Checkpoints December 2005

CHECKPOINTS

THE SERVICE ACADEMIES, CHARACTER BUILDING AND COMPULSORY CHAPEL

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4194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa.org.) It is provided as part of a membership package ofwhich the magazine subscription annually accounts for $ 10. Single copies of Checkpoints for members $2.50. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send change ofaddress to Checkpoints Association ofGraduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude 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, December 2005.

Editor

Moving forward with a focus I live pretty far away from USAFA, as most graduates do, and over the recent past I have watched the activity unfold over AOG governance and the subsequent voting process this past summer. An outside observer looking at the Academy’s issues, both the real ones and the PR challenges, combined with the disagreements within the alumni community would have to wonder “What is going on with this place?”

Fortunately Eve had the opportunity to go right to the source and visit the Academy twice over the past few months, including some super interaction with the cadets. While this isn’t something that everyone can just drop things and do, I would certainly recommend a visit before forming too strong a judgment about the state ofthe institution. My key takeaways have been: (1) these are great kids and the training they are receiving is as challenging as ever, (2) the Academy really needs the graduate community’s support with the press and Congress, and (3) there is a window for the AOG to move past its governance issues, clarify roles and mission, and in doing so provide greater support than ever to the Academy.

One of the quickest ways I know to move past the governance issues with the AOG is to clearly articulate roles and provide a crisper sense of mission. We need to look to the AOG board for strategic thought and we need to rely on the AOG’s leadership team to create the plans and direct the programs. In my view, we have had this backward for some time as the board has been too much in the managing business—it is a “herding cats” experience in the best of circumstances to expect a non-profit board of part-time people to provide any meaningful tactical direction. We should look to Jim Shaw and his senior staff to set direction and manage the AOG’s activities; the AOG is simply

too big an organization to be managed any other way. I would also encourage the AOG to move past “The Extra Margin of Excellence” and stake out a more focused, more clearly understood mission. My vote would be for the AOG to be the sponsor of cadet character development, both from a financial and volunteer resource point of view. Whatever the focus point is, it sets up a great framework for grads to understand what “giving back” to USAFA really means. I choose to support the AOG financially, even though it isn’t perfect, because the mission and the impact we can make on cadets is too important to ignore.

This is a critical time for both the Academy and the AOG. We have a new AOG Board, Superintendent, Commandant and SECAF. Moving past our internal disagreements with clearly understood roles and mission is an opportunity just too good to pass up.

Tom Arata, Class of1980

Defining diversity

To anyone who can think:

While I may be in the minority, the freedoms we enjoy like this response to “Zoomy” news, have been hard fought and are always on the verge of being run over by the thought police. At least two of your articles mention “diversity” as something ofwhich to be proud, hold up as a standard, and assure the AOG members that it is at “full strength.”

Webster’s defines “diversity” as a noun meaning a state of difference or unlikeness. I find a more correct definition in 1956 publication of the USAF Dictionary, diversity in the form of “divert” (no diversity word), v.t., and closer to the real purpose of the current usage of the word, ie “to draw off the enemy’s attention from one’s principal operation or effort.”

The purpose of the USAF Academy is to train cadets to be the best officers possible. Since we have followed the unsuccessful efforts of every nation who has allowed women in the military, instead of leading our nation to a higher standard that protects and cherishes the female

gender, we had better make the best of a situation which calls for leadership.

Our nation was founded upon a Christian principles, thought, and deeds; not Confucian, Buddha, Isalm, Hindu, or any other religion. To that end we need to think in those terms. Any cadet or Academy staffperson should be allowed to have his or her personal religion, prayer life, etc., but not at the expense ofoperational procedures or foundational principles. Our nation will not long stand with the leadership bending to every whim of thought or desire ofthe unregenerative person. Such seems to be the case that is being made through the current leadership.

Remember that as we train, so we will fight. The officers which graduate from USAFA don’t need to feel good, have there desires met, or even be liked; they need to know how to lead and win the next war!

“There is no substitute for victory!”

J. W. Newhousem, Class of1963

Character assassination unnecessary

I was surprised by the letter ofMikey Weinstein in the September 2005 Checkpoints and your characterization ofhis text as a “response” to the article on religious respect. I hope that Colonel Whittington was alerted to the character assassination planned by Mr. Weinstein and was offered an opportunity to rebut his response in the same issue.

Mikey’s use of inflammatory adjectives to describe everything he is unhappy about is particularly distressing. I doubt that Colonel Whittington considered regulations “petty”, that a command relationship on good terms deserved to be assaulted as “cozy”, and I don’t recall the quote of General Richardson referring to the unchurched as “undesired.” Mikey’s reference to “horrendous destruction of unit cohesion and the condemnation ofspiritualities that fall out ofapproved Evangelical discourse” and his insistence that there is “serious, unconstitutional religious intolerance” at the Academy are hyperbole.

His implication that the “large and powerful” national and international Evangelical organizations around Colorado Springs

conspire with Academy leadership to create a “radicalized Evangelical community” and somehow directly influence policy at the Academy must surely be viewed as paranoia. His description ofregulations that were established to preserve the availability of the Cadet Chapel for cadets as “timehonored” and his statement that all military retirements should have a proper “secular dignity” are silly.

But it is his reference to the global war on terror (GWOT) as being at risk if Evangelicals at the Academy aren’t reined in that reveals a lack ofperspective and rationality. Think rather than faith our way through the GWOT? Mikey has forgotten his audience.

I interact closely and regularly with NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue and its Muslim partners, and the West is not viewed—other than perhaps by the “salesmen” of terror such as Osama bin Laden and Abu Zarqawi—as a monolithic Christian block engaged in some cosmic struggle against Islam. Western political leaders have been careful to articulate that the West’s opposition to terror is directed against Islamists and extremists, not Islam. Furthermore, ninety-eight percent of Israelis—young, old, students and adults—approve of the US intervention in Iraq. None of this lends credence to Mikey’s commentary on the GWOT.

Perhaps purposely or perhaps ironically, the AOG published a letter from Congresswoman Kay Granger in the same edition of Checkpoints that refers to “resulting media coverage [of religious intolerance and discrimination] has blown this issue completely out ofproportion.” Mikey’s letter is certainly evidence of that fact.

In closing, I do agree with Mikey on at least one point: that in all that the Academy does, it should do in the spirit of cadet development and success of each and every individual commissioned and sent into the officer corps.

Samuel Grier, Class of1973 Dean ofthe NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.

Former USAFA Permanent Professorand Headofthe DepartmentofComputer Science

Problem not Constitutional

I’d like to respond to Mikey Weinstein’s article in the last issue of Checkpoints. It’s obvious that you are no dilettante with the English language, and being an attorney and former Assistant General Counsel to the White House and General Counsel for H. Ross Perot, I feel wholly inadequate to match wits with you being a former football player, but I’d like to try.

For the record, I am a “Conservative Christian Evangelical leader” formerly of the Air Force ranks, and now with DoD Industry. I have a long history ofworking with and leading Christian organizations, both Protestant and Catholic, since graduating from USAFA. You didn’t mention that you have brought at least two law suits against USAFA for “religious intolerance.” You also didn’t mention that you encouraged your son, who is currently a cadet, to file a formal complaint against USAFA for religious discrimination, yet neither you nor he have named the alleged offender.

Why are these facts pertinent to the case? Because when I returned to USAFA this September for my 30th Reunion and received several briefings on the “religious intolerance” issue, and conducted my own personal investigations, I got a much different picture of the problem than most people do when they read your article, or when they read articles in the Gazette Telegraph. In fact, my investigation and conclusions are that the tail is wagging the dog in terms of “religious intolerance”— the vocal minority is changing the entire landscape for a few immature actions by a few well-meaning young men and women cadets. Do we expect that 17-21 year old cadets will act at all times with the maturity and judgment of a White House attorney? I don’t think so. However, I should note that “insensitivity” does not seem to be confined to only evangelical Christian cadets. I would also like to point out that in our briefings Gen Rosa characterized the “religious tolerance” issue as a lesser problem compared to other problems he was dealing with.

Fortunately there are mature, tolerant, and wise SPIRE leaders at USAFA, who have bent over backwards to investigate every known allegation, who sensitively

examined every USAFA policy, who spent hours trying to build bridges to the complainers and litigators, and yet their message is rarely put into print. Larry Bryant, a classmate ofmine, is one ofthose sterling individuals who constantly reach out to people ofdifferent faiths. Consequently, the media has created a perception problem. When 85 percent ofall cadets identify themselves with some form ofChristianity, it seems reasonable to expect them to voice their belief in God in some circumstances.

And herein lies the problem, contrary to what you have espoused—this is not a Constitutional problem. This is not an institutional or cultural problem. As I am sure you know very well, the US Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment ofreligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” In other words, Christians have freedom ofreligion, not freedom from religion. We have the freedom to believe and to worship the God of our choosing. And yes, to speak ofthat God and His principles in public. The problem occurs when lawyers and judges make laws prohibiting the free exercise thereof, try to eliminate our Judeo-Christian heritage, and suppress our acknowledgment ofGod in all places except the church house! Unfortunately the vocal minority is getting all the press. The very principles that you write about, “honor, integrity and accountability” are also core values ofChristianity, although Christianity is really about a relationship with the Founder, Jesus. I believe that if we let everyone ofall faiths freely discuss and openly live by their religious beliefs at USAFA in accordance with the Constitution, we will find that other problems (e.g. honor, drinking, and sexual problems) at USAFA will decline.

Bill Murray, Class of1975

Letter of thanks

Dear Superintendent, I am writing to express a special thank you to a member of your Academy staff. Michele Cowan, deceased graduate coordinator [with the Association of Graduates] helped me locate my aunt and uncle

whose house in Waveland, Mississippi was destroyed by hurricane Katrina. I had little hope of finding out how to contact them or their daughter (my cousin).

The only information I had was that their granddaughter was a fairly recent graduate of the Academy. I did not know when she graduated and I only knew her by her nickname (Cassie), not her given name. I gave your office her parents’ names and where her parents lived when she went to the Academy. I asked that if they could locate her, that they forward my information to her.

With such little information, I held only a feint hope of their being able to locate Cassie. In fact, they were unable to do so. However, Ms. Cowan did check for graduates under Cassie’s father’s name (Hugh) and found a match. Taking it upon herself to contact Hugh, she found out that it was indeed my cousin’s husband and that they had been trying to figure out how to contact me. (All of us had recently moved and all the information that was held by my aunt and uncle in Waveland was lost.) My cousin called and told me that she and her husband had gone down to Mississippi and brought her parents back to live with her in Nevada.

Without Ms. Cowan’s assistance, I may never have located my cousin and I would probably never have known what happened to my aunt and uncle. It would have been easy for Ms. Cowan to do a data search and advise me that they could not find Cassie and let the matter drop there. However, by her going the extra mile and not giving up, she brought great joy and happiness to my life. I will never be able to thank her enough for her efforts.

Alan B. Deck

Proper use of Dr.

Kristen Lelie’s credentials

Every major article that I have read about religious respect (e.g. proselytism and/or evangelism) at USAFA invokes Dr. Kristen Leslie’s credentials in order to establish legitimacy—possibly to her dismay.

I disagree with those who believe that her credentials, at least on a national level, include issues that arise from

Christian proselytism and/or evangelism. Her impressive Curriculum Vitae (yale. edu/divinity) does not, in my opinion, focus on those issues. It does indeed focus on pastoral counseling of female victims ofsexual assault as well as a number of important feminist topics.

Let us at least properly apply Dr. Leslie’s credentials. Then, I suggest we all relax, tolerate each other and enjoy life!

BillMorgan, Class of1965

Correction:

In the September issue of Checkpoints we mistakenly identified the photo on page 54 as one of members of the Class of 1959. In fact, the photo was of members of the Class of 1960.

AOG

YOUR ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Edward E. Legasey, '67, Board Chair

Steve Finch, '65, Vice Chair

Charles P. Garcia, '83, Treasurer

Marianne LaRivee, '80, Secretary

James A. Shaw, '67, President/CEO

Bill Boisture Jr., '67

Mike Christy, '63

Ed Eberhart, '68

Edie Edmondson, '92

Mike Flynn, '95

Marty France, '81

Susan J. Helms, '80

Gilbert D. Mook, '67

John T. Moore, '78

Amber D. O'Grady, '96

Alan V. Rogers, '64

Pat Rosenow, '76

Leon Smith-Harrison, '75

^ 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 r lilOfrom the (Board Cshair

Fellow graduates and members ofthe AOG,

At the board meeting in November, we welcomed Lt. Gen. John Regni, ’73, as the 17th superintendent ofthe Air Force Academy. General Regni shared some ofhis early thoughts as he steps into this most important leadership role and your board was inspired; we look forward to working with him. In December, Brig. Gen. Susan Desjardins, ’80, became the 23rd commandant ofcadets, assuming command from Maj. Gen. (Sel.) Johnny Weida, ’78, who departed for his new assignment as Director, Capabilities Integration and Transformation at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command. Please join me in welcoming these fine officers to the Academy leadership team and in wishing them and their spouses all the best in this assignment. And let us give Johnny Weida special thanks for his service to the Air Force and the Academy during a very difficult time for our beloved institution.

Last quarter I outlined four key priorities for this board term:

(1) Strengthening our Alumni Relations programs and activities;

(2) Updating the AOG Strategic Plan; (3) Accelerating the “public phase” ofthe Building Leaders ofCharacter Campaign; and (4) Completing the governance changes that we will make as a result ofthe recent election and the report ofthe Blue Ribbon Council. You should be pleased to know that the responsible board committees and the AOG staff have been hard at work and have made very good progress toward these ends.

Strengthening Alumni Relations

The Alumni Relations Committee, chaired by Susan Helms, ’80, and Steve Finch, ’65, working with AOG VP ofAlumni Relations Gary Howe, ’69, have made significant progress on a formal survey ofall AOG members. A Request for Proposal was developed and over 70 vendors asked for the RFP. In the end, 29 proposals were received and the field was narrowed to six finalists. Negotiations are underway and contract award is scheduled for

this month, with a target to conduct the survey in the spring of 2006. The final report is targeted for May 2006.

The purpose ofthe survey is to hear from you, so we need your participation. We earnestly want to know what AOG services you do and do not value. Also we would like to know what you wish your association did for the Academy, its cadets, and/or you as members. The survey is an organized way to give voice to your views. When you receive it, please do not put it on that pile of“stuff” that someday (hopefully) will get your attention. Rather, spend a little time reflecting on the AOG, fill out the survey, and return it to us. Your views matter and we want to hear from as many members as possible.

On another matter, the committee recommended that we alter the plan to eliminate the “paper copy” of The RegisterofGraduates this year. As you may recall, several years ago a plan was put in place to replace the Register in book form with an on-line version that conveyed the same information, and the 2004 Register was to be the last printed version. However, to capitalize on the feedback we expect from the survey, and to make the transition as smooth as possible, the board agreed to alter the schedule and print book form Registers in 2005 and 2006. Notwithstanding, the roll-out ofthe on-line version will continue so that we will have a period ofparallel operation.

The committee also created an Electronic Communications Subcommittee chaired by Mike Flynn, ’95. Dubbed by Flynn as the “geek flight”, this subcommittee will focus on means to enhance member, staffand board communications.

You should be pleased to know that both the Alumni Relations Committee and the Electronic Communications Subcommittee enjoy the participation of a number of members who are not members of the staff or board. This trend took root last term on the Finance and Capital Campaign Committees and we are pleased to see it continue to grow.

Updating the Strategic Plan

The Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Bill Boisture, ’67, working with CEO Jim Shaw, ’67, developed an overarching framework for updating the Strategic Plan, for making the planning process and the plan available to all members via the web site, and for communicating status on the implementation ofthe recommendations ofthe Blue Ribbon Council. All committee chairs have been charged with employing this framework and you should begin to see related material posted to the website over the next few months.

The committee also recommended the addition of a vision statement to the mission statement already recommended by the BRC. The board approved a vision statement that was subsequently coordinated with the BRC and included, with a minor revision, in their report, which will soon be voted on by our members. During discussion, Charles Garcia, ’83, made a motion to add to the BRC-recommended mission statement a clause making more explicit the AOG s role in raising private funds to support mission needs. The board approved this clause, and offered the BRC the opportunity to include it in their report. Subsequent to the meeting, the BRC concurred with the clause, but placed it in a different section ofthe bylaws changes that they are recommending.

Accelerating the Building Leaders of Character Campaign

The Campaign Steering Committee, chaired by Harry Pearce, ’64, and Dick Schlosberg, ’65, working with AOG Vice President of Development Sean Pieri, completed the roll-out plan for transitioning the campaign from the “quiet”, or leadership, phase to the public phase. A professionally designed pamphlet, Building Leaders ofCharacterfor the Nation, has been printed for distribution to a targeted group ofgraduates and friends ofthe Academy. This pamphlet, also known as the Case Statement, describes the needs that will be met by the campaign and how the financial objectives ofthe campaign will support those needs. Building on feedback from the Case Statement, a broad-based communications outreach to all members, graduates, and friends ofthe Academy will begin in the first quarter of2006. To date, the campaign has raised over $21 million toward the goal of$100 million. The quarter ending September 2005 was the best first quarter since the campaign began over two years ago, and the current quarter is looking strong too.

Completing Governance Changes

The Governance Committee, chaired by Steve Finch with A1 Rogers, ’64, as vice chair completed the analysis ofthe BRC report and developed recommendations for some alternatives to the report. At BRC Chairman Brad Hosmer’s, ’59, suggestion the committee then offered the BRC the opportunity to embrace those recommendations and incorporate them in an amended BRC report. This was done in an attempt to avoid any unnecessary complexity in the upcoming ballot for voting on the BRC recommendations. The board and the BRC both believe that a complex ballot will diminish the likelihood that members will take the time to vote, so we are working to make the ballot as straightforward as possible.

After several iterations, the BRC issued an amended report that will be made available for member review. The BRC accepted some board recommendations, but declined to accept others. The ballot will now

be finalized to include the amended BRC report and any remaining alternatives offered by the board, with a target for the vote to take place between Feb. 1 and March 30, 2006. Ifthe proposed bylaws changes PASS, transition to the revised board structure will be complete byJuly 1, 2007. Ifthe proposed changes DO NOT PASS, or if a quorum (23 percent of our members must vote) is not achieved, the current bylaws and board structure will remain in effect.

We have been engaged in these governance deliberations and changes for over two years now and it is extremely important to have a clear end result that is determined by the members. Thus, it is imperafive that we achieve a quorum—and we need every one ofyou to vote to clearly determine the future ofyour association. As with the survey, please complete and mail your ballot as soon as you receive it.

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the board has approved the construction ofthe Memorial Pavilion at the USAFA Cemetery. As you may know, there are no indoor facilities to conduct services at the cemetery, so family and friends must endure whatever weather conditions prevail. The Memorial Pavilion will meet a pressing need to provide an appropriate facility where the deceased can be honored in a dignified way. The Pavilion will also include a Columbarium for cremated remains and a system to facilitate the location ofthose interred at the cemetery. As you may be aware, the cemetery is not a National Cemetery supported by the Federal Government. Rather, it is a base cemetery supported by the Air Force—the only active cemetery remaining in the Air Force. Its use is restricted to Academygraduates, eligible family members and other eligible personnel as specified in USAFA Instruction 34-242. To keep these restrictions, private funds were needed to construct the Pavilion—a project that has meaning and potential benefits to every Academy graduate.

In conjunction with the board meeting we honored Ms. Nancy Burns as the newest person to join the ranks ofHonorary Members of the AOG (see story on pg. 79). Nancy has been a valued member of the Academy stafffor nearly 40 years, providing key support to Academy programs. And for all the years in recent memory she has been the Superintendent’s liaison to the AOG. Her contributions are many and highly valued as was evidenced by the presence at her induction of four former superintendents (Generals Clark, Scott, Hosmer, Dallager) as well as General Regni. Please join me in welcoming Nancy as an Honorary Member of our Association.

Please also join me in congratulating General H.T. Johnson, ’59, and General Mike Ryan, ’65, who have been selected as the 2005 recipients ofthe Distinguished Graduate Award. This award is made to graduates who display a lifetime ofservice to the nation while upholding the Academy’s values ofhonor and integrity. H.T. and Mike exemplify the ideals that we all cherish with this award. H.T. has had a long and distinguished career, both in and out ofuniform. He flew over 400 missions as a FAC in Vietnam and earned the Silver Star. He was the first Academygraduate to earn four stars and he served as the commander-in-chiefofU.S. Transportation Command and commander ofAir Mobility Command. He served as the president and CEO ofthe USAA Capital Corporation. He was an assistant secretary ofthe Navy and served as the acting secretary of the Navy from Feb. 2003 to Apr. 2005. He was recently selected to serve on the Academy’s Board ofVisitors. Mike Ryan flew over 100

missions over North Vietnam in the F-4 Phantom II earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the second graduate to serve as Air Force ChiefofStaff (1997- 2001). He continues his service to the Air Force and the nation as a key consultant on programs ofnational security. He has served the Academy as Chair ofthe panel that reviewed USAFA athletic programs for the CSAF, and as a member ofthe Blue Ribbon Council on governance. The awards will be presented at the Founders Day Dinner on April 7, 2006.

I regret to inform you that the AOG has lost the services of two of our most experienced board members. Harry Pearce, ’64, and Dick Schlosberg, ’65, have resigned from the board because ofthe pressure of new business commitments that each has undertaken, and in anticipation ofthe elimination, as recommended by the BRC, ofthe category ofboard members known as Designated Directors. Presently, the bylaws permit four board seats to be occupied by Designated Directors. The people holding those seats do so as a result oftheir service in one or more ofthe following positions: CEO, Campaign CoChair, president ofthe Sabre Society. Harry, the former vice chairman ofGeneral Motors and presently the Chairman ofNortel Networks, is both the president ofthe Sabre Society and a Campaign Co-Chair; Dick, the former CEO ofthe Packard Foundation and Publisher & CEO ofthe Los Angeles Times and the Denver Post, is the other Campaign Co-Chair. Both Harry and Dick are past recipients ofthe Distinguished Graduate Award and each has brought great value to the board. Their experience and sage counsel will be missed. They will, however, continue as Co-Chairs ofthe Campaign.

In closing, I would like to wish each ofyou all the best during this holiday season-no matter whether you celebrate it as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or for some other reason meaningful to you. And as we celebrate with our loved ones, let us all pause to remember those brave men and women fighting to preserve the security ofthis great nation.

Thanks,

Ted Legasey, ’67

Member-Graduate Survey Coming

In the spring your Association will be conducting a comprehensive SURVEY of AOG members and graduates. It's important you take the time to participate!

We valueyour input.

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.

USAFA Educational Transformation: Steering a Course for Developing Leaders of Character

would like to thank the Association of Graduates for the opportunity to share with our graduate commu| | nity where we have been and where we are going concerning academic development. Certainly high on the list of traditions which strengthen the “Long Blue Line” are USAFA graduates’ memories of taking rigorous classes in Fairchild Hall. These academic memories (some cherished and some not) put many of us on a path to scholastic excellence; as brand new second lieutenants we had achieved what few schools in the nation required of their student bodies.

Yet, what do we remember from freshman chemistry? From math? Chances are that whatever we didn’t forget on the way out of our final exams leaked away before graduation. And, even if we remembered everything from our courses, it wouldn’t be enough. It may surprise you to know that as much as we value education, very little of the knowledge we use comes from our college courses. In fact, researchers say that in five years, fifty percent of the knowledge gained in medical school becomes obsolete. Eighty percent of the technical knowledge engineers use

Brig. Gen. Dana Born, ’83 Dean of Faculty

is learned outside of school. These are eye-opening statistics, but certainly not grounds for eliminating education. On the contrary, we have a tremendous opportunity to transform USAFA’s curriculum to meet the needs of smarter, more diverse cadets, the challenges of high-speed, high-tech learning environments, and the now global demands ofAir Force and joint service. Taking advantage of this opportunity will involve an educational transformation. Let me explain what I mean by educational transformation and the flight path that we in the faculty are on to achieve it.

Over the past decade our Air Force has dealt with two major transformations: from an industrial-age force to an information-age force and from a Cold War to a post-Cold War force. Our senior leaders knew that we needed a strategy to keep pace with these transformations and to anticipate the others that would follow in short order. The Air Force was officially tasked to come up with a transformation roadmap under the Secretary of Defense’s Transformation Planning Guidance. Specifically, “the TPG emphasizes that transformation will shape the nature of military competition, which ‘ultimately

means redefining standards for military success by accomplishing military missions that were previously unimaginable or impossible except at prohibitive risk and cost I won’t go into the details of the Air Force’s Transformation Strategy here, but as the 2004 USAF Transformation Flight Plan outlines, the execution of this strategy will make the most of the Air Force’s three core competencies: developing airmen, integrating operations, and taking technology-to-war fighting.

So, what are the implications of the Air Force’s Transformation Strategy for USAFA? Or more directly, what are the implications for USAFA’s curriculum? Obviously, we have a crucial role in meeting the first of the three core competencies I mentioned above, developing airmen.

In the 2004 USAF Transformation Flight Plan, attention to developing airmen is clear: “The service’s first priority is to ensure they receive the precise education, training, and professional development necessary to provide them a quality edge second to none.” That’s our goal. Reaching it means reexamining the very foundations of USAFA’s teaching curriculum, asking ourselves tough questions about balancing time, thinking through how we

teach cadets, and ultimately, making sure that we have “the right size and shape” when it comes to providing cadets a world-class education.

Our foundations for a world-class education are rooted in three primary areas: (1) the initial studies which first defined what the curriculum at USAFA was intended to achieve, (2) the “core”—the number and type of classes all cadets are required to take, and (3) our seven educational outcomes. Let me begin with those initial studies by considering the three fundamental questions which guided the USAFA’s curriculum development process: What should our Air Force officers know? What skills should they possess? What curriculum would best provide that knowledge and those skills?

The Initial Studies

The Air Force Planning Board studied these questions and proposed an initial curriculum for the Academy. Air University established the board in the fall of 1948 and then Air Force ChiefofStaff, General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, directed it. The board based its curriculum proposal on two main organizing principles: to provide “a broad, general education with a sound background in aeronautical science and tactics” and to maintain a relatively even balance of humanities, sciences, and military studies.”

The Stearns-Eisenhower Study, commissioned in 1949 by Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, reaffirmed the need for an Air Force Academy and approved the findings of the Air Force Planning Board. Its report declared that the basic function ofservice academies was “to give general educations with emphasis on breadth ofhorizon necessary to comprehend scientific advances and social changes.” The study concluded that the Planning Board’s proposed curriculum objectives would accomplish these goals.

Congress commissioned the Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon Committee (1949-54) to construct the initial Academy curriculum. Both military and leading civilian educators served on the committee. Independent reviews by prestigious universities (Purdue and the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology for science courses, Stanford and

Columbia for humanities and social science courses) also guided curriculum construetion. The Harmon Committee set graduation requirements at 147.5 semester hours. Every cadet would take the same 46 “core” courses; there were no academic majors.

The Core

Over its 50-year history USAFA’s core academic requirement has gone from 147.5 semester hours (again, with no major) to the 96 semester hours it is today. For the class of 2009, the total semester hours required for a Bachelor of Science Degree are between 141-148. At one point, the total semester hours for a USAFA degree was as high as 177.5. Although many in our community are concerned about the fluctuation of core and overall semester hours, let me assure you that these numbers alone do not define the full quality and rigor of USAFA’s curriculum. Where we have decreased overall semester hours we have offered academicallyricher alternative courses and programs. Examples include our Scholars Program, the development of interdisciplinary majors, courses, and capstone experiences as well as a growing research program involving faculty and cadets. Externally funded research at the Air Force Academy has grown from approximately $4M to

over $22M in the last four years. We have also struck a balance with other mission elements to ensure our cadets get opportunities that many of us only dreamed of. Indeed, a large part of our roadmap for educational transformation will be to continue the phenomenal work that’s been done across the mission elements to expand integrated, character-building learning opportunities for cadets.

Educational Outcomes

In 1993, then Dean Brig. Gen. Randy Cubero, ’61, established seven educational outcomes:

Officers who possess breadth of integrated, fundamental knowledge in the basic sciences, engineering, the humanities, and social sciences, and depth ofknowledg e in an area of concentration of their choice

Officers who are intellectually curious Officers who can communicate effectively

•Officers who can frame and resolve ill-defined problems

Officers who can work effectively with others

Officers who are independent learners

Officers who can apply their knowledge and skill to the unique tasks of the military profession

These outcomes are still a beacon for all of our course offerings. But just how good is our curriculum at facilitating the desired cadet learning and growth? What knowledge, skills, and attitudes must be developed in the cadets in order for them to embody these outcomes, and how well designed is our curriculum to do that? Our challenge has been how to assess adequately which courses foster which outcomes, and to what extent. Beyond that, our challenge is to ensure we use these outcomes intentionally as a guiding, organizing framework upon which to build the coherent, organized, integrated set oflearning experiences that make up our curriculum. A continuous process loop of assess and improve is the only way we will move the curriculum forward. Eventually, we would like a way to predict cadets’ success as officers rather than relying solely on feedback concerning graduate-2nd Lts. from the field.

An understanding ofhow USAFA’s initial curriculum came to be, as well as the core/major course offerings of today and a focus on our educational outcomes, provides us a tremendous foundation from which transformation can continue. In its infancy, educational transformation will mean sensitizing our curriculum to the environment and its demands, building upon the original tenets of a liberal education to meet the needs of today’s Air Force, and transforming the educational experience to become learning-focused.

Keep Pace with the Environment

Faculty members are USAFA’s resident braintrust, and I applaud their contributions to sensitive issues ofculture and climate. Working with the superintendent’s staff, the TrainingWing, the Athletic Department, the Air Base Wing, and the Prep School, the USAFA faculty has been at the forefront ofmuch ofthe recent change. When the Academy decided to overhaul its training into a fouryear integrated Officer Development System, our facultyprovided the framework. When we needed to develop and implement the Academy Response Team to care for victims ofsexual assault and educate cadets and staff, we provided faculty members to form the initial cadre. Their work, in concert with the 34th TrainingWing’s, became the model for

Air Force and Department ofDefense sexual assault policies and practices. Finally, our facultyspearheaded much ofthe initial cadet training on ODS and the Uniform Code of MilitaryJustice while continuing to provide outstanding character-building learning opportunities for cadets. We’re thinking outside the box and we’re transforming attitudes in the process.

However, we also need to consider the environment our graduates will serve in today. September 11, 2001 forever changed our strategies for defense; the post-9/11 world demands so much more of our lieutenants. We graduated 922 second lieutenants last year; 87 percent ofthem could expect to deploy to a war zone, compared with 20 percent during the Cold War. As a result, the DoD is focusing great attention on the issues ofmulticultural awareness and appreciation, intercultural competencies, and foreign language proficiency and expertise. What will best prepare our new graduates for their upcoming assignments? Whether we deal with the environment within USAFA’s gates or we consider the environment our graduates will serve in, our ability to respond to and anticipate the demands will come with re-thinking and transforming our educational practices. And the key to transforming our curriculum will

be to dovetail and balance disciplinary-based academics with leadership and character development opportunities in the Training Wing and with the Department ofAthletics.

Shift from Teaching-focused to LearnING-FOCUSED EDUCATION

The classic educational experience that most of us grew up with focused on what the teacher was doing—delivering information. But, a large and ever-growing body of research provides conclusive evidence that students get a better education when educators focus on what students are learning instead ofwhat professors are teaching. For cadets this means more class time will be spent engaged in hands-on and minds-on learning activities. It also means the way they prepare for class will change. Cadets will have more responsibility for their own learning. Tests will increasingly evaluate understanding beyond memorization. Developing problem solving skills will be as important as learning content. This is a significant shift from what most grads remember as a fire hose blast ofinformation. For many faculty members it means a fundamental change in how they approach teaching. Professors too will have to change the way they prepare for class; they will lecture less and coach more.

Agility, innovation, and adaptability are the watch words in DoD’s transformation efforts, and they apply to educational transformation as well. As the pace ofchange quickens, the one thing we can be sure of is we don’t know what challenges and opportunities today’s cadets will face in the operational Air Force. Therefore, we must arm our graduates with the tools to handle problems that don’t fit into any checklist. Learning-focused education aims to help cadets develop tools they can use when they run across novel problems in a lab, at a meeting, or on a battlefield. It emphasizes innovative and broad thinking, agile responses to problems, and adapting what is known to understand new situations. In the end, the most important lesson we can teach cadets is how to teach themselves.

Make Research Count

USAFA supports research that opens doors for cadets to directly contribute to solving current problems. Working on real problems with no approved solution has improved cadets’ abilities to break down complex problems into bite-size chunks and then to attack the smaller problems with imagination and team work. Working on problems like the Space Shuttle return to flight, reducing gunship drag, and dozens ofothers brings out the motivation, confidence, intelligence, and leadership that cadets possess.

Fortunately, our research program has expanded dramatically over the past few years and we now have ten research centers within the Dean ofthe Faculty. Our research director Lt. Col. Jody Mandeville, ’88, has sharpened our focus on Air Force and DoD related areas. Our fledgling Center for Research on Learning and Teaching under the direction ofDr. Eric Hamilton is providing world-class research and development grounding for our learning-focus transformation efforts in our classrooms and for education and training practices well beyond USAFA. The latest research development is the Center for Space and Defense Studies. Col. Doug Murray (Head ofthe Political Science Department), Ambassador Roger Harrison, and Maj. Deron Jackson formed a team to lead the conversation on space policy. The CSDS has received tremendous

support within the government and civilian space communities. With so much spacerelated activity along the Front Range, locating the new center at USAFA was a natural fit and will pay dividends for cadets who will be involved in helping frame future space policy.

Many of our most important initiatives and programs are funded by you— through your contributions to the AOG. Your generous gifts to academic programs totaling almost a quarter of a million dollars last year allowed us to provide cadets the extra margin ofexcellence. Your contributions sent cadets out for Cadet Summer Research and brought in world famous speakers to discuss current events and character. You sponsored the Cadet Leadership Enrichment Seminar to help new cadet commanders get off on the right foot and you funded our Scholars Program to further enrich some of our

brightest cadets. I’m proud to see the Long Blue Line involved in making USAFA better. Thank you for supporting the next generation ofAir Force leaders.

I have outlined just a few of the Dean of the Faculty team initiatives. This is by no means an exhaustive list—our journey for educational transformation has really just begun, but we will move quickly. And yes, I understand that it can be a scary thing to face change at a rapid rate and that part of that fear is that we risk losing “the good” ofwhat we found familiar. But our educational system must keep pace with the transformations in higher education and in our force if we are to best prepare our graduates to be the next generation of officers and leaders of character. Let me encourage all ofyou to help us help our cadets think outside the box as we steer a course for educational transformation and journey to new levels of excellence. S

THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN AN EXCITING AND CHALLENGING TIME FOR YOUR ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE AOG OPERATED OUT OF A ROOM IN SIJAN HALL AND HAD ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE ON THE STAFF. WE

NOW HAVE A STAFF OF 43 HIGHLY DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN AND A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING. DOOLITTLE HALL, FUNDED BY THE DONATIONS OF OUR SUPPORTERS. WITH RAPID GROWTH COME HIGHER MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS AND THE CONTINUOUS COMMITMENT BY THE BOARD AND STAFF TO DO BETTER TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE ACADEMY, GRADUATES AND SUPPORTERS.

REVIEW

In order to continually improve our support to you, we are planning on a major survey ofthe graduate community in the next few months. Your candid input will assist us in determining the future priorities of the organization. We will also be mailing out proposed bylaw revisions based on this summers elections and the hard work of the Blue Ribbon Council which the AOG created to examine the bylaws and our operations. We are extremely grateful to the men and women who spent long hours under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Brad Hosmer, ’59, developing sound recommendations on where the organization should head in the future. It is extremely important that we reach a quorum (25 percent of the membership) in the upcoming bylaw election. I encourage you to vote on these important bylaw changes.

Alumni relations and communications continue to be primary areas of our focus. Our new Web site has received mixed reviews from the membership. We have listened and improved our discussion forum. One of the board’s goals is to create an E-community where graduates can interact on a wide array of issues from providing job assistance to mentoring. Your answers to the survey will help us focus on specific areas where we can do better with our E-communications.

One of our new communication products, ZoomiEnews, received high praise from membership. This newsletter allows us to keep the membership updated on Academy events between issues of Checkpoints. From all the feedback we get, Checkpoints remains one ofthe premier alumni magazines in the country. Our communications office garnered seven awards at last year’s District competition from the Council for the Advancement and Support ofEducation including the best communications office of a school our size for the second year in a row. It is amazing what this office does with a five person staff—our counterparts at Annapolis and West Point have 10 people working communications’ issues.

This past summer we posted pictures of Basic Cadet Training on our Web site (www.usafa.org) and we were receiving over 4 million hits a month. We have

also pushed out several e-mails to the membership on key issues such as election results, major Academy issues, and senior Academy leadership changes. We believe it is important to give you breaking news as soon as it is available.

The board has also decided to continue with a printed Register ofGraduates for this year and 2006. The staff did a great job pulling things together and got the register out with minimal delay.

On the alumni relations front, we have made a strong commitment to get out on the road and visit as many chapters and graduate groups as possible. We were also instrumental in getting Lt. Gen. John Rosa and the Academy staff out to visit many ofyou. Last summer’s Graduate Leadership Conference was a big success. Academy senior leadership once again spent a large amount of time talking and listening to the almost 150 attendees.

Ifyou would like to attend next year’s conference in July, please let us know.

Last year we hosted over 3,000 graduates and their spouses during the reunion season. While the weather often didn’t cooperate and it was a challenging football season, returning graduates gave our staff high marks for putting on first class events.

We continue to have an influence in Academy affairs as a respected voice of the graduate community. I remain committed

to providing your feedback—good and bad—to the Board ofVisitors, Academy and Air Staff senior leadership. Due in large part to our efforts, we now have three graduates on the BOV. The Speaker of the House just selected Gen. (Ret.) H.T. Johnson, ’59, to be his representative on the BOV. He joins Nancy Kudla, ’80, and Charles Garcia, ’83.

I am encouraged that our positive relationship will extend to the new Air Force Secretary Mike Wynne, the new Air Force ChiefofStaff Gen. Mike Moseley and our new superintendent, Lt. Gen. John Regni, ’73. I have already met with the new SECAF and CSAF on two occasions. They support your AOG and its mission and are committed to making the Academy “The Air Force’s” Academy. Lt. Gen. Regni has already briefed two reunion classes and our board in his first 18 days on the job. I want to emphasize that being a respected voice is important to what we do for the Academy and our graduates. The Air Force has adopted a Force Shaping policy that will result in over 1,700 officers from the 2002/03 year groups being separated from the service because the Air Force can not meet congressionally mandated end strength goals. This policy has already effected some graduates and has the potential to effect many more. We have been able to interact directly with general officers on the Air Staff and senior leadership in the Secretariat. We have caused the Air Staff to re-examine some policies and we have assisted effected grads in their job search. To learn more about this policy and how you can help please go to the Career Center and Member Discussion sections of our Web site.

At the Army game, it was my pleasure to present Lt. Gen. Regni and the Academy with a check for nearly $ 1.2M. These funds were a result of a successful fund raising year in spite ofseveral hurdles both the Academy and the Association ofGraduates faced in the last Fiscal Year. It is clear to me that many graduates and supporters continue to believe strongly in both institutions and are committed to supporting today’s cadets. Many of our character development programs would not

be offered without the AOG. Our world acclaimed National Character and Leadership Seminar in February is largely funded through the generosity of the AOG, graduate classes, and its members. Ifyou would like to attend this great conference, please let us know or sign up on the Academy Web site. AOG funding also allows cadets to develop their leadership abilities in club activities ranging from debate to national championship rugby teams. Funding for cultural immersion programs and foreign area studies allows the Academy to produce officers with the language and global awareness that are increasingly needed in the Global War on Terrorism.

Our initiative to provide Checkpoints to those cadets who have signed up for the Life Membership at Graduation program continues to receive positive feedback from the cadets. I think it is important that our cadets become connected with their alumni association early in their stay at the Academy. Checkpoints allows them to see the accomplishments oftheir predecessors and gain an appreciation oftheir heritage. We have one ofthe highest membership percentages of any university in the country. Much of our success with new cadets is due to solid marketing and branding that takes place before appointees and parents even arrive at Doolittle Hall for in-processing. In-processing continues to be a big suecess for the AOG and provides us with the opportunity to expose the new basics to their history and heritage. They are briefed about the danger and importance ofthe profession of arms at the replica ofthe War Memorial (funded by the Class of 1970) and the ’59 Challenge Bridge along our growing Heritage Trail. The latter are both great testaments to the power ofprivate funding and vividly illustrate our commitment to the preservation of our heritage. I can assure you that the programs you are presently funding will remain a need for the Academy in the future. Those programs as well as those identified in the campaign—Building Leaders ofCharacterfor the Nation—which will soon go public, will allow us to continue to attract the best and brightest students to ensure the Academy remains one of the premier

learning institutions in the country. And more importantly, they help guarantee the Academy will produce the best officers of character to lead our Air Force and nation.

As I travel around the country and speak to different groups, many ofyou ask, “What can I do to help?”

First I think it would be a mistake to think that this is the “graduates’” Academy. The Academy belongs to the American people and it is run by the Air Force. The Air Force determines the product it needs for today’s Air Force—not the Air Force ofthirty, twenty or even ten years ago. But graduates can provide valuable feedback and suggestions on how we do the business of educating and training tomorrow’s leaders.

We want to hear your concerns, because I see the AOG as a conduit of information—a group that provides constructive feedback and shares suggestions from concerned graduates. I believe that a strong relationship exists today between the Academy’s communications director, Johnny Whitaker, ’73, and our vice president of communications, Dick Rauschkolb, ’70. Their excellent relations allow positive interaction to take place. That relationship allows us to get information out quickly to you as well.

Graduates who really want to help the Academy can also consider doing some of the following:

Get in touch with the liaison officers in your area and offer to assist them in recruiting the best young people for the Academy. Many of our liaison officers are not graduates and they are overworked; graduate assistance in recruiting would be deeply appreciated by all.

Contact your Congressperson and offer to sit on their selection board— help us get the best young people.

Work with the local Parent Club by offering to be a resource ofinformation for the many questions parents have.

Use Checkpoints—it is an excellent alumni magazine as evidenced by the many CASE awards it has won.

Graduates could use the stories about cadets, graduates and the Academy to write articles for their local papers, for speeches to civic groups, or for interviews with the local media. It is a tremendous resource that provides good news about the Academy. Graduates should use it to spread the word. We try to get out the good news—but, as you know, bad news sells. Perhaps grads will have better success in their local communities. Additionally, send us stories about Academy graduates and their accomplishments.

Be active in local chapters—either by participating or starting ones. A bigger network of “connected” graduates will make a stronger Association. Volunteer labor is what makes chapters work and achieve success.

The coming year promises to be exciting as we look for better ways to support the graduate community and the Academy. We look to improve our strategic planning process, increase our transparency, improve our services to you, and launch a major fund raising campaign. Perhaps the most critical items are the election we are about to hold on the bylaws and the graduate survey. Both will have a profound impact on where your Association ofGraduates heads in the future. I am confident the graduate community will be responsible and all will vote and participate in these important initiatives.

The following sections outline many of the projects your AOG staff undertook in the past fiscal year. These extremely dedicated men and woman have earned a professional reputation among our constituents around the counrty as well as among their colleagues in higher education. As you will see, they have won awards and received recognition from the Academy and the Air Force. They work hard for you and the Academy. When you get a chance, please thank them for doing a great job.

James A. Shaw, ’67 President and CEO Association of Graduates

FY 2005 (July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005) was an exceptional year in every way. In addition to adding a new crop ofgraduates and swelling the ranks ofliving graduates to 36,730 we increased membership to:

The class with the highest percentage of members is 1960 and the class with the lowest percentage of members is 1986.

We are now up to seven reunions (10th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th) on four separate weekends each year. The Academy and the AOG hosted more than 3,000 graduates and spouses. The AOG was also selected by six ofthese classes to assist with their reunion merchandise and reunion registration gifts. Trying a new approach, the AOG

teamed with a single private vendor who provided nearly all ofthe merchandise and gifts. This consolidated approach meant that the graduates were able to order and receive their merchandise prior to the reunion and, since many classes offered similar items, still keep the prices reasonable. Using this vendor also allowed graduates to order items for a limited time after their reunion—something that was difficult to do in the past because ofminimum order requirements. As a result, total gross sales ofclass specific merchandise for the reunions exceeded $80,000.

Academy Today continued to assist with the AcademyToday, where we help get the Academy and AOG staff out to groups around the country to tell the Academy story.

Chalk Talk January 2005 was our first foray into encouraging graduates to come out to a non-football, pre-game event with a member of the coaching staff. In this fiscal year, we planned two basketball events and one hockey event.

We also now have some 48 chapters ofvarious sizes around the country. We helped coordinate speaking engagements in 13 major cities around the country. The superintendent, the senior staff, and athletic coaches all participated. The former Air Force Chief of Staff, General Jumper, volunteered to speak to a chapter in Texas.

The AOG has a three-part mission ofserving the graduate community; supporting the Academy and its cadets; and recording, preserving and enhancing institutional heritage. How well did we do? The following is a list of things we did, in no particular order.

We hosted and/or supported at USAFA:

Founders Day Dinner & Distinguished Graduate Award - The AOG awarded distinguished Graduates Awards to Gen. (Ret.) Ron Yates, ’60, and Col. (Ret.) Fred Gregory, ’64. This annual event continues to grow in popularity and is expanding to events held in chapters around the country.

Jabara Award Dinner - Given by the Academy, the 2005 Jabara Award for Airmanship was presented at a dinner hosted by the AOG to Lt. Col. Keith D. Schultz, ’92, for his contributions to airpower during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Inprocessing

In 1992, the Academy began having appointees report to Doolittle Hall and from there take busses to the Cadet Area. The AOG gives over the entire building for a week of preparation culminated by the arrival of 1,200-1,300 new appointees and their families. This year, new appointees walked to Doolittle Hall along the Class of 1960 walkway (a gift of the Class of 1960) and, after beginning in-processing inside, were shown the War Memorial Wall replica (a gift from the Class of 1970) and then walked across the ’59 Challenge Bridge (a gift from the Class of 1959) to board busses for their new life.

Bed & Breakfast The B & B program for unaccompanied appointees was another great success with more than 400 appointees being hosted by over 190 local graduates, Academy staffand friends of the Academy.

Outstanding Squadron Banquet - Formerly planned, executed and funded by the Academy and the Air Force Association, the Outstanding Squadron banquet is now planned and executed by the AOG and the Academy in support of the Air Force Association. Funding is through the Air Force Association, corporate support and ticket sales. This event honors the Outstanding Cadet Squadron each year.

Graduation Open House at Doolittle Hall offers parents and graduates a welcome respite from the busy graduation schedule and offers an opportunity to have family photos taken.

Appointee Days The AOG helps the Academy welcome the young men and women who have been offered appointments to the Academy to visit and see for themselves what they are about to enter. The AOG serves as welcoming spokesperson and participates in the parent briefings.

Parents Weekend Open House at Doolittle Hall welcomes all parents, but especially Doolie parents and shows them the legacy that graduates have built and which their cadets will continue.

Planned the Graduate Leadership Conference held in July 2005. The GLC brought together some 130 graduates for two days of briefings and question and answer sessions about the Academy today. The Academy and the AOG hope to continue this highly successful event on a recurring schedule.

Warrior Run The Commandant started a new tradition three years ago ofending BCT with a 35 mile relay run and wanted it to also underscore the connection to the Long Blue Line. The AOG arranged for representatives ofeach graduated class to participate in the ceremony starting the run and ending it.

Acceptance Parade & Contrails presentation - The AOG helped the Class of 1969 become the sixth class to sponsor Contrails and further connect todays classes with the graduate community and its legacy.

Commitment Dinner With the support ofJostens, the AOG provided the ceremonial second lieutenant bars, engraved with “2006,” for the dinner marking the Class of 2006 commitment to the Air Force.

Ring Dining Out - One of our oldest traditions continues, with the AOG working with Jostens to help the class design their unique rings. The AOG, with a gift from Jostens, helps fund the Ring Dining Out, provides the class crest and ensures that all rings are present and accounted for.

100th Night The AOG now works with

the Academy to ensure that the mentor class (the class that sponsored Contrails) is invited to 100th Night and all significant class-related dinners and events.

Exemplar Dinner Each class now chooses a class “exemplar” and associates that person forever with their class. The AOG helps fund this event and also ensures that the mentor class is invited.

Falcon Heritage Forum - The Character Development Center each semester hosts a Falcon Heritage Forum to bring military veterans to the Academy to interact with cadets for a weekend. The AOG helps the CDC locate graduates who fit the theme of the forum.

National Character and Leadership Symposium - The AOG funds this event which brings students from around the country to learn from scholars, individuals and graduates about the importance of character in daily life.

GDS - The AOG presented a total of $10,000 in scholarships to 16 dependents of graduate members.

Class Rings - We worked with the classes of 2006 and 2007 in the design and acquisition of their rings and we returned 8 lost rings to their rightful owners in several graduate classes.

We were pleased to make Doolittle Hall available for In-processing as well as

over 20 other Academy events in addition to 25 Leaders in Flight Today events, 20 retirements, five promotions, two commissioning ceremonies and 25 weddings. The building also supported seven class reunions, Falcon Foundation meetings, the Silver Falcons Reunion and meeting, Parent Club meetings (including the Parent Club Presidents’ meeting that is held annually at Parents Weekend), as well as funeral receptions, anniversary parties, graduation parties, rehearsal dinners and many off-sites, seminars, conferences and military unit reunions.

Sadly, the AOG was notified ofthe deaths of54 graduates and cadets this year. We were pleased to be able to send notifications to the class, order flowers for the funeral on behalfofthe class and provide information on memorial funds that were established. A memorial service was conducted for each class during their reunion and the annual Memorial Service conducted as part of Flomecoming honored the 54 graduates and cadets who died this year.

Networking opportunities for graduates continue to be abundant. With the alumni organizations from the other service academies, we hosted Service Academy Career Conferences in Wash

ington D.C., San Diego, Calif., and San Antonio, Texas. Nearly 2,000 service academy graduates had an opportunity to meet face-to-face with recruiters from almost 200 companies who are specifically interested in the skills academy graduates offer. Our other career programs—SABRD, iSABRD, and JSAJE Plus—continue to mature and offer additional opportunities to our gradu

ates. The S215/?Z)/iSABRD database currently contains more than 31,800 profiles of service academy graduates, most of whom are willing to assist other graduates with their transition. JSAJE Plus, which was originally a job posting site, has been expanded so that it is now also a resume repository for graduates seeking new employment opportunities.

We published four editions of Checkpoints, totaling 840 pages, in addition to the RegisterofGraduates. We produced Contrails, the AOG Parent Handbook, videos, CDs, radio and television ads We posted more than 1,100 photographs on our Web site along with more than 200 articles about the Academy. We sent out over 20 e-mails to the 15,000 people for whom we have e-mail addresses to keep them abreast ofwhat is happening here. Additionally,

we answered over 2000 e-mails and fielded a similar number oftelephone calls about the events at the Academy. We developed a Web page for the incoming class and their parents with helpful information.

Customer Service continues to be the voice and face ofthe AOG to many of our constituents. The first contact for every visitor, whether in person or by phone, is with Customer Service. Answering questions about the AOG or the Academy, handling event registrations and receiving RSVPs for events, renting sabers to graduate members, selling merchandise, setting up golf reservations, processing all incoming and outgoing mail and packages are things routinely handied in Customer Service. Their interaction with the public reduces the interruptions to the remainder of the staffand allows the staff to be more productive.

We expanded our Web site and are working on rolling out a completely new site.

Under a system approved by the Academy, the AOG has been granted the authority to issue limited-duration base passes to those graduates who no longer have a military ID card. Customer Service verifies the requestor’s information, processes the request, and mails the pass to the graduate. By eliminating the need to go through the congestion at the Visitor Control Center at the Academy’s south gate, this system has made it significantly easier for graduates to visit their alma mater.

In conjunction with the other service academies and through a new association with Global Flolidays, we offered travel programs for graduates to take cruises and tours with other service Academygraduates.

We helped Academy Liaison Officers and graduates connect to provide assistance to the ALOs in recruiting the next generation of cadets. We also helped ALO directors in their recruiting of new Liaison Officers by helping them locate graduates in their regions ofgreatest need.

Thanks to gifts from several classes, we significantly expanded the Heritage Trail. The Class of 1970 added a replica of the War Memorial. The Class of 1959 added the Challenge Bridge. The Class of 1960 landscaped the front of Doolittle Hall enabling us to better host In-Processing

and the Class of 1983 and the Class of 1960 have helped fund the next extension to the Heritage Trail.

During 2005, the AOG Information Systems department took on an ambitious plan to upgrade the AOG computer infrastructure to move towards independence from the Academy’s network. Over the past several years the computer resource business needs of the AOG and the security needs imposed on the Academy’s computer resources have been at odds with each other. Both the Academy and the AOG agreed that a greater degree of independence for the AOG was needed to remove any appearance of misuse of government computer resources.

The AOG will continue to have a presence on the USAFA network to fulfill AOG obligations to support Academy events (like In-Processing, Academy off-sites, conferences, ceremonies, etc.). The separation of common business practices from military security concerns will actually increase Academy and AOG flexibility and efficiencies so that both can better achieve their missions. Toward that end, the AOG has established its own network domain, e-mail system, and Web site separate from the Academy’s network. Other on-going projects include replacing older, obsolete computers with current technology, consolidating printer maintenance contracts, upgrading telephone and data network wiring within Doolittle Hall and improvements to the functionality ofthe AOG Web site.

This past Fiscal Year saw our communications office showered with honors once again at the annual District VI Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Conference. Bob McAllister, our Director ofMedia and Marketing, garnered Gold and Silver Awards in the Excellence in Advertising category. He won both for directing and producing radio ads about the AOG and Academy for all radio broadcasts of Falcon sports. Bob also won a Silver Award in the Excellence in Multimedia-Video category for the trailer he produced for the Academy documentary—Wings ofHonor. Ken Wright, our photojournalist, won Gold and Silver awards as well. He won Gold in the Excellence in Photography category for his photos in the Checkpoints article, “A Toast to 2004,” and he won Silver in the same category for his photos in the Checkpoints article, “Reporting to USAFA.” Sarah Wright, our world class graphic designer, and Ken teamed up to win Gold in the Excellence in Advertising category for the “Faces of USAFA” Web ad. Dick Rauschkolb’s staff—Bob, Ken, Sarah, Chris Stewart, and Tom Kroboth won Gold in the Excellence in Education Advancement category. This award recognized your Communications office as the best in the district among schools of our size—for the second year in a row. Since entering this competition three years ago, our staff has won 12 awards.

The CASE Conference provides a great opportunity for our staff to interact with

counterparts from over 60 schools across the Midwest. It is clear from the feedback that we get that other schools can not believe all the projects our small staff does and the outstanding quality of all our products. Other schools, including our sister service academies, have communications staffs of 10-20 people. The fact that we produce a quarterly alumni magazine, a Register ofGraduates, a calendar, videos, CDs, and products for the Annual Fund, the Sabre Society, and the comprehensive campaign with a staff of five and a half people amazes our counterparts. When you add the other support we provide such as developing Web content, producing flyers, designing invitations, preparing briefings, taking special photography, writing press releases, laying out ZoomiEnews, and drafting E-postcards—people in the know say we have more than earned the high recognition we receive.

