numerous other cadets who were accused of honor violations. Michael Rose is to be congratulated for his seminal efforts in upholding the rights of cadets and midshipmen. Indeed, not everyone gets to have his case go to the Supreme Court.

My compilation of an accurate history of 50 years of the Honor System is, alas, bound to have inaccuracies. I encourage anyone with direct, factual knowledge ofthe history ofthe Honor System to send me

his or her additions and corrections to fred.malmstrom@usafa.af.mil. In the interests ofaccuracy, we will continue to update, correct, and revise our Checkpoints archives.

FredMalmstrom, Class of1964

AOG'te' YOUR ASSOCIATION f BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Edward E. Legasey, '67, Board Chair

Steve Finch, '65, Vice Chair

Charles P. Garcia, '83, Treasurer

Marianne LaRivee, '80, Secretary

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

Bill Boisture Jr., '67

Mike Christy, '63

Gen. (Ret.) Ed Eberhart, '68

Maj. Edie Edmondson, '92

Steve Finch, '65

Mike Flynn, '95

Col. Marty France, '81

Brig. Gen. (Sel.) Susan J. Helms, '80

William W. Maywhort, '68

Gilbert D. Mook, '67

John T. Moore, '78

Capt. Amber D. O'Grady, '96

Harry J. Pearce, '64

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Alan V. Rogers, '64

Pat Rosenow, '76

Dick Schlosberg, '65

^ 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.

AOG

from the (Board Cshair

Fellow graduates and members ofthe AOG, At our regular meeting in August, we welcomed seven new members to your board. Five were elected in June and two were appointed to fill positions vacated by term limits and the resignation of one board member. Please join me in welcoming to the board ofdirectors: Mike Christy, ’63, Ed Eberhart, ’68, Edie Edmondson, ’92, Steve Finch, ’65, Mike Flynn, ’95, Marty France, ’81, and Pat Rosenow, ’76. All AOG members will benefit from their energy, experience, and enthusiasm.

Also at the meeting, your board elected me to a second term as chairman. I am honored to serve in this capacity and I pledge to work to help our association continuously improve as it pursues its three-prong mission to provide: leadership and service to the graduate community; support for theAcademy mission; and preservation ofinstitutional heritage and traditions. The board then approved the selection of new officers: Steve Finch, ’65, as vice chair, Charles Garcia, ’83, as treasurer and chair ofthe finance committee, and Marianne LaRivee, ’80, as secretary. The board discussed four priorities for this term: (1) Strengthening our alumni relations programs and activities; (2) Updating the AOG strategic plan; (3) Accelerating the “public phase” ofthe BuildingLeaders of Character Campaign; and (4) Completing the governance changes we will make as a result of the recent election and the report of the Blue Ribbon Council (BRC). We welcome your suggestions on these and other matters at any time.

Strengthening Alumni Relations

Alumni relations is a broad umbrella that describes a wide range of activities and services that the AOG affords its members. Working with Gary Howe, the responsible AOG vice president, the alumni relations committee of the board, co-chaired by Susan Helms, ’80, and Steve Finch, is seeking to evaluate existing offerings, understand members’ needs, and provide the best service possible. As a practical matter, our

alumni relations programs suffered somewhat over the past 18 months as resources normally applied in this area were necessarily diverted to work on governance and election issues. Thus, it warrants a high priority now and the board has approved additional resources to be applied in this area

Updating the Strategic Plan

The AOG has a multi-year strategic plan that is an overarching guidance document. The Strategic Planning Committee, which is chaired by Bill Boisture, ’67, is leading an effort to update that plan. This update is timely and of high priority because the plan needs to reflect the important work done by the Strategic Communications Committee last year, the new governance model, priorities gleaned from members at the Graduate Leadership Conferences this year and last year, and recommendations ofthe BRC that are adopted. The committee is now at work developing recommendations to the board regarding the policy recommendations ofthe BRC.

Accelerating the Building Leaders of Character Campaign

The AOG has been engaged for over two years now in the leadership phase of a major campaign to raise private funds to support the Air Force Academy. This campaign, Building Leaders ofCharacterfor the Nation, has raised over $20 million on the way to a goal of $100 million. During the leadership phase, sometimes called the “quiet or nucleus” phase, the primary communications about the needs of the campaign have been directed to a relatively small group of members who are asked to make “leadershipgifts” to give momentum to the campaign. Many ofyou have given generously in response to these requests, and the Academy and the AOG are most grateful for your generosity. Typically, the leadership phase of a major fund raising campaign would

continue until about 50 percent ofthe target has been raised. However, since many ofyou have heard something about the campaign, without us yet communicating a clear, comprehensive picture ofall the reasons for the campaign to all members—indeed, all graduates and friends— the Campaign Steering Committee, co-chaired by Harry Pearce, ’64, and Dick Schlosberg, ’65, has recommended and the board approved accelerating to the next “public” phase as quickly as possible. So you will soon see much more communication about the campaign. Since this is the first major fund raising campaign by the AOG, many of our members do not currently have a sound understanding ofthe need for significant private funds to support a public institution like the Academy. So one of the key focal points of the communications package will be to explain that need clearly. The bottom line is the government simply does not fund all the programs the Academy needs to remain one of the nations premier institutions of higher learning. Our sister service academies at West Point and Annapolis recognized this almost ten years ago and each has raised over $200 million to enhance their programs. They have a long tradition of private giving; it’s now time for USAFA graduates and supporters to make the same commitment. More to follow.

Completing Governance Changes

The board adopted changes to the bylaws and a transition plan in August 2004 that now have the AOG on a path to a board with the majority ofits directors competitively elected. The recent election offive new directors was indeed a step on that path. The Blue Ribbon Council appointed by the board also made recommendations that would further change the governance model. The board sought and received member comments on the BRC report, and discussed the report at the board meeting. The board immediately implemented the recommendation to form a Governance Committee led by the Board Vice Chair Steve Finch, with A1 Rogers, ’64, as a co-leader. The committee’s first task, to be reported at the November meeting, is to review the BRC recommended bylaws changes and transition plan and then formulate specific plans for proceeding to a membership vote. While the board has pledged to present the BRC report to the membership in its entirety, it may make its own comments on the BRC conclusions after the careful review being led by the Governance Committee. In accordance with the recent referendum vote, which established that future bylaws changes must be approved by the members, this process ultimately will result in a ballot to be presented to the membership for approval. The committee and the board understand that it is important to proceed in a timely, but deliberate, manner on this.

The Association of Graduates hosted the second Graduate Leadership Conference (GLC) in late July. By all measures it was a success. The superintendent and the senior Academy staff spent considerable time with about 115 graduates. Grads also visited Jacks Valley training where they saw “up close and personal” basic cadets running the obstacle, assault, and confidence courses. The AOG Town Meeting proved very beneficial as it provided the new board members with a chance to hear from the membership. The major purpose of GLC is communications—to listen to graduates and inform them about events at the Academy with the hope they will take that information back to their communities, chapters, or civic groups and share their perceptions of

what is going on at their Academy. We hope they will take the initiative to counter negative press by highlighting all the great achievements of our cadets. A transcript of the minutes and excerpts from feedback are posted on the AOG Web site.

This summer the Academy put a new emphasis on getting the cadets out into the “real Air Force.” As you will see in this magazine, the cadets learned a lot and also contributed to the real world mission in a meaningful way. Ninety-nine cadets went to the Middle East and experienced first-hand what our active duty young men and women are enduring in the Global War on Terrorism.

Recently, the Academy welcomed Maj. Gen. (Sel.) Irving L. “Irv” Halter, ’77, who has assumed the Academy’s new vice superintendent position. He joins the Academy team following concurrent tours as the Deputy Director for National Systems Operations, the Joint Staff, and Deputy Director for MilitarySupport, National Reconnaissance Office, Wash., D.C. General Halter is a command fighterpilot with more than 3,100 flight hours. He has served as an operational commander at the squadron, group and wing levels. And, he is a veteran of Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort and Enduring Freedom. In this new role, General Halter will provide continuity of leadership both as the Academy transitions to a new superintendent, and when the superintendent, as a universitypresidentequivalent, is involved in activities outside the Academy. Please join me in welcoming Irv and his wife Judy in their new assignment.

Also please join me in congratulating Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, ’73, who has been nominated by the president to be the Academy’s new superintendent. General Regni is commander ofAir University at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. His career has encompassed a wide range of personnel, training and command assignments, and he has served at base, numbered air force, major command, Air Staff and joint unified command levels. Prior to his current assignment, General Regni served as commander of2nd Air Force. The board looks forward to welcoming him and his wife, Debby, and working with him as he assumes the leadership of our beloved Academy.

As some of you are aware, the Air Force is currently overmanned by almost 4,300 junior officers. As a result, lieutenants who wash out of their “initial skills” training—i.e., intelligence, communications, maintenance, pilot training—are being told they have to leave the Air Force. These officers are being given several options—join the Guard/Reserve (if they can find an opening), go blue to green (i.e., join the Army), or apply for an inter-service transfer to the Marines/ Navy. Recently, Civil Service was added as an option. The AOG has voiced its concern with this policy to the Air Staff. Any graduates who are affected by this policy are invited to contact AOG Communications Vice President Dick Rauschkolb for assistance. You can reach him at Dick.Rauschkolb@aogusafa.org or (719) 472-0300.

Finally, I would like to personally thank Congresswoman Kay Granger who wrote her congressional colleagues a letter (see page 20) urging them to support the Academy. We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Granger’s support of our alma mater and her hard work on behalfofthe Academy while serving on the Board ofVisitors.

Thanks,

Ted Legasey, ’67

Photos by Ken Wright

his is my last opportunity as superintendent to update you on the remarkable accomplishments ofyour Academy. As you read in July, Donna and I have accepted the presidency ofThe Citadel and will be departing sometime this fall. As I look back on these past two years, I am pleased by our progress—great progress attributable to great people. You, our staff, faculty, and certainly our cadets made it happen. More on this later, but for now an update.

In my previous letter, I introduced three focus areas to guide us on our journey to enhance the climate and culture at our Academy. We educate and train our cadets to become officers and leaders of character for the nation. As we do so, we focus and orient on the operational Air Force in every way possible, emulating the same processes and standards. Along the way, we continually assess and improve to gauge our progress and make

meaningful course corrections. The Training Wing, under the able leadership of our commandant, Brig. Gen. JohnnyWeida, provides many opportunities for a cadet to develop leadership and character skills. Keep in mind, however, officer development transcends any individual cadet mission area. We take every opportunity to develop leaders, regardless whether it’s on the athletic field, parade field, or in the classroom.

EDUCATE STRAIN

You’ve read about our Academy’s Officer Development System in previous issues. ODS is designed to produce officers of character who espouse the qualities essential to serving the nation—integrity, selflessness and excellence. ODS ties direcdy with our Air Force core values. While the four-class system is proving itself admirably in meeting ODS objectives, I want to share with you some spe-

Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa

USAF photo

“Educating and training cadets to be leaders of character and principle includes imbedding a culture of honor, fairness and sacrifice.”

cific changes we’ve made in the spirit ofdeveloping our nations future leaders.

In a survey we sent to our 2001 through 2003 graduates and their raters, a majority of the grads indicated their best leadership training came from the leadership positions they held in the cadet wing. In response, we reorganized the cadet wing to increase squadron leadership positions over three-fold. This new structure provides leadership opportunities for cadets first class at an organizational or flight level, cadets second class at the team or element level, and cadets third class at the interpersonal or noncommissioned officer level. This new system also gives leadership credit where due, whether in the squadron, on the flight-line, in the laboratory or on the athletic fields.

The Commandants Challenge in the fall and Pinnacle exercise in the spring continue to

challenge cadets to their physical and mental limits, while instilling teamwork. Collectively, they achieve more—no cadet alone will learn the value of these team-focused exercises. Though these Air Force skills-related events mark significant stages in the fourth classmens experience, all four classes participate and benefit.

We’ve also enhanced the Basic CadetTraining program. By all accounts, it’s tougher and more professional than ever, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Just ask any of our graduates who observed BCT during the Graduate Leadership Conference in July. The Class of2009 endured 16 days in Jacks Valley and was the beneficiary of a new unarmed combat course, a Self Aid and Buddy Care course, and four forced marches.

Clearly, all of us want cadets with sharp appearance,peakperformanceandunmatched

professionalism. To help reach these goals, we brought back some traditions and leadership opportunities. Silver Weekends again include a Saturday Morning Inspection, an In-Ranks Inspection, and a parade. We’ve also revived Wednesdayparades, providing more opportunities to perfect drill and ceremonies.

Educating and training cadets to be leaders of character and principle includes imbedding a culture of honor, fairness and sacrifice. We’ve made great progress in this endeavor and we will continue on this noble path. You may recall our Respecting the Spiritual Values of all People (RSVP) program, introduced in the previous Checkpoints issue. We have completed the first phase of the program where cadets, faculty, and staff throughout the installation are made aware of religious respect concerns brought to light by our own climate surveys and various other data points. The next step is to educate all personnel on world religions, to include the tenets or beliefs of each, and challenge cadets to use what they learned, especially how to accommodate the beliefs held by their subordinates right now and ultimately when they become officers.

FOCUS & ORIENT

The cadet experience should resemble our operational Air Force as much as possible. An operational training environment is good for our cadets, and it’s good for the units they’ll serve in as young officers. Our goal is to provide operational units a “full up round.”

Toward this end, we’ve taken several monumental steps to focus and orient cadets on the operational Air Force.

Until recendy, cadet interaction with the professional noncommissioned officer corps was limited at best. I’m sure you’ll agree cadets need to appreciate this critical part of our force and understand the Air Force is a team.

We must prepare our future leaders now to work with and learn from our professional enlisted force. So, we’ve increased cadet exposure to the NCO corps in a number ofways. We increased Academy MilitaryTrainers, previously known as Military Training Leaders, from one to two per cadet squadron. That’s 36 more NCOs visibly demonstrating and living the professionalism and competence of enlisted service. Additionally, we added a diamond-wearing first sergeant to each cadet group. And, as part of Operation Air Force, we sent 1,061 cadets third class to bases worldwide to work alongside Airmen and NCOs to gain an appreciation for the enlisted culture and the value ofteamwork.

Another great resource we provide our cadets is the recent and relevant operational experience shared by our faculty and staff. Therefore, we have limited faculty and staff tours to three years with very few exceptions. This will result in a constant influx ofofficers with fresh experiences and up-to-date skills to share with cadets. Several members of our faculty and staff are deploying, too, many in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In fact, six Bronze Stars have been earned by our Academy warriors.

Our faculty and staff aren’t the only ones deploying. This summer, as part of our revamped Operation Air Force, 99 cadets spent a month or more in places like A1

Udeid Air Base, Qatar and Al Dafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, working side-byside with our Air Force professionals. Those Firsties who didn’t go to the desert capitalized on opportunities to work at other bases, learning about their selected career fields. Cadets second class got a first-hand look at potential career fields. In all, we sent 2,456 First-, Second-, and Third-class cadets to 73 bases in eight major commands. Feedback from these bases has been extremely favorable, a testament to the professionalism and competence of our cadets.

To give cadets more time to focus and prepare for their specific career fields and to allow more time for security clearance processing required for career fields like space, missiles and intelligence, we successfullyexpedited the Air Force SpecialtyCode classification process. In fact, the Class of2006 received theirAFSCs in the spring oftheir Second-Class year, rather than waiting until the fall. A look at theAFSC breakout for this class shows consistency with our operational Air Force. The rated fields continue to garner the lion’s share with 59 percent destined for pilot, combat systems operator (formerly known as navigator), or air battle manager training. Non-rated operations, to include space and missiles, captured five percent, while mission support and acquisitions gained six percent each. Scientist and engineering fields took five percent and eight percent respectively, and intelligence reaped three percent. Finally, communications, logistics, and security forces correspondingly took four percent, three percent, and one percent.

Our Air Force has evolved from an air force to an air and space force. I’m pleased to report your Academy is not only on board with this evolution, but we’re taking on a leadership role in becoming a premier institution for air and space professionals. Ofnote, our Dean of Faculty has created a Space Operations major area ofstudy. We’re also in the midst ofbuilding a space operations education laboratory where cadets can explore and conduct operations at the tactical and operational levels just as they would in a space operations center. At the strategic level, we’re in the initial stages of creating a center for space and defense studies to build an intellectual foundation for space

and better define a space policy studies curriculum for higher education. All these efforts will help develop Air Force officers with a vocation for space.

ASSESS & IMPROVE

While we educate and train our cadets with a focus on the operational Air Force, we continually assess where we are in order to map an even better future. To this end, we conducted and have been the subject of numerous internal and external surveys and inspections. The accomplishments 1’ve mentioned are just a sample ofthings were doing to make this toprated institution even better. I’ll focus on the more recent assessments to let you know how were doing.

Rest assured your Academy is staffed by extremely competent and professional people throughout our mission areas. I could not be more pleased by the results of our Unit Compliance Inspection, conducted by the Air Force Inspector General last spring. The training wing, dean of faculty, athletic directorate, air base wing, and our headquarters were rated Excellent across the board! This is an uncommon occurrence, to say the least. In my 32 years in the Air Force, this is the first time I’ve seen results like this.

As a result of religious respect concerns revealed in our own surveys, the Air Force directed an assessment led by Air Force Deputy ChiefofStafffor Personnel, Lt. Gen. Roger Brady. This assessment confirmed what we had already discovered, concluding we have a religious climate that does not involve overt religious discrimination. However, the assessment did find this climate may not always accommodate the religious needs of all Academy members and, at times, may have suffered from a lack of awareness of the line between permissible and impermissible expression of beliefs. Our three-phase RSVP program, already in progress, coupled with adjustments to our training program, is steadily resolving these issues over time.

Finally, the graduate survey I mentioned earlier focuses on the caliber of officers and leaders, in terms of character and leadership, your Academy is producing. Of the raters who responded to the survey, 75 percent of

Academy grads were placed in the top halfof all company grade officers they rated. These ratings are certainly favorable. However, I know we can do even better and fully believe were on track to do so.

THANKS AND FAREWELL

In my final days here, I want to express my deep and heartfelt appreciation to you for your continued interest and support ofyour Academy. Active participation and support by the graduate community, parents and friends of theAcademy is on the rise. This is great to see. At our recent Graduate Leadership Conference, the recurring question was, “What can we do to help?” The answer to that question is to stay involved and spread the good word about the great things your Academy is doing. I offer my special thanks to the Association of Graduates for the excellent relationship we’ve

shared over the past two years. Their support of you and your Academy has been nothing short ofoutstanding.

On a personal note, accepting the presidency ofThe Citadel was not a rash or easy decision for my family and me. While the USAFA team has certainly made great progress over the last two years, there is still work left to do. Though I had every intention of continuing for a couple more years, I had to consider the needs of my family who’ve been with me every step of the way. I owe this to them. So, with sincerest intentions, I bid you and the Academy farewell and best wishes in continued excellence. It has been an absolute honor and privilege for Donna and me to serve. S

TRUE L U E

Name: C1C Lindsey Lee Bergeron

Class: 2006 (RTBs!)

Cadet Squadron: CS-28 Blackbirds

Hometown: North Bend, WA

Major: Biology

Extracurricular Activities: Bluebards (drama) and Cadet Choral and Wing Director of Public Affairs

Favorite Aircraft: A-10 Warthog

Air Force Goal: Right now my Air Force Specialty Code is In-

ut I would eventually like to go to medical school to work in cardiology if possible!)

SMy father, James Bergeron. He is a fire chief, nany years of hard work and disappointment to jt he never gave up and always encourages me an, even when i get down, ggest cheerleader and has shown me that loving your family and putting your heart and soul into everything you do is what makes life worthwhile.

Favorite USAFA Memory: Recognition day! As much as Recognition itself couldn't be called a “favorite thing I did,” finishing t was one of the best feelings i have ever had. The pride end relief of knowing that you had made it and put up with everything that had been dished out to you for nine months .'.as a feeling that won’t be forgotten when I recall my time a: USAFA. |

Tempered Steel

The Three Wars of Triple Air Force Cross Recipient Jim Kasler

By Lt. Col. (Ret.) Peggy Carnahan (Dennis), ’80

The telling ofCol. (Ret.) James H. Kaslers story is long overdue. Perry Luckett and Charles Byler have crafted an excellent biography that recounts the military career ofthis highly-decorated warrior and conveys that strength of his character, exemplified by “tempered steel.”

Raised in the Midwest, Jim Kasler joined the Army Air Corps in World War II as a young B-29 gunner. Upon returning home after the war, he attended college and repeatedly applied to the US Air Force to become a pilot at the dawning of the jet age. He completed training in the F-86 in time to deploy to the front lines ofthe Korean conflict. There, he became one ofthe first jet aces in 1952 with a total of six MiG kills and two damaged. Following the Korean Conflict, Kasler became an instructor at Nellis AFB, Nev., then became the project officer for the new F-100 fighter. After an exchange tour with the Canadian Royal Air Force, he returned to flying the F-100 at several bases before transitioning into the F-105 fighter in time for the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War.

The F-105 took Kasler to Vietnam. On August 8, 1966 Kasler was shot down on his 91st mission while directing rescue efforts for a downed wingman. The ejection from his F-105 left him with a badly damaged leg. For more than six years his captors continually and viciously tortured him. Known to withstand great cruelty without uttering a sound, Kasler repeatedly refused to accept favors or appear for propaganda purposes. After his homecoming, Kasler concluded his Air Force career as the vice wing commander at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, flying the F-l 11 fighter/ bomber then went on to a successful second career as the owner ofSouth Shore GolfCourse in Momence, III.

TemperedSteelis a documentary ofone ofthe keyfigures of the U.S. Air Forces early years who spent more than six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Its third- person style is comfortable and reminiscent of a group ofwarriors sitting around the Officers Club, telling stories. Luckett and Byler focus on Kaslers POW experiences and detail the torture at the hands ofthe North Vietnamese such that the reader gains renewed respect for Kasler and his fellow POWs. The pages devoted to Kaslers post-Vietnam life concentrate more on his personality and character, and how the POW experience changed the man emotionally and physically.

An added bonus is the appendix where Col. Kasler gives his personal views on a myriad ofsubjects, from Vietnam to the present-day conflict in Southwest Asia, from family to character. These reflections ofa battle-tested warrior are fascinating. His essays on “Honestyand Integrity” and “Honor and Dignity” should be mandatory reading for every cadet, officer and Airman at the Academy. In this time ofturmoil at theAcademy, his words reflect what should be the central tenets ofall leadership and character training.

The only critical observation I have about this biography is that the reader may sometimes want more information and detail. Photographs and illustrations are used sparingly. Maps would greatly benefit the reader during discussions ofmissions in Korean and Vietnam. Also, the story is told with a certain amount of restraint expected of a man who believes that he did nothing extraordinary—that he was only doing his duty. Consequently, some of the most intriguing details ofKaslers personal experiences are gracefully omitted. This approach doesn’t weaken the story; it just leaves the reader wanting more.

In the “Afterword” Admiral James Stockdale calls Jim Kasler “an indestructible man” who survived because of his “tremendously strong character.” This book’s lessons are timeless and extremely applicable to today’s military and political environment. This incredible story is a must-read for every cadet, graduate and warrior. IS

Potomac Books (www.potomacbooks.com)

ISBN 1-57488-834-X

CHECKPOINTS, SEPTEMBER 2005

By Wayne Amann AcademySpirit

Photo by Danny Meyer

Maj. Gen. (Sel.) Irving L. “Irv” Halter, ’77, recently arrived to assume the Academy’s new Vice Superintendent position. He joins the Academy team following concurrent tours as the Deputy Director for National Systems Operations, the Joint Staff, and Deputy Director for Military Support, National Reconnaissance Office, Wash., D.C.

The general is a command fighter pilot with more than 3,100 flight hours who’s served as an operational commander at the squadron, group and wing levels. General Halter is a veteran of Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort and Enduring Freedom.

The southern New Jersey native shared his views July 13 with the Academy Spirit.

Spirit: How does it feel to return to your alma mater?

General Halter: It’s not like the good old days, even though there are a lot of similarities. I was anxious to see how much has changed. Graduating 28 years ago and 32 years after basic training, you get chills. You watch what the young men and women are going through and you go, whew, I remember that. The concentration on basic training and the comprehensiveness of the training stand out. It’s much more deliberate and thought through now. I really like that.

If anyone thinks the training has gotten easier they need to watch what’s going on. Talking to the basics and watching the cadre operate I see total professionals. Graduates need to remember it’s just as tough and in some ways tougher because these kids come down a lot further than we had to. I left three TV channels at home on only one TV

I didn’t have my own phone, no computer, most of us didn’t have cars, etc. We take away a lot more things when they first start here, so in many ways it’s a bigger adjustment. I’m really taken by the effort of the staff here. They’ve been through a lot of challenges but are committed to doing this right. I’m also impressed by the graduate community. Even a lot of nongraduates have written wishing us well and to say how much they care about our Academy. People may not always agree with what we’re doing here but they sure have an interest. It’s pretty amazing.

Spirit: What do you bring to the table from your Air Force operational background?

General Halter: When I arrived here right after Viet Nam we had a lot offolks who had been in the war as pilots, naviga-

tors or support personnel. They were my great motivators. They would stop the English class and talk to me about an operational mission over the north. I cared about academics but in the daily grind ofwhat happens here those guys kept my interest, they made a difference.

I’m very fortunate the Air Force gave me opportunities to command at several levels. I’ve been to war, flew combat sorties, I know what that’s about. I can look at these kids and say here’s how the training you’re getting now is preparing you for the things to come, so hang in there, it’s worth it. When I’m tired I may wonder why am I still doing this?

Fact is, not I, my wife or family regret a moment ofthis. IfI could do it all over again, make 10-times the money, I wouldn’t give it up for the world. This is a great way to make a living. Flying upside down is cool. Space operations is very cool. Our Air Force is doing neat, interesting things. Cadets will find a lot of fun, even though life at the Academy may not always be fun. All of us are called upon to remind others, especially on tough days, what it is they’re doing.

What I’ve done doesn’t make me special, but it allows me to relate to folks, tell them I know what it’s like to be in Afghanistan. Here’s why it’s important you do the particular thing you’re doing.

Spirit: How do you view patriotism in our country given current world events?

General Halter: When I came here in ’73 we could not go downtown by ourselves, in uniform or out, because your haircut made you stick out. I remember we were different in the eyes of people who didn’t know us. They thought less of us because of what we were doing. We went to certain universities for a football game and were told not to go anywhere alone, stick together.

Even though Vietnam had just finished, there was still a large anti-war movement. It’s a whole different ballgame now. Being a military member is held in such high esteem. The entire country knows what we’re askingpeople to do. Although there are differing opinions about how and what were involved in, it’s great to know no one is questioning the integrity, the selflessness and character of the American military. It’s a wonderful thing to have people behind you. It makes a big difference.

Spirit: How do you perceive America’s perception ofthe Academy?

General Halter: This year we’ve had well over 9,000 qualified folks apply for admission, a huge crop. The standards have not changed. We’re still getting the kind ofpeople we want here. I see nothing but good there. You talk to families and there’s intense pride. I know this. My father passed away last December.

When we used to walk into an airport within 30 minutes there weren’t 50 people who didn’t know I went to the Air ForceAcademy. Even when I became a general, that’s the first thing he told them. To go to a service academy, especially for middleAmerica, is still a big deal. It’s not because the great education is free or the character development is great but because we develop the whole person.

A lot of colleges claim to do that and a lot try, but very few can show they do that. We can. The trials we’ve been through the last twothree years have focused us even more to take care of the whole person, develop leaders of character. There’s incredible cooperation here, especially at the senior level. Everyone is on board. They all get it. They know why we’re here. They’re absolutely dedicated to making sure we do it right.

Spirit: While the selection process for a new superintendent is underway are you ready to carry on what Gen. Rosa established?

General Halter: The reason the vice superintendent position was created at this rank was to ensure the momentum we started the last couple years continued, through the transition ofpersonalities and because the Superintendent is a universitypresident. A lot ofhis time is spent away from the Academy.

It’s hard to be the boss and keep that momentum going, even ifyou’re a commandant or dean, if you’re not there. The acting Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Dominguez, told me to keep the continuity going. If there’s a gap in the transition process the good news is I’m here. I’m learningeverything I can because the place has changed a lot. All the folks here are dedicated to developing cadets into leaders ofcharacter.

My job is to be the home team that’s watching what’s going on, making sure we don’t miss anything along the way. I’m glad I’m here with General Rosa, who I’ve known for quite a while. He’s a great officer who’s done great work here and is teaching me the ropes (along) with generals Weida and Born and Dr. Mueh.

I purposely got here two days before the new class arrived, less than three weeks after I was told to be here. I wanted to watch how all this went so I could be part of it. General Weida and I have been leading the 3- and 5-mile walks. With everything that goes on this is an opportunity for me to keep the ball rolling.

Spirit: What can the Academy expect from the new vice superintendent?

General Halter: I’ve been a boss before. I haven’t been a vice boss before. That takes a little different talent. You still need to be a leader, but lead quiedy, understand your boss’s vector and be the guy who translates that. You make sure the boss gets all he needs but no more than he needs because he’s a busyguy. He can’t make every decision here and he doesn’t want to. I’m going to figure out what can I do to make him more effective in his job.

I told the senior staffrecently as I get older I’m not going to teach cadets physics, that’s a bad idea. I’m not the civil engineerwho makes sure the plumbing works, the person ensuring militaryfamilyhousing is okay, the person making sure someone gets paid or the AOC (Air Officer Commanding) staying up overnight with a sick cadet or a family to resolve a problem. Myjob is to make the jobs ofeveryone who takes care ofthis place easier.

When people see me at orientations and stuff I want them to be honest with me. Tell me what their issues are. What’s good about your job and what can be better? What resources do you need? I cannot promise anyone I can change anything. I can promise, if they convince me of their cause, I’ll get back to the boss and maybe give him options to address issues.

The bottom line mission here is as important as the day-to-day mission in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the operational Air Force. In some ways it may be the most important. We’re building the future of the Air Force and that’s a sacred trust. There’s no better place to do it than the Academy.

Everyone here is part of that mission. If you’re having a bad day go to one of the overlooks or the terrazzo, ifyou’re allowed to, watch what’s going on and remind yourself why you’re here. That will keep you going. It keeps me going. B

Recently, Congresswoman Kay Granger of Texas' 12th District wrote the following letter to her colleagues in Congress voicing support of the U.S. Air Force Academy and its leadership.

The Association of Graduates thanks Congresswoman Granger for her hard work and participation on the Academy's Board of Visitors and for her strong support of the Air Force Academy.

KAY GRANGER

12th District, Texas

WASHINGTON OFFICE: 440 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING

D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5071 FAX: (202) 225-5683

APPROPRIATIONS

SUBCOMMITTEES:

DEFENSE

LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION

Congress of tlje ®mtel> States! fjousfe of i&eprestentattbe#

SUITE

407 1701 RIVER RUN ROAD

WORTH, TX 76107 (817) 338-0909

SUPPORT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Dear Colleagues,

I feel compelled to bring to your attention a matter ofnational concern. I am a former teacher and education is a top priority for me. Because ofmy deep personal commitment, I have served on the Boards of a number ofeducational institutions, and I currently serve as a member ofthe United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors. The Board, under the strong leadership of former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, is as engaged and attentive as any Board on which I have served. Other Congressional members on the Board are Senator Wayne Allard, Senator Larry Craig, Senator Mark Pryor, RepresentativeJoel Hefley, and Representative Carolyn Kilpatrick. From our vantage point, we have had a clear view of the cultural problems that surfaced at USAFA, as well as the response by both the Air Force and USAFA leadership.

Let me state this clearly-I have never seen an institution face its problems more courageously, examine itself more carefully, and set goals to achieve change more clearly than USAFA. After the report was issued from the commission on sexual assault headed by former colleague Tillie Fowler, the administration, staff, Board, and cadets made enormous changes at the Academy, and the efforts should be a model for institutions throughout the nation. Lieutenant GeneralJohn Rosa, USAFA Superintendent, has exercised tremendous leadership since he took command ofthe Academy inJuly 2003. General Rosa deserves nothing but praise for leading the USAFA through this difficult time and I am grateful for his service.

The problem of religious intolerance and discrimination was discovered through student surveys initiated by the Academy and that problem is being addressed; however, I cant state clearly enough that the resulting media coverage has blown this issue completely out ofproportion.

Like any institution ofhigher learning, USAFA faces those cultural challenges prevalent among youth in America today. The difference is that dedicated Air Force and USAFA leadership are identifying and addressing the tough issues such as sexual assault and religious intolerance in an open and forthright manner-while their smallest actions are dissected and analyzed under the national microscope. Identifying the right solutions for USAFA is even more difficult because they must maintain that critical balance between a military institution and a university. Ifwe onlyheld USAFA to the same standard as a civilian university then there would be no cause for concern. In actuality, the USAFA campus is undoubtedly one ofthe safest in America. I only wish other universities would follow in their strong lead. The fact is the USAFA is light years ahead of most universities in addressing and resolving these issues. The United States Air Force Academy should be praised, not criticized.

Unfortunately, those most hurt by overzealous criticism are the cadets themselves. I am very concerned about the long-term impact this excessively negativepublicitywill have on these bright, energetic young people from all over America who are dedicating themselves to the service ofour Nation. The steady stream of untrue, and sometimes oudandishly unfair, assertions leave the totally inaccurate impression of routine rapes and rampant proselytizing. This negative atmosphere takes an undeserved toll on the cadets (and the faculty and staffwho mentor them). They should be totally focused on learning to be the best officers they can, rather than being distracted by the constant bombardment in the media that unjusdy sullies their reputations. These are young men and women we appointed-and they are great individuals. Ifyou have any doubt what I am telling you is true, I strongly urge you to personally visit your Air Force Academy. You will return proud ofUSAFA, its leadership, and the cadets.

Please join me in spreading the truth. The United States Air Force Academy is a national jewel. The cadets are among the finest young men and women America has to offer. Air Force and USAFA leadership are out ahead boldly addressing critical national issues and for that they deserve our support and praise; not criticism.

Sincerely,

Kay Granger Member of Congress

The Secret Life of Waldo F. Dumbsquat

by Don Hall, 76

95

exclaimed C/4CWaldo F. Dumbsquat.

“What’s up?” queried his roommate, Regs Buch.

The freshmen sat at their desks and peered out the dorm window at the snow gently falling into the quad below. The first winter storm ofthe season blanketed USAFA.

“I just don’t seem to have enough time to get everything done!” lamented the doolie.

“Like what?” asked Regs, pretending to be interested.

“Well, I’ve got homework ...”

“Of, course.”

“Then there’s military stuff ...”

“That goes without saying.”

“Sports ...”

“Part of the ‘whole man’ concept.”

“Spiritual development ...”

“Don’t say that too loud, Waldo. You may be passed over for recognition.”

Waldo frowned.

“So how do I put ten pounds in a five pound AWOL bag?”

Regs smiled knowingly. He reached into a desk drawer and drew out a thin, worn paperback book. He waved it excitedly at his friend.

“This small tome is the answer to every harried cadet’s plea for help!”

A puzzled Waldo stared at the book.

“Okay, I give. What is it?”

“Jane’s Guide to Cadet Time-savers. The subtitle is How to Drink from the Academy Firehose.”

“Catchy title. What’s it about?”

“Everything a cadet could possibly want to know about Academy short cuts is in this book.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

Waldo pondered the gold mine his roommate held in his hand. Anything that could help him catch up would be invaluable. His element sergeant was constantly on his case. “What are some of the suggestions?”

“Let’s say you don’t have time to go to the barbershop and there’s an inspection in the morning.”

“Okay ...”

“The book recommends you wear a watch cap all night and pack your hair down.”

Waldo marveled at the simplicity. “Tell me more.”

“No time to have a frayed trouser pocket repaired? Blue magic marker.”

“Gosh!”

“The laundry detail delivers your bags and you don’t have time to fold clean clothes—dump them in the laundry bin or overhead locker!”

“A true timesaver!”

“Can’t find the time to shine parade shoes? Leave the rubber overshoes on them.”

“Got any others?”

“Don’t ever sleep on your AMI bed—just leave it made and sleep on top. Never untie your tie—just slip in on and off. Buy corfams.”

Reeling from the onslaught of knowledge, an amazed Waldo got up from his desk. He walked to his closet and pulled out his Alpha blouse. He needed to get it ready for tomorrow’s Saturday morning inspection. As he brushed at the lint, one ofthe buttons leaped off and rolled under the bed.

“I don’t have time to sew that back on!” whined Waldo.

Regs calmly strolled to his side.

“Relax. Use one ofmine. Aside from the slide rule, this is the cadet’s best friend. It’s number 37 in the book.”

Waldo took the offering.

It was a safety pin. H

SERVING

AND NEITHER DO WE

You lead two lives. And each one demands 100% from you. So you need someone fighting for you on the issues that countpay, health insurance, benefits. Rest easy. MOAA has been championing the interests of officers and their families for 75 years.

MOAA fights for you in Washington and provides a host of vital resources and benefits that serve the needs of officers and their families. But to remain strong, we need the support of every officer. Why not add your voice to MOAA? Sign up now for the special introductory price of only $12.

Join now. Call (866)739-3016 or visit www.joinmoaa.org/usafa.

When actor Robin Williams played an Armed Forces Radio disc jockey in the hit movie Good Morning Vietnam he brought to America’s attention in his own satirical way, the two-pronged mission of military broadcast-

ING TO INFORM AND ENTERTAIN. In THAT SAME DUAL VEIN, THE ACADEMY’S OWN RADIO STATION, KAFA104.3 FM, fills the local airwaves with, AS ITS MOTTO SAYS, ‘SONIC INDEPENDENCE.’

“Were independent from mainstream radio. We don’t play the same songs you hear around the country,” said station student advisor Dave West, a 20-year commercial radio veteran from Abilene, Texas. “I hold our cadets to much more stringent rules than the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) because we’re here.” Signal strength is a concern because of the Academy’s hilly terrain. The station first signed on the air, according to its archives, in early 1971 with a radiated power of 10 watts.

After some downtime it began transmitting again on February 13, 1987, and now broadcasts with 20 watts from second floor studios in Vandenberg Hall, under the organizational umbrellas of Cadet Wing Media and the 34th Training Wing. By comparison, civilian radio stations broadcast with upwards of 30,000 watts.

“Improving the signal is our biggest issue,” Mr. West admitted. “It’s tough to get us on certain areas ofthe Academy. In Gleneagle and Briargate the signal’s great. At the airfield, Falcon Stadium and Sijan Hall you can’t get it. My mission is to garner support to improve that situation now that we have a facility that puts out a good product.” KAFA’s control room was rebuilt last year and now sports a state-of-the art, digitally computerized operation. Long gone are the days ofrecords, turntables and reel-to-reel tape recorders Williams used as the irreverent DJ in Good Morning Vietnam.

By Wayne Amann, Academy Spirit

“We don’t have to use the Emergency Alert System because we’re different from commercial radio,” he explained. “But we monitor it so if there’s a tornado warning, a thunderstorm warning, or a child abduction, you’ll hear it on KAFA automatically. Our goal is to make this what a radio station is supposed to be—a source for needed information, while being entertaining.” Equipment aside, the true pulse of 104.3 FM lies in its cadet staff. Every position, from general manager, program director and music director to all the disc jockeys, is manned by cadets. They run the station and come up with creative ideas while Mr. West provides the how-to guidance. “I make sure they don’t go the (New York-based shock jock) Howard Stern mode,” he joked. “Last year we had as many as 42 staffers; attrition took about 15. This is a totally extra thing for cadets. They don’t get any credit for being here. It’s a club that offers them a break from their rigorous military commitments so they can express themselves, with the understanding they still represent the Academy.” Cadets learn hands-on leadership and communication skills by managing and operating the station. KAFA has a programming team, a music team and a promotions team, plus leaders in each. On-air time teaches them how to talk to a mass audience. “It’s tough to be a leader without being able to talk to your troops,” Mr. West stressed. “One cadet last year was

very nervous about talking into a microphone. I told him when you become a second lieutenant, looking at your troops, they’ll be looking back. Here you’re in a room by yourself. I’ve seen several cadets come out of their shells to become really good entertainers and communicators once they realize the microphone doesn’t bite.” KAFA held an on-the-air talent show August 30 at Vandenberg Hall to augment the returning staff. Cadets auditioned by doing one or two music breaks with other 104.3 FM members. Competition was keen. Those who made the cut got in on the ground floor of cutting-edge college programming. Some schools go the eclectic route, playing heavy metal one hour and polka the next. Last year KAFA developed a direction as a preview to a new format. “This year we’re keeping the Indie rock base sound, adding some hip-hop shows, loud rock shows, an Americana show which is a country kind of folk sound plus some staff ideas,” Mr. West explained. “It won’t be the hourly change where you don’t know what to expect, but it’ll be more diverse programming.” He said listeners will hear a basic DJ show or shift with simple announcer breaks (that was this is join us for ) weekdays between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. At 3 p.m., when cadets start getting out of class and have some precious free time, KAFA drive time kicks in with less music, more talk, more fooling around, more information, more interaction, more special guests, etc. Those shows are hosted by two or three cadets. A pro

C4Cs Andrew Buchanan (L) and Daniel Tucker record segues for Tucker’sfirst KAFA broadcast.

gramming schedule will be published. News and sports shows are planned, plus a station Web page is to debut in September.

An integral part of the station’s commitment to information is promoting community events. The first of many was a free concert recently by Thomas Cunningham and his four-piece acoustic pop/rock band, The Locofocos, at the Arnold Hall Food Court. The show had KAFA giveaways and food specials. The station does not sell commercials, but they can team with sponsors who work through the 10th Services Squadron’s Commercial Sponsorship Office. Bigger shows are on the horizon, tying into Academy concerts, including several cadet bands. Some bands make studio appearances. The station is targeting bands to perform on the terrazzo or quad areas where people can listen in person. KAFA is on the air 24/7. Its goal is to have a DJ presence on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. They’re automated all other times. Today’s computerized broadcast technology allows cadet staffers to maximize their limited free time and be creative. “These cadets are amazingly talented and quick learners,” Mr. West said. “We want them to be themselves and not what they think a DJ should be. Last year a couple kids who’ve graduated had a show called Project 37. They were so funny playing off each other I almost drove off the road laughing. That’s the neat thing about radio, it is work, but it’s so much fun.” 5

(Photo by Ken Wright)

By C2C Shaun Lee

Ninety-nine top military cadets from the Class of2006 chose to forgo the chance to travel to bases at exotic locations like

Italy, Hawaii and Korea this summer as part ofOperation Air Force. Instead, they devoted six weeks of their summers to the blazing sun and endless sands ofthe Middle East and Africa. OAF offers Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets the experience ofspending three weeks with an operational Air Force squadron at both stateside and overseas locations. This year, however, highranking cadets were offered the unique opportunity of deploying to forward-operating bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

C1C Aaron Bigler spent his entire summer in North Africa and the Middle East. After studying Arabic for a month in Morocco with the Academy’s Summer Language Immersion Program, Bigler deployed to Ali A1 Salem Air Base, Kuwait. In Kuwait, he shadowed the 386th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, working on C-130 cargo planes and learning the ways of both the enlisted and officer corps. “At first, I worked with the Airmen on the basics of maintenance,” explained Bigler. Soon he was given more responsibility. “By the end ofthe six weeks I was working alongside the officers,” he said. Although working daily with the aircraft maintain-

Four Courses of Ops Air Force

By Staff Sgt. Monte Volk, Academy Spirit

Operation Air Force has four distinct courses designed to provide Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets with useful perspectives into officership and the Air Force.

Non-Comm

“Non-Comm” exposes third class cadets to the enlisted Air Force member perspective through direct participation in an enlisted member’s job.

The first aspect of the three week program entails assigning cadets to a unit, training them in specific enlisted tasks, and allowing them to participate in enlisted duties as an entry-level Airman equivalent. This builds the cadet’s appreciation of enlisted teamwork and culture.

3rd Lieutenant

“Third Lieutenant” exposes second class cadets to company grade officer experiences in both operations and support units through direct participation in company grade officer duties within those units. Additionally, cadets will be mentored by field grade officers assigned to both the support and operations squadrons. The three week program gives cadets an appreciation of how support and operations functions integrate and contribute toward the wing’s mission and the role of the CGOs at the squadron level.

Brevet Lieutenant

“Brevet Lieutenant” exposes first class cadets and senior Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets to career-field specific experiences in an area of cadet interest and/or a forecasted Air Force specialty code. The program is separated into two aspects: Internship and mentorship. The internship aspect assigns a cadet directly to a unit which executes a mission in the cadet’s area of interest. The mentorship aspect runs concurrently with the internship aspect of the program and mentors are experienced FGOs in the career field. The three week program gives cadets a look at the intricacies of a particular career field and practical experience in an area of interest.

Brevet Lieutenant-Deployed

“Brevet Lieutenant-Deployed” exposes hand-selected first class cadets to the Air Expeditionary Force concept through direct participation in deployment preparation and deployment to a combatant commander’s area of responsibility.

The six week program allows cadets to experience actual challenges and demands of AEF operations and organizational leadership at a deployed location.

Previous page: F-15E Strike Eagles launch chaff and flares while flying toward the Royal Air Force Holbeach bombing range. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Tony R. Tolley)

ers in sweltering heat, sometimes up to 120-degrees, he never forgot how valuable his situation was. “The experience ofworking with all levels ofAirmen, doing work that I felt actually went towards the fight, was extremely rewarding,” reflected Bigler.

The cadets spent their days battling sandstorms and heat with various support squadrons, including maintenance, intelligence, civil engineering, and security forces. ClC John Avery took full advantage ofhis opportunities with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Ali A1 Salem Air Base, Kuwait. He participated in all SF duties for over 12 hours each day. As part of the security team moving troops in and out of bases throughout Kuwait, he shared time with both officers and enlisted members on patrols and guard duties. “This was the first time I have been at a base with more enlisted Airmen than officers,” said Avery. “Workingwith the sergeants and Airmen for those fewweeks was the most valuable experience I have had in three years at the Academy.”

The cadets spent free moments watching movies at the recreational centers, lapping the base swimming pools, or liftingweights at the exercise facilities.

Services squadrons were also supported by cadets like ClC Susan Bogrette at A1 Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Bogrette rotated her responsibilities between the club, dining halls, gym, and the education center on base.

From intercollegiate athletes to wing staff members, the majority of cadets who deployed this summer agree on two important lessons; in an environment abundant with officers, such as at the Academy, it becomes easy to overlook the critical work ofAirmen and non-commissioned officers in the operational Air Force. However, the daily interaction these cadets experienced with a mostlyenlisted force opened their eyes to the real sweat and rolled sleeves of air power, and that respect has already noticeably spread around the terrazzo. These ninety-nine soon-to-be lieutenants also brought back with them perhaps the most important lesson: Such deployments may become a reality in less than a year. The heat, the tears, and the sweat the victories, the barbeques, and the letters from home are no longer distant bedtime stories. And we can be confident that Cadets Bigler, Avery, Bogrette, and the ninety-six others who deployed alongside them, are ready for the fight. B

all Cadet Wing Commander's Perspective

C1C Brett Black

remember it like it was yesterday. My parents pulled up to Doolittle Hall on the first day of my new life. I got on that bus, waved goodbye, and suddenly the yelling started. It felt as ifall Hell had broken loose. I have made several mistakes over the past three years, caught a few breaks, and from in-processingday until now I have learned more about who I was then, who I am now, and who I want to become, than I did the first 20 years ofmy life.

1- Who I was: I was very persistent and hard working. I entered the academy after two years of college because I did not quite have the academic aptitude expected of someone to succeed academically at USAFA. On the other hand, I have to admit that if I had been commissioned directly from college I do not think I would have been the officer ofcharacter expected of a USAFA graduate. I do not even remember hearing the term “leader ofcharacter” before I entered the academy. For example, if it would save me some trouble, little white lies did not seem like a big deal. Although I knew it was wrong, I did not have much of a problem when I knew my friends cheated on tests or assignments. I just wanted to fly, so I kept trying to get into USAFA and didn’t think much else about being an officer.

Who I am: After entering USAFA, I began to hear a lot more about honor, character, integrity, service, and excellence. I also started to see that being at USAFA wasn’t all about flying. “Getting beat” with my classmates during our four degree year taught me that I could be the most persistent, hardest worker in the world, but it did not matter if I didn’t have a classmate next to me. If any of us failed, we all failed. We really couldn’t succeed without everyone on board. I saw through my fourth class experience that the Air Force was about teamwork and taking care ofeach other.

While the teamwork lesson was important, the next two years would teach me an even more important lesson. Towards the end of our fourth class year a scandal erupted and the Academy went through sweeping changes. We received the Agenda for Change and new leadership. Inidaily, like many cadets, I was resistant to this change. With my minimal experience, I thought the “old system” was the way to go. In fact, I think it took longer for me than most cadets at USAFA to accept the changes because I had excelled so much under the “old system.” With the implementation of the new Officer Development System three degree year, I started to hear the term “officer of character.” The more I heard it, the more I thought about it. The importance of our new ODS system and all the sweeping

changes hit me when I was home on leave the summer between my third and second class years. I saw a vast difference in the level of professionalism between my first year at the academy and my second year. Conversations were more professional at dinner and in formation and the whole attitude toward women at USAFA seemed to lighten. It had become much more like the Academy I expected when I entered. I even began noticing a change in myself. I started to care more about the type ofleaders my friends and I were becoming than the Air Force Specialty Code we were going to receive.

Who I want to become: The question I ask myselfevery day is “Am I becoming a leader of character that I want to work for?” I continually work to become a leader ofcharacter who is internalizing the core values. I have seen how important integrity is in setting the military apart. It has been easy to see how important it is to my character. I realize that excellence is a journey that I am, and always will, be working towards. I thought service before selfwas easy; but being selected as the Cadet Wing Commander was an incredible wake up call. It has shown me a lot of areas where I try to put myselfand my desires first, however if I succumb, I see negative effects throughout the whole Wing.

Another part of being the leader I would want to work for is finding that balance between mission and people. This is another area that being the Wing Commander has shown me I need to improve. Within the squadron I found it is much easier to focus on the people. At the group level, I saw how mission became more important but it was still easy to center on people. At the Wing level, however, I have seen where finding that balance is so crucial. When I lean too far toward mission, I hear it from my classmates and the three lower classes; however when I center too much on people, I can see the mission being compromised.

I remember how hard I worked to get into the Academy. Every day I wake up, I look around the terrazzo and I am amazed that I am here. My biggest fear (or motivation) is that after all ofthat effort, I will graduate from this fine institution and not be the leader I want to be. On the days that seem to never end, that is what keeps me charging for the goal. H

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2002 USAFA Graduate

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finishes thermal vacuum and vibration testing

Story and photos by John Van Winkle, Academy Spirit

he latest cadet satellite has undergone its most rigorous testing to date to prove its fitness to survive the rigors of next summers launch and to survive in the unforgiving extremes ofspace.

Cadets and instructors took the FalconSAT-3 qualification model to Kirtland AFB, N.M., to supervise testing in January and February.

“This test campaign was designed to test FalconSAT-3 to qualification levels in order to insure both our structure and our avionics packages would be able to survive both the vibration-loaded launch aboard the Atlas V next year and the harsh space environment that will be its new home following the launch,” said C1C Benjamin Visser, FalconSAT-3 chiefengineer. Testing was split specifically into two areas—thermal vacuum testing and vibration testing.

“The Thermal Vacuum test simulates the vacuum of space as well as the temperature ranges that are more extreme than the satellite is expected to experience in orbit 20 to -50 degrees Celsius,” said C1C Aaron Lynch, FalconSAT-3 program manager.

“The vibration test simulates the launch environment—shaking of the satellite while on the rocket during launch.”

The satellite was subjected to vibration loads twice as extreme as what it is expected to undergo. During the tests, the satellites systems were tested for electrical functionality, said Visser.

FalconSAT-3 is the latest product ofthe Department ofAstronautics’ Space Systems Research Center. The center focuses Academy space systerns research activities, provides a systems engineering infrastructure to develop and operate military space missions, and gives opportunities for cadets to balance book-learning with hands-on practical experience by working in microsatellite and rocket programs.

This 120-pound satellite will launch several research payloads into space, and the three main experiments are: A Flat Plasma Spectrometer experiment, designed by cadets and faculty of the Academy’s Department ofPhysics. FLAPS will concentrate on the formation, propagation and decay ofplasma bubbles in the ionosphere, which can interfere with space-based communication.

FLAPS will demonstrate the capability of its instrument suite to make fine resolution measurements of ionospheric plasma, and also contribute to the validation ofthe plasma bubble and radio wave scinfiliation associated with DoD’s Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System.

A Micro Propulsion Attitude Control System experiment, involving the Air Force Research Laboratory. Designed for small satellites, MPACS utilizes a static charge and fires this charge offa propellant stick that protrudes from the satellite frame, to make minute adjustments to the microsatellite’s position in space.

This experiment will quantify the change in momentum caused by MPACS on a microsatellite, quantify the performance characteristics, detect and quantify any adverse operational interactions between MPACS and a microsatellite in space, and demonstrate that MPACS can be used as an effective actuator as part of a microsatellite’s attitude determination and control system.

A Plasma Local Anomalous Noise Environment experiment, designed by cadets and faculty from the Academy’s Department of Physics. This experiment will characterize the plasma turbulence in the environment surrounding the satellite, distinguish turbulence in the ambient environment, and quantify plasma perturbations caused

Left and Right: Cadets perform tests on FalconSAT-3.

BEHIND THE SCENES

by active systems, such as the MPACS experiment that will also be on FalconSAT-3.

Each of these experiments was ranked among the top 5 upcoming space experiments by the DoD Space Experiments Review Board. The pulsed plasma thrusters was ranked 18th, while the flat plasma spectrometer ranked 31st and the plasma local anomalous noise environment experiment ranked 36th, said Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence, ’88, director ofthe Academy’s Space Systems Research Center.

“All ofthe payloads are worked on jointly with the Academy. Cadets do as much as they can, we get outside help in areas that are very technical or too hard for the cadets to do,” he said.

FalconSAT-3 will also carry a shock ring experiment that is designed to suppress vibration, and a gravity gradient boom experiment.

The Space Systems Research Center makes three versions of each satellite: an engineering model, a qualification model and then the final flight model. Other research programs typically build only one model of their satellite.

The FalconSAT-3 flight model will be constructed during the next academic year. It is scheduled to be delivered to NASA in May 2006, and has a launch date ofSept. 2006.

FalconSAT-3 is the fourth satellite produced by Academy cadets. FalconGold was launched in 1997, and FalconSAT-1 was launched in 2000. FalconSAT-2 is awaiting an October launch.

Once Upon a Time

«#**» «*«<*

Saturday, March 2,1963, dawned sunny and warm along the front range of the Rockies. It was one of those truly magical USAFA mornings that spoke ofspring and a promised end to the bleakness of winter and classes and mindnumbing cold. Driving down the north road into the early light, there was not the slightest clue nor concern for how the next 18 hours would dramatically reshape our lives and the careers of several close colleagues and friends.

BY MICHAEL DITMORE, '65, AND LT. COL (RET.) ROBERT BARMETTLER

This was more than the beginning ofanother eagerly awaited weekend of freedom—this was the morning before the biggest party USAFA had ever thrown. We were headed for Denver, the upperclass advance team for the Hay Makers Blast, that once-in-a-lifetime, never to be repeated, all-Wing party.

Preparation and planning for the Wing Blast had been underwaysince the fall of1962, guided by Major Robert Barmettler, Director ofCadet Activities. “Major Cool,” as some cadets knew him, was part ofthe legendary Comm Shop of Brigadier General William T. Seawell. Among his several duties, Barmettler authored the shops popular weekly “CommTrails” column in the base paper—The Falcon News.

He recalls the Commandant being amused early on by the proposed party’s title. “I think

he felt it had a sort of ‘max-effort’ bombing mission ring to it, and he was very specific about what he expected the Blast to be—he wanted the Wing to have a great party, have lots offun, but he also wanted it to be safe. His major concern was the possibility of automobile accidents afterward.”

He was equally adamant, Barmettler recalls, about not expecting the cadets to be responsible for cleaning up any mess. “Have some professional group handle that, so that everyone can go home, or take their dates home, rather than having to worry about policing the site,” Seawell directed.

Having himself been a fraternity president, and having presided over the aftermaths of numerous collegiate parties, Major Barmettler could hardly have agreed more. 0

So it was set: the party was to be held in the gymnasium of the Colorado National Guard Armory in Denver on March 2, 1963, starting at 2000 hours. It was assumed nearly 3,000 cadets and an additional 2,000 dates would attend.

Entertainment would be provided by a newly emerging “surfer rock” band—The Astronauts, a wildly popular regular at Tulagi’s in Boulder, named for CU’s own Alan Shepard. To ensure non-stop noise making, a back-up band was also retained, but no one seems to remember their name.

In Colorado, it had long been legal for anyone over the age of 18 to consume 3.2 beer—a dreadful tasting precursor to Coors Light that was popular simply because it was both legal and cheap. To make certain of an adequate and reliable supply, Coors was contracted to deliver a 16,000-gallon tank truck, hoses and spigots sufficient for the anticipated crowd. The beer would be free, and on arrival, each attendee would receive a glass mug emblazoned with Hay Makers Blast 1963.

But in a move that presaged many changes at theAcademy, General Seawell retired barely a month before the Blast was to occur, and Major Barmettler found himself reporting to a new Commandant—Brigadier General Robert W. Strong.

During a routine Monday morning staff meeting, Barmettler outlined the progress of the Wing’s spring party planning, particularly that he had made arrangements to have some local professionals clean the Armory immedi

ately after the party ended. The cost was estimated to be $500, paid by Major Barmettler and his wife as a gift to the Cadet Wing. General Strong wanted to know why the cadets were not handling the clean up themselves? He suggested that the price was too much to spend no matter whose money it was, and ordered his Chief of Staff to assume responsibility for the clean up. He also suggested that each of the 24 squadrons pitch in with a dozen or so cadets to assist in the job, closing the discussion by stating: “That is how it is

done at an Academy. The Cadet Wing is not a college fraternity.”

Major Barmettler, thinking it better not mention his own collegiate experiences, nevertheless had the last word: “Yes, Sir!”

It is probably a credit to our blind cadet enthusiasm and considerable naivete that as we sped toward Denver that bright spring morning, we neither knew of nor would have cared much for those stratospheric directives.

Instead, we spent most of the day decorating the cavernous gymnasium with the kind of ribald cartoons and quotations only a sequestered cadet could love. I recall being at the top of a tall ladder when it suddenly began vibratingdangerously. Down below was a firstie who had often taken me under his wing.

“Ditmore,” he began solemnly, “I have a surprise for you. My girlfriend has a friend who needs a date for tonight, and after considerable thought, I’ve chosen you!”

Being 20 feet up a shaky ladder, two years junior in rank, and totally dateless that evening (almost any evening actually), there seemed little point in arguing. Fate had me by the throat and hormones probably had the rest.

Our dates arrived that evening with a foreboding change in the weather. Gone was the warm glow of the afternoon, as the first soft flakes of a major spring storm were just beginning to fall.

Inside, the decibels were reaching afterburner level and the beer had started to seriously flow as close to 5,000 revelers jockeyed for position on the shiny wooden floor or sought refuge (and other activity) in the balconies that wrapped high around three of the gym’s walls. On the stage that consumed the fourth wall, the Astronauts were ampedup and fully spaced-out. Everything but the moment seemed very far away.

Major Barmettler and his wife had enjoyed their own evening out in Denver, and by the time they arrived at the Armory, it was after 2300, and the party and the snowfall were in full volume. Both he and I recall the picture clearly—admittedly, he a bit more clearly than I. It seems the problem with free, selfserve beer from spigots is that in the passion of the moment, people forget to turn them off. Nearing midnight, the floor was over an inch deep in beer, melting snow and a goodly portion of the food that been served earlier. Amid the carnage, a designated squad of mostly-sober upperclassmen was keeping busy gently carrying slumbering dates and Doolies outside and lining them up like cord wood on the quickly disappearing lawn. Almost immediately, the frigid air would revive them enough to return to the warmth ofthe hall and the cycle would begin again.