In the summer of2004 BursonMarsteller, a nationally recognized public relations firm, did some pro bono work for us thanks to board member Charles Garcia, ’83. They surveyed a representative group ofgraduates about our communications and made recommendations to the AOG Strategic Communications Committee headed by Charles. The committee, after some modifications to the report, presented a communications plan to the board and posted it on the Web site. That plan will become part of the AOG’s new strategic plan which will soon be available in draft form on the Web site. C>

Last November we launched a new Web site. Chris Stewart from our office teamed with the Information Systems staff to develop this site based on a lot ofresearch ofother alumni Web sites. While we received many favorable comments about the site, some graduates were upset that our discussion forum wasn’t as user friendly as it needed to be. That problem was addressed and the discussion forum, while not perfect yet, is easier to use. The Alumni Relations Committee has established as a goal to create an “E-community” among graduates and supporters. With the creation and distribution of ZoomiEnews, our efforts to push email out to the graduate community on critical issues, an up-to date Web site with news about the Academy, our Career Center, and a better discussion forum, we are well along the road to an “E-community.” Nevertheless, we look forward to your constructive suggestions and providing you with increased communications over the coming months.

Along those lines, we will be sending a survey out to the graduate community after the first of the year. We are looking for your feedback on a wide range of issues that will assist us in meeting the needs of the graduate community. We will also be launching a concentrated communications effort to ensure we get the graduate community to vote on proposed changes to the bylaws. It is very important that we get everyone to vote on these changes.

Many graduates have heard that we plan to launch a major fund raising campaign to raise $ 100 million to support Academy and cadet programs. Our sister service academies at West Point and Annapolis raised over $200 million in their respective campaigns. Details about the BuildingLeaders ofCharacterfor the Nation Campaign will be coming out shortly after the first ofthe year.

The board decided at the November board meeting that it would produce a printed Register ofGraduates this year and next. Due to the late decision, the Registerwill be mailed a little late this year. The staffput in some long hours to make this years publication come together in a short period oftime. We especially want to thank those advertisers who signed up at the last minute to defray some ofthe costs ofprinting this year’s

Register. Their support for the AOG and the Academy is deeply appreciated.

Checkpoints remains one of the premier alumni magazines in the country. Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox, the superintendent at West Point, has told their AOG that he would like their magazine, Assembly to start containing stories like those in Checkpoints. Our goals remain to tell the Academy story through the accomplishments of its graduates—both military and civilian, to highlight the great achievements oftoday’s cadets, and to capture the Academy’s heritage and history. We believe, like every premier university in the country, an alumni magazine should make its graduates and supporters proud ofthe institution. Too often in the past few years the press has focused on the negative actions of a few; our job is to present the other side of the picture. We will keep you informed ofthe bad news as well as the good, but Checkpoints’focus will remain on the above goals.

In partnership with the Air Force Academy, the Association ofGraduates is in the initial stages ofthe BuildingLeaders ofCharacterfor the Nation Campaign that will change the face ofthe Academy for many years to come. Throughout the next several years, the AOG will be asking the extended Academy family to assist us in securing funds to:

Create a National Character and Leadership Development Center

Expand academic research opportunities for cadets

Provide additional funding for Falcon Foundation scholarships

Establish athletic leadership endowments

Build an admissions welcome center and a memorial pavilion in the cemetery

This spring we are looking forward to the publication of the Turner Publishing coffee table book, Flight ofExcellence, which will chronicle the heart and soul of cadet life over the past five decades. Ifyou haven’t ordered your copy, you should do so soon. We are continuing our efforts to raise funding for the major documentary, Wings ofHonor. This is not a historical documentary, but rather a major production by CINE Films that will capture the essence of cadet life and the accomplishments ofAcademy graduates by taking a never before seen view of cadet life and the accomplishments ofgraduates. This is a $4 million project and we need sponsors, so ifyou have fund raising suggestions or contacts please contact us.

The coming year offers more challenges on the communications front. We look forward to meeting them and hearing your constructive suggestions on how we can better serve you.

As we begin this journey, we are happy to report that through the generosity of more than 7,600 graduates, parents, friends, corporations and foundations, gifts to the Association ofGraduates in support ofthe Air Force Academy continue to make a difference. During the 2005 fiscal year, the AOG secured $6.8 million in contributions.

Air Force Academy Fund

More than $2.11 million ofannual resources were provided through the Air Force Academy Fund. Along with providing association and graduate services support, the Air Force Academy fund is used by the Superintendent to fund priorities on the Academy’s annual gift needs list. Each year, the annual gift: needs list in comprised ofAcademy identified important non-government funded programs and activities. Annual donations

to the Air Force Academy Fund are needed to support the Academy’s major priorities and to provide resources for additional immediate and emerging opportunities that enable the Academy to reach new levels of excellence. Some ofthe programs that were supported this year through the Air Force Academy Fund include:

Cadet weight room enhancements

Distinguished guest speakers

Cadet Squadron improvements

Foreign immersion opportunities

Character Education programs

Engineering programs like Field Engineering and Readiness Lab and Rocket Research

Cadet clubs like Falconry, Saber Drill Team and Men’s and Women’s Rugby And Much More!

Class Giving

A special thanks goes out to our reunion classes who, as in the past, were extremely generous. Of particular note, the Class of 1964 secured more than $500,000 in gifts and commitments, representing the largest class gift in the Academy’s history. These funds will be used to support the Mall of Eleroes heritage project commemorating the heroic acts of Karl Richter, ’65, and Lance Sijan, ’64.

The Class of 1984 secured $150,000 for their class gift. These funds will be used to support the Memorial Pavilion in the Academy cemetery. The driveway and turnaround leading up to the pavilion will be named in the class’ honor.

Major Gifts

For the 4th year in a row, on behalf of the Academy, the AOG received a $1 million commitment (only the 5th of its kind). This generous gift given byJack & Vianne Kucera, ’78, will be used at the superintendent’s discretion for a wide array of cadet and graduate related projects.

In addition to this contribution, the AOG received 28 other commitments for the Academy of $25,000 or more. These gifts are all in support of initiatives outlined in the Academy’s strategic plan and are part of the Building Leaders ofCharacterfor the Nation campaign.

We would like to thank the following individuals who have donated $ 1M or more to better the Academy experience for today’s cadets:

Ted and Tricia Legasey, '67

Dick and Kathy Schlosberg, '65

Harry and Kathy Pearce, '64

John and Mari Ann Martin, '69

Jack and Vianne Kucera, 78

Estate of Richard A. Yudkin

Corporations and Foundations

In fiscal year 2005, corporations and foundations provided more than $600,000 in gifts and commitments to the Academy. Included in this amount is a $375,000 gift in support of cultural immersion programs for cadets. Through the generosity of the George & Carol Olmsted Foundation, over 100 cadets have the opportunity to travel abroad annually.

Polaris Society (Estate and Planned Gifts)

During the 2005 fiscal year, the AOG received two ofthe largest estate commitments ever given to the Academy. These commitments—one of$500,000 from a member ofthe Class of 1970 and one of $250,000 from a parent of a graduate—will provide support ofAcademy and AOG efforts in the future. The AOG is in the process ofexpanding its planned giving program and hopes that more graduates will support our efforts through their estates. C>

The AOG had a strong year financially in FY 2005. Net income was $2.7 million; up from $1.9 million in FY 2004, driven primarily by higher contributions, robust investment returns, and an increase in membership. The increase in these revenues enabled the AOG to increase spending, primarily for Academy and member services, and to increase the balances in funds that have been restricted for specific future purposes.

Contributions (net ofdiscounts and allowances) were $6.7 million, an increase of$600,000 or 10 percent from FY 2004.

OUR

The increase in contributions reflects the building momentum in fundraising associated with the board’s campaign to raise significant money to support the Academy. While the momentum in contributions continued to build, the cost associated with raising funds was effectively flat, increasing only $31,000 from 2004.

As ofJune 30, 2005, the AOG’s investment portfolio had grown to $23.2 million, up from $20.4 million. Of that amount $13 million is invested to support current operations, programs services,

and growth for our endowments. The remaining $10.2 million supports the Life Membership fund and Agency funds. Total investment income was $2.2 million, ofwhich $1.4 million is reported as income for the AOG and the remainder was the return on deferred Life Membership and Agency funds. Fiscal year 2005 was the first full year of investment performance after the AOG changed its approach to investing its portfolio from a passive approach using a single manager, to an active approach, focused on multiple asset managers who specialize in different market sectors, enabling us to manage our risk through diversification. At year end, 51 percent of our portfolio was invested in Equity funds, 20 percent in Fixed income, 19 percent in Limited p-Partnerships and the remainder in Real Estate Investment Trusts. The portfolio’s total return was 10.6 percent, which exceeded our targets across all asset classes.

Membership dues were $807,000, up 11 percent from the prior year. The driving force behind the increase in dues were parents of the entering class ofcadets, who joined the AOG to have access to up-todate information about the progress of the Class of 2009 through the summer, particularly BCT.

The high revenues enabled the AOG to increase its support for Academy and Member Services, which grew by 18 percent. The AOG increased its giving to the Academy by $220,000, or 10 percent. The increase was primarily to support Character Development Programs, though there were small increases in almost all other categories ofAcademy support as well. Spending for Member Services increased by $300,000, which included approximately $150,000 ofredirected staffefforts and $125,000 of direct costs associated with the bi-annual election and resolution ofbylaws issues.

At June 30, the AOG had 45 full and part-time employees, compared with 44 at the end ofJune, 2004. However, total staffing was as high as 49 during the year, with the lower number at year-end due to normal turnover.

Financial Statements

Some think annual giving is not a foreign language •

Gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund support important cultural and foreign language immersion programs for cadets including travel scholarships, cadet/faculty area studies groups, semester exchanges, distinguished international visitors and the four-year international cadet program.

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.

Is your entire life “subject to change without sufficient notice”? Problem is, the same might apply to the military benefits and programs you count on. While you’re fighting for your country, Congress debates your pay, health benefits and other issues that impact you and your family. You need a strong ally to speak up for you.

Force Shaping

Brig. Gen. Glenn Spears, ’78

Director of Force Management Policy, Chief of Staff for Personel

By now you’ve likely heard of the Air Force’s Force Shaping program—a process to proactively shape our active duty force for the future. Force Shaping will also correct our current imbalance between our officer and enlisted force. Force Shaping will affect all of our active duty airmen—officer and enlisted, grads and those who attended a “real” college. I’d like to give you a short, “clear text” explanation ofwhy and how we intend to shape our force. So let’s start with the “why.”

Without question our airmen are our most important weapon system. As such, we have to manage the balance and health of our force with the same rigor as we do aircraft, missiles and satellites. Airmen are our costliest weapon system as well; the cost to acquire, sustain and maintain our airmen continues to increase. Any imbalance affects mission accomplishment, and any excess detracts from our ability to invest for the future. For the last few years our active duty force has been both out of

balance and excess to requirement, a very costly combination. In fact, as recently as July 2004 we had some 22,000 more airmen on active duty than authorized (and funded). In 2005 we pushed our force back to the right size through cuts in enlisted accessions and voluntary enlisted and officer separations. But we began fiscal year 2006 with about 3,000 too many officers and 6,000 too few enlisted airmen. And while we have some shortages in field grade officers, we have some 4,000 too many officers who were commissioned between 2000 and 2005. Just like a cadet after summer leave, we have to get our force back into shape.

How will we shape our force?—carefully and deliberately. We designed a process, approved by both the secretary and chief ofstaffof the Air Force, to proactively manage our force each year to meet current and best-known future requirements. This includes establishing clear requirements for officers and enlisted, by specialty. We then adjust the “inflow,” “crossflow” and “outflow” to establish and sustain healthy career fields—through accessions, promotions, re-enlistments, career job reservations, cross-training, bonuses, separations and retirements.

This year we need to increase the outflow—principally from the junior officer

force—to correct the operational challenge ofhaving too many junior officers. Although it feels counter intuitive to be reducing manpower during a conflict, it is really the right thing to do to ensure that we can meet current and future requirements. What’s wrong with having too many junior officers? We have some career fields that are over 200 percent manned in lieutenants. In this situation we can’t properly develop them to be the leaders we need in the future. We also burden our enlisted force by allowing the imbalance to continue. To carry this officer overstrength, we must be understrength in enlisted. This means our Air Force has too few enlisted professionals to properly execute the mission. The bottom line is that our Air Force must fix the imbalance. This is why we tackled the problem head on.

First, we opened a number of avenues for officers to voluntarily separate with a waiver of their active duty service commitments, to transfer to one of our reserve components, or to retire—if retirement eligible—with only two years time in grade. We’ve also partnered with the Army to encourage junior officers to execute an inter-service transfer. In most instances, we’ve waived the requirement to repay bonuses and education costs. But these voluntary programs have not been sufficient. Therefore, in October we announced that the secretary would convene a Force Shaping Board in April 2006 that will “select in” officers for continued service.

The FSB is intended to be an annual process—part of our proactive force management. The 2006 FSB will consider line officers who were commissioned in 2002 and 2003 and are in specialties with more officers than required. We determined that we had 1,715 more line officers in these two year groups than our force requires. We are encouraging voluntary separations, and have had over 300 so far. But we will employ the board to involuntarily separate officers if needed. A key point to keep in mind is that even with these reductions no career field will be allowed to drop below the strength required to keep it healthy and viable for the future.

Why these groups when the 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005 year groups are also overstrength? Public law allows the services to enact the force shaping provision for those officers who have completed up to five years ofcommissioned service. The law allows us to separate those beyond five years commissioned service in some specific circumstances, but we’ve chosen to restrict the initial FSB eligibles as noted. In subsequent years a FSB will evaluate an officer in his or her third year ofcommissioned service for either separation or crossflow to an undermanned career field. For more specifics on the FSB, I invite you to review our Spread the Word briefing on AFPC’s Force Shaping website (http://www.afpc. randolph.af.mil/retsep/shape.htm).

Yes, we know the Air Force will be asking quality officers to leave, but we must proactively balance the force. The Air Force values the service and sacrifice of all airmen who volunteer to serve, and separating officers is a difficult decision that our chief and secretary did not take lightly. B

Deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests—to fly and fight in air, space and cyberspace

Air Force releases new mission statement

by Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle, AFPN USAF Photos

The realities of the world have changed dramatically since the creation of the Air Force in 1947 and continue to change almost daily.

With these changes in mind, Air Force leaders released a new mission statement Dec. 7 that defines the current and future direction of the Air Force.

“Today, our world is fast paced, constantly shifting and filled with a wide range of challenges,” Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley wrote in a joint Letter to Airmen. “Our mission is our guiding compass, and it must be clearer than ever before.”

The mission statement defines the “where and what” the Air Force accomplishes on a daily basis:

The mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States ofAmerica and its global interests—to fly and fight in air, space, and cyberspace.

The statement includes two new concepts, “sovereign options” and “cyberspace,” which the secretary and chief defined.

They said having sovereign options is the essence ofbeing a superpower.

“Our task is to provide the President and the combatant commanders with an array ofoptions options that are not limited by the tyranny ofdistance, the urgency oftime, or the strength of our enemy’s defenses,” they said. “With one hand the Air Force can deliver humanitarian assistance to the farthest reaches ofthe globe, while with the other hand we can destroy a target anywhere in the world.”

The term cyberspace includes network security, data transmission and the sharing of information.

“We have quite a few of our airmen dedicated to cyberspace from security awareness, making sure the networks can’t be penetrated, as well as figuring out countermeasures,” Secretary Wynne said. “The Air Force is a natural leader in the cyber world and we thought it would be best to recognize that talent.”

Adversaries of the United States will use any method or venue necessary to contest America, and it is an airman’s calling to dominate air, space and cyberspace, the leaders said.

“If we can decisively and consistently dominate our assigned commons, then we will deter countless conflicts,” they said. “If our enemies are foolish and underestimate our resolve, then we will fly, fight, and destroy them.”

Using past air power pioneers as examples of understanding the mission, they said, “Our new mission statement has evolved over time, but it does not change the nature ofwho we are or what we do.” 9

Tf)6 >\§6S

seemedesPedailx dark on this particular Saturday afternoon. No football game. No Allied Arts performance. Spring Break was many weeks away. The sky was a gloomy gray color. An icy fog covered the terrazzo.

“This sure reminds me ofWest Point,” mused Waldo about a place he had never seen.

C/4C Waldo F. Dumbsquat and his friends, Regs Buch and Warren Heels, sat sipping 3.2 beer in the Smack Bar. Arnold Hall was a hoppin’ place as the freshman class, with no place to go now that Chapel Privileges were found to be unconstitutional, had taken over the place. Doolies waited in line to use the pay phones, foosball tables, and piano.

“What do you guys want to do?” asked a bored Warren.

“Let’s get another pizza,” suggested Regs. He wanted another opportunity to talk to the girl behind the cash register. She had a nice smile.

“I’ve had about all the cardboard covered with cheese and tomato paste I can eat,” complained Waldo.

“I’ll buy ...”

“Make it with pepperoni this time,” replied Waldo to Regs.

As Regs left the table to place his order, Warren looked around the room. He hoped an upperclassman had made the gross error of bringing his girlfriend to Arnold Hall.

“Any luck, Warren?”

“Negative contact.”

“Maybe we’ll have better luck on St. Valentine’s Day ...”

“What’s the movie tonight?” asked Waldo’s friend.

“It’s a double feature! Ishtar and Heaven’s Gate.”

Returning from his mission, a depressed Regs slumped into the red chair next to his friends.

“Did you get a date?” asked Warren.

“Nope, she’s already engaged to a firstie. My social life is ruined because I don’t have a corvette!”

“Bummer.. .you got our pizza ordered, right?”

A secondclassman, restricted to the Cadet Area, dropped some coins in the jukebox and selected Ironman and Puppy Love. A collective “boo” rose up from the room.

Bad music was the last straw.

“We need a road trip!” exclaimed Regs.

“How about a ski trip?” offered Warren.

“I don’t ski,” lamented Waldo.

“Choir trip?”

“C’mon, you’ve heard me sing!”

“That just leaves one last option!” chortled Regs.

“You don’t mean ...”

“Yes, I mean the Drum and Bugle Corps!”

“The D and B is leaving for a competition in Hawaii tomorrow!” Warren informed his buddies.

Waldo realized they would need some help with this effort to escape the doldrums ofwinter at USAFA for the aloha drums. Scampering out the door, the doolie darted into the empty Firstie Lounge and spoke the magic words Bring Me Men. Instantly, the freshman transformed into the wise and powerful Colonel Waldo F. Dumbsquat, a man who didn’t hula or do the chicken dance. Striding to the Arnold Hall Command Post, he interrupted the NCOIC, who was on the phone with his girlfriend. The startled cadet rudely hung up the phone and jumped to attention.

“At ease, mister,” commanded the colonel. “I only need the phone for a moment. In the mean time, shine your shoes.”

“Yes, sir!”

Colonel Dumbsquat called the officer in charge of the Drum and Bugle Corps. Following a short one-sided chat, the officer hung up the phone. After inspecting the spit shine on the secondclassman’s shoes, he ducked into the latrine. The full colonel quickly morphed back into the puny form ofWaldo and rejoined Warren and Regs.

“Hey, Waldo,” said Warren excitedly, “while you were mysteriously gone for no reason, the NCOIC brought us a message. We’ve been assigned to the D and B as toadies!”

“That’s roadies,” Regs corrected.

Waldo grinned and picked up a piece of corrugated pizza. RH

Although few people know it today, compulsory chapel attendance at the U.S. service

ACADEMIES WAS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1973 UNTIL THIS QUITE RECENT DATE, PENALTIES FOR NONATTENDANCE AT SERVICE ACADEMY RELIGIOUS SERVICES COULD BE SEVERE. ALTHOUGH THE STATED

PURPOSE OF COMPULSORY CHAPEL ATTENDANCE WAS THE BUILDING OF CHARACTER, IT WAS LATER REPLACED BY A DECIDEDLY SECULAR CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS ARTICLE

EXPLAINS WHY AND HOW COURT CHALLENGES ENDED COMPULSORY CHAPEL ATTENDANCE.

Compulsorypublic church attendance, as prescribed by law, was nothing new. In the mid-1600s, both Britain’s Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell and Denmark’s King Christian VI had made church attendance the law. Scofflaws might be punished by fines, whipping, and even imprisonment. Compulsory attendance extended to the Colonies when in 1612 the Virginia Company’s colonial governor, Sir Thomas Dale (ofPocahontas fame), decreed that non-attendance at religious services could be punished increasingly by (1) a fine, (2) a whipping, and, finally, (3) 6 months in the galleys.

Prior to the passage of the Bill ofRights, the now-independent confederation states ofVirginia and Massachusetts had passed similar legislation requiring of its citizens compulsory church attendance. But in anticipation ofthe Bill of Rights, both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson drafted the Virginia Bill for Religious Liberty (1786). Their objections to compulsory religious attendance were not so much on moral grounds as on economic ones. Tax dollars were then freely funneled into supporting the churches. Despite the subsequent First Amendment guarantee of Freedom ofReligion, religious faith was still considered so important to the moral development ofmilitary officers that the 6th U.S Congress (1800) required Navy commanders to attend worship services.

The Art of Military Persuasion Begins

Compulsory chapel attendance (for both “academick officers and cadets”) had likewise been in effect at the U.S. MilitaryAcademy since 1821 and at the Naval Academy since 1853. However, a USNA graduate once informed us that by the 20th Century the Naval Academy had seemingly eased up a bit on the chapel requirement. If a midshipman refused to attend religious services, he had the unpleasant alternative ofwriting a 5,000-word essay, “Why I am an atheist.”

At the Naval and Military Academies, prior to 1974 students under the age of 21 were not permitted to change religious faith (even on grounds of conscientious objection) and their previous chapel attendance patterns without both the permission of their parents and the senior chaplain. The academies offered only three

choices of religious faith, Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish. During the previous 40 years, only 3 midshipmen and no cadets had been granted exception. (Anderson v. Laird, 1972).

The NeutralityTest

The First Amendment provides in part that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. These restrictions seek to prevent coerced religious adherence and to guarantee the free exercise of one’s religious beliefs. The Supreme Court has consistently taken the position that the First Amendment requires only that the government maintain a position of neutrality toward religion (School Dist. V. Schempp, 1963).

This concept of “neutrality” seems somewhat blurred in practice since it often involves the interpretation of the intent of government officials with respect to the secular purpose of a given law. Thus we’ve observed controversial, and arguably somewhat conflicting Supreme Court opinions, on issues ranging from a moment ofsilence in public schools with prayer designated as an acceptable use of that time (unconstitutional) (Wallace v. Jajfree, 1985) to publicly funded bus transportation to religious schools (constitutional) (.Everson v. Board ofEduc., 1947).

Preliminary Legal Challenges Begin

In 1969, the issue of compulsory chapel at last came to a showdown when six midshipmen and one USMA cadet elected to let the American Civil Liberties Union present their issue to federal court. Prior to this time, it is likely that most service academy students viewed compulsory chapel attendance as yet another unique, however annoying, aspect of academy life rather than a major constitutional issue. After all, what cadet or midshipman had the time or money necessary to take this case through federal courts?

What was the rationale behind the requirement for future officers to attend religious services? Apparently, as Dierker (1997) saw it, it was the desire of the commanders to instill moral and ethical values into the lives ofcadets and midshipmen. However

laudable and well-meaning the intent of the commanders, the courts would, as will be seen, clearly rule that churches and synagogues were not the acceptable route.

As if anticipating a court showdown, a unified policy for compulsory chapel attendance was agreed upon at the “Eleventh Conference of Superintendents of the Academies of the Armed Forces,” April 18, 1969. Moral development was deemed equivalent to religious development. Not surprisingly, numerous civilian church groups were shocked to find that the superintendents had equated chapel attendance to a form of military training and not a matter of religious conviction.

Notwithstanding, the USMA’s 1970 Annual Report of the Superintendent declared, “Attendance at chapel remains a part of a cadet’s training in character development, and no cadet is exempt

[TJhese activities contribute significantly to the development of character in the Corps ofCadets.” The 1971 Annual Report ofthe Superintendent took a somewhat different line ofexplanation, stating, chapel attendance has been a vehicle for the presentation oftraining essential to the moral development of our cadets (Dierker, 1997).” In other words, the Superintendents Reports from 1969 through 1973 gradually revise their views as ifanticipating the compulsory chapel issue might be overruled by the courts.

The Federal Courts Rule

In 1970, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the Secretary of Defense’s claim that chapel attendance was indeed constitutional. In an opinion which stressed the judicial deference which must be given to the military in matters of discipline and training, the District Court concluded that the purpose of required attendance at chapel was wholly secular (i.e., military training to create effective officers and leaders) and that the primary effect ofsuch attendance is also secular (i.e., to gain

an awareness and respect for the force religion has on the lives of men). The District Court found that the plaintiffs had failed to demonstrate that the religious effects of chapel attendance on the cadets and midshipmen is anything but slight, unsubstantial, and non-extensive. The opinion went on to agree with the government position that compulsory “attendance” at chapel services does not equate to compulsory “worship,” and that the purpose and primary effect of compulsory attendance was essentially neutral in that it did not substantially “advance” or “inhibit” religion.

However, the cadet and the midshipmen appealed, and in July 1972 the D.C. Circuit Court in a 2-1 decision reversed the lower court’s decision. For the first time ever, compulsory chapel attendance at the U.S. service academies was ruled unconstitutional. The Circuit Court’s opinion reviewed the history ofthe First Amendment and concluded that compulsory church attendance was one ofthe primary restrictions on religious freedom which the authors ofthe Constitution sought to abolish. The Court forcefully ruled that “attendance at religious exercises is an activity which under the Establishment Clause [ofthe First Amendment] a government may never compel.”

The D.C. Circuit Court, in hindsight and not unexpectedly, did not subscribe to any of the lower court’s many arguments. The Circuit Court did not accept the argument that compulsory chapel attendance was equivalent to “training” and not religious indoctrination. Nor did it accept the argument that compulsory chapel would permit future officers to empathetically “... inculcate awareness of the sentiments of others rather than to inculcate religious feeling of the cadets themselves.”

Finally, neither did the Circuit Court accept the final argument that because attendance at a service academy was “voluntary,” chapel attendance was also “voluntary.” The court could not attach or require attendance (or non-attendance) at religious services to any form ofgovernment employment.

Even after the D.C. Circuit Court reversed the District Court, the academies continued to enforce compulsory chapel attendance with the statement that, despite the reversal of the initial judgment, until the entry of an appropriate order, USMA, with the authority of the Department of Defense, will continue chapel until further notice (Dierker,1997).”

During the time before the DoD’s expected appeal to the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Erwin Griswold argued the chapel services were primarily educational, stating, “No cadet or midshipman is required to believe what he hears (MacKenzie, October 1972).” Additionally, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman-designee Adm. Thomas Moorer went on public record saying, “... an atheist could not be as great a military officer as one who is not an atheist (Mann, July 1972).”

The matter of compulsory chapel attendance supposedly ended when the Supreme

Court on December 18, 1972 declined to hear the Secretary of Defense’s appeal. However, the art ofencouraging religious training did not end even after the Supreme Court let stand the Circuit Court ruling on Anderson v. Laird, for the U. S. Military Academy’s 1973 Annual Report of the Superintendent read, The task of encouraging cadets to participate in voluntary religious activities has been left largely to the Academy’s chaplains and to cadets and officers [Cjadet commanders are expected to play a positive role in encouraging cadets to participate in religious activities ...” The entire issue was then quietly dropped when the 1974 Annual Report made no mention whatever of a cadet religious program (Dierker,1997).

The Chaplains’ Viewpoints Considered

Support for voluntary-only attendance at religious services came, not surprisingly, from the military chaplains themselves. After all, reasoned one military chaplain, what clergyman wanted to be faced by a hostile congregation? The General Commission on Chaplains in 1964 noted a record of “... resentment, hostility, and cynicism toward religion engendered in cadets subject to the chapel requirement.”

And so, it was not the chaplains but rather the commanders who chose to enforce chapel attendance upon cadets and midshipmen. Today, the AFI 36-2706 states religious accommodation is based on constitutional rights. Religion is defined as “a personal set [emphasis added] or institutional system of attitudes, moral or ethical beliefs, and practices ...” Henceforth, agnosticism and atheism—as expressions ofconscience—may be accorded equal respect as traditional religions.

Did the elimination of compulsory chapel attendance have any residual, long-term effects of perpetuating a system ofhigherranking officers who had either a particular pro- or anti- religious bias? This question is, of course, an excellent topic for a doctoral dissertation. However, our initial answer would seem to be no.

A Secular Character Development Program is Born

Nevertheless, the academies were still left with the task of teaching moral development but without the assistance of compulsory chapel attendance. The development of character in future officers was still considered a matter of great importance. One alternate route was, of course, the creation of the distinctly secular Social Actions Program which conveniently came into existence in 1974. And, after a considered pause, the matter of specialized moral development training for cadets and midshipmen came about when in 1991 all academies established their respective Centers for Character Development. A chaplain may or may not also be assigned to any of the centers, but his or her role would now be limited to secular instruction in ethics and spiritual values. The secular approach of instructing integrity to future officers was adopted smoothly and without objection.

The long-term results were not that service academy chapels were abandoned to stand as hollow, dusty museums. Rather, it turned out that most cadets and midshipmen were (not surpris

ingly) of uniformly strong religious backgrounds, and chapel attendance never dropped by more than perhaps 20 percent (Dierker, 1997). And much to the reliefof our military chaplains, they now ministered to volunteer congregations. 9

Selected References

AFI 36-27029 (29 July 2004). Military equalopportunityprogram. Ch. 8, 69-70.

Anderson v. Laird, 466 F.2d 283 (D.C. Cir. 1972), cert, denied, 409 U.S. 1076 (1972).

Everson v. Board ofEducation, 330 U.S. 1 (1947).

School Dist. V Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963).

Wallace v. Jaffree, 472 U.S. 38 (1985)

Dierker, GregoryJ. (1997). Core Values: A history ofvaluesrelated initiatives in the Air Force. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH: Air Force Institute ofTechnology. M.S. Thesis.

MacKenzie, John P. (October 31, 1972). “U.S. asks high court to uphold chapel at academies.” The Washington Post, p.A3.

MacKenzie, John P. (December 19, 1972). “Chapel curb at academies is sustained.” The Washington Post, p. A1,A6.

Mann, Jim (July 1, 1972). “Academy chapel rule held unconstitutional. The Washington Post, p. Al,7.

“U.S. court rejects chapel at service schools” (July 1, 1972). The New York Times.

Please vote to determine the future governance of your Association! The upcoming ballot will include proposed bylaws from the Blue Ribbon Council and the Board which will govern the AOG in the future. The vote will be conducted in the Feb-March timeframe and more information will be coming to you soon.

TRUE

Name: Col. (Ret.) Andi Biancur

Class: I960

Cadet Squadron: CS-15

Hometown: Baldwin, N.Y.

Major: Aeronautical Engineering

Extracurricular Activities: 4th Group Staff, Class Ring Committee, Varsity Soccer and Class President.

Graduate Degrees: M.S. in Comparative Government from Webster University and an M.S. in International Law from Yale University

Civilian Occupations: United Airlines Training Services Program Manager, CAE-Link Corporation, Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, Salt Lake City Olympic Bid Committee/Organizing Committee/Operating Committee—Accreditation and Access, AOG Board of Directors, Sabre Society, Blue & Silver Club, Class President

Air Force Career Fields: Pilot/Dperations Officer/ Commander. Served combat tours in Viet Nam; White House Presidential Advance Agent, Helsinki Accords Arms Control Negotiator (JCS) and as a Wing Commander

Favorite Aircraft: All of them - I flew over 25 different aircraft; the A-26 for diversity, F-105 for speed; C-141 for pleasurable handling; C-9 for mission; B-52 for challenge; & Beech Bonanza for fun.

Role Model: My father 1/Lt Andrew Biancur, deceased 1944; Tex Hill & Ed Rector American Volunteer Group pilots (Flying Tigers) in China-BurmaIndia Theater WWII.

Favorite USAFA Memory: The complete experience—entering at Lowry AFB; opening the facility in Colorado Springs; representing USAFA in intercollegiate sports; gaining a commission and graduating.

How the Academy and Air Force contributed to your success: entered as a boy and graduated as a man with excellent values and goals. The personal qualities of honor, integrity, and character gained at the Academy served to structure my career and life.

Voices of Experience

adets enrolled in International Management

C498 recently heard firsthand examples of the challenges they may face if they one day work in the realm of global management. Vice President of Saab International USA, Scott Sonnenberg, ’69, lectured three classes on his experiences as an active duty attache officer, as well as lessons learned during his tenure with Saab.

Cadets listened to the graduate s unique experiences helping the U.S. and international companies build mutually beneficial contracts, as well as maintaining ethical standards.

Former commander ofthe Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Felix Dupre, '72, also was a guest lecturer.

Scott Sonnenberg, ’69, speaks with cadets about challenges U.S. firms find in foreign markets.

GENERAL ROSA LEAVES KEYS TO ACADEMY

Openness, honesty unlock doors to Academy’s future

Citing with pride his tenure as the Academy’s 16th Superintendent as one ofopenness and honesty to accomplish positive change, Lt. Gen. John Rosa addressed the media for the final time during a roundtable discussion recently at the Academy.

The 45-minute forum spanned a variety of challenges General Rosa met, and the Academy will continue to address, under the leadership of his successor, Lt. Gen. John Regni. General Regni assumed the duties as superintendent Oct. 24 during a change of command ceremony on the Terrazzo by the Class Wall.

General Rosa opened the media roundtable with a prepared statement, then fielded questions from reporters.

“This two-and-a-half years has probably been the biggest challenge for me and my family,” the general began. “The flip side is

that it’s been the most rewarding assignment of our 32-years.”

General Rosa said they arrived here during some very difficult times, in the middle of the institution’s greatest challenge in its 50-year history, commonly referred to as the sexual assault crisis.

“We hit the ground running with a new team,” the Superintendent recalled. “But the team pulled together, and for the first 18 months it was a whirlwind, challenge after challenge, each day. I’m really proud of the way our team stepped up.”

During the past 2 1/2 years, the Academy underwent 13 reviews, some internal, but most of them external, including audits and inspections. Scrutiny came from Congress, the Air Force and the public.

From 2003 to now, Academy officials conducted 27 news conferences, 83 interviews with senior leaders from

By Wayne Amann, Academy

around the country, released nearly 800 news releases and answered more than 2,300 responses to queries.

“It has been tough,” General Rosa admitted. “This is not a perfect institution. I was proud of the institution when I got here and am just as proud of it now that I’m leaving.”

He said the Academy was up front to work its challenges, shortcomings and problems very transparently. “One ofthe first things I told the media when I got here was we would be honest, and when times got tough, we’d step up and meet those challenges,” the general said with pride. “We’ve done that. We’ve developed programs and initiatives that are now benchmarks for others around the country.”

The Academy’s sexual assault response team has been adopted by the Air Force and General Rosa expects the Department

Spirit

■ Photo by Ken Wright

of Defense will adopt a program like the Academy’s as well.

“We set in motion a unique culture change, one that was long overdue here. We didn’t do this in a vacuum,” he explained. “We visited West Point, the Naval Academy, the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard academies to develop a hybrid. We took the very best from the best institutions we could find.”

During the first year of the Academy’s education and training program, alleged sexual assaults decreased almost 50 percent.

“It’s not enough, we all know that. This is not a destination, it’s a longjourney, and we’ll continue that journey,” General Rosa pledged.

“It’s been a privilege to be part ofthis great team, as the 16th Superintendent of the Academy. For 32 years our family has served this great nation, and I’m proud to say I’ll continue to serve in uniform, although in a retired capacity, as the President ofThe Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.”

Academy Spirit: What is your perception ofhow America views the Academy today?

General Rosa: “As I travel around the country, you find a mixed bag. You go to certain areas and people haven’t heard anything, negative or positive, about the Air Force Academy. But the overwhelming majority ofthe folks I talk to appreciate the fact we’ve been open and honest. One of our big challenges was to restore trust and confidence in the Academy, internally among cadets, parents, faculty and staff. We’ve set the foundation to do that. Another challenge was to restore the trust and confidence offolks around the country. According to the people I’ve met and talked to we’re well on our way to doing that. We’re not there, we’ve got a ways to go, but with the kind ofprogress we’ve made in the first couple ofyears, staying the course is the key to getting this institution back to that next level ofexcellence.”

Academy Spirit: What will you bring to the table at The Citadel that you learned at the Academy?

General Rosa: “First is the open and honest approach. We will take this to our alma mater the same way we did here. I

have not had the opportunity to dig in and find out what’s going on with The Citadel. For 10 years now women have come to The Citadel. In those 10 years we’ve grown from zero to about 6 percent females. Dayto-day issues, what’s going on there, I don’t have that clue since I’ve been busy here. But, I’ll bring the same kind ofleadership style. You don’t change much from job to job. I don’t know what issues are there but we’ll certainly take an A to Z scrub and figure out where The Citadel is going to go in the 21st century.”

Academy Spirit: How will it feel to lead your alma mater?

General Rosa: “It’s kind ofsurreal. I’ve only been back once, when Donna and I did the interview. It was kind ofstrange because she and I started dating my sophomore year there. We got married in the chapel when we graduated. Walking around the campus we looked at each other, laughed and said did you ever think you’d be walking around here as the future president? It’s a pretty good feeling.” S

the country and

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

Flight Training undergoing changes

Introductory flight training program that prepares pilot candidates for specialized undergraduate pilot training will decrease from 50 to 25 hours next fall.

The transitional program will bridge the change from the current introductory program to a new program called initial flight screening.

IFT used civilian flight schools around the United States to provide flight training and screening for potential Air Force pilots. Schools used their own training techniques and syllabus, within Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, to educate pilot candidates with the 50-hour program. Students received their private pilots license when they graduate.

It was at this stage the Air Force screened out Airmen who could not physically or mentally handle flying, or found they did not have an aptitude for flying. Those who completed the program got their pilot license.

The IFS program will also screen the Air Forces future pilots. But the new program will be at a centralized location and will feature a specialized undergraduate pilot training-like training environment.

IFS flying operations at the single site are scheduled to begin Oct. 1, 2006. In the meantime, IFT will use a 25-hour program that the flight schools will conduct, using a syllabus developed by Air Education and Training Command.

There are several good reasons to allow civilian flight schools to use a 25-hour syllabus now, said Wayne Mudge, program manager for the IFT and Navigator Introductory Flight Training programs.

“We still will not have close military oversight of the training at the flight schools, but the 25hour syllabus is a step in the right direction,” Mr. Mudge said. “Candidates will finish the new program more quickly, they will learn to use an AETC syllabus and, most importantly, they’ll be better prepared for SUPT.”

by Megan Orton, AETC Public Affairs

The 25-hour program, entitled IFS for Civilian Part 61/141 Flight Schools, began Nov. 1 and will slowly evolve to the IFS program that will begin next October.

On June 6, the U.S. Air Force Academy began the 25-hour program, Academy Flight Screening.

As IFS matures, these two programs will mirror each other. H

A Diamond DA-20 usedfor IFTflies over the Academy. (Photo by Ken Wright)

of

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.

A Building Leaders

The

www.usafa.org

Chairman

theJoint Chiefs ofStaffGen. Richard B. Myers addresses the U.S. Air Force Academy's 12th Annual National Character and Leadership Symposium.

THE E-BOMB

How America’s new directed energy weapons will change the way future wars will be fought

By Dr. Matthew Mcharg, Director, Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center, USAF Academy

E-Bomb by Col. (Ret.) Doug Beason, ’77, is an entertaining and informative fast paced read through the futuristic world oflaser and microwave “directed energy” weapons. The introduction uses two scenarios; one tactical with Marines defending an embassy and one strategic with North Korea launching a limited nuclear strike, to set the stage for the argument that directed energy weapons are truly a revolution in military affairs. Whether the reader is convinced or not of this premise, the book is well worth the price of admission.

Describing a technical subject like directed energy weapons is tricky business. You can discuss the technical issues—and risk somnolence by the casual reader, or you can tread lightly on the details, while emphasizing applications—and risk the wrath of the technical experts “in the know.” This book falls squarely in the second category. Subject matter experts may wince at a few ofthe explanations, and find the authors’ repeated mea culpa for using the odd equation distasteful. However, anyone with a simple interest in the subject can read the book and come away actually understanding the basic issues associated with directed energy weapons.

The book presents an interesting history of both the importance of the military research establishment, and the amount ofeffort it takes to attempt a revolution in military affairs. Directed energy weapons have been worked on since the 1960’s, and are only now reaching a level of maturity suitable for deployment. While strongly “pro” directed energy, Beason takes the time to introduce both the technical and military constraints that hinder development and deployment as a functioning weapon. Beason, who holds a PhD in laser technology physics, has the military background, academic credentials and personal knowledge to successfully weave his way through the subject. His career is an example of the importance of the military scientist to the Air Force. An Air Force Academy graduate majoring in math and physics, he worked as a “blue suit” research scientist in directed energy. As a Colonel he led the Air Force Research Labs effort in directed energy weapons development. Currently, Beason is Director ofThreat Reduction at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Ail in all, The E-Bomb is an excellent read. I highly recommend it to military officers past and present interested in the continual development of technology, and how it applies to the military art. S

Beason, Doug (2005). The E-Bomb: How America’s New Directed Energy Weapons Will Change the Way Future Wars Will Be Fought. Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. 256 pages. Hardcover $26.00.

Once upon a time n

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 ofthe institution’s 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 ofthe 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 information 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 ken.wright@aogusafa.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.

Annual Fund Gift

The Association of Graduates presented the Air Force Academy a check for more than $1.1 million during the first quarter of the Air Force vs. Army football game at Falcon Stadium Nov. 5. The funds will support critical programs for cadets such as character development enrichment, hands-on academic experiences, cultural immersion, and cadet clubs. Presenting the check is Ralph and Dona Nussbaum, Col. (Ret.) Jim Shaw, '67, president /CEO of the AOG, and AOG board member Dr. Leon Smith-Flarrison, '75, to Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni, '73.

AOG receives Olmsted support

Col. (Ret.) David Estep and Rear Adm. (Ret.) Larry Marsh, both of the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation presented a check in the amount of $200,000 to the Association of Graduates and the United States Air Force Academy Oct. 15 at Falcon Stadium. The check will fund cadet international immersion programs.

Dean of Faculty, Brig. Gen. Dana Born, '83, and Jim Shaw, '67, President and CEO of the AOG received the check. To date, the foundation has contributed over $1* million to the Academy for Cadet International Programs.

Each year, over one million visitors tour the magnificent grounds at the United States Air Force Academy. For many, such a trip would be incomplete without a stop at some ofthe various static aircraft displays that grace the Academy grounds. For the over 37,000 cadets who have graduated from USAFA since 1959, these aviation monuments are a testimonial to the men and women who have so finely served their country over the years. Indeed, these displays are an integral part ofthe tradition and heritage ofUSAFA, and each bears a historical significance that warrants further exploration.

The aircraft static displays at the Academy are managed under the auspices ofthe Academy superintendent and the Division ofDevelopment and Alumni Programs. As with most USAF static aircraft displays around the country, the aircraft at the Academy are property ofthe USAF Museum, based at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. At the moment, a total of 11 aircraft can be found dispersed at various vantage points around the Academy locale. Interestingly, this number stood at 13 only a couple ofyears ago. Two aircraft were recently transferred to other locations in the country; the first of these was a North American F-86 Sabre (S/N 52-4978), which at one time belonged to the Argentine Air Force. The other, a Fockheed YF104A Starfighter (S/N 52-0967), was recently moved to its new home at the Pueblo Air Museum, some 50 miles south ofColorado Springs.

David Bragg, Historical Property Manager and Museum Specialist at USAFA, is well-versed in the history and chronicles behind many ofthe

Sentinels of the Academy - Part I

STORY BY DANIEL A. MAGEE

Previous

BEHIND THE SCENES

aircraft displays at the Academy. Bragg, who began his assignment in March 2003, has kept himselfextremely busy over the past few months, updating the many aircraft files and archives in his possession. “The aircraft that you see on display at the Academy are all very distinctive, and each hold special meaning to the cadets that have attended this institution,” states Bragg.

GUARDIAN OF THE NORTH GATE

Visitors entering the North Gate ofthe Academy are soon greeted by the impressive stature of a Boeing B-52D Stratofortress. Many cadets at the Academy have eventually gone on to fly the venerable B-52, more affectionately known as the “Buff. Ofthe 744 B-52s that entered service with the Air Force, a total of 170 were B-52Ds such as this specimen. The longevity ofthis phenomenal aircraft is unparalleled in many regards. Frequently under scrutiny, the B-52 was almost replaced by other aircraft programs on at least two occasions (the B-70 Valkyrie in the 1960s and the B-1A supersonic aircraft in the 1970s). Standing the test oftime, no less than 93 B-52H aircraft could still be found in service as of2004.

Tail number 55-083, displayed in all its grandeur, holds special significance to many pilots and aircrew who flew the B-52. Nicknamed “Diamond Lil,” this particular aircraft flew over 200 combat missions in Southeast Asia, eight ofwhich were during the Linebacker II campaign of 1972. Impressive as these credentials are, the fact that distinguishes this aircraft from other B-52s is that it was one ofonly two such aircraft to have recorded a confirmed MiG air-to-air kill. This feat was accomplished on Christmas Eve 1972, when Airman First Class Albert Moore downed

page: The Northrop T-38 Talon distinguished itself with the Thunderbirds demonstration team over a 10-year period from 1974 to 1983. (Photo by Ken Wright) Below, top: Nicknamed “Diamond ‘Lil”, this B-52D flew over 200 combat missions in Southeast Asia, eight of which were during the Linebacker II campaign of 1972. (Photo by Ken Wright) Below, bottom: This Cessna T-41A Mescalero, S/N 65-5107, has been on post at the airfield since May 1995. The T-41 was instrumental in providing over 1 million hours of cadet flying training over a 20-year period. (Photo by Daniel Magee) Next page: This F-100F Super Sabre was dedicated at its final resting place by Brig. Gen. Robinson Risner. Some 20 years earlier, then Maj. Risner flew this aircraft across the Atlantic in commemoration of Charles Lindbergh’s crossing in 1927. (Photo by Daniel Magee)

BEHIND THE SCENES

a MiG-21 northeast of Hanoi. A true testament to the men and women who have proudly served the United States Air Force over the years, this aviation icon continues its watch at the Academy, a mission it has performed since August 1984.

PILOTTRAINING AT THE AIRFIELD

As one travels towards the USAFA Airfield Flight Operations Center, a small, unobtrusive aircraft is displayed as a testament to the flying training heritage ofthe Air Force Academy. More commonly known as a Cessna 172 in civilian parlance, theT-4l Mescalero has been used extensively for primary flying training at the Air Force Academy. The first T-41A was delivered to the Air Force in September 1964. That number climbed to 204 aircraft by 1967. The first variant of the Mescalero was equipped with a 145 horsepower Continental 0-300-C piston engine and was capable ofspeeds up to 139 mph.

Interestingly, cadets did not always receive their pilot training at the Academy airfield. In 1968, the pilot training program was actually managed from Peterson Field, nearly 20 miles to the southwest ofthe Academy grounds. At that time, the T-4l was selected for use in the pilot indoctrination program for the cadets because it provided the pilot students the opportunity to experience many ofthe aviation principles they learned in the classroom environment. The Academy eventually acquired T-4lCs with more powerful engines to support cadet flying training activities. In 1974, the flying program was moved to the newly constructed AcademyAirfield, where theT-4l continued to shine in its role as primary flying trainer. Through 1995, over 17,000 cadets were trained in the Mescalero, and over 1 million hours flown in the conduct ofcadet flying training activities.

THUNDERBIRD OVERLOOK

A favorite location for sightseeing, Thunderbird Overlook is adjacent to the Academy airfield and is home to two spectacular aircraft displays. The first, a Northrop T-38 Talon (S/N 59-1602), displays a dazzling paint scheme in commemoration ofthe Air Force’s Thunderbird demonstration team. The Thunderbirds, which conduct an annual appearance at the Academy’s graduation ceremony each spring, attract millions ofspectators each year as they tour the country as Air Force ambassadors. The T-38 Talon, the Air Force’s first supersonic trainer, was used as the demonstration aircraft for the Thunderbirds from 1974 to 1983, when it was replaced by the faster General Dynamics F-16A. The T-38 aircraft on display was provided from Randolph AFB, Texas, around 1973. A total of 509 Talons were

produced, several ofwhich are still used today to train pilots for assignments on front-line fighter and bomber aircraft.

The second aircraft located at Thunderbird Overlook is the newest ofthe static displays at the Air Force Academy. The aircraft, a Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II, has earned its worthy reputation as a tank-buster, and served in a number ofcampaigns including the Persian GulfWar of 1990. This particular aircraft (S/N 77-205) was responsible for downing an enemy helicopter during the Persian Gulfconflict with Iraq, a rare feat for a close-air support aircraft. Built for survivability, the A-10 was a highly maneuverable aircraft that could loiter over a battlefield for long periods of time, while carrying a tremendous arsenal ofbombs, rockets and missiles. It’s most notorious feature, however, was the GAU-8/A Gatling gun, a 30 mm cannon that would wreak havoc with enemy tank units. First deployed in March 1976, the A-10 is still flying with a number offront-line units today.

THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS II

As one approaches the USAFA Preparatory School, the sleek shape of a North American F-100 Super Sabre comes into view. The F-100, or “Hun”, as it was more affectionately known, was first introduced into service with the Air Force in August 1954, when the first production aircraft was delivered to Nellis AFB, Nev. Among many notable achievements, the Super Sabre gained fame as the first aircraft capable ofsustaining supersonic speeds in level flight. A total of2,294 Super Sabres had been produced by the time the production line closed in October 1959. The last aircraft to serve in the USAF and Air National Guard departed Terre Haute, Ind. in November 1979.

The F-100 displayed at the Preparatory School, S/N 56-3730, has its own special place in the annals ofUS aviation history. Nicknamed “Spirit ofSt. Louis II”, this aircraft, an F-100F that distinguished itselfin a long and illustrious career in both the United States and Europe, made its mark in aviation history when it retraced the route ofit’s namesake in an historic flight that took place May 21, 1957. With then Major Robinson Risner at the controls, “Spirit ofSt. Louis II” flew across the Atlantic from McGuire AFB, N.J., to Paris, France in 6 hours 37 minutes; almost 27 hours faster than Charles Lindbergh’s flight in 1927.

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

• Never-before published photos of the Academy

AMERICAN GENERALSHIP

Character is Everything: The Art of Command

Edgar

F.

Puryear Jr. author of 19 Stars

Review of American Generalship

Frederick V. Malmstrom, ’64, Visiting Scholar for Honor

American Generalship is a most entertaining and readable look into the lives and thoughts of scores of successful American general officers.

Edgar F. Puryear’s earliest work, Nineteen Stars (1971), brought him into the national focus, when on active duty he had the great fortune to personally interview three living five-star generals, Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Marshall and research a rigorous posthumous review of the personality of four-star General George S. Patton. General-by-general, in Nineteen Stars Puryear made an in-depth compare-and-contrast study of each

of these successful World War II commanders. Deservedly, to my knowledge, this book has never been out of print. I found Nineteen Stars quite readable, entertaining, and above all, useful.

Therefore, I went into American Generalship with the favorable expectation that Puryear would repeat his triumph ofNineteen Stars. Instead, I found myselfsadly bewildered and disappointed.

American Generalship is a distillation of 35 years of Puryear’s interviews, correspondence, and research with over 1,000 American general officers, 100 of them at the 4-star rank. As the title suggests, Puryear has identified nine characteristics of general officers he feels have contributed to their climb to the top. (I balk at calling these successful generals’ characteristics “personality traits.”) These characteristics he has identified are selflessness, decision, “sixth sense,” aversion to “Yes Men,” reading, mentorship, consideration, delegation, and a willingness to fix the problem. Puryear defines all nine general officer characteristics as “character.” They are all commendable characteristics, and Puryear presents us with hundreds of real-life instances.

Edgar Puryear (Ph.D. Princeton, LLB University ofVirginia) is no stranger to the Air Force Academy. He is a widely respected scholar of note. A former Air Training Officer, Puryear later taught for the USAFA Political Science faculty. Upon leaving active duty, Puryear became both a judge and a consultant to the Department of Defense. He is frequently engaged as a guest lecturer to professional military training seminars.

Like the successful attorney he is, Puryear has built a strong case for his clients, but this is most certainly not the balanced approach expected of a political scientist. There is a world of difference between a one-sided defense and a proof. For the most part, American Generalship presents only the success stories of generals, not their failures. He treats his subjects with quite gentle hands. I would prefer to have seen at least a few pages on those high ranking generals who—and are by no means an endangered species—fall short on character.

Puryear’s empirical approach to describing the characteristics of great American generals is, indeed, interesting, for he presents a world of testable hypotheses which later researchers might want to follow up. For example, provided we can arrive at a universal definition of “selflessness,” a future scholar could write a whole book on whether selflessness is a useful characteristic that cuts across the makeup ofall successful American military leaders.

Because Puryear keeps hammering home endless examples which support his case, one may get the mistaken impression that all successful generals exhibit all these nine characteristics at all times. For instance, it is well-known that Eisenhower was an exceptionally well-read scholar of the history ofwarfare, but it is less well known he also devoured pulp fiction Western novels.

I do have a particular issue with Puryear’s description of the suecessful generals who possess this mysterious characteristic of “sixth sense.” That is, somehow the author proposes that great generals have a peculiar instinct for sniffing out the instances for making proper, strategic decisions. Unfortunately, history tells us not all the great generals make all the correct decisions all the time. Not even Napoleon (Waterloo), Rommel (Fortress Europa), or even

U.S. Grant (Cold Harbor) had an infallible sixth sense. I will not dismiss outright Puryear’s proposal that sixth sense exists. However, sixth sense as Puryear describes it is untestable and a much too fuzzy concept for me to accept on faith.

American Generalship is on the official recommended reading list for professional military courses—and rightly so. However, I (and even Puryear himself) caution anyone who accepts this book as the definitive “how-to” cookbook on becoming a great general. This is but half a book. I would hope to see Edgar Puryear take on the dual role of a prosecutor and publish a companion volume titled American Generalship: A Study in Failures. 9

Puryear, Edgar F., Jr. (2000). American Generalship. Character is Everything: The Art ofCommand. New York: Ballantine Books. 374 pages. Paperback $17.95.

Nomination procedures for AOG 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.

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.

Langstaff, ’84, runs Adidas USA Adidas recently announced Rob Langstaff, ’84, will take over as President ofAdidas North America beginning January 1. A 14-year Adidas veteran, Langstaffwill be in charge ofall Adidas operations in the North American market and report directly to the CEO ofAdidas America.

At Adidas, Langstaff has held increasingly important strategic and management positions in Europe, Asia and North America. Most recently, he served as President ofAdidas Japan K.K. since 2003.

Johnson, ’59, appointed to BoV Gen. (Ret.) H.T. Johnson, ’59, has been appointed to the Air Force Academy’s Board ofVisitors. Johnson is a former Acting Secretary of the Navy.

In 1989, he became the first Air Force Academy graduate to be promoted to General. General Johnson additionally earned a Master’s Degree in Aeronautics from Stanford and an MBA from the University of Colorado.

His early military service included a tour as a forward air controller in Viet Nam where he flew 423 combat missions followed by service as an assistant professor ofAeronautics at the Air Force Academy. After serving in Air Force plans, he joined the Strategic Air Command and served as a wing commander and in Strategic Air Command plans. He is expected to join the BOV in February.

Delwiche ’97, wins AF marathon

Capt. Kori Delwiche, ’97, recently won the women’s category of the U.S. Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Delwiche bested the women’s field in 3 hours, 2 minutes and 32 seconds, in just her second marathon since 1999.

The race included more than 4,000 runners for the grueling 26.2-mile marathon, 13.1-mile half-marathon and 3.1-mile 5K.

Gunn, ’80, leads Washington D.C. Boys & Girls Club

The new head of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington will be Col. (Ret.) Will Gunn, ’80, who recently led a team of defense attorneys for detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

Prior to the Guantanamo Bay assignment, Gunn led the office responsible for training more than 2,500 attorneys for the Air Force’s judge advocate general.

Gunn has volunteered in youth programs through his church, coached youth basketball teams and tutored children.

Englin, ’96, elected to Virginia House of Delegates

David L. Englin, ’96, was recently elected to represent the 45th district in the Virginia House of Delegates, defeating his Republican opponent with 68 percent of the vote. At age 31, Englin will be the youngest Democratic legislator in the

Virginia General Assembly and the second youngest overall when he takes the oath of office as a state delegate in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 11.

Grads lead 480th Intel Wing

A pair of’84 graduates are the commander and vice commander of the 480th Intelligence Wing headquartered at Langley AFB, Va. They are only the second commander and vice in the history of the wing which was activated Dec. 1, 2003. Col. Judy Graffis Chizek assumed command of the wing July 8. Col. Anthony R. Dominice also arrived in July and became the wing’s vice commander.

Martin, ’70, receives prestigious H.H. Arnold Award

Gen. (Ret.) Greg Martin, ’70, recently received the 2005 H.H. Arnold Award from the Air Force Association. The award was presented to the former commander ofAir Force Materiel Command at the Air Force Anniversary Dinner in recognition of the year’s most significant military contribution to national security.

Penney, 70, wins big at Reno Air Races

John Penney, ’70, was the winner of both the jet and the unlimited classes at the Reno National Championship Air Races recently.

The unlimited winner was a highly modified F8F2 Bearcat named Rare Bear, flown by Penney. Rare Bear has been restored, substantially modified and equipped with a Wright R3350 engine producing in excess of 4,000 horsepower. This has allowed the aircraft to establish the Closed Course World Speed Record of 528.3 mph, and 3,000 Meter Time-To-Climb Record of 91.9 seconds. Penney won this year with a speed of just over 466 MPH.

In the jet class, Penney flew Pip Squeak, an L-39 Albatross. The winning time for this class was a bit over 454 MPH.

Academy teacher named professor ofthe year Dr. Daniel Pack, professor of computer and electrical engineering, was selected by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recently as the Colorado Professor of the Year.

Dr. Pack was one of42 selected from more than 300 nominations for his dedication to undergraduate education. The faculty and students that nominated Dr. Pack for the award both recog

nized the enthusiasm he brings to the classroom and his contribution to the development of the department’s curriculum.

Each candidate for the award must first be selected from many qualified peers at his or her own institution and nominated for the award. Letters ofsupport and endorsements from current and former students, colleagues and presidents or academic deans accompany the entries.

Nominees demonstrated extraordinary dedication to undergraduate teaching through their impact on and involvement with undergraduate students, their scholarly approach to teaching and learning, contribution to undergraduate education in the institution, community and profession, and support from colleagues and current and former undergraduate students.

(Courtesy USAFA/PA)

Desjardins, ’80, new commandant

Brig. Gen. Susan Y. Desjardins, ’80, assumed command of the 34th Training Wing Dec. 8 as the Academy’s newest Commandant of Cadets.

Former commandant, Maj. Gen. (Sel.) John Weida, ’78, has departed the Academy to become the Director, Capabilities Integration and Transformation at Headquarters, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Desjardins was most recently the commander of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, S.C., and is the first female commandant in the Academy’s 50-year history.

Wynne swears in as 21st Secretary of the Air Force

More than 4,000 cadets watched The Honorable Michael W. Wynne sworn in as the 21st Secretary of the Air Force during a Nov. 3 ceremony at Mitchell Hall. Not quite a mile from where Michael W. Waynne took his oath is the grave ofhis brother Patrick, a 1963 academy graduate killed in Vietnam.

In this role, he is responsible for the affairs ofthe Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping, and providing for the welfare of its nearly 370,000 men and women on

active duty, 180,000 members ofthe Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, 160,000 civilians, and their families.

As head of the Department of the Air Force, Secretary Wynne is responsible for its functioning and efficiency, the formulation of its policies and programs, and the timely implementation of decisions and instructions of the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense.

Mr. Wynne replaces Pete Geren who has served as the acting Secretary of the Air Force since July 29.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside America’s Airmen, and their Joint Service partners to keep our Nation safe,” said Secretary Wynne, “With their dedication, skill and sacrifice,

they offer an incredible array ofoptions to the President and the Nation; from taking the fight to the enemy, providing strategic intelligence to the Joint Force, or providing humanitarian assistance at home and internationally in the wake ofnatural disasters.”

Prior to assuming his position, Secretary Wynne served in the Department of Defense as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary Of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

Mr. Wynne served in the Air Force for seven years, ending as a Captain and Assistant Professor ofAstronautics at the US Air Force Academy teaching Control Theory and Fire Control Techniques.

Mr. Wynne graduated from the United States Military Academy and also holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute ofTechnology and a Masters in Business from the University of Colorado.

Groves, ’95, receives Cheney Award and Silver Star Capt. John Marshall Groves, ’95, who helped rescue a nine-member helicopter crew that was shot down in Iraq was given an Air Force award for valor and self-sacrifice.

Groves was flying his helicopter at 150 mph just 100 feet above the Iraqi landscape last April when another helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. Groves circled back to find the stricken aircraft and rescue the crew.

The pilot was recently joined by his family at a Pentagon ceremony where he received the Air Force’s 2004 Cheney Award.

“I’m sincerely honored to have you all here to be a part of this,” said Groves, 32, as he accepted the award.

Groves, now a major, also has been notified that he will receive the Silver Star.

The pilot of the downed helicopter, Maj. Steve Edwards, said later in a telephone interview that he owes his life to Groves.

“If it weren’t for him and the actions ofhis crew, there’s a good chance I and the other crewmen from the aircraft would not be here today,” Edwards told reporters.

The Cheney Award is named in memory of 1st Lt. William Cheney, who was killed in an air collision over Italy in 1918. HI

Discussion Forum!

Your Association has launched a new Membership Discussion Forum. It includes discussion topics such as employment opportunities, Academy issues, parent discussion, sports and more! It's available off the AOG home page at www.usafa.org

Please take a moment and visit the forum, participate, and let us know what you think?

The Forum also provides you with the opportunity to assist/mentor young graduates affected by the Air Force's Force Shaping Policy.

Photo by Charley Starr

Some think annual giving is not rocket science

Annual gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund provide support to many important cadet academic experiences, including the rocket research program.

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.

J A Building Leaders

M of Character for the Nation

The Campaign

www.usafa.org

Three cadets selected for

Three cadets have been selected for the Academy’s Maj. Thomas Moore Award.

ClCs Melanie Thomasson, Matt Karmondy and Felisa Hervey received the award for their summer research projects.

“The Moore Award was established to celebrate Major Moore’s distinguished career and his significant accomplishments,” said Lt. Col. William Mandeville, Academy Faculty Research director. “The decision criteria for the Moore Award includes mission impact, solutions provided by publication of research, catalyst for further research, quality of research and other significant contributions.”

Cadet Thomasson’s summer research at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, dealt mainly with implementing the Cost of Delay Analysis model to compare values of F-16 programs that would potentially compete for resource allocation.

“Analysts seriously thought the ‘decision tree’ was one of the most amazing [Microsoft] Excel tricks they had ever seen,” she said. She had not realized there’s a whole job about using Solver and PowerPoint.

The most interesting part of the project to her was talking to the retired pilots to figure out how much improvements on F-16 systems are worth to the pilots.

“I really didn’t expect anything like this,” said Cadet Thomasson, an operations research major from Springboro, Ohio. “It was really neat to go back to Dayton, Ohio, as part of summer research.”

“I feel as though I got this award for just doing what they asked me to do,” said the Cadet Squadron 21 member. “I’m really thankful that people here gave me the project and all the information and help they could so that I could finish the project. I’m proud that my project was actually pertinent and worthwhile. The award was never something I thought about until my project was over.”

Cadet Karmondy was sent to the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., to define the combat maneuvering capability of the AC-130 gunship, and interfacing with gunship crews to determine their needs.

He developed aircraft energy maneuverability charts for the AFSOC requested weight and altitude combinations that characterize the gunship’s operations.

C1C Hervey went to the Pentagon’s Central Asian desk of the Secretary of the Air Force’s International Affairs Office. She prepared, proof-read and presented briefings, met with foreign military delegations, even traveled to Southeast Asia and served as a translator.

“I’m honored, it was a tremendous and very unique opportunity to work with the Air Force International Affairs office in Washington, D.C.,” said the 21-yearold cadet from Pasadena, Calif. “It is vital for our military to start cultivating global mindsets from the beginning, before we become officers and leaders ofothers in the Air Force, and before we are ever deployed overseas. I truly hope my research will have

By Butch Wehry, Academy Spirit

laid the foundation for more cadets to have similar opportunities.”

To Cadet Hervey, the award is especially rewarding, since developing a greater emphasis on international issues and understanding at the Academy has been one of her passions.

The humanities major said it was a selfdesigned research program with original plans to do the research project in Kabul, Afghanistan, but the needed clearance didn’t come through. Plan B was Kazakhstan, but funding didn’t come through.

The opportunity to do her research in Washington came through a series of sudden miracles shortly before the research was to begin, she said.

She met and interviewed people like the Uzbek Opposition party leader, think tank experts, policy makers and authors. There was a TDY to translate for a delegation of Kazakh officials. The Moore Awards, and the memory of the major they are named after, are alive and well.

Maj. Thomas Moore taughtAcademy physics, electrical engineering and research and development from 1961 to 1967, and is credited with developing the Academy’s first computer-based class scheduling system. His final assignment was a tour flying C-7 Caribous in Vietnam. He had received orders to return to school for a computer science PhD when he was shot down Nov. 30, 1967.

The Moore Awards will be presented at the Department of the Faculty Annual Research Awards Ceremony in early January, said Colonel Mandeville. S

Commandant's Challenge tests cadets’ readiness

By Eddie Kovsky, Academy Spirit

Photos by Ken Wright

CADETS FACED THREE DAYS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TESTS

during Commandant’s Challenge in late November.

Commandant’s Challenge is the fall semester military training event for cadets which tests their teamwork and training to ensure they have the discipline, physical stamina, skills and knowledge required of members of the Cadet Wing and the Air Force.

Among the wartime skills cadets were tested on in the field training exercise are a combat rescue exercise, a chemical suit drill, overland navigation, marksmanship and an obstacle course.

Cadets were also evaluated on drill and ceremonies, uniform and room inspections, military knowledge and physical aptitude. “The mental tests balance the physicality of the field training exercise, ensuring that the Cadet Wing is both physically and mentally fit,’’ said ClC Mark Truxillo, Commandant’s Challenge commander.

“The physical portions of the Commandant’s Challenge are where squadrons come together as a unit to accomplish an objective, be it a combat search and rescue mission, setting up a tent, or land navigation. It also measures the overall endurance of the Cadet Wing, as they travel almost five miles during the field training,” the senior added. Cadets have been practicing these skills on weekends since August.

Each cadet squadron chooses six 12-cadet teams to compete. Each team must be comprised of one member from each class and at least one female cadet. Teams were led by two firstclass cadets and two secondclass cadets, with eight underclassmen rounding out the teams. The team distribution is designed to allow cadets to further practice and develop their leadership and followership skills in a field environment.

Points were earned or lost in satisfactory completion time of each event, and skill and efficiency in designated tasks at each event. Points are also earned or lost in the transit time of all 72 team members from station to station.

Commandant’s Challenge culminated with the “Centrifuge.” Modeled after the West Point Sandhurst competition, Centrifuge changes from year to year. The details and requirements of this event were kept a secret until right before the challenge began. This event is a physically intense competition designed to evaluate problem-solving, teamwork and physical aptitude.

“The Centrifuge is the X-Factor of Commandant’s Challenge,” said Cadet Truxillo. “It is designed to test the Cadet Wing’s ability to accomplish a mentally and physically demanding task on short notice. It provides excitement and is often the equalizer for determining the outstanding squadron.” The top squadron this year was Cadet Squadron 18. H

Facing a grueling obstacle course, a tough SAMI, Centrifuge, and other hurdles, cadet training and teamwork skills were put to the test in late November.

Northwestern Preparatory School

Located in Southern California

■4" Post High School Service Academy Preparation Exclusively

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

SAT/ACT Enhancement

4" PAE Improvement

“Northwestern Prep provided me with an academicfoundation that raised my SAT scores by 200 points, as well as an ability to focus on the essential preparation to succeed at the Academy. As a result ofthe self-confidence I gained there, I became Outstanding Student in CST, Outstanding 2nd Class Cadet in 3rd Group, Team Captain of Women’s Fencing, and Outstanding Squadron Commander ofthe #7 ranked squadron ofthe wing!

2002 USAFA Graduate

Once Upon a Time

By Gretchen (Krueger) Anderson, ’87

Illustration by Sarah Wright

tell this story ofmy best friend of 22 years, Janet Yagle and her then-roommate, Samantha Loros, ’87,... anytime I get the chance.

As doolies in CS-29, we had morning formation each weekday during the academic year. On a particular Monday morning in March 1984, I noticed two of us four female WADs were not in formation.

When I saw the missing cadets (Janet and Sam) later in the day, they told me they had been up most of the night studying for Graded Reviews and had consequently slept through their alarm. As you can imagine, their flight commander was not happy when he had to report them “unaccounted for.”

On Tuesday morning, I decided to stop by their room to make sure they were heading out the door with the rest of us. Upon squaring the last corner to their hallway, I gazed ahead to see their door was closed (not a good sign). I knocked, and when there was no answer I burst in to find a tidy room, but no Janet or Sam. I was puzzled and said something out loud to that effect.

It was then thatJanet’s closet door cracked open and I could : one eyeball peaking out it turned out both girls had slept again and were hiding in their closets with their blankets, etc. I t for formation and left their door open (as per AMI standards), ping their absences would go unnoticed. Unfortunatelythey re found out. Their flight commander told them ifthey were ent again, he would give each ofthem a Form-10.

On Wednesday, I decided to leave my room early to make sure :t and Sam were up and preparing to get to morning formation, in, I was greeted by a closed door. This time I didn’t knock. >t burst in and found a dark room with two sleepinggirls. I >ed on the lights and made a lot ofnoise to wake them up. hey both sprangwildly from their beds (during that era we illyslept on our beds, but on top ofthe sheets and blankets) and id running around like two headless chickens, zipping up their :kets, sans uniform blouses, and each ofthem dunking her head r the cold sink faucet in an attempt to calm the unruly hair.

By now it was close to formation time, so we had to double time to the formation area. Being shorter than our male class- mates, we formed up at the rear ofthe formation.

I’m taller than both Janet and Sam, so I stood directly in front ofthem. As we stood huffing and puffing from double timing, waiting for the crackly, taped bugle formation call, I couldn’t help but notice the overpowering smell ofmorning breath coming my way. It took me a minute to figure out the smell was radiating from Janet’s and Sam’s breathless, gaping mouths.

During the panicked fury ofdressing for formation, they had no time to brush their teeth! After formation, Janet asked why my shoulders had been moving up and down during formation (I was trying hard not to laugh). Later that day, Janet and I visited the C-store. She bought a new alarm clock and I bought her some Tic Tacs just in case. 5

By Tom Roeder

is crowded with cadets who have their sleeves

The Gazette rolled up and their hands dirty.

Unlike the pristine classrooms in the world of academics across Faculty Drive, the Aeronautics Laboratory is a place of loud machinery, belching smoke, wind tunnels and, in the words of one cadet, “real-world learning.”

On a recent afternoon, undergraduates worked on some of the Air Force’s most vexing problems for existing and future conflicts. In a program unlike any other in the country, the Air Force and NASA both use these cadet researchers to augment their own scientists and engineers.

Hundreds of cadets go through the research program, which is aimed at engineering majors.

In one wind tunnel, cadets tested new bullet designs to see if they could steer them at 1,400 mph.

In another room, cadets worked on new wing designs for unmanned spy planes. Nearby, others tried wing-mounted electrodes to improve the airflow over wings.

In the basement, senior cadet Bronwyn Oliver was up to her elbows in a greasy turbine engine, trying new methods to determine when bearings wear out.

“This is the only college in the world where undergraduates would get their hands on an (airplane) engine,” she said with a smile.

Capt. Devin O’Dowd, who teaches aeronautics, said the laboratory differs from mainstream colleges by having its students work on real problems for the Air Force and NASA, rather than focus on textbook theories.

He said having them problem-solve with lab experiments motivates them and expands their minds in a way textbooks can’t.

Inside a noisy room packed with a variety of engines, cadets Derek Strang and Joe Walker said they’re living proofofO’Dowd’s statements.

“We can learn something in the classroom and we see here how things are actually done,” Strang said while standing near a four-cylinder motor used to propel Predator unmanned spy drones.

Strang and Walker are entrusted by the Air Force with helping to figure out how to make the Predator use less fuel so it can stay in the air longer. The spy plane could spend more time overhead ferreting out enemies and protecting American troops in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We’re learning a whole lot about engines and testing techniques,” said Walker.

To make the engine more efficient, Strang and Walker have tried a series ofmodifications, from changing out turbo-chargers to modifying the intake that allows air into the engine.

They’re hoping to find a fix that can extend the plane’s range by 15 percent and can be easily used by the Air Force. Knowing their schoolwork could help fight the war drives them to spend more time on the project.

Jerry Stermer, director of testing in the lab, said that’s the point.

“Everything we do here has an impact in the real world.” S

A squat building almost hidden among the Air Force Academy’s more palatial structures

Cadets work together in the Academy’s Aeronautics Laboratory to solve real-world problems. (Photo by Ben Bloker)

By 9:30 a.m. MBA students at the University of Virginia are well into their day. Perfect time then for First Coffee, a tradition dating back to the founding of the Darden School of Business. At First Coffee, students and facultygather to discuss entrepreneurial ideas, strategies for interviewing or even to swap running routes.

But there is also a very practical side to First Coffee - THE COFFEE. With classes through early afternoon, individual case preparation, club meetings, recruiting briefings, presentations, and late night sessions with learning teams, let’s just say that here at Darden, a little boost occasionally comes in handy, www.darden.virginia.edu/military

Are you Darden material?

Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, ’73, became the Air Force Academy’s 17th superintendent when he assumed command from Lt. Gen. John Rosa during an Oct. 24 ceremony at the Class Wall. The following is an excerpt ofGeneral Regni’s speech.

“Let me begin by saying what an honor it is for me to command the United States Air Force Academy. It would be more than a mild understatement to say Debby and I are merely excited to be back in Colorado, and to serve the Academy. This is something I never imagined, and we are simply ecstatic to be here.

As I drove through the north gate, I couldn’t help but think back to the first time I laid eyes on this beautiful Academy and campus on June 23rd, 1969. I was a 17-year old and just four days out ofhigh school. Many of my high school friends in New Hampshire were thinking ofgoing to Max Yasgur’s farm in New York for a music festival called Woodstock. Instead, I chose basic cadet training!

In-processing was a bit different back then. For three days we were at ease, walking around with our chins hanging out, gazing at the Rampart Range, the Flatiron, the chapel and all around the terrazzo. We even got to stuffourselves to our heart’s content at Mitch’s. The initial impression was clearly: Wow, what a terrific place.

Then on the third day at the evening meal formation, we formally met the class of’70

and the class of’71 with standing room only onlookers along the Class Wall. After a seemingly interminably long period ofsilence, ’70 and ’71 swarmed out of the old dorm to formally begin our basic cadet training. I specifically met Class of’71 Cadet Tech Sgt. Peter H. Rensema, ’71. And about three nanoseconds later, I realized that I was no longer the big man on campus and all my high school accomplishments to that point in my life were merely the entry level requirements into this proud Academy—not the endgame, but the minimum.

For the next six weeks and in my doolie year we were led by cadets like my squadron commander Cadet Colonel Peter H. Fox, ’70, (I can call him Pete now). Over the next four years people like squadron commander Cadet Colonel Brian Binn, ’72, led, mentored, pushed, pulled, and molded us into a squadron and team. Then we were individually given the leadership responsibilities that shaped us several levels higher than we could have imagined, culminating as qualified to receive a commission in our great Air Force.

Since I graduated 32 years ago, we’ve developed thousands of men and women into officers and leaders of character for our Air Force and nation. They have all worn the Academy blue uniform with pride and honor, and earned the distinction of graduating from the school I have always known as the preeminent military academy/university on the planet. My conclusion then, and now, remains: Wow, what a terrific place.

I am honored and humbled to pick up the torch from JR Rosa, to continue his singularly outstanding work with the Classes of 2006 through 2009. We will continue to ensure our cadets are positively motivated, shaped, and equipped to meet the life and death challenges that will be demanded of them as lieutenants, as captains, and beyond in the 21st century Air Force.

Through Vandenberg and Sijan Halls, in Fairchild Hall, on the athletic fields, in our character development courses and on the parade field march our next generations ofAir Force leaders. Our mission is critically important to our Air Force and to our nation, and we take our mission seriously.

I look forward to working with all our constituents, especially the graduate community. I’ll spend my first month or so immersing myself into every facet ofthe Academy. I need to see firsthand how we do business and what our strengths and weaknesses are. I’ll let you know what I discover and the direction I think we should proceed. Then we can work together to move the Academy forward.

Again, we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead this outstanding academy. We are proud to be part of an institution which has given so much to us and all graduates who continue to return on our nation’s investment.

Go Falcons!” IS

Newest Academy Stars

The following Academy graduates were recently selected for promotion to Brigadier General. Flere’s a toast!

Gregory A. Biscone, ’81

Gregory L .Brundidge, ’79

David S. Fadok, ’82

Craig A. Franklin, ’81

David L. Goldfein, ’83

John W. Hesterman III, ’83

Michelle D. Johnson, ’81

Joseph A. Lanni, ’80

Michael R. Moeller, ’80

Harry D. Polumbo Jr., ’81

John D. Posner, ’80

Charles K. Shugg, ’80

Alfred J. Stewart, ’81

Dartanian Warr, ’80

Tod D. Wolters, ’82

Richard Tubb, ’81

Photo on previouspage: Lt. Gen. John Regni, ’73, theAcademy’s 17th superintendent. (Photo byJoelStrayer)

Ten days in the Ah KINGDOM Of morocco

BY CAPT. GARETH JOHNSON AND CADET SETH NEWFANG

ON JUNE 6, four Academy cadets joined three Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets and an Air Force officer for an amazing 10-day adventure to the Kingdom ofMorocco. This trip, funded entirely by the Olmsted Foundation (which we cannot thank enough!), provided our group with memories that will last a lifetime and, more importantly, further understanding ofthe vast world outside ofthe United States, especially a better insight and appreciation ofArabic culture and the Islamic faith. Indeed, for all but a couple of us, this was the first time even leaving the United States; however, from our experiences on this trip, it hopefully will not be the last.

Our excursion into Morocco began as soon as we left the plane. Though very groggy from the trip, our excitement took over as we boarded what basically became our home for the duration of the trip, our beloved minivan. Ya’alla tours, the agency that handled the logistics for our stay provided us a driver with questionable skills, Younes, and a very knowledgeable tour guide, Moulay.

We landed in Casablanca, the commercial capital of Morocco, and immediately began a whirlwind tour of the city, including the port, the medina (old city) and the impressive and newly constructed Hassan II Mosque. While taking a tour of the Hassan II Mosque, it soon became apparent to all of us that we knew very little about the Islamic culture or lifestyle. A few interesting points about this mosque is that it is currently the tallest religious structure and third largest Mosque in the world, and one of only two open for non-Muslims in Morocco.

Following our short stop in Casablanca, our group bustled off to Rabat, the capital ofMorocco, where we stayed for about two days. Here we visited many historic sites such as the medina (which is considered the old part ofthe city) and souks (markets) where we began our “cultural immersion” into Moroccan lifestyle. Unfortunately, I do not have the memory or skill to recall the dates that these sites were created, nor the ability to recite their history as our tour guide did on countless occasions. However, I can comment on the awe that I held when I found myselfstanding in areas that were erected before North America was even discovered. It was amazing how intricate the buildings were, from the cedar roofs and mosaics to the adobe walls.

While in Rabat, we also had the chance to visit the U.S. Embassy. Commander McDonald, Naval Attache and acting

Defense Attache, set up our visit and several very informative briefings with various U.S. representatives to include the Deputy Chiefof Mission, the Security Assistance and Defense Attache Offices, and personnel from the Political and Economic sections of the Embassy. This provided our group with an understanding ofwhat the U.S. Embassy actually does (besides get Americans out of international incidents), and what interests the U.S. shares with Morocco. We discussed US-Moroccan relations and current issues/topics of interest, most notably Moroccan-Algerian relations, the Western Sahara conflict and various contemporary issues to include terrorism, poverty, women’s rights, illiteracy and economic conditions.

Following our visit to the U.S. Embassy, we had our own personal time to scout around and see the Moroccan culture up close. It turned out that whenever we had some downtime we almost always found ourselves heading to the local souks. In these markets, we tasted exotic foods and honed our bartering skills. Though I would like to say that we were never “ripped” offwhile buying Moroccan treasures, I can say that our bartering skills dramatically improved after a couple of days.. .watch out used car salesmen! It’s difficult to buy items when you have no clue as to their actual price, not to mention our poor grasp of the Arabic and French languages. I would have never guessed that it would take two hours to buy a shirt or a traditional dagger. Regardless of the prices we eventually bought our goodies for, our time in the markets taught us many things about Moroccan culture while also allowing us to meet and interact with many people. For example, it was amazing to us how many languages and dialects

many Moroccans were able to speak, mostly some combination of Arabic, French, Berber or Spanish.

The following day we spent touring Rabat and its many fascinating sites to include the medina, the Kasbah (fortress) ofthe Oudayas and the Oudaya Gate. We also visited the mausoleum ofMohamed V which is the burial place of the current Kings grandfather.

From Rabat, we traveled overland to Meknes and Fes. Meknes is the former imperial city of Morocco founded by the Zenata Berbers in the 9th Century. Particularly impressive was the Moulay Ismail royal stables which at one point housed 12,000 horses belonging to the sultan! Moulay Ismail barbarically ruled Morocco in the 17th and 18th Centuries and even made Meknes the capital. Our final stop in Meknes was to the remarkable Mausoleum ofMoulay Ismail, one of the few holy sites in Morocco allowing non-Muslims.

Before heading on to Fes, our group had an outstanding meal called tajine. Along with couscous, tajine is considered the national food for Morocco. Tajine is served in a ceramic pot that resembles a triangular smokestack. It consists ofvegetables (potatoes, cucumbers, pickles, olives, etc) and some type of meat, usually chicken, beef, or, my personal favorite, lamb. It was always delicious and accompanied by massive amounts of bread, which became our staple while in Morocco.

We spent the next day in Fes, considered to be the religious capital of Morocco. Here we toured the old and new medinas, souks, tanneries and several religious schools. Two of the religious schools of particular note were the 14th century Bou Inania and Attarine. The highlight of Fes had to be the fantastic old medina and its labyrinthine souks, characterized by its mesmerizing alleys full of stalls selling various produce and goods from fruits and vegetables, carpets, leather goods and meats (including camel!). The souks of Fes were declared by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a world heritage site in 1981.

From Fes, we headed out early for a full day drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains to Erfoud. The scenery was fantastic including the world’s second largest cedar forest, picturesque towns located in an area known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ and finally through the Ziz Gorge into the desert where we reached Erfoud. The town of Erfoud is one of the largest oases in Morocco and sits at the foot of the great sand dunes of the Sahara. Erfoud served as our launching point into the Sahara and a night with the nomadic Berbers, the original inhabitants of Morocco who comprise about 40 percent of the country’s population. We started our trip into the Sahara in Land Rovers, driving along some of the same tracks used by the famous Paris-Dakar Rally. It amazed me how our drivers knew where they were going. From an onlooker, it seemed to me that we were just driving in the desert without any clear path or direction. However, our driver delivered us to our campsite safely and only got stuck in the sand once (which was the coolest part of the ride).

At our bivouac camp in the Sahara, we were surrounded by the massive sand dunes ofthe Erg Chehbi, only 15 miles from the Alge

rian border. This is where our trip started to teeter on the “unbelievable.” While riding camels amongst the dunes, a series of events began that not only amazed us travelers, but also our Berber guides. First, we were overcome by a sandstorm which, by itself, is not uncommon. The storm was blinding with the wind whipping the sand into our faces. Our group couldn’t have been happier! Second, we saw an amazing electrical storm. And finally, and as the reader, you might not believe this; it rained in the Sahara desert. Yes, it rained, the first time in four years according to our guides. Because of this, the Berbers thought that we brought the rain. That night, while eating tajine in a huge tent lined with Moroccan carpets, Berber dancers and musicians provided us with hours ofentertainment and fun. When finally the night came to an end and all the lights were shut off, we viewed a spectacular Arabian night.

After our memorable night in the Sahara, we made our way back to our beloved van to travel to our next stop, Ouarzazate. The full day drive took us through the stunning 1,000 Kasbah Valley. We stopped to look at several extraordinary Kasbahs to include Tineghir, El Kelaa des Mgouna and Skoura. Additionally, we ate a fantastic lunch at the base of the Todra Gorge which is a stunning chasm with cliff faces over 1000 feet.

Upon our evening arrival in Ouarzazate, which is the capital of Morocco’s film industry, we heard through the grapevine that Brad Pitt was shooting a movie called Babel. When we heard this, we spent a couple ofhours trying to track him down, but alas, to no avail. We later found out that he left the day before. Other notable films shot in Ouarzazate include Lawrence ofArabia, The Gladiator and most recently Kingdom ofHeaven. The next morning we toured Ouarzazate. Most impressive was the 17th Century Kasbah Taouririt. Then we had another long drive ahead of us for our last stop in Morocco, Marrakech.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The drive from Ouarzazate to Marrakech offered numerous intriguing stops. A particularly breathtaking site was the Kasbah complex ofAit Ben Haddou, an 11 th Century structure which is also a UNESCO world heritage site. From the village next to the Kasbah, our group had to ride donkeys or mules across a small river to reach the Kasbah. Ait Ben Haddou is a must see for any traveler and offered awe-inspiring views. Before reaching Marrakech, we snaked our way through the High Atlas Mountains reaching elevations up to 7,400 feet at the Tizi N’Tichka Pass. It was amazing to see how the local Berbers made their living in these mountains from rich terraced fields to herding goats and sheep. This is where our drivers questionable skills really made us sweat, swerving around tight bends with sheer drops on either side. We all took bets to see who would get car-sick first from the winding drive. Cadet Blackburn lost. We have pictures to prove it! Finally we passed the mountains and drove out into the fertile countryside of the Haouz Plain, and on to the ‘Pink City’, Marrakech.

Once in Marrakech, it was evident why this beautiful city is the tourist capital of the Kingdom. We eagerly spent our last day in Morocco exploring the city. Our first stop was the striking Saadian pavilion and the Menara Gardens, a very picturesque spot with its many olive trees and the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. We also visited the 16th Century Kasbah and the Saadian tombs which

are the burial grounds of the former royal family. The rest ofthe afternoon we spent exploring the famous souks ofMarrakech. Before heading back to our hotel, we took in the magnificent sights, smells and sounds ofthe famed Jemaa El Fna Square. We witnessed everything from snake charmers, traditional dancers and acrobats, singers, story tellers and even boxing matches. This square was the historic meeting place oftradesman from all over Northwest Africa. Marrakech ended our journey through Morocco. As we all boarded the plane back to the U.S., we wondered how we could possibly tell friends and family about all of our magnificent experiences in Morocco. We gained a true appreciation for Arabic culture, the Moroccan people and the faith of Islam. Experiences like this provide a deeper understanding ofother cultures, languages and religions, and ultimately, produce officers better equipped to deal with the nature of military operations today and into the future. Finally, our entire group would like to extend our deepest thanks to the Olmsted Foundation for providing us the opportunity to explore Morocco, without which this once in a lifetime experience would not have been possible. 9

Editor's note: The AOG works closely with the OlmstedFoundation and the Academy to make these cultural immersion programs a reality.

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marsha_kromer@countrywide.com www.home.countrywide.com/marshakromer

Aircrew evacuates Saipan boy

I st Lt. Gerardo Gonzalez, 18th Wing Public Affairs

life-

fX

^-threatening emergency on the island of Saipan prompted a team of airmen from Kadena AB, Japan into action recently, bringing together a cross-function ofskills to execute a humanitarian mission.

An aircrew from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and medics from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron teamed up to transport a severely injured 15-month-old child out of Saipan.

“It was a Friday afternoon when the phone call came to alert us for an aeromedical evacuation mission,” said Capt. Jeremy Boyd, the mission pilot and aircraft commander from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron. “The little child had been run over with injuries to part ofhis shoulders and head.”

Within three hours of notification, a KC-135 Stratotanker, maintained and prepped by the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, took off for Saipan in the Northern Marianna Islands to pick up the child and deliver him to a medical center in Hawaii.

“We were told his prognosis was critical and he required neurosurgery within 24 hours, otherwise he would not survive,” said Capt. Donna Hornberger, 18th AES medical crew director during the mission.

Flying into Saipan was not without challenges as the crew headed toward an unknown airfield with limited resources in the middle of the night. One of those challenges was communication.

“Our boom operator, Senior Airman Mike Russell, and Captain Hornberger had to use a satellite phone to coordinate with Saipan’s people,” said Capt. Jordan Collins, 01, co-pilot during the mission. “But we had to call back to home station and have them relay [our arrival information].”

The improvised communication worked. Once the aircraft arrived in Saipan the improvisations continued as the crew found itself without the support they normally receive upon landing.

“There were no military agencies on the airfield to help us out,” said Captain Collins.

The aviators improvised once again and even turned to Continental Airlines to provide required flying notices. More challenges

awaited as the crew dealt with the reality that cabin pressure on the aircraft may compound the child’s injuries.

“We pressurized [the cabin] on the ground in Saipan so the pressure wouldn’t be too great at take off,” said Captain Collins.

Once airborne, the aircrew kept pressure fluctuations to a minimum by starting aircraft descents early and decreasing pressure very slowly, said Captain Boyd.

Then the child’s condition took a turn for the worse.

Capt. Hornberger advised the cockpit crew that the child was having extreme breathing difficulties.

“My mind began to race and think of how we could make up any time,” said Captain Boyd.

After discussing options with the medics and his co-pilot, he decided to declare an “emergency” with air traffic control agencies. The declaration allowed for a direct priority flight to Hawaii instead of a less direct point-to-point route.

“We were able to make up about 10 minutes by not following our flight planned route,” said Captain Boyd.

All the necessary agencies waited in place for the aircraft’s arrival and went to work immediately after the aircraft parked.

“Within 20 minutes of engine shutdown the little one was off to the hospital,” said Captain Boyd. The child was admitted to the hospital in critical but stable condition.

The mission was a success from the very beginning according to Captain Boyd. He credits the medics, the many agencies involved and especially the maintainers for making sure the aircraft was ready. “We simply could not have made the mission work had they not been there,” he said.

In the end the aircrew found out that the child had no military or government affiliation, said Captain Boyd. The Air Force had answered an international SOS call and took on a mission that no one else was able to fulfill at the time. B

Above: A KC-135R Stratotankerflies a training mission. (U.S. Air Forcephoto)

Honorary ^ded fcmbership

Nancy Burns accepts a plaque commemorating her award of Honorary AOG Member from Board Chairman Ted Legasey, ’67, and President and CEO Jim Shaw, ’67. (Photo by Bob McAllister)

MS. NANCY J. BURNS was recently awarded honorary membership in the Association of Graduates of the United States Air Force Academy in recognition of her longstanding, continuous and dedicated service to the United States Air Force, the Air Force Academy, and the Association of Graduates.

During her ongoing 39 years of service at the Air Force Academy, Ms. Burns has been instrumental in fostering strong and lasting ties with friends of the Academy from around the nation and in the local community. She has been the principal liaison between the Academy and the Association ofGraduates while holding key positions within the Directorate of Protocol, Directorate of Plans and Programs, and most recently as Chief of Development and Alumni Programs in the Directorate of Communications. Her exceptional organizational and personal skills, support for the Academy and its cadets, and the AOG make her clearly deserving of Honorary Membership in the Association of Graduates.

Falcon Basketball gets fresh start

Checkpoints staff sat down with new Falcon Basketball Coach Jeff Bzdelik and had a candid conversation with him about this year’s team, his expectations for the program, coaching at the Academy, and his future with Falcon Basketball.

Ql Why didyou decide to take thisjob after coaching the Nuggets?

A: I am very fortunate to have this opportunity; it is a timely fit for my family and me to coach at the Academy. A place I believe in for all the right reasons. Coupled with the opportunity to coach at a very high level collegiately, and to be close to my family at this time in their lives, more specifically my children, who are both in high school, is a timely fit.

Q= How different is coaching an NBA team from coaching a collegeprogram?

A: I might be better equipped to answer that question a couple of months from now, but basketball is basketball. I think at times that too much is made of the differences.

Q: Haveyou talked to Coach Popovich, 70 ofthe Spurs?

Al I have talked to Coach Pop several times. During the interview process I talked to him several times to be specific about the infrastructure that exists here at

the Academy. We discussed a to-do list, an immediate to-do list if I was offered and accepted this job. Since then we have talked, it’s very informative. It has been very informative.

Q: Haveyou talked to long-time basketball coach, Reggie Minton?

A: I have talked to Reggie. One of the priorities of mine is to link the past with the present and to make sure that all the former players and all the former head coaches and former assistant coaches feel a part of this family, an active part of this family. We have sent a letter out to every former player and every former head coach and every friend of this organization, any friend of this basketball program. We have invited them to our basketball homecoming against TCU. That has already been done. We are going to follow that up with another letter in due time. We want to start an annual homecoming where as many of them as possible can come back, where we can honor them, where we can welcome them. We have been well received from many already with the letter that has been sent out. I think it is very important to link the past with the present and to have them understand that they have been a major force in Air Force basketball. The staple for Air Force basketball, win or lose, has been to play with great effort, great team play and that has transcended through the years and they started that tradition.

Q= What do you thinkyour biggest challenge will be as the Air Force coach?

A: To win knowing that we are playing a very high level of basketball. There are some unique challenges that face us. We need to identify and successfully recruit an Ivy League type student who can play basketball at a very high level and who wants to serve his country.

Q: What isyour leadership style as coach, haveyou had to change that style in some professional way?

A: That is a loaded question, there are a lot ways that you can answer that in an in-depth way. But simply put, I want my basketball team to win without compromising the moral integrity and the values that exist here. I want our basketball players to win. Excuse me, because I want to make sure I say this correctly, and accentuate and reinforce the values that are here through basketball.

Q; Canyou tell us what happenedwith Nick Welch and willhe be back nextyearandhow doyouplan to handle his loss at center?

A: Nick Welch, unfortunately had two unrelated surgeries, recent unrelated surgeries for different injuries on the same foot. In order for him to successfully rehab, in order for him to suecessfully achieve, continue to achieve academic success and in order for him to be the best officer in the United States Air Force that he can be, the Academy has allowed him a medical turn back, which allows him to drop out ofschool for this semester so that he can successfully rehab and get well. He will then re-enter school in January at the start ofthe new semester and then be eligible, according to the NCAA, for another full year ofbasketball. That simply was the right thing to do. The Academyrecognized that and allowed Nick that extra year. It had nothing to do with athletics. It had everything to do with him being a student and an officer. Fortunately for us we have him back another year.

Q: Maybeyou would like to comment about what a unique young man Nick is and how he has comefrom a very difficult background and he has shown solid leadership. He is going to be a great asset to the Air Force.

A: He epitomizes what a leader and an officer and a gentleman should be. He has fully taken advantage of the resources here to develop himselfwith those traits. We say that basketball is a window to reveal one’s personality and one’s character and integrity. You look at Nick, who I think shot 18% as a freshman from the point arc and he simply has willed himself and worked himself into the player that he is today and that carries over to who he is as a person.

Q= How do you plan to handle this loss at center?

A: I might be better equipped to answer that at the end of the season. I think not only will we miss Nick Welch in terms ofhis physical attributes on the court and what he can bring for us, we will miss his leadership. I am not only working hard to draw out a player or two who can fill his shoes from a statistical standpoint, but I am working hard trying to draw out leadership qualities among other players that can take and fulfill the absent role ofNick’s leadership.

Q= That is going to be tough.

A: Yes it will. I refer to the Wally Pipp story with my players. I asked them who Wally Pipp was and nobody knew the answer to that. They didn’t and I told them story. I said we need a Lou Gehrig.

Q? Who are the keyplayers returning thisyear and what doyou expectfrom them?

A: Well you can start with Antoine Hood, who certainly is an all conference player who like Nick has provided leadership. It is not about scoring points, it is about the overall player, overall leadership, overall effort, overall unselfishness, and that is what I have tried to draw out of everyone. When we talk about Nick’s absence it doesn’t mean that all the pressure falls on one particular player to fill that center role. It falls on everyone to improve their game and it starts with Antoine who is a leader. Matt McCraw is someone who is an excellent shooter, shot over 50% from the 3 point arc last year. Excellent assist to turnover ratio. He will be counted on heavily. Jake Burtschi will be a key player. Jake will have to play many minutes at the center position. Consequently we will be small but very mobile, very quick. He is very skilled in all positions. He will do a great job of rebounding the basketball. Danny Nwaelele is also going to be a good player for us. My top four players really are Danny, in no specific order, Danny, Antoine, Jake and Matt. Now from there we have John Frye, who is someone who, unfortunately hasn’t played a lot because of Nick and then Caleb Buchanan who was a backup center last year as a senior so John Frye has little or no experience. We won’t say no experience, but he is working very hard and he is getting better every day and has a great attitude. Andrew Henke is a freshman. Very talented, excellent shooter. He will be called upon as a freshman to play significant minutes for us. Andrew is a special young man who thus far hasn’t had anything less than a B in the classroom. He is getting good reports from the hill, and he is going to be an excellent cadet and officer. I will tell you what; people are really going to be impressed with this young freshman. We are very fortunate to have him.

Q: Did he go to prep school?

A: No he did not. He is a special young man.

Q: Where is hefrom?

A: Minnesota. Minneapolis area.

Q; How about Tim Anderson?

A: Tim Anderson is another one who is going to play significant minutes and has waited patiently behind Tim Keller and now will get his opportunity. What has to happen for us to be all we can be without Nick is that we cannot afford an injury to any ofthese key players that I just mentioned. We simply cannot. When I go home and my wife says how was practice, if no one got hurt it was a great practice. Regardless ofwhat might have happened.

Qj Areyou are relying on Hood and McCrawfor leadership?

A: Exactly.

Q= I know with Nick’s injuryyour expectations may have changed a little bit. What are they?

A: Every year obviously we are striving to have a winning season and put ourselves in a position, hopefully for some kind of post-season play. That is always going to be our goal. Our short-term goal is to make sure that when all of us, my staff, myself, and my players at the end of the day when we lay in bed and look up at the ceiling before we close our eyes and we all need to ask ourselves the question what have we done today to improve ourselves and Air Force basketball for tomorrow. If we can answer something in the positive light that is a good thing.

Q: It seems likeJoe Scott when he instituted the Princeton offense it sort ofchanged theface ofAir Force Basketball and I have heardyou sayyou don’t want to call it the Princeton offense, you want to call it the Air Force offense. Do you plan on changing it?

A: No, no.

Qj Do you feel like this is the right style of basketball for the Air Force Academy?

A: I will be honest with you, it is not just for the Air Force Academy, I just think it is the right way to play. You know, it is called Princeton, but in many ways, this kind of basketball has been around for a long time. Just unselfish play predicated on player involved movement, reading the defense and, to me, that is just the right way to play the game.

Q: Who are the teams in the Mountain West Conference thisyear to stand on watch?

A: All eight other teams and I say that not in jest, but this league, there is going to be great parity in this league from top to bottom. A lot of new faces, transfers, a new team, you know, players coming offofmissions and just all sorts ofunknowns that I think will just make this league a very, very competitive one.

Q; In the last two years Air Force has lost its openinggames in the conference tournament despite being favored. Haveyou looked at thosegames or given any thought to why that is?

A: I think that there has been a tendency for the Air

Force teams to wear down as the year has gone by. Perhaps for the following reasons, number one depth. We just talked about lack ofdepth: ifyou look at playing time, they have only pretty much gone seven deep. Couple that with the demanding and challenging lifestyle that exists here academically and from a military standpoint makes it difficult toward the end ofthe season. So we will try and really monitor with the help oflady luck, our pracrices to keep them as fresh as possible. Because it is a long season, I have heard guys, even Nick told me, he said last year in March he was beat, he couldn’t move. His legs hurt. Because you have to play these guys so many nights they don’t get a chance to rest.

Q: What are your expectationsforyour team ojfthe court?

A: First thing I talked about in our team meeting, our initial team meeting was I want the grades, the GPA up and we have made it, and they have had mandatory study halls Monday through Thursday from 7 to 9.

Q: Where is that held?

A: We have just a room on the hill. They can go to the library. We have a study room they can go to in the library. They have to do their 7 to 9 and as a result their GPAs have gone up.

Q: We are getting ready to launch a major campaign to raise moneyfor the Academy and the theme ofthe campaign is building leaders ofcharacterfor the nation. How do you think the basketballprogram helps accomplish that?

A: Our basketball program is on display. We are going to be on TV, national TV. We are going to be in airports, traveling to games, we are going to be watched by thousands of people when we play. We are going to be in the newspaper. So we are upheld, as the Academy is upheld, to a higher standard. As a whole our basketball team is even held up higher than that because of our visibility to the public and so consequently our actions, our comments, the way we conduct ourselves, the way we are seen, is how the Academy in many ways, right or wrong, is going to be viewed. Just going through DIA, if we are not acting like gentleman, one person will see someone not acting right or looking right or even being polite and all of a sudden that is a reflection on this whole institution. So, I don’t know if I am answering your question right, but to me how we conduct ourselves and how we perform and how everything we do is under the microscope reflects back onto the Academy so we do it right, which I believe and know we will.

Q: Do youfeelcomfortable here?

A: Yes. I would like to stay here, unless they throw me out, I have a 17-year-old son who is a junior in high school. Since I have been here, his entire thought process has changed and he would like to come here and it is because ofhim just hanging around me

and hanging around here and looking up to our players and the people who are here and I think that is great testimony to how I view this place. I think it would be terrific ifhe could get in here ifhe wanted to come here and that is what he is desiring to do.

Q: Tell us about Friends ofAir Force Basketball and how supporters of the Falcons can help the program.

A: Well, obviously there are so many ways that they can help and we appreciate their help so much. You know, I think also too when players graduate and ifthey choose not to make the military their career they can still be important in developing relationships and presentingjob opportunities. Having as many positive relationships with people throughout the country and the world is a good thing. And I think sometimes we view these kinds oforganizations as important to that kind ofeffort. Obviously, funding helps, but I think first and foremost is the positive relationship that you can have and that is why Friends ofBasketball are invited to homecoming too. I know the team went to Europe a couple ofyears ago. We have been approached about going to Italy in a couple ofyears. So that could be some special project that we can plant the seed for. It would be a nice trip and I have already had some people say ifyou go to Italy can we come. We could make it a fun trip to go to Italy for ten days and I have had, really I have had people say boy my wife and I would like to go can we tag along? Heck yes, we can work something out. A lot ofpeople would like to do that the more I bring it up.

Qj Are there anyfinal comments thatyou would like to say to the graduate community?

A: Yes, just that I am very excited and very thankful for this opportunity. I want to win more so for the graduates and the people that support us, than for the staff. It is not about me. I just want to win for everyone who supports this great place. When we are on the road I would encourage graduates to call us, come and support us, we would welcome the opportunity to shake their hand. 5

Note: Ifyou know ofanypotentialFalcon basketballplayers, please call the basketball office at 719-333-3039

Synonymous with Springs

DeBerry inducted to CS Hall ofFame

By Doug Gould, The Gazette

CERTAIN NAMES ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH COLORADO SPRINGS HISTORY: GEN. WILLIAM PALMER, SPENCER PENROSE, WINFIELD SCOTT STRATTON, WILLIAM THAYER TUTT. THEY WERE THE CITY’S FOUNDERS, LEADERS AND PIONEERS.

Fisher DeBerry’s name also produces an immediate association with the town, virtually as recognizable among the citizenry as those listed above.

After a quarter-century, DeBerry’s contributions, as football coach at the Air Force Academy and community leader, have made him a virtual institution.

Perhaps the only surprise is that he is not an inaugural member of the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame, which inducts its sixth class tonight at the World Arena.

“I am very honored and humbled to be recognized by the Colorado Springs Sports Corp. as one oftheir inductees into this year’s Hall of Fame class,” DeBerry said. “I do think it is particularly special to be recognized in the community in which you reside and work, because they know your heart better than anybody.

“I am certainly aware of the fact that you do nothing in life by yourself. Therefore, I accept this recognition on behalf of all the wonderful and talented cadet-athletes and outstanding coaches, support staff and administration who really are the ones responsible for this recognition.”

Originally from Cheraw, S.C., DeBerry still has his folksy Southern charm.

For example, in 2001, he told a radio audience: “When I was 3 years old, I was drugged. I was drugged by my grandma to church every time the church doors were open.”

From those days as a 3-yearold in 1941 through today, religion has played a vital role in his life. He is a leader in his church, the founder (along with his wife, Lu Ann) of The Fisher DeBerry Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and education of single parents and their children, as well as other charitable causes, and the author of an autobiography: “For God and Country: Foundations of Faith.”

It is that fervent devotion that led to controversy last year when DeBerry erected a Competitors Creed banner citing a poem from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that read, in part; “I am a Christian first and last.” Academy officials, deal

ing with issues of religious intolerance at the time, instructed the banner be removed.

DeBerry also was reprimanded in late October for comments made regarding black athletes and recruiting at the academy.

DeBerry is a I960 graduate ofWofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., where he lettered in football and baseball. After coaching at McClenaghan High School and Bennettsville High School in his home state for six years, and earning a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, he returned to Wofford in 1969 as an assistant coach.

Two years later, he moved on to Appalachian State University, where he remained for nine seasons before he joined the Air Force Academy as the quarterbacks coach in 1980. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1981 and became the academy’s fifth head coach in 1984.

DeBerry is the winningest coach in Air Force history. His 22 years is the third-longest active tenure among Division I coaches behind Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden.

His teams are 161-95-1.

DeBerry has had 17 winning seasons and won 12 bowl games. He has led his squads to a pair of 12-1 finishes and 10-3 campaigns on two occasions.

But, to Air Force fans, DeBerry’s most impressive accomplishment might be his record against the service academies. Despite losses to both Navy and Army this season, his teams have a combined 34-10 mark against those rivals, leading Air Force to 14 of its 16 Commander-in-Chief’s trophy titles, awarded to the team having the best annual record in games among the three schools.

In 1996, DeBerry became the second coach from the academy (Ben Martin in 1977) to serve as president ofthe American Football Coaches Association. Other appointments include serving as chairman ofthe AFGA Division I-A All-America Selection Committee and the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award Committee. 88

Reprinted withpermission o/The Gazette

Photo byJoel Strayer

Poland, Brown take home top honors at Air Force Football Banquet By USAFA Athletics

Seniors Denny Poland and Jason Brown recently took home top honors at the 24th Annual Air Force Football Awards Banquet. Poland was named the winner of the Brian Bullard Memorial Award, while Brown was named the overall most valuable player and the team’s most outstanding back.

Seniors Ross Weaver, Mark Carlson, Adam Fitch and Andrew Dieu also took home awards at the banquet. Weaver was named the teams most valuable lineman, while Fitch earned the Jack Braley Mr. Intensity Award for his work in the weight room and Carlson was named the special teams most valuable player. Dieu earned the Levi “Pee Wee” Cordova Award as the top team manager.

The Bullard Award, established in 1984, is based on the criteria that typifies the late Brian Bullard— unselfishness, 110 percent effort, total team commitment and pride in his role on the team whether he’s a starter or not. Bullard was a 1982 graduate of Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. He attended the Academy the following year and played on the football team for two years. During Thanksgiving vacation in 1983, Bullard and his girlfriend, fellow cadet Dianne Williams, died from carbon monoxide poisoning while returning from a trip to Kansas in a snow storm.

“Ifyou made one team ofBrian Bullard Award winners you could just about whip anybody in the country,” Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry has stated. “Their commitment to team, unselfishness and fighting spirit would make them hard to beat. We try to inspire our players each year to play and practice like Brian did. He was a role model cadet-athlete and person.”

Poland was a three-year starter for the Falcons and returned from off-season knee surgery to have his best year as a Falcon in 2003. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native recorded 64 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss for a team-best 31 yards. He also had a quarterback sack and led the team in tackles in a game twice.

“Denny is so typical ofthe previous winners. He epitomizes all the standards ofthe award and is the consummate team player,” Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry said. “He’s switched positions several times and has excelled in every thing we’ve asked him to do. We’ve never had a more committed player than him.”

Brown had a breakout season in 2005, recording career bests of49 catches for 874 yards and five touchdowns. His 49 catches and 874 yards are the

second-best among players in the option era (1980present) at the Academy. Brown also set an option era record with 184 yards on nine catches at Utah. His 184 yards are the fourth-best ever at the Academy.

“Jason had a dream year,” DeBerry said. “He made a total commitment to football after his junior year and really worked hard in preparation for this season. He’s as good a receiver as there is in the conference and his play really impressed his teammates for him to be selected as their MVP.”

Weaver finished third on the team in knockdown blocks this season with 212, an average of 19.3 per game. He had double figures in knockdowns in every game and matched his career high with 23 against Wyoming and UNLV. Weaver has been selected to play in the 2006 Hula Bowl all-star game.

Fitch earned his award for his work ethic in the weight room. After moving to halfback for spring drills last year, Fitch added 15 pounds in the summer. Once he returned to quarterback in the fall, he worked himselfback to a playingweight for quarterbacks and went on to set a school record with five touchdown passes at BYU.

Carlson was the leader on all special teams in 2005. He led the Falcons with eight tackles on special teams and a fumble recovery. A three-year letterman, Carlson is the son of former Falcon great Joel Carlson, ’73.

The banquet was highlighted by guest speaker Ted Sundquist, ’84, general manager of the Denver Broncos. Sundquist was a four-year letterman as a fullback. Following his military commitment, Sundquist joined the Broncos as a scout in 1992 before becoming general manager in 2000. H

Cadet joins world power lilting elite

ByWayne Amann, Academy Spirit

C2C Mike Tuchscherer (pronounced too-sheer) finished third overall, in the field of more than 250, at the International Powerlifting Federation’s World Subjunior and Junior Powerlifting Championship, Sept. 711, in Fort Wayne, Ind.

His 749.5 pound squat won him a bronze medal, while his 573 pound bench press earned him a gold medal. Both were personal bests. His dead lift was 688.75 pounds.

Tuchscherer’s showing helped the United States (58 points) finish second to Russia (70 points), in the 21-team international field.

The 270-pound junior management major’s three lift total of 2,011.25 pounds trailed only Alexey Pankov and Anton Kibiru of Russia who lifted 2,154.75 pounds and 2,089.25 pounds respectively, in the 243- to 275-pound weight class.

“They did what I thought they would do,” Tuchscherer said. “I knew it was going to be close. I’m one of those people gunning for first place all the time.”

Five months earlier at the U.S. Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals in Baton Rouge, La., the Corydon, Ind., product hoisted a meet record total 2,007 pounds, including a 551pound record bench press, to take first place in his weight class, the first cadet to do so in 17 years.