The Barmettlers also took note of a particularly worrisome sign—every trashcan in or near the building was overflowing, many with empty bottles that had once held much stronger fare than 3.2 beer. Mrs. Barmettlers immediate concern was for the safety of the cadet dates. The Majors focus: rounding up the Doolies and getting them aboard Academy buses as quickly as possible.

A few upperclass organizers, in their usual can-do spirit, and remarkable clarity ofmind, volunteered: “Don’t worry about it, Major Cool, we’ll get them on-board.”

The Doolies did indeed get onto their buses by 0045—perhaps the singular miracle of the evening. A quick inspection prior to departure confirmed that the prime slots (horizontal in the overhead baggage racks) were completely full. As the big silver buses pulled away, Major Barmettler polled a few additional organizers to be sure that the Armory would be cleaned, as the Commandant had ordered. They assured him it would, but he could hardly be blamed for doubting the probability of back-to-back miracles in a single night.

With a mere modicum of faith, he followed the bus caravan home to the Academy through a moderating snowfall, finally turning in at 0500.

At 0730 a call from the Superintendent’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Withycombe, alerted Major B that the next call would be from the Super himself. When it came, Barmettler recalls it as “the most elegant chewing out I ever received ...” there was no need to ask questions and no question about telling his side ofthe story.

The Superintendent closed off7 with an order: “Stay by your telephone for the rest of the day, because the Army General responsible for the Armory may have some additional questions, which I expect you to answer.”

Once again, that snappy retort: “Yes, Sir!”

At 1700 hours Colonel Withycombe called again. “Two things ...” he said, “One, I enjoy your “CommTrails” column immensely, but don’t write a word about the ‘Hay Makers Blast’, and, two, be in my office, at 0830 Monday.”

Barmettler was getting good at responding: “Yes, Sir!”

At 0830, Monday the COS ignored Major Barmettlers salute but shook hands warmly

and offered: “Please, sit down. I’m sure you are wonderingwhy I asked you to come in.”

“That’s an understatement, Colonel.” Was all he could think to say.

“Major, I want you to tell me where you would like to go when you leave the Academy.”

Without hesitating, and in an even tone, Barmettler replied: “Sir, I’d like to be as near as possible to Paris, France, and still be in an operational flying unit.”

“You’re on, Major,” the Colonel said, equally smoothly, “But don’t mention Paris to a soul. This conversation never happened

Okay?”

“Au revoir.” was all Barmettler remembers saying as he left, but he probably also thought: “That could have been much worse—IndoChina perhaps.” Once again, Major Cool had stepped forward and taken the hit for the cadets he so admired.

The final bill to replace the wooden gymnasium floor at the Armory was a bit north of $3,000—paid, I believe, entirely from Wing funds.

In late spring, the 1963 Polaris yearbook arrived, with a surprise: an unauthorized, twopage dedication to General Seawell:

“Who possessed the rare ability to understand the cadet mind.”

And on page 63: “March came in like a lion with the Hay Makers Blast and went out.. .well, about the same way with a Babo-bomb.”

Shortly thereafter, Major Barmettler depart- ed the Front Range for Paris and the continuation of a very successful career, ending in retirement at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. But before he left us for good, we surprised him with one last party—at the Antlers in Colorado Springs. On a warm evening in May, he was presented solemnly with a saber inscribed with this quotation from those of us who had worked on the underground replacement for the temporarily banned Dodo—the Phoenix:

“To the Prince, from those who know the truth.”

The following year, I left as well, saddened like some, but enriched for life by the touch of a truly magical place, its colorful people and very special time.

It had been one hell of a party, and I had met the girl I would later marry H

The First Steps of a Long Journey

The following compilation of stories was taken from an AOG special series ofonline articles, called “BCT Dispatches.” The stoties chronicle a few of the trials and tribulations of the Class of 2009 during their six-week Basic Cadet Training.

STORIES AND PHOTOS

BY KEN WRIGHT

They came from all over, this Class of 2009. From big towns like Austin, New York City and Los Angeles. But also from little towns with humble names like Powder Springs, Greene and Johnstown. Eight of the nearly 1,400 came from other countries. And at least one, Kaidin Baird, was born and raised within sight ofthe Academy grounds.

Growing up at 1314 Hermosa Way for almost all of her 18 years would impact her in a big way in 8th grade. During a field trip that year to the Academy, Kaitlin was moved so much by what she saw and heard on the terrazzo, she decided then she too would some day be called “cadet.” Today the word “basic” is attached to that title, but she’s excited nonetheless. After waiting and working toward getting to the Academy for so long, she’s more than ready for the challenges she’ll face before being accepted into the Cadet Wing. Once that dream is achieved, she’s hoping to start earning her next title “astronaut.”

One thing all appointees seem to have in common when they show up at Doolittle Hall, no matter what town or country they hail from, is just a little fear. Some seem to have quite a lot, actually, but no one shows

up without just a little. Most put on a brave face, but sooner or later the faqade breaks. For some, it happens right offthe bat at Doolittle Hall when the realization of leaving home, hits home.

Sayinggoodbye is probablythe hardest part. It’s certainly hard to watch mothers, fathers, little brothers and sisters grieving the departure of their cadet. It’s interesting to watch how some handle their final goodbyes much like they would handle removing a band-aid. Some do it quickly with what appears to be little thought. Hoping that if they make it quick, they’ll make it painless. But it always hurts. Still, others seem to linger and wait, hoping time might take the sting off. It’s a gutwrenching scene to watch a father’s face crack as he whispers words of love and encouragement before letting go of his child. To say these embraces are just hugs is to say that love is just a feeling. It makes you realize that the sacrifices of service members have a rippling affect that touches us all.

It was 20 years ago this summer that I left home for enlisted basic training; I can still see the tears welled in my father’s eyes, and the words he said to me. “I love you. This will make a man ofyou.” The Air Force did a lot for me in my career, but my parents shaped the man I became. The Air Force brought it out of me. I have no doubt the Academy will do the same for the Class of2009.

Once the goodbyes were said, each young man and woman walked upstairs and made theirway through a labyrinth ofadministrative stops where they filled out the first of a career full ofmilitary forms. It was actually strange to see how quickly they recovered from the emotional tidal wave downstairs as they calmly made their way through the queues.

After finishing the paperwork they walked together outside in small groups along the

Heritage Trail. Cordial cadets were there to greet them at the Graduate War Memorial donated by the Class of 1970 and the Challenge Bridge, a beautiful arching stone bridge made possible by the Class of 1959.

At the War Memorial upperclass cadets told stories of those who served before them and who made the ultimate sacrifice for the ideals of the Academy and America. At the Challenge Bridge, a member of the Class of 1959 was there to not only talk about the past, but to challenge this new generation to live up to the standards of integrity, service and excellence set by those who went before them.

Aboard the buses that took them to the Cadet Area, the tension was palpable. As the driver put the vehicle into gear and slowly moved away from the groups of parents swarmed all around, an upperclassman instructed them to wave goodbye.

On the bus I was on, not many waved at first, but then the cadet barked, “Wave goodbye ifyou love them! They are the reason you are here.” And everyone waved.

Those were the first harsh words spoken to them that day, but far from the last.

Cadet Major Scott Everle ofWinona, Minnesota gave them a few final words of encouragement and advice before passing them on to his fellow cadre at the Core Values Ramp. “We will not tolerate mediocrity in any of your actions. Your country demands more of you. Give your very best In the next six weeks you will step up, or you will fail. If you fail, you will fail miserably. If you stick together as a unit, as a team, as a whole, you will succeed.”

And so their journeys began.

Follow me

“Guidon bearer, get in step!”Thedrill sergeant’s blistering order echoed offthe aluminum and glass facade ofVandenberg Hall and reverberated through Basic Cadet Patrick Warfel.

Instantaneously the Renton, Washington native changed his step to synchronize with the heel beat of his flight (formation), but after four days of being his squadron’s largest target, he was unshaken by the verbal salvo.

“Them yelling at me has actuallyhelped the most,” he said halfgrinning. “It’s a great motivator to get it right.”

Top left: Basic Cadet Patrick Warfel proudly bears his flight's guidon. Top right: Cadets push themselves to new limits in the final days of Basic CadetTraining. Bottom right: Cadets give their all fortheir squadrons during Field Day. Bottom left: Basics hold on tight as theyfight theirway through the Assault Course.

The guidon staff is essentially an eight to nine-foot wood pole with a brass spear and ferrule. Its small flag normally designates a military unit. The tradition of military guidons goes back to ancient times when they were used to locate unit commanders in battle so that troops would know who to follow. Today their use is mainly ceremonial, but no less important in serving as a beacon for airmen in formation.

Warfel didn’t even know what a guidon was a few days ago, and he certainly didn’t ask for the exhaustingjob ofhoisting it all day; it just happened. Or at least that’s what he thought when his sweet spot in the rear of the flight evaporated into the Academy’s thin air.

You see, being under 5-foot-nine has a big advantage in the Air Force, especially when your last name begins with “W.” If you’re lucky enough to show up to Basic Cadet Training with this pedigree, it almost always lands you at the rear of your flight—a perspective that allows you to watch all the poor souls in front of you fumble through whatever exercise it is the cadre are teaching that day. In these first days of BCT, the opportunity to learn from someone else’s mistakes is a luxury that almost all basics would love to have. For Warfel, it was a short-lived dream that ended nightmarishly.

“When they called me up to the front, I just thought, ‘Oh, man. What did I do wrong?”’

he said with sweat beading on his brow from carrying his flights flag all morning.

In fact, he did nothing wrong. According to his cadre, he did everything right.

“When we’re looking for a guidon bearer,” said C1C Kathrine Bushey, of Wilmington, Delaware, “there are really three things that are most important. Excellent military bearing, sharpness with drill, and plenty of upper body strength.” Warfel has all of that with plenty to spare. What the boyish-faced 18year-old lacks in physical stature he more than makes up for in confidence and tenacity. Those qualities will serve him well in the weeks to come.

If you’ve never found yourself in a military formation, it’s tough to appreciate the importance of the guidon bearers position. In some situations, the entire flight relies on their actions to know what to do next; turn left, prepare to halt, present arms In short; he or she is the leader ofthe pack.

Most of the time basics can hear cadence being called during a march, but sometimes bands and other noise can drown out the orders. In such cases, the guidon is used to signal the orders to the formation (especially the lucky ones in the rear).

Warfel also serves as the focal point for his fellow basics to create a formation, or “fall-in.”

“The whole flight falls in off the guidon

bearer. So if he has bad bearing, it’s going to reflect poorly,” said Bushey. Sore shoulders or not, Warfel is determined to not let the fatigue of carrying the heavy pole affect his performance, or the reputation ofhis flight.

Although being the guidon bearer gave him more than just a little anxiety at first, it looks as if he’s been preparing for it is whole life. “I know since I’m the first one someone will see, I have to have it perfect. And that’s what I’m striving for; perfection,” he said as he glanced at his flight.

The evolution of a basic cadet is an amazing thing to observe. Most, like Warfel, show up on in-processingdaylooking like they’d fit in perfectly behind the counter ofyour local McDonald’s. But within 24 hours of their arrival at the Academy, they are a sight to behold. And it’s more than just the uniform. It’s their rigid spines, proud faces reflecting a determination to be their best, determined to make us proud. And proud we are.

O'dark-thirty The Class of 2009 rises and shines

Myexperience is that southerners are typically some ofthe most hospitable and kind people you’ll ever meet, but at 0415 this morning, Cadet First Class Rob Reed ofAtlanta, Georgia, was feeling like anything but a peach. As section leader for B-flight of Aggressor Squadron, his job is to get his basics out of

Tough lessons were learned early on.

Hurry up and wait.

Having a Field Day.

their bunks and on to the terrazzo for morning PT; a job he takes seriously.

“Get up! Get out of bed! Fall out in PC gear,” he shouted red-eyed and irritated. His voice landed on the basics’ sleepy ears like a mortar shell, but just to make sure there were no sleeping beauties in the bunch, he struck his fist on their doors as an added incentive to move with quickness.

Even after two weeks ofwaking up to the jarring sound ofa bugle and screaming upperclassmen, it’s still taking some getting used to for these green cadets. Reveille is one of the oldest American military traditions, and the Academy’s cadre is keeping it alive and well.

Reed had crawled out ofbed only five minutes earlier, and looked about two hours shy of a good night’s sleep. The weary look on his face reflects the demands basics and cadres alike meet during Basic Cadet Training.

As Aggressors slowly filed out of their rooms forming up along the corridor walls, a few couldn’t get to their position without passing the cadre.

“Good morning Cadet Reed. Good morning Cadet Linz,’’ they yelled now instinctively as they passed.

“How about a good morning, sir?”, Reed asked with a harsh tone.

The group halted and in unison tried again. “Good morning, Cadet Reed. Good morning Cadet Linz. Good morning, sir.”

“That’s better,” he said quietly without looking up from the floor.

At first I thought he was justbeing hard on them and asking for an obligatory “sir,” just so they wouldn’t forget his authority. And then I realized he did it for me. I’ve never thought of myself as a “sir”, but to basics, anyone without a nametag is sir or ma’ m. Reed was right. They should have known better. Even drowsy, he knew the rules and enforced them with exactness.

By 0430 nearly all ofthe Class of2009 was formed up on the soggy grass field within the terrazzo. Yawning discretely and attempting to shake offthe deep sleep induced by the previous day’s training, the basics started day 13 oftheir Academy experience.

Cadet Lt. Col. Kaitlin Harris ofSan Antonio, Texas was there to greet them from atop a large mound. Holding a wireless microphone and looking out over the field of drone-like airmen, the small-framed pentathlete barked commands for each exercise.

“Next exercise is crunches. Position of exercise—move!” Instantly the sound of 1,400 grunting voices responded to her cadence. “One, ma m—two, ma’m ...,” they replied with a roar. Her hold on their attention was firm and instantaneous.

As cadre moved through the maze of stretching and straining basics they pushed the class to find new limits to their physical

strength and endurance. “Don’t stop! Keep moving! Push yourself,” one yelled as he strolled through the ranks.

When the heart awakens, the mind will follow. After 20 minutes of blood-pumping exercises, there were no more sleepy faces to be found. Basic Cadet Matt Williams of Shelby Township, Michigan could be one of the fittest young men in his class, but he’s still struggling with the 7,258-foot altitude at the Academy. “My endurance is definitely getting better,” the former Loyola student said slightly out of breath, “but this altitude is taking some getting used to.” Watching him whip out push-ups with the look of nothing but strength and determination on his face, it was easy not to worry about his struggles that lie ahead.

Although the potential fighter pilot is enjoying the first phase of BCT (particularly the bounty of “really good food” at Mitchell Hall), he’s looking forward to JacksValley and BCT-2.

“The challenges we’re facing really push us to new levels and give us a sense ofaccomplishment within the squadron. I think the next phase will do even more for us as a class.”

The former high school lacrosse player prepared for BCT back home by running five to six miles a day, a routine that’s paying big dividends today. He took a different strategywhen preparing for the Academy’s early morning

A challenge awaited Basics at every turn.

wake-ups. It was a classic plan designed perfecdy for teenagers. “I slept in a lot and tried to take advantage ofthe opportunity while I was still home.” So far he hasn’t regretted a wink.

At about 0530 the rising sun was turning the eastern sky from blue to gold and I left Williams and his classmates to finish their morning routine. Making my way back to the top ofthe mound to get one final photo, it felt as if the entire Class of 2009 decided to send a message to those outside the confines ofthe terrazzo (as well as the cadre). It was a message oftheir resolve.

“No guts, no glory! No guts, no glory!” Louder and louder they chanted it to the satisfaction ofthe cadre. Day 15 may be a little premature to call it, but my bet is that the Class of 2009 has nothing but glory days ahead.

Life at Jacks Leaders emerge from the dust

I remember once reading a quote by General Curtis E. LeMay about leaders and how they come to be. He said something like, “Great leaders are not born; they are educated and trained.” LeMays philosophy stuck with me throughout my career, but from time to time I’ve questioned it. Today was one ofthose days. After witnessing the 25th day of Basic Cadet Training, I can’t help but believe some people are born a few paces ahead ofthe pack.

Take Basic Cadet Lauren Kerdavid of

Westhampton, Massachusetts. This spirited young woman, who can’t weigh more than 125 lbs. soaking wet, whipped nearly every opponent she faced this morning with pugil sticks. Kerdavid went toe-to-toe with five opponents, losing only the final women’s championship round.

Now don’t get me wrong, the ability to knock someone to the ground with a padded stick is not high on my list of the qualities I look for in a leader. But spunk is. And Kerdavid has enough spunk to make anyone take her seriously.

When you talk to her, you immediately get the sense that anyone on her team is going to be alright. She exudes confidence, strength and resolve. And I can tell you from experience; militarypeople all hope to follow leaders with these innate qualities.

As we watched other basics tear into one another in the sand pits, I asked her why she came to the Academy. “I want to fly fighters!” she exclaimed as if I had asked why the chicken crossed the road. “Why does anyone join the Air Force? Come on!”

Finished answering my silly question, she returned to cheering on the basics. “Let’s go! Wooohooo!” she screamed in a high pitch. I took the hint and searched for another target.

I spoke to a few more basics scattered around the dust-filled camp over the next hour, but before I left, I came upon Kerdavid

again. I couldn’t help but ask one more question. And boy, am I glad I did.

“So, did you play sports in high school?” I asked. “Yes, sir,” she replied. “Soccer and wrestling.”

“Wrestling?” I said, with brow raised.

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

“With boys,” I said?

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

“Okay, what was your record?” I asked taking a small step backward.

“Four and six,” she said grinning wide with her blue mouth guard protruding from her mouth. “I won four.”

I tried not to show my amazement, but I’m sure it wasn’t the first time she got that reaction from a male. But she was very humble about it; very matter-of-fact.

The more I thought about it, her victories over male opponents didn’t really matter; just showing up for the match said everything about her. She’s anyone’s worthy opponent.

On the way home I passed a Starbucks downtown and saw a few local college students kicked back on the patio sipping their morning tall, skinny, triple-shot, no-foam, mate lattes. Then I thought about Kerdavid who at that moment was probably half way through the assault course, drenched in sweat, sand and dirt with cadre berating her to give more. In my mind she let out the visceral roar of a warrior and left them in her dust.

Only the strong survived.

The school of hard knocks.

Wooohooo, Kerdavid. Wooohoo!

I originallyplanned on ending this dispatch here, but I have to mention Tony Hylko of Ann Harbor, Michigan. Hylko didn’t have Kerdavid’s success in the fighting pit. His first-round loss was eating at him when I ran into him at the drinking fountain. “How’d you do?” a basic asked him. Hylko looked up from the watering hole, water dripping from his chin, and replied with frustration, “I got my ass kicked.”

“He was just quicker than me,” he told me when I asked about the loss. “The worst part,” he said, “was getting pumped up for the battle and then being beaten.” His disappointment in himself was obvious, but he was nowhere close to giving up.

“I regret not putting out my full effort. It won’t happen again,” he said seriously.

Maybe that’s what LeMay meant. Maybe Hylko’s loss was the kind oflesson the general knew the men and women of the Air Force had to be taught in order for them to become the leaders that lie dormant inside of them. Maybe those tough knocks are the ones that force some of us to catch up, and even pass the natural born leaders of the world. Whatever the case may be, I think if LeMay were walking around Jacks Valley with me this morning, he would have been very happy with what he saw.

Tough days for tough people

“Assault course, sir. I quit!” And that was it— she was finished with her “Academy experience.” As a cadre member escorted her offthe dusty course, tears ran down the exhausted basics cheeks, leaving muddy little trails.

Seeing a basic quit is uncomfortable and disappointing, but especially so when they have less than 72 hours left ofbasic training.

The cadres who just finished berating her seemed pleased they had convinced her she was not worthy of being there, but despite appearances, I suspect that to some degree they also find it disappointing when basics decide they simply don’t want to be at the Academy. In fact, basics who decide to quit are not dragged to the Academy’s gate and plastered with a scarlet “Q.” They are often encouraged to stay at least through the first semester.

Basic Cadet Training is meant to be tough. It is designed to strip a basic of their individuality, temper their egos and push them to their physical and emotional limits. But it doesn’t end there. A fundamental part of the training is to re-build their egos and confidence as they discover just how physically and emotionally tough they are—as individuals, as well as a team.

“It’s not for everyone,” C1C Dan St. Claire says. “We transition more than 1,300 18-yearolds from civilian to military life with meth

ods that are a lot like ‘shock and awe.’ We find out who really wants to be here.”

“You become humble,” says Basic Cadet Ana Tuell-Silveira of Springfield, Missouri. “You find out you’re good at some things, and just average at others.”

The shock St.Claire mentioned is hard on everyone, but some, like Basic Cadet Harvey White who calls Belle Chasse, Louisiana home, have an easier time rolling with the verbal punches.

“I didn’t like the sarcasm at first” said the cadet candidate, “but because I came from a military family, I knew it was only ternporary; and that once we finish this, things will be better.”

White, who applied to and was accepted at all of the U.S. service academies, knows exactlywhy he chose the Air Force Academy and why he’ll make it through these tough first six weeks.

“I want to flyjets,” he says smiling and sitting in the dirt underneath a Ponderosa Pine tree. Growing up at naval air stations around the country fueled White’s dream of some day “taking the stick” in a fighter jet; and a few weeks of harsh training is not about to stand in his way.

Basic Cadet Nathan “Hawk” Hawkins of Vandalia, Ohio also knew his place was at the Academy well before his acceptance letter arrived in the mail last January. Maybe it was

Most refused to fait.

A rite of passage.

growing up only a stone’s throw from the old stomping grounds of Orville and Wilbur Wright, but Hawkins was so confident that he belonged on the terrazzo that he didn’t even bother applying to any other schools!

“I’ve always wanted to come to the Academy,” the handsome young man said calmly and confidently. “It was the only choice for me. I didn’t feel like there was any other place I should be.”

I’ll never forget watching that young girl give up her place at the Academy, but I don’t think any less of her for doing so. Everyone must make their own choices in life, and she made hers.

I am glad, though, that I didn’t leave Jacks Valley after watching the girl walk away in defeat. If I had, I wouldn’t have witnessed another basic who wouldn’t give up until she was carried away by medics.

I won’t mention her name for fear of scaring her parents, so let’s just call her “Basic Fearless.”

Fearless was less than one hundred feet from completing the assault course when she went face first into the sand and dirt ofa barbed-wire covered ditch. I had just turned to walk away when I heard a small pop and her ensuing cry. “My shoulder dislocated, sir! Put it back in. Put it back in. I have to finish the course!”

As cadre called for medics she continued to beg them to “pop it back in,” so that she could reach her goal. What’s more, as she writhed in pain, she continued to rally her fellow basics as they crawled past her through the ditch. “Come on, Skinner! Don’t you quit. Go!” she yelled from the fetal position.

It was both sickening and inspiring all at the same time. In the end, Fearless was given credit for completing the course, and Skinner crossed the finish line just before her biggest fan was driven away smiling with her arm in a sling, and a tear streaked face.

Here’s a toast!

An indelible mark

For thosewho have not watched the Class of 2009 transform from civilian to Cadet Fourth Class, I’m sure it’s difficult to understand just how profoundly the Academy’s Basic Cadet Training experience has affected them.

The accomplishment doesn’t make them more honest, kinder or even better looking. Albeit, they now smell far better than when they were in Jacks Valley reeking of their

“course” uniforms. But some things have changed in the young men and women who made it through this first crucible. The experience left an indelible mark.

The one thing every cadet I spoke to on the day of the Acceptance Parade had to say about what theylearned from BCT, no matter how long they’ve been at the Academy, was how they learned to work as a team; which might be the most important lesson cadre are charged with teaching.

“We all came here knowing it would be hard,” said Cadet Fourth Class Brandon Odum ofWinchester, Virginia, “but it helped us look away from ourselves and learn how to help others. I needed help at times, but I wasn’t too worried because I realized all of us are looking out for our teammates. It gives you a lot of confidence to know someone is looking out for you.”

Now that Odum has made it past this first hurdle with his classmates, he says he’s ready to “buckle down” and face the next barrieracademics. “I just want to get through school and get good grades,” he said looking ahead to classes.

Cadets Third Class Nathaniel Lail and Nate Anderson talked with me before the parade about how BCT and their first year at the Academy changed them.

“I showed up at the Academy with my hair dyed black, thinkin’ I was a ‘bad-a,’ said Lail. “My perspective soon changed. When I go home I quickly realize what we have here at the Academy. We have opportunities that

most people only dream of - academic opportunities, athletic opportunities, even opportunities to travel the world.”

As Anderson reflected on his Academy experience, he said his experiences also helped him become more considerate and conscientious about how he lives. “The way that you were living changed and you became a better person—you begin to see how your actions affect others,” he said looking back.

Following the parade, each squadron marched to the terrazzo and formed up sharply,waitingfor the event theyeachworked relentlessly to take part in—the presentation of their shoulder boards. Although they tried hard to maintain their military bearing, most could not hold back toothygrins as they gushed with pride.

As I weaved through the ranks takingphotos ofthe presentations, I came upon Cadet First Class Levi Thomas placing shoulder boards on the epaulets ofproud doolie, Cadet Fourth Class Philip Rose.

He came close to him and said seriously, but caringly, “You should be glad I pushed you, Rose. You’re well on your way. Congratulations.” His words were short, but heartfelt. Rose’s posture was rigid, and he beamed with pride.

Later the new cadet told me he was indeed pushed very hard. “But we all were,” he added. “And it was worth it. Si

Nomination procedures forAOG Board of Directors

The AOG Board of Directors has adopted a standard set of policies and procedures for all candidates for Director-at-Large (4-year term) and Class Decade Directors (2-year term), designated and appointed candidates. Any AOG member willing to fulfill the requirements of directors may submit a nomination package. All nominations should include information from the candidate in the format described on the AOG Web site. Nominations may be submitted at any time but must be received by Sept. 1, 2006 to ensure proper consideration for the 2007 election cycle. For additional information and complete details, visit the AOG Web site at www.usafa.org.

Technology That Supports America’s Future

CACI is a proud supporter ofthe United States Air Force. We have supported the armed services since 1963 and honor our men and women who serve to protect freedom and democracy around the world. We provide the IT and network solutions needed to prevail in today’s new era of defense, intelligence, and e-govemment.

THE LONG BLUE LINE

It seems like every day somewhere in the world an Academy grad is recognized in the news for an outstanding achievement 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.

McNabb nominated for 4 stars

President Bush has nominated Lt. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, 74, for the rank of general and to command Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

General McNabb is currently the director oflogistics for theJoint Staffat the Pentagon. Before that assignment he was the Air Force deputy chiefofstafffor plans and programs.

He has also held command and staffpositions at squadron, wing, major command and Department of Defense levels. (CourtesyAFNEWS)

Regni, ’73, nominated as superintendent

President Bush has nominated Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, 73, to be the next superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy.

If confirmed by the senate, General Regni would be the academy’s 17th superintendent. Currently, he is Air University commander at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. In that role, General Regni manages the full spectrum of Air Force education, from pre-commissioning to the highest levels of professional military education, includingdegree granting and professionalcontinuing education for officers, enlisted and civilian personnel throughout their careers. (CourtesyAFPN)

Lorenz, ’73, to command AU

The president nominated Maj. Gen. Steve Lorenz, 73, for promotion to lieutenant general and to become commander ofAir University.

Lorenz is currently deputy assistant secretary for budget, office ofthe assistant secretary oftheAir Force for financial management and comptroller, at the Pentagon. He is responsible for planning and directing Air Force budget formulations annually that total more than $107 billion. (CourtesyAFPN)

Myers, ’78, commands Carrier Strike Group Eight

Rear Adm. Al Myers, 78, recently took command of the U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group Eight.

Myers recently completed flag tours as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and Deputy Director for Requirements, Assessments Division. (Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Gensic, ’05, selected for World Class Athlete Program

Lormer Air Lorce pole vault standout 2Lt. Paul Gensic, ’05, was recently accepted to the U.S. Air Lorce World Class Athlete Program. The program gives high-caliber athletes the opportunity to continue training in their sport after graduation from the Academy, while preparing for a berth in the Olympic Games. (Courtesy ofUSAFA Athletics)

Corley, ’73, new vice chief of staff Gen. John D. W. Corley, 73, recently assumed the responsibilities of Air Force vice chief ofstaff.

General Corley, who was previously the principal deputy for the assistant secretary of

the Air Force for acquisition, replaced Gen. T. Michael Moseley who took over as Air Force chiefofstaff.

As combined air operations center director supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, General Corley coordinated more than 11,000 combat missions striking more than 4,700 targets. (CourtesyAFPN)

Sega, ’74, new AF undersecretary

Dr. Ronald M. Sega, 74, recently became the Air Force’s newest undersecretary. “I believe an appointment such as this is a sacred trust,” Sega said during confirmation hearings last summer. “If confirmed as the next undersecretary ofthe Air Force, I pledge to do all in my power to warrant that trust.”

Sega also said he understands the challenges facing the Air Force, and believes he can bring the experience and skill necessary to help overcome those issues. (CourtesyAFPN)

Dufresne, ’80, named VP

Northrop Grumman Corp. recently named Gerard A. “Duke” Dufresne, ’80, head of Long Island operations.

Dufresne was previously the manager of the company’s B-2 bomber program and will now serve as sector vice president of its Airborne EarlyWarning and Electronic Warfare Systems unit in Bethpage, N.Y. The unit focuses on designing radar systems for the Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye radar patrol plane. S

Some think annual giving is not a matter of national security

Annual gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund provide support to many important cadet international programs including internships, conferences, semester exchanges and summer research programs at government agencies colleges, and universities in the U.S. and abroad.

For more information about the Air Force Academy Fund, please contact Greg Knedler, director of annual and class giving, at (719) 472-0300 or greg.knedler<§ aogusafa.org.

Chairman oftheJoint Chiefs ofStaffGen. Richard B. Myers addresses the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 12th Annual National Character and Leadership Symposium. but at the Air Force Academy it is!

By Eddie Kovsky, AcademySpirit

International program gives worldly perspective

Today’s officers must be prepared to function in an international environment. While the Academy’s international program provides cadets with a variety ofopportunities to hone their leadership skills overseas, the foreign cadets who travel to the U.S. to study at the Academy will be future leaders among our allied forces. There are currently 48-four year international cadets from 24 nations enrolled at the Academy, as well as 16 semester exchange students from four other countries. When the international cadets first arrive, about a week before the rest ofthe basic cadets, they move through an orientation program that prepares them for cadet basic training. Program directors provide them with sponsor families, assist them with class schedules, provide themwith a cultural briefing,providesexual harassmenttraining, arrange for their social security numbers, bank accounts and enroll them in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and Ericare. The program staff also act as the initial academic advisors (until they select a major) and help mentor each student as they integrate into the Cadet Wing. “The nature of the conflicts that we face dictates that we work together with multinational forces under difficult circumstances,’’ said Maj. Barry Savage, international programs director. “Our hope is that these international cadets who graduate from the Academy will return to their home countries and rise to command levels over time. Then, during periods ofconflict, we will be able to work with allied forces led by graduates who understand the way we operate and are able to function effectively in our culture. If we happen to be fighting on opposite sides ofa given conflict, we hope that our shared experience will provide a basis for effective communication, so that any conflict may be reduced or eliminated.’ Each year, the Office ofthe Secretary ofDefense determines which countries will be invited to submit applications for the three service academies. For the class of 2009, 140 countries received invitations through the military attaches in the U.S. Embassy in each

country. There were 29 applicants for the Academy’s Class of2009, but only 11 applicants met the entrance requirements, which are essentially the same as for any U.S. applicant. Individual applicants may apply to all three academies, and if accepted to more than one, may determine which appointment to accept. The cadets who are here for four years are held to the same academic, military and physical standards as any U.S. cadet, and ifthey fail to meet those standards they are disenrolled. They are eligible for all command and staff positions. In addition, two international students (Jackkrit Thammavichai, ofThailand, and Chung Guan Low, ofSingapore) earned the “Outstanding Cadet in the Order ofGraduation” honor in 1994 and 1995 respectively. One ofthe current full-time international students, C1C Maurice Kamgaing from Cameroon has made the most of his time at the Academy. When he arrived three years ago, he could barelyspeakEnglish and had academic difficulties. He is now on the dean’s list, and worked last summer as a cadre member for basic cadet training. “The application ofwhat I have learned will be even harder than my experiences of adapting here at the Academy.” said Cadet Kamgaing. “It has been amazing to see the system ofprogression that allows everyone a chance to take a leadership role as the natural next step,” said Cadet Kamgaing ofhis BCT experience. “As a section commander, I had a lot to take in.” Cadet Kamgaing holds a hereditary title in Cameroon, which presented a unique cultural challenge. Accepting that he held no rank as a basic cadet wasn’t always easy for him to do. “By succession, I took over my grandfather’s position ofnobility when I was four; that makes me the primary one responsible for the family, including my grandfather’s relatives and descendants,” said the cadet. “I hold his nobility title in the village. I was surprised by the difficulty of adapting to the extreme pressure of submitting to authority [at the Academy].”

When he does return to Cameroon after graduating in the spring, Cadet Kamgaing has big plans for putting his Academy experience to use. “I want to be politically involved to help my country develop to its full potential,” said Cadet Kamgaing, who is majoring in economics. “I want to join the World Bank, get a masters degree and assist in developing poor countries that can benefit from my ideas and experiences.” Exchange cadets in addition to the international cadets who attend the Academy full time, cadets from other foreign service academies also spend a semester here. The semester exchange cadets attend classes and participate in squadron activities but they receive only pass/fail grades and do not generally assume any leadership roles in the squadron. The semester exchange program currently allows 18 Academy cadets to study at Air Force Academies in Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Chile. In return, 18 cadets from those five countries attend class here for the fall semester. “The benefit to us (and to them) is that our cadets get “boots on the ground” experience in a foreign country,” said Major Savage. “They are required to take college courses in a foreign language

(in Canada, they are required to speak French), have foreign roommates, and are completely immersed in that culture for about six months. They all return to their respective academies with a greater understanding and awareness ofthe similarities and differences between people and cultures, and hopefully will gain an appreciation for what cadets in a foreign culture experience on a daily basis." Both of the exchange cadets from the Royal Military College of Canada served as attached cadre during the second phase ofbasic cadet training in Jacks Valley. “It was a bit strange training American recruits, given that I was by no means an expert in American drill movements and American military knowledge,’' said C2C Ben Nasmith. “I had to determine which parts of my Canadian Forces knowledge base would be applicable to the basic cadets here at the Academy. Fortunately, there are many issues that I was able to work on with the basic cadets, such as teamwork, work ethic, discipline, sense of urgency, respect and physical training. “Basic training in Canada is much different. IfI were to isolate one major difference, it would be the focus on leadership and critical thinking. I found that BCT was aimed at training basic cadets to a level preparing them to become four degrees at the Academy. BCT intends to train basics to be followers under the officer development system, leaving specific leadership training and evaluation during a cadets time as an upperclassman. In Canada, leadership training is emphasized immediately. Out of the roughly 1,000 cadets attending the Royal Military College, six are selected to attend

semester exchanges at the U.S. service academies. Since the college is a tri-service school, only two cadets are sent to each of the three service academies in the U.S. T came in order to take advantage ofthe aviation training available here and to meet the people I will, hopefully, have the privilege ofworking with in the future," said C1C Alan Lockerby. “As a future aerospace controller (in Canada, air traffic controllers and air weapons controllers fall under one umbrella trade), a full 50 percent of my postings are out of country. Having an impression of how things work in a foreign military" couldn’t hurt in the long run. “While military academies worldwide share much in common, there are both subde and obvious differences," said Cadet Nasmith. "Perhaps I’ll learn a new way of leadership that I can bring back and share at my school. I will continue to study working toward a B.S. in mathematics and physics. I’ve managed to find parallel courses here to what I would normally take in Canada. I’m also interested in learning about space-based applications ofmy degree,'

There are 49 full time international students currently attending the Academy from 24 countries Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Latvia, Taiwan, Romania, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Pakistan, Cameroon, Bulgaria, Jamaica, Singapore, Philippines, Korea, Colombia, Peru, Honduras, Lithuania, Suriname, Thailand, Ukraine, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tunisia

There are also two Canadians, two Chileans, eight French, and four Spanish cadets here for the fall semester exchange. H

Graduate Leadership Conference brings grads together from six decades

This year’s Graduate Leadership Conference was held July 29-30 and brought together over 115 graduates from the Class of 1959 to the Class of2003 for two days ofsessions with the Academy’s senior staff, cadets, and the Association of Graduates. Thirty-eight classes were represented, from 22 states.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Rosa opened the conference with a briefing on the status of the Academy’s culture change plan and where they are on officer development, organizational change, and religious respect. Other senior leaders also presented briefings and then entertained questions from the graduates. During the conference, graduates also heard about the Center for Character Development programs and received a briefing on the Respecting Spiritual Values of all People training. Graduates also spent time in small groups with a panel of cadets, discussing cadet life and garnering the cadets’ insight on the changes that have occurred at the Academy.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit Jacks Valley and observe the Class of2009 on the assault course, obstacle course, and leadership reaction course, followed by lunch with the basic cadets. The conference finished with an open session with the AOG leadership.

Briefings, graduate impressions, graduate feedback, and transcripts of the AOG Town Hall session are on the AOG Web site at www.usafa.org.

Don't be the missingpiece!

Graduate Dependent Scholarships

The Graduate Dependent Scholarship Committee completed its review of 80 applications from children of AOG graduate members seeking scholarship assistance for postsecondary education. All applicants showed high qualifications, but after extensive individual and collaborative evaluation, the committee selected 16 recipients for financial assistance. The committee also selected two alternates in the event one of the selected students elects not to accept assistance under the scholarship guidelines.

Four of the scholars are repeat winners, with asterisks following their names to identify the number of times they have previously received this scholarship. Six ofthe 18 students are currently enrolled in undergraduate degree programs, and the rest are completing high school this semester. Congratulations to all the winners!

Jeffry D. Harnly ($1,000 Buschmann Award) Mr. Harnly is completing his third year at Stanford University, carrying a 3.8 GPA. He graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Liberty High School, Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2002. He is a natural leader in his AFROTC detachment where he received the Community Service Award from the AF Associations local chapter, and the National Outstanding Cadet Award ofthe AF Cadet Officer Mentor Action Program. After completing his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering next year, Jeff intends to complete his Masters Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics byJune 2007. He hopes to be accepted into pilot training and possibly enter the test pilot program later in his career.

Christopher B. Simpson ($850) Mr. Simpson has a 4.0 GPA and stands first in his class at Desert High, Edwards AFB, Calif. He achieved an ACT composite score of31, and SAT scores ofVerbal 680 and Math 740. He has assumed strong leadership roles in student government and as captain of both the Varsity Soccer and Science Bowl teams. He has a passion for music and plays the trombone in the marching and jazz bands. Chris has earned the title ofEagle Scout. He won three awards at California Boys’ State, and numerous awards at the local, county and state Science Fairs. As a member of the “Mathlete” team, he is in 1st place among students from 10 high schools in a year long contest. Chris will attend Tulane University next fall and plans to follow his dream of becoming an aerospace engineer.

Miranda R. Tsukamoto ($850) Miss Tsukamoto is a true leader in her class of 738 students graduating from Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla. She has a perfect 4.0 GPA. She topped the ACT with a 36 on the English portion and has a composite score of34. Her SAT scores are Verbal 670 and Math 700. Beyond her classroom performance, she has excelled in athletics as captain ofseveral volleyball teams. Miranda participates in numerous school clubs and the Young Life Youth Group at church. She has accumulated over 116 hours of community service with Special Olympics, blood drives and numerous other activities. Her history teacher says “for all of Mirandas success, her greatest attributes continue to be her optimistic outlook on life and her ability to positively impact all those around her.” After stepping into Anatomy class, she realized her true passion is to enter a medical career. She plans to major in Pre-Medicine at the University ofFlorida.

Marie J. Erichsen * ($700) Miss Erichsen is a freshman member in the Honors Program at Hillsdale College in Mich. She graduated in 2004 from Eastwood Christian School in Montgomery, Alabama with remarkable ACT and SAT scores in the 99th percentile. She continues her active volunteerism which includes working in the Airmans Attic Thrift Shop when home from college, tutoring elementary students, and visiting local nursing homes to talk with and play piano for the residents. She is an outstanding pianist and has received numerous awards for her music performances. Marie is pursuing her dual interests in music and the humanities through her studies in college.

Cameron E. McAllister ($700) Miss McAllister is a sophomore at the University of California with a 3.97 GPA. She is a 2003 graduate of Niceville High School in Florida, where she was in the top 2 percent ofher class of 510 students. She is an active member of many campus organizations to include the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Institute ofIndustrial Engineers, and Campus Crusade for Christ. Cammie volunteers as a mentor for underprivileged children, and in fundraising for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis research. When she graduates with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering in 2007, she hopes to pursue at civil service career beginning at Eglin AFB, Fla.

Rachel K. Santee ($700) Miss Santee is a sophomore at California Polytechnic State University and is pursuing a major in mechanical engineering. She graduated from Cabrillo High School in California with a perfect 4.0 GPA in 2003. She was named “Most Inspiring Runner” of her cross-country team, ran on the track team, and was captain ofher swim team. Rachel has been a part ofmany design teams to research and create such devices as the “Perfect College Desk and a computer program that helps people decide where to live based on 350 variables. Her experience with the Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Energy Summer Institute inspired her to use her degree to advance the field ofalternative energy sources. She mentors five high school students as an active member ofthe Society ofWomen Engineers, and this inspiring organization encourages her to make a difference as an engineer. Rachel s career goal is “to become a professor at a highly ranked engineering research institution” and she will enhance her education by continuing to work with industry.

TessA. Hamilton * ($600) Miss Hamilton is a freshman at Harvard University. She was valedictorian of her Class of 2004 at Gulliver Preparatory School, Pinecrest, Fla., where she achieved a combined SAT score of 1580 and composite ACT score of 34. In the last year she has been Assistant Managing Editor for Harvard’s Diversity and Distinction magazine, and she is an active mentor for middle-school girls. She has taken a deep interest in studying contemporary race relations and their influence on American public policy and law. She is pursuing a joint honors degree in government and sociology. In the future, Tess plans to study civil rights law with the ultimate goal ofworking for the U.S. Department ofJustice.

Heidi M. Knoblock ($600) Miss Knoblock is set to graduate 1st in her class of 430 students at Worthington Kilbourne High School, Columbus, Ohio. She has a perfect 4.0 GPA, and her SAT scores are Verbal 640, Math 670. She is a leader in student government, on the Lacrosse and Soccer teams, and in her church youth group. She is active in the ski club, Students Against Substance Abuse Prevention Program, and writes for the school literary magazine. Heidi enhances her natural leadership skills by participating in Leadership Tomorrow and Leadership Plus, a series ofyouth leadership training courses. She is eager to attend a college where she can be an active member in the community', focus on studies, and participate in athletics.

Katherine R. Caraway($500) Miss Caraway attends the Fort Worth Country Day School in Texas where she is in the top ten percent of her class. She achieved a combined score of 1430 on the SAT. She is a true scholar-athlete, playing volleyball, basketball and tennis, and her skills have allowed her to play volleyball in Italy with the Youth Olympiad. She spent a week in Japan with the Harashin Scholar Exchange and hosted a Japanese student for a week. As a world traveler she has also visited England, France and Greece through the People to People Ambassador Program. Katie is a role model for freshmen as a Link Crew Leader. She is student editor of her school literary7 magazine. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity7 and with the Forth Worth SymphonyLeague. Her career aspiration is to become a veterinarian and she hopes to minor in Spanish and Art History in college. She has attended language schools in Mexico and she looks forward to helping Doctors Without Borders on future trips to Central and South America.

Chase M. Carter($500) Mr. Carter is number one in his class of262 students at Bay High School, Panama City, Fla. He has a combined 1530 SAT score and composite score of 31 on the ACT He serves his school and community through a variety ofclubs and activities including Mu Alpha Theta and Habitat for Humanity. Chase is a talented actor in his school and community theater programs and is active in International Thespian Society. He often receives the Best Actor award for his stage performances, which also reflects his leadership abilities as he is able to do well himself and encourage the success ofall involved. He plans to attend Baylor University and will explore the possibility of becoming a professional actor. P>

Cameron E. McAllister and Col. (Ret.) Robert Blake, ’59

Chase M. Carter and Brig. Gen. Robertus Remkes, 77

Erin M. Collins($500) Miss Collins is a4.0 student at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md. Her SAT scores are Verbal 780 and Math 660. She is a committed student, a determined athlete on the soccer, track and lacrosse teams, and an active leader in many school clubs. She volunteers much ofher time to community service such as a summer camp for autistic children and with a library reading program for the Elementary School. Erin speaks fluent German; she is in her sixth year studying French and fourth year of Latin. She aspires to become a screenwriter to pursue her love of writing where she can see how the visual effects and sounds ofmovies make her stories come alive.

Maureen E. Fox ($500) Miss Fox maintains over a 3.5 GPA as a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame. She graduated from Bishop Brady High School, Concord, N.H., at the top 4 percent ofher class in 2003. She scored an impressive combined 1420 on the SAT. She is an avid runner, and her extracurricular sports at Notre Dame include field hockey, the ski team, lacrosse, tennis and soccer. She spends a significant amount of time volunteering with causes like the St. Vincent DePaul food pantry, and playingpiano at Catholic mass. Molly has tremendous inner strength and strives to be the best in all her activities and responsibilities. She is pursuing a degree in accountancy and looks forward to becoming a Certified Public Accountant one day.

Jake M. Gipson ($500) Mr. Gipson will graduate second in his class at Niceville High School in Niceville, Fla., with a 4.0 GPA. He achieved composite scores of33 on the ACT and 1340 on the SAT. He has been twice awarded as the star basketball player in Academics, Attitude and Athletics, and earned the title of Eagle Scout. He has led other Boy Scouts in open water sailing and backpacking trips. He conducted detailed statistical research for the regional and state science fairs, for which he won top awards. His greatest teambuilding experiences have been as Project Leader in an international study ofshoreline biodiversity, and as assistant coach ofthe varsity basketball team. He worked at Eglin AFB in an internship last summer, and will continue this project in the upcoming summer researching polarized light. He also interned at Eglin AFB through his senior year learning operations research and designing a linear computer program to enhance productivity of the 53rd Test Management Wing.

Stacey C. Hirst ($500) Miss Hirst attends St. Mary’s High School, Colorado Springs, Colo., and will graduate among the top ten students ofher class. Her combined SAT score is 1260. She is an exceptional leader in class, student government, and on the athletic fields. She will earn 12 varsity letters by the end of her high school career and has received a number ofawards on the softball, soccer and swimming teams. She is a yearbook staffmember, the Fellowship ofChristian Athletes President, and active in numerous other clubs and volunteer activities. Much of her community involvement supports the Salvation Army and various toy drives during the Christmas season. She is eager to embrace her college education and reach her goal ofbecoming a doctor.

Alexandra L. Meyerrose ($500) Miss Meyerrose will graduate from Liberty High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., among the top 4 percent ofher class this spring. She achieved a combined 1230 SAT score, and composite 27 ACT score. She has competed at the varsity level in gymnastics and track and field. She is a dedicated Girl Scout and earned the prestigious Gold Award, and Community Service Bar. Alex is a talented stage performer and violinist in school musicals. She is a successful Forensics competitor, qualifying last year at the State Speech Meet in Duo Interpretation, and leading the team as a captain this year. She hopes to study business at the University ofNotre Dame in order to thrive and succeed in the competitive working environment.

David K. Parsons ($500) Mr. Parsons will graduate with pride from Millenium High School in Goodyear, Ariz., having overcome many obstacles due to his dyslexia and dysgraphia. He has taken numerous Honors courses and achieved a combined 960 SAT score. He makes the most of his talents and has earned the rank of Eagle Scout while performing countless hours ofcommunity service for city events and troops in Afghanistan. He is a varsity swimmer and qualified for regional and state championship meets. Davids interest in and skill with computers leads him to the School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California next year. He wants to develop assistive software programs that allow voice, eye, and mind control that can benefit people who are disabled. He knows that he is able to think very creatively since he is dyslexic and always finding ways to learn in his own way and reach great accomplishments.

Jake M. Gipson and Col. (Ret.) Robert Blake, ’59

David K. Parsons and Col. (Ret.) Jim Shaw, ’67

BEHIND THE SCENES

First Alternate: Teresa I. Mateos stands in the top 2 percent of453 students graduating from Grapevine High School, in Grapevine, Texas. She scored a composite SAT score of 1330 and has been recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar. Miss Mateos is a recognized leader among her peers both in and out ofthe classroom. She has been Color Guard captain in the GHS marching band this year, and she is an outstanding clarinetist and pianist. She received the Girl Scouts’ highest honor of the Gold Award last year, and her service takes her on Council trips as far as California and Europe. Teresa volunteers much of her time providing care in her church infant nursery, with the youth choir, and on missions to Mexico. She appreciates her grandfathers example of continual education and she is proud to enter the class of2009 at Texas A&M University. She plans to pursue a career in business marketing and advertising.

Second Alternate: MatthewA. Nielson is ranked third in his class of 368 at Nacogdoches High School in Nacogdoches, Texas. He achieved an average 640 SAT score and an average score of over 27 on the ACT. Mr. Nielson is an Eagle Scout and active volunteer in the community. He is an outstanding athlete in soccer, tennis and football. Matthew

plans to attend Baylor University to major in business, and also meet the requirements to enter medical school. His ultimate goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon.

The six committee members spent a considerable amount of time reviewing all of the students’ application packages. The AOG would like to thank the non-board member volunteers: Scott Arnott, ’75, Scott Dennis, ’79, Bill Harris, ’97, Liza (Drinen) Mazur, ’85, and Don Williams, ’83. Their gracious assistance and varied perspectives were extremely valuable as final selections were made. S

The Air Force Academy's annual Homecoming Memorial Ceremony was held Sept 16 with many from the Classes of 1985 and 1995 present.

The ceremony recognized graduates and enrolled cadets who passed away during the past year. This tradition has been carried on since 1964, and this year 54 graduates and one cadet were honored.

The solemn ceremony was highlighted by a roll call of those who have departed since the last Homecoming Memorial Ceremony, accompanied by a muffled drum roll. As each name and squadron was called out, the current squadron commander responded, "absent." This cadet response to the roll call represents the continuing bond between the Cadet Wing and Academy graduates.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Rosa, Commandant Brig. Gen. John Weida, '78, and AOG President and CEO Jim Shaw, '67, presided over the ceremony.

THE PINNACLE OF OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

A new book from the Association of Graduates chronicling the heart and sou of cadet life over the past five decades at the U nited States Air Force Academy, Flight of Excellence dares to capture the stories, emotions and Academy traditions from the cadet experience. Join us in celebrating 50 years of building leaders of character for the nation.

This full-color, 9x12-inch coffee table book features:

More than 300 pages of articles and photos of Academy life and traditions

• Stories from all of the Academy graduating classes Articles written by military experts, graduates and renowned journalists

• Never-before published photos of the Academy And much more. Reserve

The class of 1959 began at Lowry because the permanent Air Force Academy facilities had not been constructed. Cadets lived for a time in converted World War II barracks, and commissioned officers from all services were brought in to serve as “upperclassmen.”

Even when the cadets moved to Colorado Springs, things weren’t quite ready. Construetion had just begun on the landmark Cadet Chapel. Some ofthe academy’s structures were not strong enough to withstand the strong winds that frequently buffeted the campus— leaving damaged doors and broken glass.

The Class of 1959 graduatedJune 3, 1959. One graduate did not receive a commission because of health problems. One was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps.

Bradley C. Hosmer, the top graduate in the class, was named a Rhodes Scholar.

The day after the graduation ceremonies, Denver’s Rocky Mountain News reported the event under the headline “207 Air Cadets Are Graduated.” The same issue headlined a number ofother events that gave some indication ofthe world into which the airmen were moving. Among them: “Mice Rocketed Into Space Fail to Orbit” and “West Offers Limit on Berlin Troops.”

For a short time, the new officers pursued their careers without being ordered to combat. The Korean War had ended in a stalemate, and US involvement in Vietnam still was at a relatively low level.

MISSILE CRISIS

Then, in late October 1962, President John F. Kennedy learned that the Soviet Union was moving nuclear missiles into Cuba, within striking distance of the United States. Within days, he had ordered a naval and air quarantine of the island, blocking any further shipment of military equipment to Cuba, For the next week, the services braced for the possibility that Soviet ships would try to break the quarantine and possibly touch offWorld War III.

Recently, the Class of 1959 Web site asked the graduates where they were when they got news ofthe missile crisis. This watershed event occurred just three years after commissioning, as these future leaders were beginning their careers, and most were in operational assignments.

Several were back at the academy attending a football game. Richard E. Carr had talked

hiswingcommander into flying from theirAir Defense Command base at Otis AFB, Mass., to that Saturday’s game at the school. Shortly after halftime, his commander was paged, and they headed for Florida to spend the next few weeks flying offthe coast ofCuba.

James M. ReedJr,, on leave at the time, also was at the game. The following Monday, he saw the President announcing the embargo of Cuba and headed back to his KC-135 squadron at Wurtsmith AFB, Mich. He went on alert; the family quarters was sandbagged, and the Capehart basements were outfitted as

temporary bomb shelters. Soon afterward, his crew deployed to Torrejon, Spain, to fly night missions refueling B-52s.

Within days, all members of the first class had returned to their bases and were on various levels ofalert.

According to the Web site, John M. Davey was in the 31st Fighter Wing, flying F-lOOs at Homestead AFB, Fla. Both that base and MacDill AFB, Fla., soon filled with fighters ready to strike Cuba. Several times, the pilots were told to taxi to the runway, but would then pull back without launching.

“WEST POINT OF THE AIR”

For some veteran airmen, the whole concept of the Air Force Academy was off. They didn't like that it was in Colorado, they didn't like its modern-design buildings, and they didn't like that a school created to prepare future Air Force officers would not even have an airfield worthy of the name.

What many old-timers wanted was for the new academy to be located at Randolph AFB, Tex., a base already known as the "West Point of the Air."

That had been the dream as early as the 1920s, when Congress remade the Air Service as the Army Air Corps and created a general officer position to run its training establishment. Brig. Gen. Frank P. Lahm took the job and promptly began lobbying for a separate base to train the growing number of men who were volunteering to become pilots.

Lahm set up a site selection committee and picked a tract near San Antonio. The city raised money to buy the land and turned it over to the US government in 1928. Later, the field would be named for Capt. William M. Randolph, who had died in a training crash. Ironically, the captain had served on the committee assigned to pick a name for the field.

Much of the credit for the design of the base is given to 1st Lt. Harold L. Clark, dispatch officer at Kelly Field, Tex. Lahm was impressed with Clark's ideas for an "Air City" and brought Clark onto his staff to help build what was to become the Army Corps of Engineers' biggest construction project since the Panama Canal.

The job included erecting more than 500 Spanish-style buildings clustered around the administration building that would become known as the "Taj Mahal." Construction took more than five years to complete, but on June 20, 1930—midway through the project—the field was dedicated with a 233-aircraft fly-over.

The nickname "The West Point of the Air" captured the imagination of a whole generation of air-minded young men. When the hunt for an Air Force Academy site began, some of the officers who had trained at Randolph lobbied for it to host a real West Point of the air.

Those who made the final decision, however, had something quite different in mind. In 1954, Air Force Secretary Harold E. Talbott picked the Colorado Springs location for the academy, leaving Randolph and all other competing sites without the new Air Force's plum educational facility.

George W. Burch was stationed at Travis AFB, Calif., with an air transport unit that was supposed to support SAC by moving supplies to a secret desert airport where B-52s could refuel and resupply when returning from missions. When the unit went on red alert, however, nobody knew where the secret base was.

After several weeks ofglobal tension, Moscow agreed to remove its missiles, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis.

FUTURE LEADERS

Before long, however, Vietnam grew into a major conflict, and the Class of ’59 was in the thick of it. Many of the 1959 graduates went to Southeast Asia, fought and survived the Vietnam War, and went on to serve long careers.

Lt. Gen. Robert D. Beckel flew with the Thunderbirds before going to Vietnam. Much later, he returned to the academy as commandant ofcadets and finished his career as commander of 15th Air Force—where he oversaw SAC’s refueling force and several bomb units.

Several of Beckel’s classmates also returned to their old school.

Lt. Gen. Charles A. MayJr. came back to the Air Force Academy as an academic instructor, left to fly A-37s in Southeast Asia, and became an advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force. He returned to the academy again as an associate professor of political science. He then joined SAC, completed B-52 training, and held several command assignments before ending his career at the Pentagon as assistant vice chiefofstaffof the Air Force.

Gen. HansfordT. Johnson flew as a forward air controller for the South Vietnamese Army and the US Marine Corps, then returned to the academy as an instructor and assistant professor of aeronautics. He later became the director of the Joint Staff, chief of US Transportation Command, and the first commander ofAir Mobility Command.

Lt. Gen. Bradley C. Hosmer went to Southeast Asia as an air liaison officer and forward air controller with the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. Later, he served as Air Force inspector general and returned to the academy as its first graduate to become superintendent.

Maj. Gen. Harold W. Todd completed B-52 combat crew training and was twice deployed to the Western Pacific, where he flew missions in Southeast Asia. Later, he commanded the

25th Air Division at McChord AFB, Wash., was chiefofstaffofthe 4th Allied Tactical Air Force in Germany, and was commandant of the Air War College.

Maj. Gen. Larry D. Fortner flew F-lOOs in Vietnam. He joined SAC, where he commanded two bomb wings and an air division. His final assignment was as executive director oftheJoint Strategic Defense Planning Staffat Peterson AFB, Colo.

Brig. Gen. James M. Rhodes Jr. became an F-105 instructor pilot and deployed to Thailand, where he flew Vietnam War combat missions. After a tour as a test pilot at Edwards AFB, Calif., he returned to Southeast Asia as a flight commander. He retired as commander of Tactical Air Command’s Southeast Air Defense Sector.

By and large, the members of the Class of 1959 prospered. A total of 135 put in full Air Force careers, serving until they retired. Fifteen members became general officers. Three retired as full generals—Johnson, Oakes, and Michael P.C. Cams, who retired as Air Force vice chief of staff. Not bad for group that set out a half-century ago with litde other than a desire to be pioneers for their service. Si

Reprintedbypermissionfrom AIR FORCE Magazine

Bruce D. Callander is a contributing editor ofAir Force Magazine. He served tours ofactive duty during World War IIand the Korean War and was editor ofAir Force Times from 1972 to 1986

Cadet Wing Media

At graduation, you wanted to put the Academy

-iilillHiif

in your rearview mirror

BUT TODAY, YOU REALIZE THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY PLAYED IN YOUR LIFE. In its short history, the Academy has established a tradition of producing quality leaders for the Air Force and the nation - leaders with integrity, character, and the moral courage to do what is right in the most demanding situations. This tradition continues today and will into the future.

One of the most effective ways for you to assist the Academy in continuing this tradition is through a planned gift. Gift planning is the process of carefully selecting the best methods and assets for making a gift, such as cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, life insurance, trusts, and bequests. A planned gift enables you to assist USAFA in its mission while also reducing your burden of income, capital gains or estate taxes.

The Association of Graduates development team can help you with everything from simple bequests to gifts of retirement plan assets, real property, appreciated securities, and the complete range of life income gifts, including charitable remainder trusts, and pooled income funds.

For more information contact Sean Pieri at

(719) 472-0300 or sean.pieri@aogusafa.org

Acceptance Parade

The Class of 1969, the 40 year legacy class for the Class of 2009, was well represented at 2009's Acceptance Parade on August 9. Sixteen members of the Class of 1969 attended the parade, and nine of those presented Contrails to the Outstanding Basic Cadet from each of the nine BCT squadrons. Col. (Ret.) Mike Goode, '69, gave the following speech to the Class of 2009 at the ceremony.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Clockwise from the left: Cadets from the Class of 2009 took part in a rite of passage shared by all Academy graduates as they received their fourth-class shoulder boards.