Accomplishments and notoriety aside, the softspoken Hoosier is blazing a trail he hopes other student-lifters will follow under the Academy’s Fitness Club umbrella.

“We try to make it as team oriented as possible, even though you’re on your own lifting,” the 20-year old Tuchscherer explained. “I’m the cadet-in-charge ofthe team so I try to develop programs to help the junior athletes succeed. The freshmen and sophomores need a little more direction. I explain the ‘why’ of the programs to them.”

The former high school football lineman is excited about club members who want to compete in local events, where he believes they’ll be competitive.

“Generally speaking, most cadets could do really well at a local competition because they’re pretty strong, at least in the

bench press. We have some people who’ve been training hard. A couple may qualify for the collegiate nationals.”

If they do, Academy backing will be instrumental to their success as Tuchscherer can attest.

“Money is the big thing,” he said. “Without the support of the Association of Graduates and cadet clubs, it wouldn’t be possible. They financed my trips to Louisiana and Indiana. They picked up the tab for plane tickets, hotel rooms, the really big ticket items. I took care of entry fees, membership, equipment costs and personal expenses. This leaves money for our younger competitors and other cadet clubs.”

When Tuchscherer isn’t training three to five days a week, he’s an avid student ofhis sport.

“I try to be as intense and as focused as possible in the gym, plus I do a lot of power lifting research on my own,” he pointed out. “Sometimes I struggle with my passion because my research conflicts with my homework. I have to get the school work done or else I can’t lift anymore. I find time to make it work. It’s a balancing act.”

Motivation has never been a concern for Tuchscherer.

“I’ve always been into the weight lifting. Getting stronger was the main reason for getting into the gym,” he emphasized.

“When you leave the gym you know you’re stronger than the day before. It’s one of those natural highs people experience and talk about.”

Tuchscherer’s game plan is to win the Collegiate Nationals around mid-April of 2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., then, if selected to the U.S. Junior World Team, travel to Sofia, Buigaria, for the next IPF World Junior Championship.

A powerlifter normally peaks out in the mid-to late thirties.

“Barring serious injury, I’ve got 15 more years ofcompetition,” Tuchscherer predicted. “I plan to do a lot ofbig things. I keep a paper with all my longer term powerliftinggoals. I’d like to break some more records and do some really cool things in the sport.”

So far—mission accomplished. S

The Campaign for the Future of the Air Force Academy

The AOG's Expanded Role

Over the past few years, the role ofthe Assodation ofGraduates has grown tremendously. Nearly 10 years ago, through the visionary leadership of a handful ofgraduates, the Sabre Society was created. This initiative has provided millions ofdollars in private support for both cadet and graduate programs.

Today, we are expanding the size and scope of our fund raising efforts. In partnership with the Academy, the Association ofGraduates has embarked on an extraordinary fundraising campaign that will forever change the face ofthe institution. Through the generosity ofmany, our goal is to raise $100 million by 2012. The AOG has named the campaign BuildingLeaders ofCharacterfor the Nation.

Through June 30, 2005, we have received more than 38,000 gifts from over 11,000 donors, totaling more than $ 19 million. This accomplishment to date is exceptional given the relative age of our Academy and AOG.

In the last fiscal year alone (July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005) we received over $6.8 million in gifts and commitments, including the 5th gift of$1 million or more, given by Jack, ’78, and Vianne Kucera. Through their generosity, the Academy and the AOG will receive unrestricted support to be used at the superintendent’s discretion for a wide array ofcadet and graduate related projects. In addition to this generous commitment, the Academy also received 28 new gifts and commitments of$25,000 or more last year. For all ofthis generosity we say thank you.

A special thanks also goes out to our reunion classes who, as in the past, were extremely generous. Ofparticular note is the Class of 1964, which secured in excess of $500,000 in gifts and commitments, representing the largest class gift in the Academy’s history. Those funds will be used to support the Mall ofHeroes, a heritage project commemorating the heroic acts ofKarl Richter, ’64, and Lance Sijan,’65.

Family members unveil a plaque at the entrance oftheJoseph R. O’Gorman Theatre. (Photo by Ken Wright)

The Class of 1984 secured $150,000 for their class gift. These funds will be used to support the memorial pavilion in the Academy cemetery. The driveway and turnaround leading up to the pavilion will be named in

Building Leaders of Character for the Nation Campaign

What is a campaign?

As we have talked with graduates, many have asked “What is a campaign?” The truth is, private fund raising has always been a part ofthe Academy experience. This campaign is an intense effort to raise extraordinary funds from the private sector through multi-year pledge commitments within a specific period oftime. This initiative will far exceed anything we have ever done before. It will position the Air Force Academy to publiclyproclaim its need for private support that will allow for the continuation and enhancement of current programs as well as launching important new initiatives. The Building Leaders ofCharacter for the

Nation campaign is the first ofits kind at the Air Force Academy.

Why a campaign?

The objective of the campaign is to ensure that the Academy remains the premier educational and leadership institution in the country—an institution committed to building leaders ofcharacter for the nation. Through a coordinated strategic planning process with USAFA, five crucial areas have been identified as needing private support. The programs identified will only be made possible through the generosity ofmany. They are projects that will not or cannot be supported through appropriated funds. Private support will enrich both the cadet and graduate experience.

In total, we aspire to secure $40.5 million for character and leadership development programs; $20 million for academics; $10 million for athletics; $7.5 million for heritage projects, and $22 million for investing in new opportunities.

What can you expect in the future?

While we have made good progress to date, we still have quite a bit ofwork

ahead of us. Over the coming months, through Checkpoints, the AOG Web site, and meetings with graduates and parents around the country, the AOG will be sharing with you some of the goals and objectives of this pioneering effort. You will also learn about exciting new projects made possible only through private donations.

We will be asking all graduates and those who are closest to the institution for their financial support. Whether you give through the Air Force Academy Fund, to your class gift, or in some other fashion, all ofyour support helps in this effort. We ask for all to make a sacrificial commitment as a debt ofgratitude for what the Academy has done for us during our careers. Your support will symbolize your belief in the Academy, what it represents, and its future.

In coming editions of Checkpoints, we will have a special section dedicated to the Building Leaders of Character for the Nation campaign. Please take the time to familiarize yourselfwith this initiative, and thank you in advance for making this endeavor a success.

Sincerely,

Mr. Richard T. Schlosberg III, Class of 1965

Campaign Co-Chairman

Former President, Publisher and CEO, Los Angeles Times

2003 Distinguished Graduate Award Winner

Mr. Harry J. Pearce, Class of 1964

Campaign Co-Chairman

Former Chairman, Hughes Electronics Corporation

2001 Distinguished Graduate Award Winner

To learn more about the Building Leaders ofCharacterfor the Nation campaign, please contact the development office at the AOG.

To make a gift, please visit www.usafa.org.

GRADUATES CADETS ACADEMY STAFF FAMILY MEMBERS

BURT 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 (nght), presents thefirstdonation to theAir ForceAcademyFundfrom BURTSuburus Graduate Purchase Program toJim Shaw, ’67, dissociation ofGraduates Presidentand CE(

Ready 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.

Chapter News

Outlook

Las Vegas

There is planning underway to start a Las Vegas Chapter in the early part ofFeb. 6. Keep up with the planning and registration at www.usafa.org.

Milwaukee

The Badger Chapter is arranging a formal dinner meeting tentatively scheduled for Feb. 6. It will take place at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee, Wis., the historic home of Billy Mitchell’s grandfather. To augment our meeting, we’ve requested a speaker from the Academy to attend who should be able to give our group an update on the happenings at USAFA. Attire will be business dress. Keep your eyes open on the chapter Web site for more details on this event.

GOAL 2

Keep abreast ofAir Force and USAFA topics

Boston

The New England Association ofGraduates chapter held our annual State ofthe Wing dinner on Oct. 27 in Newton, Mass. Capt. Jim Thompson, ’01, kindlyorganized the event for our chapter and served as the moderator. AOG President Jim Shaw, ’67, was our keynote speaker, speaking about the AOG challenges and ongoing issues at the Academy. Mr. Jack Bernazzani (Parent - ’03) presented information on the Rando Fund, which pays Cadet’s travel expenses to attend funerals for cadets, family, and close relatives.

Our State ofthe Wing dinner demonstrates the cooperation that exists within local USAFA-related organizations. The Eastern Massachusetts Parents Club joined us with eight parents of current cadets/ graduates. Our ALOs normally attend, but could not make it this time. Every decade of USAFA grads were represented at the dinner, includingWiley Burch, ’59, Tad Oelstrom, ’65, John Kelly, ’65 (president emeritus and

Phoenix

The Arizona Chapter 2006 Super Bowl party will be hosted byJack and Polly Ann Swonson, ’62. The party will begin an hour before kickoff to enjoy all the pre-game hype and to allow folks plenty oftime for pre-game eating and drinking rituals. This annually is a “super” event.

San Antonio

The chapter is planning a Habitat for Humanity Work Day from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm on Feb. 4. Ifyou are interested in assisting, please contact Kay Grosinske, ’82, kay.grosinske@brooks.af.mil or Mike Nishimuta, ’73, mike@nishimuta.net.

San Francisco

For something to look forward to in 2006, we are planning an event in wine country for the April/May time frame. For more information, check out the chapter Web page or contact Susan Feland, ’93, at oisusan@yahoo.com or Chuck Reed, ’70, at chuckreed@aol.com.

our host), local chapter founding member Flash Wiley, ’65, former chapter VP Mike Kelley, ’70, NEAOG President Ken Hasegawa, ’81, former chapter VP Trevor Haak, ’95, and NEAOG Executive Officer Jim Thompson, ’01, amongst 30+ others!

Washington DC

On Sep. 22 the AFA Society ofWashington, D.C. was pleased to welcome Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff, Special Assistant for Values and Vision to the SECAF and CSAF, for the Chapter’s Fall Focus on Religious & Cultural Tolerance: What Roles Can Government and Businesses Perform? Rabbi Resnicoff delivered the keynote speech and addressed questions regarding recent events at USAFA. Our spring theme will be “The Pacific Rim in 2005-2015: What Should Government and Businesses Be Doing?” The Society conducts several business educational programs annually, performs community service, and aims to foster personal and professional networks between the membership and the greater business community. For information

on the society, contact Keylor Eng, ’80, at keyloreng@att.com.

GOAL 5

Interact with other service Academy Graduates

Chicago

The Chicago, Ill. Chapter held an unofficial get together in conjunction with the Northern Illinois Parents’ Club and members ofthe USNA Association ofGraduates to watch the Air Force-Navy game on Oct. 7 at the O’Hare Hyatt in Rosemont, Ill. We had a reasonable turn out given the weather and time ofthe game. On a related note, the Chicago Marathon was the next day, and one of our participants, Joe Hebert, ’80, carefully observed his fluid intake, since he was participating in the event. Joe left it all on the field, running a 3:22 for his first-ever marathon and qualifying for Boston. The rest of us slugs now have something to shoot for. The group will be planning its organizational meetings starting in January with

Affinity Groups

AcademyWomen

The Second Annual AcademyWomen symposium was held Sep. 23-24 at the Women’s Memorial in Arlington and was a fabulous success! Membership is now over 670 people and initiatives for the year include building a stronger mentorship program, building a speaker series and supporting the membership in every way we can. Find out more and become a member at www.academywomen.org.

Silver Falcons

Even though small in number, the 2005 Silver Falcons Reunion was enjoyed by all. Attendees were: Kirk and Jill BrownColorado Springs, Colo.; “Chris” and Lil Chrisinger-Winfield, Iowa; Bob and Hilda Dodge-San Diego, Calif.; Chuck and Carol Foster-Albert Lea, Minn.; Pete Graybash-Hershey, Penn.; Jim and Pat Kirkstadt-Johnstown, Penn.; and Ruth Whitaker-Colorado Springs, Colo.

The reunion started Sep. 7, as the early arriving attendees enjoyed an outdoor

some social events to break the winter chill up here in the Great White North. Check the AOG Chapter Web site for upcoming details or contact Lou Michels, ’77, at jmichels@mcguirewoods.com.

Colorado Springs

On Dec. 10, the Rampart Chapter celebrated with its Annual Holiday Party at Doolittle Hall. As always, it was fun and a great chance to relax and catch up on the year’s activities with fellow chapter members.

Phoenix

The Arizona Chapter participated in three major events during the Fall. On Sep. 30, the Medal of Honor Society had their annual black tie dinner in Phoenix. Jack Swonson, ’62, and Tom Browning, ’64, were co-chairmen of this awe-inspiring event. Tom was truly surprised and almost speechless when he received an award from the Medal of Honor Society. Other

dinner at America the Beautiful Park listening to a concert presented by the Falconaires ofthe USAFA Concert Band.

Thursday began with a tour of Doolittle Hall, AOG Headquarters, and briefing by Gary Howe, ’69, Vice President for Alumni Relations and Marty Marcolongo, ’88, Constituent Liaison. Part of the group elected to go up to the Cadet Area to watch the noon meal formation before going to the Officer’s Club while the rest went to the Officer’s Club early. Then if was off to the Visitor’s Center for an Admissions Briefing update by the current Director of Enrollment Programs, Lt. Col. Greg Meyers. The group was greeted by Col. “Trapper” Carpenter, ’73, Director ofAdmissions. The brief-

Chapter graduates were also at this patriotic dinner. On Oct. 8, Ed and Terry Reisdorf, ’63, again graciously hosted our fall dinner party. The fall dinner has become an annual chapter tradition. A good time was had by all. Finally, on Dec. 3, Jim and Chirl Sienicki, ’74, hosted the Chapter holiday party at their home. Holiday cheer was enjoyed by all.

San Francisco

The Northern California AOG cheered the USAFA men’s soccer team to a victory when they came to San Jose in October. Then, we enjoyed our annual Christmas Dinner held at the Mountain Home Inn on, Dec. 3 where, in addition to a good hike and delicious dinner, Lt. Col. Jim Fletcher, ’85, spoke about his experiences flying air-evac missions for 18 months in Iraq.

ing was given there since all the offices in Harmon Hall have been relocated to the Oracle Building on the other side of 1-25 until Harmon Hall has been refurbished, which should be sometime in the spring of 2006. Following the briefing, shopping was on store there at the Visitor’s Center. That evening, the majority of the group boarded a Ramblin Express bus and headed to Cripple Creek. Unfortunately, nobody came back as a big winner. Friday morning started out with the Silver Falcons working breakfast business meeting. With seven members present, a quorum was established. The group went over the proposed Silver Falcons Affinity Group Charter drafted by Kirk Brown using the previous Silver Falcon Association Constitu-

At the Silver Falcons Reunion from left to right: Pete Graybash, Kirk Brown, Chuck & Carol Foster, Pat Kirkstadt, “Chris” & Lil Chrisinger, Jim Kirkstadt, and Bob & Hilda Dodge.

Link to Chapter Web sites at www.usafa.org

tion and By-Laws as a basis. With just a few minor changes, the group voted to approve the charter which will be sent to the AOG Board of Directors for approval. The charter establishes the offices ofPresident and Vice President for a term of4 years. By unanimous vote, Kirk Brown was elected President to serve until 2009. Then it was off to the USAFA Library for a tour ofthe library and Special Exhibits. The one hour tour went for two excellent hours as our tour guide, Dr. Ed Scott, Head Librarian, kept us all entertained and informed. We could have gone on for another hour but it was lunch time. We all headed up to the dining room on the 6th floor ofFairchild Hall overlooking the cadet area below. After a quick lunch, it was down to the large lecture hall in Fairchild were we received briefings from the superintendent, commandant, dean, and athletic director. Then back to the hotel to get ready to go to the Flying W Ranch for dinner. Food was great as usual as were the Flying W Wranglers with their western stage show. Saturday morning started offwith the AOG/Quarterback Club tailgate party followed by the Falcons defeating the San Diego Aztecs 41-29 under sunny skies. After the game, everybody went to the post-game tailgate for soda or beer and pizza to celebrate the victory and say good-bye to everybody. Plans are already under way for the 2006 Silver Falcons Reunion. Tentative time frame is the first home football game after Labor Day (Parents Weekend). So mark your calendars now for next year. Hope to see more ofyou there!

Two members ofthe Silver Falcons AfKnity Group were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Admissions Conference in Jan. 05 for their many years ofAdmissions Liaison Officer service: Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dennis Schulstad, Minnesota, for 33 years and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert Canfield, Massachusetts, for 30 years.

Now for some administrative announcements. First, everybody who has a listed e-mail address has been sent an e-mail by Kirk Brown. Many ofthese e-mails were returned as the account no longer existed.

Ifyou have not received an e-mail from Kirk, please send him an e-mail at ltckirkbrown@juno.com so your e-mail address can be updated both in the Silver Falcons Affinity Group and AOG data bases. With out a current e-mail address on file, you are missing our on our primary means of communication as a group and you are not receiving “ZoomiEnews” which is e-mailed to all AOG members once a month with information about the Academy. The same thing goes for mailing addresses. Please keep both current. Second, we would like to hear from each ofyou on what is happening in your lives, such as travels, as well as professional and community service. We especially want to be informed ofthe passing ofpast or present Silver Falcons. We have always given credit to the deceased members and want to continue to do so. This information will be published in this column. So please e-mail or send postal mail to Kirk at the e-mail address above or to 2539 Craycroft Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, 80920-1423.

Space Group

Over the past several months, the Space Group has focused on two emerging space-related activities at the Academy: the reestablishment of an active Cadet Space Club and the creation of the Center for Space and Defense Studies.

The Space Club is now functioning under new leadership, and is focusing on activities such as high-power rocketry, on-site discussion groups, and field trips. The AOG is investigating appropriate ways to support these activities. The Center for Space and Defense Studies, which was described in our prior Checkpoints report, is being organized by the Political Science Department under the leadership ofCol Doug Murray and Ambassador Roger Harrison. Among its many planned projects are a space defense policy textbook, a January 2006 forum on space and defense policy, and a new journal containing the space and defense dialog ofthe annual forum.

Many members ofthe AOG Space Group have shown significant interest in participating with and providing support for these fledgling activities. In addition, members ofthe Group are working with the Air Force’s Space Professional Development Program, supporting the Academy’s FalconSat programs, and leading the study and development ofSpace Power Theory.

Up-to-date information on spacerelated activities at the Academy, as well as insight into the activities of the AOG Space Group and procedures for joining the Group can be found at the Group’s Web site usafaspace.tripod.com.

Silver Falcons Reunion: Left, Dr. Ed Scott and Silver Falcons in the Gimbel Collection. Right, members of the Silver Falcons enjoying the football game

Career Conference

May 11-12, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C.

What is SACC?

The SACCis the Service Academy Career Conference supported by the Associations of Graduates from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy, and Alumni Associations from the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant MarineAcademy. Previous conferences have been attended by hundreds of companies and thousands ofalumni.

Where will the SACC be held?

The next SACC will be held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway,Arlington, Va. You may obtain a room for the SACC rate, ifavailable. Call (703) 920-3230 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, May 11, 2006

Interview Prep Seminar at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday, May 12, 2006

Breakfast (provided) 8:30 am - 9:30 am

Registration 9:30 am - All Day

SACC 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Lunch (not provided) 12:30pm - 2:00 pm

SACC 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Saturday, May 13, 2006

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

Ifyou have any questions, please contact WayneTaylor at (719) 472-0300 or DSN 333-4513.

Registration Fee

The SACC Candidate registration fee is $40 and may be paid by check or credit card. Please mail the attached registration with form of payment and a copy of your resume-resumes must be one page/one sided and on plain copy paper. Please mail your registration, or email to: sacc@usna.com. Please do not fax—we need a nice, clean copy of your resume. Registration deadline April 30, 2006.

Marriott Crystal Gateway 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, Va., 22202 (703) 920-3230

San Diego, Calif., August 17-18, 2006 SACC Candidate Registration Form (Washington, D.C.)

NAME (for name tag, no ranks): USAFA CLASS:

ADDRESS:

PHONE (Home): (Work): (E-mail):

Will you attend the free Interview Prep Seminar? OYes EJNo

Please include: ElRegistration Form

Fee $35

Resume (one page/one sided)

There's no place like Colorado, V’

Tony Marietta, 70...

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

MARIETTA & COMPANY

HI 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 advance yourcareer?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 San Antonio, 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, and 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 31,600 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.

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 of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Distinguished graduates should provide an example to all graduates and cadets of the standards that we value and of the abilities that have made our country and society great. This is our opportunity to recognize graduates who can serve as an inspiration to future generations ofAmericas leaders.

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 ofGraduates

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 by April 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

Merchandise

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

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

Polo/Goif 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

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

Cadet T-Shirt

Stadium Blanket

Squadron Pins

Pins match all 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

By Lt. Gen. A. P. Clark, 6th superintendent of the USAF Academy. The story of the cadets' unique performing mascot Hard cover. $34.50 Soft cover. $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

RoderickE.Himelberger, ’63

Roderick E. Himelberger passed awayAug. 1,2005 following a valiant battle with cancer. Rod was born Jan. 6,1939 in Muskegon Heights, Mich., the son of the late Francis Earl and Anna Mae Votaw Himelberger. He graduated from MuskegonHeights High School and continued his education for two years at Michigan College ofMining andTechnology, later known as MichiganTech.

Rod and I met when we were assigned to Cadet Squadron 07 following BCT. We became close friends and enjoyed many of the same things. Rod really enjoyed sports, particularly soccer, even though he’d never played the game before coming to the Academy. We playedtogether on the freshman soccer team and he proved to be very good by earning his “63” numerals. He competed in boxing as a doolie and became a member of the Wing Championship Boxing team. His squadron won the coveted title of HonorSquadron in 1960 and his contribution in sports, academics and RodHimelberger leadership helped 7th Squadron earn the title. The next year he helped his squadron win the Wing Championship in field hockey. He continued playing soccer and earned two varsity letters. He was also named to the Commandant’s List for outstanding leadership.

Three days after graduation, he married his sweetheart Donna McKnight and then reported to Reese AFB, Texas for Pilot Training. He was assigned to the 3501 st PTS, Class 65B.

Rod’s first operational assignment was flying C- 124s and C-141 s for MAC at McChordAFB, Wash. Vietnam was his primary destination during those days of heavy airlift. It wasn’t long before Rod was sent to Pleiku, Vietnam as an 0-2 FAC. One Sunday afternoon, he became involved in rescuing a severely wounded soldier whose unit was under heavy fire. He directed fire suppression attacks allowing a helicopter to sneak in and leave with the wounded soldier. Three days later, Pleiku came under rocket attack and a 122mm rocket came through the ceiling ofhis barracks room. Though he had taken all the precautions he could when the sirens went off, he received several shrapnel wounds and was evacuated to a hospital in Japan. Ironically, he was placed in a bed next to the soldier he’d saved three days earlier. He received the Purple Heart for his combat injuries and then returned to Pleiku after a two-month recovery period. After finishing his Vietnam tour, he returned to the States to fly C-141s at Travis AFB. He was one of the first selected to upgrade to the C5A and became an instructor pilot. His sharp skills got him assigned to the C-5 TTU at Altus AFB, Oklahoma where he upgraded to an instructor/flight examiner.

In 1975, Rod graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College

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

www.usafa.org

and was assigned to the Air Force Inspector General at Norton AFB, Calif. His IG tour completed, Rod returned to operational flying at the 3 rd MAS, Dover, Del. and became ChiefofSquadron Stan/Eval and later an Assistant Squadron Operations Officer for the 9th MAS.

Rod was Chief ofWing Training when he retired in 1986. He continued training C-5A pilots for Flight Safety Services Corporation. He was the Site Manager for C-5A simulator training at Dover AFB when he retired from Flight Safety in May 2004.

Rod kept current on military affairs through his membership in the Daedalians and his work at Flight Safety. In the community, Rod was a member and officer of Rotary International where he helped maintain close ties between the civilian and military communities. He was a member ofWesley United Methodist Church. Though somewhat short in stature, Rod towered above most in character and integrity. He loved life and was a role model for his children and his community.

Rod was proud to give a lifetime of service to his country. A family man, Rod was a loving husband and father. He is survived byhis wife, Donna; son, Scott (Stacia) ofNewark, Del., daughter Heidi (Rob Leggett) of Dover, Del. and six grandchildren. Rod touched the lives of many people. He will be missed.

May God bless you, Rod Himelberger. (Jay Miller, ’63)

Jonathan C. Bickham, ’65

Captain Jonathan Charles Bickham, Class of ’65, passed away June 2,2005, at his home in Independence, Mo. after a longbattle with brain cancer. Jon was born March 2,1944, in New Orleans, La., the second ofthree sons ofBenton O. Bickham Jr. and Mary Louise Kemp. He grew up in Independence, La.

Upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy on June 9, 1965, he married Barbara Anne Miller of Colorado Springs, Colo. He flew various aircraft in the United States and Southeast Asia, serving in Vietnam, where he was awarded numerous citations andmedals, includingthe DistinguishedFlying Cross. He retired as captainandmoved to Independence, Mo. afterearning an M.BA. from CMSU in 1971.

He worked for Arthur Anderson, consulting division, in Kansas City from 1971 to 1976. He then worked for Hallmark Cards where he served in multiple capacities including Director ofFixture Operations and Program Strategist in Merchandising from 1976 untilhis retirement in 1997.

Since his retirement he worked for Park University in the Hautman School of Public Affairs in the area of non-profit management. He also taught courses in strategicplanning, marketing and performance management.

Throughouthis life he had a keen since ofwanting to give back to the community. He obtained a master’s degree in PublicAdministration from the UniversityofMissouri-Kansas City’s BlockSchool

Jon Bickham

in order to best serve non-profitorganizations. He served as consultant with the Center for ManagementAssistance, a non-profit organization established to provide consulting services to other non-profit organizations, where he was recognized as an OutstandingConsultant.

He was a long-time member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Independence and was involved in the Men’s Prayer Breakfast and served as a commentator and lector. He was Oblate of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, Kan. He was involved in various activities with his children, includingBoyScouts, Indian Guides and coaching youth sports. His hobbies include cycling, flying and photography.

In later years, he became an avid backpacker, hiking through the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, southern Turkey, the forests of England andWales, and many ofthe nation’s national forests and parks. He also regularlyworked on trail buildingprojects on the U.S. Continental Divide in Idaho.

He is survived his bride, Barbara, bythree sons and theirwives, and three grandchildren. (His Family)

Shad M. Strother, 99

Shad Michael Strother died at his home in Spokane, Wash, on June 24, 2005 while recuperating from back surgery. He was born Oct. 15,1975 inYakima,Wash, and was raised and educated in Moxee, graduating from EastValley High School in 1994. He attended the New Mexico Military Institute for one year before entering the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, Colo. CaptainStrotherwas a KC-135R/TAircraftCommanderassigned to the 92nd Air RefuelingSquadron, FairchildAFB,Wash. He graduatedwith a Bachelor ofScience Degree in Operations Research in 1999. Followinggraduation from the Academy, Shad served as a Squadron Executive Officer in the 8th Airlift Squadron, McChordAFB,Wash, and completed the Aerospace Basic Course at Maxwell AFB, Ala.

In September 2000 he entered Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas. He graduated from pilot training in February 2001 with an assignment to Fairchild. After initial training in the KC-135 Stratotanker at Altus AFB, Okla. he arrived at Fairchild in February 2002.

First as a pilot and then as an aircraft commander, Shad served with distinction on several deploymentssupportingOperation SouthernWatch, EnduringFreedom and Iraqi Freedom. He amassed a total of 1,650 hours in the KC-135 including nearly 400 hours of combat flight time. Shad fulfilled key support roles in the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, serving as Standardization and Evaluation Liaison Officer and later as a Flight Scheduler.

His decorations include the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leafclusters, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal,

the GlobalWar on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Shad enjoyed many activities including four-wheeling, snowboarding, flying and traveling all over the world. He was a kind and caringperson with a wonderful sense ofhumorandwill be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Chelsea Blackstone Strother in Spokane; his parents, Michael and Delores Strother ofMoxee,Wash.; a sister Mary Eades ofIssaquah,Wash.; a brother Seth Strother of Moxee, several aunts and uncles and numerous cousins.

Funeral services with full military honors by the McChord Air Force Base Honor Guard were held inYakima June 9,2005. (His Family)

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

Col. (Ret) James. L. Weaver, Class of 1963, who died on Sept 21, 2005 in Pleasanton, Texas as a result of an aircraft accident.

Dr. Eugene M. DeMatte, Class of 1966, Who died on Sept. 4, 2005 in Tampa, Fla.

Maj. (Ret) Ronald O. Voight, Class of 1967, who died on Dec. 15, 2003 in Spokane, Wash.

1st Lt. (MedRet) Edward K. Vornbrock, Class of 1977, who died on Oct. 26, 2005 of cancer in Atlanta, Ga.

Mr. Joseph G. Kimball, Class of 1987, who died on Jan. 8, 2001 in California.

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

OBITUARY POLICYEXPLAINED

We have had a number ofinquiries on our policyconcerningobituaries fordeceased graduates and cadets. Some graduates have noted that while we have listed a graduate’s death in the “At Press Time” section of“Gone But Not Forgotten," the graduate’s obituary never appeared in the magazine.

Ourpolicyis to write to the next-of-kin a reasonable amount oftime (usually two weeks or so) after the death, and request from that individual (wife, parent, etc.) an obituarywritten by a classmate, friend or family member. We also ask for copies ofobituaries which might have appeared in local newspapers. Ifwe 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).

Ifwe do not receive a response to our firstletterfrom the next-of-kin in a month, we write a follow-up letter asking for the obituaryagain and informing the individual that this will be our last request for the article. Ifwe 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 complimentaryassociatemembership intheassociationbeginningwith the magazine inwhich the obituary or deathnotice appears. When the one-yearmembershipexpires, we invitethenext-of-kin tojoin as a regular associate member ifshe/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” optionfortheir spouse, then their spouse can exercise member benefits until their own death. Ifyou 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

BobandDonnaBeckelrecentlyreturnedfrom an interestingjobintheUnited Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bob generously offered the following brief summaryofhis mission.

“The UAE is a small countrylocated on the SaudiArabian Peninsulawith a predominatelyMuslimpopulation offourmillion. It is a combination ofseven separate Emiratesthatbecame a nationin 1971. Thecountry is the third largest oil producer in the Middle East following SaudiArabia and Iran. It is remarkablehowfarthe Emirates have progressed in so fewyears. In the early 1960s there were no pavedroads. DubaiandAbuDhabi are now, ineverysense, modem cities.

"I was asked to visitthe UAE atthe invitation ofH.H. Sheikh Mohammed, Crown Prince ofAbu Dhabi, DeputySupreme CommanderoftheUAEArmedForces, to reviewtheeducationalprogram providedbytheAir Force SecondarySchool (AFSS) a high schoolwith grades 10-12 located inA1Ain, a city ofapproximately300,000. The school is a five-day-a-weekboarding school for male students only. Students are members oftheArmed Forces and are paidwhile attendingschool. Graduates progress to theAir Force College, whichis essentially an academicyear followed by a PilotTrainingProgram. Myreport, following two visits, identified a large numberofweaknesses in the overall program and its related support. I was then asked, byHis Highness to spend six months in country, alongwith Donna, to put the new vision into action.

“Sheikh Mohammed was particularly concerned about the academic eredentials ofthe graduatingstudents and directed that an internationallyrecognizedacademicprogram bein place not laterthan thebeginningofthe ’05/’06 academicyear. Following a reviewofthe existingscholastic capabilities at the AFSS, it became apparent that we would need to contract with an existing

private academic program to meet thattime line. In addition, it was necessary to add a "preparatoryyear” before beginning the 10th grade curriculum.We visited approximately 10 schools and eventuallyrequested fourto participate in a competitive bidprocess.Aselectionwas made andthe contract was signed.

“The focus in the leadership area was to establish a JROTC-type program, which was non-existent at thetime. The leadershipopportunitiesgiven to the students were minimal and no formal cadet corps structure was in place. A regularly scheduled PE/PT program, intramurals, ropes course, leadership reaction course and obstacle course will also be introduced into the overall Leadership Program. Finally, the campus required renovation or new construction, which was also worked during our stay.

“We found the six months to be challenging, educational and a newexperience for the Beckels, as we had never served in the Middle East.”

WhileWendyand I were doing our own touringaround Europe this summer, DickTraceysent the followingtripreportvia satelliteInternetfrom a riverboat in China'.

“It is slow as the devil, but at least it gives us a chance to communicate; we’ll be online for the next couple ofdays.

“WespentthreedaysinBeijingvisitingTiananmenSquare, theoldEmperor’s Palace (TheForbiddenCity), theEmperor’s SummerPalace andthe GreatWall. Allwere unbelievable experiences. The square andpalace are absolutelyhuge. Thepictures we saw on TVsimplycan’tbegin to do itjustice. Ofcourse they are sprucingeverythingup forthe 2008 Olympics.TheGreatWall was quite an experience. Itis a verysteep climb, with some sections having a slope ofaround 60 degrees and no steps. Goingdown thesewas a real challenge.You held on when you could and ran down ifyou couldn’t get to the handrail. I made it to the highest tower (they are spaced every 100 meters) and got some greatpictures.

“The crowds everywhere we went have beenunreal: tens, ifnot hundreds of thousands.TheWall was literallywall-to-wall people on the one section.We are having to get used to little bodies pushing us, cutting in front ofus and hitting us with their open umbrellas as theydo this.

“The temperature has been extremelyhigh, around 100°F, and very, very humid. The food has beenvery spicy, so I think I am losingweight. We have beenlucky so farwith the ‘revenge.’ Thefood on theboat is much more enjoyable, in that it isWestern.We went to thebigdam projecttodayand it is simply unreal. It will have such a dramatic impact on China’s economy, ecology, environment, people, etc. Sayhello to everyone from us.”

Myever-faithful correspondent BillTelford reports on the annual “min-reunion” of’59ers fromVirginiaandNorth Carolinathathe andAnna hosted 1214 Sept.

“It was a good group and a timefilledwith lotsoflaughs and stories. Thegang is as chipper as ever. The men playedgolf—despite the heat—although the veryprestigious ‘Hacker’sTrophy’ was not awarded since itresides inArizona in the home ofHankCanterbury. Theladies enjoyed an afternoonofshopping anddining at a lakeside restaurant. Someoftheguys were venturesome enough to go out on thejetskiandtourthelake.Asyou can tell, none ofus hasyetgrown up despite our age.”

The followingpicture was taken atthe annual 13th Bomb SquadronAssociation reunion in SanAntonio this September. Brian Parker notes: “That’s me in the redblazer. Next to me is Maj GenAnthonyF. Przybyslawski,

Pete Todd

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TheMerryRevelers. StandingfromleftareAnn Kingsland, Brenda Welch, Lou Kingsland, SteveHamer,JoeMorgan, PattyHamer, KarenMorgan, Wayne andBonnieJefferson, MikeReardon,AlandJan Waters,Anna andBillTelford. Sitting/kneeling are Leigh and CealieHunt, Marian Reardon. Brenda’sfernciousguarddog, MissMandy,providedsecurityforthegroup.

Commander AFPC, Class of 1976. To his left is Maj Gen (Ret) Harrison Lobdell, theAsst.

Duringa tensegolfmomentat theTelfords’, fourclassmatesdemonstrate the trademark ’59erFour-Ship Formation. (Extra creditifyou can determine the flightlead.)

DirectorofPhysicalTrainingfortheClassof1959. Gen. P was thespeakerat our banquet. I have never heard a more motivationalspeaker. Gen. Lobdellis one of our members, havingserved in the 13th during the KoreanWar.

“Itwas abusysummer. The 13th was deactivatedatDyessAFBwithB-IsinJune andthenreactivatedwith B-2s atWhitemanAFB in September, twoweeks after the reunion. The new 13th ops officer is also a grad, Lt Col PaulW. Tibbets IV (1989).The 13th dates back to 1917 and Paul’s familybackground adds more heritage to thesquadron. I really am honored to be an officerin theAssociation.

BMWR1150RT cyclefor3700+ milesin 10 daysfromOklahomathru Minnesota to Canada’s Lake Superior. And now he’s into border security: “You have my assurance thatthe Northern Border is safe,” writes Gordy. “I plan to conduct similarinspection tours forHomeland Securityinthe comingyears to insure that no swimmers sneak across the lake.”

GGGG—that’sGaryGunnar (Goose) Gulbransen —was Captain at PanAm with 26 years in the air and then flew Delta as Captain for 10 years, so his 36 yearswith the airlines provides free transportwhereverhe and Susan care to roam. Atleastthat’s thetheory.“Well, afterthree daysshuttlingbetweenAtlanta and NewYork looking for two empty seats to Europe and with my new car waiting in Stuttgart at thefactory, we bitthebulletandboughtFULLFARE onewayseats—$8,700 (ouch!).” But theygot their 2006 Mercedes Benz CLS500 four-doorw/ coupe styling,V-8 w/ air suspension. Goose drove it for three weeks in Germany, Austria and Slovenia and on theAutobahn at 230+km/hr (Susan: “the fasteryou go, the faster I knit”) and on the wayback stopped in Toronto tovisitBill and NancySiebeckerand their neat yacht—a56’ Neptunus with twin 460HP Caterpillar turbo diesels, cruises at 26 mph and burns 50 gallons an hour, two staterooms withbathrooms and a 120HPYamahajetboat tenderthatdoes 46mph.Andalthoughthe cost ofthatMB was disclosedonly as “almost twice to the dollarwhat we paid for our first house,” it’s no secret thatthe Krautsbuiltuptheirforeigncurrencywar chests andGulbransen drastically contributed to the bulging U.S. trade deficit. Zoom, ZOOM, Zoom.

Editorial space constraints force me to closehere. CheckouttheClasswebsite (http://www.usafaclasses.org/1959) for more pictures and details about the mini-reunion at the Navygame, Dick Carr’s gripping hurricane-and-travel story and shared moments ofsadness with one ofour heroes, JB Townsend. HappyHolidays to all.

Thoughtforthe quarter. Sleep is a legitimate form ofcriticism.

AJ. (Rosie) Cler, Jr. 9180 Coors Blvd. NW #1003 Albuquerque, NM 87120

E-mail: RCtherose@aol.com

Class Web Site: www.usafa.net/1960

GordyFlygare does some reallycoolthings, likegoingto the “BixBeiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival" in Davenport, LA for the legendaryjazz cornetist’s 100th birthday.AttendingAAAOklahomaRedhawksballgames at thatbeautiful new SBC Bricktown Ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City. Riding to our 45th Reunion on a motorcycle and then racingbare-greyheaded on his 2004

GooseattheStuttgartfactorywithhis “Ridiculouslyexpensive car thatmakes no sense and thatIdon’tneed!"

Return with me now for a legendregarding our classmates from that priceless chunk ofreal estate called Brooklyn (a.k.a. “Flatbush”)—longago home to Ebbets FieldfortheBrooklynDodgers andBettySmith’s novel“ATree Grows in Brooklyn.” FredWalker, Denis Haney, George Fries—thetrio forming “The BoysGrewIn Brooklyn.

Frederick Thomas Walker (Fishing Club 3, Forensic Society 4,3,2, 1 Gun Club 1, Model Engineering Society3) writes: “Raisedwith foursiblings in a twp-bedroom apartmentoffFlatbushAvenue, I attended St. John’s Prep. That’s where I met Denny Haney. He was a classmate and our longpublicbus routes to school intersected, so we sometimes rode on the same bus. We also worked at the same fast-food place for a while. My family couldn’t afford college, so I needed free education. MyolderbrotherattendedWestPoint, so that was mygoal. I applied to the congressmanwho appointed mybrother. He chose his nominees bycompetitive exam. I didn’t do well enough forWest Point, but I was highenough to be a candidate for USAFA. I’d never heard oftheAir ForceAcademy, butfree is free. I was veryfat andlost 40 lbs in 30 days to pass the physical.

“After I had been accepted, I was astonished to learn that Dennywas too. We flewout to Colorado togetherandshowedup at theAcademywaylate. Turned out I was theyoungest in our class, and I thinkDennywas the 2nd youngest (R: Actually, DaveLuceissecondyoungest, born27March 1939, andDenisHaney third, born 20 March 1939).

“Wespent 1961 withFrankand EveMayberryat KeeslerAFB and came across them several times thereafter, and duringfouryears at ClarkAB (1962-66) we encounteredmanyclassmates - those stationedthere and those going to and from SoutheastAsia. In the early ’80s I was travelingwith some JSOC brass (I wasJ6) and Bill Kornitzer was our pilot. Later he was commander ofthe 1 st SOW, a JSOC affiliate.

“At ClarkAB I was responsible for coordinatingthe arrival ofour new commander (06 replacing an 05). Until then, I had no thought of an Air Force career. MythoughtschangedwhenI sawhowthat06 was treated - traveled to ClarkwithJusfamily; met at planebycar and driver; delivereddirectlyto fullyfurnished on-base quarters with refrigeratorand cupboards stocked; driven to andfromworkmorning, noon andrnght; allprocessingdone atMs desk; Ms choice ofany secretaryworking for someone junior to him, etc. I thought, ‘wow, ifI stayin andkeep my nose clean, maybe some dayI’llbe an 06, andI’ll be treated thatway.’ I did stayin, and I did make 06 (1 st in the class andyoungest in the RegularAF at the time), but I never got treated thatway.

Gordyat theRossportInn eastofThunderBayin Ontario.

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“Afterfiveyears atJSOC, all otherAF opportunities seemedmundane, especially since the AF wouldn’t consider me for an 07 position until I had been ‘reblued.’ So, I retired and went to work for General Electric. After several mergers, myemployer is now Lockheed Martin, butI’m in the same business and the same buildingsince 1985. “Mywifeof44years, theformerMarie (Ree) Fuller ofBinghamton, NY, graduated from the Universityofthe Philippines, andhas a Master’sDegree fromWestchesterUniversityandherDoctoratefrom Nova Southeastern. She is an elementaryschoolprincipal. Our son Tom is a poet; and our daughterNicole is a lawyer.”Theylive in Malvern, PA and Rick’s e-mail is: Frederick.t.walker@lmco.com.

RickandRee on the USSAmsterdam cruisingthehigh seas.

CarylMosierarrived in Houston as a volunteer nurse helpingKatrina evacuees in the George Brown Convention Center—a “giganticplace transformed into a block-longthree-storyM.A.S.H. unit, shewrites. “I started in pediatric triageidentifyingkids’ medicalneeds, thenmoved to Crisis Support Counseling. I heard so many traumatic stories, but some wonderful reunions as well. Had everything from a five-day-old‘preemie’ to a displacedl2-year-old, the bravestperson I have ever met. It was amazing to see how so manystrangers had banded togetherduring the flood to help each other, and the 'Operation Compassion’ people were incredible. There were 1,700 evacuees when I arrived two weeks afterthestorm, and 350 withoutdestinations or homeswhen Ileft. (Carylwent back a second time, all at her own expense). Husband Bruce MosierandAndi Biancur responded to a call forvolunteerpilots, andflewinto Pascagoula, MS at “O-Dark-Thirty” one morning in Andi’s Beech Bonanza V35B loadedwith reliefsupplies and returnedwith a church volunteer/medical type on board after their 13-1/2 hour flight.

And some are still cleaning up from Hurricane Ivan remember Him?

MichaelJ. Clarke andwife, Emma, continue to completerepairs to theirhome followingtheir move to North Floridafrom Southbury, CT. Fora look at some of the 100+ digital photos he took of the damages, email Mike at: FlyMike55@aol.com.

MiniSki XVI is 26 Februarythrough 4 March 2006. Go to Salt Lake Cityfor some snow fun.

“Patriciaand I stillspend sixmonths in NewZealand eachyear—December throughMay,” writes Dave Reed. “I’m presentlyinvolved in updating oxygen mandates in light civilian aircraft and gliders. FAA mandates are woefully out ofdate. Hoping to interestAFA departments in a research project to be pubfished in a professionaljournal—ifyoupilots have got some ideas regarding this project, contact me: neptune@ecentral.com.

Dave checkingoxygen in hissailplane. Karen and I wish you all a very MerryChristmas and a Happy NewYear.

Visit the NEWAOGWeb Site.

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More! www.usafa.org

Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear

50582 Stonington Drive

Granger, IN 46530-8243

H: (574) 273-2597

E-mail: ENOandTJO@ameritech.net

Class Web Site: www.usafal961.info

We were sad to learn that Lillie Saunders, Earl’swife, passed awaythe night ofOctober 16th As manyhave commented, herpassingis a realloss for us all. Our sympathies, thoughts, and prayers are with Earl.

Stu Boyd and Bob Brickey are planningfor Ski Utah 2007. You should note thatthey are not planning a skiingoutingfor 2006. JackBrightis moving to Las Vegas and should have arrived there on Oct 19th

Doug Cairns reported thatJim and Patty Hourin (Doug’s sister) were flying to Montgomery, AL, on Oct 14th for a short visit. The Cairnses, Pooles, Westbrooks and Hourins were planning a mini-reunion on the 15th Doug doubts thatthere will be much newsworthy to report on thatvisitunless they convince PattyandJimmy to relocate to Montgomery. That is not completely beyond the realm ofpossibilities since the golfcourse and tennis courts at their beloved Diamond Head are no longerplayable or just not there anymore.

Paul Dean saidthatTom and BonnieWilliams hosted a “Tuscanydinner” for Paul and Donna Dean, Pete and PattyLane, Allan Blaisdell, PhilWoods, Rich Mayo (fromHouston), and honorarygroup members (John and Mimi Kuenzel ’60). Bonnie was a greathostess, andTom was a greatbartender. Afewoftheir bunchwere outoftown, butitwas funtohearJohnandRichtalkabouttheirdays as Falcon quarterbacks. Theirgroup is planning further adventures in the comingyear. Theywouldlove to have more of the ’61 bunch make it to their dinners.

Tom and Anne Eller visited their son Rob and his wife, Kristen, in Philadelphia the week after theAF/Navygame. Theyall, alongwith their daughter Elizabeth and her husband Steve fromAtlanta, attended the Navygame and saw several ’61 folks at the rainy, muddytailgate.

Bill Fosterprovided an after-actionreport on theAirForce/ Navyfootballgameandassociatedactivities. Thecloudswere cryingwiththeWashington group as theywatched Navy come frombehind at thegameinAnnapolis on October8th WhilethenewlyrenovatedNavyStadium field looked great and drainedwell duringthe torrential rains, the grounds for theAOGTailgate Lunch introducedthisyear’sattendees to whatitislike to bein a rain forestwithout ground cover during a monsoon. Even thosewho wore boots were not protected from sinkinginto ankle deepmud, butthegreatfood and drink almost made up for it. To drown their sorrows after the game, the group retreated to a festivepartywith alot more foodanddrink atBillandTheda Foster’s. Joining the area group were Gene and Judy Davis from Florida, Sue andJerryLefton from North Carolina, andJim andJoyDamauerfromCalifornia. Locals included Steve Ho and LynneFunkhauser, Charlie Dixon and Liz Powers, Ron andKathyMueller,JohnandEllenSullivan,John andJoanKohout, andJimandLindaRogers. In twoyears, theyneedmore’61erstojointhemand ensure thevictorycelebration is indeed one.

John saidthatthis past summer was busyforthe Goodleys. When Caseywas looking into her Polish ancestry, she discovered the citythey came from in Poland and met a familythatlived there. She and theirdaughterwent there to visit the area. Later, two people from that household came to visit John and CaseyinTexas and stayed about 10 days.Theydidn’t speakEnglish, and the Goodleys don’t speakPolish; however, theyhad a greatvisit, which included taking them to two nearby towns and meeting descendants ofsome who left thatlocal area in Polandand setded thereinTexas in 1855. ThispastMay,Casey and John visited them in Poland. Theyreceived a real red carpettreatment, meetingwith the mayor ofthe “countyseat”, touringseverallocal castles, and visiting middle schools, fire houses, churches, and other cities in that local area. The Goodleys later, on their own, visited Krakow, Auschwitz I and II, Warsaw, and a fewotherplaces before goinghome. John saidit was a greattrip, except that he had to drive. Three weeks later Casey and John flew to Copenhagen, boarded a boat, and cruised the Baltic, visiting seven different countries and St Petersburg. Johnwill rememberCopenhagen: $6for a not so bigbotde ofwater. Another goodtrip though. One eveningdinner on the ship he consumed fivelobster tails. When the two fromPoland, who hadvisitedthe Goodleys, went to California to visit their daughter in July, John and Casey drove out andjoined them for another visit.

HenryHowe said that he did not have much time to provide manydetails, having been "drafted” to be the shelter manager for a Hurricane Katrina EvacueeAssistance Shelterthat later also became a shelterforHurricane Rita evacuees. More than 100 evacuees passedthrough the facility, with about 50 remaininglong term. (He stillhad both Katrina and Rita evacuees in residence in mid-October.) Since this was a faith-based center, theyhad neither the benefit nor the red tape ofFEMA support. He andhis entire staffofvolunteers contributed more than 2,000 hours in Septemberalone. Henryhas gotten to knowmanyofthe evacuees and has heard stories most can’t believewithout

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looking into their eyes and seeing the pain/panic/pleading. All oftheir remaining evacuees are puttingdown roots in the Denton County,TX, area. This will be a chance forthem to get a fresh start, with the aid ofsponsororganizationswho are adoptingfamilies to aidtheir transitioninto thecommunityand their new opportunity. Henrysaid thathe has seen povertyup close and personalin manyofthe evacuees. He has also seen determination to start againin most. A few were there to get all they could and left when they couldn’t get money or drugs. He says that he would welcome any ofthose they are now placinginto the community as a new neighbor. He hopes to bejoblessbythe time this gets into print and maybe even mow his lawn. Luckysoutherners get to mow almostyeararound, buthe claims that grass is easier to cut than snow is to shovel. [Evidently, he doesn’t know about snowblowers.]

Lou Hablasreports thatheandKate are thankingallwhohavebeenprayingfor herbecause shehas not required a bloodtransfusion since thefirstweekofSeptember. Infact,herlastbloodlevelcheckshowedthatforthefirsttimeinayear, she has actuallymade some blood! Thathasledherdoctorto concludethather current chemotherapyistrulyworking,althoughhesaidhewouldbeveryslowabout reducing or eliminatingher dosage. (Until this recent improvement, Kate has requiredtwo unitsofbloodevery 10-14 dayssincelastNovember.)

Paul Hintonlast set foot on AF propertyin 1969. DuringtheweekofOctober 3rd he visited RandolphAFB to hear a T-1 program presentation, and to gain insight into currentAFviews on pilottraining. Itwas at once veryfamiliar and distant to him. The buildings lookthe same, the guards act the same, the uniforms were easilyrecognizable, and he felt oddly at home, likevisiting an old friend. Itall madehimlaugh to some degree. Paulthinks, even forthosewho did not complete a fullAF career, an inescapable mark was made. BUT, he added: in 1961 -1966 colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors looked very old; and now they look veryyoung. He wonders how that might be. He said that he supposes this could be filed underthe “life is a strangejourney” column.

Brice Jones said thathis company’s entire firstvintage of1,189 cases ofwine (except for a half-barrel ofbottled Hospices ofSonomawine auctioned offlast May) was lost in a warehouse fire. While insurance should cover much ofthe loss, the fire means that theircompany’swine introductionwill slip a year, to the springof2007. As usual, Brice is taking a positive outlook. He believes that it is better to have lost their first, instead of a market-disruptingsubsequent vintage. The delay also provides an opportunity to improve their marketing plan. He is still planninghis Hospices ofSonoma in May.

Dean Jones said thathe andJo metWayne and Maryat CedarBreaks, UT, to enjoythe beautiful fall scenery near Brian Head Ski Resort. Theyalso visited Zion and Bryce Canyonparks, and got in some obligatorygolfin St. George and CedarCity. TheJones twins agreed it was a relaxingvisitin one ofAmerica’s most scenic areas.

Pete Lane is the proud co-editor ofhis second book, entitled “Warriors and Scholars, A ModernWar Reader”. Thework is a compilation ofthe best papers over the last 20 years from a MilitaryHistory Seminarheld at the Universityof NorthTexas. Contact Pete ifyou are interested in a copy.

Jerry Lefton phoned in his report since his computer for some unknown reason could not transmit messages. He feltthat we should have beaten Navy. He and Sue, alongwith the Davises stayedwith the Fosters thatweekend. Jerry was leaving on Oct 11 th for Bay St Louis, MS which is near Diamond Head (wherethe Hourins have theirhome). The reason forhistrip is thatthe county where he and Sue live, Moore County, NC, has adopted Bay St Louis to help them with their difficulties arising from Katrina. Moore Countyhas contributed football uniforms for the high school team (which theyused in winning their first game), tents, copy paper, computers, personal protectionequipment, and lots ofother supplies. They are also cleaning the parks, swings, and places for the children to play, as well as cleaning the library. For approximately 10 days, Jerrywill be the on-site coordinator between his county and the BaySt Louis townspeoplein meetingtheir needs.

Tom and Mimi Skilling recently moved to Cincinnati to be around five of their seven grandchildren.

Several graduates calling themselves “The LowryPioneers” are exploring the possibilityofobtaining a statue ofGen Harmon (The Father oftheAcademy) and to place on theAcademygrounds and may seek our financial support. Ofcourse, we willbe seeking Class contributionsfor an adequategift at our 50th so this issimply a heads up. Nothingfirm at thistime on eitherproject.

Thanks to allwho contributed.

MVy Wn 1 3

John W. “Jack” Jamba

4 Judy Court

Satellite Beach, FL 32937

H: (321) 777-5520 0: (321) 861-6279

Cell: (321) 432-1370

E-Mail: jwjamba@aol.com

Hi Redtags. Ourpart ofFloridahas escapedthe hurricanes this summer so far. But there are sixweeks left in hurricane season; we can still getpounded. I’ll start with an apologyto Sue Haugen fornamingherAnn in thelastissue. That’s two wives’ names I’ve messed up in a row. I need an R&R.

Got an email from Owen and Connie Hawkins. “Connie and I are traveling in our RV and have been zigzagging around Texas since Sept 20th. Went to Midland-Odessa for the CommemorativeAir Force (CAF) Airshow (theyspell itAIRSHO) used to be known as the ConfederateAir Force in Harlingen and it was reallyamazing.Theyhad a B-17, a B-24, several B-25s plus tons ofT6s and otherWWIIWarbirds. I stoppedby one booth called “Yellow????” and asked ifanyone knewGrant Lannon.Yep,theysaid—he was at the show, but over in theT-6 area. I tried spottinghim as the T-6s taxied by, but all the pilots I saw had too much grayhair so I figured Grantjust stayed in the pilot’slounge to escape the96-degreetemp.Went thru BigSpring (ex-WebbAFB) and Lubbock (ex-ReeseAFB).Verynostalgic and a bit ofa tear in my eye. Watch out for any leftover Hurricanes.” Thanks Owen. Hope the rest ofthe trip went well.

Now this from George Thompson: “OK Jack! I retired (again?!) from myposition as HeadmasteratPattersonSchool and returned to the PskovVolnyInstitute in Pskov, Russia. I am backin the old routine teachingfour courses. Meanwhile there are lots ofnice cultural events hereinPskovandinSt. Pete. Iamexpectingastrongwintersincelastwinterwas quitemild, butit is NOTHINGcompared to Minot! Here, inthepartofRussiathat once was owned bySweden and not reached bythe Mongols, the girls are tall, slender, blondewithlonghairandshort skirts! Otherthan that I refuse to answer on the grounds it might incrimbilate me. Cheers to all! George.” Don’tworry, I won’t incrimbilate you.