During the ceremony, members of the Class of 1969 presented the Academy’s newest class with copies of Contrails, every cadet’s knowledge handbook.

(Photos by Ken Wright)

General Rosa, family and friends of the Academy, fellow graduates and classmates; Good morning, new cadets!

Forty years ago, I was one of over 1,000 members of the Class of 1969 who stood on this parade ground, excited about finally making it into the Cadet Wing. What a day! I remember it like it was yesterday BCT was over I was so proud and thought those shoulder boards were pretty special!

Fouryears later, I was luckyenough to be a part ofthe eleventh graduating class of 683 transformed men who walked across the stage at Falcon Stadium and

received their diplomas from then President Nixon and the Air Force ChiefofStaff. So much has happened since then

Today, we have 634 classmates remaining. Nine were killed in action. Three hundred and twenty-eight (more than half the class) have retired from active duty after full careers. Two are still in uniform.

As we reach the twilight of our careers, we all envy you and the future that lies before you. Forty years from now, one of you will be speaking to the Class of 2049. Without a doubt, you have a long road ahead to earn that right.

Take a good look at the man or woman standing on either side ofyou. Historically, one ofthe three ofyou will not make it to graduation. I guarantee in the next four years you will be challenged mentally and physically like never before in your life. You will lay awake at night wondering “what have I done?” You will think about leaving many times.

But the reasons most of you came to this great institution will also help you stay the course. Our advice, above all, is to keep your sense of humor and remember always that the current hardship, which seems so all-consuming, is only ternporary and will not last forever.

When you make it to graduation, the rewards will be far greater than you can ever imagine. People, both civilian and military, will look at you differently when they learn you graduated from the Air Force Academy. They know you have one of the finest educations in the world and you are much more than just “another” college graduate. No one can take that away from you ever!

Was it worth it? To a man or woman, I have to believe all who have walked before you will wholeheartedly agree that those four grueling, memorable years were indeed well worth all the sacrifices necessary to be called a “grad.”

Even though our classes are 40 years apart, we are connected by this small book. You will memorize some of the same information we studied, from all four verses of the National Anthem to the Fighting Man’s Code ofConduct. We now pass the torch on to you to “support and defend the Constitution ofthe United States,” just as we did. We were always bound to the country and the Academy but more importantly, we were bound to each other as classmates. Take care ofeach other. The bonds you develop will last your entire lifetime.

From our class to yours; Greytags to Greytags, I am honored, on behalf of the entire Class of 1969, to congratulate each of you and welcome you warmly to the “Long Blue Line.” All of us have taken different paths, as you will, but we are confident your accomplishments will exceed ours. Never hesitate to call upon us for help anytime. At every step, we pledge to be there for you, unfailingly and without hesitation, in your times ofneed.

Class, there are one thousand three-hundred and ninetyfour days until graduation. Just do it! 9

Greenwood honored as Pathfinder

The Way ofLife affinity group ofthe Association ofGraduates recently honored the late William R. Greenwood with a “Pathfinder” presentation to recognize and honor his contributions to the Air Force and the Academy. Greenwood was first budget officer and first rankingAfrican American administrator at the Academy.

During the period 1954-58 he was charged with developing the initial budget and scheduling the funding of all Academy projects. In 1958 he was tasked to train the budget office staff that would move to the new Academy site in Colorado Springs later that year. He was consistently recognized by the Air Force for his outstanding contributions to this and other programs.

During the ceremony at Doolittle Hall, a “Pathfinder” paver and Mr. Greenwood’s official portrait were unveiled. Mrs. Marie L. Greenwood received the recognition on her husband’s behalf. Upon learning her husband would be honored, Mrs. Greenwood told reporters “I am so proud that the Air Force Academy is honoring Bill’s hard work Bill’s pride and joy was seeing to it that this fine institution had a sound financial beginning.”

Air Force Aid Society assisting hurricane victims

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Air Force Aid Society is leaning forward to meet the needs of the Air Force victims of the devastating storm. To assist in this effort, the Society has established the AFAS Hurricane Assistance Fund for donors who want to designate their contributions specifically to the hurricane victims. Information on how to make a contribution and a secure, on-line donation form are available on the AFAS Web site at www.afas.org. For questions regarding the fund, please call 1-800-769-8951.

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the United States Air Force. Its charter promotes the Air Force mission by providing worldwide emergency assistance to Air Force members and their families, sponsoring education assistance programs, and offering a variety of base community enhancement programs that impact welfare of the Air Force family.

Commandant cleared

Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida, ’78, had faced seven allegations that he improperly shared his faith. The inspector general in June cleared him ofsix of the seven allegations, including his June 2003 “guidance” to cadets that said they are “accountable first to your God.” He also urged cadets and staff to pray.

The Academy said the final allegation of which he was cleared recently was “using a religious communicative code to facilitate the proselytizing of non-Christian cadets.”

“General Weida has readily acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate and has taken positive, visible corrective actions that reflect his true character,” Stephens said.

Last month the Senate dropped Weida off a list for military promotions. The Academy said his elevation to major general is still supported by the Air Force Americans United for the Separation of Church and State said it conducted an investigation that revealed the Academy forced cadets to pray at certain functions and urged cadets to evangelize.

The Air Force set up a task force to investigate the claims. It said in June that it found no overt religious discrimination at the school but a lack of sensitivity and confusion over what is permissible in sharing one’s faith.

A0G Board announces new officers

At its Aug. 13 board meeting, the Association of Graduates’ Board of Directors elected Ted Legasey, ’67, for another two year term as board chair. The board approved Steve Finch, ’65, as vice chair, Charles Garcia, ’83, as treasurer and Marianne LaRivee, ’80, as secretary. The board also welcomed Mike Christy, ’63, Steve Finch, ’65, Ed Eberhart, ’68, Pat Rosenow, ’76, Marty France, ’81, Edie Edmondson, ’92, and Mike Flynn, ’95, to the board.

The board established the Governance/Bylaws Committee which is chaired by the board vice chair, Steve Finch, and co-chaired by A1 Rogers, ’64. The board also selected Susan Helms, ’80, and Steve Finch as co-chairs of the Alumni Relations Committee. Other committee assignments are pending. The board also selected Rob Mishev, ’99, to fill the vacancy on the Nominating Committee.

Iron Cadets

Three cadets recently made a remarkable showing at the Ironman Wisconsin triathlon. Out of2,076 athletes, ClC Garret Omohundro placed 380th with a time of 12:30:56. ClC Ted Meeker placed 658th with a time of 13:19:32. C2C Stephanie Rice placed 1,344th with a time of 15:24:01.

The grueling contest included a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run.

There is nothing wrong with their voices. Some are booming. Some are animated. Some are downright mellifluous. But all the same, professors at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business would rather hear students speak.

To develop great communicators and leaders we ask students to, quite simply, communicate and lead.

That’s why Darden professors spend the least amount of time lecturing of any of the top MBA programs. We believe this is one reason the Princeton Review ranked our professors the #2 teaching faculty in the nation. Now that’s something worth listening to when considering business schools. www.darden.Virginia.edu/military

Are you Darden material?

PRINCETON REVIEW RANKS ACADEMY

TOPS IN PROFESSOR AVAILABILITY

Courtesy ofthe Princeton Review

TheAir ForceAcademy’sprofessors are the most accessible to their students in the nation, according to The Princeton Review’s The Best 361 Colleges.

The New York-based education services company features the Academy in The Best 361 Colleges, the new 2006 edition of its annual “best colleges” guide. Only about 13 percent of the four-year colleges in America are in the book. It has two-page profiles on the schools and student survey-based ranking lists of top 20 colleges in 64 categories.

The Academy also came out in several other top-10 rankings in the nation, including:

#

1 Professors Make Themselves Accessible

#2 Don’t Inhale

#2 Stone-Cold Sober Schools

#2 Everyone Plays Intramural Sports

#3 Lots of Race/Class Interaction

#3 Jock Schools

#4 Scotch and Soda, Hold the Scotch

#10 Best College Library

#12 Best Overall Academic Experience for Undergraduates

#18 Students Never Stop Studying

“The main factor in our selection of schools in the book was our high regard for their academic programs,” said Robert Franek, vice president of publishing for The Princeton Review.

“We evaluated them based on institutional data we collect about the schools, feedback from students at them, and visits to schools over the years. We also considered the opinions of independent college counselors, students and parents we talk to and survey. Finally, we worked to have a wide representation of colleges in the book by region, size, selectivity and character.”

Among the student comments in the profile on the Academy is one about the workload.

Former C 1C Luke Haywas (now 2nd Lt.) works on the FalconSAT-3 satellite in the Academy’s clean room, atter the satellite finished vibration and thermal testing in February. Another multidisciplinary cadre of cadets will finish work on FalconSAT-3 and its five scientific experiments later this academic year, and deliver the satellite’s flight model for a potential September 2006 launch. (USAF photo by Joel Strayer)

They purposely place 25 hours of tasks in every 24-hour day. It’s tough, but ifyou work as a team and put forth all your effort every day, this place won’t be too bad,” said one surveyed cadet.

Cadets average an 18 semester hour workload until their final senior semester. Cadets also juggle their academic workload with mandatory intramural or extramural athletics, military training activities, and honor and character development courses. In addition, cadet squadrons are active with community service projects, and senior and junior class cadets hold leadership positions within the Academy’s 4,000-cadet strong Cadet Wing.

“Overall, it’s a good experience; we learn time management very quickly,” said another surveyed cadet.

Helping the cadets with time management is a faculty which is the most accessible in the nation, according to the review. Professors “do not go home after they leave class,” said another surveyed cadet. “They stay for a full day, giving extra instruction whenever needed.”

The Academy has a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. None of the Academy academic courses are taught by undergraduate teaching assistants, as the Academy has no teaching assistants. S

ENGINEERING RANKS AMONG NATION’S FINEST

Academy Spirit

Several of the Academy’s undergraduate engineering proGRAMS RANK AMONG THE TOP IN THE NATION, ACCORDING TO the US. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2006 RANKINGS.

The rankings are separated by which universities offer graduate education programs, and those which have only undergraduate programs, such as the Air Force Academy. Overall, the Academy’s undergraduate engineering programs ranks seventh in the nation this year.

The Academy's engineering specialties were ranked nationally as follows:

#2 in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, #6 in Electrical/electronic/communications, tied with Penn sylvania’s Bucknell University, #7 in Civil Engineering, tied with Bucknell University, #11 in Mechanical Engineering, tied with California’s Santa Clara University.

TheAcademy’s undergraduate aeronautical and astronautical engineering programs have ranked second in the nation every year since 2001, behind only Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

“Our graduates take part in real-world research and design which is normally reserved for graduate students in most programs around the nation,” said the Col. Neal Barlow, ’78, Director ofthe Department ofAeronautical Engineering.

“We are also fortunate to be well supported by the Academy and Department of Defense research and development community in maintaining world-class classroom and research facilities. Without a doubt, we have the finest facilities of any undergraduate aerospace engineering program in the country and probably the world. Because of these outstanding facilities in concert with an accomplished faculty, we will continue to set high expectations for our program and our graduates.”

Among those efforts are advanced active flow control and plasma actuators for aerodynamic control of future generations of air vehicles; UAV and micro-UAV development; C-130 modifications for special operations aircraft; and assisting NASA’s return-to-flight program.

“Every graduate of the Academy’s aeronautical engineering program takes part in both design and research projects which directly solve problems for our DoD, Air Force and NASA sponsors,” said Colonel Barlow. “Our aero majors are mentored in these efforts by a number of military and civilian professors who have gained world class status.”

High expectations are also the order of the day for the Academy’s Department ofAstronautical Engineering, where the department mantra is ‘cadets learn space by doing space.’

“Our cadets design, build, test and fly real operational satellites and sounding rockets,” said Col. Michael DeLorenzo, ’74, Director of the Academy’s Department ofAstronautical Engineering. “This past year, cadets completed all preparations to launch and fly FalconSat-2, built the qualification model for FalconSat-3—the largest and most complex undergraduate satellite ever built, test fired a rocket motor with more than 3,500 lbs of thrust—the largest in Academy history—and achieved our first stable supersonic flight for FalconLaunch II at the Army’s maneuver range near Trinidad, Colo.”

The US. News & World Report rankings are compiled by the magazine, using a weighted combination offactors. These start with peer assessment byuniversity deans and senior facultybeing the most heavily-weighted factor, and continue through faculty resources, retention, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and end with the alumni giving rate. S3

Once upon a time

• • •

Grads, remember all the great stories you and your classmates shared with one another at your last reunion? Well now is your chance to share some of the most important memories of your life with the 22,000 readers of Checkpoints magazine, which includes the entire Cadet Wing.

As the Academy and the Association of Graduates begin a four-year celebration of the institutions 50th anniversary, the staff of Checkpoints wants to publish some of your cadet experiences and stories of how your four years at the Academy affected your career and life.

Although we can’t guarantee every submission will be published, we hope that many of you will take time to share your first-hand account of the Long Blue Line’s heritage and history. Please keep your story between 500—2000 words. If you have photos to include with the story, please include them, too. Digital copies ofphotos must be in “jpg” file format, at a resolution of no less than 300 dots per inch at a dimension of5 x 7 inches. For more infermation or ifyou have any questions, please contact Ken Wright at (719) 472-0300 or ken.wright@aogusafa.org.

Please e-mail your story and photos to editor@usafa.org. Ifyou choose to mail your story, please include a digital copy ofyour story and photos on a CD or floppy disk. Microsoft Word files are preferred for the text documents.

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Feel The Cockpit

•ix months before his murder, President john F. Kennedy looks into the eyes of graduates at the Air Force Academy and challenges them to protect freedom around the globe. They answer his call, having no inkling of the turbulent decade about to break over them. The Light on the Star is about upheaval in America, as a war in Asia fans incendiary turmoil at home. Idealistic young men struggle with duty, honor and bonds among classmates as their oncevictorious Air Force faces defeat, as one era in aerial warfare ends and another emerges dimly. The consequences reverberate through the lives of fighter pilots caught in the crosshairs.

The Light On The Star

Their tumultuous journey is an inspiring story of service to country under adversity. It is marked by the pure thrill of flying jet airplanes and the stark terror of things going desperately wrong under fire.

Steve Dotson's novel, The Light on the Star, is well-written, gritty and intelligent. Combining drama with history, it captures the turmoil of the sixties at a gut level. Its authentic flying scenes, especially its vivid combat missions, make the joys and fears of the cockpit real. It's a great read.

General Ronald R. Fogleman, U. S. Air Force (Retired) - Fighterpilot and former Chief ofStaff, U.S. Air Force photo ©

Bill Erickson

A LESSON ON LEADERSHIP

LT. GEN. (RET.) J. W. KELLEY, ’64, GAVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH TO THE CLASS OF 2007 AT THEIR COMMITMENT DINNER ON AUGUST 9.

ve got to tell you how honored I am to have been asked to join you this evening it’s a real privilege Bar none!

But I’ve also got to tell you, as I left the house enroute here my wife asked me where I was going this time and I told her. Then there was this exchange that went somethinglike, “You still love the Air Force more than me ...” To which I said, “Yeah honey, but I still love you more than I do the Navy!” Then she told me to keep this short and don’t go wandering all around at the podium! So I got my instructions, I know my part and this is gonna be the best Commitment Dinner speech you’re ever gonna forget!

Remember that great country-western song a few years ago “I wanna talk about me, me, me?” Well, that’s not what were gonna be doing tonight not here, not now, not at these proceedings. Tonight, it’s all about you, you, you! And your commitment! Now, I read the letter from your class president. I liked it. Ty has it right. It is indeed all about you, not family members or friends it’s you. And those you will lead.

Because you are the best and brightest, the great and gallant, you will sharpen the edge on America’s AEF... at least you will ifyou are committed to doing so. If...

So how many leadership speeches have you heard? Well, you’re gonna hear another one, at least in part. Each one has a different slant, a different basis ofexperience, and based on different stress levels. But each has something good, a point, an idea. Get those good ideas and keep ’em. Try out some of the notions or ideas now, while you can afford to make

mistakes. Because when you are the lieutenant, someone’s gonna ask you, “What do we do now LT?” Your squadron, your flight, your crew, your troops will naturally turn to you, and theywill expect you to know what to do. And your head and your heart better be in the moment! In fact, as General Twining told the ’59 ers, “The Nation will expect great things from you.” So too, will those who you are leading! So you better be ready, and you can’t be ready ifyou ain’t committed to what you are doing. And what you’re gonna be doing is being an officer serving your country! Pretty important I would say.

Yeah, I know you have heard all that before. But let me tell you, in the crisis ofthe moment, whenever it occurs, the snazzy uniform, dazzling personality and pretty face are all gonna be irrelevant, and you will need to make a decision. And it will be rare that your decisions will only affect you. So be sure you are ready to make the best decisions. There’s no doubt you will be smart enough, but will you be strong enough? That requires commitment!

And you will be doing that in a world raging with change. Lots of it. Yet while this may be increasingly a point and click world, in our profession—the profession of arms—somebody’s still got to aim and shoot. And while the notion of “going to the sound of the guns” has an admirable quality to it, it really doesn’t mean too much if you happen to be in space! Think about it! Change. And in all the history books and movies we hear “pass the ammunition.” Not in Iraq. The troopers there are asking

“Serve with courage and honor. Integrity is the single most important element ofyour character. Last time I checked, integrity had no elastic properties whatsoever. Don’t try to stretch it! You either have it, or you don’t.”

for more band-width so they can find the bad guys. And get ’em with one shot! And by the way, those troopers are wearing digital watches. In this digital world we fight in, “clock-wise” doesn’t have much meaning!

Let me add a quick story. For decades, the U.S. military issued a personal protection weapon, a gun, a side arm, to new generals. Your Air Force continued this tradition and practice when it was established in ’47. I remember when I was promoted to BG in the mid 80’s and was issued a personal protection weapon, 9 MM Beretta. Very proud of that! But only a few years later, the Air Force started issuing a laptop computer, the gun was optional! That shouts loudly about the power ofinformation. The future is a long way off, yet just around the corner. It all depends on your point ofview!

But change is present in more than how we fight. Yesterday, bigger was better. Gadgets were great and place to place was super! Today, niches are nicer and it isn’t about places it’s about people, so mobility is the key and while possession may be nine tenths of the law, “knowing” may be more important than “having.” The challenges are far more complex. Lead times are longer. Engagement is shorter and more intense. Forces are smaller and systems are more complicated. Standoff weapons are more prevalent. Precision, lethality, range, speed, versatility all much greater. This kind of change will continue and will make today as unfamiliar to tomorrow’s warriors, as yesterday is to today’s war fighters. We’re seeing humans move from being “in the cockpit” to

being “in the loop.” And we’re seeing our Air Force move from being an Air and Space Force to a Space and Air force. And space ain’t that far away. Technically it’s just 60 miles. That’s closer than Denver! It’s just straight up.

And the pace of change is accelerating! But change is tough for some folks to handle. Most folks like things just the way they are. Leave me, my shop, my people alone; we are just fine thank you very much. Ever hear that? Of course you have! What do you mean you are taking down the “Bring Me Men sign?” What do you mean you are doing away with the Fourth Class System? For some folks change is a white knuckle, e-ticket ride! Theyjust close their eyes, hold on tight and hope this change will be over so they can get back to status quo. Ain’t gonna happen is it ? Its change that’s normal, not status quo! And you gotta commit to leadership in a fast changing world.

Take a look at me. I represent a lot ofchange. I come from a time when software wasn’t a word! Hardware was a store when I was your age and the “Bring Me Men” sign wasn’t even up! Frank Sinatra and the Beatles were music and Hootie and the Blowfish, N-Sync and Snoop Dog wouldn’t have made any sense at all!

A time when there was no Starbucks, no internet, no cell phones no Cadet Field House, the only airplane on the terrazzo was an F-104, and when I went to the Cadet Store and got some M&Ms, there weren’t any blue ones in the bag! Most ofmy weekends were spent in the squadron day room watching WWII airpower movies. t>

You are moving through a time of rapid parallel change; and no map! Characterized by an extraordinary opportunity for choice. You could almost say over-choice! High among your challenges will be to choose, to select, to decide wisely and timely. Not gonna be easy is it? You are and will continue to be flooded—overwhelmed with opportunity. It’s a wonderful thought I suppose, and a wonderful problem. I suppose you could say you couldn’t have a better problem, but it’s still a problem. Just like the decision you must make tonight regarding commitment.

It could be the first real life experience for many of you, you know? One of those events or things that can be life changing, and usually is. Sort of like flying or parachuting. If you don’t get it right you’re gonna die. And regardless of what you decide about commitment, your life will be forever changed. But so to for all those whom you might lead and be responsible for. This is not a unilateral act! The commitment may be yours, but it affects more than just you!

You have learned through experience to trust your intuition and good judgment. That doing it right is critical, and so to is doing the right thing. You have learned to trust each other because you have done things together. And while you

are trained to lead, are you committed to leading? There’s a big difference!!

As much as some things change, others don’t. I never felt offended by the term one nation under God ...” I bow my head when someone prays. I put my hand over my heart during the National Anthem. I believe values and standards are critical and go hand in hand with character and leadership.

This is the profession of arms we are talking about, not a football or basketball game. There have been, and will continue to be, time when “Win one for the Gipper,” and doing your best, and giving it your best shot, just ain’t gonna be good enough. Only mission success will do, at whatever the cost. Those times will be rare, but they will occur. It’s what we do. It’s commitment.

In the Civil War, when Sherman was moving through Georgia, he over-extended his lines and got into big trouble. He sent a messenger to Grant for help and Grant saved his bacon. Later, he wrote a letter to Grant, “I always knew that ifI were in trouble and you were still alive, you would come to my assistance.”

We are not talking about being a good scout here and helping with groceries or fixing a flat. We’re talking about the profession ofarms. The defense and security ofthis great country and freedom everywhere. I always knew you would come to my assistance.

Serve with courage and honor. Integrity is the single most important element of your character. Last time I checked, integrity had no elastic properties whatsoever. Don’t try to stretch it! You either have it, or you don’t. And as my friend General Ron Yates says, “I don’t know anyone who has “some” ofit!”

And how about standards? You will be privileged to serve with, and lead the finest Airmen in the world. They are really smart and sharp. They will hear what you say, see what you do, and they will know what you mean. So what’s it gonna be for you? High standards or double standards? You know the answer. You know the answer!

You can be demanding without being abusive. You can be stimulating without being insulting. And as General Creech said many years ago, “Ifyou look up to your troops, you will never talk down to ’em.”

Let me wrap this up. I’ve been talking way too long, and there never was a bad, short speech!

What we are doing this evening is a matter of a very important moment. But what you will be doing everyday in your active duty responsibilities is to create the future of our Air Force. Second by second, minute by minute, day by day. Through your commitment, you can make it better. So make it better! Make it better!

Now do good, confront evil, and press on!

May God bless the Class of 2007, and may God bless America! H

THE DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD

DG

Nomination Instructions

DG

The Distinguished Graduate Award recognize five 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 U.S. Air Force Academy and the AOG, recognizing graduates whose accomplishments are inspirational and elevate 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 ofAmerica’s leaders.

To nominate someonefor the 2006 Distinguished GraduateAward:

Anyone may submit a three-page nomination package. All packages must be submitted by April 30, 2006. Page one should include:

- 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)

Pages two and three should include a strong written justification.

Send nomination packages to:

Association of Graduates

3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475 or e-mail as a MS Word attachment to dick.rauschkolb@aogusafa.org

For more information, contact Dick Rauschkolb, ’70, vice president for communications, at (719) 472-0300 or dick.rauschkolb@aogusafa.org.

Timeline

May 2005 - April 2006

Award is publicized and nominations are accepted Nomination packages must be submitted byApril 30, 2006.

May - July 2006

Selection committee reviews nomination packages

August 2006

Selection committee recommends award recipient to AOG chairman of the board and U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent Recipient is notified and agrees to accept award at the U.S. Air Force Academy

April 2007

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.usafa.org

Thoughts of Columbia arose as Discovery descended ROCKY

Crew faced 'unknown factor'

Moments before the homeward bound space shuttle Discovery began its fiery descent through the atmosphere Aug. 9, a disconcerting thought flashed through pilot

James Kellys mind:

We’re about to do something that didn’t work last time.

Kelly, ’86, and his six crewmates were attempting the first shuttle landing since Columbia disintegrated over Texas in 2003.

“Certainly there were a few thoughts in my mind ofthe Columbia and her crew and the fact that hopefully we were going to do something they didn’t get to do - that we’d make it all the way to the ground,” Kelly said in a telephone interview from Houston.

“And even though in your mind you know, absolutely, that you’re in good shape to do it, there’s always that unknown factor of something else that could happen,” he said.

But the re-entry and landing were trouble-free, ending a twoweek mission that featured daring spacewalking repair jobs and the first detailed in-flight inspections of a shuttle’s thermal shield.

It was Kelly’s second flight as a shuttle pilot, which puts him in line to become a shuttle commander.

For Kelly, 41, it’s the realization of a dream born while he was growing up in Burlington, Iowa, a town of30,000.

From the age of 5, when he watched Neil Armstrong step onto the moon, Kelly wanted to be an astronaut. But he wasn’t sure how to accomplish that goal.

One day, while walking through the counseling office at his high school, he spotted an Air Force Academy catalog.

“And it had a picture ofthe academy chapel - which obviously is very striking - on the cover,” Kelly said.

“I’d never heard of(the Academy) before. But I ended up applying, and I was actually the first person from my town to go to the Air Force Academy,” he said.

Kelly credits the Colorado Springs school with setting him on the path that allowed him to become an astronaut. He majored in astronautical engineering, learned to fly, and was designated an Air Force pilot in October 1987.

He flew F-15s and then graduated from the Air Force Test Pilot School. He has logged more than 3,800 flight hours.

Kelly was selected as an astronaut in April 1996 and piloted Discovery on a March 2001 mission to the International Space Station.

“The foundation for all that was absolutely at the academy,” he said. “And certainly I’ve used pretty much everything I learned there to understand what we do in orbit.”

Kelly and his wife live in Houston with their four children - two teenage sons and two young daughters.

“One or two of them are talking about maybe going to the Air Force Academy,” he said. “So who knows, I may be back there a lot in a few years.

“We would love to be living in Colorado,” he said. “We miss the wintertime. Down here in Houston, we don’t get much ofthat.” B

Reprinted withpermission ofthe Rocky Mountain News

Class bell rings, faculty targets ‘Lesson One

By Wayne Amann, AcademySpirit

Photo by Ken Wright

Sports has its opening day, Broadway its opening night and theAcademy its first dayofclass. Like manywalks of life, the anticipation of a new school year brings a book bag full ofoptimism for cadets and faculty alike.

“There’s so much excitement in that first meeting. It’s the beginning of our journey together for the semester,” said Dean ofthe Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana Born, ’83. “They’re now in a learning environment. The students are somewhat apprehensive and the instructors are nervous, although the cadets don’t know it.” The butterflies fly in formation thanks to the meticulous preparation each teacher brings to the classroom. Much ofthe preparations done during the summer months actually started at the end ofthe previous academic year, as instructors reflect upon critique and assessment information. Many teachers go into the new school year with an entirely restructured course and all the exams

re-written. That facilitates ordering new textbooks. Faculty members continually stay up-to-date on new developments in their respective fields. “This summer I divided my time between preparing for a core law course, Law 220 - Law for Air Force Officers, and developing a proposed curriculum in computer and internet law,” explained Capt. JeffPozen, a Law Departmentfaculty member. “We track new developments because the law itself changes when new statutes are passed or new cases are decided.” General Born added that course directors typically have materials ready a month or more before class starts.

Academyfacultyusually prepare individual lessons a day or two before a particular class so ideas and presentations are fresh, and can be tied into the previous lesson. Current events such as the space shuttle launch or a development in Iraq are used to bring concepts to life. One fact of faculty life is the nearly 30 percent instructor turnover every year. That’s viewed as a positive because the newcomers bring fresh ideas and experience from the operational Air Force to supplement the educational experience and expertise ofthe senior military and civilian faculty. The Directorate ofEducation runs workshops and provides methods course

directors and teachers can use to improve their courses and instructional techniques. Instructors prepare approximately four hours for every 50minute class. Plus there’s grading and more. “It’s a continuing learning process for us,” Born said. “That’s why our most important initiative is our focus.” This years focus centers on developing an environment on learning outcomes within the classroom instead ofhow well an instructor teaches. “Even ifyou’re the most dazzling, prepared, educated, developed instructor, unless there’s learning occurring, it doesn’t matter,’’ the Dean said. “We want to better measure that with seven outcomes.”

Called the Dean’s Outcomes, they deal with graduating people who can communicate effectively, solve, resolve and define problems, who are independent learners and critical thinkers. The outcomes are designed to blend with the officer development system outcomes of the training wing and athletic department to produce Air Force officers of character. To that end, this year a new department was added to the faculty lineup. The former 34th Education Group is resurfacing as the Department ofMilitary Strategic Studies. Also called DFMI, Military Instruction, it joins 19 other departments offering a total of 32 academic majors, spanning more than 500 undergraduate courses for 4,000 cadets. The 32 academic disciplines are nationally renowned for rivaling many graduate level programs. “The curriculum is unparalleled,” Born said without hesitation. “But what makes the Academy so

unique are the phenomenal students, who had tons ofother opportunities. Instead, they decided to serve their country and become something bigger than themselves. Add the high qualityfaculty right now more than halfhold PhDs, which is very unusual for an undergraduate institution plus our great staffand facilities, and it’s a wonderful blend.” With all that, the Academy still averages only 19-20 students per class.

“It’s eyeball-to-eyeball contact,” the Dean emphasized. “And every class carries the so-what factor, ‘why do I need to know this in the profession of arms, as an Air Force officer?’ You don’t get that at a civilian university.” While her departments are responsible for the operational and tactical levels ofteaching, the Dean maintains the strategic view. “Our customer is the Air Force and we focus on Air Force needs in everything we do,” she said. “The academic curriculum is key to developing cadets but we work in concert with the training wing and athletic department to provide an outstanding experience. We’re proud ofwhat we do and are always looking for better ways to meet our goals. There’s no more challenging nor rewarding mission than developing officers ofcharacter. Were excited for Lesson One.” S

AIR SUPERIORITY:

50 years of Falcon football through the eyes ofJim Bowman

Hes not a household name like Head Coach Fisher DeBerry or three-time Super Bowl champion Chad Hennings, but he can rattle off more names associated with Air Force football than you can imagine.

By Wayne Amann, Academy Spirit

Photo by SSgt. Ben Bloker

Jim Bowman and Falcon football have been attached at the hip pad for 48 of the program’s 50 years this golden anniversary season. When Air Force and Washington kickedoff Sept. 3 it was the 534th Falcon game played during Bowman’s tenure. The former freshman and juniorvarsity coach turned associate athletic director for recruiting support speaks with father-like pride, when recalling the players, coaches, teams and games that make up nearly a halfcentury ofBlue and Silver memories. Ironically, it’s not the on-field exploits that matter most to him.

“The best thing about this school is what these athletes do after they leave here; how they turn out as people,’’ the 72 yearold Michigan native said. “We’ve had major command leaders, wing commanders, astronauts, war heroes and more. That’s more important than how many touchdowns they score.”

Among the lengthy roster offootball players Bowman coached are Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance Sijan, ’65, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Steve Ritchie, ’64, who became the first fighter “ace” ofthe Vietnam War and 1st Lt. Karl Richter, ’64, who volunteered for 200 missions in Vietnam and was killed on his 198th.

“I’m a lucky man. I’m no hero. Things just worked out,” said former consensus All-American safety Scott Thomas, ’86, an F16 pilot in Operation Desert Storm. “I’d been in situations like that in Falcon Stadium.”

Bowman points with pride to the four Rhodes Scholarship football players, part of 14 Academy athletes and 33 total the institution has produced. He noted the Academy leads the nation with four football players and five total in the GTE Academic Hall of Fame and ranks second in the NCAA with 25 players earning post graduate scholarships.

“Before we joined the Western Athletic Conference in 1981, our players didn’t get recognized for being All-Conference or AllAcademic All-Conference, he said. “A lot of teams in the early 60s and 70s, great student-athletes, didn’t get credit for anything. Since then, hundreds of other major award winners have been honored at the Academy. Bowman paced the same Falcon sidelines as fellow coaches who went on to carve their niche in the game. Fourteen became head coaches in the college ranks,while six landed National Football League head coachingjobs.

The Falcons have been led by just five head coaches in their first 49 years. Three of them, who Bowman calls “great men,” have made a lasting impression among their peers. Ben Martin, Ken Hatfield and Fisher DeBerry were presidents of the College Football Coaches Association. Hatfield and DeBerry were named national coaches of the year and Martin was a Washington Touchdown Club Coach of the Year.

“One ofthe keys to our success is staffcontinuity,” explained Bowman about Martin’s 20 years and DeBerry’s 22 seasons at the helm. “Not only are they talented, quality men, but so are the folks they brought in with them.” The three-pronged mission of Air Force football is to beat Army and Navy, win the conference title, and play in a bowl game.

The inter-service rivalry among the academies intensified in 1972 when formerAcademy athletic director George Simler orig

inated the idea ofthe Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, given each season to the academy which wins the round-robin series among the three schools. Air Force has won the hardware 16 times, Navy seven and Army six. There have been four ties when each school goes 1-1 and the trophy stays with its previous winner. The first Air Force - Army game, a 13-13 tie, was played on Halloween, 1959, in New York’s Yankee Stadium. The first Air Force - Navy tilt kicked-offthe next year in Baltimore. The midshipmen won 35-3 behind Heismam Trophy winner Joe Bellino. “We were a heavy underdog to Army,” Bowman said. “Our goal back then was to be competitive, play big schools and get the name Air Force across the country. Our overall record shows we’ve been pretty successful.” t>

Jim Bowman

Entering the 2005 season, the Falcons sport a 45-210 (.681) inter-service series record compared to Navy’s 29-36-1 (.447) and Army’s 24-41-1 (.371)

“Our first win over another service academy was the ’65 Army game, 14-3, in Chicago’s Soldier Field,’’ Bowman said pointing to his copy of the original game program. “Our quarterback was Paul Stein, ’66, who later became superintendent here. I recruited him from Fansing, Mich. He stayed and worked for me as a JV coach. The first win over Navy was in ’66, 15-7, here.”

The one game recognized by those familiar with Falcon history as putting the football program on the national map, was the 13-13 tie against Big Ten champion Iowa, Oct. 4, 1958, in the Hawkeyes’ backyard. Iowa was such a huge favorite, no points were quoted on the game. The Falcons spotted Iowa 21 pounds per man in the line. Rocky Mountain News reporter Bob Collins called the Iowa City match up a benchmark when he wrote, “the result transcends sports in its effects on the Academy. All sports tradition there now starts with this game. No matter what happens, the rest of the season or in seasons to come, they’ll still go back to this game when the Academy made its mark in the face ofgreat odds.

Bowman remembers that magical season well.

“It was my first year here and they hadn’t graduated a class yet. They had 1,100 students,” he reminisced. “Some buildings weren’t finished. We played our home games in Denver because we had no stadium (Falcon Stadium was built in 1962), but we did have a great class, some great sophomores. For them to go undefeated against the schedule we played, then tieTCU, 0-0, in the Cotton Bowl was very special. People said who are those guys? How could they beat powerhouse teams? That carried over.”

That team went 9-0-2 under Martin, his rookie season at the Academy. Air Force is 290-239-13 (.548) all time. One of the most dramatic victories was over the 15th ranked Washington Huskies, here, in 1963.

“QuarterbackTerry Isaacson, ’64, led a great comeback on national TV to beat them, 10-7,” Bowman beamed. “From ’62 to 04 we played against 21 teams ranked in the

Top 25 at the end ofthe season, and we won four times. Bowman’s nostalgic look at Academy football, and athletics in general here, goes well beyond wins and losses.

“We’ve had 17 bowl games in 49 seasons. I’ve been to all of them, he said. “TV has spread the Air Force name nationwide. People know there is an Air Force Academy. It helps stimulate cadet candidates, attracting outstanding leaders for this country.

“One of the last strongholds for discipline in this country for young people is sports,” Bowman explained. “Three strikes, you’re out. Five fouls, you’re out. You’re penalized for offside. You can’t mouth off to somebody, it’s great. Those things help America follow rules. It’s terrific to work under the Cadet Honor Code here.”

He says the most significant change is that athletes are bigger, stronger and faster. Physical limitations at the Academy aren’t as stringent as in the early days. Today’s body fat measurements have changed the medical standards concerning weight.

“We get some kids who are 280 pounds but they’ve got to be able to pass the Air Force medical exam to graduate, and they always do,” he said. “We have never compromised our integrity at this institution. We can’t do that.”

Just as Bowman can’t stop coordinating mission support for all 27 men’s and women’s intercollegiate sports. His mentor at Navy, Rip Miller, was there for 49 years. Bowman got extended for three more years so his plan is clear.

“It’s a challenge but I’ve got to beat him,” a resolute Bowman promised. “It’s a privilege to have this great job here where all our grads become outstanding officers and pillars in the community. The fun part is when the players I coached come back as colonels or generals or successful business people. They remember me and I remember them.” S

Academy lands trio on All-American rugby teams

By Wayne Amann, Academy Spirit

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better for the Academy womens rugby team, it did. After all, how can you top perfection? The club team not only posted an unblemished 13-0 season record, it dominated. The Falcon juggernaut outscored their opponents by a staggering 492-30. They recorded nine shutouts including 56-0 and 34-0 blankings over inter-service rivals Navy and Army respectively. Air Forces most lopsided victory was 65-0 over visiting Wyoming. The most points allowed by Air Force came in the season finale, a 52-8 win over the Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque, March 5. Based on its sustained, sterling performance, it was no surprise three Falcons were named by USA Rugby as All-Americans for the 2004-2005 academic year. Second lieutenant Leslie Kastrop, 05, and C1C Alicia Binggeli were selected as First Team All-Americans while 2nd Lt. Erin Smith, ’05, earned Second Team honors.

The number of women playing collegiate rugby has steadily increased over the years. There were nearly 10,000 women playing college rugby this past academic year. That’s made the All-American selection process more difficult. “This year we received more nominations from coaches than in the past,” said USA Rugby Selection Committee Chair Alan Osur. “Selection has involved an increased level of discussion.” The Committee, consisting of Osur, Darlene Connors, Steve Murra, Nancy Kechner, Ellen Owens and John Seggar represents a cross-section of rugby coaches and administrators from across the nation. They spent many weeks analyzing player performances. In 1995 the Collegiate Committee started the women’s All-American program. It’s grown over the years as the number and quality ofplayers and teams have improved. This year more than 300 teams competed, compared to 167 in 1995. From 1995 through 1998 there were only first team selections for All-American. Starting in 1999, second team players were added. This year’s honorees included 29 First-Teamers and 32 Second Team All-Americans. The 61 selectees represent 31 colleges. H

Then-CIC Leslie Kastrop passes to fellow USA Rugby First Team selectee C2C Alicia Binggeli during a home match last season. (Photo by 2nd Lt. John Ross)

Six from Air Force swimming & diving team named MWC Scholar-Athletes for 2004-05

By USAFA Athletics

Six swimmers from the Air Force swimming & diving team were recently named Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athletes for the 200405 season. The Academy had 28 total cadet-athletes earn MWC Scholar-Athlete athlete awards.

From the mens team, C2C Matt Karmondy, C3C Matt Sievers and C4C Spencer Liedl earned scholar-athlete honors.

Karmondy, who was also named to the 2005

ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® University

Division Mens At-Large All-District VII Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors ofAmerica, posted a 3.84 grade-point average, majoring in aeronautical engineering. Sievers, who was named to the conference all-academic team had a 3.67 GPA majoring in computer

science. Liedl, who was also conference all-academic, had a 3.83 GPA majoring in management.

The womens team also had three scholar-athletes in C2C Ginny Miller, C3C Blair Leake and C4C Kallyn Johnson. Miller, a three-time academic all-conference honoree posted a 3.73 GPA majoring in electrical engineering. Leake had a 3.88 GPA in operations research, and Johnson had a 3.87 GPA majoring in biology.

To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least two semesters or three quarters at the certifying institution while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of3.5 or better, and have competed in at least one varsity contest in their respective sport. H

Air Force holds on to capture Falcon Invitational tide By usafa Athletics

Despite strong final round performances by some of its competitors, the Air Force golf team was able to hang on for the victory at the seasonopening Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational, held at the 7,301-yard, par-72 Eisenhower G.C.-Blue Course. The Falcons, who finished 4-over-par for the weekend at 868, finished four strokes ahead of second-place Weber State (872), while Long Beach State (875), Boise State (875) and California (884) rounded out the top five. Boise States Graham Delaet brought home medalist honors, finishing at a 10-under-par 206.

Air Force’s win in its own tournament was just its third ever, the first since the Falcons tied the New Mexico junior varsity squad for the win in 2001. In addition, this years victory marks the team’s first outright title in the tournament since the inaugural event was held in 1969. That year, Air Force captured the team trophy after playingjust 18 holes ofgolfdue to inclement weather.

Leading the way for the Falcons in their team vietory this year was C2C Tyler Goulding, who was the picture of consistency, firing a 71 for the third-straight round to finish tied for third at 3-under-par. Meanwhile, C1C Scott Redmond and C3Cs Tyler Labrum and Bob Whitney all ended the weekend tied for 21st at 5-overpar (221). Rounding out the Air Force varsity group was C2C Chad Follett, who shot a 228 for the tournament to finish tied for 52nd.

Meanwhile, the Falcons’ JV squad finished the tournament in 15th place with a three-round score of901. C4C

Andrew Gibson led the way for the team, firing a low round of70 on to end up tied for 12th at 4-over-par (220), while C4C Chase Wirtz ended the weekend tied for 30th (223). C3C Matt Tanis tied for 64th at 230, C3C Jared Freeman finished tied for 66th at 231 and C4C Shaun O’Bryant ended up tied for 74th with a 235. H

Final Results

Impressive in competition, in class

ByWayne Amann, Academy Spirit

Academy fencers C2C Jason Stockdale and CICs Tim French and Jackson Ranes debuted with a flare at the Summer National Championships when they finished fourth in the 21-team field in Division I Team Men’s Epee in Sacramento, Calif.

Stockdale, currently ranked 25th nationally in U.S. Fencing, advanced to the individual competition in epee and finished 48th.

“I can not describe how proud I am of our team,” Falcon head coach Abdel Salem said. “They performed against a lot ofpowerful teams.”

One was the New York Athletic Club, which finished first and features former Falcon Seth Kelsey, 03. Kelsey is ranked No. 1 in U.S. Fencing. He finished fifth individually at the Summer Nationals.

The Academy’s success at this year’s competition may be just the beginning.

“The fact that we did not send any teams to Nationals before this year, the difficulty oftraining during the cadet’s very heavy summer schedule and competing without their coach present, make them outstanding athletes in my eyes,” Salem added. “In the future, I hope to send any team that qualifies to the Summer Nationals to compete.”

Meanwhile, five Academy fencers were named Mountain West Conference Scholar Athletes for 2004-05.

C1C Alison Freiman, the lone female fencer selected, carried a 3.58 grade point average in civil engineering.

Other conference honorees included C3C Adam Schenk, a physics major with a 3.70 GPA, C2C Christopher Baran, who posted a 3.66 GPA in legal studies; and ClC Samuel Bartron, a history major carrying a 3.67 GPA. Second lieutenant Oboho Edemumo, 05, was honored by the MWC for his 3.71 GPA in aerospace engineering.

“That our cadets maintain high grade point averages throughout the semester, plus participate in sports is a tribute to the Academy’s leaders and educators,” Salem said. ‘I’m very proud of our student athletes.”

The Academy had 28 student-athletes named 2004-2005 MWC Scholar Athletes. H

The Air Force Academy Fund

WBy Sean Pieri, AOG Vice

Recently the United States Air Force Academy undergraduate engineering programs were ranked among the top in the nation, according to the U.S. News & WorldReport’s “Americas Best Colleges 2006” rankings (See “Academy recognized as among the best” on pg. 64).

The Academy’s aeronautical and astronaudeal engineering undergraduate programs were ranked #2 in the nation. Col. Neal Barlow, ’78, permanent professor and Director of the Department ofAeronautical Engineering, attributed the rankings to the fact that Academy graduates take part in real world research and design which is normally reserved for graduate students in most programs around the nation.

“Our cadets design, build, test and fly real operational satellites and sounding rockets”, said Col. Mike DeLorenzo, ’74, permanent professor and Director of the Department of Astronautical Engineering. “This past year cadets completed all preparations to launch and fly FalconSat-2 next month; built the qualification model for FalconSAT3—the largest and most complex undergraduate satellite ever built; test fired a rocket motor with more than 3,500 lbs ofthrust—the largest in Academy history; and achieved our first stable supersonic flight for FalconLaunch II at the Army’s maneuver range near Trinidad, Colorado,” he added.

President ofDevelopment

“It is accomplishments like these that set our undergraduate Astro and Space Operations programs apart from the rest of the country and results in recognition such as the rankings in U.S. News.” What you might not have known is that such programs in a large part only exist because of private funding. Private binding from Academy graduates, parents and friends to the Air Force Academy Fund has been used in recent years to support the FalconSat, rocket research, and several other such hands-on engineering programs.

However, the affects ofprivate funding are not only being felt in the area of academics, but also in character education, military training, and athletics. Seventy-eight academic, athletic and mission-oriented cadet clubs would not exist without private support and neither would the existing character education program which is setting a example that many across the nation are looking to emulate.

One ofthe primary vehicles for private support is the Air Force Academy Fund. Here are some commonly asked questions:

How does the Air Force Academy Fund provide support for the Academy?

Each year, the Academy identifies important non-government funded programs and activities. The unrestricted resources you provide through the Air Force Academy Fund are used by the superintendent to fund priorities

on the Academy’s annual gift needs list. We need your donation to sustain support for the Academy’s major priorities and to provide resources for additional immediate and emerging opportunities that enable the Academy to reach new levels ofexcellence.

Why does the Air Force Academy need your private support?

Contrary to popular belief, the United States Air Force Academy is not funded solely by federal tax dollars. Federal support is limited. The Air Force and government provide adequate funding to the Academy for the core programs, the baseline requirements needed to earn a Bachelor of Science degree and a second lieutenant commission. Private funding from graduates, parents and friends is crucial to maintaining the excellence of the Air Force Academy experience and for producing leaders of character for the nation.

Has the Academy received private support in the past?

Yes! In the past, endowed professorships permitted military and civilian experts to become visiting professors. Falcon Stadium was built through the generosity ofAir Force personnel and others who believed that first-rate athletic performance was an important element of Academy life. The Visitor Center, internals of

Graduate Participation Rate

the Cadet Chapel, and the Eisenhower Golf Course also were built using money received from private gifts.

Why is my participation in the Air Force Academy Fund so important?

First and foremost, every private gift directly benefits the Cadet Wing.

Also, graduate participation in private support of an institution is viewed in the eyes of such ranking organizations as U.S. News and World Report as a key indicator of

institutional success.

As you can see from the graph we need to increase the graduate participation rate.

The Air Force Academy Fund is making a real difference in the life of the cadets. Flowever, currently the funds from the Air Force Academy Fund are only able to meet about one-fifth of the requested annual gift needs. As graduate participation continues to build, and more private funding is available, the future of the United States Air Force Academy looks bright.

A few, but not all Academy programs supported by the Air Force Academy Fund are:

Academic Awards

Academy Assembly

Academy Counseling Center

Athletic Department Programs

Cadet Awards Program

Cadet Clubs

Cadet Travel

Cadet Summer Research

Community Outreach Programs

Character Education Programs

Distinguished Guest Speakers

Engineering Programs

Foreign immersion Programs

Humanities Institute

International Programs

Military Strategic Studies

Mentoring Programs

GRADUATES CADETS ACADEMY STAFF FAMILY MEMBERS

Suburu of Denver teams with the AOG for super deal on Suburu line-up of vehicles

Burt Suburu of Englewood, Colo., provides a significant discount to USAFA graduates, cadets, faculty, staff and their families: vehicle cost plus applicable tax only. No dealer or handling fees are assessed. Buyers also are eligible for any applicable dealer cash, rebates, special financing offers, etc., that are available at the time of purchase. Burt Suburu will donate $150 to the Air Force Academy Fund for each vehicle purchased through this program. To date the AOG has received $300 from BURT Suburu.

For more information, please contact Mike Crowley, Burt Suburu sales and leasing representative, at (800) 587-4156 or Terry Neff at (800) 535-2878.

TerryNeff, BURTSuburu Sales (right), presents thefirstdonation to theAir ForceAcademy Fundfrom BURTSuburu’s Graduate Purchase Program toJim Shaw, ’67, Association ofGraduates President and CEO.

to get away

The Falcon Travel Program planned for 2006 offers exciting opportunities for graduates and AOG members to travel the ,*! / world with their spouse, family, classmates and friends in the company of other Air Force and service academy graduates.

Spring 2006 vacation packages include;

Rome Escapade: March 5-12

China Treasures and the Yangtze River: April 27 - May 9

Kitzbuhel - An Austrian Delight: April 28 - May 6

Other travel destinations in 2006 include

The Baltic Sea and the Norwegian Coast Passage of Peter the Great An Irish Classic - Ireland

The Enchanting Cote D'Azur and Provence

The Passage of Lewis and Clark

More information about these luxurious travel destinations is available online at www.usafa.org. Click on “Membership & Services" and then "Travel Programs" or contact Brian Binn at brian.binn@aogusafa.org or (719) 472-0300.

View all merchandise offerend by the AOG and shop online 24 hours a day at www.usafa.org

Prices,

Cadet T-Shirt

100% Pre-shrunk cotton. White with dark navy ringer collar and sleeve cuff $10.50

Polo/Golf Shirts

Cutter & Buck. AOG crest on left chest. 100% premium soft cotton jersey. Contrast striping on the collar and cuffs $39.50

Cadet Sweatshirt

92% cotton, 8% polyester. Light gray with reflective lettering $45.00

Stadium Blanket

Pre-shrunk 80% cotton, 20% polyester. 54" x 84" Pro-Weave sweatshirt blanket. Air Force Academy and AFA crest printed on blanket $22.00

Hooded Sweatshirt

MV Sport. 80% cotton, 20% polyester. "Air Force" applique across chest with "Academy" embroidered beneath $45.00

Crewneck Sweatshirt

MV Sport. 80% cotton, 20% polyester. "Air Force" applique across chest with "Academy" embroidered beneath $40.00

Squadron Pins

Pins match ail current squadron patches and many prevoiusly used patches (Please specify squadron) $5.00

Class Notebooks

6 1/4" x 9" Gray leather notebook. Years available: 1966, 1992-1995, 19972005 $12.50

Prop & Wing Necklace

Silver with 20" chain. Similar to emblem worn by cadets $25.50

2005 Ornament

Oval shaped ornament featuring the eagle and fledglings statue. In the background is the cadet chapel and a sunburst $20.00

2004 Ornament Globe with six vignettes around the equatorpegasus, a falcon, eagle & fledglings, a sailplane, the chapel, and the prop and wings $24.00

Here's a Toast

Print by Keith Ferris. Numbered and signed. Approximate size is 24" wide by 30" tall. Unframed $62.50

Expect Great Things

A historical documentary of the first fifty years of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Available in DVD and VHS $14.95

Falconry Book

Hard Cover. By Lt. Gen. A. P. Clark, 6th superintendent of the USAF Academy. The story of the cadets' unique performing mascot $17.95

License Plate Frames

'Alumni', 'Falcons', or 'Parent' across the top and 'Air Force Academy' across the bottom. Each frame $6.25

Any two frames $10.50

Footfalls

Print by Rick Herter. Artists proofs of the War Memorial. Approximately 24" wide by 17" tall. Unframed $156.00

Cadet Saber

Official USAF Academy cadet saber. *Available to graduate members only. Saber with scabbard $240.00

to Chapter Web sites at www.usafa.org

Chapter Mews

Outlook

AFA Society of North Carolina

The Chapter meets on the third Thursday of each month for drinks at Players Retreat in Raleigh. Navy luncheons, on the first Friday of each month, are also open to all USAFA & USMA grads.

Alamo Chapter

The chapter continues to volunteer its service with Habitat for Humanity. The next project is on Oct. 1 near Palo Alto College. To volunteer please RSVP to: Kay Grosinske, ’82, kay.grosinske@brooks.af.mil or 946-6500 or Mike Nishimuta, ’73, at mike@nishimuta.net or 497-7744

Gateway Chapter (St. Louis)

The Chapter will participate in the Fall Service Academy Golf Championship at the Player’s Club in Eureka, Mo., on Sep. 30. On Nov. 5, West Point and Air Force fans will watch the game at a location to be determined. Contact the chapter for more details.

North Texas Association of Air Force Academy Graduates

Next on deck, our annual BBQ will be held at the lovely home of Rick and Kathleen Grandjean, ’69, in conjunction with the televised broadcast of the Navy/AF game on Oct. 8. And don’t forget: all North Texas grads are welcome to sign up for the new NTAAFAG-net at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ntaafag/ or check the Web site at: www.ntaafag.org for the latest in news, information and events.

Northern California Chapter

The chapter is looking forward to the upcoming annual summer picnic, hike and golfscheduled for Oct. 1 at the Moraga Country Club near Berkeley. The club president will provide the meat and everybody is encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share with the group and drinks. We will barbecue by the pool in the early afternoon. Thanks to the Flemings for their help with this! Also, don’t forget about the annual Christmas dinner scheduled for early Decernber! We will send out details soon. For more information, contact sfeland@sbcglobal.net.

Northern Alabama Chapter

The Chapter was pleased to welcome General Rayburn and his wife Leigh to the Chairman’s Room at the Summit Club in Birmingham’s AMSOUTH Harbert Plaza building. The general made comments on USAFA, the Air Force, and the geopolitical landscape. In attendance were a nice cross-section of graduates from ’63 to ’99, guard, reservists, active duty members, retirees, civilians, and liaison officers. It was a great event for the chapter.

GOAL 2

General Rayburn addresses the Northern Alabama Chapter during his visit to Birmingham. Keep abreast ofAir Force and USAFA topics

GOAL 5

Interact with other service academy graduates

AFA Society of North Carolina

On June 4, we held our annual Triangle Academy Golf Tournament in Southern Pines, NC. Taking the prized “boot” once again in 2005 was the AFA team of Chuck Latham, ’74, Jim Herrmann, ‘72, Ron Marquette, ’67, and Pat Daley, ’74.

In July, Hal Keck, ’62 hosted two downhome pig pic’ins featuring eastern North Carolina barbeque for the groups of cadets attending Operation Air Force at Seymour Johnson AFB.

Gateway Chapter (St. Louis)

The chapter participated in the Annual All Academies GolfTournament held on May 13. In spite of its negative reputation, Friday the 13th turned out to be a perfect day for golf. It was an even better day for the Falcons. Our team ofringers led by Pat “Blind Put” Ellis, ’88, and Gregg “Long Ball” Miller, ’87, and assisted by Kirk “Fore!” McDonald, ’90, won the tournament with a six-under-par finish and took the trophy back from Navy and put it where it belongs. The trophy will be on display at Pat and Gregg’s Reserve unit at Scott AFB until next year. They both complained of sore backs from carrying me for 18 holes, but other than that all ofthe Air Force grads had a great time.

GOAL 9

Assistparents clubs/cadets

Heartland-LeMay Chapter

The chapter hosted 14 Cadets from the final group assigned to Offutt AFB for their OPS AF tour at a cookout on July 21. The photo shows members of the classes of 2007 and 2008 who were hosted by the chapter. Lt. Col. Lou Nolan, ’86, Chapter President and his wife Richelle offered the hospitality oftheir home. The group was joined by a prospective candidate from Lincoln, Neb. who received a

lot of input from the cadets. The cookout provided a great opportunity to swap stories and for the grads to get some “ground truth” from the cadets about what’s really going on at the Zoo. Nobody went away hungry.

North Texas Association ofAir Force Academy Graduates

The Association had another great “summer send-off” picnic and softball tournament for our local appointees before they reported to be a part ofthe Academy’s newest Class of 2009 on June 18. The send-off is held annually in conjunction with the North and Northeast Texas Admissions Liaison Officers and the North Texas Parents Club at the Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base.

Piedmont Chapter

The chapter hosted its Third Annual Cadet Appointee Luncheon on June 16, at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, N.C. The luncheon provided the appointees with an opportunity to meet their future classmates, graduates, and current cadets. The appointees came from the Piedmont region and mountains of North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina. Participants included fourteen cadet appointees from North and South Carolina, eleven graduates, and several our chapter’s special friends.

Above, Former NTAAFAG presidents and Liaison Officer Directors, Col John Visser ‘77, USAFR and Col Buddy Lott 76, USAFR at the North Texas Association of Air Force Academy Graduates Summer Sendoff. Below, Katie Caraway (center), daughter of John Caraway, 75 (right) received $500 NTAAFAG scholarship from President Ed Kirkham, 78 (left). She will attend Texas A&M this fall.

Grads participating in the Heartland-LeMay Chapter cookout: Lt. Col. Lou Nolan, ’86, President (kneeling, 3rd from right); Maj. Steve Lindemuth, ’94, Vice President (standing, 3rd from left); Tad Draper, ’68 (kneeling, 5th from left); Ed Yong, ’86, Secretary/Treasurer, (kneeling, 2nd from right); providing the Marine perspeclive—Lt. Col. Dave Schlichting, ’88 Chapter AL0 Liaison (standing, 6th from left); Scott Hutt, 77 (standing, 2nd from right); Jeff Blank, ’86 (standing, 9th from left); Lt. Col. Pete Mance, ’88 and Lt. Col. Parker Northrup III, ’88 (standing, 2nd from left) and his spouse Lt Col Carol Northrup, ’89 (kneeling, 2nd from left).

Link to Chapter Web sites at www.usafa.org

Trip Ashe, ’86, President, and Drew Rioio, ’72, Vice President, would like to thank the following people for attending and sponsoring a cadet:

Steve Hundey, ’69; Steve Hoagland, ’70; Pete Barnes, ’82, and Liaison Officer Director, Western North Carolina; Chuck McGregor, ’94; T.J. McManamy, ’74; Kevin Barnes, ’94; 2Lt. Emmit Evans, ’05; 2Lt. Jerrod Yankeck, ’05; Quincy Collins (Training Officer for the Classes of'59, '60, and '61).

We also thank the following people, who were unable to attend, but readily sponsored a cadet: Roger Zoeller, ’63; Jim Thomasson, ’60; Price Osteen, ’85.

We further thank the following special guests: Cadet Matthew Tucker, ’06; Lt. Col. Laura Kinard (Liaison Officer Director, South Carolina)

During the luncheon, each graduate recounted their funniest memory from the Academy. Several of the new cadets recently contacted us and expressed their appreciation for the Piedmont Chapter’s efforts.

Affinity Groups

AcademyWomen

The Second Annual AcademyWomen Symposium was held the Sept. 23 and 24 at the Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Va. (www. womensmemorial.org). The symposium was an opportunityfor participants to meet up with old friends, network with women academy graduates and be inspired by prominent guest speak

ers, panel sessions, interactive workshops and a gourmet evening dinner. The speakers included the Air Force Academy Dean of Faculty, Brig. Gen. Born, ’83, Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy (the first and only woman to achieve the rank ofthree-star general in the United States Army), Ms. Diane Morales (former Deputy UndersecretaryofDefense and highestranking women in DoD), as well as several other amazing women and impressive service academy graduates. We plan to have a more complete after-action report in the next issue ofCheckpoints and on our Web site at www.academywomen.org.

Space

The Space Group is currently going through a transition from its initial concept to one that better meets the needs of the Academy and our members. There’s been tremendous progress in space-related activities in the Air Force and at the Academy since this group was formed, and we have asked ourselves and others ifthis affinity group should continue to function. In response, we have received strong support from the Academy faculty and AOG leadership that the Space Group has and should continue to provide useful support to the Academy and to graduates.