And here is a recent email from Dick Klass. “Hijack, The class of ’59 has sounded us out aboutparticipatingin an effort to memorialize theLowryyears. They are thinking about a full statue ofGen. Harmon or something on the ‘heritage trail.’ No commitment to cost, funding, etc. atthis phase. Couldyou put the above inthe next Checkpoints and askforreactions to be sent to me. Thanks, Dick” OK, Redtags, Let Dickknowaboutyourfeelings on this subject. He can be reached at rklass@comcast.net.

And a quick message fromWillie Gray. “Hello Jack, Hold the presses!! Nancy and I just returned on Fridayfrom a cruise in the Mediterranean. The second night on the ship, at the conclusion ofthe nightly show, Nancy and I were approachedbynone otherthan RTB BunkyReeves andhislovelywife, Connie. Theywere onboard celebratingtheir 25thweddinganniversary.What are the chances ofrunninginto another RTB 4,000 miles from home, who bytheway onlylives about 15 miles from us? They were staying in Europe for at least a week after we returned fromVenice. Hope all iswellwith you and the family. Cheers,Willie.” Thanks,Willie. See you soon.

Here is an email fromTom Rausch to TomYoung. “I am doingengineering/ technicalworkforThe MITRE Corporation. Ourportion ofthe companysupports the DoD. I have always said that I will keepworking as long as it is fun, AND as long as I am part ofthe solution and not part ofthe ‘problem’. Since I get involved in all the European Intel (ISR) activities and a lot more besides, it is still exciting. And since I am workingwith 30-year-oldcaptains, you know that age andtreacherywill alwayswin out overyouth and enthusiasm. HOWEVER, I can’t retireuntilmylawsuitagainstthe German “IRS” is finishedsince part ofmy case depends on mybeinghere for myjob. IF I retired and stayed here, I would provetheir case. At present we cannot leave because mymotherin-lawis 85 and mywife an onlychild. So I work and enjoyitAND the pay.Wait until nextApril when I can also collect SS. I’ll be swimming in money. Tom” ThanksTom Rausch forthat missive.

And let’s see whatTomYoungreplied to Tom Rausch. “I resigned from theAF in ’71 and began a real estate career. I was in Columbus, OH, until ’92, then moved to St Pete, FL, where I still am a real estate broker, and collecting SS. I enjoypeople (most ofthe time) and have the luxuryofchoosingmyclients, so I have to sayI am blessed both personally and professionally. I enjoymywork and I’m active in mychurch, where I head up the sportsmen’s club. So I get to

Sabre Society Donors Randy

do a lot ofhuntingand fishing. It’sgood to hearfromyouand to hearthatyou’re happy. Best wishes with the German IRS. Ifyou ever get to Florida, let’s try to hook up. TomYoung.” Thanks for letting me print that update, Tom. I’ll need another picture ofa boar or deer kill sometime soon.

RandySchamberger sent me a quick note. “Hi Jack. Lieu and I took a 13-day Mediterranean cruise inAugust.We flew to Rome and then took Carnival’s Liberty to 10 ports. Man, I couldn’t believe howthat countryis messed up. In Rome, theyhaven’t cleaned up anyofthe mins that were there during our 3rd Class FieldTrip. But I tried to do my part. In Pisa, they had a tower that was leaning so badly I thought it would fall so I held it up as long as I could (see photo on previouspage)ThanksRandy. I never knewyou were such a power stud. I’m impressed. It looks like you almost crossed paths in the Mediterranean with Willie Grayand Bunky Reeves.

GotthisfromFred Hendryx. “Jack, thusismyreport on theMoody64AReunion.

The62RTBgradsattendingwere:RalphandPatConlan,Jerryand JackieDaniel, Georgeand Penny Harrison, Fred and Helen Hendryx, Bob and PeggyKeighery, Lyle and Susan Wilson The highlightofthe Reunion was a Fridaytour oftheAir Force Museum atWright Pat. Everyoneenjoyed the Reunion and is lookingforward to the next one in Maine in 2007. Sorry, no picturesyet. Fred”

Went to Dallas and had a mini-reunion withVern Wood, Tom Hutchison, JerrySmith, Chuck Turner and Bob Staib. Bob was newly married the previous weekand still in the aircraft leasing line. Jerry isworkingpartial days at his real estate business.Tom is full-time engineeringwith Lockheed Martin. And Vern and Chuck are retired, (see picture)

I guess that wraps it up. Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear to all ofyou. Send me those Christmas Newsletters. Co Redtags!

Norman I. (Skip) Lee

63119 E. Cat Claw Lane Tucson, AZ 85739-2056

Home: (520) 825-7980

Cell: (520) 241-3498

E-mail: 54wrs@msn.com or lindaandskip@robsoncom.net

TheAOG notified us Sept 23rd thatJim Weaver died on Sept 21SI as the result ofan aircraft accident near Pleasanton TX. A memorial service and funeral was held Sept 28th at theAcademy. Condolences may be sent to his family in care ofhis wife, Mrs. MariaWeaver, at 16407 Old Stable Rd, San Antonio TX 78247-4418. Jimmie Butler sent us an email about the funeral ceremonies held at theAcademyCemeteryand included a photograph ofthose classmates who attended. In his note Jimmie said a number of us who have settled near the Academy consider that when one of our classmates returns to the Academyforinterment, this too is our place and our time. I would invite all of you to try to join us in the future when such sad returns occur.”

At the USAFA ceremonies were 15'h Squadron classmates: Dave Nuss and Warren Nogaki and Barney Bartlett's son C4CAustin Bartlett. Other classmates there were Gordon Bredvik, Bob Donavan and Jim Gaston.

Ifyou go to the ClassWeb Page, look under Guest Book, and you will find some additional information on Jim’s death provided byGarryWallace.

Jim Hauserand EvVaughn filled me in on a recent medical problemexperienced by Bill Green. According to Ev, Bill suffered an aortic dissecting aneurysm and at this writing was in intensive care. Ev reports that Bill’s wife, Lisa, says he is making progress. Ev suggests you can send cards and notes to Bill using the following address: Mr.William Green, 13882 Knaus Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034-2138.

Earlier this month (October) Jim Hauser and Jimmie Butler attended the COPPERSTATE FLY-IN held at the Casa Grande,ArizonaAirport. Theywere at the Fly-in to participate in theAuthor’s Corner (Jim’s creation). Both Jim and Jimmie had books on display at the event: A Certain BrotherhoodbyJimmie and BuddingandProgramminga SyntheticVision Information System (SVIS) byJim. A flyerfound on the Fly-inWeb Pagehad the following to sayabout Jim H’s book: “This book presents the software necessary to program an SVIS. A discussion ofthe necessary hardware is included. Prettyheavy stuff! Casa Grande is not farfromwhere we live inTucsonand I wanted to getup thereand visit with the guys but failed to do so didn’t followmyplan. Jim told me he flies his Aztec to and from Boulder to attend these Fly-insincludingOshkosh.

Jerryand MarshaAdinolfi sent us a good photographtaken during their recent cruise vacation to celebrate their 42nd weddinganniversary.

MarshaandJerry

This was not your routine Caribbean cruise. Due to Marsha’s medical requirementstheyhad to drive from Kansas to the embarkationpoint in Miami (1,750 miles). Once on the boat theymanaged to avoid two hurricanes (Dennis and Emily) thoughEmily caused them to miss St. Thomas as a port ofcall. According to Jerry, Marsha had been bed-ridden for seven continuous months and this trip was a promise that ifshe got better, they’d go cruising... she got better! Things continue to keepJerrybusy as a parishpriest and he claims his sixyears at the Pentagon seems like child’s play in comparison.

Some short notes: Neil Sorenson attached a flyer to his email for theWhidbeyWoodworkers Guild show. Neil said he had a table in the show.

29 Sabre Society Donors

John and Susi Bellotte were in Germany this summer, in theAllgauand, like the southeastern U.S. therehas been a lot ofrain and floodingin Europe. John also said that Susi recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.

Bill Mitchell sent a press release thatreported the sale ofThe Mitchell Group to Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Bill’s companybased at Carmel-by-theSea had five offices located on the MontereyPeninsula andwill now operate as Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. in Northern California. Bill’s immediate plans are to spend more time with a flyrod.

Ifyou recall the July 2005 version ofthis column, we reported on the decision-makingprocess taken byStephanie Bacue (Ralph) to become a member ofthe Class of2009. Well, Ralph andVirginia spent a weekend in Colorado duringearlySeptemberwith Stephanie. Theyreporthaving a great time and Stephanie is very happy and doing well. Stephanie says she made the right decision. Ralph also provided us a travel tip suggesting that ifyou’relooking for a greatgetaway, that is two hours from the C Springsairport, check out the TomCat Guest Ranch (www.fourteenernet.com/tomcat/). He says the ranch is secluded, luxurious, and better than advertised. Their onlycomplaint was being able to see but being unable to catch the “big ones”.

As promised, I have included a photograph ofJohnnie Hail and Janet Lee Stephenson from theirweddingback inJuly. (Seephoto at top ofnext column.)

Steve Dotson sent me the URL to his new, almost completed,Web Site forhis bookThe Light On the Star. Take a look: http:/ /203.177.161.60/web/28909DOTS/index.html.

Finally, I would like to apologize for a misprint in the September column. When discussingHank Hoffman and JeffHeal’s flight to Great Exuma youwill see theword “Hand” when I obviously meant Hank. This occurred as a result

Nuss, Gaston, Donavan, Bredvik, Nogaki and Bartlett

Janet andJohnnie ofmypoorproofreading. Truth be told what I was thinking about at the time was “Jeffwas Captain and Good Hands Hank as First Officer.”

That’s it. Iindaand I hope to see some ofyou attheArmyGame in November. 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

Too Much Time? - Our resident scholar and USAFA instructor, Fred Malmstrom, obviouslyhad too much free time. Hejustpublished an article in SkepticMagazine: “Are UFO Alien Faces an Inborn Facial RecognitionTernplate?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen SkepticMagazine. I knowl’ve never read it. I sure as heck don’t understand the title ofthe article. However, anyone that writes anythingiswayahead ofthe rest ofthe Class - thathasn’t sent any news for months now. Consideryourselves chastised.

SpeakingofWriting-1 noticed a favorable reviewin the Daedalianmagazine forTerry Isaacson’s book, “AFlightThrough life.” It’s a storyabout two families in theVietnamWar era and is available fromTerry or through hisWeb site.

Football-1 thought this mightbe a good season, butgivingthe game to Navy afterthe Swabbies painted the F-4 at USAFA in BlueAngel colors is the pits. Oh, well. BEATARMY!

Branson -1 almost hate to admit that we’re going to Branson, MO, this weekend. I thought only old people went there. We’re meeting our “therapy group” offriends we met in the Air Force at Hanscom AFB back in the ’80s. We meet once a year for a longweekend forgolf, beer (and shows thisyear). We used to drink Margaritas and other such things, but I think they’re making the Tequila stronger now, because it’s just too hard to playgolfthe next day...

Army Stuff - 1 had the occasion to spend lastweek out in the woods at Ft. Campbell, KY, with a battalion that’s trainingup to go to Iraq next month. Theyhelped us byallowing us to power theirTactical Operations Centerwith the electrical powerwe can export from our hybrid electric HMMWVs. The experiment was a great suecess, but the best thing was beingwith the young troops as theygot ready to deploy. I’m here to tell you that the young men and women that are carrying theload today are everybit as good or betterthanwhen we were in our prime. (OK. Not as good as US, but as good as most ofthe troops from our generation.) [Yes - Some ofus were retired before some ofthem were born!]

So - do somethingtoday to support the troops.

News from Denver - Doug Jenkins sent an email about the regular '64 group gatherings in Denver. He says, “It all started six or seven years ago when four Old Trolls, all from the Class of 1964 and all who started out in 20th Squadron, began getting together for lunch monthly in the Denver area. Jim Hermanson, Roger Neeland, Bruce Fister and I were in the original group. Besides providing mutual support and encouragement for one another, the idea for the ’64 Reunion Prayer Breakfast sprang out of this group. Since the Reunion last year, we have grown to include Tom Morris, Tom Jobin, Howie Cohen,WallyWolniewicz and Thad Wolfe. It’s been great to get togetherwith these guys and hear their life experiences and benefit from their wisdom.

It sounds like a great way to keep in touch. I know the Washington, DC people get together (at least once ayear), and Jon Prenez occasionallywrites about gatherings on the Left Coast. Do any other groups get together regularly? (Says the scribe in a transparent effort to squeeze more news from the group.)

Expemplar- Fred Malmstrom sent the following: Onlyforthosewho have been living in a cave, I write that our classmate Karl Richter was overwhelminglyvoted the Class of2008 Exemplar. His display case, shown in the photo, will remain on display in Fairchild Hall. Several Class of ’64 members attended the 1 /Lt Karl Richter ’64 ExemplarBanquet at Mitchell Hall on Saturday, 22 Oct 2005.

Hurricanes - 1 hopenobody was injured in the recent hurricanes. We live just outside the areas hit hardest and only suffered a fewtree limbs breaking. Our neighbor had a tree fall on his roof, but no one near here was injured. From the pictures, southernAlabama, Mississippi and Louisiana are really a mess. The TVand newspapers onlytalk about New Orleans - like it was the onlyplace hit. Almost the entire coast is a disaster area. Those people also need our support and prayers.

Hey“65! Well,just a few more weeks to the reunion and manyofyouwillbe enjoying this 40th celebration. By the time you read this, the event will have come and gone, so please send me photos of your gettogethers with squadron mates and great friends that you haven’t seen inyearsandespeciallystories ofguys thatshowed up forthe first time. Reunion classes are allowed extra space and photos for this Checkpoints column after a reunion.

Sad news from Bill Roberts: Mywife, Ellen, passed away on Aug 10th. You can see an online obituary at http:// www.legacy.com/tucson/LegacySubPage2.asp?

Page=LifeStory&PersonId=14811732. Shewill be interred in the Columbarium at the National Memorial Cemeteryofthe Pacific (Honolulu, HI) on Sep 21st at 10:30.

Here is a group ofzoomie faithful who were graciouslyinvited to watch the Navygame bythe NavalAcademyalums ofAtlanta at a local sports bar. Gary Fausti, honest to god, did push-ups every time the Falcons scored, but alas, you knowthe outcome; but a great time was had by all and the middies are a terrific bunch ofguys. (See photo at top ofnext column.)

Nano-reunion: Ray and Diane Bevivino crashed at our house last week on thewayback to Arlington,VA from the Misty FAC reunion at FtWalton Beach. They saw Dr. Jim Perryand SteveAmdorwho were MistyFacs as well. Raywas founding member and the original intelligence officer for the unit and has a chapterin the book, MISTY, edited byMGDon Shepard,’62.

Sabre Society Donors

Bruce Fister, Tom Morris, WallyWolniewicz, DougJenkins, Howie Cohen, TomJobin, RogerNeelandandJim Hermanson at a Denverlunchgathering.

JayKelley, FredMalmstrom, BettyRichterSiersma (Karl’ssister), EdHarvey, Pete LoPrestiandWallyWolniewiczat theExemplarBanquet

Sabre Society Donors

At theNavygameinAtlanta: scribe, MikeMurphy’59, Ken Grizzle ’63, and GaryFausti ’65.

We ate some great Chinese food, drank some redwine and got caught up. Rayand Diane have three ofthe bestlookingkidsyou’ve ever seen. The eldest, Lt. Ray, Jr. Class of2003,justhappens to be trainingin the C-130 at Little Rock AFB where he may run into Maj. Karl Z, ’95, instructor pilot. Ain’t life grand?

cheerleaderofall time, RayBcvivino.

From Reuel Rolston: “Eric Hanushek has been honored for outstanding contributions to educationwith the Fordham FoundationAward. The award detailed at http:/ /www-hoover.stanford.edu/pubaffairs/newsletter/04011/ hanushek.html.

cites his distinguished contribution to education. He is a recognized expert in the economics andfinance ofschools. His books include TheEconomicsof SchoolingandSchoolQuality... I would also like to hearRickHanushekspeak to our class. Is it possible that we could use some of our reunion time to acknowledge and learn from our classmates?

“I would rather hear from people like Rick than tour squadron areas. We have other ‘experts’ from whom we could take home some life-changing knowledge. Barry Watts comes to mind as having made contributions and written on the theory offriction in war.” Great idea, Reuel!

Well, since I am out ofcopy,just a reminder: “KnowYourNumbers”: a. Blood Pressure; b. Body mass index; c: LDL cholesterol level. Take a walk every day with someone you love.

Hopeyou had a great reunion and send me your pictures and stories.

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

GreetingsRedtags! That’s Season’sGreetings to those ofyouwho have notyet joined the politically correct in celebratingthe "WinterHolidays”. Once again, this article counts as myChristmas card. Insteadofhaving to plowthrough (orignore) that two-pagedescription ofhow well my above average children and saintlygrandchildren are doing, yougetthecondensedversion:We’realldoinggreat —pictureswill be available at the Reunion. But, speakingof grandchildren, Ijustspent a weekhelping mywifewatch our two grandchildren (ages one and three), while theirparents were offon various adventures. We’ve got a little stuffed bear that plays the Air Force songand mygranddaughterpushed the button, ran up to me and said, “Grandpa, it’s playingyour song! There were other cute moments, butthere were a lot ofdiapers (one-year-old) and endless questions (three-year-old). That kind ofweek can reallywearyou out. I’m glad we were young (and I was TDY) when our kids were that age!

Sabre Society Donors

Buck (theJudge) Lyle sent us a greatstoryfrom the heartland ofKansas. The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson KS has an IMAXtheater that was showing that famous bit ofpropaganda called “FighterPilot—Operation Red Flag”. (OK, it was a reallywell-made movie and I thinkmycompany was one ofits main sponsors; but to a trashaulerlike me, anymovie aboutfighterpilots is “propaganda”.) Because Buckis prettyfamous in thatpartofKansas, thelocalswanted him to make some kindofpresentation andexplainthe intricacies ofthe movie —like the real meaning of“Sierra Hotel”, etc. Well, Buck claimed that he had “onlybeen a navigator”, and was reluctant to make a presentation aboutfighter pilots—although he had more stories about them thanhe did aboutlawyers. So he called out to our classmates forhelp, and three oftheworld’s bestRedtag fighterpilots came to hisrescue—KennyBoone,TipGaylor andHughGommel. These intrepid aviators, billed as “BuckLyle and Friends”, educated and entertained a group ofover 200 people as theyexplained and embroidered the real life of a fighter pilot. A trip to Hutchinson KS $99.95, getting help from classmates whenyou need it—priceless.

Some bad news first—We recentlylearned ofthe death ofDr Gene DeMatte. He died on 4 Sept 2005 inTampa FL. A memorial service and burial were held inTampa on 8 Sept.

In the last news letterI mentionedthatKennyBoone (does anyone else in the Class of’66 have a life?) joined with classmatesJim Higham and Bill Riley as theygot togetherwith their old USAFAmath instructor, Dick Perkins (USNA ’55) to tryto figure outwhyKennydidn’t go on to get a MS in math (like Jim) or a PhD in math (like Bill). That semi-historic event was captured on film, but there wasn’t room in the last edition to print it. Fortunately (or not), there is plentyofroom in this edition, so here it is.

JimHigham,KennyBoone, DickPerkins (USNA ’55) andBillRileyas theytry to remember whytheydidsomething40years ago.

GaryPalmer and some hardymembers ofthe class attended theAir ForceNavyfootball game and the tailgatepartypriorto it. Itwas raining, the tailgate was a quagmire, and we didn’twin the game—otherthan that, everyonehad a greattime. Several ofour classmates met the nightbefore at the Sabre Society Dinner at theArmy-NavyCountryClub. Garysays thatHans Mueh was “with

KennyBoone, TipGaylor, Hugh Gommel, andBuckLyleat theCosmosphere in Hutchinson KS.

HansMueh, GaryPalmer, andFritzMcDougall with the '66Guidonat the AirForce-Navyfootballgame.

the rest ofhis staff (the Sup, Comm, Dean, etc) Hans was described by the Sup as “What a plus to our team! Theyhad a greatnightwith much goodinfo, food, and conversation. Garysays thathe saw Kenny Boone (ofcourse), Randy Jayne,Walt Schrecker,Dick McConn, and Hugh Gommel. He said that there mayhavebeen otherclassmates there; buttheyseated everyonebyhowmuch theydonated, not by class.

The official word on our 40th Reunion is still being finalized by the “usual suspects” in Colorado Springs, so it’s time to start losingthatweight, growing that hair, and gettingin shape for the memorial run to the Rock. I’ve started a personal training program that kicked offwith a visit to the Oktoberfest in Munich. I think a couple ofbeer mugs weigh almost as much as an M-1 rifle. Send me those Christmascards andletters, so we’ll allknowwhatyou’redoing to getreadyfor the Reunion. Until next time... HappyLandings!

Larry Wilson

13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE Albuquerque, NM 87111

H: (505) 291-8949

E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

Greetings, one and all. As I compose this—in late October—the days are gettingshorter, there is a chill in the air, (extended) daylight savings time is aboutto end... all sure signs ofimpendingwinter. Generallynot the season that most of us look forward to.

This year’s last-second football defeat to Navy is historywhich—much as we’d like—cannotbeundone. MyUSNAfriend continues to gloat and I expect hewill do so for a long time to come, in about as immature a manner as I did in past, better USAFA football years. Ugh. Meanwhile, another football loss this pastweekend. Another ugh. Regardless ofoutcome, the games are a goodopportunityfor grad groups to gather, as the Seagram’s Seven crew did for the Navygame. I was ineluded on a number oftheir organizing emails. Well done, guys. It looked like a great time in the planning. Irrespective ofthe weather and those final seconds with that cursed Navy field goal—I trust that a good time was had by all.

Bob Muldrow keeps me and manyofus current on sports and otherAcademy activities via his frequent “USAFA updates. Ifyou are not yet on his email list andwould like to have a more- frequent-than-quarterlyfinger on theAcademypulse—Bob can help. LetBob know or let me knowand I will forward email addresses to him. Youprobablynoted that even without Bob’supdates, theAcademycontinues to be in the news, in generallyless-than-complimentary articles about lawsuits, cadet offenses, etc. It is so disappointing.

I am writingthis on the eve ofmy60thbirthday. Tomorrow, like manyofyou have alreadyachieved or soon will achieve, I will reach that big 6 - 0 milestone and be eligible for anynumberof“senior” gooddeals, at theaters, restaurants, etc.Yes, I know, theAARP enrolls folks at age 50. But that doesn’treally count, otherthan as a wake-up call, because that is for “retirees,” not “seniors.” And yes, age 60 is not yet Social Security or Medicare eligible; but those too seem “different” and likelywill inspire other, future ramblings. So forme—this birthdayis particularly a time for reflection. In fact, I am currentlylooking at a potential retirement location—myhome town oflonglongago. Mylook is complicated somewhatbythe factthatI am notyetretired, andhave no shortterm plans to cease work; I stillliveinAlbuquerque; and I don’tplan to relocate soon. The realtor—a high school classmate—would ofcourse like to today sell me thatperfectNorth Dakotaretirementplace. She seems a bitchagrined bymyvagarieswhich translate to thefactthatitislesslikelythatIwillbe buying today or tomorrow or in the near future. Nevertheless this birthdayhas focused my thinking on retirement as never before.

How does one come to thatpoint in life, to the decision that it is time to really and finallypack it in? It was different a fewyears backwhen I retired from the USAF, as I expected to return to theworkforce, and have. This time, however, it will likelybe more like full-time retirement, aside fromwhatever occasional, intermittent, part-time, volunteerand/ or consulting-typeworkI mightengage. And how does one select the “right” place to settle? Does one stayput, or move on, to... where? Andwhy? Is itwisestto determineone’sretirementhome/ base ofoperations based on activities (e.g. golf, sailing, fishing etc.); weather (i.e. Phoenix vs. North Dakota) (where, incidentally, I am currentlylooking— go figure...); relationships (friends, family—kids/ grandkids, etc.); travel possibilities (easytravel access, hops, other); military/ benefits (e.g. SanAntonio and its plethora ofbase stuff—exchanges, commissaries, etc.); costofliving (Mexico, otherCaribbeangetawaylocations); healthfacilities (SanAntoniowith Wellford Hall again, or othersiteswith majormedical centers); access to activities (e.g. Colorado Springs and USAFA); other?. What to do, where to go, when, andwhy? And ofcourse—how to live to stretch one’s retirement $, to live comfortablyfor a longlongtime and outlive the $... Tough considerations, tough decisions. Ideallythe answer would seem to be “allofthe above” plus no doubt several other factors not yetrecognizedby me; or some balance thereof.

For theWilsons—we are realizingwe are likelynotyet (quite) ready. When we do makeTheDecision—relationshipswill likelybe thekey as we value our families and friends much more than otherfactors. That, however, does not simplifythings much, as familyand friends are scattered and mobile...

Enough ofthat.

Youmaybewondering—where on earth didthatramblingdiscourse come from, andwhyin this Checkpoints? The answer: Because there were no photo or verbal “real” inputs to me forthis newsletter. Thusyou are stuckwith mois and myramblings, untemperedbythe realityofclass news inputs.

Having said that—I generally am on the Holidaycard and letter lists ofany number offolks. So I should have “real” input forthe next edition. To protect yourselfand the entire class from more ofthis type thing—please add me to your Holidayaddress list.

With that—bestwishes to all. HappyearlyHolidayplans. Be safe; take care ofselves, familyand friends. Vaya con Diosl

Tim Davidson

9712 Hidden Valley Road

Vienna, VA 22181-6094

(703) 255-5313

Fax: (703) 255-5377

E-mail: timd@erols.com

HELLO ’68! Greetings from the land ofbeautiful fall leaves and sparse correspondence! My anorexic mailboxspiderjustweaved a web signprotesting the meagermorsels ofclassmate info and digitalphotosshe has received over the past several months. As holidaygreetings are sent thisway, please include some personal news and “scannable” photos. Myspiderthanks you!!

RECOVERYWARD DEPT: Since the last column, I heard from Bob Durham indicating that he is recovering “prettywell.” He is still gettingheadaches, which the doctors said could be expected for the next 3-6 months. His pulmonologistsaid it could be up to a yearbefore his conditioninggets back to normal.

Frank Moore also checked in with the following news: “I had a very close callwith the grim reaper, as not many people survive whathappened to me. It was a fairly rare occurrence, known as aortic dissection.You can “Google” that to get info. It’s what took actorJohn Ritter out lastyear. I wasVERYlucky to have all the things that had to be in place, including a top-notch, ex-Air Force thoracic surgeon, whojusthappened to be inthehospitalwhen I went to the emergency room.Within 30 minutes oftheirdiagnosing the problem, they had me “open,” putting me ahead of all otherscheduled surgeries. Five months later, I’m in pretty good shape.Went through an excellent cardiac rehab program at Baylor (the dissection damaged the aortic valve, which had to be replaced), and have actuallyreturned to work as oflastweek. I’m so thankful to have had “safetynets”, e.g. health insurance (Tricare... such as it is) and disability coverage by my employer. So many people are totally ruined when something like this happens.

To both Bob and Frank, our prayers are withyou for continued recovery.

Ourvery own AirForce InspectorGeneral, Steve Polk, andhisever-charmingwife, Henrietta, invited a few of us over to their historic abode on Bolling AFB to share in some well-preparedvitdes, finevintagebeverages, and some characteristic ’68 conversation. HavingknownJohn Ixmgenecker as a squadron mate inThirstyThird and havingspenttime in academic classeswithSteve Polk and Ken Stewart, I began my“foot-in-mouth” question toTobySullivan, byaskinghim howhe was affiliated with the group assembled at the Polks? WhenTobyshared he was a classmate, I told him after 41 years it was nice to finally meet him. Tobyand I discovered we hadvirtually no common ground

Sabre Society Donors

John andJoyceLongenecker, Ken andLynn Stewart, and Tobyand Sharyn Sullivan

Sabre Society Donors

shared during our time at USAFA or our tours of duty in the Air Force and vowed to do some catching up. So, for thosewho have lost track ofmy “newest” classmate, here is a first-time, mentioned-in-CheckpointsupdateonToby and his family:

Upongraduation from USAFA and after a short stint at CraigAFB,Toby embarked on a career in the Office ofSpecialInvestigation (OSI). Throughout the years, he excelled in his craft and retired in 1997 in the rankofcolonel as Director ofOperations, HeadquartersOSI, at BollingAFB. Followinghis military career, he was selected to serve as a government civilian in the Pentagon in the Office ofthe Secretary ofDefense, Directorate ofCounter Intelligence (Cl). Recognizinghis exceptional breadth ofknowledge and leadership in this mission area, the Secretary ofDefensepromotedhim to a position in the Senior Executive Service and appointed him to serve as the Directorfor Cl for DoD in September2004. As Director,Tobyis responsible for developing and promulgating Cl and polygraphpolicy for DoD. He also has responsibility for oversight ofthe DoD Cl program; Cl staffsupport; and representation for Cl at DoD, national, and international forums.

Regarding family matters, Toby’s wife, Sharyn, is a nurse practitioner for psychiatry at theVA hospital in the District ofColumbia. His son Troy III is following in his father’s footsteps as a 1992 USAFAgrad as a major in the OSI who is currentlyserving as a U.S. Forces Korea Cl staffofficer in Seoul, Korea. Hisson’swife (alsoamajor) is currentlyservingastheOSI Detachment Commander in Seoul and is expectingToby’s first grandchild in November. Toby’s daughter Shannon is a registered dietician in Connecticut and his younger son, Kevin, died unexpectedlyofa heart attackin 1997.

Toby and Sharyn, it was a pleasure to breakbread with you at the IG’s house and I hope to see you at future '68 gatherings.

OUT OF COUNTRY DEPT: GeoffGorsuch sent a message about his mission work with the Navigators out ofSingapore. Geoffwrites: “1 just got a delayed forwarded deliveryof Checkpointshere in Singapore and thought I would letyou knowthat Diane and I are doingwell. The leadership development training for the “emergingchurch” in Asia seems to be going verywell also.We’re focused on Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Shanghai. And Cambodia is currentlybeingplanned for next year. Traveling some, but the level ofinterest is so high that it is hard to say, no. Would appreciate your prayers.” For thosewho would like to send Geoffand Diane a friendlyhello or some heartfelt encouragement, his e-mail contact info is Geoff@lifecoach.org. To check out activities ofhis mission, you can viewthe website at: www.lifecoach.org.

MAILBAG DEPT: Bruce Buono sent a “justin-time-to-get-into-the-column" message and photo to convey that he is “livinglarge in Illinois and working as little as necessary.” Currently, Bruceis teachinghighschoolmath as thedreaded “Substitute Teacher,” so his time is mostly his own. On the other hand, his wife, Heather, an active duty USAF lieutenant colonel (select) has virtually no time ofher own. Heatherrecently returned to ScottAFB, ILfrom a six-month tour ofdutyin Iraqwhere she was assigned to the 732nd ExpeditionaryLogistics Support Squadron at Balad Air Base. Her responsibilities in theater were to command all of the Air Force resources that drove and escorted convoys throughout the country. While she was there, her unit surpassed one million road miles driven in support oftheir mission. Bruce believes Heather should have instituted a new recruitingslogan for theAir Force that states: “Join the Air Force and DriveYour Own Truck! As a result ofher service, Heather received the Bronze Star. In closing, Bruce mentioned that he saw Tony Robertson, Bobby Floyd, and Danny James at General Duncan McNabb’s assumption ofcommand duringtheAirMobilityCommandceremonyin September. Thanks foryou update Bruce, and congratulations to Heather forher service to the country.

I received another update from Dana Drenkowski, who is now in theArmy Reserves and serving in Iraq. Bestwishes to Dana to stayclearofjackals while jogging around his base.

THAT’SAWRAP: Mindthe flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, emails, 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

DearAll, Two substantial catch-up newsbytes in the queue, both ofwhich help tie the knot ofthelongblueline that connects us all, these connecting us and our sons and daughters in subsequent classes.

BugsForsythe was elated to havefinallysnagged a backseat ride in theElectrie Jetwith PKCarlton III, Class of’96, an event which also made our own PK Carlton the Elder, good doctor and Surgeon General he is, beam proudly. PK III flies F- 16s out ofShaw, and Bugs was and is serving as the ReserveAdvisor at 9th AF, still working theAOR, and lookingfor opportunities to take breaks from office work. I hear the ride was “hot, not onlybecause ofthe airmanship on displayduring that hot and steamy South Carolina day, but also because the D-model’s a/c wasn’t built for two. Check out the before and after shots, and you’ll see what I mean.

BugsandPKIII, post-sortie.

The second notable event ofthe summer broughttogether some ’69ers and members especially oftwo USAFA new millennium classes to celebrate the wedding ofLara Coppinger (’02) and Ben Brown (’01). Due to the athletic exploits ofthese two at USAFA and beyond, there were a number ofUSAFA jocks present, and the games-we-used-to-play were on full displayat the pool, on the river, on the links, and in the horseshoe pit. “Give a cadet a ball of twine... so the saying goes. The nuptials, on a perfect summer’s evening at Royand LindsayCoppinger’s Portland estate, were spectacular, and the dancing went on late into the night. Other’69ers attending were Les and Connie Dyer, Mike and Linda Beezley, Steve Kirby, and Jean and I. Les and I were honored to join members of’01 and ’02 in theweddingsaber arch and hoped the pictures were not spoiledbythe camera lightsreflectingoffour shinynoggins and our having to squeeze into our mess dresses. Below are the usual suspects. Chec/cpo/ntswrite-upsfor ’01 and’02 carrythepixofthe entire larger assemblage and weddingparty.

Usualsuspects, beamingbrideandgroom, andproudpoppa.

As a third bit ofremembrance, and to follow up on the article in the previous Checkpointsabout Mike Goode’s riveting remarks at Acceptance Parade for our legacy class (’09), here are Art and Katie Schwall andWayne and Nicki Warren followingthat momentous event.

Down in Punta Gorda, Chip and Barb Wood, and their home on the coast have survived another hurricane, but delayed the repatriation to the state of their36’ sloop, the Sweat Pea, until next year. Finding a nichebetweenFloridabound hurricanes were Jeffand Julie Stephenson, who completed their third “Stephensons in Pain” 150-mile ride for Multiple Sclerosis. This year, they went tandem ratherthan riding their mountain bikes solo—but observed the sun andheat, not to mention theirbacksides, allfeltthe same, thank-you-very-

Math InstructorBruce andIraq Veteran HeatherBuono.

TheSchwalls and Warrens with Pegasus aftertheAcceptanceParade. much. Axiom number one: "No matter what you saw on theTour de France, there is no such thing as a comfortable bicycle seat. Nowhere.”

This should set up Jeffand Julie up to do the Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) next summer, an event somehow, some way, spun offfrom discussions among the RTJ golfinggroup. JimmyCummings promoted the idea, and afterall the woofing was finished, is now spearheading the effort. Lo and behold, after discussions, it turned out that DennyRyll (justbackfrom theTourDe France) andTerryBradyRABRAIed last summer, so there is some experience base upon which to rely. Contact Brother Cummings (hercflyer@juno.com) forthisweek-long “Team 69” event ifyou’re interested. Don’t let the fact that Jimmy, Steve Kirby, Denny Ryll, Flip Keck, John Buckner, Bruce Andersen, RoyCoppinger, Les Dyer, LarryAlexander and I, among others, are giving it some thought at this time dissuade yourenthusiasm.

A1 McCree, out ofNashville, continues to leadhis company, Altissimo! Records, as the “go-to” companyfor martial music. Over a couple ofbeers, he described in detail some ofhis latest doings, includingworkingwiththe entertainment industry. The Nicholas Cagemovie Lord ofWar has 30 seconds ofthe USAFAband playingAmericathe Beautiful, and Malcolm in the Middle featured some Altissimo! recordings lastyear. On tap for this year is Boston Legal. A1 sees John Burns, living in Franklin, TN outside Nashville, now consulting for small businesses after retiring from American Airlines. He says Larry Harris lives in Tellico Plans, TN, and runs a pizza restaurant and an independentbookstore, and that Gobi Dessertmoved to Buffalo, NY, where he works for an unnamed aerospace company.

Post-Navygame, a fewofus gatheredtogether to warm up afterthe wet afternoon, rehash the game (sadly, the Falcons dominated but lost), swap stories and pontificate. Dave and SoniaAstle, Mike andVivian Rose, BruceAndersen with daughter Laura, David and Marti Wagner, Chip and CarollAmbrose, Charlie and Karen Weinart, JimandBernie Petek, LarryandJuneleaAlexander, HarryLaws, Jim and Barbara Dryden,JimmyCummings, Jon Pooh Bear, and Darrel and ChrisWhitcomb. Most are pictured below. Identifywho from the above list is not andwin a shot at the poleposition for the upcomingRidgedPotato Chip 500, an adjunct event to our 40lh Reunion. Hint: TerryBrady,Tip Osterthaler, GaryHowe, and JimmyWilliams, all ofwhom attended the game, are not pictured.

Thepost-NavyGameGathering

For bedtime reading, you might check out Darrel’s latest piece, addressing rescue operations in the Second GulfWar, published in last spring’sAirpower Journal (www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj05/spr05/ whitcomb.html). Darrel plies his rescue expertise as an analystwith theTATE Corporation at the Joint Personnel RecoveryAgency.

GreyTags go UndertheTuscan SunDepartment. JerryBall, atthe Personnel Center at RandolphAFB, reports that Dick“Guiseppe” Doyle is on sabbatical from the Naval Postgraduate School, lives in an apartment in a restored 14th Centurymonasteryin Siena, Italy, andhasoffice space at theUniversityofSiena. Godspeed all, until next time. Cheers, Lindsey

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

Hard to believe our Reunion is over! By all accounts, everyone had a great time. Once again, mega kudos to the Reunion Committee for doing a superb jobworking extra hard to make sure we all had a good time. Mark Torreano andTooeyEmeryprovidedoutstandingleadership, Mark Ewig got us a great band as evidenced by those ofus who flocked to the dance floor and tried to rememberthose moves of30 some years ago. I am sure there were some sore joints the next day based on some ofthe “contorting” I saw.

SeventyRocks!

Mark and Dave Gaw also spent some longhours puttingthephotodisplayof our cadet daystogether.Thatwas a bighit onThursdaynight—hard to believe we were ever thatyoung! Bill Porter and Steve Sharkey did a lot ofhomework to make sure we hadfine merchandise to commemorate the occasion. Larry Bush with a lot ofassistance from Marleen, I am sure, got the hotel to give us some outstandingmeals. JackMueller helped us in many areas—not the least being computer and mailinglistsupport. Rich Downingorganized theMemorial Ceremonywhich was thebest one yet. George Crow made this one ofthe highlights ofthe Reunion. His moving words capturingwhat it meant to be a member of the Class of 1970 and honoringthosewho are no longerwith us could not help to bring a tear to one’s eye. It was fittingand proper this ceremony was held in front ofour last class gift a replica ofthe War Memorial located at Doolitde Hallwhere nine of our classmates’ names are engraved on this solemn wall honoring those graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice in time ofwar. Ifanyone has a picture oftheceremony, please send it to me. Thanks from allyourclassmates George!

I know all the golfers had a good time—particularlythe winners who have braggingrights for fiveyears. There was a four-way tie for first at eight under par. Tim Kinnan, RandyRoyce, Tom Waskow, andWild Bill Stealey tiedwith Pat and Carol Collins, Bruce Harmon and his son Carl and Mike Torreano, Bob Drabant, Bob Carey, and Denny Hall. However thewinners, much to the chagrin ofWild Bill, are pictured below.

Sabre Society Donors

Sabre Society Donors

And the winners are... From left are Chuck Weir, John Disosway, Dick Rauschkolb, andDustySwanson.

John’s chip-in birdie on #15 was the tiebreaker—it was really the only shot ofhis we used all day—right! Your class scribe also won the closest to the pin contest. Getyour teams readyforthe 40th —because we are alreadytuningup to defend our title!

Speaking ofgolf, Dave MacGhee and I put a good old fashioned butt kicking on Bill Boisture and Gil Mook—both ’67 grads. Thirty-eightyears offrustration were taken out on the boys from ’67 alaJohnVanderPoel in theWing Open in 1967.Well—not exactly—golfisn’t the contact sportboxing is. Butit sure felt good!

Rememberthe Colorado winds?Well todayat theAOG we havehad 11 windshields blown out and a lightpole is gettingready to tumble. The tent at the football stadium is no more. This is the worst I’ve seen in all myyears here.

Gary Dahlen is heading up our class gift committee. At the town meeting, Garyexplained that we want to be known as the “Heritage Class”. For that reason and based on a strawpoll ofour classmates, the committee is committed to raising over $1M to build theVietnam Memorial Pavilion on the impressive promontorymany ofus walked out to after the Memorial Service. The Vietnam Conflict was the first warAcademygraduatesfought and died in.We lostnine ofour classmates.All ofus were affected bythe war in one manner or anotherand it is fittingthat we recognize those graduates who served during that conflict. We are looking for some lead donors, but we hope all ofyouwill participate in this worthy endeavor and donate funds to support this important project that captures the legacyofmany ofour graduates.

As you know, the Falcons have fallen on hard times since their win at the Reunion over San Diego State. I am still in mourning over losing to Navyafter we had the gamewrapped up with a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. That’s three years in a row we have lost to the Mids by 3 points! We also lost a heartbreaker toWyoming 29-28 when the holder muffed a snap on an extra point. We sankto a newlow on Saturdaygivingaway a game to Army—winnerofone game this year againstmightyAkron! At least I have enjoyed commiserating with Gino and NancyQuist who sit in front of me and have to put up with all my expletive deleteds. Rich and Nanci Downinghosted their annual party aftertheArmy game—more aboutthatin the next issue. Here’s a photo ofour own three-time NBAWorld Champion Coach flanked by two supporters.

Gary and Sharon Dahlen

a nice evening at Sharon’s beautiful art gallery—Cherokee’s—in Manitou Springs. Ifyouget out thisway, make sure you stop in and see some beautiful western art work—some done by the very talented Sharon.Tooeyand Carol Emery, Larryand MarleenBush, GregGilles and his girlfriend, Dave and Jan Gaw, Mark and Kristie Ewig, and Dick and Marilyn Rauschkolb enjoyed the gallery and a good Mexican dinner at the Mission Bell. Garymakes a mean guacamoledip!

Here’s some bignews—Doug Norton dropped me a line thatJohn Penny was the winner ofboth thejet and the unlimited classes at the Reno Nation^ ChampionshipAirRaces. The unlimitedwinnerwas RareBear, whichis a highly modified F8F2 Bearcat. In the jet class, John flew Pip Squeak, an L-39 Albatross. Hopefully, there is a storyelsewhere in this issue aboutJohn’sgreat accomplishment. It’s not the first time he has won. KudosJohn! Mike Huberwas one offouremployeesworldwideforProcterand Gamble to receive the “PhoenixAward” for his many contributions to the company.Wayto go roomie! Are you sure itwasn’tthe “PhantomAward”? RickFranckis a proudparent—his son is an instructor IP Rick Humke stopped by for a visit. He is still visiting excitingplaces—like the Golan Heights on his travels as a FEDEXpilot.

SawPete Fox at Lt Gen Rosa’sretirement. Pete was comingoffbacksurgery— that’swhyhe didn’t make the Reunion. He was still a little ginger and itwill be a fewmonths before he hits the links! Dave Gawis recovering from some ankle surgery andTooeyEmerytook a header mountain biking. A little plastic surgeryhas him looking as good as a guy our age can look. This getting old is for the birds! So much forthe GoldenYears!

ChuckWeir says he has a newjob atArizona State. He thought hewould be a dorm monitor in the co-ed dorm; turns out he is the construction planning business for a new addition to the university. He claims he is more clueless than he was in Comp Sci plus he is working more than he did at the Pentagon. Now that sounds like a good retirementjob!Terryand Sharon Dessert didn’t make the Reunion. Terrysaid he was driving trailers to New Orleans to help out Katrinavictims. Good on youTerry! It was good to see Mike Ryan at the Reunion—hehadn’tbeenbacksincegraduation!Itwas great to see KdeeHassan at the Reunion. ChuckandAlice Whitechurch gave Carol Sharkeythe signed

picture ofTim. I got a nice note fromCarol andTim’s son Ryan—it meant a lot to them. Kudos to Dave Gaw for settingup the pictures!

AnotherSeventy man returned to theAcademyforthefirst time since graduation. Mike Torreano and I had the privilege ofplayinggolfwithTim Bench and his son a fewweeks ago. Timwanted to showhis son theAcademyand we teed itup. Tim lives in Oklahoma Cityand stillhas his game. His son shot par from the tips, won the Oklahoma CityAmateur Tournament and is ranked fourth in the state inwresding. Plus he is a nice and politeyoungman—unlike his Dad was. Sounds likeAcademymaterial to me!

Interviewedthe new BB coachJeffBzdelik—seemslike a greatguy—former NBA coach ofthe Denver Nuggets and good friend ofPopo. By all accounts, the players reallylike him and are relieved to finally get some stability in the coachingstaff.We were expectingbigthings thisyear, butformer MWC Player oftheYear, NickWelch, is out forthe season due a footinjury. Hopefully, hewill return nextyear.We should still be prettygoodwith seniorAntoine Hood leadingtheway

You should have alreadyreceived a letterfrom Mike Torreano regarding our class gift—hope everyone will respond bygivinggenerously to this worthy project. GaryDahlen will be sending out a follow-up letterwith more details. Ohyes—our Saber Societymembership has dropped below 70 not good. Ifyou have dropped off or aren’t a member, please considerjoining.We have the most members ofanyclass—let’s keep it thatway!

I will close bysaying it was great to see so many classmates at the Reunion. Marilyn and I enjoyedrenewinglong-timefriendships and relivingthose days that are so farawayyet so close. For those ofyouwho didn’t make it, please start planningfor the 40th —we aren’t getting anyyounger.

Here’s a picture ofmanyofour former footballplayers at the Reunion. I don’t knowaboutyou, but one ofthe highlights ofmy cadet career was when these guysbeatBobbyAnderson and CU at Boulder. ChuckWeir and I were enjoying a few mm and cokes in the stands expecting to see the Falcons get blitzed instead these men led us to victory!

ArribaFalcones!

Marilyn and I send our bestwishes to all for a veryjoyousHolidaySeason and HealthyNewYear!

Paul D. Knott

5565 Lantana Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

H: (719) 570-9162

W: (719) 594-0100

E-mail: pknott@acninc.net

When you read this (admittedlyvery short) column, the regular football season fortheFalcons will be over. As ofthe middle ofOctober, the team is one game below .500, with three games beinglostwithin the last minute.As least we had one gamewhere the breaks went the Falcons’ way. Ifthey can lose no more than one game from here on out, theywon’t bring the Commander-In-Chief’sTrophyorwin the conference, but a bowl game and a winning season are still within reach.

Jim Kotora sent in this late-breakingpiece ofnews: “Gary PaytonrecentlylefttheMissileDefenseAgency as the Deputy for Advanced Systems and has moved to the position of DeputyUndersecretary oftheAir Force forMilitarySpace. JimthoughtthatGarywould beworkingforRonSega(USAFA, ’74). Hope to have more next column.

The first suggestion for our 35th Reunionhas come forward from JD McBriety, who graciously has nominated his Bluegrass band as a candidate for our amusement and listeningpleasure. “I was thinking about that reunion. Could itreallybe 35 years? I have an entertainmentbusiness on the sidethatcould showtheyounger classes howmuch fun we had in thegood old days. The DoDo staffofyesteryear could put on a showwith the following:

1) Reunion ofthe FlyingWallendabrothers (nowinwheelchairs, etc). (Need Warren Edris, and friends.)

Go Spurs!From leftare Carol Collins, GreggPopovich andPatCollins.

hosted

Sabre Society Oonors

2) Appearanceby Brother HarrySteinke, the evangelist.

3) Appearance byBrian Hagerty on banjo and kazoo (ifhe would?).

4) MyCornbreadWashtub Band (www.s-w-b-a.com) will playJohn Denver and a fewfunnyacademy songs.

The theme would be the DoDo AcademyAwardswith DoDos going to...

Ifyour name is in this quote, and ifJD hasn’t askedyou aboutbeing a part of the extravaganza, or ifyou were on the DoDo staffand are notmentioned, there’s no bettertime than thisveryminute to communicatewith JD aboutthis idea. One other category: ifyou don’t remember ifyou were on the Dodostaff or not, checkwith JD or me. We mayhave to vote, butwe’ll set your mind at ease.

Bob Bell

13 Pacific Ave.

Sinking Spring, PA 19608 (610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513

E-mail: rabell767@aol.com

Wellclassmates, itwillbe a REALLYshortnewsletterthis time as youwill see. There was only one input this time from Jim (Debi) Reed in which he notes one aspect ofthe ongoinglegacyofyour class as we move through the ages... Here is Jim’s information "right from the horse’s mouth:”

Joel Carlson (Roxanna) left the Springs for San Diego and FGM, a software developer; he must miss watchingMarkplayfootball in his seniorUSAFAyear. Don Morrison is owner/CEO ofBusiness Transition Network which helps companiesnavigate thelegal/tax/financialaspects ofbuyouts. More impressive is howknowledgeable he’s become about multiplemyeloma (cancer of plasmacells) while caringforwife, Sally; she’s doingwell and Don now offers consultation to otherswith the disease. O’Dell Engineering has an impressive website that suggests that RandyO’Dell’s CE degree has been put to profitable use.

Dr. Steve Popper is starting an occupational medicine program for Holzer Clinic in Gallipolis, OH while helping raise a second familywithwife, Cheryl. Bruce Slawter is Director of DOE’s Office of Nuclear Warhead Protection chargedwith, alongwith other things, upgradingthe security of80 Russian militarywarhead sites; Suzanne teaches 2nd Grade near Mt.Vernon. I talked withAnn Heelywho occasionally sees Bill at theirYorktownVAhome between TDYs as he sets up and runs war games forCubic;Ann says herefers to himself as a ‘pucker’... I can’twait to find out what that means.

Sabre Society Donors

“You know the saying, ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’. Well, I have proofthat sometimes it actually does (justkidding). 2nd LtAndrew Sellers, son ofA1 and Julie Sellers,justgraduated on 1 June as the numher one cadet in the class of2005. Andrew was number one in academics andmilitary as well as number one in the ComputerScience department. As a result ofhis outstanding accomplishments at USAFAhe garnered two greatpostgraduate scholarships. As endowed by Bart Holaday (Class of’65), he hasjustbegun his two years ofpost grad work at Oxford undertheHoladayScholarship. Additionally, hehasthe next 10 years to pick a university ofhis choice to accomplish a PhD using his Truman scholarship. Andrewis embarking on this great academicjourneywith his new wife, Andrea, a graduate from Nebraska. It’s a goodthingthat Julie passed on such great genes!”

(Bob here again... thanks, Jim!) Hopeyou all can let me knowifthere are any OTHER guysthat we mayhavemissedwithsecond (ormore) generationgraduates resulting Ifom our actuallyhavingmade it throughourselves... And again, keep those cards, letters and e-mails comingifyou haveANYTHING to pass on, ok!

Bob Munson

19245 Lincoln Green Lane Monument, CO 80132

(719) 487-1464

rmunson@adelphia.net

INTRODUCTION: In my correspondence I sense heightened class pride as our general officers continue to influence the direction and tone oftheAir Force. I also note we’re feeling a sense ofaccomplishment in our careers and in the successes of our children. It’s great, as a scribe, to be able to share this withyou.

SQUADRON NOTES: Mike Tremonte and Scott Wilson want me to tell the true story ofhow CS-38 got the nickname of“All Stars”. Their first squadron patch depicted a phantom until the 1970 Dodo All StarAward went to “The entire 38,h Sqdn. for placing 39th or below in all areas ofcompetition" (Dodo Vol 14Jun70). That prompted a re-designedpatch andyell. Mike is retiring from Exxon/Mobil and will join Susan in Seattle this month where he’ll start doingreal estate. Scott flies forNorthwest and is a broker/financial consultant with QuestCapital Strategies. Scott attended Juan Rangell’s AlaskaAirlines retirement; Juan left USAFA early, finished his degree as a three-striper, got commissioned and flewC- 141s.

Paul Brenner (Maureen) flies forAmerican, lives in Las Cruces, hunts when able. I caught SWApilotA1 Hoover at his PauldenAZ home afterhe missed out flyinghis PT-17 Stearman at an airshow due to a balkyengine; Lauri spins and weaves as a ‘fiber artist’ with wool they’ve raised and looks forward to A1 finishing a workshop forher. Others flyingcommercially are Tremonte’s brother in law Grover Stein with Northwest, Rick Ralph with American, and Mike Koemerwith SWA. CS-38 has a clusterofclassmates in the Springs area: Luke Coker (Patricia) is an ART with the 302nd AW at Peterson, BJ Stanton (Donna) is with SI International, Ken Henry (Karen) is with Northrop Grumman, and JimVitelli is a programmanagerworkingIntegratedSpace C2withLockheed. All will celebrate Jim’s wedding to Kim this February; Jim traveled with the Henry’s to England and France this summer... dunno ifthey’ll do the same with the honeymoon.

Huge thanks to MikeArnett for supplying news on CS-09ers. Mike and Pris were transferred to Cape Canaveral from Colorado SpringsbyL-3 Communications; they have three daughters, all married and in Colorado, four grandchildren, and one on the way. Dave Barcus and Maria are enjoying life bythe beach... as in Miami Beachwhere he’s campus plannerforMiami-Dade CommunityCollege. Gordy“Stump” Bendickworks for BAE Systems in D.C. “My oldest daughterhas moved in with me to attend Law School at Catholic University. I cannot tellwhich is worse - the “Sticker shock” of a “National Law Program” - OR the redecorating cost of a former-Sorority Chick turned loose with a Thomasville Credit Card on a Bachelor pad. I have learned that Celery is notvegetable - it is actually a paint colorandVictorian is not my sex life - it is a decoratingstyle.

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Bill “Trapper” Carpenter remains active in tenured position as USAEA Director ofAdmissions. After living in Albuquerque for a number of years, Denny and Debra Clark moved just north ofOrlando where he flies for FedEx. Jim Cropperretired to Schertz, TXwhereheandMary care fortheirparents. DaughterAlicia is a civil engineer in Irvine, CAand son Scottwill soon graduate from TexasA&M. “Ifanyone is in SanAntonio, stop in and see us! Phone210-5666263.” Doug and Bev Dick are in Southern Californiawhere he’s principal of Del Lago Elementary, a “2004 California Distinguished School”, and hoping for‘Governor’s Performance Award’. Jack Glavan retired to the coolestjob: he’s in charge ofthe Pike’s Peak Highwayupkeep; wifeTeri, helps head up the USAFA Protocol Office.

John Keesee’s (Carrie) last assignment was Air Force Chair ofthe MITAero Department; at retirement hejust tookoffhis uniform (not sure howoften he wore it, anyway) and went back to workthere. Steve Kniffen and Rose are back to Clyde, TXwhere he runs Embry Riddle’s local program and helps Dad down on the farm. Gerry Lewis moved to Hawaii, where he remains flying DC-10s for Northwest. Kevin McHughteaches five science classes/dayat Folsom CA High School and is sponsor forthe “Aerospace CareerEnthusiasts” Club. Son Jesse is a KC-10 IP atTravis and son Ryan is in med school in SanAntonio sometimes working inWilford Hall where he was born.

After 20years ofAF fun (helicopters/jets/props and teaching at USAFA and West Point) EricNickerson (Terry) retired to Maryland as ManagingPartnerof an investment firm that was conceived back at theAluminumWomb. Don Pettit has scaled back to “just” his full timejob with LockMart; he and Karen live in Springfield, VAwith a merged family ofthree kids and four grandkids. John Pilcher—After being a T4 1 nav at McChord, John left theAir Force and settledwith Pat inWichita, KS, where heworks for Boeingrefurbishing Saudi Arabian 767s. Dick (Karen) Schanberger was a bodyguard for a billionaire in Denver, then laterwound up an airline pilotliving in Montgomery, TX, just outside Houston.