Since there now is a lot of activity going on at USAFA to integrate space awareness in the Academy experience, this group will continue to be a good way for graduates to keep up with these developments. We are continuing to build an effective working relationship with the SpaceWorking Group at the Academy and will provide a needed communications channel. We will continue to support space-related cadet activities, such as the Falconsat program

and cadet clubs related to space, but we will maintain closer contact with the cadet leadership of these programs, as well as with the faculty sponsors. We will also work with other emerging faculty initiatives. For example, a space history symposium is planned for next year. And the space doctrine and other military courses are moving from the commandant to the dean. In the commandant’s area we will continue to find ways to support their military training programs related to space operations. We have found lots ofsupport for our concept of providing mentors/advisors for faculty and cadets who want to know more about space careers, but this activity needs to be better publicized among faculty and cadets.

The SpaceGroup has been asked to help with the establishment of the Center for Space and Defense Studies, to be hosted at the Academy, which will “provide the intellectual foundation for the integration ofspace policy in the overall national securitypolicy ofthe United States, define the curriculum for space policy studies in higher education, and produce successive generations ofAir Force officers with a vocation for space.” This will be an exciting and productive opportunity for our members.

Although we will continue to function virtually, using our Web site at usafaspace.tripod. com as the primary communications medium, we will investigate other ways to work together. The Web site has been a good mechanism to share information, especially the discussion forum and reference material; it’s worth checking out if you haven’t recently done so. There’s a form there for joining this group, too.

To help make these and other Space Group activities more effective, we will look for opportunities to hold more face-to-face group meetings, probably in Colorado Springs. We have many members of the group in the local area, drawing on the Air Force Space Command cadre and others there with space experience and interests. We are also examining the group’s leadership positions and structure, to help improve the effectiveness of our internal management. Overall, we are turning a new page in the activities ofthis affinity group. With new leadership in key Academy positions, we are certain that the future will offer productive opportunities to continue to support the wing and the graduate community.

The chapter hosted its Third Annual CadetAppointee Luncheon

Service Academy

Career Conference

November 17-18 Austin, TX.

What is SACC?

The SACC is 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 of companies and thousands ofalumni.

Where will the SACC be held?

The next YdCCwill be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Boulevard Austin, Texas. You may obtain a room for the SACC rate, if available. Call (512) 478-4500 for reservations and ask for the SACC rate. There are many other hotels available in the area or stay with classmates or family.

SACC Schedule of Events

Thursday, November 17

Interview Prep Seminar at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Friday, November 18

Breakfast (provided) 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Registration 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

SACC ...9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Lunch (provided) 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

SACC 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 19

Interviews only ifdirectly scheduled between company recruiters and candidates; Companies will contact you directly regarding any on-site interviews during the SACC.

If you have any questions, contact Wayne Taylor at (719) 472-0300 or DSN 333-4513.

Registration Fee

The SACC Candidate registration fee is $35 and may be paid by check or credit card. Please mail the below registration with form ofpayment and one copy ofyour resume. Resumes must be one page/one sided and on plain copy paper. Please do not fax your resume. Registration deadline 31 October.

SACC Hotel Information

Four Seasons Hotel Austin 98 San Jacinto Boulevard Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 478-4500

Next Scheduled SACC

Washington D.C., May 11-12, 2006

SACC Candidate Registration Form (Austin, TX.)

NAME (for name tag, no ranks):

ADDRESS:

PHONE (Home): (Work):.

Will you attend the free Interview Prep Seminar?

Please include: □Registration Form

□ Fee $35

□Yes HNo □ Resume (one page/one sided)

USAFA CLASS:

(E-mail):

MAIL TO: SACC

247 King George St. Annapolis, MD 21402-5068

or e-mail to: sacc@usna.com

There's no place like Colorado

joint service academies jobs electronically

www.jsaje.com

Tony Marietta,

’70

Since 1975, selling Colorado homes, homesites, and recreational properties.

MARIETTA & COMPANY

m 6189 Lehman Drive, Suite 200 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918

E-mail: usafa70@aol.com

719-592-9700 Toll free: 1 -800-571 -1161

Looking to advanceyourcareer? JSAJE is an exclusive site specifically designed for service academy alumni. Whether you are looking for a new job or different career, JSAJE is the place for you to make it happen. If you have not registered in JSAJE, please register and create a username and password. If you have registered to JSAJE, please log in to the program by using the username and password you created. Once you have logged into the JSAJE program you may browse throughjob listings and contact employers. Not actively looking for a job? Sign up for Job Retriever and let it alert you whenjobs according to your search criteria become available.

Joint Service Academies Jobs Electronically

www.jsaje.com

SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference—a career fair hosted three times annually and exclusive to alumni of the five service academies. SACC is designed to match our alumni with employers interested in hiring service academy alumni. Current SACC venues are Washington D.C., San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.

Alumni

Search for Jobs JSAJE Plus (Joint Service Academy Jobs Electronically Plus) is an exclusive job Web site designed for service academy alumni. JSAJE Plus allows you to browse through job listings and contact employers. JSAJE Plus also contains a resume repository for those graduates who are in an active transition mode and a job retriever for those who prefer to remain in a passive mode.

Employer

Post Jobs JSAJE Plus is also an exclusive job Web site designed for companies in corporate America to advertise their career opportunities directly to service academy alumni. In addition to the job posting function, JSAJE Plus also contains a repository of resumes of those graduates who are in an active transition mode.

SABRD is the Service Academy Business Resource Directory and is an excellent tool to network with other academy alumni. SABRD may be used for career contacts, and is indexed by industry, geographic location (city, state, etc.), company size, type, anc location, and it lists contact information for the graduate registering that specific company. It is a business-to-business directory designed for alumni to help fellow alumni.

iSABRD is the on-line Service Academy Business Resource Directory. With over 31,000 active profiles of service academy alumni from USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA and USNA, it is a viable resource for advertising, career networking and building business connections with fellow alumni.

A perpetually smiling face is no longer with us William Robert “Bill” Currier, age 67, died doing something he loved - flying. Bill was test piloting a friend’s home-built Rans Sakota (S-10) on June 23, 2005 near Aiken, S.C. when engine trouble resulted in a crash. Bill lived on Gilbert International Air Park (near Columbia, S.C.) where he joyfully flew his own Rans S-10. Bill had also owned a 1959 Aeronca Champion in recent years which he particularly enjoyed flying from South Carolina to Vermont navigating via compass, rivers, and roadways!

Bill came to the Air Force Academy from Essex Junction, Vt. He was chosen as a first alternate directly out of high school. He was so intent upon attending the Academy that he called, spoke with, and convinced the primary candidate that he should withdraw so Bill could take the appointment, which he did. Bill did well in schoolparticipating in varsity soccer and track and attained the rank of cadet squadron commander. (His meteoric rise to the top suffered a setback, however, as he was caught at an after-hours raid at Colorado University prior to a football game!) He graduated with the second Academy class in 1960. Bill recently relished reconnecting with Academy classmates at his 40th and 45th class reunions. He and his wife of 21 years, Irma Jeanne, returned from the 45th reunion just four days before his fatal accident.

Bill served in the Air Force for six years as a fighter pilot including a tour of duty in Okinawa. He became an instructor pilot with the 174th Tactical Fighter Group of the Air National Guard, Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y. where he served for 14 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Bill flew a total of nearly 3,000 hours in the F-86 Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, T-33 Shooting Star, and the AT-37. Whether flying fighter jets or single-engine prop planes, Bill loved to be in the air and share the joy of flying with others particularly enjoying the role of instructor pilot.

Bill received a master’s in Political Science from Auburn University during his military years and later became a doctoral student in Education at Syracuse University. He taught mathematics at Morrisville (N.Y.), Blue Ridge (Va.), and Midlands Technical (S.C.) Colleges. One of Bill’s greatest gifts was helping others realize their own talents and skills. At his memorial service, his daughter Megan said, “What heartened me was that he wasn’t only standing there shouting instructions from the sidelines, but he was also one of my greatest fans. Cheering me on, pushing me, encouraging me, building my confidence by having that confidence in me”. Many people were blessed with having Bill’s strength and encouragement to lead them on, as he had a deep faith in the goodness of everyone.

Bill’s support and caring for others were reflected in his devotion to his church, Lexington United Methodist. As a “PK” - preacher’s kid faith was an important part of Bill’s life. The last 10 years he chaired numerous church committees, most recently leading the Care Team Ministry. Bill was particularly dedicated to providing services to the elderly and worked closely in fellowship with sister AME Church in Lexington.

Bill leaves behind his wife, Irma Jeanne; daughters Tonya, Auburn, Megan, and Marta; son Miles; and their families and three grandchildren. Bill truly loved life and lived it to the fullest... providing a great example to us all. One could not have wanted a better friend or classmate. (Irma Jeanne Currier/Miles A. KasparJr., I960)

For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site.

www.usafa.org

but not forgotten

FrankA. Black, ’63

There aren’t many memorial services like that of Frank Black, who died on June 27, 2005, as the result of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident two days earlier. Held in an overflowing church in Georgia, the speakers included this Class of ’63 classmate, a judge, a member of the late Senator Richard Russell’s family, and the district head of the American Bikers Active Toward Education (ABATE) of Georgia. Frank’s ashes were escorted to the church by Harleys and honored with a military guard and a 21-gun salute. Such a diverse group was indicative of Frank’s life, equally at home flying a fast jet, driving his classic silver Mustang, discoursing with the local Lions Club, or riding with his motorcycle buddies. He left this life as he would have wanted: on a beautiful day and after a joyful ride.

Frank Anderson Black came to USAFA from Thomaston, Ga., but it quickly became apparent Frank was no Georgia cracker. Tall, slender, and elegant, Frank always knew how to live smoothly. Within one year of pilot training at Webb AFB, Frank was in South Vietnam as part ofthe first deployment of the RF-4C to the Vietnam conflict. While in Vietnam, Frank flew 207 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 11 Air Medals. The other highlights of Frank’s military career were his two years on the USAFE Inspector General’s Team from 1968-1970; his three years back at the Academy as an Air Officer Commanding from 1971-74; Operations Officer of the 16th TRS at Shaw AFB in the late ’70s; and Base Commander at Moody AFB, Ga. from 1980-82. He was a distinguished graduate of both Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. Frank’s tour as an AOC was particularly noteworthy. He was not only deputy for Basic Cadet Training (“Beast”), but he was also responsible for much of the planning and preparation for the admittance of women to the Academy. Little did he know how a female cadet would later play into his life. His last assignment was as Chief of the Strategy Division, J-5, OJCS at the Pentagon.

After Frank retired from the AF as a colonel in 1987, he moved back to Thomaston. Frank was active there in the Harbor House shelter for abused children and became a member of the Thomaston-Upson Airport Authority. In 1996 he was honored by being selected as a “Community Hero” Olympic Torch Bearer. The AF Academy, however, wasn’t done with him. Attending an USAFA Alumni dinner in Atlanta where his former wing commander, Brad Hosmer (’59), was the speaker, Frank was seated at the same table with Nancy Russell Parker. Nancy was there because her older daughter, Hayley, was a cadet in the Class of ’96. That meeting opened a new door for Frank, and he and Nancy married in 2000. Frank thoroughly enjoyed becoming a part of the large Russell clan.

Frank spent his last years in Gainesville, Ga. actively engaged in the community with the Lions Club, the ABATE bikers club, and the Vietnam Vets Chapter of the VFW. His biker friends, primarily enlisted vets, admired and loved this fighter pilot. With one of his bike groups, Frank rode to Washington, D.C. as part of the initial Rolling Thunder to honor his fallen Vietnam comrades.

Frank Black was a truly unique person, and his death has left a big hole for those ofus who knew and loved him. He is survived byhis wife, Nancy; his daughters Sereina and Margot by his first wife, Beverly; his stepdaughters Hayley and Betsy; and five grandchildren. (Ed Pickens/63)

Bill Currier

RichardE. Siner, ’65

Just About 44 years ago, 800 members of the Class of 1965 at the USAF Academy crossed the line together and began their four-year quest toward duty, honor, country. We remember that day as one filled with considerable anxiety.

Richie Siner saw it as an opportunity to make about 799 new friends.

Luckily for Rich and me, we wound up in the First Cadet Squadron known then as “Friendly First” for its friendly atmosphere embracing all four classes. But if it hadn’t been “Friendly First” on his arrival, it surely would have been by the time of his departure. In all of First Squadron, Rich was by far the friendliest a trait that was recognized and appreciated by everyone.

After graduation, Rich and I were fortunate enough to be selected to attend graduate school in political science in Georgetown before going on to flight training. There, Richie, Jim Perry, and I roomed together in Rosslyn as we tried to study hard and adapt to a school with girls in it.

Richie adapted better than most.

A fellow grad student a very attractive Irish lass named Kathy Shea soon invited the three young Second Lieutenants to her party in Georgetown. It is unclear, so the story goes, as to which of those young “brown bars” had first caught her eye but it was Lt. Siner who captured her heart. Rich and Kathy had a perfect partnership and the evidence of that is everywhere around us most particularly in their wonderful family: sons John, Mark, Matthew and daughter Shannon and their enormous circle of friends.

Rich had a very successful Air Force career. Following flight school he flew the C-141 transport aircraft and then flew the RF-4C reconnaissance jet in Vietnam where he was decorated for gallantry in combat. He was promoted ahead of his contemporaries and held key Air Staff and Office of the Secretary of Defense positions in the Pentagon. He was assigned to the faculty of the National War College, where the Class of ’85 quickly adopted him as one of our own or perhaps it was Rich who adopted us.

The two decades since then have flown by all too quickly. It would take too much time for me to just list the many organizations that benefited and grew as a result of Richie’s dedication and leadership: the Daedalians, the Air Force Academy Society, the Steele chapter of the AFA, the AOG, church and youth groups, the "bridge” club, and countless business and professional evening meetings when he was working especially hard for his defense industry employers, Titan Corporation and Cubic Defense. And he didn’t just join to join, he joined to lead and to help others.

Did you ever go to an Air Force football game with the Siners? It wasn’t like going to a game; it was more like staging an event. Of course Rich was a star quarterback in high school and on our intramural squadron football team, and Rich never lost his love of the game. But he loved people more.

One time in the Annapolis parking lot before the Navy game there was supposed to be an AOG tailgate but by the time Rich had unfurled the Falcon banners and put up the “65” sign and passed out hats and buttons and whatever else, the Air Force tailgate happened around the Siner’s van, with Rich urging everyone to join in: The Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps. People we didn’t know. Navy people.

Recalling Rich’s life is fun to do because there was so much to it. This November, on the occasion of our 40th class reunion, Friendly First Class of ’65 will gather to reflect on the comradeship and contribu

tions of all of our classmates and we will save a chair and a special place in our hearts for Richie Siner.

So, Richard Edward Siner, one last time, off you go, into the Wild Blue Yonder. This time, to borrow from that wonderful poem “High Flight,” you’ll be able to “put out your hand, and touch the face of God.” (Condensedeulogydelivered byclassmate BobHaffa,July5,2005.)

GradyA. Wright, ’65

Grady (Buddy) Wright passed away Oct. 9, 2004 after a long series of illnesses. We will all miss Buddy whose wit and charm endeared him to all who met him.

Buddy grew up in Rome, Ga. He was raised by his sister Brenda and encouraged by his family to use the talents and intelligence that he possessed. He graduated from high school as the class Valedictorian with a passion for books and learning. He was mentored to pursue a college education at a service academy and came to the Air Force Academy after one year at Shorter College. His first roommate was Richie Siner, an equally charming and friendly person but from a significantly different backgroundthe streets of NewYork City. The two formed a fast friendship that only ended with both of their passing recently. Richie had called Buddy the day before his death.

Buddy accepted the challenges of the Air Force Academy with a smooth, southern style. He excelled at academics and found military training amusing. Because Buddy had a thick, Southern accent, upper classmen enjoyed descending on him at meal formations to ask him who he was. Buddy would respond, “Basic Cadet Wrat, Sir”. The upperclassmen would then point out that his name tag said he was “Wright not Wrat,” and it would go down hill from there. Additionally, the mirror in the squadron area was crayoned with an asymmetrical representation of “Wrat’s” posture. I doubt that Buddy ever intended to pronounce Wright without an accent or stand up straight. We all loved him for it. Buddy was a perfect fit in “Friendly First” squadron with his breezy manner and friendly personality. He was very popular and a good friend to all of us as well as other classmen.

“Buddy"Wright

Buddy was commissioned in 1965 and served as a navigator in KC135s at Warner Robbins AFB Ga., an assignment that took him to Southeast Asia frequently. After too many family separations, Buddy left the Air Force and started a successful business career. He moved to Hayward, Calif, where he worked for Eli Lilly as a pharmaceutical salesman and went on to work as a stock broker. His southern charm always put him in good standing as a sales person. He and his brother Butch formed a business in Sacramento where he lived until he returned to the South taking up residence in Tybee Island, Ga. and adopted a much more relaxed life style. Buddy lived and worked in Tybee Island for many years and recently returned to Sacramento where he lived with his brother Butch.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Elvie, of Saraland, Ala.; two sons, Jonathan Grady Wright of Sacramento and Kenneth Adam Wright; and his sister Brenda Wright Bowen and brother Butch Wright. Forty years ago Buddy Wright found a group of friends in First Squadron, Class of ’65 who were his friends for life. Bill Bowers was described by his family as Buddy’s best friend, Charlie Marks organized classmates to help Buddy when he was sick. Richie Siner talked with Buddy the day before he died and all of Friendly First - we have lost a friend and we will miss him. (Bill Bowers, ’65 and William “Jake" Morrison, ’65)

Earl W. Woodard, ’71

After graduating from the Academy, Earl “Woody” Woodard began his active-duty flying career. Successfully completing Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), he was assigned to the 40th Tactical Airlift Squadron flying C130E aircraft at Pope AFB, in North Carolina.

Arriving in the sandhills of North Carolina, Woody was warmly received into the C-130 Tactical Airlift Community. He quickly progressed through the ranks of copilot and upgraded early to C-130E Aircraft Commander. During his tour at Pope AFB, he spent numerous months on temporary duty (TDY) around the world.

He quickly learned and mastered the various roles and challenges of Tactical Airlift. Flying out of Howard AB in Panama, he was introduced into the “you call we haul” world of C-130 flying of the 1970s. From simple Embassy logistical support missions, to demanding Army Airdrop missions, to Search and Rescue missions, to Humanitarian Relief missions; he took part in them all.

"Woody"Woodard

After cutting his teeth on missions in Latin and South America it was time for Woody to head over to Southeast Asia. He took part in the Easter Bunny airdrop missions based at U Tapao, Thailand, flying high-altitude formation and single-ship airdrop resupply missions into Cambodia and Laos.

European adventures were also part of the agenda. On 60-90-day TDY squadron rotations to Rhein Mein in Germany and Mildenhall England, Woody flew Berlin Corridor, Army resupply, NATO and Embassy support missions. He also took part in numerous logistical and airdrop missions in both the European and western Asian theaters.

During stateside breaks from his TDY commitments, Woody was always at the forefront of advancing the capabilities of Tactical Airlift. He was an integral member of numerous test and validation activities. Activities ranged from the actual Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) testing of airborne formation and airdrop equipment to joint C-141 and C-130 formation tactics.

Woody’s flying skills were well recognized throughout the command. He maintained currency and evaluator/instructor status in all the special mission qualifications required in the C-130E. To borrow an advertising line: “Woody loved to fly and it showed”.

When selected to attend school out in Monterey, Calif., he knew he would have to leave the cockpit and fly a desk for awhile. Not quite ready to give up on flying, he remained at Pope AFB and finished out his active-duty service commitment. He then turned his eye towards becoming a commercial airline pilot.

Starting out with a small commuter airline in North Carolina he progressed through flying freight for Wrangler Aviation and finally attained his goal by flying B-727 and B-737 aircraft for Piedmont Airlines. Later, Piedmont was merged into USAir, which is where he finished out his flying career.

Woody considered himself very fortunate to meet and subsequently marry his wife, Libby. He had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and a love for and commitment to his church. Woody was a follower of For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site.

Christ in every facet of his life whether flying an airplane, playing a game at home with his family, or helping to lead worship at church. All who knew him celebrate his life on earth and rejoice in his life everlasting.

Along Woody’s journey through both the Air Force and life he always maintained a clear positive attitude, warmly meeting new people and quickly befriending them. A courageous and tenacious spirit, even during his long battle with cancer, Woody will be remembered for his warm smile and willingness to help others. He was the definition of a best friend and devoted family man. He will be dearly missed.

Earl “Woody” Woodard is survived by his wife, Libby; son Jared; stepson Phillip Koshak; mother, Dorothy Woodard; brother Charles Woodard; and sister Susan Baird.

“To fly west my friend is a flight we all must take for a final check.” (author unknown) {Byfriend James McAvoy and Pastor BettySherrod)

John M. [Deason]Bruckner, ’73

On Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, John M. Bruckner, 55, passed away peacefully after his battle with melanoma cancer. He was a fine husband, loving father, and an inspiration to all his co-workers throughout his life, both in the military and at Weber State University.

John survived a two-year battle with cancer with the dignity and bravery befitting the life he lived. He was always willing to help others while he worked through the complications of the treatments he endured.

John is survived by his mother, Rosa Schaup; four brothers and one sister, all living in Frankfurt, Germany; his wife, Jeanne, mother of daughter Andrea Bruckner and son Michael Bruckner; daughter Michelle Courtney of Texas; son John Michael Bruckner of Colorado; stepdaughters Cinnamon Jones and Bromlyn Hatton, both of Colorado; and Erin Kemp of Idaho.

John had a full life with no regrets for the way it turned out. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany on Aug. 26, 1949. His parents had separated so he lived in an orphanage until the age of nine when he was adopted by an American couple serving in the U.S. Air Force. This Air Force experience influenced the rest of his life. He came to the United States in 1960, became a naturalized citizen, and lived in Houston, Texas throughout his school years. After graduation he attended college in Cleveland, Ohio for one year and then was accepted at the Air Force Academy from which he graduated in 1973.

His military career encompassed many assignments including Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Stuttgart, Germany; and Falcon AFB, Colo. After receiving a master’s degree in computer science in 1978, he worked as a computer programmer, supervisor of programs, and chief of computer centers in his long career of 23 years.

Retiring from the Air Force in 1996 as a lieutenant colonel, he and his family settled in Pleasant View, Utah, where he and Jeanne raised their children Andrea and Michael. He obtained a second master’s degree in accounting and finished his working career at Weber State University writing computer programs and reports for the Accounting Services staff.

The family wishes to thank the members of the Hospice staff, espedally Julie Lee, who cared for and nursed him in his final months. John is especially thankful that all of his children were able to be with him throughout his final two months. (His family)

Charles F. Riordan III, ’75

Charles F. Riordan III passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Feb. 27, 2005 at his home in Niceville, Fla.

Chuck was born Oct. 25, 1953 in San Francisco, Calif, but grew up in Roswell, N.M. After his father died of a heart attack at the age of 39, he was raised by his mother. He knew from an early age that he wanted to attend the Air Force Academy, and after graduating from Goddard High School in 1971, he came to USAFA under a Congressional nomination.

Chuck did well militarily, serving as First Sergeant and later Squadron Commander of CS-28, but always struggled when it came to academics. He remembered being on academic probation (what he referred to as “the other Dean’s List”) more semesters than he was offofit. It is here that one of the most striking facets of his personality was honed: his perseverance. Many of his Academy friends recall him studying much longer hours than his classmates. Perhaps because of this work ethic, he overcame his academic problems and graduated in 1975 with a degree in General Engineering.

Chuck went on to pilot training and spent most of his 19-year career flying the C-9 and the C-130. His assignments included Scott AFB, where he met his wife, Karen, as well as Elmendorf AFB and Little Rock AFB, where his daughter and son were born, respectively. After a remote tour at Camp Red Cloud, Korea, he accepted an offer of early retirement, which took effect June 1994. He and his family then moved to their current home in Niceville.

Chuck believed in hard work and enjoyed staying busy. The same work ethic that his contemporaries recall him demonstrating toward his homework, refusing to seek excuses for work that did not meet his satisfaction, has remained with him all his life. During his career, he used his free time to pursue and earn a Master of Business Administration degree. After retiring, he worked 15-20 hours a week as a volunteer financial counselor at the Family Support Center at Eglin AFB, and hated nothing more than having nothing to do. One of the proudest moments ofhis life was when he received the Angel Award as Volunteer of the Year. During this time, he also started up an Internet business that was slowly gaining strength, as many of his associates became close friends.

He always tried to look on the bright side of life and his laughter could often be heard echoing throughout the house. His sense of humor and positive attitude were the hallmarks of his personality. One of his daughter’s earliest memories was of his laughter not so much booming as explosive and infectious. Even during the toughest times at the Academy, his classmates remember him having a smile on his face or a joke on the tip of his tongue. As one classmate put it, he was the type of guy that, when you met him in the hall or on the terrazzo, you always felt better afterwards.

Chuck leaves behind many people who loved him, including his mother, Maurine; his sister Mo; his wife, Karen; his daughter Michelle; his son Charlie (USAFA ’08); as well as many cousins, in-laws, and friends. He made an impact on many people’s lives and will most certainly be missed. (His children Michelle and Charlie, USAFA ’08)

Jon R. Turner, ’75

Jon Turner, a husband, father, brother and friend to so many, lived his life knowing that “God would sustain him in all circumstances and will provide him a residence in His presence no matter what.” Jon

entered the Lord’s heavenly presence on March 10, 2005 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was 52 years old.

Born on April 30, 1952 in Inglewood, Calif., Jon entered the Academy in 1971 majoring in aeronautical engineering. He relished his time at USAFA and graduated the top of his major in 1975 with an assignment to Williams AFB for pilot training. His active duty career included flying the T-37, T-38 (FAIPed), and UV-18. After receiving his master’s at Stanford, he spent a tour teaching Aero at USAFA. He then joined the Air Force Reserves and flew C-130s for almost 11 years retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1997. He was most recently in his 13th year at United Airlines where he flew the 737,757, and 767 and instructed six years at their training center.

Jon flew his whole career, but that is not what defined him. Growing up as his son, his legacy is etched in my memories and sown in the man he taught me to be. Jon was respected by everyone. Since his cancer diagnosis in September 2004, friends, family, teachers, students, co-workers and acquaintances alike conveyed to Jon and the family what he has meant to them. The themes were clear. He cared about peopleeveryone Jon met left feeling better about themselves. he touched everyone with his charm, leadership and compassion. He lived by excellence and integrity - he demanded the best from himself and others, never compromising who he was. He was everyone’s friend - not just a “hi” as he passed kind of friend, but the kind of unselfish friend who genuinely cared about how you were doing, always giving advice, always mentoring. The kind of friend that you just feel blessed knowing, but his pleasure was really getting to know you. He was a Man of God - Jon loved the Lord and desired to grow daily, if you talked to him for more than five minutes, you would know to Whom his heart belonged.

Jon is survived by his loving bride of almost 30 years, Diane; sister Pam; daughter Jill and her husband, Scott Bradley (’01); son Ric (’03) and his wife, Mhari; and grandson Trevor Bradley. A wonderful memorial celebrating Jon’s life was held March 14, 2005 followed by a burial at the Air Force Academy with military honors.

If you asked Jon what he enjoyed, he’d say flying, USAFA football games, anything patriotic, and the mountains of Colorado. If you asked him what he loved, he’d say his wife, children and grandson and spending “quality time.” If you asked him who he was, he’d say a Follower ofChrist. Dad, we knowyou are now in His presence. Thank you for the legacy you left us with. Thank you for how you lived and what you stood for. Thanks for being my “wingman.” Thank you from everyone for being you... we miss you. (Son, Ric Turner, ’03)

Kevin B. Pederson, ’76

Kevin Pedersen was a man of integrity who tried to set an example for the many people whose lives he touched until his death from osteosarcoma cancer on Jan. 19, 2005 at age 50.

Pedersen attended Johnson High School in St. Paul, Minn, where he excelled at hockey and baseball. “Anything he did athletically was easy for him,” said Pedersen’s wife of 28 years, Dorothy.

Pedersen graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1976 where he played Varsity Hockey for four years, and baseball. He continued there as Assistant Hockey Coach in 1977. After assignments in Biloxi, Miss, and Omaha, Neb., he left the Air Force as a Captain in 1981, graduating with a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

Chuck Riordan

Jon Turner

The couple moved to St. Paul, Minn, where Pedersen joined Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent Financial for Lutherans), eventually starting up and running a subsidiary which marketed auto and homeowners insurance as Executive Vice President. When Thrivent decided to close his division in 2004, Pedersen called his friends in the insurance business and found jobs for all of his former employees. “That’s the kind of man he was,” his wife said.

Pedersen was involved for many years in youth athletics as a board member of both local hockey and baseball youth associations. He also coached over 15 winning teams; he passed his athletic ability on to his 15-year-old son Brock, his wife said. He found his greatest enjoyment was helping kids improve as athletes.

"His goal wasn’t how many times he could win, but to try to get the kids to try their best no matter what their skill level,” his wife said. “He would not let you get by with anything less than your best, because that is what he expected of himself.”

“Kevin was an old-fashioned kind of man; he had morals and really lived what he believed,” Dorothy Pedersen said.

In addition to coaching, Pedersen was also an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed pheasant hunting and fishing. A memorial fund has been established in his name to purchase a wildlife management area in the Loess Hills of Iowa to be opened in 2006.

Along with his wife, Pedersen is survived by son Brock, mother, Emmagene, and sisters Connie Mondo and Kathy Pedersen. Services were held in January at Incarnation Lutheran Church, North Oaks, with internment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. (His Family)

RonaldK. Rosepink, ’78

Ronald Rosepink, beloved husband and father, died due to a paragliding accident on June 28, 2003, but his remains were not located until March 15, 2005. Ronald is survived by his wife, Deborah; three children, Dustin, Elizabeth and Chris; his mother, Audrey Kubla; sister Kari and her children.

Ronald flew an F-16 as chase for an F22 mission at Edwards AFB that morning and then went paragliding that afternoon. Based on the steep terrain in which he was located and the condition of his equipment, we believe something happened as he was walking out that caused his accident.

Ronald knew he wanted to fly early in life and made getting an appointment to the Air Force Academy his main goal in high school. He joined the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol when he was 13. He earned his appointment to the academy and while there returned to Civil Air Patrol summer camp at Hawk Mountain several times. Ronald was a member of the Parachute Team while at the Air Force Academy and was voted the captain his senior year.

Ronald Rosepink

Ronald attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, Miss, and his first assignment was initial cadre in the 421 st TFS at Hill AFB. There he was the first second lieutenant to solo in the F-16. Ronald left Hill to go to Kunsan AB, Korea, where he was a member of the Juvats. He rejoined

several members of the 421 st when he was assigned to Shaw AFB, S.C. in the F-16 after his tour in Korea. He applied to Test Pilot School and was accepted and was at Edwards AFB for six years before leaving active duty. While at Edwards, he earned his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and was a Distinguished Graduate for Cal State University. Ronald remained in a flying capacity in the Reserves attached to various organizations at Edwards, including flying and teaching avionics at Test Pilot School. His last Reserve assignment was flying chase for the F-22 Squadron. Ronald had over 4,000 hours of flight time.

Loving many aspects of flying, Ronald stayed active as a parachutist for over 10 years, was a hot air balloonist for over 14 years and have been a paraglider for about three years. He was a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Daedalions, the Association of Graduates, the Juvat Headhunters, the U.S. Ballooning Assoc., the Southern California Ballooning Association, and the U.S. Paragliding Association at the time of his death.

As a civilian, Ronald worked with Sybase Corporation, Space Access as Vice President of Light Ops and at the time of his accident, with Tybrin at Edwards.

Ronald spent many years helping coach his children in coach pitch baseball and soccer, a soccer referee and Boy Scout Webelo leader. His love for each of his family members and his love of God helped shape the lives of our children and we all remember his love of life, his attention to detail, his made-up songs, his sacrifices for our family, his quest for adventure and creating new things. (The Family)

DerekM.Argel, ’01

The military community of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. suffered a tragic loss over the Memorial Day weekend 2005. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Captain Derek Argel of Hurlburt Field’s 23rd Special Tactics Squadron was killed in an aircraft accident in the desert of Eastern Iraq on May 30th

A 2001 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Captain Argel was at the very start of what promised to be an extremely successful career as an Air Force Special Tactics Officer. He led from the front and was revered by the men under his command. To those of us fortunate enough to have known him, Derek will be remembered for his easy smile, his hearty laugh, and his self deprecating sense of humor.

He excelled at every endeavor that he set out to accomplish. A mountain of a man, his mere presence was enough to bring out the best in others. He was strong but caring, competitive but compassionate, imposing but tender. He was a first-class friend and a loving and devoted husband and father. The world is a less colorful place without him.

Derek is survived by his lovely wife, Wendy; his one-year-old son, Logan; his mother, Debra Argel Bastian; his step-father, Todd Bastian; his brother John William Argel; and grandmother, Beth Mears.

Captain Derek Mears Argel was born 11 March 1977 in San Jose, Calif. Derek graduated with honors from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, Calif, in 1995. Following graduation, he attended the North-

For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site.

www.usafa.org

Kevin Pederson

DerekArgel

western Preparatory School in Malibu, Calif, and then the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He graduated and earned his Commission as a Second Lieutenant in 2001. Following commissioning, he attended Special Tactics Officer Selection and Training and was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron as a Special Tactics Officer.

Captain Argel’s military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. (The Family)

JeremyJ.Fresques, VI

No one told me as I left Colorado that I should expect to write an obituary for one of my closest friends so soon after graduating from the Academy. Many things about Jeremy’s life make him exceptional. In many aspects, you could say that Jeremy exemplifies the hope of every young American boy who carries a GI Joe and dreams about rising from humble beginnings to national heroism. He was born in Farmington, N.M. to his adoring parents, Nick and Sherry Fresques, on Dec. 3, 1978. From his close family bonds that he shared also with his younger brother Justin, he developed the skills, discipline, and passion for life that propelled him to success from graduating Farmington High School in 1997 with honors all the way to and through the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was deeply loved by his family, admired by his community, and fiercely defended by all who were fortunate enough to call Jeremy “friend.”

I am still amazed at how he completed all his engineering course work at the “Zoo” all the while subjecting himself to a grueling program which entailed midnight death marches, excruciating swims, and early morning workouts at 0430 before reveille. As a good friend ofJeremy, I quickly learned about his propensity to ration his sleep in times of need in order to store up vast hours of reserves during the weekends.

After graduation he went on to serve as a Flight Commander in the 56th Communications Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz. before being accepted for the Special Forces branch of the USAF where he served as an outstanding Assistant Team Leader for the 23 rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Jeremy was the kind of guy who could never be happy without a physical challenge, but from my conversations with him I realized too that he prized the opportunities that Combat Control afforded him to inspire those for whom he was responsible. Along the way, Jeremy entered into a “Top Gun” relationship that blossomed into an inspiring romance that brought Jeremy Fresques and Lindsey Shaw together in marriage on March 13, 2004. Though their time together was cut regrettably short by Jeremy’s death on Memorial Day 2005 in a mishap involving an Iraqi plane with one Iraqi and three other American operatives, Lindsey will tell you that their young relationship fulfilled all the requirements to be classified as a lifetime of love and affection shared by a husband and wife.

It was difficult for me to know exactly what to write because I know that Jeremy would agree that his life was so much more than a series of dates, times, and places. I was relieved when I reminded myself that Jeremy lived everyday as if he wanted to teach and inspire those

For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site.

www.usafa.org

around him that tomorrow is not assured and that the most important question in life is the simple question, “what’s next?” You see, Jeremy answered that question for himself one clear Colorado day during his last year at the Academy when he decided to give his life to Christ. He gave up living a worldly life and traded that for a life of eternal investment into the lives of all who surrounded him.

Jeremy loved people more after that day in December because he knew that he could impact their eternal destinies by telling them and showing them how much their Creator loved them. I gave up finally trying to count all the people contacting me seeking a reference because Jeremy was volunteering to help this children’s group or that organization. As a final tribute to my friend all I can do is ask, “Does your life have an eternal perspective?”

For his honorable military conduct and selfless sacrifice, Capt. Jeremy Fresques was awarded the bronze star with valor. His family and country have established memorials in his honor both at Arlington in Washington D.C. and in Phoenix, Ariz.” (Capt Chris Carden, ’01)

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

Lt. Col. Roderick E. Himelberger, Class of 1963, died on Aug. 1, 2005 in Dover, Del. of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Michael F. Polishak, Class of 1972, who died on July 22, 2005 after a brief and sudden illness.

Stanley J Szkarlat, Jr., Class of 1976, who died on Aug. 5, 2005 of cancer in Burnsville, Minn.

Maj. (Ret) Kevin A. Rank, Class of 1978, who died in his sleep on April 19, 2005 in McRae, Ark.

Capt. Shad M. Strother, Class of 1999 who died on June 24, 2000 in Spokane, Wash.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of these graduates and cadet.

OBITUARYPOLICY 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 Lorgotten,” 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 the obituary is published, we give the next-of-kin a one-year complimentary associate membership in the association beginning with the magazine in which the obituary or death notice 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.

NEWS

1250 Big Valley Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80919-1015

H: (719) 531-5874 FAX: (719) 531-6697

E-mail: petetodd@adelphia.net

July 11,1955, was a memorabledayfortheU.S.AirForceAcademyandforthe Class of1959, but it was certainly no picnic. So, exactly50years later, we decided to gettogetherand have one forourselves! Largelythrough the hard workand resourcefulness of Chuck Ferrari (exerted between climbing Colorado’s “fourteeners”), 40 of’59’s “starters” and eightATOs (plus Don Barrett, our esteemed librarian for so manyyears) gathered to memorialize OpeningDay at what used to be Lowry AFB. Most participants were accompanied by their youngerandglamorous ladies. ThepavilionthatChuckreservedfor us was actuallylocated intheformercadet area. (Infact, itwasright across fromwherethe old obstacle course used to be. I got all sweaty-palmedjustthinkingabout that wallwithwhich I collided so often and so fruitlesslyall thoseyears ago.)

After chowing and chattingthrough most ofthe morning and early afternoon, the group traveled the short distance to theWings Over the Rockies Museum in the old Hangar 1 where we were welcomed bythe museum staff and some other participants in Day One. Among them was John Bond (accompanied byhis winsome and engagingwife), one ofthe NCOs who guided us so unsuspectingfromin-processingto the tender ministrations oftheATOs. (Ifyou’re in the area and haven’t seen it, the museum is worth an extended visit. The aircraft displays are captivating and the “Old Lowry” display in the museum will take you backhalfa century.)

Speaking of Old Lowry, we have a project underway to preserve one ofthe lastpieces ofUSAFAheritage still standing at the original site. Jim Brown, Herman Gilster and I, with the invaluable assistance ofDuane Boyle, ChiefofProgram Development in the HQ USAFACE directorate, are working to gettheold Commandant ofCadets buildingplaced on the National RegisterofHistorical Places. It’s a long and bureaucratic process, but we have so far enlisted the supportboth ofthe HistoricSitesandPreservationServicesDivisionofthecity ofAurora (the current owner ofthe building) and the Colorado Historical Society. (Regrettably, we had to miss the firsthalfofthe picnic because we were meetingwith their reps.) After receiving assurance that there would be no financial liabilityinvolved, theAssociation ofGraduates has agreed to sponsor the application to the national level. I think we have a compelling case forthe unique historical significance ofthis buildingand stand a good chance ofgetting it approved. Ifwe need additional ammunition (pictures, documents, vignettes, etc.), you’ll hearfrom us. Bytheway, the buildingis currentlybeing used as a childcare center. How fitting is that?

Theweekthat began with a festive picnic ended on a rather more somber note as we laid “Pappy” Shumate to rest at theAcademycemetery. Manyofthe local ’59ers were in attendance and Paul and Barbara Lasen stayed with us until the weekend. Paul delivered a classyeulogywith a perfect blend ofsolemnityand humor. After the interment, we enjoyed the chance to visitwith Carole and their three children at the reception.

Notwithstandingthesadness ofthe occasion, it was great to have some qualitytimewith Paul and Barbara. Besides showingofftheirsplendidBonanza in which theyflit all aboutthe country, he dazzled me with a snapshotofthe 1955 MG-TF-1500 thathe restored. (Due to space constraints, you’llhave to log on to the Class website at http://www.usafaclasses.org/1959/ ifyou want to see the photo.) Paul has owned the car sinceJuly, 1967, and completed the restoration in October oflastyear. There were only 1,449 ofthe 1955 models produced and only661 ofthem shipped to NorthAmerica. It’sprobablysafe to say thatyou won’t encounter manylike it on the highway.

I learned serendipitythat Dave and RobinAnderson have taken an unusual sabbatical. Aftergoingthrough a roughpatchwith some health issues, he says he didn’t want to sit around feelingsorryforhimself, so lastyear he and Robin submitted paperwork to their Church to serve a full-time mission. He claims theyhad to bribe some ofthe Church doctors who questioned their physical fitness for such a mission, after which they were called to spend two years workingintheghettosofHouston,Texas—ournation’sfourthlargestcityand, in his words, “home to what must be at least the fourth largestghetto in the countryalso.” Stand byfor some thoughts about our nation’swelfare system when he returns.

CVMiller wrote to report a significantfamilyevent. “OursonScott, Classof 1984, retired effective 1 June this year. He had his retirement ceremony on 1 April at theAir Force Museum atWPAFB. His unit did all the work, getting the certificates, etal, and the presentations were done in front oftheWrightFlyer.

I had the honorofpinning on the Defense SuperiorService Medal, presenting the retirement orders and all thatjazz. I tried to get into my old uniform, but had to opt for one ofScott’s, (seems the top has slid to the middle, or something). I guess that brought us through our ‘shortblue line:’ I commissioned him in 1984, and now retired him 21 years later.”

Pete Todd

One ofcountless ‘chatgroups'thatformedandflowedduringtheDayOne MemorialPicnic.

CVandScottMillerinfrontoftheWrightFlyer.

Sabre Society Donors

Dick Lee reports on his Europeanjaunt earlierthis year. “While we did hit a few museums (D’Orsay and Rodin in Paris), most of our most memorable experiences were with people we met, veryfewofthemAmerican (we tried to stayout ofthe tourist bubble and were prettysuccessful at it). One ofthe more humorous encounters was at our cooking class in Arles, France. I asked a French Canadian gentleman how to say “male, chauvinistpig” in French: he thought for about two seconds and replied “un homme” (“a man” in the most general sense). This was after his wife beganthrowingdish-washingsponges at me. We did have lotsa fun!

On 30 June, the Class of 1959 welcomed the Class of2009 as theycompleted in-processing and prepared to cross the Challenge Bridge. There was a ’59er present from 0730 until the last appointeedeparted and, as was the case last year, the back-to-backimpactofthe memorial wall (containingthe names of all graduates killed in combat) and the challenge from the first Classleft them visibly moved.

Thought for the quarter. You would have to pay a lot ofmoney, at a lot of amusement parks, and perhaps add a controlled substance or two, in order to get the same blend ofpsychedelic sensations as a single-engine, nightweather formation flight.

A.J. (Rosie) Cler, Jr.

9180 Coors Blvd. NW #1003 Albuquerque, NM 87120

E-mail: RCtherose@aol.com

Class Web Site: www.usafa.net/1960

Buckle your seatbelts for another rivetingtale, this one about our recent reunion.. .for some (those who dissed us by not attending to our celebrity company at this colossal cocktail ofclass camaraderie); this storyjustmight spike a little ‘Reunion-Envy’... Also, please check my new address above.

Our 45th Reunion was heldJune 14-19,2005 at theAcademyInn in Colorado Springs, CO. Practice golfonTuesday, followedby a reception at the Pine Creek CountryClub; thenWednesdayitwas the GaryCrewMemorialTournament— raincaused the tourneyto beabortedafter6-1/2hoursbyTournamentDirector Jim Glaza, who thence repaired all ofthe drenched to his hillside barforlibations. Later, EarlVan Inwegen declaredhimselfthewinner and Dave Sweigart runner-up (Note: a final decision is still pending PGA review). Wednesday eveningit was cocktails at theAcademyHotel followed bydinner and showat theFlyingWRanch.Thursdaynight’slivemusic anddancingwas attheVFWHall afteraMexican Buffet. FridayeveningaWestem StyleBuffetattheAcademyHotel, and the Class Banquet on Saturdaynight at the USAFAOfficersClub.

from BGenWeida (’78), Commandant ofCadets, visit to the cemetery (where 23 ofour classmates are buried), tour ofJack’sValley, andwalking tour ofthe HeritageTrail outside Doolittle Hall.

The Memorial Ceremonyfor our deceased classmates was

at the Cadet ChapelFridaymorningfollowed bythe Class Photo, then to the Cadet Field House for a tour ofthe new Hall ofExcellence and State oftheWingBriefing

AftertheMemorialServicein theChapel.

Attendingthereunion: Ken andJudyAlnwick, Bob and Lilliane Badger,Andi and Carole Biancur, Ken and Carol Biehle,Tonyand Carol Bilello, Steve and KathyBishop, GregBoyington and June Colgan, Howie and JudyBronson, Jack and Elaine Brush, Jim and JudyBujalski, Bill Carnegie, Jim Clark and JeanWaldbridge, MikeJ. Clarke, Rosie and Karen Cler, Barbara Crewand Bob Dunn, Bill and Irma Currier, Jerry and Betty de la Cruz, Nels and Sue Ann Delisanti, GeorgeElsea,JerryandDottyFarquhar, BobandLutziFischer, Gordy Flygare, Ben Furuta, Bill and Kath Gillis and children Cecelia and Sebastian, JimandJeannetteGlazaandLindaGlaza, SidandAnn Gurley, Denis and Liz Haney, CharlieHart,Joe and Susanne Higgins, Les Hobgood, Bill Hodson, NickHolly, Charlie andWeezee Holman, Deke and SallyJohnson,A1 and GaleJohnson, Roy and Barbara Jolly, Brian and Carol Kaley, Miles and Charlotte Kaspar,Wayne and Barbara Kendall, Pete and Linda King.

Also, Johnnie and Mimi Kuenzel and their two granddaughters, Ralph andDarlene Lalime, Bill Leninger, George Luck, Mike McCall and Debbie Streiber, Jon McClure, Deanne McCullough, Phil Meinhardt andVeronica Cocca, DickMeyer, Bmce Mosier, EdNogar,JimO’Rourke, Fred andMaryLou Porter, George and Diana Pupich, Dave and PatReed, Dickand Sharon Schehr, Jockand Hope Schwank, Tom and Carole Seebode and Edward and Elizabeth and Sarah and Taylor Waldrop, DickandSallySextonanddaughterAnn Sagle,GaryandSylviaSheets, JT Smith, Ted Stumm, Harry and Annette Swainston, Dave and Camille Sweigart, Bill and KittyTaylor, Charlie and MercedesThompson, Dale and Ina Thompson,Aaron Thrush, Paul andKayVallerie,Van andPatVanInwegen,Jim andMaryWaddle, DenisWalsh, BobWeinaug, HowieWhitfield, RonandConnie Yates, Vic Yoakum and Suzanne Forselius, Bill Zersen, Alex and Pam Zimmerman. Others included Maryann Powers, widowofSam Waters; Jon Lachelt, son ofDave; Linda Sheppard, wife ofVal Bourque, and their grandson, Jonathan Snider; Libby Evans, partner ofHardyLebel, and Libby’s son.

Ron leading us on theHeritage Trail.

Comments made duringthe reunion: Les Hobgood gave me hiswill (this, in my capacity as Class Secretary), stating that “the Corvette ‘baby’ will be sold and the proceedsgiven to the Class of 1960 Fund.”(R: I think we have to wait until he dies)... Dick Schehr said that “I was rehired byLockheed-Martin in February’05, and nowworkthe N2A2S project forNORTHERNCOM”.. .Wild Bill Gillis fantasized: “What Iwouldlike to dobeforebeingparkedin the USAFA Cemeteryis to sail around the worldwith a bevy ofbeautiful... (when Kath heardthis, she quicklywhisked him offto Gitmo forintensive interrogation)... “In 20021 established two residences—one in LagunaWoods, CA, the other in Bellingham,WA—I travel from one place to the other [Writes Bill Zersen]. I have two children and two grandkids in the northern state ofWashington, and one son in Southern California. I stillwant to go trout fishingin NewZealand!” Nels Delisanti: “Finallygave up some productive (paid) activityinJune ’05. Spend a lot oftimewith my20-year-old sailboat and my two parrots. Plan on sailing south ofWashington State for the winter; staying there the rest ofthe

EdMontgomeryconnects with the newappointees as theyprepare to cross the ChallengeBridge.

At the Pine Creek CountryClub: Sweigarts, Bob Weinaug, MaryWaddle, Haneys, Farquhars andDuck Waddle.

held

Sabre Society Donors

FormerCadetsMcclure, Lalime, dela Cruz, Meyer, WeinaugandJTSmith. year. Mygoal is to stay in goodenoughshape to make it to our 50th ”... “Finally gave up the desert life imposed on me byUSAF and post-retirementjob requirements [saysDickMeyer]. Ifound a nicehouse on ariverinBaldwinCounty, LA (‘LowerAlabama’). I’m backin the hot, steamyswamplandI was born and raised in, and as happy as I have ever been. Lots ofkayaking, fishing, crab boils andoysters—no more tumbleweeds!”... JimClarkandJeanWalbridge: “We’ve been to Italyfor two weeks looking at early Christian art. Jean hopes to go to China. This fall we’ll go to upstate NewYork ‘leaf-peeping,’ where my son has a weekend home we can use as a base. In Julywe’ll go to Ghost Ranch, NM, where I’ll do a refresher course in silversmithing andJeanwill do some weaving on a Navajo loom.”

Harry and Annette Swainston: “We live on the eastern slopes ofthe Sierra Nevada. I still maintain mylaw license mostly pro bono stopping the Feds in siting a high-level nuclear waste repository atYucca Mountain, NV. Our daughterValeriewillbe married at the end ofAugust, and our son lives in Yerington, NV with his wife and three children”... “Liliane and I are being FORCED to go to Hawaii on 28 June to visit our newly born grandson [writes Bob Badger]. We lookforward, with some dread, to ridingwithRalph Lalime in his motor home to the Navy-AFAgame. Ourwills are in order!”... “Darlene and I came to the 45th ‘SpaceA' military—the bestway to travel, comingearly to visitwith the Gallos and Montgomerys (’59). The ’50s/’60s Mexican Buffet was great!Expecting our firstgrandchild 17 October2005 [Ralph andDarlene Lalime]... Deke Johnson: “Sallyand I took a rivercruise to Eastern Europe”... “Debbie (Streiber) and I are on our wayto see the Midwest for a month—new country for Debbie, old home week for me [Mike McCall]. Plan to travel as long as $$ hold out. Great Reunion!”... “Bettyand I were in Pittsburgh for the SeniorOlympic Games immediatelybefore the reunion [saysJerrydelaCruz]. Betty’s softball team, the Golden Girls of Northern Virginia, won the gold medal!”... “We now travel north and south to minimize time changes. So, the east coast, Caribbean, and Mexico are about it.Went to Bermudalastyear on a cruise and spent some time on Amelia Island this winter. Enjoyed the reunion immensely” [Joe and Sue Higgins].

Bruce Mosier: “We plan a three-dayvisit to Prague and seven-daycruise on the Danube inAugust (Nuremberg to Budapest). Our daughterCarynhad our first grandchild March 1 st —she and herhusband are Texas HighwayPatrol.

DaughterDebra is planning a five-daytrip to Iceland, and we get to baby- and dog-sit”... “I recently assumed the Chair, Department ofPolitical Science & PublicAdministration, forthe UniversityofNorth Florida" [SaysTed Stumm].

“I contract-flyforprivate individuals who own a 737 andneed a spare pilot, workingpart-time flying, part-time simulator instructing for Boeing. Bev is busyhelping our daughterwith our 10-month old grandson. Am I thelastin the class who’sstillflyingbigiron birds?" [Jim O’Rourke] “Travel seems to be our thing: Mediterranean cruisein 2003 and twoweeksin China in2005just before our 45th reunion [Ben Furuta] Still part-timeconsulting, and mywife,

Hideka, refuses to even think about retiring. The reunion revitalized and refreshed myfeelings about USAFA—especiallythe bonds between us all”... “At times, it is easy to forget the debt I owe to each ofyou, my classmates [Aaron Thrush] The lessons oflife we have learned together and separately, along with the good timeswe’ve shared together, have and will continue to sustain me. It all serves to remind me howveryluckyI have been. Thanks to you all.

“Kayand I remain in Boise and love every day there. We plan on attending everyclass function and thoroughlyenjoyed the ‘Mini-Reunions’ and the 45th [PaulValleriewrote]. Kaycontinues teaching, and I am deeplyinvolved in the American Legion, Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition and President ofthe Ada CountyUnitedVeteran’s Council”... George Lucksaid he’s “Volunteering for the Coast GuardAuxiliary”... “It’s amazing the camaraderie that still exists after all these years. It seems there has been no time that has existed between reunions.We owe a greatdealofthanks andappreciation to Rosie,Andi and the others who provide us the opportunity to continue our manyfriendshipsby bringing the clan together at these functions. We lookforward to the 50th and the manyMiniSkis and football game Mini-Reunions thatwill fill the gap until 2010.” [VanandPatVanlnwegen],

Les Querryaccumulated650 pictures ofour 1956-1959 cadetyears and some from lateryears, preparing a CD, which was shown at the reunion. (Ifyou did not get a CD, contact Les at lesquerry@starpower.net.)

Afterdancingat theVFW, it was to Michelle’sforIce Cream!

Mike Loh couldn’t travel to the reunion because of a blood clot in his left leg...TonyBurshnickwas backatWalterReedArmyMedical Centerforoperations on his backfor Spinal Stenosis: “It’s hard for me to walk.”(On 27 June, the surgeons opened up Tony’s back, scraped away the bone inside the spinal column and along the backbone, and inserted screws and metal rods. ABURSH@aol.com.) Andi Biancur had both knees replaced... Jerry Mason was diagnosedwithALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) last November.Wife, Bobbi, reports thatJerry“can stillwalk, drive and use his computer. His speech, swallowing and respiration are his main problems” (jerbob@ncplus.net)... TonyBilello was diagnosedwith Chronic Mylageal Leukemia and is functioningwell... Bill Taylorrecentlyhad his thirdhipreplacement; has had a total of four hip operations... Sid Newcomb had 17 stitches in his head after being thrown from his horse (twice), and required surgery... Gary Sheets left the reunion after two days—hisheartattackin ’85 killed35% ofhis heart, andfour recent bouts ofbronchitisprior to the reunion plus the altitude at the Springs gave him some problems... Ted Stumm recentlyhad (successful) surgeryfor a malignancy in his rightlung, with no complications, and has “survivedfour heart bypasses and cancer surgery!”

We’re not all “empty-nesters,” and some still have childrenyoung enough to cause a conflictwith the reunion—CT Douglass andwife, Brenda’s, 13-yearold son, Dax, has autism and requires too much attention to leave him... Jack Schira has a 15-year-old son and 12-year-olddaughter, and “their schedules tend to dominate.”

In the WorldAccordingtoDave, Mr. SweigartofMarbleFalls,TXproclaimed that “The reunion was great—our 1960 friendships are strong and growing stronger. We enjoyed this one more thanANY ofthe others there wasjust somethingaboutit!”

Now, leap forward to our future the Class of 1960’s 50th Reunion in the summer of2010... ItIs Written!

FinalRollCall.WilliamRobertCurrierdiedin an aircraftaccident23June2005.

Earl N. “Nelson” 0’Rear

50582 Stonington Drive

Granger, IN 46530-8243

H: (574) 273-2597

E-mail: EN0andTJ0@ameritech.net

Class Web Site: www.usafal961.info

Our 45th Reunion Committee is proceedingnicely. RandyCubero provided a tentative 3-4 dayschedule, which is posted on our ClassWeb Site. BillAylsworth and his daughterhave formed their own lawfirm. Lil spends

Lunch at the Field House (from left, clockwise) Weezee and Charlie Holman, Elaine andJackBrush, Patand Dave Reed, BillHodson andNick Holly.

considerably more time than Billwiththeirgrandchildren, andis also involved in church activities, as well as worryingabout herfamily’s situation inVenezuela andthepoliticalenvironment there.

Stu Boyd says that he has two horses trained, the house about 30 percent complete, and two cuts ofhaythis year. He says that living in a barn is “cozy” but wants to knowwhetherthis is really retirement.

Pat Buckley is working for Lockheed Martin to helpAlbania modernize its airnavigationservices. Itbeganin 2000 with a feasibilitystudythattheyturned into a 2002 contract to refurbish and update50-year-old facilities. Thereis a lot ofnation buildinggoing on in the Balkans, andthis success storypays foritself. Pat lives in Tirana and invites classmates to visit. Theyhave an emptysecond bedroom and bath forvisitors. You can contact him at PO Box 8314,Tirana, Albania, or US Mobile+13015290134.

David Carlstrom attended anotherIrish niece’swedding, this one in Rome, Italy. Theweddingdate turned out to be between the Pope’sfuneral and selecdon ofthe new Pope. They were lucky to find rooms for two nights in Rome.

Paul Dean has been working on plans forthe 50th anniversary ofhis church in Irving, TX. He has been a memberofPlymouth ParkUnited Methodist for38 ofthoseyears. Aftermovingall over theworld as anArmybrat, andwhile in the Air Force, it has been great to stay in the same place forthis long.

Everyone in Tom Eller’s family moved this summer. Anne and Tom had a house built inWoodland Park, CO, just west ofthe 7th hole ofthe golfcourse. They moved duringAugust, leaving their 1899 house behind. He and Anne said, Ya’ll come see us.”

Kate and Lou Hablas attended a reallyprofitable meeting ofpatients and doctors associatedwith theAplasticAnemia and MDS International Foundadon, Inc in Denver.Theylaterwent to Mayo, followedbytheirhematologistin Indianapolis. If no improvement, it’s on to clinical trials that they learned about at the conference.

Henry Howe participated in a three-day nationwide gathering ofLutheran men in Charleston, SC, helping frame an entire Habitat for Humanityhouse and building four storage buildings. The familyshould be living in their new homeshortlyafterLaborDay. Duringthe meetingHenrywas elected to a threeyear term on the Board ofDirectors with responsibilityfor seven states from Nebraska south to Texas and Louisiana.

HawkGroup fromthe 100th AnniversaryofFlightget-together;Pagosa,Durango Sedona in May; Amman, Jordan in June; Kona, HI, in July; and Morro Bay, CA, inAugustforhisbirthday. Theyare lookingforward to footballandtheWilhelm’s bus in September.

JimmyPoole returned in earlyAugustfrom a 10-daymedicalmission trip to thejungles ofPeru. He and hisyoungest son, Jeffrey, a dermatologist, traveled with a group from a church in Birmingham to workwith the Indians in a small village on a tributaryoftheAmazon River. He said the trip was reallyhard, and he is most thankful for the blessings ofthe USA. On another note, long term plans call for the 8th annual Graytag Redneck RivieraWeekend in Oct 2007.

Mike Rawlins isenjoyingflying. He andGinnyrecentlyspent timewith some classmateswhile attending Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse’s 40th wedding anniversary in NorthernVirginia. Mike and Ginnyplanned to visit their children and grandchildren in Atlanta in September and tour Italy in early October. Theyalso plan to attend the football game at theAcademy on the 22nd ofOctoberand lookforward to seeing some old “Cotton Bowl buddies” thatweekend.

The R. D. Smiths continue to live in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX. Richard retired from CACI two years ago when Carolynhad knee replacementoperations on both knees. She is doingverywell now except she still continues to use fourletterwords like “shop.” She is still in the antique business with wares in an Antique Mall in Comfort, TX. Richardworks on the USO Board (term as President ended, buthe is still active), on the Board ofthe Christian Heritage School in SanAntonio, and as an Elder at the OakHills Church. The rest oftheirtime is filled with grandchildren and traveling to places all over the countrythat Carolynpicks. AnyGrayTagin the SanAntonio area iswelcome at theirhouse.

On June 25th Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse celebrated their40th wedding anniversarywithmanyfriends,neighbors, andclassmates:JimandLindaRogers, Steve Ho and Lynn Funkhauser, John and Joan Kohout, Mike and Ginny Rawlins, Bill andThedaFoster, and Lowell and SandyJones. BillFostertoasted the happycouple on behalfofthose who have known Bill even longer than Rhoda. For the occasion, Rhoda wrote a poem that she read to all.

15 Sabre Society Donors

Brice Jones will be hostingthe 3rd Annual Hospices ofSonoma on 19-21 May 2006, so start makingplans to attend. HectorNegroni and Joan will be there. For information, visit the website at http:// www.hospicesofsonoma.org/index.html. This three-day event is modeled afterthe "Hospices de Beaune” barrel auction in France. The net proceeds benefit theWCC House, a permanent residence to temporarilyhouse needyfamilies with children in Sonoma Countyhospitals. HectorandJoan will celebrate their 40th weddinganniversary, with their two children hosting a one-week familyreunion, 8-15 Oct05, in Puerto Rico.

Lowell Jones reports that their August 10lh luncheon at Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant was another great success. Thirteen stalwarts showed-up: Buckley, Dixon, Foster, Ho, Jones, Kohout, Muller, Negroni, Sanzenbacher,Stackhouse,Sullivan, Rogers, andWhitaker. Everyone was in great shape (exceptforthe guywith the neck brace: Lowell), andtheyproceeded to solve all the USAFA problems. Bill Foster sent a sheet around finalizingthe Navygameattendees. Soundslikehe’sgot a goodgroup going. Itwas a great fun time as usual.

Wayne and Mary and Dean and Jo Jones had a family reunion at Cabo San Lucas in July. They didn’t land anylarge game fish but got in lots ofsun-worshipping, golf, margarita-sampling, and great seafood. All returned relaxed and suntanned. Jo and Dean also enjoyed a superZoomie SpainTrip in June alongwith the Neels (Lynda and daughterBarbara Charlie was inJordan on business), Brickeys, and Lanes. Theycelebrated their44th weddinganniversaries. It was 12 days offabulous food, wine, culture, tourist sights, and camaraderie. In May, Dean andWayne returned to Everest, KS [pop. 400] to attend the 50lh reunion oftheirhigh school graduatingclass. Nine ofthe 15 graduates made it for a truly a “time machine” experience. In July/August, Mary and Waynetraveled to thenorthwestU.S. andCanada. ThedrivefromBanffthrough LakeLouise toJasperintheCanadianRockieswas themost beautifultheyhave ever seen. Glacier National Park was just as awesome as it was theirlast time through—37years ago.

Reb Jones returned inAugust from Ukraine doing a basketball camp at the Lubitene Orphanage. He had a greattimeand taught a lotofbasketball. His old men’s team (65-69) competed in the National Senior Olympicbasketball tournament at the UniversityofPittsburghinJune and placedfifth in the nation. He begunhisfall football coaching at Samford UniversityinBirminghaminAugust.

Bob Kellock continues atBoeingIntegratedDefense Systems LongBeach working towards common Boeing and IDS procedures. He’s also playing on a One Design 48 sailboat, with races from Marina del Rey to San Diego and SantaBarbara to KingHarborcompleted, andhadfour more weeksofWednesdayNight Beer Races remaininginAugust.

Charlie and Lynda Neel have been visiting friends and places, includingW. Jones in Ramona, CA, in March; Cozumel inAprilwith D. Jones and their Kitty

Charlie and Sarah Stebbinsvacationed at Nags Head over the July4th week with bytheir two sons and their families. Charlie, as a favor to a dear friend, acceptedthepositionsofProvost and Dean ofthe Facultyand Chairman ofthe Division ofBusiness at the UniversityofCharleston (WV). Both positions are to be on an interim basis, the Provost/Deanjob forprobably a year, the Business job for hopefullyonly six months. To complicate matters a bit, Charlie developed a benign acoustic neuroma—technically a brain tumor—about 18 months ago thathas grown to thepoint that it needs to be treated. He was to undergo a “gammaknife” procedure (anon-surgical,painlessradiation treatment) at the UniversityofVirginia in lateAugust.

In July, Terry and Carleen Storm drove from Colorado Springs to Seattle, where theyhad dinnerwith Pat and CorkyCochrane andvisitedwith several otherfriends, includingthree retiredAF couples. Theythen flewto Ketchikan forTerry’sfour-dayhigh school reunion; all the 1950s classes together. Terry emceed the banquet; giving a historical PowerPoint presentation. Terry is still proud to be the firstAlaska USAFAgrad.

Byron Theurer has moved to Ivins, UT, in the ‘burbs ofSt. George. Neal and Gwen Westbrookrecentlyreturned from another2,400-mile road tripalongthe Missouri River, taking two more oftheirgrandsons on the Lewis and ClarkTrail to Three Forks, MT, then toYellowstone and GrandTeton, and USAFA on thewayhome. Theyhad a close encounter with a bearthat theboys thought was “awesome”. Gwen had a different opinion.

TwyWilliams’ summer activities (especiallysailing) havebeenreducedafter amid-June diagnosis ofpolymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), an auto immune disease thatfeaturespain in the majormuscle/joint areas due to inflammation in the blood vessels. He’s better now that he’s been on prednisone that has reduced the pain and seems to be graduallyimproving his condition. Twy saw the doctorfor a “howgoes it” before attempting a 10-daytrip to Ellsworth, ME (GreenLake), and he reduced the prednisoneagain, which is good news. They have enjoyedtheUSAFAwebsite photos ofthe Class of2009 duringbasictraining. Aniece (Nancy’syoungestsister’s daughter) is amongthe class to win their boards on Tuesday. Theyfound her in a fewphotos, bruised, tired, but hanging in there. Ah, the memories.

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

HiRedtags, Well, Discovery made a successful trip into space. We were glad to see it. Manypeople on the Space Coast and around theworld are lookingfor a secondflight as soon as possible afterthe ET foamissues are solved.Wewouldlike to see the Shuttle keep flyingsafelyuntil it shuts down in 2010. But now to class news from around the world.

First we’ll start with a news update from Dave and Fran Lee. “I hope this email findsyou andyourfamilyin good health and goodspirits. Thanks again for continuing to write our class news column forthe Checkpoints. Fran and I read itin each issue. Let’s hope the hurricanes spare the east coast ofFlorida thisyear. In February, Fran and I visited our timeshare condo on New Smyrna Beach.The beach erosion was horrific.We used to be able to drive and park on the beach, but afterthe hurricane, there was no beach at all.

“Jack, I wanted to comment on yourideain theJuly2005 Checkpointsabout havingperhaps intermediate mini-reunions between the major“everyfiveyear reunion” at the Academy. I think the concept is an excellent idea and I would like to toss out two potentiallocations. One is the Shades ofGreen militaryrecreation center in Orlando, rightin the heart ofDisneyWorld.Airplane access is abundant. Another choice isWright Patterson AFB. Besides all the militaryamenities, thereis the HopeHotel on thereservationplus NationalAir Force Museum. It would be nice to launch this ideapossiblyfortheyear2009. It could be a good discussion item or even a promotional item at our 2007 reunion at USAFA.

“On the personalside, things are goingwellforFran, me and our family. I am also getting myshare oftime on the golfcourses around Dayton. In factHerb Weatherhead and I linked up as partners in a Mondaygolfleague atWright Patterson sponsoredbyMOAA. Duringthestandardacademicyear, I took some adult learning classes at the UniversityofDayton. One was a flyfishing course where we caught and cooked trout on the last dayofclass. The other was an introduction to wine class where we drank different wines during the class periods.As you mightsuspect, both courses had near perfect attendance.

“Fran and I went down to Fred and Helen Hendryx’s home in Cincinnati a fewyears ago and partookofa dinnerofwild boarfrom Florida. It was excellent. Hope the next huntwith Tom is as successful as the previous ones. (Note: Fred told me recentlythathe andTom Youngeach bagged a boar. Fred broughthis home.) Speakingofwild game, wejusthad some venison tenderloins on the grill a couple ofnights ago from the eight-pointdeer I shot in November. Jack, take care and Best Regards.”

Thanks for that update. I liked the variety of things you mentioned in your email. Keep in touch.

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Sabre Society Donors

Next is an email from OwenHawkins. Connie andhe were on a vacation in SanAntonio a fewmonths ago and went outfordinner.Theyunexpectedlymet up with Gail and Carol Peck. Here’s how Owen described it. “Big surprise. They had already been seated when we came in and Connie and I were put near a window so we were looking out at the view. After about 10 minutes I heard from behind ‘Excuse me, but is your name Owen Hawkins?’ I turned around and said, ‘You lookfamiliar, but I don’t recallyour name’. Thenwhen Gail introduced himself, I felt quite a bit embarrassed. I rememberwhen his wife died, but didn’t knowhe had remarried. Anyway, Carol (maybe Carole- not sure) has a fun sense ofhumorand was a verygood friend ofthe familyfor manyyears. Ifhedoesn’tsendyou the photo in aweek, let me knowandI’llbug him. He’s still in LasVegas and is still an instructor (academic type) at Nellis. What a deal!” Thanks for that story, Owen. Just goes to prove that we can run into each other anywhere in the world.

Nowlet’s focus on an email from RonTaylor. “I like the idea of an off-year reunion. Maybe in the early summer near the 2 Vz yearpoint.We might find a place in the eastern halfofthe U.S. for our off-yearreunion. Some placesmight beAtlanta, Dayton, or D.C. These days I am game for any gettogether - not manyRedtags inmyarea! No new news here. Bobbie and I are healthy- one out ofthree will do for now! Bobbie has been nominated for ordination in June 2006. She had to serve a minimum ofthreeyears aftergraduation from seminaryand now tliinks she can see thelight atthe end ofthetunnel. Iwork one day aweek at the state park, am serving as DistrictPresidentofthe UnitedMethodist Men, on a state committee on DomesticViolence, on the Board ofDirectors for our CountySenior Center, and a driverforthe CountyVA as well as Habitat for Homes. It is amazing howmanynon-payingjobs there are out there. I am thinkingabout retiringfrom retirement! I did make one more commitment this week: I committed to playing nine holes ofgolf a week!

Thanks, Ron. Sounds like you don't have time for retirementwith all those non-payingjobs you do. I’ve heard the same thing from others. They don’t knowhowthey ever had time forwork. Since I’m stillworking I won’thave to worry about that question for anotheryear or two. Since I’m almost 67 and enjoyingmyjob, I plan to do it for a while longer. Mywife feels the same way about herjob. I wonder ifwe will remain on friendlyterms after we both retire, lean hardlywait.

In Julylwent toWashington, DC, foranother meeting.We had a RedtagGet Together at Cis and Phil Merkel’s house.Verynice place situated on two and a halfacres in ruralVirginia. Phil has a pool and a tennis court. We started offin the basement recreation rooms with some snacks and beer/wine. Later upstairs we had a delicious pot-luck dinner. In attendance also were Ginnyand Don Hallager,Virginia andTom Moore, Mike Hughes, Eva Lee and Chet Griffin,Annyand DickSmull, SandyandArt Farrington,Ann andBill Haugen and Marci and Fred Dykes. See accompanying picture for the youthfullooking Redtags.

From left are Griffin, Jamba, Moore, Hughes, Smull, Hallager, Farrington, Merkel, Haugen andDykes.

The Moores are retired and traveling several times during the year. Mike Hughes is still doing some consultingwork on thestrategicplanninglevel. Eva Leejusthadknee surgeryand was stillhoppingaround showinglots ofspunk. Chet isretired. MarciDykes was in a nasty car accidentseveralmonths ago and was in a coma fornine days. She is lookingwell and still has some surgeryleft to complete. Fred isstillworkingfor a BeltwayBandit, I think. BilltookCaroline and me on a three and a halfhour tour ofthe Udvar-HazyAir & Space Museum. What a grandplace to see. Ann is retired, too. The Merkels are retired. Dick Smull called it quits too, butAnny is still workingfor a contractor. The Hallagers are retired but Don has some heart surgerycomingin October. Art is still involved in some entrepreneurial pursuits but Sandyhelpswhen possible. Hope to see them all again in November.

Justgot a newspaperarticle that appeared in the Falmouth, Massachusetts Enterprise, fromJohnFlanagan. John was visiting friends on Martha’sVineyardwhen a wrong turn tookhim to KatamaAirfieldwhere he spotted an old Army L- 19A Bird Dog. It is the spittingimage ofthe O - IE Bird Doghe flewin Vietnam. He had to update his FAA andTail-wheel licensure butwangled a ridewith the owner. It brought backmanymemories ofthe missions inVietnam. John plans more rides in the old Bird Dog. The accompanyingpicture shows John in front ofhis new-found friend.

JohnFlanagan standsin frontofanArmyL-19A BirdDog. Itlooksjustlike the 0-IEBirdDogheflewin Vietnam.

That’s it for now. Keep the letters and pictures coming. Go Redtags.

Norman I. (Skip) Lee

63119 E. Cat Claw Lane

Tucson, AZ 85739-2056

Home: (520) 825-7980

E-mail: 54wrs@msn.com or lindaandskip@robsoncom.net

There is a lot to report this time so best get started. First we need to cover notices from theAOG concerningthepassingoftwo classmates. FrankA Black died on 27June 2005 as the result ofa motorcycle accident in Gainesville GA. Amemorial service was heldJune30th at theAntioch UnitedMethodistChurch inGainesville. Condolencesmaybe sentto Mrs. NancyBlackat 1304 Springdale Rd NE, Gainesville GA30501-2446

Rod Himelberger died on 1 Aug 2005 in Dover DE as the result of NonHodgkin’sLymphoma. AMemorial/Funeral service was heldAug5th, atthe WesleyMethodist Church in Doverwith graveside services immediatelyfollowing at theVeterans Cemeteryin Bear DE. Condolences maybe sentto Mrs. Donna Himelberger at 24 MikellDr, DoverDE 19901-5788.

The July2005 issue of Checkpoints highlighted the return ofour classmate andfriendLeeAdamsfromtheVietnamWar. LuckyEkman sent a reportabout

the funeral held at BealAFB part ofwhich is includedhere: “Jim and Chan Kuhn and I were there to represent the Class of 1963. OurAir Force was well representedbyvirtuallyall the senior leadership at BealeAFB in a verytouching tribute from the current generation to ours, and to our friend, in a full militaryhonor funeral, includingfiringparty, taps and a flyby. The members ofLee’s squadron at the time ofhis shootdown were representedwith memorabilia including the 333 TFS batde flagthat flew over the squadronbuilding at Takhli and a picture ofall current members beneath the static display F105D at SeymourJohnsonAFB. Lee was one of our best.”

Bob Hayes and I talkedaboutplans forthe annualclass gatheringat theArmy football game on November 5th Kick-offat Falcon Stadium is 1:30 p.m. The game is slated for ESPN so as with the Navygame lastyear a possibility exists for a date/time change. Forclassmates planningto bethere we can expectthe usual pre-game tailgate in the stadium’s NWparkinglot. Afterthe game a catered dinner is planned for theAOG Building and ofcourse the annual Cup Ceremony. Bob will be happy to answer anyquestionsyou might have concerning the day’s events. He can be reached at home via e-mail: bcahayes@adelphia.net or Tel: 719-481-9693. Linda and I got our game tickets lastweekthrough theAthleticAssociation (see theAOGWeb page).

This issue ofthe magazine maynot bepublishedbefore the Navygame (Oct 8 atAnnapolis) butjust in case BobVenkus asked me to pass theword to any otherGolden Boyswho mightbe planning to be in Maryland in October, “we locals have a block oftickets on order that should permit our class to be together in the stadium’s Air Force cheering section. Interested parties should contact me at e-mail thevenk@aol.com or Tel 410-531 -0133.”

28

Didyou see HankHoffman’spoem, HeFlew,publishedintheJuly2005 Checkpoints? Look for it on Page 112. Really cool! He and JeffHeal recently flew down to Great Exuma—Jeffwas Captain and Hand was First Officer.

One-halfofa MileRelayTeam.

WeddingBells rang out this summer for two classmates: DougHardgrave and Jan Robertson were married July 29th

Sabre Society Donors

Steve Dotson wrote that his novel, TheLight on theStar, is about a month awayfrompublication. Lookfor an advertisement for the book in this issue of Checkpoints where Ron Foglemanprovided a testimonial forthe ad. Also, Steve will conduct a booksigningat DoolittleHall on Nov4th. Theproposed dedication of the book reads as follows: “For my father, C. Jefferson Dotson, who loved theArmyAir Corps, theArmyAirForces and theAirForce; formycousin, Jefferson Scott Dotson, an American fighterpilotwho gave everything; andformyclassmates, thosemagnificentgoldtags oftheClass of’63. Afterreading a mock-up ofthe dustjacketforthebook, I am sure we as a Class will find this book particularlyinteresting and it looks to be a terrific read.

JimHannamreportedthateightmembersoftheClassof’63 attendedtheRed RiverValleyFighterPilots/VietnamPOWs reunioninWashington over Memorial DayWeekend. Events included a Flight Suit Party andwreath-laying ceremonies at theVietnam Memorial and at theTomb ofthe Unknown Soldier. Speakersincluded Ross Perot andMedal ofHonorWinnerBudDay. Dick Guild was theoverallchairmanofthis superblyplanned andexecuted event. Pictured are sixclassmateswho attended the Flight SuitParty. From left are JeffHeal, Dick Guild, Bob Venkus, Bob Hall, Jim Hannam, and DougHardgrave. Fred Frostic JerryDriscoll and Jim Butt also attended the reunion.

DougandJan

Johnnie Hall and Janet Lee Stephens were married on July8,h at theVilla at Lakeside Resort near Cookeville, TN. Dave Wilson and Dick Slowik attended the ceremonies. Look for a photo in the next issue and on theWeb.

John Heimburger’s sojourn to France, Italy and Switzerlandwith pals from ContinentalAirlines and 20-year-old son Hunter was full ofexcitement: biking, parasailing, etc. Due to space limitations only a small part but a very tellingpart ofthe report can be published here. I will letJohn tell the story: “.

.this Golden Boy soloed a rented mountain bike 350 kms, over nine Cols (passes),throughthree countries,joiningthe group backin Chamonix, France. Though I have been bikingforseveralyears and even rode a 720-mile segment from St. George, Utah, to Taos, NM, in 2004,1 think the next time I have a brilliant idea like this I will rent a motorcycle or an Audi convertible. The task of climbing to the top ofa 2500-meter pass like the Lance Armstrongs and Ivan Bassos is greatlyunderstated!

Fred Lindahl wrote to tell us theWillie UPT class of65B is planning a gettogether for Hamburg, GE next year—the Luftwaffe and German Navyfilled one-third ofthe class. The last gathering, honcho’d byHankHoffman, was at the old stompin’groundinArizona. Fredsayshewill beworkingnext academic year at theTurku SchoolofEconomics and BusinessAdministration in Finland while on sabbaticalfrom hisjob at GeorgeWashington U. Ifanyofyou happen to be in the neighborhood ofTurku, he hopesyou’lldrop in and sayhello.

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY!

YOUR MONEYHELPS FUND CADETWING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED.

CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

and it is a lot. Superinputs this time gang—thanks! Apologies for

Intrepidcyclist

A note from Barney Bartlett found in the Guest Book from the Class web pageannouncedthat sonAustin is a memberofthe Class of2009—thatmakes three Golden Tag offspring in the 50-year class: Ralph Bacue’s daughter Stephanie, John Heimberger’s son Kais and Barney’s son Austin. That’s it

not including them all butwill try to add more content to the ClassWeb Page. Hope to see manyofyou at theArmygame come November. Until then, take care.

Bob Hovde

206 Walker Ave.

Huntsville, AL 35801 (256) 532-3923

W: (256) 716-2765

bob.hovde@earthlink.net

W: rhovde@drs-tem.com

SummerTime?Afterall ofthe things thathappenedthis spring, the summer news is verysparse. Rod Wells said that the campaign for the class gift donations is goingquitewell. Ifyou haven’tmadeyourpledgeyet, please do it soon.

Matt Feiertag also wrote - just to sayhe has a new email address. Lastyear, he had a great idea. He suggested that thewoundedtroops at WalterReed Hospital need phone cards to call home. As the holidaysapproach thisyear, thatwould be a goodwayto say, “Thankyou!” to thepeoplewhoneeditthe most. Phonecards can be sent to: Medical FamilyAssistance Center,WalterReed Medical Center, 6900 GeorgiaAvenue, NW,Washington, DC 20307-5001.

Elections are Over - NowWhat? Now that theAOG elections are over and the Blue Ribbon Commission’s report is in, both theAOG and the “AOG Reunification Committee” (ARC) are trying to decide exactlywhat it all means. TheARC position can be read on itsweb site: www.aogrc.org. TheAOG’s position is not beingopenly discussed on their site right now, but basicallywill follow the Commission’s recommendations and the results ofthe election. This means that changes to the Board ofDirectors will happen slowly over time, rather than as soon as possible, as advocated bytheARC.

No pics, no news, no war stories.What’s a scribe to do? I’m going to take two weeks offand go to Irelandwith Sandyand a group ofour friends in Huntsville. We’ve made contact with a distant cousin in Cork. (MydaughterKristin spent the weekend with her a couple ofyears ago.) My cousin’s sister/brother-inlawstill run the same farm that mygreat-grandfatherleft to come to America. It’s a small world, after all.

Send newsany news.

Wiley,

24

Ted Birke: “.. .I’m writing will let you know that Margot and I also plan on attendingthereunion- Retiredfrom UnitedAirlines (CaptainA320) anddecided that retirementwasn’t quite for me so amjustfinishing up school (at Mass General HospitalIHP) to get mycertificate in RadiographicTechnology-hopefully with school finishingup this January, wiJl be able to at least get a couple ofdays offfor the reunion. Again, thanks, hope all iswell and see you soon. Ted”

JerryWilkowski: From the Rio NegroSportFishingLodge, Mariato, Panama in May2005 with son “Kip” ’92 (40-lbWahoo) and son-in-law, NickBollini.

Mike Phillips: “Myyoungerdaughter,Amber, gotmarried on the30th ofApril. She lives here in northernVirginia but is moving to NewJerseywith herhusband, a drugdealer—actually a pharmaceutical sales guy—Shewill probably have to get a bighairdo to match theJerseygirJs andwill be living on the same block as some mafia capo. We will probably never see her again. Other news: We made the trip backto the NewHampshire lakes region fortwo weeks in late Mayand earlyJuneforsmallmouthbassfishing, lobstereating, and an all around good time... Somehowl got an invitation to the Graduate Leadership Conference in July and hope to attend. We are also planning to come to the reunion this fall. Maybe one ofthese years, the reunionwill be earlier—Colorado can be frigid in November. At present, I’m working for SAIC (resistance is futile youwillbe assimilated). Myclient is theArmyG-l (personnel) and I’m running the CENTCOM R&R Program (with two other SAIC toads). As ofJune 2005, we have brought over 200,000 troops home for a two-week R&R. That is all—I’m looking forward to retirement one ofthese days—work is cutting into my fishing time.

Hey’65!

Therehas been lots oftraffic and excitement about the upcomingreunionin November. Bruce Wood has been rounding up as manyold pals from Double Deuce as he can. Just the fact ofa reunion brings contact between guys who were once close, but maybe haven’t been in touch for years. That’s a good thing. So adding to the list from the last column, some confirmed attendees will beArt Beamon, BarryBlackmun, Ron Bailey, Ted Birke, Lorenzo Crowell, Dick Huseman, Jim Lipham, Ed Farrell, Mike Phillips, and Curt Nelson.

Please take a moment to remember our classmateswho havepassed on thisyear: GaryF. Mills,Jan. 26th Gary’s obituary was in July’s Checkpoints. Jonathan C. Bickham, June 2nd and Rich Siner, July 2nd

Bob Haifa: “We gave Rich a good sendoffwith an AirForce HonorGuard at his burial and averyimpressivefuneral mass with hundreds in attendance. Classmates Morrison, Neireiter and Wilkowski were there.” Read Bob’s eulogyfor Rich in “Gone, But Not Forgotten”. Thanks Bob, for a magnificent tribute to Rich.

From Bart Holaday: “The Old Jocks gathered in Detroit on July 24 to attend a dedication ceremonyofan F16 at the SelfridgeAir Force BaseAir Museum in honorofZot (DickCzarnota). Howard Burkart was responsible forputting this wonderful tribute togetherwith the support ofthe rest ofus. (See photo at top ofnext column.)

Rick Knoll: “.. .just left myposition with Jostens in the twin cities ofMinneapolis and StPaul. Amongothers notassociatedwith theAcademy, SteveFinch assisted me in support of a job hunt and I landed a verygood position with United Health Group. It is nice to stayin the area as most ofmyfourkids have moved here since mywife, Kathe, and I did. The real drawfor staying is that we have fourgrandchildrenhere. I have thought ofretiring(again) and moving somewhere else but Kathe points out that move would be unaccompanied. So I am here for the duration, it seems.”

MikePhillipsgives awayAmberApril30“’ 2005.

From JeffSilliman and the reunion prayer breakfast (Friday November 4th 0730 at theAntlers Hilton) committee (Bill Morgan, andVic Grazier) “Doris Waldrop has... agreed to be our featured speakerforthe prayerbreakfast. She is the founder and leader ofWOWMinistries (Wives ofWarriors) which has been ministering to thewives and familymembers ofthose service members on remote tours (mostly in Iraq andAfghanistan) with conferences and retreats at bases here and overseas... Officers Christian Fellowship (OCF). She and her late husband BillWaldrop were active at all leadership levels ofthe OCF duringhis 20-yearactive-dutyflying and staffofficer career... (Bill was a 1952 graduate ofWestPoint andbothhe and Doris are role models for me and manyothers inuniformwho were blessedto knowthem. Billstartedtheprayer breakfast forhis class at the USMAand is interred at the USAFA.) GaryFausti has agreed to give a short discourse as well. (Scribe’s note: Garyis our featured invocation speaker at meetings oftheAtlanta ChapteroftheAOGandwhether

Flash

Tim andJane Murphy, Bart and Lynn Holaday, Howard and Pat Burkart, Wendell and Irene Harkleroad, Steve and Donna Amdor, and Gail O’GormanJuly

th 2005 at dedication ofCzarnota Memorial.

Sabre Society Donors

Sabre Society Donors

or not

Life is short! Don’t miss any reunions. Be well, Do good work and keep in touch. And as the Roc would say, Cheers, Rick.

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! Some 40* Reunionplanninginformationforthoseofyou who are alreadyfilling outyour2006 calendars—the bigevent is tentativelyset for the weekend of 11 Nov 2006. (Isn’t it cold then?) The football game that weekend is againstNotre Dame—yes, it’s a homegame forthe Falcons—so it should bean excitingweekend. Bringthose extra batteries foryourpacemakers!

GaryPalmeris going to tryto pulltogether a “pre-reunion” foreveryone livingintheWashingtonDC area, sometime over the nextfewmonths. He’sthinkingabout a dinnerevent, similar to ones they have held before, prior to other Redtag Reunions. If you are interested, shoot him an e-mail at gtdbpalmer@cs.com or call him at 301-948-6494.

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Tom Markham hosted a mini-reunion at his home on the former LowryAFB. Tom runs the redevelopment effort at Lowry (that was from the last BRAC round ofclosings). The project is about 80% done and has beenused as the model forothercommunities thatfind themselves in possession of a surplus Air Force base. Tom and wife, Kathy, live in the former commander’s house, so it’s a perfectplace to host Redtaggatherings in the Colorado area. Tom sent us this great picture, but then he challenged me to name everyone. Alot ofyou guys looklike someone I used to know, butwe’re going to need nametags at the40* Reunion. Fortunately,Tom sent me a “cheat sheet” so I could put names with the grayheads.

arrived during my absence, I saw your plea for class news about looking for Redtags. I didn’t find anyclassmates over there, but I suspect that I mighthave been one ofthe first of our class to go back andvisit the areas we went to.

“A couple ofmonths ago I was invited by a producerwho does documentaries for the DiscoveryChannel to go back toVietnam to film a new documentary on the rescue ofBAT 21.1 flewabout 10 sorties as a FAC duringthat rescue —you mayrememberthat it was dramatized byHollywood in the 1980s movie with Gene Hackman and DannyGlover. I always tell folks that DannyGlover learned everythinghe knewabout being a FAC from me. Actually, I had nothing to do with the movie—including not getting a dime from its production.

Nash, DaleElliott, GeoffEgge, Ken Boone, BuckLyle, andJim Woody.

I got a tremendousstoryfrom HarryIcke abouthis recent return toVietnam. I’ll use hiswords: “This pastThursdayI returned from an amazingtrip backto Vietnam. When I gothomeand pagedthrough the latest Checkpointsthathad

Along the Cam Lo RiverwhereBAT21 was rescued. DarrelWhitcomb, ’69, Tom Norris (NavySealandMedalofHonor winnerwho boated up thatriver to make therescue), andHarryIcke, theFACwhoflewoverhead.

“In any event, I went over with DarrelWhitcomb, ’69 grad who wrote the book “The Rescue ofBat 21 ’’, which is the real storyofthe rescue and a much better story than the movie. We were laterjoined byTom Norris, the Navy SEALwho won the Medal ofHonor goingbehind enemylines and makingthe pickup. It was an awesome experience as we flewinto Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigonbymanylivingthere, thenflewup to Hue and drove up to Quang Tri, DongHa, and CamLo. We staged out ofDongHa foraboutfive days to film the documentary, before returning to Saigon and the longtrip home. We also spent a great deal oftime with three former NVAveterans who tookpart in the battle duringthe Easter Invasion of 1972. These threeformer enemies accompanied us just about everywhere up north and recounted theirexperiences as the guyswho were shooting at us.

“The documentaryshould appear in the DiscoveryMilitarychannel in the Oct/Novtimeframe. I would be interested to hearifanyone else has made a similar trip back to the SEA battlefields.

Harryis currentlyliving in the northDallas suburb ofFrisco, TX. He says that he is fullyretired and plays a lot ofgolf. Thanks for the great story, Harry!

Kenny Boone writes that he joined with classmates Jim Higham and Bill Riley as theygottogetherwith their old USAFA math instructor, DickPerkins (USNA’55) to tryto figure out whyKennydidn’t go on to get a MS in math (like Jim) or a PhD in math (like Bill). Kenny says that it was because he was too busy as the editor oftheyearbookduring those formative years at the Zoo.

Kennyalso gotthe honor ofrepresentingthe Class of’66when he presented the annual award for the OutstandingCadet in Parachuting, which is sponsored by our class in memory ofPete Johnston.

Well, that’s all the news for now. Keep those e-mails and .jpgscoming. You might not be interested in what you are doing, but we are. Until next time.. .HappyLandings!

Outstanding Cadetin ParachutingAwardpresentedbyKennyBoone to CadetChris Thompson, Class of2005.

you are a believer, I encourage you not miss the powerfultestimonyof one the most articulate of our classmates.)

Memory Lane: Shapingup ’67 before obstacle course:

PhotocourtesyDickHuseman.

Redtagsmini-reunion atLowry. BernieAmelsreclinesin front (as always); kneelingfromleftare Hugh Gommcl, Art Sum, Tom Markham,JimMeadows, Rick Parsons, John McBroome. Standing from left, Larry Lundholm, BobGravelle, Hans Mueh, Ron Boatright, Ross Gubser, Ray Milberg, Vic Andrews, JoeMcMahon, Tip Galer, Pete

Larry Wilson

13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE

Albuquerque, NM 87111

H: (505) 291-8949

E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

Greetings one and all - it is the (brief) monsoon season inAlbuquerquewith frequent dark clouds and wind and occasional downpours. Thank heavendayafterdayafterdayofclearblue skies and 90temperatures and 10% humidityand no bugs - it gets sooooooo boring.

With the occasional rain, I feel less compelled to againrepair mysprinkler system, which is regularlydestroyedbymynot-very-bright-but-good-heartedwell-intentioned-and-very-protective mutts, who—when the sprinkers go on —think the house is underattack. Theircounteroffensiveresponse is to attack and bite the heads offofthe sprinklers. Again and again; each time requiring purchase ofyet anothersprinklerhead, or set thereof. Now, one might thinkthat I - anAirForceAcademygraduateand thus a reasonablybright guy - should be able to solve that problem. Well, I apparently am not, as I have not.

But I digress. Summer is on the wane, school is back in session, football predictions are dailynews fodder. So - here is what I ve heard from Our Guys in the past fewmonths—

From Ed Gunter:"...Bob Reslingand I met up in Milwaukee forthe annual Lao-HmongRecognition ceremonies... an annual event... sponsoredbytheLao-HmongAmerican Coalition. (I won’t use this forum to expound on how our politicians sold these beautiful people down the river.) Bob has been active in the group for years. I went thisyearwearingmyhat as Presidentofthe Ravens... One ofthe highlights was Bob and I getting to ride along in the 14-ship ofT-28s during theirfly-byat the Saturdayafternoon ceremonies. Bob owns his own T-28 and I flew them in Laos and instructed in one a couple ofyears ago, so it was a specialflight forboth ofus...

EdGunterandBob RestingandBob’s T-28.

You may recall that Bruceand StormyMe Donald had a Peace Corps adventure, which unfortunately ended with serious injury to Stormy. Here is an update: “...Stormy is doingverywell... she is on the go a lot. Wejustparticipated... with a recently returned 86-year-old Peace CorpsVolunteer, and she mentioned herobservationthatlife can surpriseyouin goodways ifyou’re not sitting at home... We’ll be at the Navygame in Octoberwith CS07 classmates, then for next year a trip to Scotland is in the offing with members ofthe same group. We’re in touch with friends and formerstudents from Bulgaria, and the experience has enriched us immeasurably. Life is good, andyou can quote me on that...” Thanks Bruce -I will/ did.

337 (civilian 0-2) is not all that exciting to fly... Last month, Barbarajoined me for two weeks on the Adriatic coast ofCroatia (very nice) ending up in Venice for a couple ofdays. Then too, there is skiing in thewinter, with a week each in France and Switzerland planned for nextyear. So I’m doingokay, but I do not spendenough time either at home inAlexandria, or up at our condo in Breck... I hope get up there this fall for a couple of days and again in January for a week ofskiing to getreadyfor France later that month... Yes, life is tough.

I asked Chuck Beattie about how he is surviving retirement and his move fromArlington, VA to Oriental NC, which is: ”... on the water 30 miles SE of New Bern... www.towndock.net, the official town web site...says it all. We have takenup a little sailingin our old age and it calls itselfthe “SailingCapital ofNorth Carolina—itis verynice, no traffic (pop 875+) andpopulatedwith people like us who have fledthebigcity to enjoylife. The house has one main room (vaulted ceiling), a kitchen, a MBR and a small den/bedroom on the main floor plus a nice upper floor guest room. Only2000 sq ft. on 2.3 acres of pineswith lots ofwaterviews and a dock. We can lockit upwhen we go on trips and not worry about it. It has endured four hurricanes in its nine years with damagemostly to the trees...

“I hosted a spontaneous24th SqdnAFAreunion on mypatioMay7thwith GaryKoldyke, Ron Marquett, Bob Conollyand Mike Leonard before aWashington National’s baseball game. Ron drove up (from) Raleigh, Bob from Boston. Garyflewinfrom Denver and Mike lives across the riverin Maryland. We had the usualperfecthamburgers from ChefBeattie and fixins’ from Paula plus lots ofbeer before going to a pouring down rainynight game. Garyand Bob stayed at myplace. Fortunately our househadbeen sold or I would have made them sleep on thefloor to preservethe“ambiance” ofour home during the sellingprocess... GaryflewbackSunday, butthe rest ofus met up again for a beautiful daygame at RFK...

And in a recent Beattie update:"... all is peaceful in North Carolina... One thing I have done in earnest, and thatis ‘I have stoppedlistening to the idiots on TV’ who pretend to knowall but are just‘enlightening’ us with their opinions, no more, no less. I thinkboth political parties and now the NCAAwould be better offiftheywould reflect on what is their real mission, i.e. betteringthe lives ofthe citizens they serve, and get awayfrom the rhetoric, name-calling and grandstanding. I would call for a revolution but I don’t want to be accused ofrunning afoul ofthe Patriot Act for beingunpatriotic.” Well said, Chuckyou speakfor me, and probablymany others ofus

I attended theAOG’s Graduate Leadership Conference in July, alongwith WayneAlden, Scott Jackson, Jack Fry, RoyMiller, Gil Mook, JeffSchofield, AlexArchibald andpart-timebyGeorgeVanWagenen. Thesessions included updates on a numberofhigh-visibility issues bythe Sup, the Comm, theDean andvarious oftheirstaffs - sort of“their sides ofthe stories” behind thatwhich is all too often poorlypresented in the press; plus a visit to BCT in Jack’sValley; plus an AOG "open forum” hosted byJim Shaw and his staff; plusgood camaraderie. Suffice it to saythat there are contentious issues and no answers that pleaseverymany. The slides fromofficialpresentations are on theAOGwebsite. MaybeI’llexpound on myviewsfrom the conferencein some future Checkpointswhen I have less other class input.

Meanwhile I trust I speakfor us allwhen I say thanks to Legs,Jim, Gil, Billand all the rest ofour classwho are givingtime and expertise and often money to help theAFA be as good as it can be in these challengingtimes.

A-biddee a-biddee—that’s all folks. HappyAutumn. Vaya con Dios!

\\Tnim Tim Davidson

iVa| (1 o/pif 9712 Hidden Valley Road Vienna, VA 22181-6094

BiTmM (703) 255-5313

w§

15Iff

EdandBob on anothersojourn.

Acouple offolks forwarded to me this note fromworld travelerRon Boston: “...I am in Bosnia. My retirement job has migrated to flying part time (six weeks on/sixweeks off) for a government contractor doingsurveillancework fortheNATO peacekeepershere. It’sinterestingenoughwork, even iftheCessna

Fax: (703) 255-5377

E-mail: timd@erols.com

HELLO ’68! Mywhiningabout not havingenoughphotosinspired at least four ofyou to send a few well-placed electrons in my direction, so to Tex Burgamy, Jim Reese,Vera Oderman, and Pat Russell, Mucho Gracias! For the rest ofyou out in CheckpointsLand: H.. .E.. .L.. .P!

HIGH HONORS DEPT: I had a very nice note from Dale Oderman’s wife, Vera, telling ofDale’s recognition as one ofPurdue University’sOutstanding UndergraduateTeachers for2004, whichis theuniversity’shighestundergraduate teachinghonor. Dalehas been on facultysince 1996 and received his award in theSciences/Technologycategory as an associate professorofaviation technologyduringthe university’s Honors Convocation on 4 April 2005. In addition to receiving a commemorative plaque, Dale’s name was engraved in Purdue’s Book ofGreatTeachers, which stands on displayin the university’s Memorial Union and honors the best teachersfrom throughoutPurdue’s history. In addition to receiving this university-judgedrecognition, theTechnology Student Council also honored Dale with the 2004 School ofTechnology DwyerOutstandingUndergraduateTeachingAward. Dale, your classmates are proud to have you among us and offer heartycongratulations for your significantcontributions.

Sabre Society Donors

"Viewfrom the Summit at 60.” From left are Michael “Morry”Morrison, Clark “Ranger Gerhardt, andMichael “Tex”Burgamy.

MAILBAG DEPT: TexBurgamysent a great e-mail tellingofhis 60th birthday. It seems thatRangerGerhardtandMorryMorrisonbothmanagedto showupfor this momentous occasion andfreelyvolunteered salientrecollections ofTex as a younglad. Texasserts thattheselife-long“friends” managed to even tell a few embellishedstories abouthim. AsTexopined, “Needless to say, mylocalfriends, mykids, and mywife were shocked!” (Scribe Note: Tex, be gratefultheydidn’t havevideo cameras with sound “inthe day” or “shocked” wouldn’thave begun to explaintheirexpressions!) Thedayafterhisbirthday, thethreeamigosreached the summit ofMountEvans, CO (14,285’) wherethephoto was taken. Abelated Happy60th Birthday,Tex! Bestwishesformanymore!!

“EdandKaren EberhartHost2005EastCoastReunion” Facesin thecrowd in a looselydefined, wavy, left-to-rightorder: GeorgeDegovani, PaulFlynn, John Gonda, Beau Beauregard,Jim Reese, DennisMcLain, Karl Whittenherg, DavidPrevost,JohnNicholson, FrancisAllhoff, CharlieSeifert, RickPatterson, Ken Stewart, Scott Bohner, RogerSorensen, Jim DeFazio, DannyJames, Bill Drennan, A1Dyer, Ken Bowers, EdEberhart, and Tim Davidson.

EAST COAST REUNION DEPT: On 16 July, we ’68ers came together from as far away as Texas (Ken Bowers and Scott Bohner), North Carolina (Jim and Sherry DeFazio), and Georgia (Jim and Marcia Reese) to enjoy each others companyat ourannual EastCoastReunioninthegreaterWashington, DC area. The venue was Edand Karen Eberhart’s new digs inArlington, VAwith refreshments and beverages provided (inabundance) by our gracioushosts. Discussionswere non-stop, even when a heavy thunderstorm passedby and knocked out the power during one ofDavid Prevost’s infamous tales oflife on thehumorous side ofthe street. Ofall the news that’s fit to print, the one item that stood out was from DannyJameswho mentionedthat Dana andhe are nowparents ofan eight-month old child. With manyofus nowplying our grandparent duties, Danny’s announcement came as quite a shocker. Apparently, Dana and he adopted theirchild recentlyand are enjoyingspending time with the youngest member ofthe “James Gang.” As usual, the evening passed much too quickly—maybe not forEd and Karen—but it didforthe rest ofus and we lookforward to gearingup again,perhaps as early as theNavygame.

GRADUATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE DEPT:About 150 graduatesfrom across the classyears gathered in Doolitde Hall to participate in the 2nd Annual Graduate Leadership Conference (GLC) from 29-30 July. The purpose ofthe conference was to discussAcademyissues and to showthe gradswhat USAFA, as an institution, looks like in 2005 compared to the alma mater we knew several decades ago while the earth was still cooling. Joining me at the GLC from ’68 were Mike Fitzgerald, Carl Janssen, Pat McBride, Pat Russell, GregShuey, andTomTaverney. Thefirstbriefer was the Supe,LtGenJohn Rosa. He painted a picture oftheprogress thathas been made duringthe past two yearsin developing a four-yeartrainingprogramthat ensures allcadets receive appropriate leadership skills as they move from theirfourthclass to first classyears. He also addressedthe issues thatmadethe RockyMountain Newsand CNNregarding sexualharassmentandreligiousintolerance. Theprograms that GeneralRosa’s team has put in place to address these serious issues appeared to make good sense and I believe our entire ’68 contingent was dulyimpressed with his sin

cerityand candor. AfterGeneral Rosa’s presentation, Brig GenJohnnyWeida, (the Commandant, Class of78) provided information aboutthe characteristics/statistics ofthe Class of2009 and some ofthe issues theAcademyis dealing with to accommodate this verylargeincomingfreshman class. He also spent a decent amount oftime discussingthe Honor Code. In addition to the Supe’s and Commandant’s presentations, we also had the opportunity to hearfrom the new Dean, Brig Gen DanaBorn (Class of’83). I was thoroughlyimpressed with the common sense approach that General Born exuded during her remarks and in the ensuingquestion and answer session—particularlyabout what constitutes a reasonable set of core courses for each cadet to master.

Other portions ofthe conference included time with upper class cadets in Fairchild Hall and with Basic Cadets in Jack’sValley. The GLC ended with a town hall meetingwhere all ofthe attendees discussed matters associatedwith theAcademy orAOG. Admittedly, there were some verbal fireworks between AOG andARC proponents, but forthe most part, the exchange was civil. One ofthe take-awaypoints from this last session is that onlyeightpercent ofthe graduatesparticipate in giving donations to theAcademy. Since manyofthe characterand leadershipdevelopmentprograms rely on outside funding, the Academyis facedwith a dilemma in keeping essential programs functioning. In summary, I thought the GLC was wellworth mytime and plan on participatingagainin the future. On a finalnote, as I was headingtoward the South Gate on mywayto the airport, a wild prairie falcon swooped down to about 15 feet overhead, tilted itswings toward the car, and then flewofftoward the mountains. The symbolism ofthe experience was almost eerie and provided me with one oflife’s moments whereyou take the time to pause and reflect.

leftseatedarePatMcBride, PatRussell, andGregShuey Standing:Mike "Fitzer” Fitzgerald, CarlJanssen, Tom “Tav” Taverney, and Tim Davidson.

THAT’S AWRAP: Mind the flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in. Ciaofornow. Tim

Lindsey Parris

616 King’s Cloister Circle Alexandria, VA 22302

Home: (703) 836-3604

E-mail:

102177.1033@compuserve.com

Top ofthe season to you all. Arriba Falcones. On to the news.

Ron Love picked up an Associated Press article about the recentlypublished book,America’sWhiteTable, or “missingman” tables, written (byMargoTheis Raven) to thank and honor all who have served; all who said “yes” to duty. Quoted in the article, andpicturedwith the authorand anotherPOW, is Chuck Jackson. In reference to the fact that theWhiteTable tradition did not spread far beyond the military, Chuckoffered: “it’s characteristic of theVietnamWar. It wasn’t a war unless you were there. It didn’t affectyou unlessyou were there or had someone who was there.” Ron remembers Orville and Wilbur’s Pub at Hickam, and the Mai Tais he shared with Chuck upon his return aftereightmonths as a POW. We’re gladyou’rewith us, Chuck, and at the same time remember and honor all our brave colleagues who are not.

The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process finds a ’69er in a keyposition. RogerLempke,Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard and president oftheAdjutants GeneralAssociationofthe United States (AGAUS), wrote an op-edpiecethatappeared in USA Today(8/18/05); the 8/19/05 issue of“Inside theAir Force” covered the key issues in some detail, quotingRogerextensively.

Bob Bell, former NATOAssistant SecretaryGeneral forDefence Investment and now an international account executive for SAIC Strategies, was recently published in the spring2005 issue ofNATOReview. Bob’s article discusses and analyzes the history, current status, and prospects ofthe ongoingtransformationwithin NATO, as represented in the Prague, Norfolk, andMunich agendas (articleathttp://www.nato.int/docu/review/2005/issuel/english/art3.html).

Sabre Society Donors

Sabre Society Donors

Bill McNaught has retired from the GAO, and is looking to take his two decades ofexperience in defense finance into theworld ofacademics in the near future. In addition, as many ofyou know, Bill is a graduate ofboth Episcopal and Catholic seminaries. He is now lecturing on Professional Ethics at the Johns Hopkins Business School, a subject that includes, among otherissues, the topically relevant"Ethics inWar.”

Gary Hoe is wearingenough hats to make anyphoto ofhim by definition a group photograph. He and Pennylive inAlbuquerque where Garyis a senior engineer at Sandia National Labs, responsible formaintaining, restoring, and improving (in a cost-effectiveness sense) all ofSandia’s 5.8 million squarefeet of real estate; as such, he refereesdogfightsbetween construction contractors and designprofessionals, serves as awebmasterforSandia’s engineeringstandards website, mentors students, edits newsletters, and, as a 23-yearveteran ofthe place, conductsnew-guytours. He andPennyare involved deeplyintheir community, and also find time to enjoyNew Mexico’s grand hikingopportunities.

GaryHoe, single-hatted!

News from the ’69 golfcircuit. In addition to JeffGrime’s stellarperformance at the Heritage “non-classic” (seeprevious Checkpoints) Mike Goode and the ole’ leftyhimself, Scott Bench, both hadhandicapssufficientlylow to enterthe Senior Masters qualifying tournament. Scott missed a putt that would have put him in a playoffforfirst alternate, and Mike finished in the top 20 ofsome 93entrants. Wow! Scott is still flying727s forFedEx, and now living inTucson.

AnchoringPeachtreeCityFire Department’swinningteaminFayetteCounty’s “Public SafetyGames,” pittingthe County’s and City’s PDs and FDs against one another, was Les-of-all-trades Dyer. Flagfootball, volleyball, basketball, volleyball,bowling, powerlifting, and other events comprisedthe two-week, midof-summer-heatcompetition. Nowtakingmedicationandrenamed“Ice-Man,” Les is recoveringbystudying the slow-motion replays ofthe “flops” in Texas Hold ’Em from theWorld Series ofPoker’s Greatest Hits DVD.

Also down Georgia way is Danny I. Spears, Milledgeville dentist extraordinaire. Chipping offthe old block, son Patrick QBs one ofthe state’s top-ratedhigh school football powers.

Doug and Robbie Mang have relocated to Omaha, NE, where Doug is the FieldDirectorforBoeing’s local office. This isBoeing’sgoodfortune, but ’69 gettogethers in the D.C. area will be less rich, and the Class couples dart shooting mantlewill exchangehands. ForTeam Mang,Virginia’s smallerhouse anddaily shoppinghave been supplantedbyOmaha’s largerhouse and dailyshopping.

JeffandJulie Stephenson are in PonteVedra Beach, FL, Jeff’s current base for conductingleadership conferences andworking matters ofrailroadregulation, includinglegal cases involving customers trying to influence governmentregulators to exert pressure on therailroads to lower rates. Also inFlorida (Navarre) are TJ Dohertyand clan, dodginghurricanes still, but avoidingserious damage in the most recent that made a directhit on his largercommunity.

Gene Foster, outWashington (state) way, is flyingforABXAir (formerlyAirhome Express) with a route generally out and backbetween PDS andANC. As manyofyou know, Jim Stober andJim Storeyalso workforABX, but fly out of theABXhub inWilmington, Ohio, so their paths seldom cross.

Steve and Carla Kirby have relocated from Paradise-One (San Diego) to Paradise-Two (Sandpoint, Idaho), the latter being the epicenter of Idaho’s Banana Belt and one ofthe few U.S. locations with a huge, pristine lake and terrific skiing. Steve isworking on the tennis angles to make itperfect, and on the side has passed tests for a realtor’s license and mortgage broker’s license both. Life is good, needless to say, and Brad DeAustin (presently assistant Athletic Director at USAFA) found Sandpoint so enticing he bought a place there, too, just to keep an eye on Steve (someone has to do it).

40th Reunion Class Gift. Building on the momentum we developed at our Class Business Meetingduring the last reunion, David Wagner and the Class Gift Committee completed an assessment ofthe “bricks and mortar” possibilities and funding realities. Building on the sentiment to gift the Academy in behalfofour Class somethingtrulysubstantial and noteworthy, the Committee recommended funding to build an Admissions Center. The Class officers support this recommendation unanimously, and we hope to put an update with additional specifics inyourhands in the near future. Staytuned—this is going to be “awesome.”

The dust is now settlingin the aftermathofthe recentAssociationvote (AOG/ ARC, etc). Unfortunately, Scott Sonnenbergwas not amongthe newly-elected board members, but we are all proud thatheputhis name intherunning. Whatever each ofour personalviews mayhavebeen regardingthe heated controversies associatedwith the referendumvoting, theAcademyand the reconstituted AOGlook to have and need our full support as the Blue-Suit Communityworks to move beyond the troubles at our institution in the recent past.

Cards, letters, e-mails welcome. Cheers to you all until next time. Mugs Away. Lindsey

Some things never change:Mike GoodeandScottBench at thePGA Senior Masters Qualifier.

Ken Hamlin and I met for a couple ofbrews and rehashes ofold times at a Lone Starjust north ofDayton, Ohio. Ken is the only member ofthe Class certified as a PGAgolfprofessional. Havingplayed a roundwithDickSwanson, JeffTobolski, Les Dyer, and RoyCoppinger at Roy’s home course in Portland earlier in the summer, beingdwarfed is nothing new. But, imaginearrivingfor your golflesson and learningyourpro is HulkHogan-esque in size! Well, that would be our Ken, still massive, fit, and as you remember him ready to anchor any defensive line in football.

Dick Rauschkolb

130 Luxury Lane

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

H: (719) 761-5764

W: (719) 472-0300/DSN: 333-2067

E-mail: Dick. Rauschkolb@aogusafa.org

As I write this, our Reunion is 10 days away. Unfortunately, printing deadlines are forcing me to write this column before our biggathering. I hope everyone had a great time at the Reunion. Special thanks to our Reunion Com-

YourReunion Committee. From left are Steve Sharkey, MarkEwig, Larry Bush, BillPorter, Mike Torreano, GaryDahlen, JackMueller, Rich Downing, Ken Hamlin his own self, with ourAssistantforBeverageSupplements. andDickRauschkolb. Dave Gawand TooeyEmerywere absent.

mittee headed byMike Torreano.Mike did a superbjobhying to herd cats, i.e. the rest ofus on the committee.

Our last classmate on active dutyin the operationalAir Force, General Greg “Speedy” Martin, retired on 19 Aug. All ofus in the Class ofSeventy are proud ofyour superb career Speedy.Your dedication to the Air Force and its mission was evidentfrom our days as cadets. The country owes you andWendy a deep debt ofgratitude foryour over 35 years ofservice to the nation.We lookforward to seeingyouwhenyou get backhere toWoodlandPark, CO. Kudos to theclassmateswhoattended Speedy’s retirement Joe Renaud, Willie Schepens, Jay Berry, Bill Harrell,TomWaskow, RandyRoyce, Don Gabreski andWildWood Woodhead.

Aheartycongratulationsis also due to our classmateGregg Popovich who won his third NBAworld championship as coach ofthe SanAntonio Spurs in an exciting seven-game series against the defendingchamps, the Detroit Pistons. Popo is entering some rarified air as veryfewcoaches have won three championships. As I have said before in this column, Popo’s team exhibits class and dignity, something that the rest ofthe NBAoften getsfailingmarks on. We are proud ofGregg and Erin and wish them continued success.

Here is a news flash—BJBjorkland has signed up to be one ofthe first 100 passengers to flyinto space! He maydo it as early as 2008 or 2009. There should be an article in the next Checkpoints about BJ’s desire to be one ofthe first passengers into space.

Henry Mitchell indicated Mark Miller was hit by a wave while on vacation andhad some serious surgery.As I writethisthough, Markisplanningto attend the Reunion. Hope you are well on the road to full recovery Mark.

At our last reunion meetingMarkTorreano and Dave Gawshowed up with some vintagecars—hopefullytheyshowup at the Reunion. Dave stillhas his cadet car! Congratulations to John and Marylyn DeFillippo and Doug and Susan Carlson,whose sons graduatedinJune. Dougsaid DickCheney’sspeech was tolerablyshort—18 minutes—unlike Melvin Laird’s some 35 years ago. He also indicated the cadets have a new tradition andputmoney equivalent to their classyearinto theirhats forthe hat toss. Heckifwe didthat, $19.70 was a month’s payin those days. Steve Glass had a son enter with 2009 and Chuck Kennedy’s daughteralso entered theAcademythis summer. Doug also said YogiRoyce attended graduation to see three ofhis formerJROTC cadets get commissioned. Oker and Monnica O’Connor sent son RoryofftoWest Point this summer and hope their other son, Brian, will enter USAFA. The Seventy Long Blue Line continues on in blue and khaki!

SawChrisandMaryDunbar atin-processing.Theyhaveretired to theSprings. Several ofus attendedTom Distelhorst’s funeral here. Bill Porter, JakeDustin, Steve Sharkey, Roger Hill and Joe Kupko were there. Ourthoughts andprayers go out to Dana and Tom’s wonderful familythat we had a chance to meet.

SpeakingofColonel (Dr) Joe Kupko—he maybethe lastgrad from our class on active duty. He is the ChiefofOphthalmologyhere at theAcademy. Joe had a longbreak in service and then decided to come back. I know we have lots of classmatesstill servingin the Reservesand National Guard.We should all salute theirservice as I knowthey are playing a keyrole in theGlobalWar onTerrorism.

Got a note from GeoffKammerer afterhe saw thatpicture in Checkpointsof himpulling a hoaxat Operation Easterwhen wewere cadets. Geoffsaidhehad “no recollection” of the event and he’s sticking to that story! Geoff and Deborah spend six months ofthe year in San Antonio and six on a lake in Traverse City, MI. He regrets not being able to have attended the Reunion but sends his bestwishes to all ofhis classmates.

Foryou P-schoolers, I almost had Dave Sabeyattending our Reunion. He was all set to come but had a last-minute meeting pop up in NewYork. He sends his best to everyone as well. Dave is head ofSabeyConstruction in Seattle and said to look him up ifyou get thatway.

Joe and Diane Burke continue to do greatthings at Keuka College in upstate NewYork. On-campus enrollment is boomingandhis exchangeprogramwith China is a big success. Rich Mandas has moved to Fort Lauderdale where he is the Director ofTraining for Caribbean SunAirlines. Rich said, “Somebody has to do it! John Mitchel iswriting a book, America a t theAbyss:A viewfrom

theHeartlandthat chronicles a seven-year period from 1998 through 2005 when he ran for governor in Ohio. Jack and Margie Mueller have had some exciting times. Jack commissioned his daughterCarolyn into theAir Force and the next dayhe and Margie hosted a wonderfulweddingforher. Speaking ofweddings, here is a picture ofJohn and Sue Verardo with their beautiful daughter, Krista, at herwedding.

Proud Parents

Steve GuenardrecentlyretiredfromDelta. He andAnn have two sons serving in theMiddle East. Zackis a firstlieutenant flyingAC- 130s—on histhird60-day tour! John is a first lieutenantwith the Rangers inAfghanistan. Knowyou folks must beveryproud!Ann iscompleting a PhD inEducation so she can keep Steve in the style he has become accustomed to!Willie Schepens is head ofBusiness Developmentforthe C-130Avionics ProgramwithBoeinginLongBeach.Willie said he does lotsoftraveling overseas andhas gotten to play some great courses. Heand PattiloveCalifornia.Willieis one ofamongmanyclassmates, Mike Kelley, YogiRoyce,GregGilles,JohnDisosway,DustySwanson, ChuckWeir,TimKinnan, the Rayl brothers andWild Bill Stealeywho bemoaned the status oftheir golf game. A basement full ofthese guyswould be aWhine Cellar!

Hope the Falcons are on theverge ofor have alreadybeaten Navybythe time you read this!

I will closewith this picture ofa bunch ofSeventy men at some type oftraining. I will leave it up to you to try and figure out who they all are. I recognize some ofthem but it’s been manyyears since this picture was taken.

Paul D. Knott

5565 Lantana Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

H: (719) 570-9162

W: (719) 594-0100

E-mail: pknott@acninc.net

Although it’s a coolishAugustday as I write, let me be amongthe first to wish you a happywinter holiday ofwhatever you and yours celebrate.

Before jumping into speculation about the fall football prospects, let me againcongratulateHarry Davis and Bob Lowe forvolunteeringforthe Board ofDirectors. Although neither ofthem won a seat on the board, they made theirviews known, for which we all should be proud. The hoopla seems to have died down about the Reunification Committee’sproposals—which were approved and whichweren’t. It seems that theAOG is evolving from a group ofseveral into an organization that thousandswill be part of. While the ideaof grads as some cohesive group is alluring, I don’t see that itwill happen. Ifyou wish to be active, you will be. Ifnot, the group should respect yourwishes.

As to football, Iwillgo out on a limb andventure thatthe Broncos’ seasonwon’t be anybetterthanit is today, with allwins and no losses.Anotheramazingprediction—theFalconswillhave a better2005 season than theydidlastyear.

Sabre Society Donors

BJBjorklundplans on beingfirstSeventyman in space!

As you may have heard, Dick Reynolds has retired from active duty. As to whathe andJoanie are doing now, I haven’theard, but I am guessingthat they are having fun.

Just in case you hadn’t heardfromClass PresidentFrankMorgan, I reprintthis importantplanningdocument foryour edification and enjoyment: “Yes... it’s thattime again... almost. Nextyear, the Class of71 will celebrate#35. Hard to imagine, I know. I realize that none ofus have changedphysically (thankGod there are no pictures attached to the emailaddresses!), andifyou are like me, the emotional scars will never go away! But, it gives us another opportunity to get togetherand tell lies over a fewbeers, so it’s probablyworth the effort.