Skip Smith retired as an Air Force lawyer and one ofthe country’s foremost

Ron andMaryScott (right)lookpleasedatdaughterKate’s wedding to Boni Jiang. No time forrest though; daughterKim caught the bouquet and will marryChadPerry(left) on January 14th 2006.

experts on space law. He nowworks for a legal firm in Colorado Springs and has started a digitalfamilyhistorybusiness. DrScott and Brenda Stine are in Carrollton, OH wherehe’s in privatepractice. Aftergraduation, MarkStuckley returned to Pennsylvania, marriedLinda, raisedkids andworks in the insurance business. Vic (Connie) Thuotte works for Fidelity Investments while stayingveryinvolvedwith theAOG as a memberofits Nominating Committee. Joe Walkerleft DeltaAirlines in 2004 and, with Mary, has livedinAllen, TX for25years. Afterstarting/coachinghigh schoolvolleyball andlacrosse teams he “may become a high school teacher / coach—or play on theWorld Series of PokerTour.”

Dale and LindaWrisleyretired to Booneville, AR: “Since 10Jan2005I’ve been working as theAssistant CountyAdministratorfor Sebastian County Arkansas...I help theJudge administerall countyproperty, prepare and administerthe countybudget, and write ordinances for the Quorum Court to pass.” Rob Zachritz and wife Blake are inTopeka where he’s in charge ofthe State ofKansas computer program for Medicaid reimbursement. DoctorEd and Diane Parrylive(d) in Metairie, LA; post Katrina disaster NOAA photos showthe house out ofthe flood zone. Latest word was they were temporarily in Chicago and had found their beloved boat using Google Earth satellite photos.

STORM STORIES: Ernie and KathyMaravilla spent 15 hours traveling 120 miles awayfrom Houston; turned out theirlake home destination was closer to Rita’s center: “Itis amazingto seejusthowmuch60-footpine trees willbend in 100-mph winds.” They returned to minimal damage at their home. Dr Steve McDavid (Roberta) reported little damage to their clinic and home in Ocean Springs, MS but confirmedwidespreaddamage around them.

John Corleygetspinnedbyneighbors Gen MoseleyandSteveLorenz.

GENERAL OFFICER NOTES: Frank and Nancy Klotz return to the Springs as he assumes role ofdeputySPACECOM. In addition to providing a picture, viceAF ChiefGen John Corleywrote: “After 32 years I am still thrilled to be a part ofan organization that makes a big difference in the world. Our classmates and our experiences at theAcademyformed the bedrockofmyvalue system; one that is based on trust and respect. John added thatGen Moseley was committed to leading our alma materinto the21st Centuryandensuring USAFA remains the backbone ofour officer corps. As a token ofthis commitment the Chiefhas adopted thisyear’s entire doolie class... both a gesture and challenge to all graduates. I’ll leave it up to John to briefGen Moseley on his responsibilities over Parent’sWeekend.

ofAeronautics, Lincoln, NE; Tom Kennedy at Defense Supply Center Richmond; andWillieThompsonwith Delta out ofAtlanta. ChaplainTom Blase (Beth) has been reassigned to LacklandAFB.

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

GreetingsClassmates aroundtheworld! I hopealliswellwithyouandyours. I likethewaytheAOGgives a fewdaysafter Checkpointscomes out so us scribes can get a fewmore inputsforthe next issue. That’showit’sbeenthisyear-1 may have more forthe next editionwith Christmasletters. You maybe readingthis right aboutthe December timeframe. Drop a card, a photowith at leastyou in it because that is the onlyway we can print it, or drop an email! Some one or more ofus will be extremelyglad that you did!

The biggestsurprise I had this edition is seeing the lineup ofthe picture below! There’s Steve Daniels, MGTom Kane, LtGen Chris Kelly, General Duncan McNabb, Pete Gavares, Dan Schellinger, and JeffOverton. These folks got together at the Oct 14 change-of-commandfor Duncan. We had some time scramblingforface-namerecognition among some ofus. Tomhelped me out at the end. Checkthese faces - andyourown—against those in theyearbook!

ODDS AND SODS: I invite all to see Chris Derryinterviewed on ‘free market solutions...for a better Kentucky’;just send me an email and I’ll linkyou up. Chris started the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions to challenge the thinking ofall Kentuckians; theirwebsite is interesting, thoughtful, and provocative regardless ofyourhome state. Incoming notes: Jim Casey at the University ofTexas at Austin; Kevin McNellis withTCS Design and Management Services atWarnerRobins, GA;BarryScheinost at NebraskaDepartment

Steve,Tom, Chris, Duncan, Pete, Dan, and Jeff

For those who’ve lost track, or are looking for updates: Duncan McNabb is theAMC Commander, ChrisKellyistheAMCVice Commander, andTom Kane is theAir MobilityCommand,A3, Director ofPlans and Programs. Check out what theyreallylooklike up close and personal on http://public.amc.af.mil/ and in the KeyStafflink! Go ’74! Steve is pressing on with analyzingtransportation forUS TRANSCOM to improve our capabilities.

Also workingwithTRANSCOM is Dan Schellinger. He retiredwith Monica in 2003 to around Troy. Dan is presentlyworking with Dynamics Research Corp. Dan says that is sees JohnVerlingprettyoften becauseJohnworks forthe same companyand on the same project! Forthe other civilians, Pete isworkingwith Rolls-Royce (Arlington area) in the energydevelopment arena. He and Carolretired out oftheAirForce inthat area. JeffOvertonfliesforUSAirwaysasacaptain. Hecommutes also out ofArlington,VAwherehehasbeen since 1985. Hisreal estate mustbeworth something! Iwonderwho ofus have been in the same plot ofland since 1985!

A recent retiree writes in that he’s been and living in Georgetown, KY since 1994 - Mike Burnside. Mike is currentlyworking forthe state as UndersecretaryforAdministrative and FiscalAffairs forthe Cabinet forHealth and FamilyServices. Thatis a mouthful forchiefofadministration, butyouknowhow governments and titles go... Mike and Patti moved back to their home area afterretiringin '94. Mike’s firstventure had been two years teachingJROTC at the local high school. Then he says he moved in to the state government, for over nine years now. They have two grown sons—one still close by in Kentucky. He adds “No grandchildren, but maybe someday!”

I shotAndy Galik an email to check in, since both ofus are in Houston. He wrote backthathelucked out and did not haveanydamagefromRitaotherthen a lot ofdowned branches, leaves and pine needles. He was writingfrom Lagos, Nigeria, wherehe was serving on a three-weekrotationfortheoilindustry.

Thelastinformation I have to pass on comes fromTracyand CathyCheatham. Tracyretired from Deltabecause,well, youknowabout cutbacks in the airline industry. Delta ceased retirement funding, froze retirement, ceased medical insurance. Theywrite that aftermuch soul-searching, retirement became effective 1 May 2005. “So much forflying till I was 60!’’Tracywrote. Andthere’s more, ofcourse. Go back two years, and theyhad closed on a propertythat theyhadwantedbut someone elsehadputthebidin thedaybeforetheylooked at it. ThenTracy and Cathylearned that the person did not show up for the closing three months later. Theymade the offer again and this time theygot accepted, December2003. Now, they are no longer in Utah. Missing friends and keeping cherished memories, they are now living in an apartment (?) in the hanger on the 2.5 acres in Crawford, CO. Yes, a homewill be built in about

’73claimsrecordforgreatestspreadofrankamongclassmates activelyserving. ArmySgtRowe Stayton congratulates Nort andSuzie Schwartz at the TRANSCOMchangeofcommand.

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two years. Thehousehold goods are still in the 53-foot semi-trailer-now-storage facility. Tracywrote that he has a dream ofdeveloping a Christian Flying Curriculum and hopes to build an R7 or RIO (?). Cathy ministers to people whereverthey go. Theywant to serve where the Lord directs them. Itseems things are certainlyworking out forthem.

Doyourecognizeanyofus?

Andsince I had the some space inthis column, here’s a picture ofthose from the Dozen who came to the reunion last fall. From left are Rich Bowman, JJ Romano, Steve Sterne, TracyCheatham, Mike Cranford, Joe Brezovic, Dr. Paul Sherry, and Dr. Ted Macey.

Mayyou set aside time in the Christmas and holiday seasons to realize the blessings you have, to knowyou can seekforwhatyou need, and rest assured thatyou are covered! Mayyou live long and prosper.

Paul Kent

18166 S.E. 41st Place Issaquah, WA 98027-9717

Mobile: (425) 785-3586

E-mail: zooscribe@mac.com

THIRTIETH REUNION. After careful analytical observation and calculated research, the scribe, with help from manyothers, has concluded that our class can now bere-divided into fourGroups,bearing no resemblance to the Groups we were assigned to when were at the Zoo. These Groups will be referred to hereafter as the "A-Jacket” Groups. You can probably see where this is going. The First Group has convenientlylost ourA-Jacket, as we can no longerfit into it and still function. The Second Group can fit into theirA-Jacket, but cannot zip it. The Third Group can fit into theirA-Jacket, zip it, but not breathe. The last Group ofdespicable classmates can fit into their graduationA-Jacket, zip it, breathe, and function normally. This Fourth Group has a select nickname when referred to bythe other three Groups, but the scribe can’t print it here.

alumni. Yes, thecheersforthis new generation ofco-edzoomieshave changed, but we didn’t knowthem. So we did our old ones. And, ofcourse, the current cheerleaders came over to assist; then leftwith theirmouths ajarin disbelief (and disgust, possibly) at what came out ofthe mouths ofold men. What can we say? We didn’t invent them. We just repeat them. Veryenthusiastically, actually.

Although this Checkpoints should arrivevia postal mail a fewmonths after our lastrejoin in the Springs, thiswillbethefirstchance to reminisce aboutthis great event attended byalmosthalfofour survivingmembers. The percentage is probablygreater ifwe were to tally all ofus who got together, registered or not, as many BestAlivers onlymade it to the Falcon come-from-behindvietory and to the Saturday eve individual Squadronrejoins.

Those ofus luckyenough to attend don’t need this column to confirm our get-together was memorable and enjoyable. Even the Falcon football team snatchedVictoryfrom thejaws ofDefeat,just as theydidtheweekbeforewhen the scribe tookhiswhole family to witness a Falcon comeback over the UniversityofWashington Huskieswith only39 seconds left in the game. Thevietory over the San Diego StateAztecs during our reunionweekend was due, the scribe is sure, in no small part, to the efforts of50-plus-year-old cheerleaders (kudos to Russ Trinter, along with Ollie Lorenz) leading 50-plus-year-old

Fridaynight we were treated to thevoices ofthe Cadet Chorale,joined later bymembers ofour classwho were formerChoralemembers. Man, can those peoplesing. Beautiful. Later we were awedwith a “Class of 1975 Retrospective”, courtesy ofa majoreffort byBill Estelle. Bill says he spent between 2000 and 3000 hours compilingpictures from archives and from a fewclassmates who sent him photos. And he says there are still more files left in the archives. Amazingly, he adds, “I hope that ratherthan beingthe end, this project was a beginning. He added appropriatebackgroundaudio andproduced a classic thatyou will want ifyou haven’t obtained a copyyet. For $5 each, basically coveringhis additional expenses only, you can have up to five DVDs delivered to your door. Include $1.50 additional forshipping, no matter howmanyyou order. GetintouchwithBillatwilliamestelle@mac.com. A Mac guy? Cool. Whileyou’re at it, send him some digitizedphotos fromyourold photo collection, so the Second Edition will be all the better.

Speaking ofmemories, Jim Carlson, our overworked President, alongwith his humble scribe, has a great request, which will be facilitated by Bruce Mitchell. From Bruce: “We want to capture our class legacyinwriting, for our own and future posterity purposes: ’75 at 30. We need maximum input from the class to make this complete and most meaningful. We are working on e-ways to ease and standardize preparation ofthese narrative inputs from each classmate. Theywill be collected and inputvia cadet squadron groups... likelyorganized and published in the same way. Beginwriting down the most compact one-page summary ofyour career and perhaps a humorous, sobering, or otherwise meaningful anecdote from your career, and staytuned for future information on this effort from your squadron reps.” We’ll be back to you on this one. In any event, any recollections we record now, alongwith the DVD, will outlive us all. This is what will remain when the last ’75er is gone. Our legacy is what we leave behind. This will includephotographs, memorials, our legacygifts, andMarkModrich’sA-jacket (aswell as that dreadful quasi-official coat thathe somehowavoided ditching the first chance the rest ofus got).

It isprobablytoo late to orderthe ClassWine celebratingthe30th, but, thanks to the effort ofMarkBeesley, manyofus got to enjoyit. The scribe saw several botties on tables on Fridaynight ofour reunion, including our table, courtesy of Dave McDaniel. The vintner, a friend of Marks’, can be reached at gustavot@napanet.netorwww.gustavothrace.com.

Here’s aweb site thatyou must bookmark: usafa75.org. It’s our own site, unaffiliatedwith anybodyexcept us. You’ll note thatyouwill be giventhe opportunityto sendthewebmasterlinks to your own USAFAcentricsite. Due to space limitations on the server, links are the easiest method to manage our site.

Lasdy, thescribe needs to acknowledge thekindwords from members ofour classwhodidnotwalk to the stage on June4,1975. Several ofthese classmates ave never imaginedwhat I would feel seeingthese people in person after over 30 years, hearingthe unfoldingofspectacular careers, admiringin men what I knew only as budding character in young men, walking on the Academy grounds again, spending an afternoon on the beautiful golf course where I used to ‘escapefrom it all on thehill’, beingin the chapel, the stadium, the field house... it was overwhelming. I appreciated seeing the updated dorms. I spent some time in the main library as well as theAOG library in Doolitde. I wouldn’t dojustice to attempthere to tellyou thevalue or meaningfor me in

Lance Grace (Group 2) and Eric Buhyoff(Group4)

Russ Trinter Can You Read the WarningSign Beneath HisFeet?

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those fewdays. I am most gratefulforthe opportunity and enjoymentofa very well organized event thatwill live with me as a paramount experience.

Asyouknow, havingnot graduatedwith the class, I didn’texpect more than to coordinate myvisit to Denver that would coincide with the reunion, in the hope ofmaking contact with a few old pals sometime duringthatweek. I was most impressedby an invitation to attend the reunion events andwelcomed the opportunity. I never suspected to find such a reciprocalwelcome, in fact, far more. In more than one encounter, in more than one way, and from Superintendent to roommate to mere acquaintancefriendships-1 found a recurring theme thatshook me into a most compelling awareness... brotherhood, friendship and camaraderie are deep and real amongthe members ofour class.

Moreover, the ‘class’ is defined, bythe graduates of 1975, as the 1400+ who enteredthat summer of1971, includingthe record-breakingnumberofus who fell out ofrank over the course ofyour4yrs there. I was astounded and humbled to findthis sentiment and its universal support. I was moved profoundlybythe real presence ofthis fact in the minds ofgraduates. Myexpectation ofexclusion met in stark contrastwithyourhigh standard ofinclusion—and served to quicken myunderstandingofthe source ofmyrespectforeach ofyou andunify my own self-esteem with numerous examples ofcharacter and integritythat are the common thread between us, it appears.

I went with an attitude ofcongratulations and honor for a great group of impressive men who are deservedlyaccomplished.

I returnedwith healing,perspective, resolution, understanding, self-respect, and a slew offriendships. Priceless.

Thankyou again, (Keith).

A1Pecksendshisregretsfrom thedesert.

CLASSMATES. A1 Peck sent the followingbefore the reunion: “...sorryabout dropping offthe scope. I’ve moved to an undisclosed location.. .Living the dream, but won’t get released to party with the Best Alive. I’ll be there in spirit...feel free to hoist an extra beverage on mybehalf.” Note from scribe: We did,Al. Andfor some ofus, too many extrabeverages. Doesn’t takemuchthese days. MostRecent DadAward: Steve Else,justbecame a new father on 7August. Note from scribe: The competitiveness forthisAward seems to bewaning, for some unexplainable reason. From Chuck Molzon, now flying forATA: “I have seen airfields in myATA career that I had onlypreviously seen in target study during my days in SAC.” Note from scribe: not sure ifthis is Bad or Good. Heartiest congratulations to our newly minted Lieutenant General, Douglas Fraser. MajorGeneral Dale Meyerrose will be ChiefInformation Officer at the Office ofthe Director ofNation^Intelligence. Scott Hammondjustpinned on MGen (ANG Georgia) and Bill Schuesller made BGen in the MN ANG. Our thoughts andprayers are withJohn Kambourian. He emailedhisregrets on not attending the reunion. Hiswife, Kim, passed awayand hewillbe stayinghome with their children.

Dan Beatty

12196 Stanley Canyon Road Colorado Springs, CO 80921

H: (719) 488-1962

E-Mail: whrlybrd76@aol.com

Dan.Beatty@usafa.af.mil

http://www.AFAcademy.com/76

articleTaryn has had seven surgeries, is still critical, but she is fightinghard. 30th Reunion: 8-12November2006is still the target and the plan is to base out oftheAntlers. Scheduled has home football game against Notre Dame. Classmates moving/moving up: Mike Gould from Commander3rdAF to Commander 2nd AF, Keesler AFB; Larry New to Director, Operations HQ AFMC,WPAFB; JohnAndrews confirmed bySenate as next PermanentProfessorofMath Dept here at USAFA. Congrats guys! John’s investiture ceremony was 21 Octhere at Doolittle Hall. Myself, Steve Eddy, GregSeely, Joe Wysocki, Rich Hanley, Scott Gough, Tom Mallory, Jim Lowe, and Jim Kogler were all able to attend.

Fellow ’76ers,

By the time you get this, the holiday season should be in full swing. Best wishes to all ofyou from me and mine. Rememberthose less fortunate than we, thosewhoneed our specialthoughts andprayers, andespecially our troops around the world during this special time ofyear.

Needyourhelp. Dave Robinson’s daughterTaryn, USAFAClass of’05, was critically burned 21 Sept in the crash ofa small aircraft during an IFT sortie. PleasekeepTaryn, Dave and Lori, and all oftheir familyinyour thoughts and prayers. Several ofyou responded to the email I sent shortlyafterthe mishap and I passed on yourthoughts to Davewhile I was in SanAntonio a fewweeks ago. He said the familyappreciated the support from everyone. As ofthis

General Class Stuff: Got a call from Enrique Saa. Says hewill be in for the Armygame. We’ll tryto get a group togetherand discuss reunion things. Bob Gold asked about our 30th says he and Sandywill try to attend. RayBrunelle tells me he is flying Continental based out ofNewark, soon to go to the B757/767 on international routes. Says he also is executive producer for a film documentary on Marilyn Monroe’sfirsthusband; may soon hitthe theaters. Rayalso says he plans to attend the 30th. Charlie Morgan asked for some help tracking down a birthday, also forwarded and email from LarryWeaver. Larryoffered some philosophical comments on Falcon football prior to the Navy game. Larry, you shoulda been a sports writer. Brad Moffett info’d me on an email advertising a pre-Navyfootball game party at MikeWorden’s house co-hostedbyMike andJimmyCarter. Hope theparty turned out a bitbetterthan the game classmates. Brad also sent new contact info on Kurt Klingenberger; says Kurtjust retired from Joint MilitaryIntelligence College and willjoin Dept ofHomeland Security.

Ron Webber tells me he accepted a position as Assistant ProfofMilitary Science at Clemson. Mark Shanks recently became manager for all military HUD programs at Rockwell Collins. DougFry’sdaughterKasey (2000 grad) is deployed to Krysygstan and is lookingfor clothes and shoes forkids there. Ifyou want to assist, contact me for the address. Paul Sowada sent a note to ‘Loosehogs’ with a photo ofhim, Kevin Hennebray, and Steve Dalros. Says Steve losthis razor a fewmonths ago.

Paul Sowada, Kevin Hennebrayand SteveDalros socializing.

DennyShupeworks in Philadelphia andwouldwelcome calls from classmates as theypass thruthe area. Steve reportsbride, MaryEllen, a PhD psychologist, has given up trying to understand/repair his mental condition. Son graduatedwith honors inAstrophysics from Swarthmore and daughter Ellen is a high schooljunior. Dennyis still very active in the USO and ifyou wanttohelp, contacthim. Jack Catton, ACC/DR now says he can’t believe “theyput a ‘big kid’ like me in charge offiguring out what cool stuff” to buy for our warfighters. Bud Nevers sent contact info update andtells me he is on

Dan Beatty, SteveEddy, GregSeely,JoeWysocki,JohnAndrew, RichHanley, ScottGough, Rich Carlson, andJim Lowe atJohn’sinvestiture aspermanent mathprofessor. (Missing-JimKogler)

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leave ofabsencefrom USAirways,training as financialconsultantwith SmithBarney. TomTrainorpinged me forreunioninfo. DennyDamienspopped outta the weeds after manyyears ofno contact to sayhe and Nancy are dog fosterparents. (I always knewyou’d go to the dogsDenny!) He’s a Joint Staffcivilian for Net-Centric capabilities. Daughter Danielle is aVirginiaTechsophomore. Pete Mapesstoppedbymyoffice. Was here at USAFAworking on some analysisstuff. Hadn’t seen Pete since myAETC days. LarryEriksen moved toWarnerRobins ALC and sayshe’s planningforJuly06 retirement. Son#1 is a Purduegradand#2 is a pre-medjunior at UniversityofGeorgia. ChuckOhms also popped up after manyyears. Sayshehaskeptintouch over theyearswith Charlie Morgan, Brian Russell, and Jim Bauer. Chuckis a USTRANSCOM contractor.

Bruce Swezey sent an email tribute about our warfighters. Reminds us to keep all our troops in our thoughts and prayers. GeoffLawrence rangin with some philosophyabout current USAFA issues. ‘Leon’ is still a HOO-AH army type. JeffLarsen asked forhelptracking down ‘Thirsty-Third’ bubbas Brad Gerdes, DaveTutde, Mark Olson, Rich Crouser, Jay Barnes, and Bob Wagner. I was able to find contact info for all those guys. Don ‘Waldo’ Hall and Lance Christianson sent suggestions for the 30th. Thanks guys! John Dunstan sent new contact info. Marc Felman tells me the new Comm was his copilot a few (several?) years back. Steve Nickel updatedhis emailwith me. Mike ‘Woody’ Woodman rang in with questions about the reunion. Mike Fricano tells me MikeWalsh moved in next door at Hickam. ErnieWoollard is now a contractor at HurlburtworkingTMAOS. Andfinally, A1 Patriquinreports he has nothing to report! Way to goAl!

Again time to stick a fork in it. Ifyou haven’tupdated your info in theAOG database, please go to www.usafa.org and do so. You don’t need to be an AOG member to updateyourbio info. Itwill help to have current datawhen we start passingreunion info inthe next fewmonths.

As always, ifyou are headed to the Springs, let me or anyofthe other locals knowandwe’ll see ifwe can’tjoin up for a fewstories and updates. Keepflying your 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.

John J “Lou" Michels, Jr.

4107 Harvey Western Springs, IL 60558

Voice: (312) 849-8150

Fax: (312) 849-8151

E-Mail:

jmichels@mcguirewoods.com

LOGIN: I hope this finds everybodyhealthy,wealthyandwise, althoughby thetimeyou get this itwill probablybe the start offlu season. I was thinkingthat the Falcons themselves had a touch ofavian distemper, given their football performance for the first part ofthe season. I am hoping their problems will solve themselves as they sort out the kinks in their defensive scheme. Mike Batton (Lisa) and I watched the Navy game with 20 or so other grads in the Chicago area and were grosslydisappointed in the outcome. Our disappointment was mitigated somewhat by the consumption of mass quantities of nachos, soda (at least, /was drinkingsoda) and other unidentified food that arrived heaped on numerous plates.

MEN BEHAVING NOTTOO BADLY: I mentioned myvisitwith Gary Hamor (Ellen) andVan Davis (Holly) two columns ago, and was soundly rebuked by a readerwho could hardlybelieve that anyonewould let the three ofus into a restaurant. Nevertheless, here’s proofthat we were at least in thevicinityofa decent Italian place here in Chicago.

Michels, Davis andHamorjustbeforebeingrefusedservice.

Through one ofmy sources, I got a verybriefheads up from Paul Higgins (Nancy). Paulworks for BAE Systems Electronics as a PrincipalSystemsEngineer, out ofupstate NewYork. Paul and Nancyhave threekids, with one away at college, and the other two preparing to finish bankrupting the family. Ah well, we’re all prettymuch in the same boat now. SterlingJohnson (Linda) is an Acquisition ManageratWright-Patt,working on the F-A/22 Program. Dave

Chaffe (Ann) continues his efforts on behalfofNorthorp,working in the electronicssystemsdivision, but nowoutoflovelyBaltimore (oras theysayon Light Street, “BaU’mer”). Dave’sworkis in the area oftacticalandtheaterlevelground ISRprocessingsystems, whichhe describes as “arealemotional rollercoaster” giventhepace ofchange in theindustryandthe pace ofdemandsplacedupon the operators. Duff Muir (Mary) ran into John Buckley (Melinda) and Joe Smutko (Carolyn) while bummingaround the Springs area. John is running his own lawpracticethere, whileJoe is flyingforSouthwest out ofMidwayhere in Chicago. Duffand I talkfairlyregularlybyemail now since we have kids at CU. Thatfact alone is enough to keep us awake most nights.

TomJones (Liz) fired offa quickpostcard detailingtheirtrip to Pordand and Mount Rainierin between his writingwork. Tom’s got a book coming out in FebruarySkywalkingand two otherbooks in theworks. You can check out his rapidlyexpandingbody ofwork at astronauttomjones.com. Thanks for the updateTom, and good foryou in gettingawayfor a fewdays.

POINTMAN: Steve Simon (Paula) gave me some detailed insight into his role at USAFA. He’s workingwith the AOG on its communications staff, in addition to working as the graduate liaison forreunions, homecomings, and othergraduateoutreach events. He’salsohandlingprograms for parents and donors, as well as the USAFA50thAnniversaryprojects. Steve wrote four chapters for the commemorative volume “50Years ofExcellence” and was the script consultantforthePBSprogram “Jewel oftheRockies.” Allin all, Steve is the principal AOG contact for most oftheAcademypublicrelations efforts, which I would thinkhasbeen a challengingposition, to saythe least, over the lastfewyears. Nicework Steve, and I hopeyou continue to make theAOG thevoiceofthegraduatecommunitywithregardto allthings USAFA. Steve also pointed out (for those of us living under a rock) that Irv Halter (Judith) left his position as DeputyDirector at NSA to become theVice Superintendent at theZoo. Irv’spresence, as Steve notes, puts five ’77 grads on the USAFA staff- Steve, Irv, Paul Pirog (Mary) at DFL, Jim Glass (Susan) with the Chaplain’s Office working character development issues, and Jeff Heidmous (Barbara) as an AssistantAthletic Director.

Steve ran into Chuck Gill (Judith) on a trip to England—Chuck is the Base Commander at Menwith HillAirForce Base—congrats, Chuck, it’s a longway from our time at EWO school as butterbars. As ifStevewasn’t doingenough, he ran the Pike’sPeakAscentinAugust andgotcaughtby a hail/snowstorm that closedthe roads and drove everybodyinto shelter. In a giftshop, Stevebumped intoTim Patterson (Robin) who was out from Pittsburgh to run the Pike’s Peak Marathonatthe same time. Thanksfortheinsightandalltheinfo, Steve. Hope to see you out here in Chicago for a Chaptermeeting soon.

HANDS ON: At the invitationofthe aforementioned Paul Pirog, I spent a day or so teachingseveral classes at USAFA. I startedwith a negotiation seminarand followed it upwiththe ever-reliable LawforCommanders and then an Operations Law course. I feltprettyold at the end ofall this, butotherwise had a great time. Thelaweducationprogramhasexpandedtremendously, whichis appropriategiven the legal issues confrontingofficers almostfrom the beginning of their careers. Thecadets are a littleshell-shockedbyallthepublicitysurrounding a variety ofUSAFAissues, but are also weatheringthe storm better than I wouldhave in theirshoes. I thinkPaul and his staffare doing a terrificjob edueatingpeople on the diverse and tangledproblems that exist across the legal spectrum—Ijusthope I didn’t set his efforts backfive or sixsemesters.

I also had a good sit-down sessionwithJayFawcett (Susan) while I was in Colorado on one ofmyCU visits. On Sept 27, Jayannounced he is running for Congress and anyofyou interested in making a contribution to his campaign can find him on the web at fawcett4congress.com. Nothing but bestwishes here, Jay, and keep us posted on the progress.

NAW’LEANS NUPTIALS: In perhaps one ofthelastpre-Katrinapicturesyou’ll see, I offer up Dave Rein (Mary) ’s weddinggathering of’77-types in NewOrleans in June. The photo shows an originalCampus Radicals collection from Mark Cochran (Wendy), and a distinguished-lookingbunch they are.

From left are Gary Green (Ruth), Ron Strich, Kurt Taylor (Terri), Flip Feeley, Mr. Cochran and the groom, Dave. Mark notes that somethingmight have been catchingbecause not too longafterthis picture was taken, Ron was married to Donna on July 4. Nice work, guys, it would be hard to close with a much more polished group.

Sabre Society Donors

SIGN-OFF: I have only one word ofadvice foryou out there—layers. Stay warm and drop me some more information about what’s happening these days. 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...

Thiswill be a moderatelyshort article primarilydue to not havingmuch to reportthis quarter. Iknowthat ithasbeen a crazytime formanyofyouwith so muchgoing on in the news. Speakingofcurrent events, itiswith some concern thatIwrite this afterthe manyweather events we haveexperienced. Iwrotelast time about Deon Giegwho lives outside ofNew Orleans. I haven’t been able to contact him so pleasejoin me in prayingforhisfamily’ssafetyand restorationof theirhome ifneed be. Please let us hearfrom you Deon ifyou read this!

On a slightlyhappiernote, I hadtheincredible pleasurethispastweekofbeing inTucsonattendingtheannual F-4 PhantomII Societyconvention (for a shameless plug, checkout our web siteatwww.f4phantom.comifyou are an oldRhino driver). Ourguestofhonorthisyearwas SEA ace LtCol (Ret) JeffFeinstein (’68). Heis one ofthenicestguysIhave ever metand was more thanwillingto tell some amazing war stories. Needless to say, the eventwas a huge success mainlydue to his participation. While there, I happened to run into Greg Marston in the O Club bar. He is currently the wing commanderofthe 111 th FighterWing atWillowGrove PA and still flying the A-10. He was at DM attending an A-10 weapons conference... we got to chatforonly a fewminutes as I had to blast to our dinner event. Greg still looks too young (think I mentioned thatlastyearwhenwritingabouthis experiencein the Middle East) butis having a great time.

Had anotherchance encounterwith Dave “Limo” Scottlast month (this is gettingbizarre). I was mindingmy own business boarding an airliner in PanamaCity, FLwhen I looked to theleftand... there he was (we bothlooked at each other at the same timewith the accompanying grins). I asked theguysittingnext to himifI could switch seats andhereluctantly agreed (not sure whattheproblemwas, hegot an aisle seat out ofthedeal). Limo andI spentthe next60 minuteschattingandgettingcaughtup. He’sstillatNORAD but looking to possibly move soon. Wonderwho the next guyI’ll see is. Gotta loveitwhen thatkind ofthinghappens... better than e-mail!

Received a great e-mail fromJimArnold backin Septemberwho stilllives in the Springs and is currentlyteachingin the area. He had the honorofparticipating in theWarrior Run for the class of ’09 (ugh!) during their acceptance ceremonies. According to Jim:

This pastweekend was the Class of2009’sWarrior run. Aspartofthat, theAOG has a“ceremony”whereby a “Baton” ispassedfrom arepresentative oftheClass of1959, through a line reps fromeachgraduatingclass to a memberoftheClass of2009 and then this “Baton” is carried through the 33-mile relay run that is called theWarrior run. When the freshmen complete theWarriorRun, there is anotherceremonywherethe same batonispassedbackfromthefreshmenclass, through theclass reps and finallyback to a rep ofthe Class of 1959. This second or end part is done at halftime ofthe football game. I had participated in the morningpartbefore, butthisyearI participatedintheafternoonpart. OurclassmateWarren Kellenbence represented us in themorning ceremony, and I represented us inthe afternoon ceremony. In additionJohnnyWeida came through theline ofclass representatives and shookhandswitheach ofus.

Jim also mentioned that hewill be attendingtheAF-Armygame in Novemherwith Mike Skolaut and son Jay (which should be all over by the time you read this... sure hope theAF hammered theHudsonHighboys). Mike andJim went to theAF-Navylastyear so it’s becoming a bit ofan annual event. Sounds like fun to me. Great reportJim... thanks forparticipatingandletting us know that there are some great legacyevents going on at USAFA.

SpeakingofJohnnyWeida, I was personallyheartened to hearthat theAF got a grip and decided to award him the second star that he so richly deserves. He’ll be givingthe reins to an ’80 grad as he and Bonnie move on toWright-Pat and Director ofCapabilitiesIntegrationTransformation forAFMC (good luck putting that on a business card Pyro). I would like to publicly thank him for working so tirelesslyfor these pastfewyears under an electron microscope. You have done our class proud sir... ’’Well done good and faithful servant.” By now it’s a bit ofold news, but besides Johnny, our class added three more names to the two-star roster (now seven total). Newselectees are: Del Eulberg (Director ofInstallations and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott), Kevin Kennedy(DeputyDirectorofIntelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, DeputyChiefofStaffforAir and SpaceOperations at the Pentagon), and DickNewton (Director, Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command, OffuttAir Force Base). Congrats to all ofyou guys. Sure there will be more to follow.

About all that is left to report is a few moves I saw on the Air Force Senior Leader Management Officeweb site: Former roomie Bill Chambers is now the permanent director ofSAID organization, Joe Mudd is now the Deputy commander ofCAOC 6 in Eskisehir, Turkey: and Punch Moulton will soon (ifhe hasn’t already) take over the 18th Wing at Kadena. And... just to showthat ’78 can hackthe tough stuff, Paul Capasso will help lead the rebuildingofKeesler AFB afterbeingtrashedbyKatrina as the new81stTrainingWingcommander... go get 'em Paul!

Well, this was not as briefas I thought it was going to be. Please keep the info moving ifyou would... makes it a lot easier to write this thing. Not sure how manymore chance encounters I can count on. Mayyouallhave a greatFall... see you next time. ’78 is GREAT!

Bud Vazquez

25 Hayden Lane Bedford, MA 01730 (781)402-3609

bud.vazquez@us.ibm.com

IchangedjobsbackinJanuary,whenljoinedlBM... the otherBigBlue! My experiment with co-owning a business ended last December when I unfortunately ran into the issues ofpartnerships - like a partnerwhohiredhis kids and sailingbuddies, paid for his own birthdaybashes and alumni donations with corporate funds - and overall made manyboneheaded decisionswhile ignoring my advice. So, when a great offer from IBM found its way to me, and I looked at doing Power Point charts for a living, I decided it was time for a change. I recentlygot the USAF Command & Control account, so that, as my sister once said, “so they can suck the lifeblood out ofyou all in hopes of a better bonus.” A little too close to home, but I do feel like I am being challengedagain, and I like the schedule flexibility one getswhenyou are 600 miles fromyourboss! Anyhow, the kids are growingup fast and time seems to go by faster - this picture ofmyfamily attests to that.

Despite the busyness, I have nothing to complain about, and I count my blessings everyday(well, almosteveryday). I do think a lot aboutyou guys... I thought ofyou allwhen I was foldingmyoriginal boot socks the other day -yes, 30 years later I still use them and they’re still in goodshape. Honest. I thought ofyou all and specifically about Ronnie Gray when I was talking to an F-16 driver the other day.

I thinkofyou everytime I hear about howthe Falcon football team did -1 cringe when theygot schwacked by CSU, nippedbyNavy, and crushed byTCU - and I smiled when theybeat UNLV And theloss toArmyathomeremindedme ofthelasttime welosttoArmyathome - when we were there.

I thought ofyouwhen I ran into Paul Besson the other day at the Network Centric Operation conference.

I thoughtofyouwhenI readPaulB’s e-mail, “The two classmates I see regularly are GregBrundidge, who just finished his tour as the PACAF/SC andnowworksin thePentagon as SAF/XCXR (DirectorofResources —i.e. the senior comm moneyguy), and Pat Phillips,who retiredthis summer and nowworks for SRS here in DC.” CONGRATS to Greg, who was recently selectedforpromotion to BrigadierGeneral-whosays thatniceguys cannot finishfirst!

I thought ofyouwhen myknee started acting up, ofcourse for no apparent reason, andwonderedhowmanyofyouhave achingknees... or backs... or...

I thoughtofyou when I read Brian Koechel’s email, “I had dinnerwith Jim Mandziarain D.C. this past summer. Jimis doingwellworkingfortheDefense FuelsManagementCenter at Ft. Belvoir as a civil servant. Great Cuban food to be had at Ceiba’s downtown for those interested... verygood mohito’s as well (what’s a mohito, Bri?), though we didn’t drink any! (Yeah, right!) Also had a

Sabre Society Donors

The VazquezFamily. FromleftareAJ(10), Dan (15), Molly, Bud, andMarley (12).

4

Sabre Society Donors

beerwith GeorgeMorgan. George is still managing super secret satellite stuff in Herndon. He and Carol have awonderful place inWarrenton,VA. George continues hisworkwiththe BoyScouts mentoringhis son, while trying to keep up with his two daughters who are quite active athletically.”

I thought ofyouwhen I ran into Karl Reichl here at HappyHanscom.

I thought ofyou when I got an e-mail from BGen Bob Edmonds.

I thought ofyou when I got am email from Tom Griffith, “I’m still doingthe same old stuffandI’mreally not in touchwith too manypeopleright nowwith the exception ofRandyFullhart who isthe commandant atACSC andwearing his star. I’m not really in touch with him, but I did talk to Mark Neice on the phone the other day. He’s retired and one ofhisjobs isworkingforOmegaAir, an outfit that does contract air refueling for the Navy.

Bestwishes to you andyours this HolidaySeason. Thanks, Godspeed, and goodhunting!

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

Our turn. Remember those old-timers coming out oftheir cars at the BX or Commissarywith USAA “QuarterCentury Member” bumper stickers? Well, folks, that’s us now. Butwe’re by no means in the “old folks" category, solwon’t dwell on that—except to say our 25th reunion has come and gone and it was great; greatbecause ofallthewonderfulsharingandlaughterthatfilled the air for a few days in early November.

Pre-Re. I’ve got some stuffcollected from before the reunion, so I’ll start with that. Jim (Jolene+2) Balazs gave a briefupdate [a]ftermuch prompting from mywife, and in light ofmost likely not being able to attend the big25th reunion. Theycelebrated their25th anniversary in Maywith friends, daughters, and a vows renewal. Currentlyliving in Chattanooga, Jim still flies the MD88 out ofAtlanta for Delta. Theyworkwith GAIN International, the humanitarian aid arm ofCampus Crusade for Christ. Jolene travels quite a bit overseas with that effort.

Theiroldest daughtergraduated from college, married, and lives/worksinWaco,TX. Theiryoungest is a senior at UT. “It is very gratifying to hear ofall the exceptional folks in our classwho went on to such success in and out ofthe military.”

and the commitments at UPS meant he had less and less time to devote to Guard.

TheAug2005 issue ofProfessionalPilotfeatured a guest editorial byJohn Pray. He wrote about the recruitment, training, and capabilityofthe 89th AW atAndrews—ofwhich he is the CC. Ted Kresge,WingCC in the Desert, was in the news when he hosted comedian DrewCareyduring a USOvisit. Inside the front cover ofa recentAFmagis a full-page adforthe F/A-22 Raptor,featuring “ChiefTest Pilot Bret Luedke, former USAF.” Phil Prosseda and I were on the same flight from DEN to BWI, but didn’t see each otheruntil deplaning. Phil is now in the leadership at the Prep School. TJJohnson, Kathy, and I were at the SalinasAir Show and also had a great visitwith his dad.

TJ, Kathy, and Don in Salinas

I have a longlist ofrecentlyselected/confirmed BGs and assignments, but I’m sendingit to our web site to save room for the meat below.

Don’s Most ExcellentAdventure (to seeYOU!): DepartedATL with Kathy at 0825 Thurs, 3 Nov, in anAFA sweatshirt. Was hailed byTed (Jan+2) Lauer, who was sitting a couple ofrows ahead and saw us board. With Delta 16 years, Asst. ChiefPilot ’93-’97, Captain in MD88 in 2000. Lookingat financialworld forjob to do in parallel with Delta. Said, “Crusty, old captains were right, ‘You gotta have a backup.’” PublicAffairswife retired fromAFRES in 2002. Noted Peggy (Walker) and Chris Cuellar, bothwithUAL out ofDulles, have USNA-grad son in Seahawkhelos.

Sabre Society Donors

Larry (Mara) Wolfsays, “As an ex Coastie, you more than anyone mayappreciate our news. My son Zacharyis a Swab at the USCGA. He made it through Swab Summer and had a weekcruise on the Eaglefrom Rota, Spain, to the Madeira Islands. He isworking hard and rowing on the crew team.” Zachary turned down the USAFA appointment because ofthe longpilot commitment and concern regarding the religious climate at the Zoo. “I was onlydisappointed in that I would have loved to see him at our reunion.” Larry’s trying to stayin Cincinnati as Delta shrinks that base until his daughter, a sophomore, can graduate.

Peace Corps volunteer Sue Slavec is “deep in the middle ofthe southern Jordan desert... survivingsand storms andlots ofRamadanfeasts. Watched the slaughter offive goats at noon one day and ate them, to include the head/ brains, thatnightforthe Ramadan Iftar/feast. Have to saymyappetite was a bit offand made me considergoingvegetarian veryseriously. TeachingEnglish to a bunch ofscreaming, crazy, head covered 7th and 8th graders is a true experience. MyArabic continues to improve everyday... it makes Spanish look prettyeasy. Have to saydoing the Peace Corps routine is much tougher than any overseas militaryassignment... no BX, library, O-Club... only non English speakingvillagepeoplewonderingwho is thatwoman without a cover on her head? walking alone without a male escort? and heaven forbid you should make eye contactwith a man let alone speak to him...Haram!”

SpottedTim (Patricia) Gulliver transiting the ATL airportrecently. He was comingfrom Shannon,Ireland, to Syracuse to pick-up a planewith a bunch of troops forWorldAirways andhadbeen on theroadfor a month. He’s been with Worldjustshyoftwo years; “One ofthe fewlarge aircraftairlines makingmoney with people. Tim retired out ofAndrews flyingspecial airlift missions, sold back 30 days ofleave, and smoothlytransitioned to his post-retirementjob. He lives in southern California because it’s close to family. They have two children in college. He looked healthy and happy.

ACC named CannonAFB the command-level winner ofthe Commanderin-ChiefInstallation ExcellenceAward. This is the second year in a row for Cannon andJohn Posner, wingCC, remarked, “I thinkthey’ve been able to do something that is sometimes difficult to manage—to maintain that level of commitment andfocus for an extendedperiod, andthey’reveryproud ofthis... there’s a veryevident sense ofteamwork.”

John Fanning is a Management Pilot at UPS and lives outside Louisville, KY. He’s done severaljobs there and is currently on the Safety side ofthe house. Johnspent a total of 10.5 years in the blue suit. He was in a nearbyRF-4 Guard unit, butwhen theyswitched to C-130s, beinggone on bothjobs was a stretch

Aftervisitingwith Kathy’s father for the afternoon, we stopped at the outlet stores in Castle Rock. Betsy (Joviak) (Mark) Pimentel was in one ofthe shops. Married since graduation, she retired from theAF and lives in the Springs as a space consultantwith a smallfirm,workingwithmanyprime contractors. We then made it to the class gatheringThursday evening. Here’s what I got: Marianne (Owens) and Dave LaRivee have two boys, 16 and 14. She retired fouryears ago in Germany, now at UCCS teachingBusiness Lawin the Springs. Dave’s theVice Comm at USAFA (alongwith Debbie (Dubbe) (David) Gray). Theyspokehighlyofthe recent addition ofour on-its-way-to-becoming-rich tradition at the Zoo—the Heritage March (comingagain this 29 April). It’s a wayforgrads and cadets to connect during a meaningful march at night, complete with a movingceremony at the cemetery. Sounds like a date for the calendars. Oh, the Grays are in the process ofadopting a child from India.

BillAndrewshas a son Sean in theLegacyProgram at the Zoo and is in the old man’s CS-27. The Academyhospital seems to be in the process of“making pilots,” as Sean’s eyes were zapped from 20/200 to 20/10. Bill teaches at the Nat’lWar College (with Kevin Keith and Karen Wilhelm) and, getting back to his beginning,joined CAP to take cadets flyingand to sparktheirinterest in all thingsAir Force.

Chopperpilot JC (Joan) Cherniga is the CC of the Manned Space Office (DDMS) at Patrick andworks Space Shuttle contingencies. Joan’s a nurse and has worked almost everywhereJC has dragged her: Great Falls, Cheyenne, NORAD, Iceland, DLI, Paraguay, Patrick, and Denmark.

GeorgeRyan, Secret Service, haswatched his home increase exponentially while working out ofD.C. for the last seven years. Currentlyhe’s in the Dignitary Protection Division. He bought into the Civil Service pension with 12 active-dutyplusfourcadetyear’sworth ofcredit. Notabaddeal. Henotedhe’s also a USAFA/ROTC L.O., as is Mike McLoughlin (inTulsa).

Smack roommate fromAli Baba, Mark (Linda) Mitchell, has three girls and now, after furlough from UAL, lives in Palmdale, CA, with Lockheed Martin (advanced concepts for theU-2). AfterT-38 IP he went to the U-2, then test pilot at Edwards. Mark said Pete Micale “is theTop Cop in Space Command.” He also noted Bob Chapman is doinggoodthings as a Congressional Liaison for the AF. Back to Pete: Besides doing a great job on the slide show at the reunion and sending a fewphotos myway, he had a minute to answer where he’s been all theseyears: Malmstrom (missiles, then switched to SP), Norton, Offutt, Turkey, Air Staff(fouryears/Pentagon), Edwards, Malmstrom, Minot (missile SQ CC), ICAF, Lackland (TrainingGroup CC), now Peterson—wow! (More ofPete’s reunion photos at our web site, courtesyofBud Uyeda—who is in Farifax,VA as a contractorwith the NRO since goingcivvyin2001.) Atthe footballgame, it was probablyhard forPete to capturemanyofyou on camera everyone was hiding behind blue caps and sunglasses.

CS-12 (1980) at Pregame

Dan Amicarellihas been in south Florida 12 years after a couple ofstints in France. Fle’swithPulte Homes as aBusinessProcessAnalyst as well as a USAFA/ ROTC L.O. withlamie Saives. DansaysJamiebecame a nurse and is anARTwith the Reserves in Florida as some kind ofsenior staffer in medical management.

Pat (Kimberly+3) Campbell has lived in Buffalo 11 years. Got offactive duty in ’88 as a backseater in the F-4 and went with Mobil. Picked-up his civilian pilotratings in ’99 and leftMobil to build time, finallyflyingLearjets forAirNet. Joined C-130 Reserves as a nav in 2001 to put food on the table and was activated to the desert in 2002. Became anART (full-timeAFRES) at that point and will be in the desert again when you read this.

Bob (Lisa+3) O’Neill has been at Hanscom for fouryears (this time) and is still active duty in acquisitions. Rich Clewis is a senior planner for the city of Phoenixandhasbeenthere 20years. Matt (Chantal) Seitzis now a civil servant fortheArmy (comms stuff) atWheelerAFB, HI, wherehe was stationed as a Lt. and met his bride of23 years. She doesn’t mind beingbackhome.

Steve (Suzanne) Prileszky lives in Monument in the house theykept from their ’86-’91 USAFAtour in motorgliders. He spent hislast active dutyassignmentinC-12satKeeslerwithhiswife, anurse. Priorto thathevolunteeredfor ayearinBudapestwiththeairattacheoffice, also flyingC-12s,whentheyneeded someone ASAP who could speak the language; an assignment to Randolph (AETC) followed. Steve works with a small IT companyin Monument, a skill he picked-up out ofboredom while in San Antonio.

Dan Adams has been the wing CC at Minot for 18 months and is “enjoying everyday.” Before this he owned the eastern sector ofthe U.S. forthe RecruitingCommand, which brought in 30,000 recruits. He was also a congressional liaison for a tour. He mentioned Arnie Flores is the Maint. Group CC at McConnell (KC-135s). Bill Coltman is now in the Springs. He recently was overseas for seven years, two in Jeddah and the lastfive in England, where he owned a government consulting company. He has now joined Northrop Grumman. Bev (Cameron) Plosa-Bowser has been on active dutywith the Reserves since ’99. She is assigned to the Pentagon but recendymoved to the Springs, since Cameron’s stationed at Schriever. Itworks fine, as her folks are scattered all over the place and she onlyhas to go to D.C. once a month.

At the lunch buffet in Doolitde Hall I found out thatLinda Garcia is raising a 17-year-olddaughter while working out ofherPlano, TXhome as a director for H-P, currentlyworking on a contract for Proctor & Gamble. At the other side ofthe table was KathyConleywho retired threeyears ago out ofOSD in the Pentagon. After Linda left to see the Noon Meal Formation, Art (Judy) Chin sat down and I learned theylive in Redondo BeachwhereArtworks forAerospace CorphelpingtheAF buysatellites. His Reservejob is at the Pentagon, where he helps the AF fight the budget batdes. (So they can buy more satellites?)

When I visited my old squadron, I wanted to look-up a current cadet and asked the CCQ ifI couldlook at theAlpha Roster. It was then I foundthere is no longer such a thing but they looked him up in the GlobalDirectory. Oh, while touring the squadron, a familiar-looking cadet walked-up to me and said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Myers, myfather is Dave Brown andyou and he were in this squadrontogether." Sure enough—and 25 years ago Davelooked just like thatyoung man. Afterwards, Kathy and I enjoyed ourselves with the cadets from CS-02, along with some ’65 grads in the SAR for a Meet the Old Geezers session. Then it was offto Harmon Hall for updatebriefingsbythe current command structure (almost all grads) before the Memorial Ceremony for our class at the Chapel. I saw Tom Spicer at the steps. He was furloughed byUAL and came back on active dutyas a physics instructor at theZoo, first on a one-year contract and now on a three-year contract. Funny, he did everything he could to get back while on active duty, without success and he wasn’t even a physicsmajor!

Fridayevening was the sit-down dinner and more info from you: JO (Janet) Miller retired in 2003 after five years at WPAFB in Ops Research (computer simulation) and does the same thingthere as a civil servant. Steve Gignilliat is a management, consultant, currendywith a smallbiotech companyoutside of San Francisco. He retired from the CEworld atTravis lastyear after 18 years in the Reserves. Tony(Deb) Wolusky is busyteachingseverallaw-based distance learning courses from his home in the Springs. Gail (Benjamin) Colvin is the Mission SupportGroup CC at Holloman andwill “stayuntilit’s not fun.” Paul (Elizabeth) G. Smith retired in 2001 from being an Edwards test pilot, resides in lower California and took a flyingjob with UPS.

At the football game, which was very exciting, even though it didn’t go our way, I found out thatOrlando Rosado lives in Memphis, is an A300 IP forFedEx, andisintheTNANG as theMaint. Group CC (C-5As). JohnMorgadohasworked with ALPA as a Delta pilot for 15 years and currently is DALPA’s chairman for contract admin. He lives in the Springs and commutes to work in Atlanta, where he’s also captain on the MD88. Nancy (Mariano) (Frank) Kudla has owned dNovus inSanAntonio for 16years and employs200 folks to help make hercompany a success. Theyalso have fourboys to keep lifeinteresting. Mike (Julie+3) Nayehas made the move from Colorado to Hawaii as he now flies for JAL. Bill Peterson has been at theAF Doctrine Center at Maxwell for2.5 years. Heworks on securityforces stuff, exercises, andhomeland security issues. He felt like most ofus likelydid walking into the SARs that afternoon, “It was just like 25 years ago.”

I’moutofroom! Send me your Christmas/holidayletters, myfriends. Don

Rich Trentman

11102 Asbee St.

Falcon, CO 80831-8170

Home: (719) 494-8438

Work: (719) 234-0754

E-mail: trentman@usafa81.com

Class Website: www.usafa81.com

HappyHolidays! Another beautiful fall in the great state ofColorado has come and gone. For those ofyou who live elsewhere or have forgotten, the Rockies appear more stunningthan we remember as young men and women or I simply notice them more?? Sadly, football is over, but we’re into another exciting basketball/hockey season.

In my travels out East with myjob, I ran into several classmates at Langley AFB with some involvementinJEFX06. Fritz Cox was there. FritzisacontractoratHurlburtAFS. Dennis Northcutt was also there as a contractor. Dennis is at Hurlburt, too. Col GaryCrowder was doing a lot oftalking, so I couldn’t get much time or wordswith him otherthan to sayhello in the hall. I thinkGaryis at Hurlburt, too? I talked quite a bitwith Mark Perkins. Mark is at HQ AMC. He sees Michelle Johnson at ScottAFB. Mark saidJohn Brunhaver just took over the ExpeditionaryOps Division atAMC. Mark flewhelicopters, so he was a bit out ofthe standardAF mainstream duringhis career. It was very nice to run into so many ’81 ers while out east.

Around the Springs I run into Lauri Cross quite often both at football games and professionally. At the UNLVgame, I was walkingunder the stands and ran intoJeffBraley. He’s backin Colorado afterretiringfrom the AF and currentlyliving up in Ft Collins.

DaveVanderburgh sent me a good, longemail. As you all know, twins Dave and Rich were our classmates. I had several classeswith Rich and remember Dave. Rich retired forthe second time in 2004 as a B-2 pilot. (I also think Rich and I were at Casde AFB together... Rich flew B-52s then...) Rich is presently a pilot for UPS and Dave retired in 2005 and is a radiologist. Their family is quiteamazingand kept the academies supplied withVanderburghsthroughout the ’70s-’80s. Ofthe nineVanderburgh siblings, sixwent to USAFA, one went toWestpoint (.. .you guys needed to apply more peer pressure to Paul...), one went toWright State, and one (unfortunately) passed awayprematurely. Simply an amazingstory! Theyhad a familyreunion at BetsyVanderburgh’s (’84) house in Lynchburgh,VA.

Margie, Kathy, andBevlookingfortrouble.

Sabre Society Donors

In thefirstrowfromleftare DaveVanderburgh USAFA ’81, MaryVanderburgh (Mom), RichardVanderburgh (Dad), andRich Vanderburgh USAFA ’81. In the second roware Paul Vanderburgh USMA ’82,John Vanderburgh USAFA ’88, Mary(Vanderburgh) Pulliam USAFA ’87, andMarkVanderburgh. In the third rowareBetsyVanderburgh USAFA ’84, andMichaelVanderburgh.

RandyWorrall and I roudnelyexchange '81 sightings andclassmate contacts. (I usuallywin...) From mygood friend Randy, Matt Durchholzvolunteered to help with our reunion. Matt is a senior engineer with Lockheed Martin in Texas. Rob Zyriek also contacted Randyvolunteering to help. Rob lives in Maryland. Speaking ofour reunion, I am receivingmany emails expressing interest. Dan Griffith emailed and plans to make it. Devon Volk emailed to volunteer and will be there. Devin works for CE at USAFA. MyRebeleven buddyJim Ford emailed to update his info and say“Hi”. Jim flies forDelta and is looking forward to next year’sbig event. Jake Jakobi is in good health and stillveryinvolved in lacrosse. He and Larry Davis played in theVail tournament this year. Chet Nowak’s playingdays are over. His knees cannot take it anymore. Scott Land is still in theAir Force andzipped me a short email as he played with the AOG website. Scott is stationed at Offutt AFB working at STRATCOM. Maura (Burke)Wingard emailed me thanking me forkeepingup with the Rebeleven gang. She said shewould try to make our 25*.