’’TheAOG folks were kind enough to remind me that it’s never too early to start the planning process, hence the purpose ofthis email. At this point we don’t need to do anythingcrazy; however, we do need to get our bid in for the weekend we want, and the hotel. Believe it or not, there are other classes out there actuallytrying to horn in on our selection. Some have alreadyreserved some stuff, so we need to act fast.

’’According to theAOG, Navyweekend, 7 Oct 2006, is still open, as is theWyndham Hotel. I personallythink October is good, given that the weatheris still mild enough (usually) for golf, and watching Air Force beat Navy is always fun. I also thinktheWyndhamdid a damnfinejob ofsupporting us at our 30th, and wouldn’t mind giving them another opportunity to excel.

”So, you are probablywonderingwhat the other options are. To be blunt, I don’t know. Other than that theweekend of 11 Nov (Notre Dame) is still open, and that we can always check on otherhotels ifwe decide not to go with the Wyndham. Of course, there will be certain amount oflegwork involved in finding anotherhotel, and we are likely to freeze our butts offtryingto playgolf in November.

’’That beingsaid, and knowingfullwellthat this addressee list is not all of71, I am askingfor some feedback. I’d like to at leastget a wedge in forthe date and hotel, and would appreciate your thoughts. The tough decisions are yet to come, e.g., who wants to be the project lead for this little affair (hell, I live in San Antonio!), and who wants to volunteer to be one ofthe helpers. Harry Davis, Darrell Singleton, and the rest ofthat crew set the barprettyhigh at our 30th. I’m accepting “resumes” at this time.

”So, the homework assignment is two-fold: let me know if the Navy/ Wyndham combo works (ifnot, I need an alternative); and, pass this email to any classmates I might have missed. Best to all.”

Ifyou don’t have Frank’s e-dress, let me know and I will connect you with him, or I can certainly forward anyquestions or comments andlet the two of you continue the discussion.

Bob Bell

13 Pacific Ave.

Sinking Spring, PA 19608

(610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513

E-mail: rabell767@aol.com

Welcome once again to your Checkpoints 72 class news entry. With the revised publishing schedule you maynotice changes in the appearance ofthis column, but rest assured that ifyou send it in, Iwill make everyeffort to get it into the magazine. Andthis was anotherlightissue, but we tend to go in cycles anyway, so here goes with what there is for this go-around.

Roy “Royboy” (Debi) Hendrickson, itinerant SouthwestAirlines captain from Phoenix, AZ and Jim (Linda) Putnam start us out with the first almost simultaneous notes accompaniedby a photo (Roy) and news clipping (Jim) highlighting our first class of72 four-star at his promotion/change ofcommand. Theyrefer, ofcourse, to GENERALWilliam R. “Bill” “TUNES” Looney III. Coming as it has after a lustrous 37-year career in service to ourAir Force, no one shouldhave been surprised thatTunes,joined byhis beloved Marilyn, bride of33 years, would be the first ofthe brightest to reach thatlevel - as noted in the news column of The Oklahoman. He becomes one of 10 four-starAir Force generals, taking command oftheAir Education and TrainingCommand at RandolphAFB, TX. Ifyoudid not see the news clipping, I can saythatitpoints to thefoundation upon whichTunes’journeybegan. As his dad, ColonelWilliam R. LooneyII, flewfighters in theVietnamWar and commanded a fighterwing in Thailand, the wheels probablystartedturning in Bill’s head even then... As demonstrated bythewidespreadrecognition of his abilities and hugeresponsibilityplaced on him in this further service to the nation, evidently the fruit doesn’t fall veryfar from the tree!

Royreports the happysharing oflaughs, lies and stories at the promotion celebration but most importantly, the fact that those present were able to let Bill and Marilyn knowhow PROUD 72 was oftheir manyyears ofservice. A fewother ’72ers were also present for the change ofcommand. Among them Bill (Kathy) Faucherwho currentlyis in MilitarySales in SanAntonio, George

Jimfondlyrecalls his personalhistorywith Bill, starting as farback as whenhe roomedwithTunes duringtheirtime at MillardPrep Schoolpriorto enteringthe Zoo with 72. Bill went on to become a fighterpilotwhile Jim became a munitions and aircraft maintenance officer, usuallyin tactical fighterwings, so their paths crossed from time to time. While Bill’s dad was over inThailand around ’67-'68, Jimreflects, the guyswould gatheraround Bill’shand-held cassette tape recorder and wish his dad well before Bill would mail it off to his dad. Jim remembers that since Bill had grown up on AirForce bases, hehad mentioned howNellis is where he learned how to drive his dad’s new convertible, upon which he was able to leave a full-lengthscratch all thewaydown the right side.

The Oklahoman write-up placed Bill’s achievementofthis new milestone in a very nice light, pointing up the fact that Tunes frequently returns to his early roots even though his AF career has kept him out in the world for the majorportion ofhis life. Bill’s mom, BettyAnne Looney, and sister Teresa Yates live in Tulsa, while his brotherTom is a police lieutenant in Oklahoma City. Many aunts and uncles remain Oklahoma residents as well, so the new assignment in SanAntonio puts them all much closer together for the time being

Bill andMarilyn raised daughters Erika (Hannon) and Meredith in much the same environment as thatwhich theyenjoyed - in travelingmilitaryfamilies. In fact, the longestTunes ever stayed in one location occurred during his four yearswith us at theAirForceAcademy! QuotingBill, “Oneofmyhardestquestions to answer is: Where am I from?” “I answer, ‘I’m from America.’” That about sums it up. Bill - Congratulationsagain, and thanks forall thatyou have done already as well as the expectation of“more to come!” (Creditis noted for Jim Putnam who sent the news clipping as well as for the news information from The Oklahoman's I)awn Marks, Enid Bureau.)

Comingfrom Ohio is a news releaseupdatingour class on Dan (Jen) Lohmeyer, recentlynamed ChiefOperatingOfficerfor Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Consultants in Middletown, OH. In his role there, hewillhave responsibilityfor all clinical and business operations ofthe sixphysicianorthopaedic surgical practice, as well as administrative responsibilityforthe firm’s 401kplan.

In Januaryhe was also sworn in as aTrustee to the Ohio State HighwayPatrol Retirement Systemfollowinghisjointappointmentbythe Ohio Senate President and Speakerofthe Ohio House ofRepresentatives. He serves on both the Investment andAudit Committees ofthe Board. TheTrustees manage a $675 millionpublic retirement and disabilityfund for some 2,500 Ohio State Patrol troopers. He accepted the new position afterfouryears serving as President of Ohio’s IT Alliance, a state-funded economic development organization. In that role, he was responsible for leading the conceptual development and implementation ofa state-wide network dedicated to the growth and development ofOhio’s fastest growingindustry sector. Thankyou Dan, for making sure, and congratulations on your success!

Last but certainly not least, we get another announcement ofthe passing of a friend and brother. Michael “Mike” (Bette) Polishak left us on July 22 after a briefand sudden illness. He had served in the AF after graduating from the Academy, flying for eight years before becoming a nuclear engineer at the SouthTexas Nuclear Project in BayCity, TXfor 18 years. Married to Bette for 32 years, Mike was the son ofJoseph and Helen, father offour sons, Jason, Brent, Christopher and Ryan, and brother to Carol (Stevens), Dennis and Jeff. He enjoyedhunting, fishing and all sports activities, especiallywith his boys, and was also an active member in the St. Vincent DePaul Society. We who knew him for too brief a time so long ago join those who had him all along and most recently in mourning his loss to us all. God Bless, Mike. (Thanks to co-worker/friend ofMike, PhilipWalker, formerly ofUSAFA Class of 74, for contacting me.)

Well, folks, as you read this, we should already be mostlythrough another Falconfootball season, andthewinterholidayswillbe upon us. Keep in mind thatyourclassmateswilllove to hearofyour exploits, whatevertheymaybe... Seeyou later!!

Sabre Society Donors

Sabre Society Donors

(Lovetta) Wargo from Langley area (military retired), and Larry (Jeanne) Reynolds, currendy a rancherin Nebraska. Thanks to you Royforyourinput.

From left are BillFaucher, GeorgeWargo, “Tunes", RoyHendrickson, and LarryReynolds.

(719) 487-1464

rmunson@adelphia.net

INTRODUCTION: Thanks for the positive feedback on the Legacy story; I’ve included more pictures from that column. Thanks also to all in CS-20 and 26 who helped me put together this column; my onlyregret is that I’m only allowed 1,200 words... our stories could have filled three times that limit.

Sabre Society Donors

Jim Parker is alreadythere flyingforAmerican out ofMiami. HeandFlo (retired LtCol) scubaand enjoyopera and the symphonywhenhe’s not flyingand she’s not teachingyoga. SimilarlyDan Poquetteflies forAmerican out ofNew Yorkwhile Delores has been a personal trainer for 20 years in Connecticut; they also have a place in Florida. Also flyingcommercially are Rick West for Northwest out ofMinneapolis andJohn StefonikforUnited out ofDenver. Lynne Stefonikteaches science in Colorado Springs and John continues to practice some law. Jerry Manleyexpects to retire as FAAAirTraffic Controller in Billings Montana in 18 months;wife, Jane, is a counselorforthe SkyviewHS Falcons which sings theAF Song at everyfootball game. John Barron splits time between management consultant/traininggigs and working in his church; wife, Kathy, works on a Master’s in Christian Education and son Jeremyis in D.C. writing software for transportation security. BG Gilbert and RodWickers are Redondo Beach neighbors. Rodpractices business litigation assisted byparalegaldaughterChristinawhen she’s not in school. Wife, Tricia, is recovering from knee surgerybefore she returns to Los AngelesCollegeteachingnursing. BG isVP forAviation Services forURS Corporation,justfinishing as program manager for the planning and environmental assessment for the LAX$11 billion improvement program.

ProudKen with CaptErwin Vargas USAFA ’99. Atpress timeErwin was at McChordAFB, hopingforan Academyassignment.

SQUADRON NOTES: I was prompted to feature the CS-26 Barons because I am their SPEA (Squadron Professional EthicsAdvisor)... andbecause I got an unprompted email from Marc Van Ells. After retirement Marc worked for an investigation agencythen flewcorporate for sixyears. The companysold the aircraft and he’s back home inWisconsin taking care ofhis blackLab. MajGen John Barryretired lastyearand went to SAP Labs asVP forDefense and Security Initiatives. Count’m, five Barons with law degrees: Pat Masseypractices civil trial law, wife, Alice, loves pediatricmedicine, and both share the challenge of getting their three children to schools and activities. Rick ElyisTrial Division Chief, Public Defenders Office, in Houston representingindigents charged with federal crimes; wife,Victoria, is KPMG director of tax litigation for the southwestern U.S. Bill Harris put his BU law degree to good use and is now COO for Richard Ellis Investors in Los Angeles, responsible for a global real estate portfolio in excess of$14B. Don and RachelWilcox are in Minnesota; he practices general law and she is a nurse practitioner. Son Benjamin is in law schooland daughter Sara is a resident in FamilyPractice. I had a nice chatwith HenryHeater; he doesgeneral civil litigation in San Diegowhile Denise spends “150% of her time with volunteer work.” He avidly collects books in “too manyinterest areas.. .that’s myproblem.”

Dave (Virginia) Burnett flies out ofArizona for Southwest; Rich and Karen Leeman call NewJerseyhome while he flies forContinental. Bob Altman was picking up AJ and Isabelle atYMCA camp when I called; I chatted with Becki who teaches special needs and was studyingforher EarlyChildhoodTeachers Exam. Mark Englebretson (Rosann) is a counselor and girl’s basketball coach at RampartHigh School in Colorado Springs... same place thatdaughterJenni teaches math. Dave Greerspends some 80 days/year on the road in the Midwest for Chevron. “Marriott is myfriend.” Judy teaches elementary school and simultaneouslyhas completed her Masters. Doug Miller is a GS-12 Civil Air Patrol liaison officer in Hawaii and loves it; Linda is in HickamAFB contracting and son Stephen is in his thirdyear at UNLV

Neil Stilwell is the class ‘free spirit’; he and Bernadine were last known to be working at a dude ranch in SWColorado. TroySponaugle is founder/CEO of Advanced DigitalTechnologies in FairfaxVA which provides IT services to medium to large businesses in northernVirginia; wife, Jackie, is a certified art teacher in theArlington system with up to 650 students at one time. Dave Ricker’s new business is StonegateRecruiting, matching executives to openings in logistics, technology, and supply chain management positions. Wife, Susan, is a staffaudiologist for theVA. Jim Russellworks for Baytek, Int’l, reviewingimplementationplansandprocesses as a seniorbusiness analyst;Sylvia is a chemistwithMarathonAshland.... somehowtheyboth successfullyraised five kids. Mike and Susan Smith are in ChesterVT where he is on staffof a mental hospital. Barb tells me A1 Howeywent from theAF to school studying jazztrumpet; he plays in several bands includingthe commerciallysuccessful Tom DaughertyOrchestra; Barbworks HR atWrightPattersonAFB as a GS-13. Sid and Marianne Gutierrez are settled inAlbuquerque where he’s National SecurityProgram Director at SandiaLabs... two ofthe kids are offin college— one to go. Jim Harris helpswife, Ellen, at her clothing store inTulsa “on a very part time basis” afterretiringfrom both the USAF and Hewlett-Packard. With three young’ns gone they like to spend free time at their lake home. Frank Gambardella teachesjust about everyhigh school subject at Denver’s Bishop MachebeufHighSchool; forfun he readsvoraciously, takes courses in hydrology, and does road biking. Apologies to George and MaryNoelfortheheinous oversight ofomitting son GeorgeJr ’98 from the Legacystory; he is stationed at Peterson AFB and currently inAfghanistan. George Sris Financial Officer for the Roman Catholic Diocese ofCrookston MN.

BruceMeyerwith LtScottMeyer'03in frontofa T-38... itmaybe oneBruce flew. Scottis due to finish checkingoutas a T-6IPatpress time.

GENERALOFFICERNOTES. Ourclasshas its firstfour-stars: NortySchwartz will take over TRANSCOM and John Corleywill become the USAFVice Chief ofStaff. FromNorty: “Suzie and I are thrilled for the opportunity to lead in the field one last time and are humbledbythe responsibilitythejob entails. Suzie and I, and certainlyJohn andAlice Corley, will do our best to fulfill the high expectations others have for us, includingthe manyclassmates who encouraged, cared for and trusted us along the way.”

Flash! At press time, JohnRegni hadjustbeen nominated to take the reins as USAFASuperintendent. Steve Lorenz, in turn, had been nominated to gethis third star andtake over as CommanderofAirUniversity. The ironyofanAcPro veteran taking over as seniorUSAF educator is not lost on Steve. DebbyRegni is likelyhappy to be awayfrom hurricane central and Leslie Lorenz is thrilled to leave D.C. and be close to daughterTracywho is expectinggrandchild #1.

ODDS & SODS: Got a nice note from Bill HeelywithJoint Forces Command in SuffolkVAworkingcomputer assisted exercises; he andAnnhave three chil-

JoeKahoepresentsJeremyKahoe ’03andnewdaughter-in-lawCassidyat theirApril 2005 rehearsal dinner; the newlyweds are at Charleston where Jeremyflies the C-l 7.

Tough Twenty classmates remain well connected. After 25+ years Mark Baldwin is ‘easing out’ as owner/CEO/CFO ofIowa LaserTechnology; he and Peggy are ready to enjoy theirfour daughters, sail, and spend time in Florida.

dren emancipated and one ready to go. Bythe time you read this, Tom Bailey will have flown his Mooney home to his Ophthalmologypractice in North Carolina from the Oshkosh Air Show. I caught Mike Tremonte moving from Fairfax to Seattle; I’ll nail him to help me do the 38 All Stars for the next issue.

Joe Brezovic

1209 Bayou Oaks Drive

Friendswood, TX 77546

H: (281) 482-6860

0: (281) 244-8325/Fax: (281) 244-8020

E-mail: jbrezovic@houston.rr.com

joseph.brezovicl@jsc.nasa.gov

Hello classmates around theworld! Its great to hear about classmates and how they’re doing, especially the good news! Send some in - we’re happy to hear or to add to the prayer list!

The first bit ofgood news is part of a message I received: The President has nominated to the Senate the followinggeneral officer for appointment to the grade ofgeneralwith the assignment as indicated: LtGen Duncan J. McNabb to Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL. Our first four-star! And maybe it’s a record,.. .classmate three-star Chris Kelly is theVice Commander! Dave Daleywho keeps tabs on the East Coast news let me know about Duncan, and Steve Daniels reminded me we mayhave another record —is there anywhere else we have classmates workingwith each other! Let us know.

And another note: Lt General DonHoffman is at BollingAFB effective 1 Sep 05! Anothermessage out isthatPresidentBushhas nominatedRon Segato betheAir Forceundersecretary.TheSenate mustconfirmthesepositions and as ofwritingthis column, the decisions have notyetbeen made. Congrats to these classmates!

Break, Break. Steve Daniels sent a message... “Now with DuncanandChris beingpresent here at Scottandthe number of’74 grads in the area, I have an idea ofhaving a get-together for our class. I wouldlike to host a ’74 get-togetherat our home.”

Let me (Brezovic) knowifyou’reinterested-I’ll get theword to Steve!

Sabre Society Donors

DougWalker sent in a note on his career. Like many ofus, his Reserve career ended last summer. On the civilian side, after 19 years as a private practice attorney in Florida, he was appointed as an Administrative LawJudge with the Social SecurityAdmin in Detroit. Afterpulling a one-year ‘remote tour’ he was appointed as the ChiefAdministrative LawJudge for the Social SecurityAdministration’s Orlando, LL, office ofHearings andAppeals. Dougsays it’s great to be in the same congressional district that started him as an appointee to theAcademyback in 19xx. Other progressions include a note andpicture ofDaveJackson Grant and Greg. Dave attended the firstFatherSon Basketball Camp inJune atAFA. Theygot to stayin the dormbut Mitch’s was not open. There were a large numberofgrads there thatweekend, buthe didn’t see anymore ’74. But he does recommend the program. Here’s a picture ofdad and kin.

DaveJackson with sons Grantand Greg.

Another story ofdad and son exercise comes from JJ Romano. He and son Joeywent on a Philmont 60-mile trekthis summer. (Philmontis the BoyScout Mecca.) The second daythey were above 9,000 feet and didn’t come down for 10 days. Ofcourse JJ lost 10 pounds. They ran into some AFA cadetswho were spendingthreeweeks there as ranger advisors. Thoseyoung men and women leaders made JJ proud. And.. .he was proud to tell thathe was a 74 grad “and to see their eyes open to see that an old geezer like me (JJ) could still rough it!” Joeyrecently soloed in a glider, bringing a memory to JJ about landings with classmate Jim Nemetz when they flew F-4s together: “Dive for the runway, flare, and land. Whywaste time with finesse?” “RightNummy?” JJ is still expandinghis office area ofresponsibility in SAICjust outside ofthe main gate at LacklandAFB, Texas. He was at 140 people inAugust!!

North Carolina Service GolfTournament

For summer fun news here’s one infrom Peter Bechtel. Peter sent in a picture ofthe recentAir ForceAcademySocietyofNorth Carolina’s service academy golfouting. He reported that theyhold this annuallyand challenge the Navy andArmygrads to a golfshoot out. Thewinnerwins a silver “boot” (pictured). Theboot was actuallyPat Daley’s bootwhen he was a doolie - hehad itplated. We won the boot again thisyearwith our superiorgolfing skills. Note that 74 wasWELLrepresented! Shown in the picture from left starting at the bottom.

Bottom Row: Pete Bechtel 74, ChuckLatham 74, Pat Daley 74. SecondRow: AndyStanaski ’80, Glenn Seitchek’83. Top Row:Wayne Brown ‘65

Overseas news includes email from Paul Guzowski who has beenworking on a U.S. contract, this time with Lithuania. Paul says he has met three ALA grads: Aidas Kerutis, Mindaugas Butkus and GedasVirbukas. Paul wrote that was great to workwith these men, and, sadly, he leaves this area in October. Steve Lenzi sent a note that he is doingwell with ITT Industries and that the companyis expandingits duties. Steveworks in Hawaii; however, the positions are stateside... and there maybe a position foryou! Chris Lanzit is still alive and well in Beijing, China. He has been there one year, followingeight years in HongKong. In China, Chris iswiththe team thatisbeginningthehard workwith ofconvincing Chinese officials to accept U.S. standards and conformity assessment systems alongside or in place ofISO standards. One high point was having the U.S. Ambassador to China as a speaker with over 150 guests from the U.S. business community, Chinese officials and friends.

Lor the prayer list, Chris Camplellwrites a thankyou and please continue forhis son-in-lawChris. His daughter’s husband is doing GREAT as ofJuly 12. So far, the side effects of are minimal from the radiation ofhis fourth round with cancer. The lad is determined, in good spirits, and is gainingweight. Stateside update news: Rick Rosser, inWashington State is doingwell and Ellen seems to be doingwell, too. They are now grandparents for the second time in July and expect a third grandson inAugust! Don McMonagle is with Pratt &Whitney’sSpacePropulsion business n West Palm Beach. He seems to be in great health and extremelybusy, but happy, with P&W! Steve Malutich has moved to Manvel, TX. This isjust south ofHouston for those in the FIouston arena - should anyofyou be planning a 74 gathering ofeaglessomeday! John Sweda is still at HurlburtAFB, FL and onlythe email has changed! Joe Traficanti has been strivingvery hard with general counselwork and as the chiefcompliance officer in the companythat hired him a fewyears ago, Performance Food Group Company. He guesses he is surviving somewhat because he is beingpromoted to seniorvice president. Congrats there, Joe!

This sums up the news to date. I hope all stays well for all or gets better. Sincerely, I am sure, that each ofus wishes the other that you live long and prosper.

Paul Kent

18166 S.E. 41st Place

Issaquah, WA 98027-9717

Mobile: (425) 785-3586

E-mail: zooscribe@mac.com

CLASSMATES. Michael Gudmundson, Bill Schussler, Chris Glaeser, and Jim Carlson held a practice reunion atAlexis Restaurant in Mendota, MN. Although they didn’t discuss their summer 1971 BCT experience ofbeing gassed in JacksValleywith a 100% solution instead ofthe intended 10% mixture, and the unpleasant after-effects, they did have an enjoyableevening reminiscing.

From Duane Jones: “At Dave Ehrhart’s Change-of-Command for theAir Force Legal Service Agency, as the ceremony ended, the two-star host announced to the assembled masses that the President was forwardingDave’s name to the Senate forconfirmation to Brigadier. Talkabout down to thewire. Commander, lawyer, and now, selectee. Let’s hear it for the old guys!”

From John Charlton: Dave Tillotson moves onward and upward at the

Pentagon. From Dave Wallace: Two more one-stars have been nominated to appointment to Major General: A1 Peckand Eric Rosborg. Also from Dave: a niceAF article about our classmate Maj. Gen. StanleyGorenc, who watched hisyounger brother, Brig. Gen. FrankGorenc, pin on his first star. They are two of271 general officers in the active-dutyAir Force out of more than 350,000 airmen.While theydo notknowfor sure whether they are thefirst set ofbrothers to serve as generals atthe same time, theydo believe they are the first Slovenian-born brothers to serve together as generals inthe U. S.AirForce. Thebrothersimmigratedwith theirparents to the United States from theformerYugoslavia in 1962 when they were eight and four. Our humble classmate Stan added “We didn’t know the language. We didn’t know the culture, and we came to learn (that) the United States is truly a land ofopportunity.”

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A1 Piotter retired at the Pentagon on June 29th Classmate BrigGen Duane Lodridge,ANG graciouslyagreed to preside at the ceremony. From Jim Carlson: “Phil Benjaminhung up his blue suit in June. Philhas beenlow-keyfor as long as I’veknownhim—andhe stands out as havingthehighestmeasured IQ ofanyin our class.” Prettycool, Phil. I didn’t knowthat! Ifyou are in Seattle, maybeyou can help me program myVCR now thatyoumighthave some freetime? Itcontinually blinks“12:00”. DuaneJones, Benjy’s former roommate at the Zoo, conducted the ceremony and did an outstandingjob ofhighlighting his many accomplishments. The scribe admits he is remiss in trackingpromotions and acknowledging all the appropriate accolades to our deserved classmates who have advanced in rank or completed years ofservice to our country. Not intentional, I assure you. Fazy,Yes. Intentional, No.

THIRTIETH REUNION. Bythe timeyou read this, the 30th will be a memory and I am sure a good one for those of us luckyenough to be able to attend. As the scribe, I get lots ofcorrespondence about all things class related, and I got a kick out ofreadinghow some ofour classmates were maneuvering with the “Baby-Sitting” logistics. Specifically, Bill Taylor, with triplets thatjust turned one, and a three-year-old. In his search for a solution, he mentioned Marty Miller, with one-year-old twins, and possibly a younger child. Dean Cox was planning to bring his four-year-old and seven-month-old. And Mike Marro has two children he takes to child-care everyday. IfFred Whitican does bring his 15-year-olddaughter to baby-sit as planned, she should be able to finance her social life for quite a while with her earnings from this one longweekend alone. Thisgotmethinkingaboutthe“spectrum.” I knowwe have classmates with grandchildren that are older than these children. Now, there is no need to turn this into anykind ofcompetition, but zooscribe@mac.com would be curious to know: First, the oldest offspring (And yes, I am sure this child was born shortly after or even before June 4,1975. Scribe note: statute oflimitations have long past; this accomplishment should be a source ofpride now); secondly, the youngest offspring; andlasdy, the oldest grandchild.

PattyChapman wrote theywould not be at the reunion as oldest son T.W (USAFA2004) graduates UPT in Del Rio the same weekend. Second son Ben graduates USAFA2005, andthird son is in USAFA2006. Thescribehas no words to appropriatelyacknowledge this parentingpar-excellence. BGA1 Peck sent his advance regrets about not being able to attend, as he is at an undisclosed location in the desert. He adds: “hiving the dream, butwon’t get released to partywith the BestAlive.”

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Lee Colburn, stillservingconfinements30yearslater.

From Jim Carlson: “I spoke with and extended the appreciation of our entire class to Bill Boisture, USAFA ’67 who has generouslyprovided the means to fly our combat-injured classmate John Sims (CS-21) and his wife, Violeta, to our 30-year class reunion and he tells me that all this is being done strictlyfrom the point ofviewofAir ForceAcademygraduatesbanding together for fellowAir ForceAcademygraduates. He and I agree that there should be more ofthis kind ofthingwithin our community. I also want to say a huge thankyou to our classmates Barry Ketchie and Bill Daviswho worked tirelessly to make this happen.”

I DIDN’T KNOW. “Smacks” and “Squats”? Where did these derogatory terms that were directed at us in the 1971-1972 time frame (for some ofus, directed on a continuous basis) come from? From Jim Carlson: “After the initial shock ofthe M-80 round thatwent off a fewdays afterJuly5,1971, and the world as I knew it turned upside down, it was another threeweeks (when we marched into Jack’sValley) before I got over the initial shock ofbeing a ‘doolie’, and discoveringwhy we were called ‘squats’ and‘smacks’. Squats—because our physicaltraining consisted mainlyofsquat thrusts. Smacks—the sound our punylittle bodies made each time we hit the wall when an upperclassman walked by. (Followed by, “Byyour leave, Sir!”) Now we know (in case we forgot, or chose to forget).

HARRASSMENT KUDOS. Jim Carlson congratulates MikeAnderson, the POC for 14th Squadron: “Unless I missed someone on the count, I thinkthat CS-14 is the first and onlysquadron to haveAFT theirguys verify and update their online data via www.usafa.org. I just noticed that Billy Stephan was unable to withstand yourbenignleadership and myincessanthammering— and finallylogged in! Everysquadron except yours (mine included) has at least one holdout. And it’s generally on principle or something.”

PRAYERS CarlVanPelt’s son Matthewdied in a motorcycle accident in July. From John (Juan) Kambourian: “Still in Brasilia doing God’s work. Planning on makingthe reunion ifmywife, Kim’s, medical condition permits it; looks kind ofiffyright now. Don’tknowwhether I toldyou but Kim was diagnosed with averyadvancedbladder/cervical cancer lastAugustjust after we arrived inBrazil. Three massive operations, radiation/chemo therapylatershe is still fighting for herlife. Things don’t lookverypromising but we are still praying for a miracle.” Randy Barrett was very seriouslyinjured in the crash ofhis seaplane in upstate NewYork on Tuesday,July5th.

DuaneLodrigeretiringA1Piotter.

We could have called this the “Al” event: amongthe classmates that showed up were Al Bready andAl Green. Others who witnessedAl Plotter’swell-deserved recognition of30 years ofservice to our countryincluded Bill Lyerly, Phil Benjamin, Mark Beesley, Dean Cox, Don Henney, Dave Ehrhardt, Jim Carlson, andatouch-n-gobySteveRedmann. Therewere, altogether, 12classmates forthis gathering!

MichaelGudmundson, BillSchussler, Chris Glaeser, andJim Carlson infront ofAlexis Restaurant.

Dan Beatty

12196 Stanley Canyon Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

H: (719) 488-1962

E-Mail: whrlybrd76@aol.com

Dan.Beatty@aogusafa.org

http://www.AFAcademy.com/76

Fellow ’76ers,

As the‘Zoo’ starts its 50th football season, the ‘boys’ beatWashington 20-17 in their season opener. First home game is coming up. GO FALCONS!

Sad news this time too. Steve Krikorian says Stan Szkarlat died 05 Aug in Burnsville, MN from cancer. In lieu offlowers the familyasks for donations to The Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 4th St, Santa Monica CA 90401, www.prostatecancerfoundation.org. Our condolences to Karen and family.

30th Reunion: 8-1 2 November 2006 is still the target.

Classmates moving/moving up: Kevin Chilton, nowLt General, took over 8thAir Force 11 Aug; LarryNew move to Director, Capabilities Integration/Transformation,AFMC, WPAFB; Jack Catton to HQACC/DR; Dave Robinson to MA to Deputy ChiefofStaff,Air/Space Operations, HQ USAF; and TonyPrzybyslawski pinned on his second star. Greg Seelymoved to Peterson and plans to be back at USAFA next year. Mike Yama’ Hoyes moved to ACC/IG. Mike had a bout with prostate cancer but now is doingwell. Pat Rosenowwas elected to theAOG Board ofDirectors. Congrats guys! Chili sent me a note about a classmatewho leftUSAFAafterthree-degree year. I considerANYONE who spent time in the Class of’76, no matter how short, a classmate, andwill do mybest to let them all knowwhat we are doing. Ifyou know of someone out there who may not be on one of our distro lists, please send me his info, or tell him to contact me.

Retirements: Charlie Morgan 10 Augwith Kevin Chilton officiating.

months. Kurt sees Brad Moffettfrequendywhen Brad is in town at SAIC, and he talks to JeffLarsen a lot.

JeffFord’s attended his two sons Marine Corps bootcamp graduation recently. Says both boys will probablybe in the sandbox early next year. Tim Lewisworks at the Pentagon forNorthrop Grumman helpingwrite DoD securitypolicy. Stan Correia emailed from Campinas, Brazil while on a regular UPS flightstop. PapaJoeMarchinohashisticketforNavygame/tailgate. Saw Tom Sawner a fewweeks back. He sent a great article abouthis part in awarding about 1,000 Boy Scouts the aviation merit badge. Good on yaTom! Mick Erdle acknowledgedhis contributions to myfuture bartab (lost a coin check!). Says his kids little league schedule is causinghis golfgame to suffer. He plans to attend a F-15 reunion inVirginia Beach with Jack Catton, Bill Roege and their lovelywives. Mike Woodman confirmed I have his correct email. Les Garrison is still in Tikirt, Iraqwith the Reconstruction Management Office. Says the two mottos ofwhich he has been most proud in his life are: Semper Fidelis and Spirit of’76. HOO-AH! Staysafe Les!

Doug Fry went to China with a PACOM, PACFLT and OSD delegation to discuss issues offlying/sailing in China’s Economic Exclusion Zone (200 nm offshore). Says Mr Mike Walsh just moved next door on Hickam and does income taxworkinhis sparetime. Dougparticipated(alongwithRobPressinger and other grads) in USAFA’s 3rd Lt/Ops AE program at Hickam. The AOG chapter(Doug’spresident, RandyChangtreasurer) sponsoredthe three groups ofcadets at a chapterlunch and thenhosted the cadets at theirhomes for dinner. Good on ya guys! Gregand Cathie Lewis have moved to York, PA and are settlinginto their new home. Rob Sheridancontacted me with questions about our 30th. Got an email from a ’77 grad with info on Buddy Lott and Mike McGinnis at the recent FtWorth “Summer Sendoff picnicandsoftball tournament. Buddy retired from DeltaAirlines and is now a private contractor. He was promoted to 0-6 in the Reserves lastyear, and is still an ALO in the area. Mike flies as a MD-80 CaptainforAmericanAirlines and is a board memberfor the NTAAFAG and president ofDaedalians. (ThanksJohn!)

Saw Don Pickett at 2009 inprocessing. Did some reminiscing about our ‘arrival’ in July 72. Steve Davis checked in and is doingwell. Kevin Henebray confirmed his current contact data. He is still in the Langley area. Matt Martorano confirmed his contact data; says he is lookingforward to the reunion and is flyingforUPS. DennyShupe is with the USOAffiliate Council in Philly. Scott McComb sent a nice note affirming his classmate bond. Thanks Scott! Tom Greene answered a note from MarkShanks. Tom pointed out that the Class of2009 will be our age when the Class of2042 enters USAFA. Thanks forthattidbitTom. Dave Dingleyand DanJordanresponded to mynote about 02 Jun. Thanks guys. Dave is still on the Space Coast. CraigJensen sent some info about a new “Code ofSupport” for our troops. Bob DeBlanc questioned my ‘political correctness quotient’. You’d think that after being ‘smacks’ together in Dirty Dozen Bobbywould knowjust how‘pc’ I am! Tom Hancock sent a photo of son John’s USNA ’05 grad. He and Jane are in Huntsville, AL where he workswith BAH.

Bob Norman 29 Jun at Scott and plans to staythere as a defense contractor. Lance Christian and Harrison Freer attended. Lance is AFFSSA/DO and Harrison is a beltway bandit. Bob tells me he and about 20,000 others rode bicycles across Iowa forTeamAir Force.

General ClassStuff: Marthaand I had dinnerwith Fred andVicki DeArmond a fewweeks ago. Theywere passingthrough on longvacation trip to various points. SawJoeWysocki at the Grad Leadership conference. He, Russ Laney, Pat Rosenow, and I attended. GLC is a great program. I encourage you to attend future sessions. Talked to Enrique Saa about linking up to discuss reunion plans. KurtKlingenbergerisatDLAnow. Took over JMIC deputyfrom CaseyHenkel, who is still in uniform and moved to a differentpart ofDIA. Kurt works one floorbelowBobAdamswho retired from theAirForce lastyearand is now a DIA SES. Kurt thinks MarkWelsh may move to hisbuildingin next few

TheHancocks: son Mark USAFA ’07, sonJohn USNA ’05, Tom USAFA ’76, and brotherFrank USMA ’72.

Bud Nevers checked in; is trying to schedule small party at the reunion. Way to getahead ofthe curve Bud!And finally, Steve Stockdalepoppedup. Sayshe has rejoined theAOG and wrote a column in theFortWorth Star-Telegram awhile back. Hope some ofyou saw it.

Time to wrap this up. As always, ifyou are headed to the Springs, let me or any ofthe other locals know and we’ll see ifwe can’tjoin up for a fewstories and updates. Keep flyingyour flags and let our deployed troops knowyou have them in your thoughts and prayers. The Spirit of76 is STILL alive and well! Until next time. Beatty

Visit the /VJ5WAOG Web Site.

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More! www.usafa.org

CharlieMorgan (center) andKevin Chilton (right) at Charlie'sretirement. Wade McRoberts 4 Augwith former roomie Jack Catton officiating. Wade’s ceremony well attended by Joe Shirey, Mike Hoyes, Dave Berg and Jack.

Mike Hoyes, Jack Catton, Wade McRoberts, Joe Shirey, and Dave Berg at Wade’sretirement.

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John J “Lou” Michels, Jr.

4107 Harvey

Western Springs, IL 60558

Voice: (312) 849-8150

Fax: (312) 849-8151

E-Mail: jmichels@mcguirewoods.com

Greetings from the parched shores ofLake Michigan (nowthere’s a contradiction in imagery) where summer is mercifullycoming to an end. Too hot, too humid, and too long foryour humble narrator, who hoofs it a mile and a half to and from train stations during his commute to work. Sweaty and disheveled is not the way to arrive at work each morning, unless you want to excite distincdyunsavory rumors. In anyevent, I’m sure it’s much cooler now, wherever you are.

STILLAFEWBUGS INTHE SYSTEM: I am discoveringthe easiestwayto get people to write me is to simplymisspell their names. Myhumble apologies to JeffOlinger (Nancy), the latest victim ofyour scribe’s poor proofreading, but heck, Jeffsent me a note (his first communication) with some additional details. Turns out, we are both Minnesota guys; Jeffgrewup maybe 10 milesfrom me on the outskirts ofMinneapolis. FollowingJeff’schange ofcommand at Edwards, he and Nancy are atKirtland, whereheisheading up the NationalAssessment Group. Theyexpect to be New Mexicans until the “magicthirty” arrives in two years. Jeffalso reportedthathepresided overtheretirementofMartyCoffman (Lee) from his position as the PAS at the UniversityofTennessee—go BigOrange! The Coffmans plan to remain in the Knoxville area for a while so that theiryoungest can finish high school. Steve Slate (Carla) hopped out from theSprings to attend the retirement ofhis oldroommate, aswell. Congratulations, Martyand thanks again, Jeff, fortheupdates.

MULTIMEDIA: Every nowandthen a phone callmakes it inpastthefiendishly cleverscreeningsystemwe use here designed to keep our lawyers undistracted and grindingawayfillingup theirtimesheets. Well, actually, Ihave to answer my own phone, but that’s good, especiallywhen it’s interesting news on the other end like the other day. Roger Smith (Patricia) is a pilot for Southwest out of Baltimore. But probably not for long. Roger reports that he’ll be moving to Chattanooga, where he can reenact the Battle ofLookout Mountain on his morningcommute. Rogersaid thathe didn’t have too much to report, but that he had been out to Samoa recently. Turns out thatRoger’sdaughterGinnyis in the Peace Corpsand Samoa was herfirstassignment, so Rogerthoughthe’ddrop in. I imagine it was a little more complicated than that, but Rogermakes everythingsound simple andhassle free, so maybe it was.

Ted Linhof(Stephanie) sent me the following“photo for the ages.” Actually, it’s probably better described as a “photo for the aged,” since it reflects Denny Flint’s (Dawn) 50th birthdayparty at Breckenridge lastwinter. I can’timagine a nicer spot for a milestone birthday, especially since Denny and Dawn live there and it’swhere Dennyis the CEO ofRockyMountain MSO.

andwhat a picture. Manythanks,Ted, and congrats, Denny, and best regards to all ofyou gentlemen.

Scott Jackson (Lisa) phoned to talk over AOG governance and ended up giving me lots more information. Scott is theVP ofOps forATKAdvanced Propulsion and SpaceSystems. He and Lisalive in myold stompinggrounds ofsuburban Minneapolis. I though I’d drop a fewlines from Scott’s official bio because I continue to be so impressedwith the accomplishments ofpeople I

bounced aroundwith in college: Scott was a fighterjockwho left active in ’84 but nevertheless managed to win theTop GunCompetition as a Guard pilotin 1988. He earned a JD fromVirginia and an MBA fromJames Madison in 1996, and now oversees a halfbillion dollarATK division that is responsible, among otherthings, for theX-43 hypersonicvehicle, solar sails, spacecraft antennas andreflectors, and, to use thetechnical term, “abunchofmissile defense stuff.” His unit’sworkis literally on the cuttingedge ofspace and aerospace technology and, as he notes, “I couldn’t be having much more fun.” Lest you think Scottis allworkand no play, I’ll provide the followingpicture ofScott, Lisaand Rob and Kathy Shawfrom not too long ago.

Scott is also workingwith Charlie Precourt (Lynne). Charlie left NASA and joinedATK’sThiokolGroup,directingbusiness development. ScottandCharlie were supposed to get together atWallops for a launch this summer, and I’m hopingforpictures soon. Thanks for the info, Scott, and congratulations. MarkCastellani (Susan) fired offa quick note to let me knowthathis son just finished atAnnapolis and is headed for flighttraining at Pensacola. Mark and Susan’s daughterfinished at CU previously, so they are now thelatest members of our “empty nest” club. The comment ofthe column is Mark’s sentence following the announcement ofhis empty nest status “NowI just have to change thelocks on the house, and.... Mark ran intoJohn Buckley (Melinda) at an estate planning seminar in Denver (BTW, Sonia and I had dinner with John and Melinda here recently; an absolute pleasure all around). Also at John’s presentation were Curt Taylor (Terri) and Dan Jarka (Pamela). Mark reports seeing the usual list ofsuspects as he flies around the Unitedworld— Tom Spratt (Leslie), Dave Stephan (Cynthia), Joe Muus (Nancy) and Tom Logan (Rochelle). Mark, myman, thanks fortheheads up on allthesefolks and Palmer House is right down the street from myoffice. Hope to see you next time in Chicago.

DanVanAlstine (Paula) has lefthis digs innorthernVirginia and relocatedfor BearingPoint to Frankfort, Germany for a year. He’s now the COO forEurope, the Middle East, andAfrica for BP. Nice move, Dan! I spoke to Steve “Hari” Carey (Charlotte) recently. Steve is theVice Comm forCADRE at Maxwell. We had a good talk about all kinds ofthings, but mainlyabout life at Maxwell and plans forthe future. Thanks forthe info, Steve, and let me knowwhere things end up. Myformer roommate, Pat McVay (Cyndee), sent me a particularly disconcerting message announcingtheir son’s first child (Daniel is a Zoomie grad and Pat and Cyndee’syoungestjust enteredwith the Class of2009 at the Zoo). I’m still recovering from the idea that I’m personallyacquainted with peerswho are grandparents, but the anti-nausea medication has beenworkingwell now forseveralmonths. Congratulations to youboth on all accounts. Followingup from recent columns, Scott Harrod (Anita) won his election to the school board in SanAntonio.

CHECK OUT: For those ofyou in the Denver area, or with kids at CU, I will bejoiningthe ranks this fall. Myoldest makes the trek out to Boulderforwhat, I am sure, will be fouryears ofmore fun in the mountains than we had. Those ofyou in the area, let me know, and we can touch base more frequently. In the meantime, be seeingyou.

Bob Kay

40411 Tesoro Lane

Palmdale, CA 93551

Home:(661) 274-2201

Work: (661) 824-6426

Email: Robert.kay@baesystems.com

Greetings 78ers...

Well gents, it has been another bannerquarter ofinfo from you guys. I very much appreciate all ofyouwho took the time to call, write, e-mail etc... may be another articlewhere I’m space limited. What a great situation to be in!

AmwingingmywayonaDelta767-400fromAtlantatoLAaslwritethis. Just delivered another fine Rhino to its eventual demise in either Florida or New Mexico in the drone program. Reason I bringthis up was a great call I received

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The celebrants, front row from left are Rick Moisio (Mary) who is the Ops Officerforthe 162nd FWout ofTuscon; theBirthdayBoy; MarkMeakins (Gayle) flying for Delta out ofSalt Lake City;Andy Krott (Susan), anotherDelta driver living in Cincinnati. Back row: Jim Use, a Project Manager for MCI out ofthe Springs; Tom Lane, anotherDelta driver out ofAtlanta; Mike Rogers (Simone), the Deputy Director ofIntel forTSA; Ted Linhof, another Salt Lake CityDelta driver; and Bill Seiffert (Susan) who runs his own lawfirm out ofCalifornia. What a crew

from Deon “Tank” Gieg last month. Hadn’t seen Deon for more years that either ofus cared to recall (think the last time was over some wings at the 25 Club across the street fromNellis airpatch)... was great to chatwith him again. He’s living outside ofNew Orleans flying for Delta (finallygot to the connection) and has been for 17 years. He does theAtlanta to Hawaii bit a fewtimes a month (sounds like rough duty to me) after retiring as the CoonAss Militia squadron commanderfouryears ago. His oldest daughter is a senior at LSU withhisyoungestdaughter a freshman atthe same place (she made the freshman competitive dance team which is tough to do apparently). He and his wife are adjusting verywell to the empty nest syndrome.

Stayingwith the topic, Deon reports that fellowDelta pilots at various locations include Greg “Claw” Clasen, Craig “Sumo"Adler,Tim Collins,DougLawton, and Dan Mesnard. All are hoping that the companyhangs in there... as do we Tank. Thanks so much for the call!

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Got a great letter from fellow BCT Cobra Squadron alumnus WayneCrenwelge (shakin’ up those 31-year-old cobwebs we are). Wayne wrote saying how moved he was at the news ofKevin Rank’s passing in last quarter’s article. He and Kevin were stationed at Dyesstogether as LTs during their first flyingassignments. Wayne sent a nice picture ofhim and his two brothers (both grads as well) during their folks’ 50th wedding anniversary. Bret (farleft) ’87 and is a Lt Col C-130 Ops Officer at Dyess, Kevin (next to Bret) ’82 retiredlast summer from theAF and is also at Dyess as a C-130 sim instructor (all three brothers flew the Here... interesting). Wayne’s dad is an Aggie who spent 22 years in theAF... sure gave his sons a specialheritage. Wayne went through theTroops toTeacherprogram and currentlyteaches elementarylevel Special Education in the Houston area. Says itis everybit as satisfying as hisAF career and highly recommends it to anyone looking for a change. Thanks Wayne... great to hear from you after all ofthese years.

mander during our Smackyear... talk about a smallworld. Who would have thoughtthat30yearslatertwo gradspaths cross again in averydifferenttime, with a verydifferent command structure? Mike mentioned that he sees Gary Batinich and Doug Lawton around Salt Lake airport on occasion (both 767 captains). Garyis also the commander ofthe Hill F-16 wing and has moved down to Salt Lake to use the runway as Hill repairs theirs. Mike also ran into TerryKelly (737-800 captain) and MarkApfel (MD-88/90 captain) who is commuting to SLC fromDallas now that Deltahas closedthatpilotbase. Tom Kana (MD-88/90 first officer) is commutingfrom Colorado and does some investment/insurancework on the side. Great storyMike... thanks!

Finally, Tim Doty wrote from Afghanistan. He is still on active duty at McGuire as a KC-10 IP andhasbeenatKabul,Afghanistanforthepast 10 months with the Office ofSecurityCooperation - Afghanistan (OSC-A), as the Chiefof theAirDivision.Heis essentiallyhelpingthe newAfghan NationalArmy(ANA) buildtheirAir Corps [AirForce] forAfghanistanfrom the remnants oftheformer Afghan IslamicAir Force and the “NorthernAlliance”... basicallybuilding it “from scratch!” Theyhave Russian-built helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft all ofwhich Tim will have flown before he leaves. His group recently took responsibility for all aviation supportingAfghan government missions, ineluding a large counter narcotics effort.

This isTim’s fourth deployment for ENDURING FREEDOM / IRAQI FREEDOM and the third extended one (deployed over 24 months since 9-11 with thelastthreeChristmas seasons in the Middle East (A1 UdeidAB, Qatarin 2002, Karshi-KhanabadAirbase, Uzbekistan in 2003, and Kabul in 2004). He and Cindyjust celebrated their 27lh anniversary... at least he got to be home for that. He retires next springand has enjoyedjust about everyminute ofit. Son Steven is in theAir Force and recendycompleted his first deployment in support ofIRAQI FREEDOM and their other son Jordan is in theArmy and is deploying to Iraq in Septemberfor a year. Prettyspecialfamilyifyou ask me. Tim sent a picture ofhim at Kandahar when it was only 130 degrees! mm, / § | 5 w* WELCOME TO

KANDAHAR PASSENGER

Speakingofprogenyat the zoo, Tankalso mentioned thatWayne Kellenbence is still the Director ofStaffthere and all three ofhis sons are either grads or cadets... talk about a legacy.

Larry Krause wrote and is the EmergencyManagement Specialist for the Joint Forces Headquarters, National CapitolRegion, Ft McNair. He loves the job as he is at the forefront foremergencymanagement on a national scale. He was required to resign his Lt Col Reserve commission to take thejob... hated to do it.

He mentioned thatTaco Gilbert is doing QDR work at the Pentagon. Lyle Koenigapparentlyretired and is the EmergencyManagerofWaltDisneyWorld, Orlando. Dan Philips isworkingfor a contractor in Colorado and doingvery well. Also,Vic Carpenter is back to dealingstocks in the Phoenix area and Bart Wohl is working in the Lab in Albuquerque. Greatwork Larry... thanks.

Scott Smith also wrote for the first time since graduation. Afterretiring at Eglin, he returned as a flight test engineer contractor (same thinghe did active duty). He originally moved to FtWalton Beach, FL to take care ofhis wife’s elderlyparents (and to soak up the sun)... they’ve been there ever since. His daughtergraduated from college in May and he has another one in nursing school. Thanks Scott, please don’twait so long next time!

Steve Goldfeinwatched son Alexgraduate fromthe Zoo with 2005 near the top ofhis class. Got married soon thereafter and he and his bride are now at Moodywaiting for UPT to start. BrotherTravis is burningup the program as a junior atWestVirginia University. Goldy received a visit from Kip and Julia Warton for the weekend a couple ofmonths ago... great time had by all. He and Ed Rice had the privilege ofbeingsittingmembers ofthe CORONAheraldie dinnerlastmonth (July)—Goldy as theAWFC/CC and Ed as the 13AF/CC. They were two ofabout 40 GOs who command at the NumberedAir Force level or equivalent. Apparently it was quite an experience to listen to every four-star in theAirForcewhile sittingwith their own flagand heraldic device. Thanks forthe great update as alwaysGoldy.

Mike Spain was mindingis own business as a Delta captain (737-800 out of Salt Lake) when thisverysharp guyshows up as his copilot. As they start chatting, theguyintroduces himselfand it comes out in the conversation thathe is a ’75 grad. It finally hits Mike that Kenneth R Nease was the 4th group com

Well, ran out ofroom again—love itwhen thathappens! Hope everyonehas a great fall season. Manythanks to allwho took the time to contribute.

78 is GREAT!

Brian Koechel

11625 Boom Pointer Gold River, CA 95670 (916) 847-2875

Way

bkoechel@comcast.net

Hello againfrom sunnyand hot Sacramento. Space islimitedwith the new Checkpointsrules so this will be brief, in no particularorder, and with little commentary.

Pete Bunce retired from the Congressional Liaison Office. Pete has been dubbed the “Savior ofthe F-22 by some and was retired by the Head ofthe SenateArmedServices Committee. Iinpretty sure I gotthatmostlyright; ifnot, please accept my advanced apology. Pete landed nicely out ofthe blue suit into a high-poweredD.C.job as the President and CEO ofthe GeneralAviation and ManufacturersAssociation (GAMA)... a testimony to the respecthe gathered from the Industryduring hisAF career.

Rojelio Herrera is President & CEO, ComConTechnologies, Inc. in Hawaii. Rojo’s companydoeswork in the C3I arena. Rojo andhiswife, Patty, have been heavilyinvolved in Hawaii’s fosterparenting program leading to their adoption ofthree darling little girls. Robert Gaylord is the CEO for Stratigent, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale. Check outhiswebsite atwww.GOSTRATIGENT. TomLockie is his number two, the Prez, thoughthey are co-founders.

GuyWills retired in Niceville FL afterwhat seemed like decades at Maxwell AFB. He doesn’t have ajob lined up and is looking for a fellow ’79er to throw him an Eglin area employmentbone. We must recognizeGuyforthe greatjob he has done in keeping us informed on 79 whereabouts over the past years. Thankyou Guy.

Guypassed on that Eric Ash is now in Fargo, SD performing ROTC duty. Mark Stearns is the J-5 for SOUTHCOM in Miami. JeffDunaway is back on flight status flyingthe 737-800 forDelta. BillTravnickis retiringeffective 1 Nov, thoughhe’s been out ofthe suitsince 23 June! Bill is a gentleman cattle rancher near Cheyenne, WY; 22 cows and rising. He’s not convinced this willwork as a long-term gig, so he too; would entertainjob offers! JohnJogersthas moved over as the Comm forthe USAF SpecialOps School. Steve Weart retired 1 Sept. Steve was the JSOACC/CC before retiring, no word on his current job status. ScottAdams retired 12Augto Florissant, CO. GlennWeaver retired 1 Sept to the DFW area. Glenn has one girlattending TexasA&M this fall and two more to getthroughHigh School.

Jori Cromwell convinced his wife, Kenalyn, to take one more assignmentbeforeretiring-theAirAttachejob to Brussels, Belgium. After some schoolinghewill arrive inBrussels this April. Until then, he continues to officially reside in Panama City. Speaking ofBrussels, Steve Spence is the new XO forthe HQ NATO InternationalMilitaryStaffPlans & Programs Division. Jon Boxworks for ScitorCorporation, supportingthe Pentagon’sAirborne Reconnaissance Division. RandyHelms is back in D.C. roamingthe halls ofNDU. Steve Chabolla's at the Pentagon for his final tour, then on to “transition.” Steve Lowery is still flying for the blue in the 12th AF. Kevin Jones has taken command oftheAir Force’s FlightStandardsAgencyDetachment One located at the MikeMonroneyAeronautical Center in Oklahoma City.

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John Dallas took a 120-dayvacation to BaladAirbase, Iraq as the OG Deputy, Frank Gorenc’sVice. GuyWalsh is the Director ofStafffor the DFACC at the CAOC in A1 Udeid. JR passed on this picture of Mike Nowak, Guy, Acting SECAF Dominguez, Frank and JR taken afterFrank’s Change ofCommand to the 332 AEW RedTails. Four ’79 guys sharing the sand boxnicely and looking MightyFine!

Sudwerks Beer Garden in Davis. Local ’79ers are welcome to join us!

I received the following email from John Pardo, “I’m currently the PAS at Boston Universityandhave been sinceAug04. Other ’79erswho are doingthis are MarkFish, LoyolaMarymount in California and Ken Hollenbeck, EmbryRiddle in Prescott, AZ. We had a mini reunion last May at the PAS course at Maxwell and another in Nov at theAFROTC Commanders Conference inAtlanta. While in Atlanta the three of us had dinnerwith Kurt Shuler and wife, Yvonne. Kurt flies for Delta. I also had dinnerwith Bruce Gebhard (lives in North Carolina, operates out ofAtlanta) who flies for FedEx. Saw Randy Fullhart (ACSC/CC) andTom Griffith (SAASS/CC) in March. Both were lookingwell. Wes Milleris livingin Louisville, KYand flyingforUPS. Butch Rayfield (medically retired in 1980) is still a pediatrician in Maryland.”

I received a wonderful note from Dennis Hilley. Dennishas been struggling with his health the past fiveyears. He’s on the mend and life is lookinggood. Dennis says, “TheAF is allowing me to decidewhenI retire, probablythis time next year. Mygirlfriend Chris is awesome - an ’89 grad, and we hope to get married nextyear. I see Mike Garber, TerryTullia, GaryHarris, Pat Davis and Jack Humphrey often, and Dave Saffold and I talkweekly.”

Finally, I heard from ClintHarper. Ofall things, he was in a local Shreveport store and he runs into this lady and for one reason or another, USAFA comes up. Turns out mysister-in-law was the clerk on duty! Clint is a pilot forUSAir and lives in Benton, where life is good.

That’s all for now. Buddyis up next. Emailhimatbudvazquez@msn.com. (no dot between bud and vazquez).

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

I can’tsay, “Itwas greatseeingall ofyou at thereunion.”—since, as I write this ithasn’tyethappened. It’s been a little slowfor info as I’m sure you are saving allyour “class energy” forthe get-together. Kathyand I plan to be there; however, I start my sixth post-retirementjob later this month (August), so we’re hopingthe dustsettles bythe reunion to see allyoursmiling faces. Oh, in case you care, thisjob means I get to continue flyingmodern Gulfstream aircraft. I hope to have some interesting stories about strange and distant places in the cominginstallments to fill the gaps (whenyou don’t give me enough meat to share aboutyourselves).

Tim Fydais activelyworking our Class Giftfor CharacterDevelopment. The Class Gift committee is looking for a few more members—continuitywill be important as this is a five-yearplan. Korkyvon Kessel has the lead so ifyou are interested, please contact Kork at kvonk@adelphia.net

Dave Jowers spent the summer at CJTF-HOA, Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa. Presumably, he’s back at Elmendorfjust in time forwinter. JimRodgers is still with Booz in C-Springs.

We held a Sacramento gatheringthis summer. There are 15 ’79ers in the area, much to the surprise ofus livinghere. The belowphoto is of’79 guyfor a day” LtC Charles Sherwin (DCMC Commanderin Roseville), me, Tim Plaehn, and MikeWare.

Late... and more late. Dan (Laura+2) Bloemer sent a post-Christmasletter in PDF and it was rightwhereI leftit, at thebottomofmyinbox (ratherthanadding it to aWord file I use forthese articles). After flying out to the left coast so they couldhelp with daughterTheresa’s move East, the entire familyis backin Jacksonville, FL. Laura is heavilyinvolvedwith an IT project that deals with electronic medical records at a nearbyhospital. A budget crunch caused Dan to leavehisBusiness Managerposition at alocalCatholicchurch andhe’s now inthe Information Managementdepartment at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Theysplit theirspare time between the familyandhelping to get a retreat program going, Christ Renews HisParish, at their church. Oh, Dan’s also trying to add an MA in accounting and CPAcertification to his MBA from UWF. And, because there is so much free time left, they added a third cat to the mix—in addition to their dog.

Cold-now-hot. Mike (Julie) Nayesez, “Seeingpictures of all my classmates with their children graduating from the Academyand gettingmarried makes me realize what a slow starter I am! I was at USAirways for 17 years and didn’t want to be the last one left behind to turn offthe lights, so I left last fall to take a job flying 747s forJapanAirlines out of Hawaii. Myboys, Max (8), Jack (5) and George (1), are a longwayfrom knowingwhat they want to do with their lives but as soon as theygraduate from somewhere, I’ll send a picture. Without reallytrying, I had a skiingstreakgoing [while living in Colorado] ‘til I left forJapan for training... I had skied every month oftheyear for almost nine years. Somehow, thatwill seem less important in our new home. Therewill be an abundance ofbowhunting opportunities I hear... pigs and goats are fair game all year round... all we have to do now iffigure out how to cook 'em.”

Bruce Bingle was living at Beale, thenhiswifereceived orders andtheymoved, though he didn’t saywhere. Bill Boyd flies for United and calls Napa home. Steve Rasmussen hangs his hatin GrassValley, CA, while SteveWilliams isjust up the road in Rocklin. Ron Pointer lives in Roseville, Reggie Holmes in Placerville alongwith Bryan Deming. TerryVendlinski is professoring and performingresearchwork at UCLA. Leo Lundylives in nearby Fair Oaks, CA. Craighton Chin retired from theAir Force in 2001 and has been livingin Davis since 2000. Hiswife is a principal inWest Sacramento. His son is a real estate investment analystin BeverlyHills, while his daughteris a soph at UC Davis. Craighton runs, bikes, and doctors for a living. He’s an Ear, Nose, andThroat Specialistpracticing inWoodland, CA. We have future plans for a brew in the

The Launch. I missed all the previous opportunities to see live shuttle launches so, while Kathy was on a trip, I asked Margie (BJ+2) (Clark)Varuska ifI could tagalong with her familyduring the dayofthe last shuttle launch. I was treated like royalty: As Margie and I got caught-up while sitting at their breakfast barin theirspaciousCape Canaveral condo, BJ keptpullingfantastic hors d’Oeuvres from all kinds ofplaces in the kitchen. It was almostlike tapas hoppingin Spain—withouthaving to walk anywhere! Margie put in 20 years for our Uncle and now flies for Southwest. After flight school, she went to C14 Is at Charleston, where she and BJ met at the squadron. The USAFAGeographyDepartment remembered Margie and sent her to get her MA before coming back to teach forfouryears. Afterthat, theytrained two yearswiththe

Sabre Society Donors

DIA before going to the IvoryCoast, where Margie also got to flyC- 12s. Her follow-on was to BollingAFB (D.C.) as an instructor at the DefenseAttache School. Final exams for the students were held near Cocoa Beach, FL, and that’s howtheyfound theirway to their current location after retirement. Oh, forthose ofyouwho missed it, PatYoungs was makingthe morningtalkshow circuit on behalfofhis familywhile his wife, Eileen Collins, was preparing to launch. Pat was starting to get comfortable in front ofthe camera and even cracked a joke or two. (To thinkI knewhim when he was just a scratch golfer.) The onlynegative to thewhole affair was that the launch was delayed several days and I had to go home without seeing it.