MartyFrancehas takenthereins oftheAstro department at USAFA. Acombination ofMarty’sskills, background, andtimingworkedforhim to getthis great opportunity. TheonlythingI’m a bitupsetwithMartyaboutis thathe nowmakes me schedule “El” to see him. Way to go Marty; we’re all proudofyou!

Add Dr. Richard Tubb (Physician to the President) to the growinglist of’81 generals. Congrats Rich!

I lookforward to plentyofHolidayemails and pictures. (Remember, I wrote this two-three months in advance!) News was a bit light these last couple months but I should have a full article with more current reunion info next quarter. Our 25* is comingquickly. Help spread the word and contact Randy or myself. Go Falcons!

Jim Ratti

161 E. 2400 S.

Clearfield, UT 84015-1919

(801) 497-0989/DSN: 586-3344

rattijm@mindspring.com

http://usafa82.org

in Los Alamos so we feel like we’ve moved into the city. Others’ mileage will differ on that score, dependingfromwhence they’ve come. Although we did pay almost $20K USD for a ’98 Chrysler mini-van, and it was a good deal. Thanks goodness forthe COLA.

“Normal stuff; kids are in school, waiting on our surface-shipped household goods to arrive in a few months. Learning to live without much and wonderingwhatwe’ll reallydo with the 10 tons ofstuffwe’ve shipped. Went to an all-aboriginal choral presentation last weekend; songs ofthe desert, verycool. Next weekend is the Hendley on theTodd (we call them arroyos in New Mexico) regatta. Picture 12-person Fred Flintstone foot-powered hottomless boats racing along the sand ofwhat would be the Todd River if there was anywater here. Shouldbe a hoot.

“Work seems fun so far. Not the rarified and quirkyacademic and papered climate ofLos Alamos, but theAustralians are extraordinarilyfriendly; it’s summer for a least six months out ofyear (it’s still winter and I’m sure it has been in the low 30s C high 80s F since we’ve been here), and there are plentyofgeeks atworkifI go missingthem. DeputyChiefofEngineeringhere is an ’84 Lt Col Tim McQuade. Met him at a partywhen he commented that he liked my daughter’s shirt. Hadn’t a clue what he was talking about until I realized it was an issue USAFAT-shirt.

“We’ll be here for at least a couple ofyears. Come and visit. Come somewhere close and give us an excuse to see more ofthe continent or the South Pacific with you.”

Next, Sandy(Maloney) Keetersent me thispicture taken at the USAFA Graduate Memorial Service at which Jane Mengel was honored. Sandy didn’t give me a “pointee-talkee” to putfaceswith names and I knowI’m gonna catch flak forthis, but I can onlyrecognize fourofthe five ladies pictured! Startingfrom the left in the back row are Jules (Rosburg) Keck, Sandy, and NancyKiyota. Cynthia (Shelton) Mack is on the right in the front row, and the “mystery guest” is on the left. I even had Ellen (who is much better at face recognition than I!) peruse our yearbooks in hopes ofcoming up with a match, but we both drew blanks. “Well”, you say, “why not just call up Sandy and askV’ Great idea! Except it’s the night before the deadline, it’s well past a normal bedtime where Sandylives, and besides, all I have is herwork phone! So, I guess I’lljustgive all ofyou a good excuse to razz me.

GreetingsRedtags!

Thiswas alightquarterfornews, butI didget afewnoteworthysubmittals. First up is Mike Berry, who wrote all the wayfrom Alice Springs, Australia. Rocket scientist Miketookthe 15-yearretirementin 1997 and eventuallywent to workforRaytheon. Whentheydecidedtheyneeded a genius inAlice Springs, Mike and Kathleenjumped on the opportunity. I’ll let Mike tell the rest ofthe story...

9 Sabre Society Donors

“After almost a year delay we’ve finally made it to Alice Springs. Had nice multi-day layovers in Honolulu and Sydney. I’d highly recommend the beach-side bar/grill at Hickam, although after the kids took a dip followinglunch, Kathleen stepped offthe shower platform backwards and smashedherwrist. Spent thewhole next day atTriplerArmy Medical center ER/urgent care in lieu ofsnorkeling, hiking Diamond Head, etc. Nice view ofthe beach fromTripler.

“‘Base’ housing (scattered through-outAlice Springs) is nice and seemingly not as strict as I remember it as a 2nd Lt. Not having ever been stationed anywhere close to the tropics (no, Grand Forks doesn’t count), having orange trees in our backyard now is a real novelty. I’ve onlyended up on the ‘right’ side of the road twice so far. When I went to get mylicense, the lady at the Northern Territories DMV didn’t seem as amused at myrecounting those times as I’d thoughtshe’d be. Shoppingopportunities are much betterhere than theywere

GaryPackard - proudnewPermanentProfessor.

Last but certainly not least, Col Gary Packard sent this picture ofhimself withLGenRosa (Superintendent) andBGenDana (Lindsley) Bom, ’83 (Dean). Garywas recently (October) confirmedbythe Senate as the “Professor, United StatesAirForceAcademy, fortheDepartmentofBehavioralSciencesandLeadership.” Although the terminologyhas changed,you’llprobablyrecognize the synonymous title of“Permanent Professor” from our days at the Zooquite an honor, and a position in which I’m sure Garywill performwell. There’s little else in thewayofnews, but I did read an interesting booklately.

’82 Classmates atJaneMengel’sMemorialService.

SinceI tookover as theA-10SystemProgramManagerinJune I thoughtI should leam a bit more about howthejetis employed. So, I picked up a copyof‘A- 10s over Kosovo” (free for the askingfromAir UniversityPress). It’s a collection of first-person accounts fromA-10pilots, maintenance officersand supporttroops who employed and supported the ‘Hog’ during the Kosovo campaign. The bookwas thebrainchild (andsuperblyedited productof) none otherthanChris Haave, and was a veryinterestingread. I recommend it to anyone interested in some veryhonest and rivetingwar stories and commentaries.

That’s all the news (fit to print) from theWasatch Front this go-round. Keep the info flowing, and be safe. Ratman

Raymond J. Blust

7 Highland Park

Wheeling, VW 26003-5472

H: (304) 242-7182

Cell: (304) 281-1621

E-mail: RJMABLUST@comcast.com

Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear. It’s ratherhard to actually mean it as it is mid- October here inWestVirginia. Let me first apologize for havingonly one picture. Usuallythe photo would be of our whole family but Julie didn’t like any ofthem with her in it. So you get me and the kids. And secondly, I apologize for having minimal information. I’ve been used to writing the artide right after the Holidays and usuallyhave plentyofinfo and photos. As far as our clan is concerned, I am still with American out ofJFK flying 767s to Europe and SouthAmerica and am still pluggingalong as an ALO fortheAcademy. Julie continues teach aerobics at our localYand anotherhealth club. She is usuallythe general contractor ofthe house while the kids and I push her to the verge ofdoing a work stoppage. Matthew is like any other 14 year old, involved in everything - travel, soccer, BoyScouts, guitar, piano and still finds time to ref soccer. Audrey is now five and loves her dance and gymnastics classes. She is Dad’s little shadow.

Ray, Matthew andAudrey Blust

Ifyou received your last copy of Checkpointsyou may have noticed that Charlie Garcia is the new Treasurer for the Board of Directors of the AOG. Congrats Charlie! Got an email from fellowpreppie Ken Mills. Ken flies for Delta out ofJFK. He and wife, Sandy, live in New Hampshire. Ken’s working on his MBA with possible plans for Law school. Ran into John Mulhearn in Paris in our layover crew room. John and wife, Pam, live in the Bostonwhere they run an embroidery business. Hopefully we can giveyou some business for our next reunion John. John sent alongfew notes about other grads. Hans Schmidt is living in the McLeanVA area where he andwife, MaryAnn, havefourchildren. MaryAnn is a doctorwhile Hans is in the Real Estate development business. John also wrote to say Ben Hulsey was recentlypromoted to Colonel. Ben’s currentlystationed at ScottAFB as the CC ofthe Ops Section for theT-tail aircraft for theAF. Tamra Rank also works in the same building with Ben and has also pinned on 0-6. Bytheway, Major GeneralWinfieldW. Scott III pinned on Ben’s birds. Yes, it’s the son ofour Superintendent and rumor hasittheScotts havebeenWestPoint generals ever sincethe CivilWar. Also recentlyretired LTC Brian McIntosh who was a depot test pilot for KC- 135s is now teachingAF Jr. ROTC somewhere in the south. Can you be less specific next time John? Thanks for all the updates, see ya in Paris again soon.

Speaking of0-6 promotion I was pleasantlysurprised bythe latest issue of the AF Times to see so many ’83ers finallygetting their Eagles. These are the classmates I recognized and were promoted in October: MerrilAlligood, John MarkAmidon, Dan Baltrusaitis, Karl Bosworth, Mike Bryant, Lou Caporicci, CraigCroxton, Mike Davis, BobbyFowler, Cleo Hockaday, GaryHopper, Micah Killion, StewKowall, Bob Lala,TommyLawhead, BrianMaas, Bob MacDonald,

Mark Melville, Mike Mendonca, Zane Mitchell, Jim Moulton, JeffMurray, Bob O’Neal, John Parkes, John “JJ” Pericas, Mark Pohlmeier, Rick Ragaller, Brent “The Brain” Richert, Kurt Schake, Mark Schmitz, Eric Schnitzer, Brian “Beeker” Smith, John “Stiz” Stizza, Mike Tallent, Dave Timm, Dave Uzzell, TomWebster, RonWiegand, Bill Wignall, and Dan Zalewski. Congratulations guys, butyou still have to call Dana “MAAM”!

A couple ofguys are making news here at American, the goodwaythough. Bob “Morocco Mole” Brown is and has beenveryinvolvedwithAPA, our pilot union. Bob is usuallyknee deep in the safetyside but is now on the board ofdirectors ofthe 9/11 Flight CrewMemorial Foundation. Bob is dedicated to making sure the sacrifice of the flight crews of9/11 is not forgotten. The foundation is raising funds to honor the professionals who crewed AA flights 11 and 77 and UnitedAirlines flights 93 and 175. The memorial will be located in GrapevineTX. To make a donationpleaseseewww.911flightcrewmemorial.org. Thanks for all work Bob.

Also keepingbusyinTexas and flyingforAmerican is Mark Bogosian. Mark and his wifejoined Pilots forKids sixyears ago and now they are the coordinatorsforthe organization in theDallas area. Theyvisit two area children’s hospitals at Christmas time and say“To see the smiles on theirfaces is incredible”. To make a donation or get more information please go to www.pilotsforkids.org.

Julie and I are lookingforward to headingsouth to Georgia in Januaryforthe retirement ceremonyoffellowStarship classmateJon andBrenda Duresky. As ofthis writing the retirement date is Friday, Jan 13th Jon has been at Dobbins AFB, north ofAtlanta, forthe pastfewyears. Jon is also interviewingwith any airline that’ll look at his quals. Goodluckinyourlastfewmonths, see ya soon. Well I thinkthat about does it for me and mybloviating. For the next article, please send emails, letters and photos to me at the above addresses. Until we meet again, flysafe and enjoythe holiday season.

Mike Jensen

12035 Milam Road Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (800) GO-AFA-GO

michaeljensen@remax.net

http://www.usafa84.com

We finallyhave a web page up and “running?” Not much on ityet but we do have a store to purchase that DVD of our Graduation. So check it out and buy a couple! This past summer our class was well represented at the Graduate Leadership Conference byGay Harrison (Weaver) Dave Norton and Daryl “Sky” Smith. The were able to check out the Supt’s residence, basics tackling the assault course “AIR FORCE!” and got a chance to bring back that lovin’ feelingwith respect to theAFA. Dave flew in from Dallas where he is an aviation attorney and Daryl came in from his new digs in Kentucky where he teaches at a local college and is writing a book... which will be available on the website soon! Gay traveled in from Briargateworking as the DirectorofSouthern Colorado’s AF Admission Liaison Officer’s unit. Her husband, Scott, is in their 10th year ofsponsoring cadets as Scott is enjoying civilian life as a technologydirector at their local school district. A full-fledged goatee growing, Birkenstockwearing civilian he is!

Matt Johnson checked in with the followingupdate: Jay Esmayis runningfor the U.S. Congressional seat in Minnesota’s 6th district. The election is about a year away, I think, buthe is campaigning a lot now. His website iswww.jayesmay.com. I understand thathewill not refuse donations! (True to the ’84 traditions, he is!)

Ben Coffeyand Matt have met up a couple oftimes over in London. He isthe AssistantAirAttache so he does a lot ofsocializing. I guess hewillbe here for anothertwo-threeyears. SteveWackeris still livingin Raleigh, NCworkingfor a European turbine manufacturer. Matt is going to relocate to Frankfurtwith his firm.

Thankyouforthoseofyouwho gave so much to making our classgift a success. Because ofyourgenerosity, we shouldbeableto dedicatethememorial andclass turnaround at our 25th reunion,which isjustaround the comer in 2009!

Support the Falcons when they are in your area. TheAFA is competing in many different venues in a varietyofsports and competition. To see the athletic events go to www.airforcesports.com

Withallthat is happeningthistime ofyear,pleaserememberto drop offa note or a Christmas card toyourclass scribe. I hope to getenoughinput to post some good stuffon our website. Also ifyou have anypicturesyou thinkshould beup on theweb, send them to me! Have a MerryChristmas and a HappyNewYear!

Web Site www.usafa.org

Quintel Williams

8980 Peabody Court

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

(719) 282-4333

USAFA1985@aol.com

’85 BestAlive!

Our awesome 20,h Reunion information is finally here! At least part ofit is here. There’s always a limit on howmuch we can include in Checkpointsand although we have a little more space forwords and up to five pictures, there’s too much to fit in this one article. So I promise to use all ofthe reunion infermation I already have and any new information or pictures you all want to send until the supplyis completelyexhausted in the next few Checkpoints.

Duringearlyregistration on the afternoon ofthefirst dayat the reunion, I had lunchwith Irv Higa at TGI Friday’s. Irv is a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Air National Guard Intelligenceshop. Then I took Irv bymyhouse so he could meet mywife, Renee, and kids (Kristen (4 V2) and Marcus (16 months). Later that daywhen I was on myway to officiallysign in and pick up myregistration package at theWyndham Hotel, I saw JeffSiegel and hiswife, Gayl; Stephen “Steve” Visel, and George Hupp in the bar area near the hotel lobby. In the registration room I saw Chevalier “Chevy” Cleaves and Elizabeth “Beth” (Wright) Dunn and her 15-year-old son “AJ”. Chevyis backfrom overseas and working at the Pentagonagain. This time Chevyisworking on theJoint Staffin Information Operations Doctrine and Policy. Later I saw Charles “Chuck” Streeter and his wife, Joanne, in the hospitality room. I also saw Daniel “Dan” Sanchez, who probably came from the farthest distance away—Japan! Forgive me ifI left out your name but there were several other classmates who came in as well. Beth said EliseVanderVennet pinned on 0-6 and retired Beth lastMarch. Beth saidElise hadtwins aboutsixweeksbeforethereunion so she had a prettygood excuse for not making it. Congratulations Elise and James!

On the second dayofthe reunion we had a Prep School Mini-reunion in the afternoon. Colonel Johnson, the Prep School commander, gave us the current mission briefingand answered questions at the CommunityCenterAuditorium. During his briefingthe colonel said he had recently hired one ofour classmates to teach math and coach football—Tom Coleman. Can you believe it? Anyway, unlike the first day, I remembered to bring a camera on the second day ofreunion activities. I took a picture ofBruce Desautels and his wife, Joyce, at the auditorium.

agement and/or SystemsEngineeringsupport as a contractor or consultant. Chuck has also maintained a position in theAir Force Reserves over theyears. Joe also separated from theAirForceyears ago andworks as a defense contractor in the MetroWashington, DC area.

After the briefing, Cadet Candidate Collinder ofC-Squadron showed my small group around to the beautifully renovated dinninghall, academic buildingwhich has a new and robust ChemistryLab, and the C-Squadron dormitory. Before we disbanded, we decided to take a picture ofthe’85 Preppies. Pictured below from left kneeling in the front row are JeffSiegel, SteveVisel, George Hupp and Chuck Streeter. Standing in the middle row are Mike Hoolihan, Laureli Mazik, Mark DeLuca, Bruce Desautels, John "JP” Scott, and JoeWiggins. In the back row are Stephen Sutherland and FrankQuintel Williams.

Bruce andJoyce Desautels

I also took a picture ofJohn “JP” or “Bear” Scott, Chuck Streeter, and his wife, Joanne, and Joseph "Joe” Wiggins at the auditorium. JP recently retired from Peterson AFB and isworking in the Colorado Springs area. Chuck separated from theAir Forceyears ago and has been providingTotal QualityMan-

The ’85 Preppies

George Hupp graduated from the Prep School with us but not from “the hill.” George ended up graduating fromWyomingand now he works for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) byits new name—ICE, whatever that stands for. I guess George was in a win-win situation for the AFA football game againstWyoming. Sherry (Currin) Fox and herhusband, Dan, also attended the Preppie Mini-reunion but theydeparted before we tookthe picture. Sherryis still flyingwith the airlines and juggling a busy work schedule with family life. Sherryand Dan have four children: Thomas (18), Margaret (14), Daniel and Catherine, both 11 years old. Robert “Bob” Pickrell missed the Prep School activities, including our picture, but he caught up with most ofus in the parking lot before we left.

Dan Martinez mailed me a CD-ROM with some pictures thatheandhiswifehad taken at thereunion. He also gave me permission to pass along an update on his growingfamily. “Dear Friends What a greatjoyit was to see everybodyagain. It had been entirelytoo longand ofcourse this pastweekend was entirely too short. As you saw, our big news is that Kristin is expecting our first. She is due on Feb 4th.” Dan went on to conveythathe hasbeen out oftheAirForcesince 1995. He hadjustfinished his master’s degree anddecided to pursue a career puttinghis new degree towork. He ended up getting ajob inToledo, OH (which is ultimately howhe ended up with Owens-Illinois). He did a quick stint with InteliData in 2000-01 before landing a position with Borders Group, Inc. Dan has been with Borders just over fouryears now. He says the Martinez’s Master FamilyPlan calls for him to find a job back in Colorado next summer. There are plenty ofhigh-tech companiesin both Denverand Colorado Springs, so hopefellyDan’sjob search will be short. Dan and Kristin, thanks for the pictures and congrats on your first child!

On Fridayduring the reunion, we had a luncheon at AOG Headquarters, Doolittle Hall. Renee and my kids went with me but it seems like they were onlythere for about 10 minutes before little Marcus got too restless and they went backhome. Afterwards we had a chance to hearbriefings from the Superintendent and senior staff, followed by a question-and-answer session. Then we had a class picture on the outside stairs to the chapel before the memorial ceremony. Dan and Kristin Martinezdidn’t miss the opportunityto get a few pictures. Ifyou were there and ordered an official picture but haven’t gotten ityet, don'tworry. Just pull out your magnifyingglass and take a closer look at this picture.

Fromleft areJPScott, ChuckStreeterandhis wife,Joanne, andJoeWiggins.

Class of198520th Reunion Picture on the Chapel Stairs Not the Official Picture!

4 Sabre Society Donors

Atthe dinners on ThursdayandFridaynights I sawlotofpeople I knewpretty well and some that I’d never met before, especially spouses. I finallygot to meet Sherry (Sims) Galante’s husband, Albert. He’s a neat guy. Well, Sherry said she retired from active-duty on 1 Jul 05 and she’s going to be a full-time mom for a while. I also got to get the record straight with Charlene (Jardin) Harding’s husband,William, who is actually an ’82 grad. I apologized to him for periodicallytrying to give him credit for being in the class of ’83 or ’84. Anyway, Charlene said she recently retired from LosAngelesAFB, CA. I think she said that she’ll enjoyspending more timewith theirkids for a while before she thinks about working again. JohnAu-Yeung wrote that he’s married to wonderful woman named Lili and theyhave a 13-year-olddaughternamed Lauren. John said he retired on 30 Jun 05. RickWade wrote that he’s a pilot for FED/EXandlives in Seattle,WA. ToddMartinwrote thathe’s married to Sylvia. Todd says he’s still on active dutyserving as deputycommanderfor a maintenance group at KirtlandAFB, NM. Pete Read wrote that he moved from HQ USAF/XOI in July 2003. Pete said now he’s the department chair for the Joint MilitaryIntelligenceCollege’sanalysisshop as well as the senior service advisor. Pete says he’s planning to retire on 1 Jan 06.

On Saturdayduringthereunion we hadthe footballgame againstWyoming. Beforethegame (andafterthegame) we had a tailgateparty. DanMartinez sent me a picture ofhimselfstandingwith Brian Leshko, Lynn SteerandDougRider.

It was an exciting game but we lost by a fewpointsduring in the last minute ofthe game.

At one point during the first dinner at the reunion, I realized that I’d never remember all ofthe information I was told byall ofthe people I saw, so I pulled out a pad ofpaper and asked some folks to jot down somethingabout themselvesthatI could use in Checkpoints. Well, thattimehas come. BobbyBlackman wrote that he lives in Phoenix, AZ these days. I also have a note from Mark “Muggo” Mullaneywho says he lives inAlexandria, VA. I sawAnnette (Perez) Deiters and her husband, Jeff. Annette wrote that she and her familylive in Fredericksburg, VA and provided her email. I sawAlan Mackey and his wife, Kate. Kate wrote thatAlan was a FO at AA until he went blind in December 2000. Kate also stated that they two kids: Kevin (10), and Brian (8). I saw Jim Cooper and his lovelybride, Sarah. JimandSarahjustwrappedtheirfirstyear ofmarriage tied the knot 10 Sep 04. To celebrate, the Coopers got a new Golden Retriever puppy. Jim still works as a defense contractor for the HQ USAF SpaceOperations directorate at the Pentagon.

GaryRafferty was there too. And likeJim, Garywork’s as a defense contractor in the MetroWashington, DC area and he lives in Stafford,VA. I saw Neal McElhannonwho is colonelworking at LangleyAFB,VA. CaryChun is also a colonelwith a group command at BuckleyAFB, CO. YuLin (Greene) Bingle is another colonel in our class that I saw at the reunion. I metYuLin’s husband, Bruce, who’s a real nice fellow. YuLin is a group commander for an intelligence unit at BealeAFB, CA. Tom Connellywrote thathe’s a KC-135 pilot atAlms, OK. David Bums wrote thathe lives in Concord, MA. David told me that hewould like a tour ofCheyenne Mountain sometime. Dave,justgive me a little notice whenyou’recomingto Colorado and I’m sure I can helpyou out. GreggChristmas wrote that he lives in Naples, FL and gave his email address. LarryGast wrote that he’s a “Real Estate Developer” who lives in Charlotte, NC.

I think I wouldbe remiss ifI didn’t thankJoyceWashingtonagainfor all ofher hard work to set up the reunion. Joyce, please know that we all appreciate youreffortsverymuch. We’re especiallysorrythatyou had a healthissue crop up at thelast minutewhich keptyou from actuallyattendingthe reunion. You were missed.

Until the next time.. .take care. Quintel

Bob Colella

9301 Harness Horse Court Springfield, VA 22153 (703)455-3176

colellar@ndu.edu

rcolella@member.afa.org

Greetings Classmates!

Coming to you live from the “Joint Pub” at the NationalWar College—once again in “Student Status.” So far as I am an “M” student (Meets Standards). I’ll letyouknow ifthat changes and I’ll be sure to letyou knowhowmytryout for the bowling team goes. Mydaily commute goes somethinglike this: Drive to park-and-ridelot, pick up classmate Evan “Ivan” Thomas and Former Cadet WingMoraleWelfare and Recreation OfficerTom “Vulture” Lawhead ’83 and some Coast Guard Guy and hop on the HOV

National WarCollegeStudents class of2006: In thefirst roware Kim “Bunz” Sievers (nee’Baumann), Evan Thomas, EricMellinger ’87, andBob “Cactus" Colella. Second row: Chris “C-Din”DiNenna ’84,John "Bama”Montgomery, MartyMorrison ’87, ShaunMorris ’88, and Rod “Trash”Cregier '85. BackRow: Ryan “RJ”Smith ’89, Mike “Cortez”Connolly '85, Greg“Preacher”Tate ’82, Joe “Gus”Guastella ’87, RobertSmith '84, and Thomas “Vulture”Lawhead ’83.

Cross dresseris EricMellinger ’87 - swears hewasn’trootingforNavyor a nineyard punt. Also in thephoto isJoe “Gus” Guastella, ’87whojustleftcommand oftheTriple Nickel FighterSquadron (555FS) inAviano Italy. He gave up command to Lt Col Charlie “Tuna” Moore '89. Also in the photo is GregTate ’82 (he is the anchor). He is an Air Force Chaplain these days and a NWCstudent—some Clausewitz, some OldTestament, some brimstone - hemixesitup. HejustleftLukewhere hiscallsign was “HOG” (Hand ofGod). He thinks he is on a sports scholarship at NWC and says Shalom. As a fellowRTB he isA-OK.

Luckily we had a lesson on Persuasive Diplomacyand I was able to twist Evan Thomas’ arm to give me an update so here goes Ivan’s first actuallywritingassignment at NWC.

Sabre Society Donors

"Having successfully dodged providing any clue of my whereabouts to our esteemed and long-suffering class scribes, I find myselfcompelled (told ya) to write a few words. Was it that recent trip back to the zoo where I gazed down towards Spirit Hill with my sons, hoping desperately that they’d mistake the look on my face for fond memories and decide that itwouldbe reallycool to go there (at no cost to their proud dad)? Was it the urge to paint every room in our house bright red after readingthe latest Checkpoints? Or perhaps it was riding in the same carpool with noted airpower zealot and class scribe Bob Colella, who turned to me and suggested that ifI didn’t give him some d#%$ copyfor the next issue, he would regale me AGAINwith the riveting tale ofhowhe brushes his two Chihuahuas’ teeth? You make the call. (You smell their breath!)

“So, there Iwas, NS, flyingtheF/A-22 andlovinglife as the commander ofthe Raptordevelopmental test squadron at Edwards. We were at Edwards from 2002 through 2005, spending ayear as Ops O at the F-16 test squadron before movingto theRaptors. Yes, thejetisawesome andverycapable! Itwasmygood fortune to lead a tremendous group ofmilitary, civilians and contractors while proving out the Raptorand supporting the operational test as well, including a great Ops O, Dawn Dunlop ’88.1 also saw fellowNinerAndyIngram a good bit as he was doing hard time at the RaptorProgram Office. We enjoyed our time at Edwards and left lots ofgood friends. Our thoughts go daily to Brian Simpson ’84 and Miss Cindy as theyfight the goodfight every day.

“This summer we bid thewindsweptdesert goodbye (again) and moved out to the D.C. area for school. Now I spend my days learningstratiegery and trying to develop into a true airpowerzealot (like Cactus). Natalie loves the fact that we have three Starbucks stores within a short drive ofthe house, in-

FromleftareDanMartinez, BrianLeshko, Lynn Steer, andDougRiderat the tailgateparty.

stead ofthe45-minutetrekto Lancasterto getherfix. Our oldest son, Ryan,just started high school and is now as tall as me. All in all, life inVirginiais good for the Thomas clan.” Thanks Ivan!

Also in the class is Kim (Baumann) Sievers —we got to talking at a recent ICAF vs NWC softball gamewatchingICAF Student Rob Kaufman, who made a bigger error than those ’85 gradswriting a check to their“date” one long-ago Saturdaynight onTrejon Street, playing third base enroute to a 33-3 shellackingofthe ICAF BlueTigers. She gave me a short update on herwhereabouts as well as a familyphoto. Kimleft command ofthe 93IS at LacklandAFB forNWC this past summer. She is picturedwith herhusband, Kevin Sievers '89who left AETC HQ forDIAat the Pentagon, and kids, Kendra (10) and Madison (8 going on 21). Kim ran into squadron mate (CS-24) Mark Beierle hangingup his exec job for ICAF attendance this year. She also ran into Tish (Mooney)Wodetzki on TDYwho is still at Edwards running the Global Hawk development program. Also at ICAF is JeffHupy—I am pretty sure I owe him money.

Kim and Kevin '89 Sievers with Kendra and Madison on theirway to the mailbox to pickup theirjointedition ofCheckpoints.

RexGibson sent this picture ofCS-16 alumni ChrisVellanti, ChuckWallace, Rexhaving breakfast inTampa, FL. Chris is in theAir Force Reservesworking for USSOCOM at MacDill AFB. Chris is doing great in business as well as workingat SOCOM. Chuckis a general counsel and one ofthe founding members ofesurance.com based in San Francisco. Chuckandhiswife, Nana, have a son named Charley. Rex commandsthe 333 RecruitingSquadronheadquartered in Melbourne, FL, near PatrickAFB. He reports “I’m enjoying sunny Florida in between hurricane threats. MaryJo and I have three greatkids, two in high school and one injuniorhigh.”

Finally, I heard from the Malfers - theyleft the sun/surfofHawaii forthe sun/ no surfofArizona. Malfand Bridget are at LukeAFB where he is the new Ops Officerat the62nd FS. Bridgetwanted to stayin Hawaii foranotheryear (why?), butit was a greatopportunityforMalfand itgiveshim a great shot at command next year. Bridget is still a USAFAALO but is soon eligible to... retirefrom the Reserves. She reports “Ourkids are doinggreat—Brandon is in 5th grade and Lindsayjust started kindergarten” She reports “Lots ofgrads here at Luke. Our good friends JanTavrytzkyand KevinAunapu '87 are both flyingpart-time as instructors in the 62nd. Jan also flies forFed Ex, and Kevin flies forJet Blue.”

That’s it from this end. I have to write a paper or two - they expectyou do some work -1 think. Write ifyou have a spare moment and use your own persuasive diplomacy skills (I can send the lesson plan) or resort to coercion and get someone you know (maybe even you) to join theAOG. Reunion is fast approaching. Next time - the ICAF USAFA Grads—no tanker scandals,just defeat on the friendly fields ofstrife/bowlingalleys. Bob Cactus Colella

Sharon (Hullinger) Stehlik

500 Lunalilo Home Road, 11J Honolulu, HI 96825

Phone and Fax: (808) 542-8811 nuiohana@gmail.com or sharon.stehlik@pacom.mil

(Seven Sabre Society Donors)

Aloha once again classmates! I hopeyou all are doingwell. To those ofyou deployed, thankyou and Iwishyou a speedyand safe return home. I received some greatpictures this quarterthat I can’twait to sharewithyou.

TeriAlesch emailed me as she was wrapping up her deploymentin Iraq. The photo isTeri on a typical trip in a Blackhawk.

Shehad to travel to various bases in the area. Teri saidthatshe ran into many grads while deployed, but none from ’87. She’s alreadyheaded to herassignment at Ramstein, so ifyou’re there lookher up! She was assigned there as a Captain, but this go-around she’ll have much more responsibility, as do most ofyou all.

Speaking ofresponsibility, Allan Woodcock’s dad wrote in to tell me that Allan took command ofthe 23rd FS on 26Aug 05, at Spangdahlem, Germany. Wayto go!

PresidentBush, Tim, Lori, Mrs. Bush, and children Julia andRyan.

Tim Matson wrote in also: “I finallyhad to give myAirForce OneAdvance Agent“SignificantAdditional Duty.” I got to do it almost4.5 years, but myfulltimejob atAndrews is getting too busyfor me to pickup andleave everyother month for a week. Mylasttrip was to a stop in Ontario, CA. Mywife, Lori, son Ryan, and daughterJulia came out forpart ofthe trip. We got to enjoy a bit of Southern Californiafor a few days and we got a photo-op with the President and First Lady. Attached is the official photo fromtheWhite House photographer. Seeyou in two years at the 20-year reunion!

Mark Peters 2437 Bedford Circle Bedford, TX 76021-1823 (817) 937-9696 pylt@yahoo.com

Hello 88! As usual, the deadline has come and gone, so here we go. Emily Buckman emailed me backinApril and since I was space constrainedI’ve held on to her note until this issue. “I’m finallywritingyou after almost 17 years since graduation—sorryit’s taken me so long.

HotPilotChrisVellanti, LoadMasterChuckWallaceandColdPilotRexGibson leavinga bigtip forMr. Menendez.

The Buckman Family

“This is a picture ofme, mywonderful husband, David Buckman (’86) our three children (Andrew4, Hannah 3, and Joshua 11 mos) and his two kids (Brandon 11, and Lizzie 10). We met in ’98 while both attendingACSC and married the following summer. I then went on to command at McGuire. Now we’re both teaching at ACSC and we both startedAWC in July ’05. Both Rick LoCastro and Cameron Torrens are here atAWC and graduated in May ’05. Rickis headed to a NATOjob at Ramstein. They are both 0-6 selects and both fiveyears early—Wow! Vicki (Besecker) Rast was here on theACSC staff, but left last summer for USAFA. Patty Rinaldi is here too as an ACSC Ops Officer, but headed to a Comm SqCCjob in L.A. in June ’05. Kim Williams is in the Reserves, but is here as a student under her Civil Servicejob; she is headed to the Pentagon next. I also keep in touchwith Chris Pikewho is theAerialPort Sq CC at Charleston. He now has two kids and loves his second command tour. Kim (Green) Davis and her husband, Jon, are still in Colorado Springs since Kim left the AF. She is working as a tennis pro while raising her two beautiful little girls who have also taken up tennis. Anne Neubauer liveswith her husband in Southern California and has two little ones too. She is doing greatin theprivate sector. ScottWarnerisstationedwithhiswife, L. Jayne (Fish ’90) and two kids at Eglin. Scott is an Ops Officerin the F-15Wing andJayne is the MSS/CC. Well that’s all for now. I will try and write you againhopefully long before our 30th reunion. Emily is the director ofThe Practice ofCommand Course and can be reached atDSN 493-2853, orvia3400Wintermead Ct., Montgomery,Alabama, 36111.

I finally have some room for a Brendan “Bull” Mikus update. As you’ll see, much has transpired since graduation. Please note that some ofthis maybe dated, and there’s stillmuch more to cover as spacepermits in future columns. “This is the first time I have written, though I have often thoughtofit. I was a Navigator/RadarNavigator at Barksdale with the62/20th Bomb Squadrons andflew 13 sorties during Desert Storm. Then, in ’951 had the option to leave the service because a DU1 and three alcohol-relatedArticles 15 did not speak well for my future, so I resigned. My dreams of killinganddestroyingforthe government ended and I had to find something else to do. While getting sober I worked for a year at a coffee shop in Shreveport for minimum wage. Then I startedsubstituteteaching, andfinallyleaptinto teachinghigh school full time. I taughtHigh School for fouryears, and absolutely loved it. I even went to a couple ofairshows at Barksdale, to keep in touch and see howothers were succeeding. Mel Deaile brought a B-2 to Barksdale for an airshowbefore I departed, and I saw GregLukasiewicztherewith his F-16, and I also ran into him at Dahran in ’94.

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“In the summer of2000,1 received a notice from my Dad, (torn out ofthe ThriftyNickel and circled in red) who was visitingmy older brother at Dyess. It stated that BoeingAerospace was looking for certified teachers with computer based instruction experience to work in courseware development for the B-1 schoolhouse. Thepayand benefits exceeded teachingby a wide margin, andwith a growingfamily 1 looked into it. After a briefcouple ofweeks, I had thejob. Bythe middle ofSeptember, I was here inAbileneworking on B1 courseware. We are now owned by NLX, a company that has been in AF simulator service for ages. I enjoythisjob. 1 get to work near combat planes, but don’t have to deploy to yuckyplaces. Sinceworkinghere, I have run into several classmates and othergraduates from mypast. I foundJeffWharton, a Bone IWSO with whom I flewBuffs out ofB-dale, who was offto the USAFTest Pilot School. I also ran intoTom Lanewho passedthrough forFIC on hisway back up to Ellsworth as an IWSO. Then ran into John McDonough III, who flies C- 130s out here. John LoCastro was here, too. MaryAnn Behne com

manded the Services Squadron (I think) but has since moved on. She was in German classwith me our Doolie year, and one dayshe came in reallyupset at how a couple ofupperclassmen in hersquadron, CS-12 (go figure!) had really jumped all over her.

“I remember ShakMangum, one ofmy roommates fromCS-25, and I sneaking over to take revenge on Glen Strebe andJohnWisham. We threw a shaving cream bomb into their room and boogied out! The next year I entered CS-12 as a three smoke and I told them all aboutit. Theyremembered that night and what a mess thathadmade—wehad a greatlaugh! BusterStamperalso passed through latelastyearforFIC on hiswayto HQACC. I ran into QuintenMiklos a couple ofmonths ago. He is on the LtCollist and an IPwith the 28th, as isJohn Koss, who is back on active duty as an IP also. Civilian (retired) instructors perform all ofthe academic instruction here. Myyoungerbrother, Shannon (’92, CS-12), is, I think, the first ofhis class to command a squadron. He took over a newly-formed maintenance squadron out at Nellis for the SpecialOps helicopters and other spookyplanes last November. Myyoungestbrother, Brian, ’94, is out atTinker. Theyboth made Major and show no signs ofstoppingyet. I am so proud ofthem!

“Now for more personal stuff. In ’97,1 married mypresent wife, Carla, and received a wonderful stepson, Curtis, in the deal. In April of’99 Carla was six months pregnant and developedpreeclampsia. She had to deliver earlyby emergency c-section. So after 26 weeks ofgestation, onApril 10th they cut Carla open and out popped a little purplelizard (that’swhathe lookedlike) at a whopping2lbs, 2oz. That is our boy, Uriah, named after Bathsheba’s first husband. There were several times when his little life lookedlike itwould not last, but prayer carried the day! Because ofhis extreme prematurity, he has Cerebral Palsy, severe asthma, cortical visual impairment, GERD, and a hostof other little complications and delays, buthe is such a joy! It makes me sick in myspirit to thinkthat people abort kids at 26weeks!

"He is one ofthe happiest kids I have ever seen! He doesn’t seem to let his differences get in thewayofplay! He smiles andlaughs a lot, andisworking on walkingand standing. Chicks dig a guywithwheels, too. He has had two “girl friends” that help him with his walker and wheelchair. They cheer him on in the mornings as he comes down the hallway, and help him keep track ofhis utensils during meals. He loves frogs (he has a collection ofover nine so far andhas named each one), games,VeggieTales, swimming, andhis computer. He has a touch screen because he could not quite master the intricacies of a mouse. After three years in the Early Head Start/Head Start program, he is heading on to kindergarten next year. Aftersuch a small start, he is one ofthe tallest kids in his class, and is a heart-stealer too. Everydayreminds me that miracles happen all the time, ifwe recognize them forwhat they are!

“Now forthe best part. As mytime in theAir Force drew to a close, I had to attend AA meetings. By the grace ofGod, I have not had a drink since ’94. Because ofAA, I started down the slipperyslope toward God and ran smack into Jesus in the Fall of’96 and was baptized inApril ’97. Nothinghas been the same since. Ifanyone knows how to contact Scott Caryfrom CS-12, pleaselet me know! He always asked me to join them for Bible study on weekends and I persistendyrefused. Let him knowthat Godworks in His time, and my time had come. In ’94,1 started ridingmotorcycleswith outlawclubs in Shreveport. Eventually, He even used that! I serve him in the Tribe ofJudah motorcycle ministry, carrying His gospel to people in the outlaw bikerworld, and reaching those others won’t go near.”

There is much more to cover, but space is too limited; more next time. Bull can be reached at: 1433 Yorktown Dr., Abilene, TX 79603, and at servin Jesus@juno.com. Lastly, please note my changed email address, again.

Paul W. Tibbets, IV

854 Westover Road

Whiteman AFB, M0 65305

Home: (660) 563-3095

E-mail: p2a2@charter.net

www.usafa.org

Happywinter classmates! AEF 5/6 returned in earlySeptember... servingin Guam isn’t bad dutybut nothing beats cominghome and reunitingwithyour family. Hard to believe, butjust over 10 years ago wewent through a reduction in force. And now our newest officers are facing the same fate. Sobering, butjust drives home that we don’tknowhow long anyprofessionwill last. We must treasure the time we have to serve inwhatevercapacitywe are blessedwith, knowing it could end tomorrow. The last 16 years have trulyflown bywhile brining new and interestingchallenges around every corner. In OctoberI started a newjob as directorofstaff for the 509th BombWingCommander, BrigGen Miller. This positionwillgive me theopportunityto learnaboutthe many diverse aspects ofa wing, from thejudge advocate community to the money people (comptrollers). I hope to provide these folks an insight into the operational side of our business from the pilotperspective while serving as theirleader andvoice amongst the otherfourgroups on base.

4

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The Tibbetsfamilyenjoysfallin theMidwest-Avery (5), me,Angelle, and Paul (3).

I wish there was more news to pass on, but I didn’thearfromanyone over the pastfewmonths. So, that’s itforthis quarter. Let me hearfromyou! Bestwishes to you and your families. Take care and God bless.

James Sanchez

8301 Emerald Circle

North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Cell: (817) 881-6357

Web: WWW.USAFA90.COM

E-Mail: alohatiger@gmail.com

DougFullingham: I’m currently out ofthe militarybut still a USAF thrall as aTechnicalAdvisor (GS-14) at the NationalAssessment Group, an OSD/AT&L activity at KirtlandAFB.

Marion Dallison: I justfinished CGSC out at FtLeavenworthin June and am now in the D.C. area working at DTRA in the assessments branch. I’m on one ofthe Joint StaffIntegratedVulnerability Assessment (JSIVA) teams traveling the world for the next couple years.

DougThompson: Ijust turned in myresignation to ScientificAtlantatoday. I am going to work for Cisco in two weeks and moving my family somewhere on the Georgia/South Carolina coast!

None Yet

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Tim Kane: The Kane clan resides in leafy (Virginia) suburbs ofWashington, DC permanently now and I’ve been working as a scholar for the Heritage Foundation. I’ve seen classmates Carl Brenner (aGeorgetown basketball gamewith our sons), JTPalmer (real estate genius), Jim Drape (USAF House legislative liaison), and a few others. I also got to see Joe Deane andJeffPhilippart at a smallreunion ofpals this summer in C-Springs. We climbed Eagle’s Peak for the first time... nice view! I do have one important announcement for any classmates who are MBA/high-tech types: send me an email at tjk@timkane.com. I am still involved in high-tech entrepreneurship; know a couple dozenWest Point and USNA grads in this world who are close friends and hardly any fellowzoomies! Bythe same token, anyone looking to get involved politicallyshould give a holler and check outgradpac.org- - anew PAC that focuses on helpinggrads run foroffice. My prayers are with our brothers and sisters in arms around the world.

GaryBeard: Been laid offfrom UAL since March ’3. Applied and accepted to Temple forlawschool. Took a 90-dayTDYto ShawAFB working at CENTAF in theJSRC inApr ’03. Sometime in there realized I enjoyed a full-timepaycheck as well as thework so applied for a defermentwith school to wait until the 2005 to start (granted). Somewherealongthatline, CENTAF deemed fit to make me (a Guard guy no less) ProgramManager fortheAF’s newest toy—ROVER. So, needless to say, lawschool went bythe wayside (couldn’tjustifyadding one more log to that fire at this stage in life) and I’m coming up on the end ofmy secondyearhere at Shaw. In the meantime, I’m spending more time in OIF/ OEF on the ground than I ever spent above it and am somewhat proficient in Microsoft Office. Ran into MarkSchmoyer on one ofmytrips intheAOR; was catching a ride out ofKuwaitback toA1Udeid on a C-17... went up to talkto the fellas up front and through the course ofconversation realized that the right seater was none other than Schmo (nightops so couldn’ttell rightaway)... that was fun. Schmo, I owe you that beer!

Jon Cooper: Just finished six months ofcertification flying for the world’s newestbusinessjet, the CitationCJ2+. Also flying a NASAicingresearchproject for degradedflyingqualities ofcorporateaircraft. We are now a Kansasfamily offivewith the addition ofCamdan Bryce this year.

Mike “Flash” Sheppard: Shelly, my bride of 10 years (celebrated recentlyin NYC sans kiddos!), with our twins Patrick and Veronica (3) and Trevor (2). We’re now inyear3/3 ofanAFIT IDE/PhD assignment, and readyto return to Edwards next summer! Promotiontime—John Bell and Kent Halverson are here as AFIT instructors; Marcus Schulthess is a student in IDE/PhD, Scott “Coz” Ormsby at ASC Big Safari big blowout last Thursday at the club then felt oldwhen asked ifthis meant retirement is next!

JoeDeane, JeffPhilippart, WesFryer (’92), Tim Kane andJohn Cinnamon (’91).

Don Wood: I have recentlybeen appointedthe Director ofFinancial Operations at Stoam Industries (www.stoam.com).

Paul Pepe: I’m currentlydeployed to Bagram, Afghanistanworking with CJTF76 in theACCE. Still flying Hercs andwhen not deployedhanging out at HQAMC/A37V Ifanyone needs a placepassingthrough St. Louis give me a heads up at paul_pepe@yahoo.com.

Kraig Hansen: Checking in fromWheelerAAF, Hawaii. Got here in June for a three-year tour in the Defense Information SystemsAgency—can’t believe my luck. The visitor lamp is on you just have to take your turn with my almost-one and three-year-olds!

Mike “Flash"Sheppardandfamilyafterhe ran theAFMarathon at WPAFB.

LeeArmstrong: I’mnowatAndrewsAFBworkingatHQAFOSI. Saw Brad and CindyRice this summer in Del Rio. Ran into Cal Mercer and his new wife at theAF-Navygame Oct 8. Brian andVanessa McCombs are also here at HQ AFOSI; hejustfinished a year at Naval Postgrad School for IDE. Bryan and KK Batt are in Columbia, SC, where he’s doing C-130 acquisitions stuff.

JamesSanchez andhis two boys—one can go to theAcademyand one can go to TexasA&M!

As for me, I have a newjob as thefull-timewebmasterforFreese and Nichols. It’s a greatjob, and JeffPayne (’97) works here as well. I’m on a committee to help take theAOGweb site to the next level and I’m still publishingeDodo.org (which gets more cadet views since USAFA cancelled the paper Dodo) My boys are two and four now, and mywife is back from spending the summer helpingher dad open his RVpark: BigDRVRockport.com. Send me news and please make sure yourlisting on USAFA90.com is current. Thanks!

Carson Tavenner

PSC 78, Box 7328

APO AP 96326-0073

DSN: (315) 225-4340

E-mail: tavenner@hotmail.com

Okay, folks, it’s thattime again! I have been so pleased to see so many emails come in, slowlybut surely, aboutthe interestin a 15-yearreunion. So, as many ofyou said, “Let’s do it!” I’ll beworking to set up an online surveyusing one of the available online providercompanies out there andwe’llput the link on the class website. Since, by the time you read this, time will really be ofthe essence, I’ll try to getword out early once it’s up via email.

Here’s allthe news that’s “fit to print! This first one is fromJohnWagner. The factthat it is so old is myfault - lost the originalwaybackwhen. Thanks,Wags, forthe retransmission!

“We had an ‘alumni breakfast’ here atACSC and as usual 10% ofthe people donated... justjokingbuddy. There were some folks that couldn’t make it, but most did. We held our BoldGold reunion at the GolfCourse inhonorofthe “Air Command and Golf" days, but other thanTonyBauernfeind (12+) and “Dollar” BillYoung (6), most ofthe rest ofus have eitherbeen on thelinks two or less times—and mostly zero. Time management? Maybe... but it tells you how muchACSC and the Air Force have changed. We’ve all been impressed with the quality ofinstruction and the currency ofmaterial andhave learned as much from each other’s service experiences as we have from the instructors. Couple thatwith the latestfitness push and some familytime before the next assignment/deployment, and the golfcourse starts callingthe school wonderingwhymemberships are down.

“It has been a greatlearningexperience thisyear... but we can’t wait to get back to the fight. Where are we goingnext?

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Dollar Bill, Paul Bauman and I are stayingfor SAASS. Brian Andersonisinthe Reserves, so he’stryingto strum up a sweetposting.Andrew Sassevilleis offto SF StaffatAFMC (Wright-Pat). Tim Bergmannwillbe the 18 IS/DO atVandenberg. CoreyMartin’s offto Charleston.Tony Bauernfeind is staying at Maxwell.Tom Mohrwill be “STRATCOMTom” at Offutt and he’ll be joined by Lane Humphreys. Johnnie Martinez is offto Scott. Josh Jones is going to Stuttgart. Mark Kruse is offto Andrews. Dex Harrison will be on SAF HQ staffatthe Pentagon. Lourdes (Fallace) Duvall and Laura (Gray) Foglesong are thrilled to be FAIPed as ACSC Facultynextyear. Shari (Fox) Silverman is off to Dover. Theresa (Hattemer) Humphreywill be the 355 MOS/CC at DavisMonthan. Current SAASSers (otherthanTonyB) JeffBrown, StaceyHawkins and Ken Ekman are offto much bigger/better as well and are lookingforward to having us outta here so they can graduate and getthe movers lined up after theACSC andAWC push. .Theygraduate the end ofJune.”

The Since-GraduatedACSC LonelyHearts Club Band Jim and Kathleen (Kennedy) Clark and their clan Kaitlyn (5), Michael (3) andAdam (Jan ’05) met up with the Kwasny clan fromTexas for a greatweek ofbeach and pool fun. James and Beth (Dunn) Kwasnyhave two children, Alicia (5) and Nolan (3), and live in Keller, Texas. They see the Clarks at least once a year and puttogether a greatweek-longvacation at the beach this past summer to catch up andletthekids enjoyeach otherand some sun sports. Jim Clarkis still in andjust PCSed to Ft Leavenworthforschool; hejustleft theACC trainingstaff. Kathleen got out a fewyearsback. Beth andJames bothleft active dutyin 2000; she is a contractorforPatchPlus consulting. Theydo intelligence consulting back to theAir Force writingregulations. After a briefstintwith American Airlines (threeyears), James is now helping start a new charter airline in the Dallas/FtWorth area. Wow! Good luck, you two!

Visit the NEWAOGWeb Site

www.usafa.org

In thephoto fromleft areKathleen ClarkandAdam, thenKaidyn, Michael andJim Clark. Alicia Kwasnyandhermom, Beth, then Nolan andJames. Kill DevilHills, NC. Four ’91ersin one shotandlots offuturepilots?

Chris Howard made a big move! “I am leaving General Electric to accept a leadership role at the University ofOklahoma in Norman. Mytime at GE has been terrific and I am trulygrateful for all that the company has taught me about leadership. That said, I have decided to redirect my energy towards higher education at a state-run university full ofpromise and mindful ofits mission: helpingyoungminds grow, facilitatingunderstandingand improvinghumanknowledge. I will continue to live at my current address as I willbe commutingbetween Cambridge, MA andNorman, OKfor quite some time.”

Okay, we’ll come visit, Chris! Seems you’ll be in place for a record amount of time-maybe?

Rob Erickson wrote: “Things for the Erickson clan are good. I’m still flying the F- 15C as an IP fortheANG at KingsleyField in Klamath Falls, OR. Mywife, Megan, also has a full-time gig out here as the base comptroller. Two kids, MaggieJean is 3.5 years andJohnWilliam is 15 months. Quite a fewAFAgrads working out here as IPs. Whit Sieben is here. We have grads from ’82, ’84, '86, ’92, ’93, and three from’95. We recently flew up to Seattle with fourjets to perform the fly-byfortheAFAvs. UniversityofWashington game on 3 Sept. A four-ship ofallAcademygrads. I was fortunate enough to be able to lead the flightwhich is good since I reallycan’t flyformation at all. I attached a picture ofit. Pretty cool. Whit Sieben is number three.”

(I would’ve included the fly-bypicture, butyou can imagine thejets were prettytiny. Picture a four-ship ofF- 15s against a field ofblue andwhite - Tav)

Finally, for my own news, I had the great pleasure ofgetting to visit with Colleen (McCrary) Lester and Kristi Swain while visiting the Springs in September. Colleen continues herwork downtown with Booze-AlienHamilton, and Kristi is running the strategic intelligence shop for the NORAD/ NORTHCOMJ2! Shehopes to soon bepickedup forteachinghistoryatUSAFA. Both have recentlymoved into new homes, both ofwhich were verynice indeed. I lookforward to seeing more ofyou COS-basedfolks when I inevitably return for a visit.

Staytuned next issue for a veryspecial column pennedby our special guest columnist... Dave Damrath!

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

Greetings from St. Louis andyoursubstitutescribe, Don Unwin! Asyou all knowfromhislast article, James is approachingthe midpoint ofhis six-month tour in Baghdad and he has asked me to fill in forhim this quarter. I’m glad to reportthathe and Ijustspoke a fewminutes ago, andthathe is doingquitewell. Thankyou to James and to all ofthe militarymemberswho are doing a great job all around the world!

I would also like to congratulate all ofthe members ofthe Class of 1992who made the Lieutenant Colonel list two years belowthe zone. I’d love to list all ofthe names here but I would rapidlyhit the word limit for the article. Rest assured it was quite an impressiveshowing.

I’m not sure ifJameswill bewriting next quarter or not but please feel free to email either ofus, and we’ll be sure to compile all ofthe inputs for the next issue. James’ e-mail isjames.mehta@bdab.aorcentaf.af.mil, and mye-mail is unwin@sbcglobal.net. We did not have manyformal inputs forthis issue so I’ll kindofbeshootingfromthehip as I tryto recall all ofthe ’92er s thatI’ve run into or heard about over the last fewmonths.

Let me start bymentioning a fewpeople that I have run intowhile doing my Reserve duty at ScottAFB. As people tend to be findingthemselves in a headquartersjob around this point in their careers, I tend see a face from the past nearly everytime I head to the base. Most recently I ran into Chris Colbert as

he was in-processingfor a new assignment at U.S. TRANSCOM. Chris and I flewthe C-9Aduring our firstassignments at Scottand nowhe andNicole have moved back to the area with their three boys. I also saw Jim Gallagher soon afterhe moved to Scottfor ajob atAMC Headquarters. He passedalongthatthe familywas doingwell andthatthey are happy aboutthe move. Another name that has come up recentlyis Rob Tobler. Apparently, he and the familyhave moved down to RandolphAFB where Rob is nowworkingrated assignments atAFPC.

The other classmate I ran into on base recendy creates a smooth transition for the rest ofthe article. Jay Schueler was in town for his final C-9 currency simulatorbefore separatingfromactive duty. Since thattime hehasbeenhired at FedExand I saw Jayagain last month down in Memphis afterhis firstweek ofclass. He’s doinggreat and the move to Memphis for the familyshould be complete earlyin the fall.

I have run into manyotherclassmates at FedEx in the last few months. I recently flewwith Pete Gubser, Flip Fields, and Brian McGill. Allthree ofthose guys are still in the Guard and/or Reserve and Brain has recendymade the transition to the Naval Reserve. He is flying the C-9B out ofWhidby Island, WA and he said he is still learning the Navyway of doingbusiness.

6 Sabre Society Donors

Several other people bounce between theAir Force and FedEx as theirunits are frequendy called to duty. Charles Smith flies the C-17 inJackson, MS and was recendyactivated. Shawn Donaheyhasbeen activated in the C-130 for a year now and is expecting to be released early in CY06. My old UPT roommate MarkStegerflies the C-130 out ofHarrisburg, and is heading on a deploymentagain in the near future.

Other old friends who I see at workfrom time to time are Artie Bagomolny andCaseyMoore. Both ofthemhavehad new additions to thefamilyin thelast several months. Artie and his wife, Jitana, havewelcomed their third daughter, Alexa, and Casey and Heidi have welcomed their second son, Nicholas.

I had an international ground school class a few months ago with Aaron Quinichett He and his family are livinginAtlanta and he is still flyingthe KC10 in the Reserves at McGuire. Michelle Carson recentlybid an assignment to FedEx’sAsian hub in the Philippines. She is flying out ofSubic Bayto locations throughout the Far East. John Gurrieri andhis family are doingwell and their plan is to stayin Charleston. He is still flying the C-17 in the Reserves there. I have seen Rick Murphy a fewtimes while getting on or offof a crew bus but unfortunately we have not reallyhad the opportunity to chat.

Ilookforward to hearingfrom more classmates in the next quarter. I may or may not be making another guest appearance in this column but I shall certainly pass along any and all inputs to James. Everyone be safe and have a wonderful HolidaySeason! Don

Michael D. Sundsted

1805 Macadams Place

Alexandria, VA 22308

(703) 768-5664/Cell: (571) 218-0586

E-mail: Bravecwboy@cox.net

Class Website: www.highflight.com

HappyHolidayseveryone! Ihope thisletterbringsgoodtidings and cheer to ringin the NewYear! Things here inVirginia are goinggreat. I had the opportunity to pick up a verynice 22-foot boat and enjoythe Potomac River before the autumn/winter temperatures hit. I havebeen flying a lotand Lori is having a great time watchingCollin go throughKindergarten as his “room mommy.” Glad to see all the updates in the mailbox. Sorryfor the confusion though. AOG didn’t update my new email account so I may have missed some ofyour emails. Please note that my new email is Bravecwboy@cox.net. Thanks—andifyou sent me an email and you are not in this letter, please resend it!

We received an update from one of our Thunderbirds after his last trip for the summer. Steve Horton ran into Neil McCafferty at Hanscom. He is out oftheAF and loving the Northeastwith his wife and two children. AlexGrynkewich is now at Naval Postgraduate School studyingHomeland Security. Stevehad dinnerwithAlex and enjoyedtheviewofthe MonterreyBay. Alexandwife, Shannon, were due to have theirfirst child in December (maybe as you are readingthis!). Last but not least, Steve ran into StephenMcllnay, BrandonHileman, andPaulTrujillo. They are at Little RockAFB teaching theyoung (and a few old) punks how to flythe mightyHerk!

Speakingofthe Herk...Waylon Richards checked in from PopeAFB! I apologize about the belated placement ofyourupdate in Checkpoints'. Waylon is flyingwith the 427th SOS but currentlyplayingin the ME Sandbox. He is there withAndyMaas, Rob Lundy, Jodi Neff, andAmyYoung. Andyand Rob are on theirwayto a new assignment at HurlburtField. Jodi is offtoACSC at Monterrey andAmyis trying to locate a staffjob inAETC. JimmySparrowis lovinglife in Charleston and Jason Kimbel should have arrived for his new position in

Chantilly,VA. Thanks forthe greatupdate!

JeffKubikhad a greattailgate fromwhat I heard. Shame on me for not attending. Turns out we were both in the same general area. I enjoyed some burgers and beerwith the squadronfromAndrews as we watched the mighty Falcon’s take it in the chin duringthe lastfive minutes ofthe game. Itwas great seeingfellowgraduates! I was talking to the folks next to me and realized they were the parents of one of our classmates Julie (Nep) Siff. She was not attending the game due to the fact she was at home taking care of a threemonth-old! Her husband,Andrew, who is an attorney in the D.C. area, was there for her in spirit.

Jenn (Joyce) Krischerdropped an email to updateus! Shehasbeenbusy... She spentthreeyearsteachingGeographyandAfricanStudies atUSAFA. Sheandher husband,Adam, havemoved to the D.C. area andhave therefortwo years. Jenn is assigned to theAF Studies andAnalysesAgency. Adamis an attorneyforthe state ofVirginia. They have great news for us... Jenn and Adam have a new addition to the family... Noah Isaac Krischer, born on 15 July05! Congrats!

Jenn updates us onWade Douthit. He is living in Front Royalwith hiswife, Rhonda, and children Nadine,Jared, and Brady. Wade iswiththe FBIworking on counter-terrorism in the D.C. area. Anne (Truitt) Grover is in Providence, RI at Brown UnivHospitalcompleting hersurgicalresidency. Thanks for the updatesJenn!

Ali (Ward) Trevino sent a message from MisawaAB, Japanwhere she is currentlytheCommanderofthe 35thContractingSq. Shehad an immediateimpact as herbase won the 2005 CINC InstallationExcellenceAward. Shethinksithad a lot to dowith her dressingup in the sumo suit to impress the inspectors! She workswith manygrads... Maj Milner ’92 (35SFS/CC) just PCSed and was replacedbyMaj Kafka ’92, LtColMaharrey '86 (35CES/CC) andColonelYanni ’79 (35 MSG/CC). I agree it’s definitely a smallworld. Ali and herhusband, Ray, are enjoyingthe manysights ofJapan. Recently, theyenjoyedhikingthesummit of Mt. Fuji. She said theview at sunrise was priceless.

Ali added to Anne’s update from above. Anne was married to David Grover this summer in LosAltos, CA. She passed herYearThree Medical Boards (surgery)... she spent over sixmonths studyingforit! She’llbe movingfromBrown U. to San Francisco to finish her fourthyear. Rachel Linnehan, Sean Singleton, and Roscoe attended from our class.

Our beloved and busy Class President, Wispy Speros, updated us from GeorgetownLawSchooljustpriorto classes starting. He andhiswife,Amanda, are still enjoying the D.C. area and will do so for a few more years. Wispyis in his final year ofLaw School and will pass the barwith flying colors (author’s addition). He had a greattime this summer workingfor a lawfirm andhopes to continue working there after his bar. He runs into Josh Hartman (Senate Intelligence Committee) everyThursdayduring his Congressional League game. Wispywent on a cruisewiththeYbarra’sbeforetheyPCSedfromAndrews. Bruce’swife,Tina, was a real trooper as she was sixmonths pregnant. Theyhad their daughterAnika after theyarrived at Maxwell forACSC.

Sabre Society Donors

AliandRayTrevino; sunrise on Mt. Fuji.

Jenn andAdam with theirnewson, Noah Isaac.

Julia (Anderson) Yates and husband Shannon (’92) are excited about the birth oftheirfirst child, Rowdy. Julia and Shannon are flyingfor the Reserves and FrontierAirlines. Shawn andAmberWelsh are doingwell. Theyalso had a boy (their second) in May. Shawn is flying for the KC- 10 Reserves atTravis and also with SouthwestAirlines. While attending a friends wedding in California,WispyandAmandastoppedbyto see Rob Dam’snewplace on thebeach in Monterrey. He is enjoyingNaval Post Graduate School—his MBAstartedin Julyand goes for 18 months. Great hearing fromyouWispy - - we’ll get a beer, hopefullybefore you read this.

Thanks again for all the greatinputs. I lookforward to thosewho write next time. Take care and HappyHolidays—Mike.

C.C. M. Masotti

CMR 480 Box 1168

APO AE 09128-1168

W: 011-49-711-680-4131

C: 011-49-162-297-2221

DSN: 314-430-4131

E-mail: masottic@eucom.mil

Hi everyone! As usual, I’m behind the deadline on this, so I’ll getright to the news, starting with a follow-up from our previous column... Bill and Silke Engberg wrote in appreciation for Brian Noe’s (FEWarren) support and updated us from Little Rock. In addition to running Blaze Diamonds, Bill is a SafetyObserver/ControllerforJoint ReadinessTrainingCenterexercises training U.S. and coalition forces in how to employ C- 130s in a combat environment, basicallyrunning a “Red Flag” for airlift. In his spare time, Bill is taking his final class towards his Master’s in Computer Resource Information Management. Somehow, Bill and Silke were recently able to find time for a oneweekvacation (their first in five years!) to Padre Island.

radar/EW flight testing and they’re enjoying life with their daughters Elbe, Caroline and Georgia. Yet another happyparent on the class homepage was Jeanne (Wilkins) Bisesi (Intel,Wright-Pat), who missed the reunion because she was 8.5 months pregnant! She and her husband are starting their own chiropractic clinic near Cleveland.

Bob Eicholtz checked in from HersheyPA, where he’s an IS ManagerandJoe Silvers signed in from Purdue, where he’s in anAFIT/CI program. Mike, Heidi and Ryan Grunwald wrote from Langley, where he’s the Director ofOperations, while Kurt Zobrist (DeputyDirector, Department ofHomeland Security) logged in fromArlingtonVA. Temporarilyin the D.C. area is Ray“T-Man” Truong, there forJoint MilitaryAttache School andMandarinChinese training before PCSing to Beijing next September as ourA/AIRA to China.

Also heading overseas isJohnKipp, who’ll beworkingComm Requirements in a NATO assignment in Lisbon, Portugal; he andhis bridewillbe celebrating the first birthday oftheir daughterJosiejust after Christmas. And, recently returning from an overseas tour is Pat Day, whom I’ve appointed classmate with the most amazingupdate to this column... Patjustfinished an exchange assignmentflyingPC-9s with theAustralianAirForce—excitingenough, but he also reports that he missed the reunion because he was helping his bride care fortheirtwin daughters... because she was pregnantwiththeir secondset oftwins (boy/girl this time)! After Pat finishes KC-135 Training at Altus, the familywill settle in Grand Forks for an assignment.

Anotherclassmatecheckingin on our sitewas lisaKary, who’sback at USAFA as a pilot. Thatwas good to hearsinceJoe Imburgiareportedseeingheraround theAcademyin a flightsuit prettyregularly! Joewasn’t checkingupon anyone —hejusthappened to email his own update. Happilymarried to Heatherfor sixyears now, Joe isproud to reportthathe andJoelEngland (’95) form the first all-gradArea Defense Council at theAcademy.

BillandSilkeEngbergand their “kids"enjoyPadreIsland.

Kyle Sanders found time to travel recendy as well—or rathertheAir Force, found it for him... he was deployed here to Stuttgart for a four-monthAEF deploymentworking as our J-5 desk officer for Israel andTurkey. When not here at EUCOM (rentingterrible movies from our Shoppette even when forewarned that theyaren’t worth his time!), Kyle is actuallystationed at Peterson, where heworks the Space-Based Infrared System atAFSPACE. Ofcourse, his “real” job is being a husband to Rachel (a former AF officer) and a dad to Clayton (3) andLandon (1). Kyle left Germanyin time to make Pat Bogue’s 17 Sepwedding in D.C., including an exclusive reception on the roofofthe HayAdams Hotel overlooking theWhite House.

I haven’t heard from Pat in awhile, but his 4-degree roommate BrettAnderson recentlysigned on to our class webpage with an update: after finishing residency training (and nineyears in the civilian sector) in June, he and his familyfinally“rejoined”militarysocietyin Tucson, where he’s an orthopedic surgeon at DavisMonthan.

The two represent cadets in myriad adverse actions, including courts martial, honorboards, discharges, and everything in between. Joe’s enjoying the challenge but is adjusting to some ofthe changes in the cadet disciplinary system (translation: we had it easy). He also runs into Chris Colcord (AOC) and Ken Stoltman (Instructor). In his recent deployment to D.C. and GTMO with the Office ofAdministrative Reviewofthe Detention ofEnemyCombatants, Joe worked with Maj Earl Scott (’91) and saw Master ofLaws student, Rich LaDue (Computer/InformationTechnology, GWLaw School, D.C.). He also ran into TommyGregory at EagleFlag; at the time,Tommy was SJA at the Air MobilityWarfare Center at Ft Dix, NJ, where he trainedJAGs on deployment issues before theydeployed. Anotherclass lawyercheckingin was Deb (Nawrocki) Luker, who recently PCSed to Kunsan for a remote tour as the DeputySJAthere; shehated to leaveJoelagain so quicklyafterherAfghanistan deployment but was thrilled that her schedule allowed her to return to Eglin fortheir annual Halloween bash!

Society Donors

Others checking in on the site included Jason Wollard (Hueys/Flight Safety Officer, Vandenberg); Jim Winner (Deputy StaffJudgeAdvocate, Holloman) and newlywed Mike Raynoya (Intel Flight CC, Holloman). Mike and his bride, Trisha, were married over Labor Day weekend in NewportNewswhereMike’s parentsstood in as the Best Man and Matron ofHonor. Mike andTrish were stationed together at Langleyand hope to live together soon in New Mexico whenTrish becomes IntelFlightCC for F-117s. Scott and Katie Taylor seem to be doing the splithousehold thing as well; he separated from the AF last year to fly for FedEx out ofMemphis, while Katie is still an F-15E IP at Seymour-Johnson. Theystill have theirhouse in Goldsboro NC, but consider Memphis their domicile and plan to eventuallysettle in northern Mississippi.

Carl and Michele (McVety) Hutcherson logged in from Kadena, where Michele is a home-school mom for their four little ones. Another stay-athome mom signingin was Keri (Schreiber) Singleton, who’slivinginAnniston AL with hubby Britt (’95, working for Pfizer) and girls Emma (3) and Geneva (1). Shiloh Fischer and his bride checked in fromTyndall where he’s doing

While Deb left Florida to go overseas, another classmate took a breakfrom her exciting international life to return to Florida. Cynthia Green recently wrote from Orlando; RylandHomes offered her such a great position thatshe opted to leave Costa Rica and make a short-notice move back to the States. She’s settlingquicklyinto the new job and is readyforvisitors.

Those are the updates as I have themfrom “thefield”;just a fewfromhere... I haddinner a fewweeks agowithNickKozdraswho was TDYfromRamsteinand is still doing great in the Comm world and I also occasionally catch up with LogisticianTam (Vo) Elliott. Sadly, it’s more seldom thanI’dlike consideringwe work one buildingapart, but we didgettogetherforEUCOM'sAirForceBall and aftershecompletedthisyear’sMarine CorpsMarathon. In addition to completingherfirstmarathon,Tam was ableto staywithherfavoritecheerleadingbuddy, Kay(Aquino) Kaleandherhusband,Tom, wholive in SterlingVA. Bothworkfor Booz-Alien-Hamilton and were Tam’s support team forthe race.

www.usafa.org

Sabre

USAFA’s new all-grad defense team.

Tam (Vo) Elliottrelaxes with Tom andKay(Aquino) Kaleafterfinishingthe Marine CorpsMarathon.

Asfor me, I recentlyhadthe honorofescortingGen (ret) ChuckBoyd (former EUCOM DCDR and seven-yearPOW inVietnam) and the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) on a EUCOM-sponsoredtrip to Moldova, Buigaria and Ukraine. Our Deputy POLAD, Col John Horner (’86, son ofGen Chuck Horner) helped escort and Maj Rich Parrotte (’93) was one ofour pilots. One highlight was seeing our own Mark Bjorgen (F-16s, Aviano) leading the 510th inVIPER JAVELIN a NATO exercise teaming our F- 16s with the Bulgarians’ MiGs at Graf Ignateivo AB in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. (Lt Gen Wally Moorhead (’69) was visiting there as well, but it was truly Mark’s show).

That’s all my news and I’m out ofspace... All mybest to you andyourfamilies! 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

Reunion News: Well, I didn’t make it to the reunion butfromwhat I heard, it was a blast. I asked Rex Ballinger to give us a fewwords and here they are:

“I don’t knowaboutyou, but I am still recovering from the reunion. What a weekend! I’ll do mybest to record some ofthe more memorable moments and mention all ofthe people that I ran into; however, afterthatweekend myshortterm memory (not to mention myliver) is something less than to be desired. Let’s try to do this chronologically.

“Wednesday(ArrivalDay):Withpeopleflyinginfromall over theworldforthe festivities, planning to meet was surelydestined to be a nightmare. Fate was smilingthat day as Nikki (Gumina) and I immediatelyfound Chad Balettie atthebarinJudgeBaldwins. Chadflewin from Germany on a combinedfamilyvacation and reunion trip. Hehad a couple ofdays to hangsolo before hiswife, Christa, joined us. Alreadythis trip was looking like trouble...

phones. Howdid we ever puli stufflike this off on a weeklybasis? Ahyes, First Night... usually the best night, but not this time. Maybe we are getting older.

Thursday (GolfDay): Once again, theWheels ofFortuna turned in our favor. You could not have askedfor a more beautiful Colorado day. After a quick breakfast at theWaffle Hue on 1-25 (which sadlyhad to end its run with the allyou-can-eat special), we went to USAFA. The golftournament turn-out was fantastic. At the driving range I ran into George Hock, Charlie Baker,John Wilcox (KillerCobras representedstrong), Steve Sanders,Travis Pacheco,Brad Beyer, Mike Bettencourt, Andrea (Kirkman) Miller, Ruth (Rumfeldt) and George German (’93), andmanyothers that I cannot remember (becauseNikki had the camera). Did I mention that we are old, yet? George Hock’s team ran awaywith the victory-AETC assignments with no deployments will do wonders for your golfgame. The one FIVE-some ofthe group (Nikki Ballinger, AndreaMiller,Antoinette Rose and Ruth and GigiGerman) finished dead last. Somethingtells me Gigi underestimatedherhandicap...

“Afterthe tournament, ecstatichouratEmbassySuites was jam-packed. Lynn and ScottTrinrud, Sierra and Brian Schafer, andMeagan (Mcann, ’96) and Ken Gjone were all keeping the pride. Brice Williams, Michelle and Preston McConnell, Jessica andTonyMirabile, and Dave Buchanan were pure gold. Special thanks go out to Meat Tinsley (who, oddlyenough, I ran into in the John) forputtingtogether a fabulous schedule ofevents. Laterthat night, we found ourselves in the company ofJanel and Steve Gorowsky, TomWalker, Susie and JohnDecker, Jan and Mike Clabom, Kristen Capotosto, SherriMills, Nicole Davis, and Tom Murphy. That night we found out that I am related to Jan Clabom, that chillywillies should no longer be in our bar repertoire, and that even with Irish goodbyesyou cannot escape your friends.

“Friday(USAFADay):Anotherbeautiful dayin Colorado. Correct me ifI am wrong, butwasn’t there a rumor that theAcademygrounds were considered cursedby some NativeAmerican tribe? Well iftheweatherdidn’tget us down, thefence around thecadet area sure did. I am not sure ifmanyofus would have graduated underthe current regime. All ofthat aside, the campus is as beautiful as ever. Mike Mills was caughtrunningthe strips andJimmyLamar took the hill. We bumped into Joe Difidi,KyleCarpenterand Dave Brackney. Kilo bowed out, but JimmyLamar, Scott Trinrud, Brian Schafer, Chad Balettie, and I played in the rugby alumni match. The old heads pulled out a tremendous victory over the developmental sidewith the help ofsome oftheyoung A-side studs. You knowwhat they say: old age and treacherywill beatyouth and vigor anyday. Just like old times, we were cheered on bymembers ofthe hockey team. Joe Javorski,AndyVeneri, Mirlo and Dan McAlister, and Deb (Bilek) Brooks were among the crowd. Just for good measure, Tom Murphy was there,Wendy’s cup in hand.

4 Sabre Society Donors

"All of a sudden the floodgates opened and classmates started coming out ofthewoodwork. Tori and ColbyHoefar made thelongtrip from Peyton, CO. Colbywas still grinning ear to ear from his successful elkhunt (more to come on this one) at the Historic (Matt) Poma Ranch. Oh yeah, and also from hiswedding. Nick Capotosto, Esq., Tom and Antoinette (Valero) Rose, Laurel and Mike Pugh, and Mike Mills were the next to appear. Funnywhat happens when you pick some random bar where we used to hang during school: time stops and all the usual suspects line up. In an odd turn ofaffairs, we closed the bar. At the next joint, we were joined by Kristen and Jason Cockrum, and RockyThurston. Bytheway, 10 years ago we didn’thave mobiie

“Harking back to the days ofthe Chateau, JakeMaloy,TyLittle,Jim Gourde, and Pete Sheridan rolled into town that eveningin a 1970s-eraRV ChrisMills, Christa Balettie, Mike Miller (’94), BenjiGlazer, DermotCole and ErikDavis joined the crewfor a nightwith Gyzunglasses. When we allwalkedinto thebar, the band recognized us and started the next set with a tribute, “This one goes out to all you Muthas out there. Ten years is a long time; it’s nice to haveyou back!” Talk about a blast from the past...

“Saturday (FootballDay): Great day, greattailgate and greatgame! Unfortunately, the Falcons could not pull out a win againstWyoming. It was exciting and fun nonetheless. Ran into some more folks at thetailgateincluding: Nicole (Roberson) and CraigPichard, Nicole (Raney) and Mike Henkelman, Andy Lyons,Jamie (Dalgren) Glover, and Brian Baird. At the game, Ken Gjone was spotted doing elevated push-ups and one group was yelled at by an AOC for throwingSpirit Cheese (I won’t mention names). After we graduated, they apparentlystarted putting shredded cheese on the boxed lunch sandwiches.

“Afterthe post-gametailgate, Dermot Cole graciouslyopenedhis house for the Class of 1995. At Derm’s we ran into JohnnyNorthon, Julie Adair, Ryan Welch, Mike May, Amanda Krantz, andWille Griffiths among others. Colby Hoefarwhipped out the largest tube ofelk summer sausage that I have ever

Some ofthegangat a local wateringholein Colorado Springs.

ZoomieRugbyFootballRules! From left are ChadBalettie, Brian Schafer, RexBallinger, Jim Lamar, and ScottTrinrud.

Ken Gjonedoingpush-ups, assisted byDave Buchanan, BenjiGlazer, Jim Lamar, and CraigPrichard.

seen and RyanWelch supplied his latest invention, The Octopus, which allows for multiple taps from a singlekeg.

Post-gameTailgate (too many ’95ers to mention).

“Overall, the reunion was a shining success. One thingwas clear though: at the same time, itis bothwonderfuland painfulthat some things don’tchange.”

Thanks, Rexand Nikki for thewords and pics. I also got a greatupdate from Mark Sotallaro, here are some excerpts:

“We got in on Thursday and pretty much hung out with Jeff and Teresa Edwards and their three rug-rats. We did the dinnersocial thing on Thursday night and ran into everybody: Jason Baileywho brought his girlfriendErin, theA-10 flyingduo ofScott Campbell and his beautiful wife from Nellis. Dave Abba was up from Eglinwith Carla, RustyDriggers and his greatfamily, Mike andAli Snodgrass made the trip from Hickamwhere he’s doing one ofthose hardship tours, and Gil andAshley Sanders were also up from Eglin.

“FridayI toured Heather around the cadet area and metwith the seemingly veryyoung cadets from CS-31. We ran into Jen Cabalero (Spindel ’96) who is pregnant and is now an English teacher at the Zoo. After that day offun we headed back to the hotel and hung out until the dinner social. The food was a little better on Fridaynight (which isn’tsayingmuch). At the social, I ran into Dave Brackney,Amanda Krantz (drummerforthe rockband PaperboyJack), Rich Mott, Dave Thompson (now flying for Southwest), RockyThurston, Preston McConnell, andErikDavis,justto name a few (IknowI lefthundreds offolksoutofthis).

“Saturday we headed to the class tailgate. We met up with Tom and Nikki Ulmer, Chris Kibble, and a couplefamilyfriends. We also ran into old friend Ronnie Kelly Hall. I ran into Derm Cole who looks good and is still enjoying life in theAH. I also ran into Nate Millerwho is still lovingflyingF- 18s for the Corp. I also ran intoTommyWalker, and everyone elseduringdiegame (insert 100 names here). I saw LisaThode (fellow mx officer, Notre Dame grad, and sisterofMikeThode) at the game. She is teachingROTC at CU-Boulder. I wish I had more specifics on more folks, but my memory is slipping.

Thanks Sot. Sot, bytheway, is working at the Pentagon now in the Combat Forces Division as ChiefofMunitions Programming. He and Heatherbought a townhouse inAlexandria and love the D.C. area. Jackson, their one-yearold, is “the happiest guy I know.”

MightyM1 Catch Up:AdamVelie, who now lives in the Springsworking for BoozeAllan Hamilton, had a good time at the reunion but was trying to track down Dave Leopold. Ifanyone knowswhere he is, drop me a note. Adam did let me knowwhattheothergangfromMM1 isup to thesedays. GrantSimmons is recentlymarried, lives in NewMexico and owns a web-hosting business. Josh Bobko is married (Glenda) and lives in Miami as a fourth-year med student at the Univ. ofMiami. Tristan Lai (made him an honorary Mach One member from CS-36) is at the MilitaryMed School. Tom and Rene Colvin are stationed at ScottAFB. Tom is a Space and Missileerworking atTRANSCOM.

Pete and Angie Swanson have a couple ofkids and are living in Edina, MN wherePeteworksin the Financial Services Industry. Jamie andKim Moss have two boys. Jamie is stillFlying 16s and isheaded to a remote in Bahrain. Raquel (Welch) and DanWasilausky are both still in theAF, livingin Omaha, andhave one son. Kenyon Dutton lives in Houston (Go ASTROS) and works in the Financial Services Industry. Donnie English lives in the D.C. area as a Lawyer. Hunter (Chip) McAdams still in, flying, and maybe living in England. Ric Trimillos also is still in, flying, andjust moved to California. ThanksAdam. I challenge someone from “SECOND GROOOOOUP” to follow suit and drop me an update fromyour squadron.

Reunion East: There were a good numberofus in the Middle East duringthe reunion. Besides me in Qatar, Brian “V” MacDonald was in Baghdad. Jason Smith and Teaka Robba were both at Al Udeid, just down the road. Brian Green was flying Hercs in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom. Charles Schmutzer was also in Qatar. I found that one out because his sweet Mom, Cheri, sent me an update. Awesome. Myfavorite part about this story is his folks still gethis Checkpointsmagazine because he hasn’t updatedhis address with the AOG. Chuck is doing great. He got married last September to Ms. Laura Powell (’00) in Laura’s hometown ofElizabeth City, NC. Theyhave a great storyyou can read about in the Nov 26,2004 edition of TheMountain Pressatwww.themountainpress.com. Moral ofthis storythough... Moms and Dads, ifyou want to share aboutyourkids, or ifyou’re tired ofgettingtheirmail, send me a little note and I’ll be glad to publish it.

CliffVolpemeetsPresidentBush in Georgia, no, not thestate. Finally, I gotthe most amazingupdate I’ve seen yet from CliffVolpe. Cliff, get this, is backpacking across theworld. That’s right, theworld. He’s three years into hisjourneyand is currentlyin the formerSovietRepublic ofGeorgiaworking as a Border Monitor. He has also been working as a freelance photographer. Checkthese out at cliffvolpe.fotki.com andyouwillfindyourselfin the middle ofa futureNationalGeographicmagazine article. Cliffhasbeenthrough Turkey,Iraq, Greece, Chechnya, and is offto CentralAsiaandAfghanistan soon. An amazing story, we lookforward to hearing more fromyou soon. 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

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. It’s nice to have a white Christmas afterthreeyears in sunnyGeorgia. I’mwrapping up myfirst semester as an instructorandit’sbeen a lotoffun. It’s definitelynice to be back at theAcademy—as an officer, not a cadet.

So to answer the question that everyone is asking “What’s up with our reunion?” Let me give you what I’ve got so far. Kevin Murch, now a civilian lawyerinTampa, FL actuallyhas the reigns. I’mworkingwiththeAOG to let us host a page on their site to giveupdates. Hopefullywe’ll be up and running as youreadthis. Wewon’tknowuntil mid-Marchthe actual datesbecause we have to wait for the ’06 football schedule to come out. But I gotword it will be one ofthe last three weekends on September. In the interim we need everyone to update theiraddresses. Lookingthrough the RegisterofGrads, there are many ofyou guys that still have your parent’s address listed from your 60 days of leave. You can update your contact info on-line at www.usafa.org.

We also needpictures! We are going to try to put a slide showtogetherfor our dinner, but in order to do that I need your help. We need you to digthrough yourold photos from USAFA, fromyour time in theAF and familyshots. Send them digitally or hard copy. I will send all originals back. Wejust need some serious lead time to put the slides together and get all music coordinated/approved because ofcopyright laws. I guess what I'm sayingis, this can’t be one ofthose “ifyouwait until the last minute, it onlytakes a minute” deals. Please

help me out or you’ll be viewing mypersonalfamilyphotos for 20 minutes. Not exactlyriveting.

Now on the main news. I wanted to dedicate this article to updating our class on all of our Doc’s. Forthe last nineyearswe’vehadseveral classmates trudgingthrough medical school, different internships, andresidencies. Nowthese guys and gals are hittingoperationalassignments. I must admitit was pretty funnyto meet myDoc atWilford Hallwhen I was getting a knee consultation. Out walked Colleen Christiansen. I keptthinking she can’t be old enough to be checking out myMRI and making recommendations. Butsheis! Nowsheisspendingayearin Colorado Springs as an orthopedic surgeon. She splits her time betweenFtCarson andtheAcademy. You can catchher every weekend patching up some JV football players or members ofthe girls’ soccer team.

Colleen was helpful inpassingalong some greatinfo on our classmates. She told me three Bricks are in theWilford Hall orthoresidencyprogram: SheaBrannan isthe chiefresident (fifthyear), Dolly Patel (now Skeete) is in hersecondyear, and Ben Robinson just arrived this summer to start a five-yearstint at BigWillie. Jake Oldham and Colleen graduated inJune. Jake moved on to KirtJandAFB. EdAnderson and ShakaWalkergraduated from civilian residencyprograms lastJune. Sheheard thatEdandShakawere stationedsomewhere ontheEastcoast. SaraWhittingham was marriedlast summer in Steamboat Springs and ran a marathon the same weekend. Dollymade it outto RitaPerez’sweddinginPittsburg, KSlastJuly. Eric Greesonis doing a dermatologyresidencyatWilfordHall. ChristineTholenis a familydoc butherewhereabouts are unknown. Adam Starrjuststarted a civilian orthopedicresidencyat a school on the east coast.

Jasonand Hannah

I also heardfromJasonArnold. AfterUSAFA, he went to med school atEmory University inAtlanta, GA. In 1999, he married his beautiful bride, Jennifer. Jen is a special educationteacherandaddiction counselor. Rightnow, sheisworking on the toughestjob as a stay-at-home mom to Sarah (2) and Hannah (6 months). In 2000Jason startedhisresidencyin FamilyMedicine atEglinAFB. In 2003 he was offto Grand Forks AFB where he was the ChiefofPrimary Care. Presentlyheis deployed to CampBucca, Iraq at a troop internmentfacilityuntil mid-January. He is the OIC forthe Detainee HealthTeam at theJointInterrogation and Debriefing Center. Wehopeyou make it backsafelyand soon!

I also got some interesting news from Joey Gower. Joeyfinished medical school in 2000 graduatingfrom GeorgetownUniversity. He finishedhis orthopedic surgery training in NewJersey. While there, he met hiswife, an RN at the hospital. The Gower clan quickly grew to four.

Fast forward to the present. Joeyhas beentremendouslybusy over thelast months... quite a welcome backto theAirForce. He was stationed at Keesler AFB, MS right before Hurricane Katrinahit. The Gowerfamilylost theirapartment and house (twoweeks from closing) and damage to the cars. The status oftheirhousehold goods is still unknown. The storagefacilitywas in Gulfport. Joey, hiswife, and two youngdaughters (1 Vz and 2 Vz) rode out the storm at the KeeslerAFB Hospital. Tending to a patient in house, he didn’twant to leave... needless to say, it was an adventure. The familyhas headed to NewJersey as Joey finalizes orders to his next base, Eglin... yet another hurricane zone.

I also heard from Christine Tholen. She completed familypractice residencyat OffutAFB, NE and then finishedtraining to become a flight surgeon. She extended a year at Offut to line up herVML with her husband, Chuck, another familypractice resident. They were able to swing a joint spouse assignment to MisawaAB, Japan. There are virtually no specialists stationed at Misawa, so Christine has had to handlejust about everything. Theylove the location! Theylive in a little rented Japanese house that looks out over some rice paddies. She says it’s absolutelybeautiful. Theybeen to several bigJapanese festivals in nearby towns and tried to pick up a little bit ofthe language. She’s gotten a little adventurous with the cuisine Tryingsquidpizza and octopus. Because they are in the Pacific, theyhave had the opportunity to visit Australiawhere her sisterandbrother-in-lawlive. Theyplan to continue traveling around to the sites and climbing Mt. Fuji afteradjusting to parenthood. Christine gave birth to Travis, a big beautiful boylast spring.

TheRasmussen Clan:Reid, Lori, andFosteron a Korean Vacation. I did run into Lori Rasmussen at a football game. She was attending ’95’s reunionwith a friend, so she’s been able to give me some good ideas to make our reunion awesome. Shetold me thatsheReidhasthreemonthsleftin Korea and then willjoin her at Pope. Lifewill be good! Lori is enjoyingher Reserve time with the guard (112Air OpsSq in State College, PA). She’ll be headed down to Davis-MonthanfortheWeaponsandTactics Course soon. Othergreat news: the Rassmussenclanisgrowingagain! Loriissixmonths alongandlooksfantastic! That’s all fornow! Keep me postedwith updates, pics, and addresses! Take care, 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

Heyall, hope all is well in your neck ofthe woods. I was recently down at MaxwellAFB, Alabama and ran into a familiar face. Klaus Franze is in the Reserves doing Combat Camera out ofCalifornia. Klaus passed on news of what seems to me to be an amazingfewyears forhim. Klaus leftactive duty on Sept 11,2002 to become a ResidentAthlete at the OlympicTraining Center in Colorado Springs. There, his housing, medical, food, etc. were taken care of as he trained as a world class athlete in the RunningTarget event in hopes of making the 2004 Olympic team. Klaus placed fourth in the National Championship in 2003 and in 2004, scored 592 in a trainingevent, bestingtheWorld Record score of588. Unfortunately, Klaushad an injuryand required backsurgeryeight months prior to the Olympic trials and couldn’t recover his world class form in order to make the trip to Athens.

Since RunningTarget was dropped as on Olympic event after 2004, Klaus decided to move on to a new athleticendeavor.

Ifyou can believe this, despitehavinglittleexperienceplaying golf, Klaus decidedhewanted to compete on theprofessional golftour. He hired a coach towork on ballstrikingandwithin months was playing on theGolden StateTour (two-threeplayers ayeargraduate from the Golden StateTour to the PGATour). Klaus competed on the tour for abouteightmonths butthe expense ofcompetitivegolfis quitehigh and Klaus decided to move on. Today, in addition to his Reservejob, Klaus is the Strength andConditioningCoachfortheSouthern CaliforniaElite GymnasticsAcademy in Temecula, CA. Klaus also passed on news about Tara Shamhart who is a circuit trial counsel out ofTravisAFB. She spends a lotoftime on theroad prosecuting cases throughoutthewestern states.

News from the grapevine... Altus, OK sounds like the place to spend time withyourfamilyandfriends. Just askanyofthe folJowingclassmateswho are stationed out there as C-17 IPs. The list includes Beth (Houston) Szucs,who’s now out oftheAF, andhusband, Joe (’96), and their little girls, Gracie and Ella; JimThomas andhis wife, CaJlie, and their little girlTaylor, who was justborn in May; Lee Guthrie and his wife, Michelle,, who is due in November; and Justin Riddle and hiswife, Penny, who is due in February. MorganMurphyhis wife,Anna, and theirlittle ones, Micah andKatiehave finallydecided to chase theirdreamand are headedsouth tojointheANGinJackson, MS. JakeHardigan and hiswife,Tobey, are aiso headed out ofAltus and are bound for Ramstein; while Chris Klopping is headed to the Reserve unit at McChord. There are a ton ofother people who are also passing through Altus right now like Matt Anderson, hiswife, Christine, and theirlittle girlKaylawho are on theirway to McChord. Jen (Brannan) Caplingeris aJso there doingC-17 Qualwith herand John’s little girlAnna. Fortunately, Jen andJohnwill soon be togetheragain at McChordwithJen flying in the Reserve unit and Johnwith AD.

There are other ’97 guys out there flyingthe C-17 in places like Charleston,

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McChord, and NewJersey. One ofthose is Rob Hamillwho lives the good life on the Isle ofPalms in Charlestonwith his wife, Linda-Marie, and their little girl Kaia, who was born in May. ErinMarkwith is at McChord, and RichCarter and his wife, Christi, are at McGuire where they are busywith their two little girls Emma and Kierstyn. Korey (Watkins)Vaughan and her husband, Tim, are also at McGuire where theystaybusywith theirhorses, thatiswhen Korey isn’t out flyingthe KC-10. Ifyou’ve been trying to trackdown Heather (Wyatt) Blackwell then now isyour time to find her as shejustreturned from herfourmonth trek to Iraq. While you won’t findTanjiJohnson in Iraq, you will find this toughladyin anyfitness magazine you mightpick up. Ifyou can’t find a magazine, thenjust type her name into Google, and hercoolwebsitewill pop up. As for, Julie (Thode) MulloyandBrian, theyjustPCSed to Californiawhere Brian is flyingT-38s at BealewhileJulieenjoys the Reserve life flyingKC- 10s at Travis after flying as an A-10 pilot on active duty.

Speaking ofJulies,Julie (Masters) Jackson and husband,Walt (’91), are busy with their three boys,Jeffrey, Jake, and Trevor! Despitehaving her hands full, Julie somehowmanaged to finish medical school and is now officially a psychiatrist—who needshelp! Amanda (Jennings) ZumBrunnen, who’s a maintainer in the Reserves, is at Charleston, with her husband, Clint (’98), who’s a C-17 driver, and theirlittle girl Hannah. Amandajustcompleted herMaster’s degree in English from the College ofCharleston. Cameron Curry and his wife,Allison, are at Popewhere he’s flyingA- 10s. Colin Donnelly, hiswife, Joe, and theirlittle girlLaney are in Koreawhere he keeps the Korean skies safe as an A-10 driver. Kim (Reed) Campell is in the 422nd at Nellis. Petey (Marie Peterson) Klapmeyer, who’s now out ofthe AF, is at the Academywith her husband, Mike, and their two little ones Ryan and Katie.

Dan Fischer, whojustgot married in March in Cabo to Jore Burton, is flying A-1Os at DM. He’sjoined at DM byStubby (Kevin) Fenno andhiswife, Sydney. (Bytheway, both ofthese heavyhitters are “high-level” execs at DM.) Steph Jardine is at Little Rockflying C- 130s. MikeZeman, his wife, Nikki, and their little ones Jack and Cooper are at Corpus Christi where he is aT-44 IP. Mark Wolfe is at Randolph with hiswife, Heidi. Chad Silva, whojustgot married in July toAndrea, is in an active dutyslotwith an F-16 Reserve unit out ofTucson. MattHorn andhiswifeJessica are still at Hurlburtwhere he’s flyingspecial ops helo missions. Shannon (Carey) Schneider is flying F-16s in Japan with her husband, Chris. Pat Kielb, hiswife Dawn (McGown) who’s now out oftheAF, and their two little ones are at Popewhere he keeps the dollars flowing.

Finally, Matt Cunningham, his wife, Lisa, and theirlittle one Cody are back at theZoo where he’s flyingUV- 18s. Well, that’s the news from the girls around theworld keep it rev’n! Until next time, Mel.

Karin McWhorter

PSC 3, Box 377

APO AP 96266-0004

From CONUS: (303) 847-4118

From Korea: 0505-122-7288

mcwhorter@i-mnet.com

Karin.mcwhorter@osan.af.mil

HappyHolidays!

I hope this article finds as many as people home with loved ones for the holidays as possible. I knowthat anywhere can feel like home ifyou are surrounded byfamily and friends.

I continue to run into grads in the BXhere at Osan—most recendyI ran into Donald“Sig” Sigmeund. Heis currentlystationed atKunsan in the F-16squadron. I also got to have lunch with Melissa Parent (Cabot) when she flew in on a shopping trip. She and husband, Charley Parent, are stationed in Japan where he flies the C-130.

As for me, we are still adjusting to life in Koreaand to the news that we willbe addingto our familyin earlyMaywhen baby#2 should arrive! We are really excited but I have to say that the Korea “party town” image isn’t nearly as funwhenyou are expecting...

While nurturingtheirfriendlyservice academyrivalryattheAF/Navygame, Holly met up with Jannell (Zicarelli) and Chris MacAulay, Beth (Crimmel) and Rob Makros, Lauren (Eckert) and Rob Myers and Conner (Wyatt) and her husband, Brad. Jannell and Chris are at PopeAFB where she’s flying C130’s; he maintains them, and they are actuallydeployingtogetherto the desert this winter. In other news, Catie and Nick are at Edwards, AFB where he is a FlightTest Engineer and she is a PA officerwhile finishing up her Master’s in journalism. Holly has also just begun a Master’s program at Georgetown University, focusing on Security Studies.

Caroline Jensen (Bong) also sent in a photo update:

Fromleftare: ShaneJensen (goingtoHillAFB, F-16), Caroline (Bong)Jensen (goingto HillAFB, F-16), Susan (Canaday) Olsen, Chris Olsen, DoylePompa (going to Spangdahlem, F-16), ChrisHammond (WeaponsSchoolatNellisin January, F-16), MarkHeusinkveld (going to Holloman, F-l 17), Tom Wolfe (now at Sheppard, T-38), andBrett Comer (going to Nellis to the422, F-16). All the gentlemen are (orwere) 36FSFiends at Osan. Susan is atHQACC (AirComponentCommand) and Carolineis atKunsan with the35FSPantons.

The next email isfrom Brandon BJ”Arritt. He separatedin Decemberoflast year, and tookup a civil servicejob with theAirForce Research Lab at Kirtland AFB. His son Nathanjustturned ayearold this fall. Heandhiswife,LeNita,are expectingtheir second child in March.

BJ, LeNita and NathanArritt

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On to theupdates: The first one comes fromHollyKendrick (Vandehei) who finallygotaround to sendingthe updates she hasbeenmeaningtosendforsevenyears... (Arethereanymore ofyou out there that keepsayingyou shouldwrite? JUSTDO IT!) Hollyseparated in Sept ’04 afterfinishingherfinalintelligenceassignmentatthePentagonserving as an intelbrieferfor the CSAF. She said it was veryrewardingbut extremelychallenging and the long hours on night shift probably hastened her separation. Nowsheworks as a contractordoingcounterintelligenceanalysis forHQAFOSI onAndrewsAFB, MD. But, herbiggest news isthatshejustgotmarriedlastJune! HerhusbandisRyanKendrick, aCaptaininthe MarineCorpsand a classof2000 gradfromUSNA (Thoughshe’squickto pointout thatheispriorenlisted, so she isn’trobbingthecradle!) Theymet on a deploymentsupportingSFORinSarajevo, Bosnia in 2002 andgot married in the USNA chapel inAnnapolis. Catie Hague (Devlin) was her matron ofhonor andTom Ste. Marie (’96), Chris MacAulay and Nick Hague were all sabre bearers forthem. Theycurrentlylive inAlexandria,VA (he’s stationed at Quantico) and are doingtheirbest to take advantageof everything D.C. has to offer.

Here is some more info he sent along: Ryan Quaale is also in New Mexico with hiswife and kids. He’s working at theAirborne Laser SPO. Brent Dorsey is atWarner-Robbins, flyingAWACS. He, thewife and two kids are doingwell. Josh Eaton is currentlyin the midst ofhis anesthesiologyresidency at a hospital in Pittsburgh. He, thewife and their two kids are doingwell. Brian Kozola is back at theAcademyteaching in the EngineeringMechanics Department. He seems to reallylike thejob. He and hiswife recentlyhad a daughter (their second child) who was bom about 12 weeks premature and had an extensive stayat a Neonatal IntensiveCare Unit (NICU) in C-Springs. However,justlike Brian, the girl is a fighter and has rebounded extremelywell.

I also heard fromVince Kendrickwho is still at Eglin doing space surveillance. He is married with two daughters and loves his time in sunnyFlorida. He had the following news to share: Steve and Candance (McBrayer) Pipes just PCSed to theAcademy. Candyis teaching, and Steve will beworkingwith the football team. Phil Dillinghamjustwent into theReserves and is stationed atTravis. MarkNavo is now at LA. AFB workingin space or acquisitions.Dirty Louis is now at Eglinworking in acquisitions and got married this fall.

I got a quickbirth announcement fromJamie Summers (Otis) Sheand husband, Marc (’99), welcomed their son Benjamin Dane Summers on Oct 17. Calvin Powell’swife, Lori also sent in an update.They are currendyliving in Georgetown, TXwhereCalvin is finishingup a two-yearALOstintatFortHood. Initiallytheyweren’t thrilled with the idea ofthis assignmentbut it turns out Calvin has really enjoyed it. He got some great experience during his five months in Iraq lastyear, but now he’s ready to get back into thejet.Theywill leaveTexas inJanuary to go back to Tyndall for re-qual in the F-15C and then inApriltheywill PCS to Lakenheath. Their son Jackson is now 17 months old.

Calvin andJacks at theAlamo.

“Jacks”, as theycall him, is “truly a joy” and they are enjoying everyfun-filled moment with him!

Lastly I heard from Tara Capelli (Vice) She is still plugging away (slowly) on her thesis. By now they should be in England forTroy’s first operational F-15 assignment. Tara is reallyexcited and hopes to see lots ofold friends during their assignment there. Joy Boston recentlyvisited herin Florida on herway to her first stateside assignment in 4+ years. She is an air traffic controller headed to 12 AF in Tucson, AZ.

That is it for this issue. It is so nice to write updates when there is so much material—keep theinformation coming. Have awonderful HolidaySeason— send me lots ofChristmas updates andyouwillhere from me again nextyear!

James W. Busch

4050A Cambridge Loop Hill AFB, UT 84056 (801) 776-3586

busch99@earthlink.net or James.busch@hill.af.mil

(Two Sabre Society Donors)

(Editor's note: Wedidnotreceive a class news column fromJamesforthis issue. Sendhim yourupdates forthenextmagazine.)

Jason “JW” Simmons

447 ECS/SCM-X

APO AE 09321

Simmons@USAFA2000.com

Jason.Simmons@Ramstein.af.mil

Two Grand! Well class, sorrythis class news is fairlyshort; I have gotten a few entries but did not have access to my master excel sheet of our grads at my austere location. Fellowclassmates floatingaround the Baghdad area are Kris MalloyandAbdullah Brodie. Abdullah and I are tent mates so it’s been good to have someone I know around as we plugalong. I have to sayI appreciate what others who have deployed have done much more after beinghere; it’s not the picnic that I imagined. I’m doing double Flight CC duty for Comm plans (SCX) and Mission Support (SCM) and so many days are jam packed. Abdullah is taking care ofthe Intel for our group and providing the flyers with the latest informationwhile Kris is playing gungho with theArmy, providing all source intelligence support to the CommandingGeneral, Multinational

Forces-Iraq. He volunteered to be an Air Force guineapig as one ofthe first jointyear-long Iraq tours to better support CENTCOM requirements. Abdullah, Kris, and I met up for dinner in October atthe Oasis chowhall on CampVictory, but I forgotmy camera, so allyou get is a picture ofme.

For others that are deployed or not and have met up with othergrads,pleasesend apictureandinformation. I heardfrom Dana (Hansen) Grangerwhosaysherfamilycontinues to grow; she and BryanGranger (’01) have a daughter,Ashleywhowill be twoyearsoldinNovand a sonWesleywho was bomthispast March. They are atMcChordanditlookslikethey’llbetherefor at leastanothertwo years. Here is a picture ofthefamily.

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TheGrangerfamily

John Mikal is back atAltus AFB again; at the KC-135 Instructor course this time. Johncaughtup with Brian McKay atWhitemanAFB who is now mission qualified in the B-2. Jared Miller is currentlydeployed from HurlburtAFB to the CENTCOM AOR flying C- 130s ISO OIF and Jason Thompson is also in SouthwestAsia, flyingA- 10s from D-M AFB. Jason Hrynykjustreceived an F16 training slot after completing his first assignment as a FAIP atVance AFB. Mike Maddoxis flyingKC- 135s at McConnellAFB and has received an assignment to ColumbusAFB to flytheTweet then theTexan II.

Konnie Snyderand husband, RonnieYoung, are both still doingintel at D-M AFB, although she nowserves as a ReserveIMA. Their son lil’ Ronnie,justturned one yearold on Oct 13th Here is a picture ofthem duringthe birthdayparty.

Ronnie, Ronnie Jr“Peanut,” and

Laura Terryhas movedfrom Mountain Home to her new station in Oahu, HI in June, for a three-yearstint offun. She isworking in theTargets section at the intel squadronthere, andjust finished a seven-week training course in Texas. Sounds like a good place to vacation; I might be giving you a call to bum a couch some time.

Our email listis gettingreallyold; please send me email addressesbefore the next request for class news goes out. Bythe time this comes out, the holiday season will likelybe upon us, so I hope everyone has a happyholiday and is able to spend time with family. I’ve listed mydeployed address, but don’t use it after mid-Januaryifyou’re sending me pictures or such.

Faith Dunn (Hitchcock)

203 Seaton Circle Montgomery, AL 36116

Faith.Dunn@gunter.af.mil

(No Sabre Society Members Yet)

(Editor’snote: Wedidnotreceivea columnfromFaith(orthisissue. Sendyour yourinformation forthenextmagazine.)

Jason in Baghdad, atfront entrance to an oldIraqi camp.

Konnie

Tony Carson

466 Avenue D

Dyess AFB, TX 79606

anthony.carson@dyess.af.mil

Class Website: www.usafa02.org

Class of2002, Ryan Bellcrossedinto theArmyaftergraduationandwanted to update the class sincehe’s fallen out oftouch: “I am now blessed to be engaged toAdrianeOstwald (Classof2004), whois atUSUHS (sameclass as BrendtFeldt). We are gettingmarriednextJuneup near D.C. As forothernews, I was promoted to Captain in Septemberandwillbe headingback to Iraq/Afghanistan formysecond tour in January. (The first was with the 82nd backin ’03-’04 as an infantryplatoon leader) Other than that, not too muchhas happened. Interestinglife in the armybut the onlytime I see any old classmates is when I’m jumping out oftheirplane! Hopethings are goingwell.”

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RandyHeusserfinallymadehiswaybackto UPTatLaughlin AFB afterleavingColumbusAFB in 2002 for an unwaiverable heart issue. He went and did Security Forces for two and a halfyears at HollomanAFB, NM before getting a waiver approved. He reapplied and gotpicked backup forUPT at LaughlinAFB; started down there in 07-01 (very excited to say the least). Mike Culhane is also at LaughlinAFB andwill finishT-38s inJanuary (he was doing some grad school program in France since graduation).

BenBrown of2001 wrote thathis newly-wedbride Lara (Coppinger) Brown, of2002 has accomplishedquite a bit in the last fewmonths. “She’s been training fortriathlons aggressively over the pastcouple ofyears competing across the U.S. andEurope fortheAirForce and the U.S.ArmedForces. Lararecently finished as thetopAir Force Female at theArmed Forces Championships and earned a spot on the U.S.Armed Forces team to compete at the MilitaryWorld Championships. She finished third forthe U.S. women. Continuingwith her success she recentlycompeted in her first race as a ‘Professional’ in the Los AngelesTriathlon. Lara recentlyendedher season with a strongshowing at the AmateurWorld Championships in Honolulu, HI. Ohyeah, she got married too and PCSed from EdwardsAFB to LosAngelesAFB duringthat time.

May, the O’Bryants hosted a party at theirGleneagle homewhere a reunion of great friends raised a Goldshalger-filled glass to two years, silver bars, and of course, biggerpaychecks! Joshis currentlyinF-15CRTU atTyndallaftergraduatingfrom ENJJPT in December, and Kelli is an acquisition program manager at Hanscom. They’rehoping to finallylive together in March ’06 at EglinAFB.

As for other class news, MaxJohnsonjustrecentlygot backfrom Iraq and a synopsis ofhis experienceswill be includedin the next issue. Congratulations to RickJaimewho was recentlyawarded a slotto theNavalPostGraduateSchool. That’s it for this update. Please send along news to the email address above. Best ofluck.

Breezy (Long) Heddinger

18337 Oakmont Dr., #741 Santa Clarita, CA 91387

H: (661) 250-2179

C: (719) 213-3205

breezy.heddinger@losangeles.af.mil

Now thatwe’re back in touch, it’s time to playcatch up. This article is dedicated to updates and shout-outs to the ’04 family. Offwe go into the “realAF”... or Navy... or Army... AlexVoeller is almost done with initial training and will be going to SSGN 727 USS MICHIGAN in Bangor,WAwherehe’ll be on another submarine to work on his qualifications.

Katharine (Holley) Lubinski and her husband, Craig (USMA ’04), both in theArmynow, have completedtraining and bought their first home in Hawaii not bad forArmy life! Several ReadyforWarriors have alreadyearned their pilot wings some may not know exactly what “hell” you survived in UPT butwe’re all proud ofyou! To name a few: Jason Depew, Chris Marslender, DerekPortlock... and many more!

Lara (Coppinger) Brown competesin a triathlon. Thanks forthe updates and submissions, and keep up the greatwork.

Richard Giles Whiting, Jr.

384 Treeline Park, Apt. 1323 San Antonio, TX 78209 gileswhiting@hotmail.com

Thereis no doubtthatbythetime this article is published theForce Shaping initiative that theAir Force is currentlygoingthroughwill have beguntaking its toll, or making an impact ifyou’d rather, on individuals of our class. I would request that ifyou are at all affected bythis or ifyou have comments thatyouwouldlike to share thatyou do so with me via the email address provided.

Class News: Josh Phifer and Kelli Phifer (O’Bryant) were married in PalmerHike, CO on 29 May05. Theweddingparty included Jackie Harris, Heather Shelby, Jen Nigro, Mindy Finley, Adam Howes, Jon MacRae, Collin O’Bryant (’08) and Shaun O’Bryant (’09).

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Theweekend started on Fridaynightwith nostalgicvisits to Colorado Springs hot spots—JackQuinn’s, The Ritz, and Rum Bay. On Sat, 28

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Wedded Bliss: Shannon Weber married John Decker (’03) on 29 Jan 05. Bridesmaid-grads: Michelle (Hogue) HenleyandVirginia (Casillas) Frazier. Groomsmen-grad:GrantCoppin(’03). Shannonisjoiningherhubby at SeymourJohnsonAFB to work in the 4th LRS, whileJohn trains in the F- 15E. CPT Ryan Bell (’02) was “recentlyblessed to be engaged” to Adriane Ostwald. She’s at USUHS in D.C. and he’s at Ft Bragg, NC (82ndAirborne). Thewedding will be next June.

Bundles ofjoy: Thomas Filbert and hiswife, Leslie, willwelcomehome their first son in Feb 06.

Thanks foryoursubmissions andbestwishes to all! Please continue sending yournews—we’d like to include two or three ofthese everyissue from now on.

John Tamasitis

313 Huntington Chase Circle Warner Robins, GA 31088 (610) 850-3352

Tombo012@hotmail.com

(No Sabre Society Donors Yet)

Haven’t heard anything from manypeople as Ijustin-processed at theAir and Space Basic Course and didn’t have access to myemail for a while. I need you all to send me your news so that the gradcommunityknowswhat is going on!! Hope all iswell! RyanCross, Russ Kirklin, Richard Marby, Chris Steitz and Josh Strafaccia started Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training in October. Ed Cannon is here too and started inAugust. Ed recendysoloed theTweet and is doingwell and the rest ofus hit the flight line right after Halloween.

Visit the iVEWAOGWeb Site

www.usafa.org

Rusina k Real Estate

Vince