Megachanges. Let me see ifI can encapsulate/count themanychanges inthe Dave (Cindy+8!) Prahst familythese last coupleofyears: Retired from PAANG 2002 (#1); furloughed from US Airways (after 13+years) in 2003 (#2); finished his ministerial studies (#3); Dave beginstrainingwith Mid-AtlanticAirways January 2004, for food money (#4); interviewed and called by a church in Upstate NewYork to be their pastor (#5); left Mid-Atlantic before beginning simulator training to start as pastor in April (#6); Cindystays behind to pack and finish the home-schoolingyear in herlast trimesterwith theireighth child (#7); leave Pittsburgh after 15 years and move into double-wide modularhome (fourRyder/U-Haul trips later) for the summer while lookingfor new home (#8); missed birth ofchildwhile taking#1 son to GeorgiaTech to start as anAero major (#9); bought house five minutes from church in Aug 2004 (#10); and moved in and unpacked (#11). Wow! Cindyadds: “Our church family is great and we have come to love them in the short time we’ve been here. Dave is doing a wonderful job and even though I’m sure he feels inexperienced at times, the congregation seems to be veryhappywith him.”

ThePrahstclan RegularChanges. News sources have provided some other changes: Mike Moeller goes from commandingthe bombwing at Barksdale to DeputyCommander, Plans and Programs, HeadquartersAir Combat Command, Langley AFB. TerryMeyerleaveshercommand oftheAirIntelGroup at Shawto become DeputyDirector, Intelligence, Headquarters US Forces Europe, Ramstein. Sue Mashiko goes from DeputySystemProgram Director, National PolarOrbiting Environmental Satellite System, Silver Springs, MD, toVice Commander, Air ArmamentCenter,AirForce MaterielCommand,Eglin. I bumpedinto myneighbor, George (Alicia) Fox in the local UPS Store. His son is in his firstyear at the MerchantMarineAcademy,KingsPoint, NY—one ofthe five federally-funded academies in case you didn’t know. Due to all the earlyretirements from the upheaval at Delta, George is now nestled into the right seat ofthe B777. He said thatJim Firth is intheinternational B767 andjustlefthiswingCCjobwiththe FL ANG to go into acquisitions atWarner RobinsAFB.

As you read this, the airis starting to getcrisper in most partswhere we live. That means it’s time to askyou to remember something: Put me on yourspecial list that gets an email copy ofyour annual missive (i.e., Christmas letter, etc.). That’s it this time around. Don

Rich Trentman

11102 Asbee St.

Falcon, CO 80831-8170

Home: (719) 494-8438

Work: (719) 554-9607

E-mail: trentman@usafa81.com

Class Website: www.usafa81.com

Hello’81ers! Ourreunioniscomingnextyearandlfeeldeepinmyheartthat thiswill be our best turnout ever! Mostofus are donewith our military careers and a surprisingnumberhave no kids at home anymore (excludingme). Randy Worrall (Class VP), Marty France, Tim Bougan, and I met with the AOG to discuss our 25th reunion and make some initial decisions. Most importantly, we chose Oct 4-8 2006 for the reunion. It will be Navy atAir Force, which is always a greatgame. The class of71 will be havingtheir reunionthatweekend, too. Randy’s informal feedbackfromyou on hotels was thateveryone likedthe open atmosphere ofthe EmbassySuites near the South gate. The Embassy

Suites should also have gone through a renovation before we meet. Class clothes and stuffwith our crest will be available online before and through a coupleweeks afterthe reunion. Events and hotel reservations/payments will also be online. There will be a tailgate at the stadium, golf, etc. The most pressingneed is for each squadron to have a representative and foreveryone to update their contact information with theAOG. I’ll start laying out a draft outiine ofevents on our websitethis Fall (www.usafa81.com). Lookforemails and mailings (postcard) from RandyWorrall this Fall. Initial interest from everyone sounds like this could be our best reunion to date!

Steve Thalmann went back on active duty last June (’04) to work the GPS program at Los AngelesAFB. Steve has seen Nancy (Rhoades) Innsprucker and CliffPerenod there. Steve spent the Spring in Cuba determining the fate ofdetainees at GTMO. Jim (JT) Thalmann is a contracts guy for a contractor supportingthe Los Alamos Laboratory. JT and hiswife, Judy, were blessed with their second daughter, LindseyMichelle recently. Bob Yates was frocked (pinning on hisstar) in lateMaybeforeheadingto command thewing at Aviano, Italy. Glenn Schumacher and family are in hot, humid Georgia atWarnerRobinsAFB where Glenn is workingatAFRC/DO.

10 Sabre Society Donors

Michelle Johnson emailed that she spoke to the St Louis USAFA Parents Club this summer and had prepared to field questions on all the controversy our school has undergone, but was surprised bytraditional questions aboutwhen they could call their sons or daughters. Some things never change. Michelle and her boys (husband and her twin sons) are all doinggreat! Ken Byrd is at Mountain HomeAFB as the Mission SupportGroup commander and lovingit! Cecil Stevens is an engineerwith Tybrin supporting the 46th Test Squadron at Eglin AFB. Also from the Florida panhandle, Mark Benson sent a picture ofChris Cook, Joe Zeis, Pat Duffy, Mark, and Pam (McGinty) Sanders. Theywere all togetherforJoe’s change of command. Joe commands the 46th TestWing and Chris is one ofhis group commanders. Chris is now the OpsGroup commander at EdwardsAFB, CA. Pat Duffyis theViceWingcommander at Edwards. Pam is a Reservistworking at Eglin as thevice commander ofthe 96th AirBaseWing. Mark isalso a Reservist on militaryleavefromSouthwestAirlinesworking as Joe’svicecommander.

In the back roware Col Chris Cook, ColJoeZeis, and Col PatDuffy. Front Row: ColMarkBenson andIt Col Pam (McGinty) Sanders.

Frank Gallegos retired as wing commander atVandenbergAFB, CA and moved the familyback to a quieter life in Omaha.

Amy (Russell) Thurman is a 777 copilot for United out ofDulles and flies mostly to Europe. She and husband, Ken, live in Front Royal,VA on a house overlooking the Shenandoah River. (Sounds nice!) Amyand Ken have been married for 12 years. Amysaid sheplans to be at our 25th Shecouldn’t rememherwho we played at our 20,h (Wyoming, Amy). TonyLorusso, our fearless class president, is busyplanning anothertrade mission to China for the governor ofMinnesota. Tony says he’s getting tired ofthe Minnesota winters. Gerardo Campbell has 11 years working for Scitor in the silicon valley of California. JeffBraley and his lovelywife, Paula, have moved back to the great state ofColorado. (I still don’t understand why everyone doesn’t....?) Jeffpromised me we would get the families together once theyget settled.

Ken Smith was in town for a conference, so I took him out to dinnerand we reminisced aboutwhen we were youngand had more hair. Ken is a contractor in D.C. but hinted ofwanting to move to Colorado. Many other short emails from classmates excited about next year’s reunion. Candy (Painter) Hammond emailed that she would be there as did LarryChing. Larry and family are lovingsplitting their time between Alaska and HongKong. Many ofthe airline crowd in our class are putting in their bids to have time offin early Oct 2006. Linda McCullers also said shewould be there in 2006!

Visit the Af£WAOGWeb Site.

www.usafa.org

Dan Bell and I shared a moment ofsadnessviaemail over our beloved Detroit Pistons losingin the NBAfinals. MikeJones is inTexaswith a senior andfreshman inhigh school. Mike saidhe’s comingnextyear. MartyFrance, TimHarris, and I went to Lauri Cross’s retirement at Peterson AFB this summer. Lauri now works in an Intelligence consulting business (from home!) and I still see her around town or at occasional lunches.

Talkabout Forrest Gump! Kelvin Manning was on the frontpage ofthe Colorado Springs Gazetterightbehind the FirstLadyand GovernorJeb Bush. Kelvin is in Floridaworking for NASA and obviouslyhas some serious connections!

Jim Ratti

161 E. 2400 S. Clearfield, UT 84015-1919 (801) 497-0989/DSN: 586-3344 rattijm@mindspring.com http://usafa82.org

GreetingsRedtags!

Another summer is behind us, the kids are offto school and college, andthe days are getting shorter. And, that time ofyearusuallybrings lots ofnews of assignments, moves andretirements. So, here goes! Sandy(Maloney) Keeter wrote to me (quite!) awhile back and enclosed this picture ofSandy andher daughterAlyssa. CadetAlyssa made it through her 4th Class yearwith flying colors and made the Supt’s list. She didJUMPtrainingand wants to be on the Wings ofGreen! I’m SURE she got that “goodjudgment” from Sandy’s end of the gene pool... Sandyis a Professor ofComputerProgrammingandApplications at the Seminole CommunityCollege in Sanford, FL.

The Graduate Leadership Conference (GLC) in July was fun with Marty France, RandyWorrall, JeffThompson, Mike Cartney, andyours trulyin attendance. We listened to the Comm, Supt, went to Jack’sValley, talkedwith a cadet panel, attended a social at theSupt’s andgot to talkwith gradsfrom otherclasses. Overall a verygood time! There was a large class of'80 contingent there too, that manyofus knew. Mike Cartneyis the USAFA rep at the Pentagon andJeffThompson is the XP at USAFA. Marty is currentlyDeputy Director for Requirements at HQAF SpaceCommand, butwill soon betaking over theAstro department.

Todd Tasseffisworkingfor the Centech Group supporting GunterAFS with IS solutions in theirbase and depot-levelsupplysystems as well as some other web services projects. Todd loves the work! Todd’s wife, Patsy, stays busy as a RN and their son Aaron, age 10, is active in soccer. Shirley (Hilsgen) Kring is also loving life as an AF retiree. Shirley still works a few (nursing) shifts a month at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Boston doingphysicals on potential recruits. She doesn’t miss doing OPRs... none of us do!! John Gough is back in the States after two tough years inToulouse, France. John is Director for Flight Ops Support for GE Aircraft Systems in Cincinnati. He is complaining about the bitter cold weather in Ohio. No sympathy from us, John. Mike Comnick is down in the Orlando area and ironically, living in Florida, hasn’t been scuba diving in 16 years. Miriam Crane and her brother spent a veryinterestingportion oftheir summer retracingthe path theirfather took after bailing out ofa B-24 with instrument failures and a seized engine in 1943. Their father was the sole survivor ofthe crew and battled subzero temperatures, waist deep snow, and 84 days later he made it out alive. a truly amazingstory.

SandyandAlyssa Keeter

Tony Mauer is now serving on theAMC staff(A35) after about two years of beingthe wing commander at Fairchild. Tonyand Cathystopped at USAFA duringtheirPCS move to watchtheir son Davidpin on hisjumpwings. David is now a 3 Degree inWolfpack5.

Averyrelaxed-soundingDave “Haggy” Hagginbothom sentword from retirementthathe’s enjoyingeveryminute ofit. Dave retired fromtheACCFlight SafetyOfficeinMarchandhad a reallynice ceremonyat theVirginiaAir & Space Center in Hampton. Other Redtags in attendance included Dr. Bruce Haupt and“Stone”Thompson. Bruce is an orthopedicsurgeon in CharlestonWV and Stoneworks in the safetyoffice atACC. Haggy’sdaughtersplayed the National Anthem on their clarinets, and produced a moving “life & career of” slide show as well. One ofthe original RTBs (Red TagBastards), MGen (Ret) GeorgeHarrison, ’62, officiated. Haggysays he’ll see all ofus at the Navygame in October!

I got a nice, newsye-mail from Joyce (Rothleder) andTom Grissom. After 16years in SanAntonio, theyfelt it was time for a move (!) and headed offto the D.C. area. While seeing real snow was quite a shock for their five kids, two cats and a nanny, they’re adaptingwell. Joyce is one ofthe Medical Directors with the TRICARE ManagementAgency in Falls Church, andTom is the Director ofthe Center for SustainmentofTrauma and Readiness Skills in Baltimore. Sounds to me like theyhave one heck ofa commute! Joyce stays busyhandlingbenefits updates and congressionalinquiries, and Tom is in charge ofproviding refresher training for doctors, nurses and techsAF-wide before theydeploy. Tom and Joyce sent along these pictures from their trip to KeyLargo this summer.

I am honored to continue serving as your scribe and cannot over emphasize the importance ofkeepingyourcontact info (email, phone) up to datewith the AOG. Next year is our 25th See you all there. Go Falcons!

Kelvin Manningandfriends watch shuttlelaunch.

Miriam Crane andherbrotherinAlaska at theirfather’s WWIIplane. Missy (Mraz) andTom Robbins kindlyvolunteered (or were volunteered) to be our reunion entertainment committee. Missy andTom live in Utah now after 11 years in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Tom Grissom andhis son Ian scuba divingoffKeyLargo.

JoyceGrissomandtwin sonsMilesandSpencerharassinginnocentdolphins.

Kent Lund dropped a line fromWichita KS where he’s a test pilot for Boeing. He’sworkingthe KC-767 program doingflight test on the Italian version ofthe 767 tanker. Ofcourse every one ofus who has flown KC- 135s hopes that Kent soon gets to test some oftheseforthe U.S.! Kent andJeanetteshipped their son Kyle offto EmbryRiddle this summer. Kent said he couldn’t argue when Kyle found an article placingEmbry Riddle as the top (non-PhD) Aero college in the country, with USAFA as #2.

PeggyBall alsojoined the ranks ofrecent retirees, holding a ceremonyinJuly at Ramstein. She didn’t tell me what she’ll be doing next, but she did order two Class of’82 coins to put in hershadowbox! I got a quicke-mail address update from Don “BoBo” Schilpp. Don’s the Director ofLegislativeAffairs forLockheed Martin Aviation Systems, working (ofcourse!) inWashington. Mike Sinisijust departed SAF/XCwherehewas theChiefofthe ClientServiceDivision. Hewent offinto theblackworldwith theNSAat FtMeadeMD. Mikesaid even HEwasn’t sure yetwhathe’dbe doingthere, butit probablygoeswithoutsayingthat he’d have to shoot us afterhe told us anyway. I’ll bethewon’t stop runningthough!

I was at Maxwell in earlyJune for the SafetyInvestigation Board President’s and Group Commander’s Courses, and during my two weeks in sunnyAlabama I ran into (or heard about) several classmates. Dave Fadok is in charge ofthe College ofAerospace Doctrine, Research and Education (CADRE) at Maxwell, and Barb Faulkenberry is running the Squadron Officers’ College (formerlySOS) there. My classmates there included John Gomez, the commander ofthe 463rd OpsGroup at Little Rock, and Mark Baker,ViceWing/CC at ColumbusAFB MS. Mike Korcheck took over as commander ofthe 563rd Rescue Group at Kirtland, and Larry “Bullet” Jones is the NORTHCOM J3 Division Chief. A1Zelenekis the Mission SupportGroup CC atWright-Pat, and Brett “Toolman” Haswell scored a Maintenance Group commander billet at Tyndall. Ed Stanhouse took over as the C-17 SystemsGroup CC atWright-Pat, andA1 Lowry is now the 375th Ops Group/CC at Scott. There are probably a couple I forgot, and to those folks I offer myhumble apologies and a pledge to make amends in the next issue!

All’s well here in Utah, although I’ll be headed offfor 10 (yesTEN) weeks of advancedprogrammanagementtrainingatFtBelvoirfrom Sep-Nov. It’ll mean running theA-10 program by remote control for awhile, but at least I’ll get to visit my mom in Pennsylvania a few times. Ellen will fly out to join me midtour, so I guess itwon’t be so bad!

Keep the cards and electrons flowing, and don’t forget to add your faithful scribe to yourChristmas card list! Be Safe, Ratman.

Stu Pope

520 Ramona Ave.

Sierra Madre, CA 91024 stu_pope@yahoo.com

Well, I had the “Zoo” dream again about a month ago. I suspect I’m not the only one among us who has recurringdreams/nightmares about being back at USAFA, lateforthefinalofsome class I somehowforgot to attendthroughout the semester. This dream happens way more often than I think it should. It’s amazing what four impressionableyears can do to you, isn’t it?At this point, fouryears is, like, less than one-tenth ofyour life. It’s weird, man.

As for mywaking state, I haven’t heard from too many Bohincans this year. Just the usual suspects, ofcourse. MarkAbbott sent me an email with some incredible photos he took in Indonesia following the tsunami. He was there withAir Serv, helpingwith the reliefmission. Besides flying around the globe for FedEx, Mark’s wrappingup his six-year stint on theAir Servboard ofdirectors, serving as chairmanthisyear. Justlastyear, he was withAirServinJordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti, Chad, Uganda, Zambia, the Congo, Mozambique and Malawi, where he was diverted forrepairs and ended up

catchingeight nice-sizedyetvicious tigerfish on the Zambezi river. Here’s a shot ofhim in Baghdad.

BigBaghdaddyMarkAbbott.

Ron Graves emailed to say that we got the details ofhis move wrong in a recent issue ofCheckpoints. Ron, don’tyou knowwe make all ofthis up?Anyway, Ron writes that although he did move toVirginia as reported, it’s actually because he’s now on a military leave ofabsence from United Airlines and is currently stationed at Langley as a full-time Reservist. Ron notes thatLandis OntheRunway” Cookis also atLangleyas a full-time ANG advisor and UAL furlowee. Rock ‘n’ roll.

The Gravesteralso claims he saw Bob Beleticwhilehe (Ron) was jogging and Bob was golfing. During a brief, rare interlude in which these two sportlike activities intersected, Bob reported he was headed to Hill AFB to take over the wing there. Hey, nothin’ to it, Bob - justwing, it.

We saw Colin “Luna Mof” Moffat and crew earlier thisyear when he brought his girls out to visit Disneyland.Ah, the wonders ofSouthern California. I have to say, though I prefer the Playboy Mansion to Disneyland any evening, and one ofthe rare perqs ofbeing in advertising is the qualityofparties we get invited to. Ray Blust forwarded me a letterfrom Pete McCaffreywho gave a full report on not onlyhiskids, buthis grandkids, who are ages 6,5 and 2. Wow. I realize now I’m way behind the power curve, man. Pete goes on to sayhe and Gerryhave sold their home in Colorado and are ready to retire to - where else? - LasVegas.

Like Ron, Pete would like to make a fewcorrections to past Checkpoints articles. First, he didn’t get furloughed from United; he just took a five-year leave ofabsence to serve at theAWFC/DO and ReserveAdvisor. He also pinned on 0-6 in the USAFR (notANG).

Bytheway, Pete andTim Duffy are partners in a companycalledFighterAssociates.You can find out all about them at www.fighterassociates.com. I haven’t checked thewebsiteyet, butI’m guessingthey’re not boxingpromoters.

Whoa, what have we here?Apic ofCourt Collier and Jon Casello that didn’t get used lastyear. As you can see, Jon is still a radical at heart, 5th Group, Cadet LiberationArmy, Tunnel Rat, all that stuff. Thehairparted in the middle gives him awayin a heartbeat.

Okay, that’s it. Although I’ve heard rumblings to the contrary, I thinkyou can still send your next batch ofletters and digitalphotos to Dave Ruffley, 8845 Boxelder Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, or e-mail him at dlrwy@yahoo.com.

Sabre Society Donors

CourtCollierandJon Casello, up to nogood.

Mike Jensen

12035 Milam Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80908

(800) GO-AFA-GO

michaeljensen@remax.net

http://www.usafa84.com

Old computerbeingworked on, so ifyou sent an updateearly or hadpictures, I’ll have to get them next time, or you can see them on theWeb. Yes, bythe time you get this, it should be up. I also will have the Graduation DVD available to purchase,$25 (postagepaid) andhopeto haveit available on thewebsite as well.

Joe Sherman checked in with the following: His best Academy bud Dean Gilbertjustretired out inLeavenworth, KS. Deanhas been an A-10guythroughout his career, with a bunch oftime spentwithArmy-related programs and most recentlywith urban combatissues, nowworkingforNorthrup Grumman and building a house to settle down in Kansas. Married to Rhonda and they have five beautiful kids. Joe spokewith Bob Mohan - - he’s an adjunct contract employeewith the Institute for DefenseAnalyses (IDA) based in D.C. living in LasVegas, working all over the place. Bob and Joe did their H-3 training together at KirtlandAFB the summer of’85. (Longtime ago!) He has also spoken with Lisa McCormack (husband Chris, also USAFA ’84), who also both work at IDA. She’s an aeronautical engineerwho took a break from the office world for motherhood and is now back in the office.

Mike Jarvis is living in Maple City, MI has probably now completed an advanced degree inpsychology or counseling or somethinglike that. Mike andJoe were both at the703rdTASS at ShawAFVmanymoons ago flyingJollyGreens.Joe willberetiring in aboutfivemonths as well, taking ajobwith, youguessedit, IDA inDC. RotaryWingLiveFire SurvivabilityandVulnerabilityAnalyst! Notlooking forward to the move with housingprices thewaythey are, but it’s onlymoney, right? Joe left theAir Force in 1990 while on an exchange tour with the Coast Guard - - loved the flying and the missions. Finished his tour at ECity as a CG Lieutenant, then went to the CGAviationTraining Center in Mobile, AL, their aviationschoolhouse, wherehe was an IP/FE in the H3 and, aftertheyretired all those, the H60. Grad school in Operations Research at UNC Chapel Hill for two years, taught math at the Coast Guard Academyforfouryears, backhere to ECity as a Commander (05) where he will finish up his career as the Executive Officer. Joe married his lovelywife, Gail, in 1989 andhave two nearlyperfect kids. Thanks forthe updateJoe!

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Marvin Jones is back in the area! Retirement life must be good! Marv and Pattylive right outside the north gatewith a view ofthe oleAFA! Jim Kaliamos checked in: he is not to far fromMarv, livingin Monument - a 737 CaptforUnitedflying out ofDEN. JC Curran finishedhis Monster (and I mean BIG!) Garage and it’s full ofseveralvintage auto projects including a 65’Vette, ’65T-Bird, and a ’57 GMC truck. He hangs out withWayneMcClarywhen he is in town. Theyjust went to the Bronco’s firsthome pre-season game. It was tough to see anything from the seats they had... five rows behind the Bronco’s bench, on the 45yd line, all those players and cheerleaders get in theway. Jim runs into ’84 guys all the time at work.

JohnWeigandisajob-shareStdsCaptonthe737. Sawhim in ORD the other day. He’s gotta be lovinglife; always has a smile on his face. Mike Loh is still a Stds Capt on the 737 andflyingF- 16s on the side. It seems like one ofthose two gives me mycheck ride everytime I’m in for recurrent training. (Nice planning, Jim!) He sees Joe Calderon and Eddie Baca every once in awhile. They’repartnered up withVinnie Marrero on outside activities in addition to the flyinggig. I’m pretty sure they’re all flying out ofLAX. Joe is a 737 Capt, Eddie is on the 777, andVinnie is on the 747. John Nunez came backfrom Germanylastyear and is atAndrews flying in the presidentialsquadron there.

Troy Dixon calledJim a fewweeks ago. Theyhad returned from Japan and were motoringaround the U.S. beforehehad to report to AirWar College. They had made a pass through Houston and called while they were at one ofDoi Heckler’s restaurants there. Doihas atleastfourrestaurants nowandispreparing to open a fifth. Jim'shadThai food all over the U.S. and inAsia. Doi’s NitNoi Thai is the best, SERIOUSLY! (I concur!) Thelast time Doi andJimgottogether he was driving a racing-equipped Porsche. Fun car, justaskingfor a ticket!

Walt Lauderdale (it’s about time) gave an update. His family (Sue and the four kids: Steven, Patrick,Victoria, Brendon) andjust moved down to L.A. AFB from Vandenberg AFB (25 July). He finished his tour as the Commander, NRO Vandenbergand is now theAtlasVProgramManager at Space andMissile Systerns Center (SMC). It was a great threeyears atVandenbergbut had to move beforethelast everTitanIVmission (NROsatellite, ofcourse) was launched. My NRObuds were kindenough to sayhe’dget a return invitationto see thelaunch.... Anyway, itwas awonderful experience andI’m now divinginto mynewjob. Lots ofchallenges ahead as theylookforward to the firstgovernmentAtlasVlaunch in thelasthalfof2006.Thanks andbest ofluck to you andyourfamilyWalt!

Garrett “Turbo” Thompson reportswith manyupdates! The Turbo household is doingwell. He is still atACC Plans and Programs determining the Future Total Force composition oftheAir Force, ANG and AFRC. He made the VML for next Spring so don’t knowwhat is in store. They were Germanyand

Spain.Visitingtheir old digs in Spangdahlem and hiswife’s relatives in Spain. First trip to Europewith the kids (Megan and Kara, 6, and Michael, 4). Melissa is theJA to the 710 COS (a ReserveAOC Squadron at Langley). He heard Pickle McGillicuddyis leavingthePentagon (latestjob the exec to theArmythree-star who is CJCSAide) andgoing to bethe 42ABW/CVat Maxwell. Bob Nuanesjust went offto school fromACC. Duffand Kara (Hayes) McGilligott are still having a blast up in NewBerlinWI (Duff-UAL and Kara-DAL).

Bob “Wilbur” Wrightisthe OG at Spang. Greg Bauer (AA) sold one housethat he built in Park Cityand is building an even bigger one. He is hostingthe SLC game end ofSept. He’ll also go to theThursdaynight game at BYU Jack“Kanga” Roosa retired in Phoenixandhas a worldwide acquisitionsjob. Mark “Drink” Drinkardjust finished up a tour at Baghram and is DO in 117 SQ at HMN. Jon “Monster” Huss just left Luke (Deputy OG) and went offto AWCat Maxwell (double pain—healreadydid itin seminar). Herman Moore has been 0-6 for a while and isJFCOM J-8 - figuring all kinds ofcrazythings. Pete Hargrove is still flying UAL and living in SanAntonio

Greatupdates. Check outthewebsite andI’llgetthe restput on-line or inthe next issue. GO FALCONS! Jens.

Quintel Williams

8980 Peabody Court Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 282-4333

USAFA1985@aol.com

Greetings ‘85ers!

Pleasejoin me in congratulatingLt. Col. Randall “Randy” Pagan for his recent assumption ofcommand ofthe 21 st Operations Support Squadron at PetersonAFB, CO. I sawa picture ofhis change-of-command ceremonyin the Space Observer, Pete’s base newspaper. So I contacted the base newspaper staffto get a copyofthe picture and Randy OK’d it. Enjoy!

Tish (Dierlam) Norman sent an e-mail with a picture ofher and most ofher AirWar College’85 classmatesand fellows. Tish saidtheytookthe picture during a National Security Forum a couple ofdays before theygraduated: Rob Bussian (DIA), Scott Henderson (MIT National Def) Rich Klumpp,Wade Thompson, Chris Nowland (Harvard), LarryMartin, JJ Lamers, Tish (Dierlam) Norman, ChrisValle, Dan Lewandowski, Steve Butler, and Pat Marshall. Tish also said thatWadeThompsonpinned on 0-6 a fewdays after theygraduated 31 May05. CongratsWade! The rest ofthis distinguished groupwillalsopin on 0-6 soon. Well done!

From left are Col. WayneMcGhee, 21OG/CC, Lt. Col. RandyPagan, 21 OSS/ CC, andMSgt. PatNowe, 21 OSS.

Class of’85from leftare RobBussian (DIA), ScottHenderson (MITNational Def), Rich Klumpp, Wade Thompson, ChrisNowland (Harvard), LarryMartin,JJLamers, Tish (Dierlam) Norman, Chris Valle, Dan Lewandowski, Steve Butler, and PatMarshall.

Lt. Col. Keith Lambert also sent an e-mail or two since the last Checkpoints. Keith told me that hewouldbe gettinghome soon from another 120-daydeployment for OperationIRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). Keith said he’d been “burning the Special Ops midnight oil these days as the Grp CC for the 16th Exp Special Ops Grp in support ofOIF. Basicallyproviding SOF fixed wing air support in all of IRAQ to our Coalition and Joint SOF warriors!” Keith said he’d be taking some ofhis steely-eyed SOF folkswithhimwhen he goes toWashington, DC soon because they’ll be receiving an Air ForceAssociation Citation ofHonor. Way to go Keith and 9th SOS!

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OnAugust3rd I attended a retirementceremonyforLt. Col. Patrick “Stoney” Stoneham at Doolittle Hall, theAssociation ofGraduates building at theAcademy. It was a nice ceremonywith lots ofStoney’s familyrepresented from near and far. Ofcourse hiswife, Deborah, daughterMeaghan, and son Sean were there. His aunt form Denver was there, as well as his parents and his brother. Meaghan did an awesomejobsingingthe NationalAnthem forthe ceremony! Col. Robert Tremaine’80 officiated the ceremony. Stoneywill now embark on a second career, this time withthe defense industry, andhe andhis familywill remain in the Colorado Springs area. CongratulationsStoney!

Finally, I lookforward to seeingyou all at our 20th Reunion next month. Until then, take care.

Sincerely, Quintel.

Gary Burg 3511 Hollyberry Circle Anchorage, AK 99507 (907) 677-6050

lce492FS@yahoo.com

Greetings one and all. No, this isn’t Castus as for a change I’m filling in for him duringhis PCS move. I too willhave PCSed to ElmendorfAFB bythe time you get this update. I left Korea on 18 Aug and did the huge cross-countrytrip from PhoenixtoAnchorage to getmytruck up to Alaska. Everyone must be having a great summer because I have only two emails to update you on and one was VERYshort.

The Heartland LemayChapter ofthe Nebraska/Iowa area AOG around OffiittAFB.

a Nebraska cap. Ifanyone is coming to Offutt, let them know. You can lookup the Heartland LemayAOG Chapter contact info through the USAFAwebsite (www.usafa.org). While you are at the USAFAwebsite, you can lookup our 1986 Class website too.

Reunionisjust around the corner, as in nextyear. Well, this may seem crazy but that is all I have. Hopefully next time around more will write. Remember, Bob and I can’t make up news so ifyou don’tsend updates, youwon’tread about updates!

Sharon (Hullinger) Stehlik

500 Lunalilo Home Road, 1U Honolulu, HI 96825

Phone and Fax: (808) 542-8811

E-mail: sharongiletti@aol.com or sharon.giletti@pacom.mil

Greetings fellowgrads!

2 Sabre Society Donors

VinnieSavino checked in fromAirWarCollege. As hestated, aftermuch consternation, some goodgolfand great friendships, hejust finished up AWC with several other ’86ers. The folks atAWC were Brian O’Connor (Pentagon), Janet (Kisner) Augustine (AFRLDet 15CC, Maui, HI), J.L. Briggs (USAFE Director ofSafety, RamsteinAB, GE), Lee dePalo (Director, Executive Review Secretariat to AssistantVice ChiefofStaff, Pentagon),Vinnie Savino (Chief, Personnel RecoveryBranch, HQ USSOCOM, MacDill AFB, FL), JeffSwegel (DeputyA5 PACAFWFHQ, HickamAFB, HI), and Kim Hawthorne (Deputy/ CC OTS, Maxwell AFB, AL).

We are finally up and running on the USAFAweb! Not much to check out (www.usafa.org) justyet, but I’m building on it. I plan to post these updates and the photos you all send in to start with. It’s hard to believe thatvery soon we’llbe planning our 20th Reunion. I thoughtI shouldget a head start on getting the page readyfor all the details and plans for2007! I’m happy to reportthat I heard from a lot ofyou this quarter—thankyou!

I got a note from Dave Stillwell. Hejust completed his 26 months at Shaw and is heading to Carlisle, PA for theArmyWar College...War College!? Where has the time gone?

MarkWarack wrote in as well from Joint Forces Command. He andwife, Karen, are keeping prettybusywithwork and familylife—four boys! Adam is in 10th grade, Nicholas in 8th, Markin 6th, and Noah in 1st.

This is a photo ofme and two otherUSAFAGrads, David Shevchik (1999) and Steve Leutner (2000). It was prettycool that for a short period oftime, the 604 ASOS OL-A was run bythree USAFA graduates.

Ofcourse, reliable EdYongdropped me an email. He reported that Rickey Rodgers is on his wayto Barksdale and I’m sure is there by now. His last dayat Offuttwas 11 July 2005. Ed will be updating our 1986 website when he gets more news on our 20-year reunion.

Edalso included thisphoto ofthe Heartland LemayChapteroftheNebraska/ Iowa area AOG around OffuttAFB. The chapter hosted Operation Air Force cadets over the summer and those cadets are included in the photo. Time really flies as the cadets are Class of 2007 and 2008. They had their largest gatheringwith the 3rdgroup ofOperationAir Force cadets. With the 3rd group ofcadets, theyconverged on Lou Nolan’s home. Theiroldestgrad at the social was TadDraperfrom 1968 and secretary/treasurerofthe chapter. Theiryoungest grad at thesocial was Steve Lindemuth from 1994 andVP ofthechapter. Lou is President oftheir chapter. There were three 1986 grads at the social: Lou Nolan,JeffBlank, and EdYong. See ifyou can pickthem out in the picture. Lou is kneeled in the front row. Ed isjust behind Lou. Jeffis in theback rowwearing

TheWarackFamily

Theylove sports and the beach. Mark reports that Janet (Jeoung) Edwards just moved here, and her husband Mike (’86) works with him in the J3. They have fourkids and are adjusting toVirginia afterleavinghome in Florida. Mike had beenworking as a Reservist USAF guy at SOCOM.

Carolyn Sammartino (LaPointe) sent in a long letter: “John and I (John Sammartino) got the last Checkpoints and just couldn’t believe howyoung some ofour classmates’ childrenare! Thought Iti send an update from this end wherewe’re dealingwiththelandofteenagers. Our son Matthewis 16 now and on Aug20th he’ll have his driver’s license.Veryscary. The logical constant in our lives—he inheritedhis dad’s sarcasm andlove forsports especiallythe NY Yankees,Although I thinkthatwas more brainwashingthan anything. He’ll be a Juniorthis year atWoodbridgeHigh School inVirginiaandhe plays sax. He’s been to Europe for the People to People StudentAmbassadorProgram and just came back from a month at Governor’s School at LynchburgCollege for

Math, Science andTechnology. So far, with a 3.92 GPA... Guesswherehe wants to go to college?Yep!Wants to go to USAFA and flyjets.We’ll be looking into Summer Scientific Seminar forhim next summer. Our daughterJillian is 14 now. She’llbe startingHigh Schoolthisyearandshemade theJVCheerleading squad. The sunshine and adventure in our lives—she inherited my love for people. A typical teenage girl with lots of social priorities - -friends, the pool, the movies, the laptop, and loving life. She graduated from Barbizon Modelinglast yearandhas an agentwith an office in Baltimore and in New York. John is working out here at the NRO and is getting readyto retire nextyear. Can’tbelieve it! Thenboth our childrenwillbe offto collegewithin the next fouryears! I got out ofthe AF in 1992 when Matthew was three and Jillian was one year old. I’ve been a MaryKayConsultant and Director for the last 14 years. I’ve also taught aerobics and substitute taught in the local schools. Sometimes I tutor Math as well.Allin all, itjust never ceases to amaze me how blessed I am to have such a wonderful life and family. Ifall goes as planned, in 2007 John and I will be making a fewtrips out to Colorado Springs, for our 20th reunion and forParent’sWeekend to visit our son! It’s a bigyear as it will be our 20th weddinganniversaryalso and our daughterwill be turning 16! To all ofyou readingthis, please don’t forget to count your blessings each day. It goes by so fast, beforeyou knowit, and some ofyou knowwhat I mean, just don’t let it flybywithout taking time to fullyenjoy.”

Speakingofblessings, Ijustwanted to share a recentphoto ofmyfamilyatmy wedding inAugust. We’re now a familyofseven with the eighth on theway!

Force appreciation program this is it, but it is a unique opportunity. I’m the onlyAir Force bubba on the entire ship—onthe entire base for that matter— so needless to say I don’t run into too manyof our classmates downhere. As I write thiswe’repreparingto getunderwaytoWestPac andIndianOceanwhich iswhere we will still be bythe time the next Checkpointshits the mail room.” Mark can be reached at: N52@c7f.navy.mil, or mark@clanton.org. Mark sent along some photos as well. The firstshows Mark on the bridgewing ofthe USS Blue Ridgeduring an underwayreplenishment. “Flyingformation at 15knots may not sound like much, but it’s prettyimpressive when the beasts are this big. That’s the USNYukon in the backgroundpassinggas.”

This photo has Markand one ofthe guys fromhis office hanging out on the flight deck during an underwayBBQ.

NavyLeisureTime

Myplea for Christmas letters resulted in a letter from Houstoun andTami Waring. They’reremarkablybusywith theirlargefamily and many companion animals. You can find them inWasilla, Alaska.

2437 Bedford Circle Bedford, TX 76021-1823

(817) 937-9696

peters.mark@gmail.com

Greetings ’88! As always, spaceis at a premium so let’s dive in. Mark Clanton sent an email from the Navyworld that was certainlyinteresting. “Everytime Checkpointsshows up in the mailboxI resolve to sendyousomething, and somehow I never do, so this will be a first after 16+ years. In July [2004] I wrapped up mytour as the U.S. Liaison Officer at the headquarters of NATO’s Joint Forces Command North in Brunssum, The Netherlands. Apparently, theAir Force decided that I needed more practice as a LNO, so inAugust I reported toYokosukaNaval Base,Japan as the 5AF Liaison to U.S. Seventh Fleet embarked on the USS BLUE RIDGE. Ifthere was ever an Air

TamiandHoustoun Waring, alongwithNathalie, Marijean, Eleanor, George, Peter, Muriel, Virginia, IsobelandRichard.

Mike Terneus wrote from Bellevue, NE and sent the followingJanuarypicture taken in Enid, OK. Shown are Mike and Denise Terneus, Dan (’85) and Margaret (Duffy, ’87) Smith, andTim and Rose Popovich. The photo is unique in that all three wives are carrying an unborn child. Mike and Denise are due with baby#4 in September. Tim and Rose Popovich are havingtheirfirst, and the Smiths’ was delivered in May—their 6th

Whatdo theyhavein common?

Lastly, I’m distressed to report the possible loss of a small number ofyour emails, courtesy ofan interestingfeature in Microsoft’s OudookExpress. Specifically, upon reopeningmydesktop OudookExpressprogram recendy, I was quite surprised to see that it had taken upon itselfto permanentlydelete my entire In Box, with the exception ofthe emails I had previously stored in folders. Therefore, some ofyouremailsmayhave evaporated—ifyou never heard back regarding a submission earlier this year, please resend it. Also, please

The Stehlik Family

Much aloha to you all! A hui hou (until later), Sharon.

Sabre Society Donors

Mark Peters

NavyFormation Flight

Sabre Society Donors

note the change to myemail address above. The plan is to migrate to awebbased service to avoid similar problems in the future; pleaseupdateyour address book so thatyou'11 always be able to write your trustyscribe!

Paul W. Tibbets, IV

854 Westover Road

Whiteman AFB, MO 65305

Home: (660) 563-3095

E-mail: p2a2@charter.net

Sabre Society Donors

Greetings again from Guam! We are wrapping up our deployment in the Pacific as part ofAEF 5/6. We did some superb trainingwith the F-15E Strike Eagles from the 391 sl FighterSquadron, conductingFlexibleAir Interdiction andTime SensitiveTargetingusingmultiple sensors to identifyand destroytargets in a local range. This was a groundbreakingintegration ofcoordinated attacks using F-15Es to direct B-2 strikes dropping JDAM precision guided inert munitions. We also worked with numerous aircraft from the USS KittyHawkin a small force exercise similar to RED FFAG. In the community, we were blessed to assist the Guam Chapter ofHabitat for Humanitycomplete a home for a needyfamilyand raise moneyaugmentingthe set-up, execution, and break-down fortheir annual 5k run fundraiser.

Here’s thepictureofLou DefeliceandfamilyIdidn’thaveroom forlasttime. Pacific. I came from CharlestonAFB, SC after spending threeyears out there as the LRS commander. It was a greatjob... but comingbackhome to Hawaii is a blast.

Wim Libby: I am nowworking at the Pentagon, actually near it in Roslyn. I am working at theAirForce Studies andAnalysesAgency (AFSAA)

Carl and Toni (Desonia class of ’89) Brenner are getting settled in at USCENTCOM in Tampa. We have three sons (7,4, and 1) who are makingthe bigchange to the Florida lifestyle.

Kevin Roots: Working as a directorin Lockheed Martin’sWashingtonOperations with a dozen grads from classes of’62 through ’90. Proudlyrepresented Mighty '90 at LTC Dave Coley’spinningceremony. Stayingin contact with D.C. area classmates includingRaymondDudley, Steve Roberts, Tom Koss, and Mike Saunders. RayJames is here nowtoo.

BobbyDuncan: I justfinished a tour atAltus as a KC- 135 IP It was a greatthree years teaching folks the tanker mission. Got another great assignment this springflyingthe BoeingC-40B (737-700) out ofRamstein. Wejustmoved into a littlevillage called Queidersbach located south ofLandstuhl. It’sjust a little differentfrom Oklahoma! Mywife, Belinda, and myboys MatthewandJacob are excited about the new adventures that lie ahead.

The325th ExpeditionaryBombSquadrondeployed toAndersenAFB, Guam. While deployed I ran into Jim Jablonski who is doing well serving as the Chiefofthe Medical Staff(SGH) for the 36th Medical Group. Also a flight surgeon, Jim provided our squadronpilotsexceptional care! As I write this article Jim is PCSing to ScottAFB and movingback into the medical teachingworld. Great to see you Doc!

That’s it for this quarter. Let me hearfrom you! Bestwishestoyouandyour families. Take care and God bless.

James Sanchez

8301 Emerald Circle

North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Cell: (817) 881-6357

Web: WWW.USAFATODAY.COM/1990

E-Mail: alohatiger@gmail.com

My server died inJuly, so I’msorryfortheUSAFA90.comoutage. I have a new server in place now, so things should be a little smoother now. In grad news, are we having a 15-Year Reunion? Ifanybodyknows, please tell me: I’ll post the answer on theweb page. Speakingoftheweb page, ifyou sent me a picture and itdidn’t appearin Checkpoints, itshould be on USAFA90.com.

Forrest Hare: Next stop—Washington, D.C. I will be on the Air StaffinXOIWstartinginAug. The summer will be spent trying to fixup a moneypit we boughtinArlington. The tradeoffwas no commute for a fixer-upper. I hope we did the right thing.

Pete Marsch is at Indian SpringsAB, NV

None Yet Sabre Society Donors

Bill Pakula: 1991: Masters from UCLA; 1992-1995: AF Phillips Lab at Hanscom (Including a really cool TDY to Bolivia); 1996-2001: Teaching at USAFA / AFIT 2002-present: AFOTEC at Hurlburt Field Akshai “Abu” Gandhi:We added a little one, Amelia, a while back. McEntire JNGB (SC-ANG).

DougBugado: Recentiymoved to Pearl Harbor as the Defense EnergySupport Center-Middle Pacific Commander. Long name for the POL guy in the

BobbyDuncan and family

Waldo Waldman: I’m continuing to ‘fly missions’ across the country as an inspirationalspeaker on leadership and trust to Fortune 1,000 companies and the Dept ofHomeland Defense. Check out www.yourwingman.com. I’m also an ALO inAtlanta, recruiting great talent to theAcademy. Comevisit and/ or drop me a line.

Brian Elliott: Just arrived in beautiful Aviano AB, Italywith wife and two daughters. Still settling in here, but lovin’ it already (i.e. haven’t gotten caught up in the Ops tempojustyet). Ifyou want to find me, look for the dude in the bigAmerican minivan circling around looking for a parkingspot bigger than aYugo!

Derek Sodon I’m living in Tampa, FL, flying for SouthwestAirlines.

Paul Pepe: I’mworkingin HQAMC as a C-130 Command EvaluatorPilot. I’m gettingready to deployto Afghanistan forfourmonths. Ifanyone is in St. Louis give me a ring.

Chris Blue: Sue and I are still in Plano, TX. At the end ofMarch, I leftAvaya and went to workfor Siemens Communication runningpart oftheirRemote Service Centerfortheirenterprise customers in North and SouthAmerica. It was a good move, and I have enjoyed the change in environment. I am makingthe kids go to Catholic School to prepare them for the Academyexperience.

Jessica (Blanchette) Woelbling: Myhusband Jeffwas selected for a StatTour working for theAir Force Reserve - Air National GuardTest Center inTucson AZ. So in Nov2004, we left NewOrleans forthe desert and we love it out here. I transferred from theANG to the Reserves and am now a PrimaryDutyALO in

Arizona (alongwith Bruce Ploeser). Currentlylooking for the “right”job on the civilianside, but takingmytime. In themeantime, I getto spend lots oftime with our daughtersAshlynn (6 and starting 1st grade) andMaiya (3 and starting Pre-K).

John Tree: I live in Chicago, and own my own company sellingMetrecal, a healthy snack drink. Companywebsite is www.metrecal.com. I’m a Lt Colonel intheUSAF Reserves and serve as a squadroncommanderofthe38thAerial Port Squadron at CharlestonAFB, SC. Recently divorced father oftwo.

David Croft: I just got my second Master’s, this time in “Applied Cognition and Neuroscience” from the University ofTexas at Dallas.

Brad Norris: I got married at theAcademy on July23rd to the formerMs. Jane Morrow. PhilWielhouwer (’90) was mybest man and Mike Hollman (’90) was a groomsman. Sam Svitenko (90) also made a presence. Besides having a beautiful bride, I am also now the stepfather to four, yes four, kids (three girls ages 23,20 and 13 and aboy, age 15, plus my own daughter, age 5). We also have a 105-pounddogjust to round thingsout. I’m now livingin Centreville,VA and am working at the Defense EnergySupport Center at Ft. Belvoir,VAbuyingjet fuel for DoD and some Fed Civ agencies.

Jane and Brad Norris

Karen Brown Hendrickson: Just emailingyou from a 60-day tour in Qatar. I am flyingC-130Js here supporting OIF, OEF, and HOA missions. I am in the MDANG now and luckily was able to deploywith myhusbandwho is in the same unit. Of course, we are not allowed any PDA or to go in each other’s room. Gotta love the USAF We celebrated our 10-yearanniversary here with a movie, a trip to the pool, dinner and a hand shake!

Carson Tavenner

PSC 78, Box 7328

APO AP 96326-0073

DSN: (315) 225-4340

E-mail: tavenner@hotmail.com

First, let mejustsay“Thanks” to all thosefaithfulreaders outthere, especially for thosewho read the previous column. Fast time, I asked about interest behind a 15-year reunion. Well, we’ve had enough responses back that I think we’ll manage to motivate ourselves to pull itoff! Please check out the latest on the classwebsite... this media channel here has too much time lagto be a reliable form ofnews. I’llworkwithAngieCadwell, Chris Howard andvolunteers to work out what we think we can manage to pulltogether. We’ll be doing this without the aid oftheAOG, butWE CAN DO IT! Realize that we might end up trying to do this right at the end ofMay, since we don’t have to be (and maybe ought not to try to be) in association with the Falcon’s football schedule and other USAFAactivities.

And now, on with the show! Sue (Henke) Abraham tied the knot in March! She met MarkAbraham in Scottsdale, AZwhile doingherresidencytrainingin Podiatry. He’s an engineerwho grewup in Scottsdale. Some (10!) grads and spouses came to theirwedding- cool: Fabrice andAngie (Wallace) Suplisson, John and Tammy (Moore) Marsini, Joe and Callie (Calhoun) Molloy, Jerry and Shannen (Karpel) Wright,Adam andAmy (Reecy) McLean, HP andAnna (Vincent) Adams, Mona Wheeler, Maria Lamagna-Reiter (’90?), and Heath Rushing (’93).

Presenting...

Okay, folks, I'm doing this one from memory... from left to right, I thinkit’s Shannen (Karpel) Wright,Amy(Reecy) McLean, Callie (Calhoun)Molloy, Sue (Henke)Abraham, Mona Wheeler,Angie (Wallace) Suplisson, Tammy(Moore) Marsini... andis thatAdam in the center? LuckyAdam!

Sue says, “One ofthebestparts oftheweddingwas havingFatherJoeWallroth celebrate the mass and marry us! Angie (Wallace) Suplisson and Tammy (Moore) Marsini were two ofmybridesmaids. Angie came all the way from WashingtonDC even though she was 71/2 months pregnant at the time. Who could ask for a better friend! Angie and Fabrice are now the proud parents of their first child, JosephWallace Suplisson, who was born on April 30,2005.”

Sometimes a little public pressure goes a long way... so now that I’mfeelingguiltyabout givingit, I had to make sure I included both ofthe pictures thatJean (Fullmer) Voigt sent me. Jean, thanks for being a faithful friend! Here’swhat she had to sayin the email:

“Acouple ofissues ago, I was chastised for not sendingin a picture ofmyfellowclassmates from theAirliftTankerAssociation convention in Octoberof’04.1 finallyfound the picture and have attached it. The latest info I have is that Joe [Roth] has gone to Germany to be on the EUCOM staff [and] Jaime Dermer is now a student in theAdvanced StudyofAir Mobility at Ft Dix NJ (this is the class Joe, Kyle and I justgraduated from). Kyle and I are getting readyto departforthePentagon. I’mgoing to work in strategicplans fortheAir National Guard, and Kyle is going to be the chiefofAcademyAffairs in headquarters personnel. I have no real ideawhat I’m going to be doing, but Kyle’s job deals with events occurring at USAFA.”

So, I guess we might also saythat we have no ideawhatKyle isgoingto end up facingeither! Seriouslythough, thatisbigstuffandwe wishyouboththebest as youwillsurelybefacing a greatnumberofstressors inyourlivestogetherduring this next phase ofjob and family! God blessyouJean and thanks again.

Mr. MarkandSueAbraham!

Above, the Voigts atDavid’s recent baptism. Below(oneyearearlier), from left are:JoeRoth, JaimeDermer,Jim Simmons, Jean (Fullmer) Voigtandhusband, Kyle (’90).

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Mike Czarnecki is a happy man nowthathe andTracy are in Houston! He got his first choice for Fellowship training in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine... andwill be spending the next three years at BaylorCollege ofMedicine workingin the Intensive Care Unitand PulmonaryLabs/Clinics. He’ll also be covering the nation’s largestVA center in Houston... whichwillbe gratifying in many ways, but most particularly because he’ll be helping both aging and returningVets. Hewrapped up his thirdyear ofresidencyin Pordand in July.

Also in JulyJim Cluffwas preparing to PCS to Maxwell forACSC... “finishing up a two year stint as the CENTAF DO’s exec after two years I was readyfor an assignment anywhere [...and] another ’91er Nate Brauner tookmyjob as the Exec. He’s been at CENTAF for about a year, working in Combat Plans prior to his new gig. I’ve beenworking on a daily basis with Mike Saylor and Dave Gyure here at CENTAF. Mike is working in theA1 directorate handling Senior Leader issues for theAOR and Dave is the Deputy Director ofStaff. I know Ken Ekman is moving from SAASS to the staffhere have heard he arrived, but haven’t run across him, yet. Another ’91 er recentlyleft Shaw

Haley Donoho. He’s currently in Oman working a “tough” embassyjob for CENTAF. Got an email fromJim Cleet the other day... he is an F-16 Guard guy doinga 120-daystintatBaladAirBase,Iraq, as theWingWeapons Officer. Lars and Jill Hubert are offto the staffat Osan afterAFIT.”

That was awesome Jim, thanks! I’d like to now apologizepublicly to John Wagner and all the gradswith him atACSC... he’s prepared this greatupdate and then I lost it two columns ago, andy’all still haven’tgotten to see it! Maybe I’m too busy...

But now he’s at SAASS with some more dudes... Paul Bauman, Mark McDonald, MarkCiero, and “Dollar Bill” Young (nowthere’s a name I haven’t heard in ages!). And as forhere atYokota, I keeprunninginto Steve Sharpewho now is in charge ofthe Command Post and constandyhas to chase down info on whythe alarms in myheadquartersbuilding are goingoff. Rich Clark (flight ops) and Ben Kam (hospital) are stillhere, too, butwe’re all far too busyin very separateoperations on the base to manage to ever see each other. I’ve recently moved to U.S. Force, Japan and have been placed in charge offiguring out how to get ourselves and the Japaneseworkingtogether to provide common indications andwarning for the BMD warningproblem - and let me tellyou, it is a problem indeed! Next week I’ll be visiting Kristi Swain at NORTHCOM J2 to talk about that problem from their perspective.

In closing, I’d like to askifthere might be anyvolunteers interested inworkingwith me on being“guest columnists” for Checkpoints. I’d send you the info and pictures two weeks before the deadline andworkwithyou as much as you like. This way, I can give thosewho mightlike to have stepped into this role the opportunity to tryit out without a heftycommitment, and “mixup” the perspective on what’s going on in the class. I know everyone’sbusy, but I would gladly receive the help ifyou’ve ever felt inclined to do this column, too.

James S. Mehta

8509 Custer Court Las Vegas, NV 89117

(702) 652-3433 DSN: 682-8898 james.mehta@ogn.af.mil or jamesmehta@earthlink.net

Greetingsfromhot,dustyBaghdad! I m writingtoyoutodayfrom theBaghdad InternationalAirport (BIAP) where I sit at SatherAB across the mnwayfromthe commercial airport. I’ve only been here for three weeks of a six-month deployment so I’ll be here through the middle ofJanuary ’06. Ifany ofyou find yourselfat BIAP in the next fewmonths, make sure you stop bythe OSI expeditionary detachment to sayhello. I’ll help you out with anything I can.

acter and entertainingbriefer duringstaffmeetings. More from Joe Don later.

Unfortunately, this will be a pretty short column since I didn’t have much input. I thinkgettingreadyfor this deployment and getting out here has distracted me from myusual information flow. But, what’s your excuse for not writing?

“You don’t have mail.” I had mywife forward me all the e-mail that I had saved from everyone from this quarter. Fortunatelyfor her that meant she didn’t have to send me anything. However, I did see some articles in the news mentioningTrue Blue grads.

Don’t sleepduringyour self-aid and buddy-care class. The first one was an interestingAFAfewsarticle about MikeJansen who saved a man’s lifewhile he wasTDY to Nellis AFB from ACSC. Mike and some ACSC classmates were down on the LasVegasStrip and heard an accident. When Mike looked to the street, he saw a man lyingthere and rushed to his aid. According to the article, Mike said, “I got over to him and he was just a mess. Major trauma to his legs, probablyboth broken, and the backofhis head was even worse; there was so muchbloodit was runninglike a river.” Mike quicklycleared an airpassage for the man andused the man’s socks to stop the bleedingfrom the back ofhis head until the ambulance arrived. The man has recovered and the Las Vegas Fire Department credits Mike’s actions with savingthe man’s life. Mike said his recent CPRandself-aid andbuddy-caretraininggavehimtheknowledge he needed.

Moregraduateschool. AnotherAFNewsarticle Ijustread todaymentions Marlee Rustwho is completinghermaster’s degree at Naval Postgraduate School and a thesis focusing on lessons learned supportingthe war on terrorism. According to theAFNews article, “Maj. Marlee Rust, an intelligence officer slated to graduate from the DefenseAnalysis program in March, is researching interagency collaboration in the intelligence community.”

Familiar face. Back to the story... I ran into Joe Don Baker here and we recognized one another from USAFA, but were both sure we hadn’t met before. As is frequently the case, even though we just met, our common background made us quickfriends. I asked Joe Don to take a turn at the keyboard for a couple ofparagraphs:

“I’m assigned as the ChiefofSafety at Baghdad International Airport. Being awayfrom the E-3 this long has reallygiven me a hankering to flyanything. Heck, the Cessnas in Flyingmagazine are enough to drool over at this point. I’m always eagerforthe newest issue at the BX.

“Not farfrom said BX, I bumped into several grads. One was Chris Munger (’93). I had seen him at one ofSaddam’s formerpalaceswhere Chris was workingwhile here in Iraq. We talked about a common friend and my classmate, Jim Dittus. Remarkably, Chris still remembered how generous Jim was by frequentlylendinghis car to the underclassmen.

“At a nearby chow hall, I bumped into Matt Ciccarello who immediately recognized me. I bumped into him two weekslaterandhe told me aboutThad Allen. Thad is doingverywell as the commanderofa CCT unit inAfghanistan. Thad and I last met at SOSyears ago.

“SeeingJames here was a hugesurprise. I was happy to see some ’92 representation here. Admittedly, I haven’t been involved with the AOG over the years, but since I rejoined at the 10-yearreunion, I’ve become a bit more nostalgic about our common experiences. In particular, I wonder how Chris Colclasure, Dick Fulton, Pat Patterson, Rich Quarberg, Marc Terry and the mysteriously absent Chris Dawson, are doing.”

So forJoe Don and the rest ofus, Chris, Dick, Pat, Rich andTerrywrite and tell us howyou’re doing. Dick, it’s been a while since you last wrote. Thanks for the input, Joe Don.

’95 Grad. Finally, the Security Forces Squadron commander here is Tom Sherman (’95). Tom has a pretty challengingjob here. As I’ve mentioned before in this column, SF and OSIworktogethercloselyand it’s alwaysgreat to workwith someone thatyou can getalongwith andrelate to. Somehowbeing

YourClass Scribein frontofSaddam’s “VictoryOverAmerica”Palace. There is one other 1992 grad here thisAEF cycle—Joe Don Baker—who is theAEG safety officer. I didn’t knowJoe Don at the Zoo, but he’s quite a char

JoeDon Bakerin Iraq.

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Zoomiesmakes itthatmucheasier. Tomwillredeployto LacklandAFB shortly. He had a nice promotion ceremony a fewweeks ago and pinned on Major.

Closing comments. I look forward to hearing from any and all ofyou this next quarter. Perhaps our paths will cross while I’m here in Iraq. You can email me directlyhere at: james.mehta@bdab.aorcentaf.af.mil. Staysafe and keep making us proud. Oh... and, Go Falcons! True Blue ’92... James.

Michael D. Sundsted

1805 Macadams Place

Alexandria, VA 22308

(703) 768-5664/Cell: (571) 218-0586

E-mail: Bravecwboy@aol.com

Class Website: www.highflight.com

Hello everyone! I hope all is well in your lives! Things here are well. Ijust finishedpaintingmylivingand dining rooms. Ifyou are ever in theAlexandria, VA area, please stop by and visit! Before we get into the class news, I must mention that myemailhas changed. Note that I am no longerwithAOL. Yes, I have finallystepped into the cable internet arena - please send future emails to Bravecwboy@cox.net or my work email, Michael.sundsted @andrews.af.mil. The summer was awesome for us. We enjoyedswimmingin Aruba for a week, a JamesTaylor concert inD.C. andatrip to Texas-oh,yeah, I worked too. I hopeyour summer and fall are the best ever! On to the news...

I received a quickupdate from PhilTucker and family. Theyhave successfullymoved fromAlexandria to Colorado Springs, CO. Phil is on his way to being an AOC at theAcademy (Ohboy, who’s drinking at the beer tree now!). I recendyhad a trip to Colorado Springs and gave them a call because theysaid ifI was ever in the area to stop by, but they were actually in North Carolina visiting Phil’s family.

Jo Sucich stopped in on a layover at Dulles airport. I had the opportunity to have dinnerwith him atWillard’s BBQ and talkabout old-times, family, andJet Blue. He is definitelyhaving a great time. Joe’swife, Kristen, and children are having a great summer. Jo’s familyvisited our house back in the spring, but I was actuallyflyingmyself and couldn’t enjoy the company.

JeffKubik announced his engagement to Ms. Anne Marie Zajac in June! Congratulations to you and your fiance, Jeff! Jeffis planning another great tailgate partyfor the USAFA/ Navy game. We’ll have great pictures and stories and will update in the next edition ofCheckpoints.

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We had our annual air show atAndrewsAFB and I had the distinct honor ofhosting two of our classmates. Brian Burns (#3) and Steve Horton (#4)weresetto do some great entertaining. Also, JimmySparrowwas there doingthe mightyC-17 demonstration. Wepulled in over 400,000 people in the gates to watch them fly. Theydid a superbjob and I have to saythat my ring was knocking that day. What a great event.

Shortlythereafter, Steve sent me an email updating me on several classmates. At LukeAFB, Steve ran into DougTorluemke, Darin Booth, Dave Leazer and Tonya (Kobberdahl) Kubenic. Tonya is the maintenance commander at Luke and the rest are F-16 RTU instructors. At Davis-Monthan, Steve met up with Rob Brogan who was there entertaining folks as the A-10 demo pilot. At Holloman, Rob Pettyis flying F-117s (shhh, don't tell anyone though, it’s still a stealth aircraft). At Langley, Jo Collins is flying F-15s and is soon to be assigned somewhere else. Steve alsowanderedthroughbasehousing (don’task me why a Thunderbird feels compelled to wander through base housing) and saw Brian Gienapp’s name on one ofthe houses, but no one was there (or at least theydidn’t answer). Maybehewasattheairshow? Justkidding.

At Peterson, Billy Bowman hadjust arrived at the NORAD staff. He and his wife, Mary,just had a little girl, Claire. At Nellis, ClifHicks is flyingUH-60s, OJ SanchezandAlexGrynkewich are still flyingthe F-22. Alex was going toACSC in Monterrey, CAthis summer. Brendan Harris (hey,Becky) and Brad Bird (hey, Tammy) haveleftNellisforACSC as well. Kevin Sutton is atEglinflyingF-16sfor the test squadron. Dale Hoover, Steve’s old roomie, is getting out ofthe Navy from Seoul, Korea and movingbackto Parker,AZ this summer. While Steve was liftingweights at the Nellis gym, he ran into Jason Canada. He’s in the Oregon GuardflyingKC-135sparttime and an airline pilot forfun. What a greatupdate!

On a recent mission to LukeAFB, I had the honor ofhosting Dave Leazer on my C-20B. He was doingwell and was in betweenWingmeetings when he visited. He should be safely settled in to his spot on the Horn ofAfrica for 18 months. Dave is doing some career broadeningfor theAF in Morocco. Best wishes and give me an update.

I received an email from Brian Burns and wife, Kathy (a.k.a. Tigger). They have moved to Alabama. Brian was chosen to attendAir Command and Staff College (ACSC). Congratulations to all our school candidates!

Jason Mills emailed from Spokane,WA. He and family are still enjoying the KC-135 life. Jason’s OPS TEMPO has slowed a little. He is in the Operations Support Squadron (OSS) now. He was notified he was a school select and should be heading toACSC next summer and hopefully to Air Staffthe followingyear. Congrats!

I received an email from Beth, Eric and ElaynaAnderson, SteveAnderson’s wife and children. Steve is currently in Korea serving a year for theAF. Hope his time in Korea is a safe one. Look forward to havingyou back in the States! Jason Couisine emailedfrombeautifulRamsteinAB, Germany. He ishaving the time ofhis life. He, his wife, Dawn, and children Carinne and Ivan have been there forabout ayear. He is flyingC-21s there, butspends most ofhis time at the Commander’sAction Group (CAG). Recently, Jason’s base chaplain had set up a briefingwith one oftheAirForce’s greatestAces... sir, the answer is Col Charles Debellvue, sixkills. Whoa, sorryaboutthat, had anAcademymoment there. Anyway, Jason said it was great to talkwith a livinglegend and get his thoughts on theVietnamWar as well as cool flying stories. Jason, presented him a CombatWingman coin on behalfofthe Class of 1993. Ifyou are ever in the area, please lookJason up... he and his familyhave an extra room foryou. Thanks forthe updateJason!

This is the point where I try to use the Jedi mind-trick and saythatyou will write me updates for the next article. The class wants to hear fromyou ifyou haven’twritten at all (there are some ofyou) or in a while. I wish you the very best as you read this and manyblessing to your families. Take care and until next time... Mike.

C.C. M. Masotti

CMR 480 Box 1168

APO AE 09128-1168

W: 011-49-711-680-4131

C: 011-49-162-296-5346

DSN: 314-430-4131

E-mail: masottic@eucom.mil

HappyHolidays, ’94! It’s stillAugust as I write this but, with the fall-like summer we’ve had in Europe, it’s not hard to imagine Christmasjustright around the corner! It is a little hard to believe I've been here two years already—ifI hadn’t extended, I’dbe on mywayto a new assignmentby now. It’s reassuring that trek partner Mike Marvich (RandolphAFB) isworking Services assignments atAFPC! Maybe I’ll get a chance to see him at Thanksgiving, as I’m hoping to get to SanAntonio to visitMike and Catherine Prochko (’91) and their beautiful kids (ofwhom one is my gorgeous godson!).

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Just a fewhours east in Houston is our class webmaster, Chuck Baird, who is still working for an offshore drilling companyand gettinghis share oftravel done—he’s recently been to Niteroi, Brazil and to Finland forworkand also took some personal time for a visit to Colorado Springs. He’s puttinghis Academyengineeringexperience to work in the development of technologyfor giant underwater thrusters for offshore drillingrigs.

Also inTexas and checkingin at thewebsite isAngie (Erickson) Baker, who’s working CNATRA Requirements at NAS Corpus Christi. Jeremyand Snapper Rebmann wrote in from Norman, OKwhere he’s still enjoying life as an FBI SpecialAgent. George Holland wrote from Maxwell, where he’s an ACSC student: and C-130 IPJason Fallis checkedin from LittleRock. Chris Eden is a pilot at Scott—the same baseBill andAmyKossickleftonlytwoweeks afterthe birth ofbabyCourtney;they’re now enjoyingGrandForks, whereBillis319 MXS/CC.

Thunderbird Chris Callaghan wrote from Nellis, while several folks signed on from nearbyCalifornia, includingTaurus James (Web Developer/Composer, L.A. AFB) and his bride, Trauna (Clemons, ’95), who are celebrating the recent arrival of babyTamilyn. Civilian Jerry Loeffler wrote from nearby Hermosa Beach andWilliam Kelley (Sales Engineer) and his wife and three kids reported they’re loving life in San Diego.

Brenda (Boeckman) Clark and Jennifer (Ball) Piccerillo both sent in current e-mail addresses, but no other updates, while Jennifer (Howard) Membrino wrote from Janesville, WI where she and Mark are enjoying their days with Madeline (6) andAbigail (3). Brian Noe (Chief,Weapons Safety) is halfwaythrough his FEWarren assignment and loves the area; he also sent a

Jason Couisine and Col Chuck Debellvue

rousing endorsement ofBill Engberg (C-130s, Little Rock) ’s diamond business, as he’s been extremelypleased with his products and services the two times he’s usedthem. While I haven’t purchasedanythingfromhimpersonally, I recommended Bill to some friendshere and theywere thrilledwith his prices and selection as well, so it sounds like Blaze Diamondshas a greatfollowing.

Dave and MelissaRichie are thelastwebsiteupdate I have thistime, buttheirs is an exciting one! They’recurrendylivinginthe UK (with theirdogand two cats) where Dave isworking on a USAFA-sponsored PhD at the UniversityofSurrey.

Sarah (Kerwin) Strachanwillbedoingthe samewithhubbyNeilandbabyjames (sanspets!) when she starts a PhD program at King’sCollege in Londonthis fall.

Jen (Russ) and Brian Morrison sent a great update from Cape Canaveral, where Brian is in the OSS andJen is in the Reserves as well as being a full-time mom to Jack (6, just started first grade), John (3) and baby Rose Louise (whose September birthkept them from lastyear’s reunion).

TheMorrison family—Brian andJen withJack,John andRoseLouise.

Though the Morrisons will be PCSing next summer, they’d love to see any grads in the area; Jen claims they’re not in touchwith many folks since theyleft the crossroadsofMaxwell, butshe still provided news on several otherRedtags, includingErik Lund, who’s out oftheAir Force working on a master’s degree in New Mexico while his wife, April, operates her own catering business. They’re also in touchwith J.T. Josewho’slivingin Californiawithhis new bride a gal he met while on a church mission to Russia. Their final report was of Jodi (DeMartelaere) and Mike Ramirez, who are settled in Minnesota with sons Tyler, Christian and Sammy. Jodi earned her Professional Engineer License andworks part time as a Civil Engineer, while Mike travels regularly to South Americawith hisjob.

I’m not sure iftheylive close to the Ramirez family or not, but Deb (Houim) and Chad (’96) Lindstrom e-mailed from Minneapolis to announce the arrival ofbabyClaire Rebecca on 2 June. Despite being two months premature, Claire has never had anysignificant health problems and is developingbeautifully. When they’re not fawning over their new arrival, Deb stays busy as an 8th grade math teacher (I sayshe’s a glutton for punishment, but I knowshe’s a perfect choice forsuch a job!) while Chad is working on his PhD in Physics.

Deband ChadLinstrom with USAFA2027candidate, ClaireRebecca. That is all the news folks have sent in this quarter, but I’m sure I’ll have a lotof Christmas newsletters to fill the next column. Life around here has been busy, as usual, with TDYs to Chad, Ghana, Naples, and D.C. in recent weeks and more Africa and Europe travel to come this fall and winter. I ran into J.J. Fenceroy (’93) on mylatestAfrica trip—he’senjoyinglife as ourAirAttache to Ghana and, in addition to his real work, gets to fly a C-12 aroundAfrica and spend time “eating and drinkingfor our country! When I’m notTDY, I try to get out and see as much ofEurope as possible; recentVolksmarch trips have taken me to Switzerland and France in addition to several areas around Germany. Then lastweek’s German-American club trip brought me to Bavaria, along with Col (Ret) Karl and Susan Widmayer (’64). The Widmayers just moved here from D.C. for Karl’s newjob as a contractor at EUCOM. Next on mylist is a Tuscanytrip for LaborDayand I’ll return to NorthAfrica in November. In betweenall ofthat, I’d sure love to haveyou all come visit, so pleaselet me knowifyou’ll be in the area. Have a blessed and happyholiday season! Take Care and God Bless! C.C.

R. Travis Koch

1072 Napa Way

Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 882-0563/DSN: 872-0563

Cell: (850) 499-8242

richard.koch@eglin.af.mil traviskoch@yahoo.com

Fall Ball: Majors, Majors, I’m writing this two weeks before our reunion... thatI’m not goingto make. IfanyonemakesitbyCampAs Saliyah (pronounced ASS-I’ll-SEE-ya) before Christmas, lookme up. I hope you all had fun in COS. RexBallingerwillbewriting a guestcolumnthiswinterrecappingallthe events. Ifyou have otherstories from the reunion, please send them mywayandwe’ll get them out. Rex came through Hurricane Alley on a “greaser” road-tripreunion with Chris Gantt. Theytrekked from D.C. to the Carolinaswhere they visited with John and Diane Nemecek. The Nemes are doingwell, living in a greatspotwhereJohn runs the local bassfishingtourneyandDiane stilljuggles all the kids. Rex and Gantt made it down here (token “Soche” visit) and then ran up to Nashville and Chicago. This was Gantt’s farewell tour since he is moving to Australia to become a boat captain. Smooth sailing, mybrother.

Rick andNoel... like Kiss in the 70s.

No SenseWaiting: Speaking oftours, RickBolander and Noel Kelly released their band’s third LR “No Sense inWaiting” on Saturday, Aug 13th Cerulean celebrated with a show in L.A. at Molly Malone’s which also kicked offtheir U.S. Tour. Unfortunately, theyplayed in NewYork over the reunion weekend. You might be able to catch a fewoftheirlast shows in Texas or Tennessee. Visit their site at www.ceruleanmusic.com for the latest on concert information, music news and merchandise sales. Amanda Krantz has turned in hertennis racquet for a microphone and is also a lead singer ofa rock band.

Kids ofAllAges: And now for the John Hamby section ofthe update. Yes, Bone had a little girl. He and StephaniewelcomedAmeliaGrace into theworld late summer. This was before Bone’s street cred vaulted exponentially. The whole familyis doinggreat. There were a number ofother “kid" happenings this summer. Kenny and Patty Butler had a boy and named him Jackson... but you can call him Jack. BellaJavorskijoined us last May. Her Mom and Dad are living in Memphiswhere dad flies forFed-Ex and fortheAtlantic CityANG. JeffandJenniferSearcyhad a son, John Corbett, lateJune. Audrey (Alcorn) andMilesMathieuhave one-yearold twins (boyand girl) and might not make it to the reunion. Miles had to close the end ofyearbudget forACC andAudrey did notwant to make thehike alonewith theyoung’uns. Baby Pugh number two is on the way for Mike and Laurel. Olivia Decker won the “Cutest Kid in the Universe” in July’s issue ofParents magazine. John and Susie are wicked proud.

Movin’ on Up: Sean Cottergot backfrom Uzbekistan safelyand is taking up a job in D.C. as a Legislative Liaison. Chris Bisbano is also in D.C. Biz is workingat the NationalReconnaissanceOffice andsayshe’s prettymuch an under-

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cover brotha layin’ low and movin’ fast on some slyprograms. Fo-shizzledizzle. Nicole (Roberson) and Craig Prichard are moving to SanAntonio to hangwith Scott Cerone and Paul Songy. Craig has been prettybusygetting deployedflyingthe B-1 and Nicole has finished Law School at Iowa and is a JAG. She does not fly F-18s on the side. Theyhave three kids now: Sydney (6), Tyler (2) andTrey (6 months).

Wedding Bells: ColbyHoefarmarried Matt Poma’s sister and, as he says, he’s “married andlovin’ it.” DermotColl is engaged to a beautiful gal, Carrie. Gary Beene is livinglarge inAlamogordo, NM flyingthe F-117. Beenerjust won his division in a 40+ mile mountain bike race in Colorado. Beener confirmedthat Justin Brizueladid getmarried and now is living offthe earnings ofa high class lady. He said Breeze lives in NYC, hangs out, and goes to the DowntownAthletic Club (yes the one with the Heisman) for a dailyworkout. Tough life.

RandomUpdates:JohnRhoneislivinginVegasandteachingE-3guys atWeapons School. He andTishahave two girls, Ryleigh (5) andRiana (2). He’sbeen in touchwith Nate Millerwho is still flyingF/A-18s at Miramar. Natewants you all to knowyou can behiswingman anyday, even thoughhe’s intheMarines. Chad Balettie was caughtstrappinginto his mightyA-10. Yeti was quotedinAirForce Link and has been on a number oftrips to Afghanistan. Jay Pelka is flying at Hurlburtand probablywon’tmake thereunion even thoughhe’s got 123 days of leave. He runs into MarkFoleyand JohnAlpeterwho are both flying T30s in AFSOC. BenMaitreis flyingwithhiswifeinthe CoastGuard. TyLittle,who lives in Denver, andJim Gourde, who is inLittle Rock, mightbe starting a littleflying business. JakeMaloyhas moved toAustin. JasonRishel is married andlivingin Seal Beach, CA. He got a new phone number: 867-5309.

Yetistrappingon his "Hog".

Where’sWaldo? Thanks again for all the updates offolks we thought fell off the face ofthe earth. Keep ’em coming. Ifyou get tired ofhearing about the same folks every issue, let me knowwho you stayin touchwith and we’ll forward thewords. Hopeyouguys had fun atthe reunion and pleaselet me know who you saw and what they’re up to. Till then, Keep the Faith. T. Koch

Melissa S. Cunningham 15668 Candle Creek Drive Monument, CO 80132 (719) 487-3071/DSN: 333-4405

Melissa.cunningham@usafa.af.mil or melcunningham@msn.com

Greetings from the Zoo! As you can tell from the address, the stars aligned and I got hooked up with an instructor position in the ManagementDept. AlthoughI’ve onlybeenteachingthreeweeks, I thinkI mightactuallyhave the bestjob in the Air Force. You never knowwhat it is going to be like to come back, especiallywith all ofthe changes that have occurred, but I must saythis has been the first time in many moons when I have actuallybeen excited to go to work. I have had a fewfunnyflashbacks sitting in A-hall for a Supt’s call or caught a drift ofthe familiarsmell ofVandyduring 1 st BCT, but ithas been great. When I see Jen Caballero or Dwayne Creamer in the halls, it doesn’t seem possible that we could be “old” enough to be teaching here. I don’t “feel” any older even though I’m sure our students think we are. All in all, the cadets are great and ifyou can ever getthe opportunity to getbackhere—do it. It’s a riot.

Tom and JennyCaballero are stationed at theAcademy. Tom separated two years ago andis a contractorteachingacquisitions courses to folks in the Space career field. He still keeps ties to the militarythrough the Reserves at Shriver AFB. Jenny moved from Peterson AB to USAFA. Finishing up her thesis with Harvard in the nick oftime, she started teaching two different English classes this fall. This pastweekendTom completed theAscent race up Pikes Peak. We think air is rare in Falcon Stadium but it’s really rare on the top ofa 14’er. He beathis goal of3:30 before theweathermoved in. AbbyandJen were at thetop cheering him on. More good news for the Caballeros: Tom and Jenny are expecting a babyboythis fall.

Meg Martin was fortunate to get some relieffrom the C-17 OpsTempo at Charleston and nowsheisteachingwithDwayneCreamer andMo Calabresein

Abbycongratulatesherdad, Tom Caballero afterhe completed theAscent race up PikesPeak.

the HistoryDept. Sean Stockton (Meg’shusband) andbabyHenrymoved to CSprings in late May. She passedalong some news about some other ’96ers and swimmers: Gwen (Deflippi) Rutherford isworkingatAFSLMO in the Pentagon andis currentlyexpectingherthird child in November. Yiotula (Chiligiris) and Glen Shilland had their first child in April, a babygirl named Katarina Lynn. Yiotula is at homewith the baby in Minotwhile Glen had to deployto SWA. MarkDeRock is near Phoenix,AZ and is still workingwith Honeywell. Meghad a chance to visithim last October. He shared thatthis past springhe took a two-week trip to Chinawhichincluded classes at the Shanghai Finance and Economic University. Casey (Cornish) and Oli Erickson nowhave two children and are stationedthis summer at ColumbusAFB. UPTwill be a nice breakfrom the deployment cycle for the Erikson clan.

I bumped into Rich Dodge a fewweeks ago in the halls of Fairchild. He and his wife, Julie, PCSed to USAFA from GeilenkichenAB, GE last winter. He is stayingbusyteachingFrench, doing double duty as anAsstAOC forCS 33, andflyinggliders two afternoons aweek. Julie was justhired to playtheviolawith the Colorado SpringsSymphony. He also told me that Kevin Beekerjust finished his exchange tour with the Navy (F-18s). Kevin is now requalifying in theA-10 before he and his wife, Sherri, PCS to Ramstein, GE.

Joel Safranekchecked in from McChord. He started out flyingKC- 135s, but now he’s with the 7th Airlift Sq out ofMcChord flyingC-17s. He says he’s done tons offlying around the world on Uncle Sam’s dime, but the familiar downside is he is not homeveryoften. He’s been in touchwith Brian Gwinup. Brian just left KadenaAB and separated from theAF. He maylook into hooking up with the Mississippi Hurricane Hunters, but for the meantime, he’s enjoying being Mr. Mom while his wife, Ann, brings in the dough.

I also heardfromAndrewWiles. He iswrappinghisT-38 IP tour andleaves in Sept to go back to F- 16s. He’ll spend two months at Luke and then it’s off to Aviano, Italyfor a little Europeanvacation, I mean overseas tour. Andy is also pullingtogether a little CS-31 mini-reunion in LasVegas forthelastweekendin Oct. Reapersgive him a shout out fordetails. He passedalongthat Matt Giese, AlanWigdahl, and Chris Spinelli are all at Edwardsworkingwith the test pilot program. Matt Linnell leftVanceand moved to Arizonawherehe is hookingup with the Reserves as aT-38AtoT-38C conversionflightcheckflightguy. Word on the streetisthatherecentlygotpickedupwithSouthwestAirlines. ChrisRatigan is also a T-37 IP atVance. They are enjoyingthe reliefofjustfinishing an ORI, and apparendytheyperformed“EXCELLENT”ly. Congrats toTeamVance!

I also heardfromNoelLipanawritinginfromJointForces HQ ofthe California National Guard. He’s stayed in touchwith a bunch ofthe Reaper crowd: Jon Wheeler completedWeapons school and will be headed to Avaino with AndyWiles. Ralph “loose” Cannon is workingwith theJ3/Army inJapan on BMD. DerekSchinspendsmostofhistimeinRussiaworkingwithDTRA Grailing Jones (who couldn’tgetenoughofAstro 320 so hegot a master’s inthefield) isthe SequenceTeam Lead forJPL’sDeep Impactproject. Joe Farley ’97 separated fromtheAF ishanging out with hiswife atVandenberg. Kris Hughes isworking as a GS in civil engineering atArnoldAFB, TN. He spends most ofhis free time huntin’, as theysayinTennessee. Matt Morrisonis at ScottAFB. RustyYerkessis working forAmSouth. John Lodmell is still with Capital One in Texas. Jake Zochert is the commanderforPresidentialAircraft Securityin Maryland.

Tom McIntyre wrote inwith an update as well. He and his wife, Elizabeth, a business developer at HewlettPackard, are enjoyingthelast ofthebigcitylife as hewraps up a tour at the National Reconnaissance Office. Also at the NRO are Todd Nathaniel and Mike andVal Malleyworking on SignalIntelligence and space programs. The next move will take Tom and Elizabeth to Florida’s sunnybeacheswith orders to Capt Canaveral to work on theAtlasVlaunches. Sounds like a nice change ofpace.

LastJulymany ’96ers made the trekto Boise, ID forAndiVinyard and Chuck Podolak’sweddingreception. What an awesome time. It was a weekend of

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TheVinyard /PodolakWedding events with tubing,shopping, markets, bar hopping, hiking,sight-seeing, and ofcourse the reception. Andi and Chuck went all out and even had a popular local band playthroughout the party. Andijust deployed to the Middle East while Chuckwraps up hisAF commitment. He is going to head back to grad school and letAndi be the Sugar Momma for a while. Erik and TracyCoyne came in from Maryland. Tracy (Dupree) is still in intel and is close to deliveringbaby#2. Erikwill be wrapping up lawschool in anotheryear and coming back to the AF. Tom and Jenny Caballero came out from the Springs. Sandip “Sonny” Sarkar came up from Miami. He is a program managerwith a defense consultingcompanybased out ofD.C. buthas beenworkingeverywhere from the jungles ofPeru to the casinos ofDubai. When he wrote in he was busy fishing an oak tree and palm tree out ofhis swimmingpoolwith all the recent hurricane activitythis season. Melissa Phillips andher son Preston came from Sheppard. She will be separated soon and moving to the Springs as well.

Colleen (Lehne) Johnson came and as usual was the life ofthe party. Colleen is still workingwith the Reserves and Dante stays busyworking full-timevolunteering as a high school football coach andyouthpastor. Kerre Ellis made it back from her deployment to Japanjust in time to make the party.

KremserWeddingin HersheyPA.

RightbeforeAndideployedto thedesertsheshotme thispictureofKurtKremser andAmyPatrina’s (’98) weddinginAmy’shome townin Hershey, PA Gradsfrom ’89-’99 came to the familyfarm to help them celebrate awedding thatIwould say, hasbeen a longtime comingsince some sweet Falconlove atUSAFA. Andi said that it was a wonderful time and it was great to see the old gangagain.

That’s all for now. Please keep the letters, e-mails and pictures coming. I’d like to catch up our class on what are docs are doing, so all you medical folks write in. We’d love to hearfromyou guys and gals. Also, our reunion is less than a year away. Please send me pics you would like included in a slide showwe are puttingtogether. When next year's football schedule is finalized we will get an actual date out there foryour planning purposes. Mel

Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr.

PSC 2, Box 7518

APO AE 09012

Work DSN:(314) 480-5628

W: melvin.maxwell@ramstein.af.mil

H: mel_maxwell97@hotmail.com

Hi all! Hope all iswellinyourneckofthewoods. I spentfourmonths in Iraq and didn’t see one classmate until myverylast dayin countrywhen I ran into Scott Waters in one ofthe dining facilities on CampVictory in Baghdad. IfI remember correctly, Scott was about halfwaythrough his deployment from hishome station at KadenaAB,Japan. But I’m backin Germanyand havetaken the hand-offforscribe dutybackfrom SamanthaGlinskiwho passed on some news that has come to her over the last month. First is a quick shout out from OEF—JoeAlkire passed on this photo ofhim and Carrie Worth. Joe is flying HH-60s with the 66th Rescue Squadron out ofNellis and Carrie operates HC-

130s with the 79th Rescue Squadron out ofMoody.

JeffNelson wrote in with some exciting news. Jeff’s wife, Courtney, gave birth to theirfirst child, TannerJacob, on 13 Jul. Jeffmade it back fromWeapons School at the end ofJunejust in time forTanner’s two-week early arrival.

Jeff,

While atWeapons School, JeffsawJimmyFuller (on cadre), Dave Epperson andBenWysack. Jeffpassed on some more news... “Some otherfolksI’ve seen or heardfrom: Jason Mills, Erin Markwith, and Phil Lynch are inmysquadron atMcChord. JasonisonhiswaytoHickam. Dan LaMar recently finished Medical School and is going to be a Flight Surgeon at Minot; Dennis Kong recentlyfinished Law School, passed the bar in California and is a District Attorney in Riverside County, CA; Aaron Larose is en route from KC- 135s at Kadena to be an intern at Scott; Mike Drost is an IP atVance; Steve Newstead is flying MC-130s at Kadena; andJessiClune (Lederman) isflyingE3s for NATO in Germany.”

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More classmates recently celebrated the arrival of new familymembers. In July, Julio and EricaNegronwelcomed their third and fourth children home. Erica gave birth to twins Ella and Eli on 11 July05! Kevin Templin wrote in to pass news thathe and hiswife, Dionna,justhad a babygirl. TaylorAlexandra Templin was born Monday, 16 May05. Kevin reports Dionnais doinggreat, as is Taylor and their son Dawson who turned two this past May.

Dionna, Kevin, Dawson and new babyTaylorTemplin.

Jason Lindalso dropped on an update on Samantha. Jasonhasleftactive duty but still “plays in the Reserves a coupledays a month”. Jason and fellowAcademygradMikeMills ’95have a financialplanningpracticeinTexas in theDallasFortWorth area andbythe sounds ofit, Jason is reallyenjoying hiswork.

Jasonpassed on some info about some otherclassmates: “I sawFat Burgess several times when he was stationed in Abilene at DyessAFB. He has since moved to Japan forthree years. Chris Todd was inAfghanistan, but should be back. I haven’t heard from him since he’s been back, but he is stationed in Colorado Springs. Mike McKee is out in San Diego as an instructor. Josh Piccirillo is stationed here in FtWorth with DCMA at the Lockheed Martin plant. Ryan Luecke is out and working as a sales representative forEthicon. That’s it for this update. Thanks to all that wrote in with news. Until next time...Mel.

JoeAlkire and Carrie Worth duringOEF.

Courtney,

and babyTannerJacob Nelson.

Karin McWhorter

PSC 3, Box 377

APO AP 96266-0004

From CONUS: (303) 847-4118

From Korea: 0505-122-7288

mcwhorters@cox.net

Hello again. This month I got so manyupdates that in order to keep to the word limit I will get right to them. Myfamilyrelocated to Korea this summer for a two -year accompanied tour at Osan. My husband will be in theA-10 squadron here with our fellow classmates Mark Falsani and Bryan Weiland. Before we left the states I got a quickvisit fromTara Cappelli (Vice) who came to Colorado to see me andWendyVolkland, who is teaching at the academy. Tara and herhusband,Troy, will be leavingfor Lakenheath this fall where she willbe a civilian andTroywillbeflyingF- 15Cs. WhilevisitingmybrotherDave Klein (’00) at FairchildAFB, I had dinnerwith laime Sommers (Otis) and her husband, Marc (’99). She and Marc are expecting their first child this fall/ winter and theywill likelyget an assignment around then as well. For right now they are both flying the KC-135. I ran into Shane Jensen and Caroline Jensen (Bong) intheOsanBX. Shane in flyingF-16s here and Caroline is flying them at Kunsan. They area headed to Hill once their time is up here and have alreadybought a house there. I also ran into Ryan Boyle in the parking lot of theBX. HeisflyingC-21satYokota. Chris Hammond and his wife, Cara, are here in the F-16 squadron alongwith Chris Olsen and Susan Olsen (Canady). Susan is still active duty although this job is outside her career field. Doyle Pompa and Mark Heusinkfeld are also flying F- 16s.

ofTexas atAustin. Uponcompletion ofthis programhewillbe goingAFIT at Wright-Patterson to be an instructor in the OR department. He is married (Marsha) and does not have anykids. Russ Jones has recentlyfinished PIT at RandolphAFB andis now stationed at Moody. He is married (Tracie) and has a two-year-old daughter named Makayla. He flew C-141s then C-17s at McChord AFB before attending PIT. Ed Browne and his wife, Kathryn (aka “Kitty”—anArmyOB/GYN), recentlymoved backto CONUS from a five-year stint in Hawaii. Ed cross-commissioned into the Navy and was a Nuclear Engineer on a submarine for a couple ofyears, then an instructor at the Navy’s submarine school at Pearl Harbor. He is currentlyworking in the Seattle, WA area at NS Bremerton. Ed and Kittyhave a five-month-old son (Malachi or “Kai” for short). Matt Johnston and his wife, Allegra (Gregory ’99), are currentlylive in the Colorado Springs area. Matt is working at SchrieverAFB as a ScientificAnalyst andAllegra is an English instructor at theAcademy. They have a 19-month-old son (Miles) and are expectingtheir second child in December. Andy Parke is an Instructor Pilot for the C-130. He is currently stationed at Little RockAFB. While he was there he met and marriedJessica, who is originallyfrom Sweden. Theycurrentlyhave two children—April (2years) andAlex (3 months). He recentlyreturned from a deployment to the desert. ErikBilstrom is also an IP forthe C-130. He is also stationed at Little Rock. He recently returned from a two-year assignment in Germany. He has not yet decided to settle down to married life.

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Kari Lempka (Townsend) and herhusband, Scott, are still in Spokane. She works part time for an AF contractor and stayshomewithdaughterCharlotte. Renee (Fukumoto) and Eric Puels (’99) are leavingYokota for Luke in the very near future. Eric is flyingF-16s and Renee is a stay-at-home mom to new babygirl Kirsten. Paige (Wyatt) andWade Henning also have a new babygirl,AvaScarlett. Wade is goingthroughNaval Post Graduate School and Paige is now a stay-at-home mom. ScottAnderson is approaching his one-year wedding anniversary to his wife, Jill. They are both C-17 pilots at McGuire. Jennie Steldt is now flying C- 17s at McChord and Jenn Fugiel is flying NATOAWACS.

CraigFitzpatrickwrote that he is doingconsulting nowwith Bearing Point. He is in D.C. workingwith AF/IL Directorate ofInnovation andTransformation. Shawn Tellers works for Bearing Point too. He is in Oklahoma City and ispart ofa team headingup the Lean transformation intheTinkerDepot. Brian Graves is in Layton, Utahworking in the Home Depot Store Leadership Program. He’s alsojust taken a Reserve position at the Hill Depot. Shawn Kellyjust PCSed to DoverAFB and is a new C-5 evaluator. He and hiswife, Meghan, have a two-year-old son named Logan. James Blanchard and his wife, Sylvia, recently PCSed to Hurlburt. James is flying MH-53s. They are new parents as well. Roy Blanco and his wife recently moved to Anchorage, AK, where he is working in logistics for a sportinggoods company. JP McCalpin and his wife, Allison, are in Seattle. He separated last summer and is finishing the firstyear ofhis MBA at the UniversityofWashington.

The next update is from Chris Baird. This summer his familygottogetherin Tampa FL for a familyreunion. It was the first time in nineyears thattheyhave all been together.

Chris is separated from the military, married and has two kids. He is living in Norway and recentlyhad an interview for a logisticsjob with an international oil firm.

I also got an interesting e-mail fromT.Q. Senkungu (Mukasa-Mugoye) He is part oftheTop QualitySalesTeam at KellerWilliams Realtyin California. He seems to reallybe enjoying it and actuallysold a $5.8 million home in Beverly Hills. The purchase got written up in the entertainment press because the couple who bought it beat out Jessica Simpson on the purchase. He also mentioned thathis firstCalifornia roommate and fellowUSAFAalum, Jarmica Reese and his wife, Trudy,just had their first child, Peyton Shareen Reese. RickAltobello also sent a short update. He has been married to his wife, Holli, forfouryears nowandtheyhave a 14-month-olddaughternamedAshlyn. He recentlyfinished up his assignment at Ft. Polk, LA as an ALO and is heading back to the F-16with anew assignment to Japan.

The next update comes from Kerrie Dunker (Gribuski). Husband, Matt Dunker, graduated from Cornell University’swith his MBA and a certificate in Financial Engineering. The day before his graduation, theywelcomed another babygirl, Sloane, into their family. Their daughterAvery is 3 Vz. They have since moved to NewJerseywhere Matt is working at JP Morgan in New YorkCity as a traderin emergingmarkets. Theytalk to Pat Foxquite often and she said he’ll probably kill her for sending an update! He is flying with the Reserves for “Same pay, betterhours, and cooler trips” He’ll also be attending Dartmouth’sTuck School ofBusiness this fall for his MBA.

Thelastupdate is from Damian ScJilussel, whojustreturned fromIraq. While he was downtherehe ran into a lotofgrads. Heactuallyhadhis camerawithhim whenhe ran intoAmyPetrina so theyhopped up into the cockpitand grabbed a quickphoto. He also mentioned that hewould be going to AngelSantiago’s wedding at theAcademyandwould send more pics andupdates then.

That’s it for this month. Thanks for all the greatupdates! Karin

A.G. Roesener also sent an update in. He is starting his third year in the Operations Research/Industrial Engineering PhD program at the University

In thebackroware LeemonBaird (’89), ChrisBaird (’98), EliasBaird,Jeanne Baird, L.C. Baird, Charles Baird (’94), WesleyTrue, andMark True (’91) Front Row: Heidi Baird, Oleanna Baird, Zachary True, Lois (Baird) True (’91), and Calvin True.

From left are ErikBilstrome,Jessica andAlexParke,AndyandAprilParke, andA. G. andMarsha Roesener.

Damian Schlussel andAmyPetrina in Iraq.

James W. Busch

4050A Cambridge Loop Hill AFB, UT 84056

(801) 776-3586

busch99@earthlink.net or James.busch@hill.af.mil

Class - Greetings from NellisAFB. The squadronhas been banishedhere for sixweeks due to a runway closure. After one weekend inVegas, I realized it’s cheaper for me to buy a plane ticket home to San Diego (or anywhere in the U.S. forthat matter) than to stayhere inVegas inmytime off. SpeaJdngofhome, fellowSan DieganAdrian Galang wrote to sayhe’s suffering at LAAFBworking satellites. Adrian ran into Epan Taku from Cameroon at SOS. He is still in the Cameroonian AF andjust had his second child in April.

And speaking ofkids, I better get this one out so I don’t forget and spend a week on the sleeper sofa. Myvery own daughter, Malana Kelalani, was born 1 Jun with a full head ofblack hair (thank God she has her mom’s looks).

TheBusch clan nowstands at three.

In other baby news, Brian “Chewon” Deas and hiswife had their second, a boy, BrettThomas Deas, born 083910 Aug (Japan time). Mom/dad/baby/big sister all are doingwell. Thanks Chewon forthe beautifulpictures, I’ll getthem in the next issue. For now I have to follow up on a promise to Nick Evans that I’d print this one ofhis beautifuldaughter. Nick is at Luke trainingotheryoung pilots how to flythe world’s greatest fighter.

Heygang, I hope everyone had a great summer. It certainlyflewbyfor us all. Personally, I’m glad I wasn’t in the desert for the hot summer heat andwill be a little betteroffwith this nextAEF rotation thatwillhave me in BIAP untilmid-January. I’ll be sure to take some pictures for our webpage and maybe have some time to get that site fixedup a bit more. Meanwhile, I’vebeentraveling as much as possible all over Europe and putting some miles on myconvertible all over the French and German countryside.

NickEvans flyinghigh with hisfive-month-olddaughterAbbey.

Brian is still flyingBlock 50s at Misawa. Also at Misawa is GregBarasch, who ishere at Nellis forWIC. Greg’swife, daughter and dog are still inJapanholding down the fort awaitinghis triumphant return. Also atWIC and not previously reported, are ’99ers Scott Mills (Hogs) and MattJackson (Intel). It’s great to see us dominating all facets of our youngAr Force.

For the latest quitter news, Chris Caredeo punched from the Army a few weeks back. He’s still in the Reserveswhich means he’ll probably see more action in the desert than he did on active duty. Until then, he took up a post with DIA and still lives in D.C. On a serious note, it is with a heavyheart that I report the death ofone of our own. Shad Strother died unexpectedly 24Jun inSpokane. ShadandI spentthreeunforgettableweeks on opsArForce touringGermanyand roamingthebeach in Ocean City, MD. He was a great classmate, teammate, and friend to many ofus, and he’ll be sorelymissed. For those of you who knew Shad and want to donate to his memory, a scholarship has been set up in his name to benefit the EastValleyHigh School. Donations maybe sent to: Capt. Shad M. StrotherScholarship, Banner Bank- Reference #1605256813,4104 Terrace Heights Dr.,Yakima,WA 98901. Please reference theAOGwebsite for more information. Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to his wife and family. Here’s a toast...

Visit the NEWAOG Web Site

www.usafa.org

Iheardfrom CarlosMararacwho inJunehadbeenwith Bryan Raridon atAi A Salem, Kuwait for over four months flying on the same C-130 crew. They wanted to send us a picture ofthem “reppin’ Balls!” According to Carlos the USAFA OpsAr Force program sent about 20 cadets (’06ers) out to Kuwait to experience the “real” Air Force. That certainly beat the Minot,Wright-Pat, and manyotherOpsAF experiences, I’m sure, butthen againanybaseisbetterthan spendinganother three weeks at Camp USAFA, right? I wonder ifthey all got the smallpoxvaccination and all the other fun that comes alongwith a deployment experience. Kudos to USAFAfor the grad that thought ofthat idea.

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Okay,gettingback to our class, ScottLankermoved to Offutt AFB inApril afterfinishing up hisT-1FAP tour at Columbus. He is currentlyin trainingforthe RC-135. So farhe’s done a lot ofbiking, studying, and checking out the sights and sounds ofOmaha.

Diane Santos was married on April 16th to Ken Lantagne, ’96 in Sacramento, CA. Both are stationed at Travis AFB, where Diane is a physicaltherapist and Ken is a C-5 pilot. Theywill be PCSing to Keesler later in the fall. Classmates at theweddingwere Shannon Nielsen, a C-5 pilotalso atTravis; and KayHasson, who finished UPT at Laughlin in the spring. Elsewhere, the Class of2000 is representedwell in the world ofCompass Call. Chris Weaton, Eric Patton, Bud Fujii-Takamoto, and Darshan Dohle are all pilots on the EC-130H based at Davis-MonthanAFB, AZ. Chris relays that allhavebeen frequentlydeployed and flying in the sand-filled Iraqi skies. Eric and Chris were both married in Oct2004, (not to each other)—Eric married MelissaWestphal and Chris marriedAmy Britton, ’03. Who knows who will be next!

Chris England returned earlierthisyearfrom westernAghanistan as a contingency contracting officer with an Amy task force. He ran into Tim Fitzpatrick on BAO duty“calling in the warthogs,” and Jake Miller heading up a CCT team. Chris is getting out, but stayingin Charleston and in Mayhad planned to transition to an ASOC Reserve slot.

Bryan Raridon and Carlos Mararac displayClassPride.

Shannon Nielsen andDiane Santos

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ChrisEngland withAfghanistan backdrop.

DavidAdamson andSusan (Murphy) Adamson are PCSingto NASPensacola where theywill finallylearn like what it’s like to live together for more than three months out oftheyear. Davewill be aT-6 IP and Susiewill be an Instructor Navigator in the T-1 orT-39. Theyjusthope thehurricanes stayaway. I also heard from Mackie Miller who onlyreports that he’s in love with a beautiful woman namedTheresa. Mike Deaveris nowflying atWhitemanAFB, getting checked out in the T-38 and about to start B-2s. He’s finally domesticated, having married Ashley from Colorado Springs, and they have a daughter Michaela (18 months old), two dogs, and a cat. Everybodyis happy to move a little further north, havingspent the last threeyears flying B-52s at Barksdale AFB, LA. While there, Mike got to deploy to Diego Garcia once for OEF, and another time to Guam,just because.

I didn’t hear from as manyfolks this time and got a lot ofrejected emails, so please shoot me an update for your email address. I can give you a USAFA2000.com address with more space than the popular ones and POP3 access ifyou would like a class pride address for family and friends. Keep sendingpictures and updating us on your experiences, family, and duty assignments. Until next time, continue to represent the class with our “work hard-partyhard, always excel” attitude. Jason

Faith Dunn (Hitchcock)

203 Seaton Circle Montgomery, AL 36116

Faith.Dunn@gunter.af.mil

Air Force News: Theremains offiveAirmen, brothersin arms to bringfreedom to the nation ofIraq, were buriedAug. 11 with fullmilitaryhonors in ArlingtonNadonalCemetery, VA. An IraqiAirForcepilotandfourmembers of the UnitedStatesAirForce were togetheraboardan IraqiAirForceplane when itcrashedin May. Thepilot, Capt.AliHussamAbassAlrubaeye, 34, was the FirstIraqi ever buried at the UnitedStates’premiermilitarycemetery.

This willsignify that these warriors were trainingtogether, they wen tinto batde together, theydied together, andit's onlyproper thattheybe buried together/'Lt. Gen. MichaelWooley, commanderoftheMrForce’sSpecialOperadons Command, saidbefore the service.

Asilvercoffin covered with anAmerican flagcontainedCaptainAbass’s remains as well as those ofMaj. William Downs, 40, ofWinchester, VA.; Capt. JeremyFresques, 26, ofClarkdale,AZ.; Capt. DerekMgel, 28, ofLompoc, CA.; andStaffSgt. CaseyCrate, 26, ofSpanaway, WA.

As I am sure most have heard by now, the Class of2001 has lost two beloved classmates. CaptDerekArgel and CaptJeremyFresques were two offive soldiers killed in an aircraft accident on May30,2005 in Jalula, Iraq. The followingis a tribute; a compilation ofreflection and memories for our fallen classmates - here’s a toast....

CaptainDerekMearsArgel was bom in SanJose, CA on 11 March, 1977. He graduatedwith honors from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc CA in 1995. He attendedNorthwestPreparatorySchool and theUSAFAPrep School. He graduatedfrom USAFAin 2001. Uponthe completion ofCombatControltraininghe was assigned to the 23rd SpecialTactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL.

Derekand WendyArgel.

He is one ofa small band offolks thathavebeen bestowedwith a special and rare makeup ofqualities that our countrylooks for in time ofcrises: selfless individuals willing to go into harms way and do the missions that fewvolunteer for or could even accomplish. Derek is a patriotwhose exceptional character sealed his fate and he will be always be remembered.” (Steve Spanovich, LtCol (s), Commander, 21 st SpecialTactics Squadron)

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“I am honored to saythat Derek was a good friend. At the Academy we were in the same basic training squadronwhich was goodfor most ofus because all the attention was on Derek... upperclassman seemed determined to try to break him down - but Derek effortlessly worked over our upperclassman cadre one by one. No one could stop him. Derek seemingly was indestructible, and we all looked up to him... always.” (Aubrie (Rooney) Ireland, USAFA2001)

“Derek was someone we all looked up to and who always had a genuine respect and appreciation for others. He was everything an Air Force Officer and a man should be. I will miss him.” (Matt Mountcastle, USAFA2001)

CaptainJeremyFresques was bom3 Dec 1978, anative ofFarmington, NM. He graduated from theAcademyin 2001 and served as a Flight Commanderof the 56th Communication Squadron at LukeAir Force Base. In 2002 he completed SpecialTactics Officer Selection and training and was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field FL.

CaptJeremyFresques

“JeremyFresques was one ofmy close friends. DuringSept ’03 while I was sent TDYto Maxwell. I drove down to Mobile,AL and met upwithJeremyand his girlfriend at the time, Lindsey. I met Lindseyand thought she was the perfeet match for Jeremy. I immediately liked her and had looked forward to spending more time with both ofthem.” (StaceyBoggs, USAFA2001)

“I knewthem allwell, and to a man, all three ofthem (Argel, Fresques, and SSgt Crate), were outstandingindividuals. Theywere good at what theydid. Theywere good operators, goodleaders and superb teammates who putthe welfare ofthe team in front ofthemselves. All you can do is say they were fighting forwhat theybelieved in and their life had purpose and meaning. (Col. Kenneth Rodriguez, 720th SpecialTactics Group commander) Derek’s son’s (Logan) college will be taken care ofthrough the SpecialOperationWarrior Foundation (SOWF). The SOWF providescollegescholarship grants alongwith financial aid and educational counseling to the children of Special Operations personnelwho were killed in an operational mission or

CaptDerekArgeldeployedin SouthwestAsia.

StacyBoggs (’01) withJeremyand wife, Lindsey. training accident. Since 11 Sept 2001,115 specialoperations personnel have lost their lives fighting the war on terrorism leaving behind 157 children. In 2004, SOWF provided a total of$961,481 in scholarship grants, educational programs, and financial counselingfor 97 students at colleges anduniversities across the country.

Ana Ortega had the opportunityofcompeting in the SpecialOperationAdventure Race (SOAR Highlands) with one ofDerek and Jeremy’s comrades, alongwith fellow ’01 ers Ryan Montanez and Garrett Dawson. The team competed in memoryofDerekandJeremyunder their combined call sign. The 4th SOS is puttingtogether a Duathalon scheduled for Oct ’06, with all proceeds going to theWarrior Foundation. Rob Marshall founded/initiated another SOWF fundraiser with the SOWF Seven Summits Challenge. Theyrecently climbed Mt. Elbrus and raised over $1,500 for the foundation. Theirgoal is to put the U.S andAir Force Flag on the highestpeak on each ofthe seven continents. For more information go to: www.specialops.org.

An account was opened in Logan’s name at Regions Bank. Ifyouwould like to contribute the address is: LoganW. Argel,RegionsBank, 400 RacetrackRoad, FortWalton Beach, FL32547.

The Fresquesfamily requests donations be made to a charity close to their hearts. The Home ofGrace charity supports Christian schools all over the world: CalvaryChapel, c/o DebbieHenley, 407 NE RacetrackRoad, FortWalton Beach, FL 32548. Make checks outto “CalvaryChapel” andput a memo on the bottom stating “Fresques Memorial.”

Jennifer Reed and Ana are working on memorybooks for Derek’s wife and son,WendyandLoganArgel, andJeremy’swife, LindseyFresques. Ifyouwould like to contributeanything; newspaper clippings, pictures, quotes or stories to the books, please contact themvia the Global or sendyourbest memories to: Ana Ortega or JenniferReed, 4741 Amhurst Cir. Destin, FL 32541.

Tony Carson

466 Avenue D Dyess AFB, TX 79606 anthony.carson@dyess.af.mil

Class Website: www.usafa02.org

Class of2002,

Thankyouforthe submissions and updates. Holly (Hermann) Kinseywrote: “The pastyearalmosthas been crazy. RandyKinsey (2003) and I were married inJuly04, so I changed names from Hermann to Kinsey. In October I deployed to Bagram,Afghanistan where I worked in theJoint Logistics Center with the Army... definitely an eye opener. I finallyreturned home at the end ofJanuary. Since then I’ve taken over a flight that has been keeping me crazybusy!”

Congratulations to the both ofyou!

Brent Feldthad manyupdates forthe class. Christian Paaschjust landed in Hawaii for his new assignment to help stand up a new C-17 squadron... he probably deserves it after threeyears atWhiteman in Missouri! Christian admitted thatworking on the B-2 wasn’t bad and his most memorable moment was workingnights in preparation for OIF. Although he didn’t deploywhile there he did have several TDYs to Guam. Christian said to look him up ifin Hawaii andyou’ll have a free place to stay. From another island in the ocean, Cat (Adams ’01) and ShaunGermain are in Misawa. ShaunisflyingF-16s in the same squadron as Rob Stimpson and Paul Davidson (’01) AND Shaun and Cat are expecting their first babygirl!

News at SheppardAFB: Several ’02ers have recentlygraduated from ENJJPT. Matt Rabe (who manyknowwas married to Beth Stott in Oct 2004) and Luke Kippert both got F-16s (Kippert was also a DG... congrats!). Charlie Trickey and Bill Johnson should be graduating soon and getting their drops as well. Brian Stiles was FAIPed and in more excitingnews, he and hiswife, Sherri, are expecting their first baby due Jan 13. Joe Elam and his wife, Amy, are also expecting their first baby on Jan 13.

The big event for the soccer girls in the spring was the marriage ofKatie (Gillespie) and Eddie Gutierrez. They were married in a beautiful outdoor eveningceremonyoutside ofFresno, CA. Katieis a FAIP at Laughlin and Eddie isworking in the ContractingSquadron down there. As always, we got the chance to catch up with a fewclassmates. Beth (Boyer) andTerryWelliver came back from Japan for the occasion. AliTedesco came west from Dover and Carrie Wellmanventured over from Ogden. Rena (Mestas) andSean Hall also came up from Texas and Arizona, respectively. (Renais doingCE at Laugfilin while Seanisin themidst ofhis A-10 upgrade training). Since the wedding, Ali Tedesco moved to Soto CanoAB in Honduraswhere she is serving as the chiefofpublic affairs. Carrie Wellman moved to Buckley AFB andis serving as the deputychiefofpublic affairs. LauraAbtis nowworkingCE atVandenbergafter a deployment toAfghanistan earlierthisyear.

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Rumorhasitthat more than a fewofour classmates are backin the Colorado area. Carrie Wellman ran into Steve Brogan while in-processing at Buckley while Brandon Jones will be coachingUSAFA men’s soccer in the fall.

TroyMcLaughlin andhiswife, Erin, are expectinganotherbabygirl due Nov 29th. They are still stationed in Utah and are enjoying their first daughter, Maddie, whowill turn two inDecember. Kat (Boudreaux) andPatrickLysaught are also at Hillwhere Kat is doingengineering andPatrickis flyingF-16s. Catie (Fahrner) and Jesse McLaughlinjust moved from Hill to Wright-Patwhere Jessewill be atAFIT. Catie is in the Reserves now and is enjoyingbeing a fulltime mom to their adorable daughterTori.

Karley (Kroschel) Amidon and herhusband, Jason,justwelcomed a beautiful babygirl into theirfamily. Avery was born on July 19th. Afterthree years in LA Karleymust have decided she misses the snow and cold as she is PCSing to Minnesota to be an ROTC instructor at the U ofM in Minneapolis.

From the East Coast: Chris Bartley and his wife, Bekah, PCSed to D.C. in Februarywhere Chris is doingengineering stuffafter receive his master’s at Rice. Jessica Lotridge, Luke Porsi, Rob McGill (he proposed last spring and willbe married soon), ChrisVojta andhiswife, Leslie, are all headinginto their lastyear ofmedical school at USUHS. Leslie was a NavalAcademygraduate and will most likelybe crossing over into the blue (smart choice!) so she and Chriswill be stationed together.

Maggie (Breun) and Brent Feldt enjoyed awonderful summer vacation hikingthe SwissAlps and sightseeingin France. Brent spent the remainder ofthe summer doing field training in Pennsylvania and studying aerospace medicine down in San Antonio. He will be diving into his second year of med school at USUHS in the fall. Afterworking at the Pentagon forawhile, Maggie is now settlinginto a differentjob doingengineering/programmanagement.

Bill Eckleyis a C-130 navigator at DyessAFB. He and his wife, Stacy, welcorned a beautiful babygirl, Katie, into their family last year. Paul Golando and David Chi are also at DyessAFB flyingC- 130s.

That is all I have for now. Thanks for the updates.AnthonyCarson, Class Scribe.

Richard Giles Whiting, Jr.

384 Treeline Park, Apt. 1323 San Antonio, TX 78209 gileswhiting@hotmail.com

I’mwriting from TDY atWright-Pat where I’m doingacquisitions training (yes very late for an ’03er I know) along with Shane Schulte and Chris Schlagheck. Old roommate, and now happilymarried, Tom Greenaway is also up here.

Updateshavebeentricklingin sincethe lastissue so I’m sorryifsome ofthese are significantlydelayed but I’m sure theywill still serve their intended pur-

Randyand Holly

pose to at least some degree.

Zach Counts, RandyKinsey, and Kenyatta Ruffin showedup to LukeAFB early this spring to lead thepackof“BongViperPilots.” Soonwe were joinedbyShaun Cheema, Ryan Riley, Pete Cossette, Bryan Spence, CaseyMontinger, Dave Bennett, Charles Fallon, Chris Gruner, and Sarah Hardin—congratulations on the engagement. BenTran is stationedhere as a maintenance officerandAmy (Britton) Wheaton stoppedby on herwayto Davis-Monthan to be with her husband. Over on the east coast, Pat Killingsworth, lason Roth,Jason Kramer andNick Lofthouse are atTyndalllearning to flyF-15s. DaleWilds, KendallChudy andJayFredricksen are atColumbusAFB UyingT-38sandJosh Boudreaux is flyingTweets. Bailyn BeckandJustin Sime are at Moodyflying theT-6.

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Nate Jackson was married Memorial Dayweekend where he had a very large contingent of Academy grads. Jeff Gilmore,Tom Murphy,JamesSargent, JeromeWonnum (’02) andKenyRuffin were allgroomsmen andRandyGibbs, Matt Sartori,JonO’Rear, MerrillAnderson, andVaughn Brazil (both ’02) were sabrebearers. Plus, Jeanae Jackson was a bridesmaid. Congrats to Nate on the marriage and to Jeanae and the rest oftheAir Force’s newest nurses graduating fromVanderbilt.

Roger Martinez just returned from FOB Speicher in Tikrit doing convoys with an all Air Force unitworking under an Army battalion (see the picture of him before mylast convoy). You can see an '03 class ringunderthe M-16 ifyou look closely. Roger commented to me “it was a good time.”

JonathanNiebesis out atRamsteinAB GermanywithScottCarrol, ChrisHeinz, John Holland, Justin Riester, JeffSmith, Dan Browning, AJ Lewton and Ryan Argentaflying C-21 s. Jonathan was married on March 5th in Peachtree CityGA to Katie Gilbert. Grads attending included JayFredericksen, Rylan Charlton, Ben Payne, Nate Jackson, Rob Williams, Rob Biscardi, Chris Kojak, Mike DiMaria, Nic Morris, Kevin Fitzgerald, Dan Morales, Luke Fisher, MattThurber, Dan Rees, and Eric Briscoe - see photo.

Robins. MattSartori:Aboutto go to thedesert,flyingC-130s at Dyess.JeffGilmore: FlyingC-21 s at Scott. RandyGibbs: CE atKessler. JonO’Rear:Assigned to F- 15C.

Nate Jackson: FlyingKC-135s at Grand Forks. ConorTeegarden: F-15EWSO at SeymourJohnson. MaxJohnson: Kuwait, counter-intel.

Thanks for allthe updates class. You’ve made this the easiestwriting to date. Good talk, see ya out there. Giles

Breezy (Long) Heddinger

18337 Oakmont Dr., #741

Santa Clarita, CA 91387

H: (661) 250-2179

C: (719) 213-3205

breezy.heddinger@losangeles.af.mil

Well, it’s been quite some time sincewe’vehad anything to report here—but that’s because we’ve been so busy! The Class of2004 has much to be proud of in our firstyear as second lieutenants in the “real” Air Force. Our classmates have completed, and still are completing, a broad range ofmilitarytraining and education, includingUPT, space/missile training, various tech schools, combat targeting school, ASBC, IFTUs, spec ops training (who reallyknows what all that entails!), the final “R” & “E” of SERE school, marathons and triathlons to stay“Fit to Fight,” and even the first year ofgraduate school. At the same time, we’ve never been ones for allwork and no play—congratulations to all those who have gotten engaged or married in the pastyear, and extra good wishes to those alreadyexpectinglittle ones!

Finally, Dayleen Kroontje sent an update on some more of our classmates. VanceJSUF’Tclass 05-08 graduated on 29April. Outofthenewpilots, Nate Rogers and Jill Rogers (formerlyErgman) are at McGuire flyingKC- 10s. RyanCovahey received KC-135s to Robins. DayleenKroontjewill flyC-17s at McChord. Jim Nicoloff and Nick Breffltt both earned F-15Cs. Darin Wetzler will fly F-16s. JessicaKingis offto flytheKC-135 at Grand Forks. NikkiHamilton-Brown (now Foster) isatMcGuireflyingKC-lOs. Ian Ostermiller, Tim Walburg, andAndrew Vega are on theirwayto McChord to flyC-17s while KatieVeseth is alreadythere. Marta Lofthouse (formerlyNyberg) and Jaci Doolie recendy finished KC-135 training and are headed to Kadena and Fairchild, respectively. Nick Lofthouse finished IFF and is currentlytrainingin F- 15Cs atTyndall.

On the non-flyingside ofthe house Kurt Nemmer is workingin CE at Patrick with the possibilityofdeploying in December. Laura Stepko is still living it up at Coco Beach working on Patrick as a Chemist. Heidi Schlagheck (formerly McKinley) isworkingpersonnel at Patrick and Chris, when not doingtraining with me, is doing astro at Cape Canaveral.

To thepointupdates: JasenHunter: Justmarried, flyingKC- 10s atTravis. Barry McKeown: FlyingC- 17s at Charleston. Dan Munson: FlyingKC-135s atWarner-

Ofcourse, despite our family ties and newness to the operational military, patientlywaiting in the wings, or on the sidelines, was never '04’s strongsuit... several classmates are alreadyforward deployed, some at permanent stations like Korea, others temporarily over in the desert devoting every day to directly impacting theWar on Terror. And, lest we forget, we even have classmates servingalongside us in U.S. Army and Marine Corps digs.

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Class of2004, we’re offto a great start, and—as always—there’s no stopping us! Everydaywe put on our uniforms we are living up to our motto, Paratiad Bellum. Keep up the greatwork, good luck as we kickoffour second fullyear in this greatAirForce, and remember the significance ofour contributionand the gravityofour service “It is the soldier....”

Please let us know ifyou’d like to submit any news (personal/base/unit/ class) or shout-outs for next month’s issue. Also, next timewe’re featuring a brief“memorycorner,” so please share anyUSAFA memories or experiences with fellowclassmates since graduation that have madeyou laugh or helped you through this pastyear somehow. Thanks!

John Tamasitis

313 Huntington Chase Circle Warner Robins, GA 31088 (610) 850-3352

Tombo012@hotmail.com

The Class of2005 has officiallybegun a new chapterin our lives as we scatter to all corners ofthe globe. Gone are the countless hours of studying, the silverweekends, and sign-outlogs. And intheir place are new opportunities and an Air Force in need ofour leadership. Fresh new challenges have called our names and we, the Class of2005, are ready to answer.

So good luck to all ofyou new lieutenants out there! Work hard, enjoy the freedom, and make an impact.

I would also like to congratulate all ofyou who “tied the knot” this summer. I wishyou all thebest as you travel down the road oflife together. Enjoy the ride.

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Ifyou have any announcements youwould like to get out to the graduatecommunity; please do not hesitate to let me know. My contact information is above.

Good luck and STRIVE! John

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