Checkpoints December 2007

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim Wheeler, '64, Board Chair

Pat Rosenow, 76, Vice Chair

Bill Boisture, '67, Treasurer

Michael Banks, '92, Secretary

Kevin Carmichael, 77

Steve Dotson, '63

Steve Finch, '65

Mike Flynn, '95

Fred Gregory, '64

James Sanchez, '90

Terry Storm, '61

George Van Wagenen, '67

Checkpoints (ISSN 0274-7391) USPS 898-080 is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy. (Phone: 719-472-0300, DSN: 3332067. FAX: 719-333-4194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa. org.) A portion ofyour dues pays for your magazine subscription. Additional copies may be purchased for $2.50 each, plus $4.05 for shipping. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., and additional mailingoffices.

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

Opinionsexpressed in this magazine are those ofthe authors.Theydo not necessarilyreflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the Association of Graduates, its officers or the editorial staff. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Association ofGraduates of the products or services advertised. Copyright, Association ofGraduates ofthe U.S. Air Force Academy, December 2007.

Iam grateful for the opportunity to have served the AOG and our Academy for more than fifteen years. It has been a wonderful experience and I’ve been able to workwith many exceptional people. I joined the AOG in September 1992 as Vice President for Development when we were just learning to spell “fundraising.” In 1999, after a national search, I was selected to become President and CEO, replacing Dick Coppock, ’61. It has been a great experience and I would like to thank all our members for the honor ofserving in this position.

It has been an exciting time and a time marked bysignificant progress and growth for our association. We finished Doolittle Hall and paid it offin full. We started the Sabre Society and grew it to almost 1,000 members. We started our first major campaign and raised more than $38 million toward

the effort. We have seen the first tangible fruits ofthis effort with the dedication of the Memorial Pavilion.

We are involved in almost every aspect ofcadet life, from in-processing to graduation activities, and we provide funding and support for many key programs. We raised the money and/or manage the accounts that fund the Superintendent’s Chair in Character and Leadership, the Director ofthe Center for Space and Defense Policy, and support two scholarships for mid-career graduates to attend Georgetown University. We have just received notice ofthe largest planned gift ever for our Academy. We have added job placement services, travel packages, more reunion support, a Web site and many additional services for our members. These services compare favorably to those offered byWest Point andAnnapolis and are similar to those ofmany associations around the country.

Our membership continues to grow by nearly 1,000 each year and we have one ofthe best percentages ofpaid memberships in the country. We started the Heritage Trail, the Distinguished Graduate program and began to tell the great stories of our “Long Blue Line” in many venues. Our communications staff continues to receive accolades and Checkpoints has become a nationally recognized college publication that has received several major awards. Our staffproduces radio and TV commercials, pamphlets, booklets, videos and much more.

We built a highlyprofessional staff, growing from 15 to nearly 50 people and we have continuallyimproved our business processes, personnel policies, financial management and reporting. Our most recent audit was the best ever for this organization. Our net assets have almost tripled since 1999. We have had better access to and relationships with Air Force, Congressional, and USAFA senior leadership than ever before. In short, we have come a long way in our journey.

Most ofall, it has been a true privilege to work with so many exceptional, professional, talented and caring people who are dedicated to serving our cadets and graduates, as well as making the AOG and the Academy world class organizations. I’m in awe ofthe commitment and sacrifices made by cadets, graduates and the AOG and Academy staffs in support of our school and our nation. I’m honored to have worked with such remarkable individuals as Mike and Barbara Wynne, Brad and Zita Hosmer, Paul and Carol Stein, Tad and Sandy Oelstrom, J.D. and Jane Dallager, J.R. and Donna Rosa, and John and Debby Regni. They are all great Americans who have served us well. I would also like to thank the rest ofthe current senior leadership at the Academy- Susan Desjardins, Dana Born and Hans Mueh for their continuing support. I wish them all the best as they continue to do great things for our academy. There are so many others who deserve thanks including graduates who have been willing to serve on our board and give their time, talent and treasure to support our efforts. And I need to thank, in particular, Nancy Burns, JohnnyWhitaker, Gary Howe, Leslie Frank and Bob McAllister for all they have done for me and to help the AOG do great things for our graduates, cadets and Academy. Finally, Cindy deserves huge kudos. She has always been there to open our home to visitors, and give ofherselffor the Academy, our cadets and the AOG. She’s a superstar.

As Cindy and I move on to other adventures, we wish you all the very best. We will be in good hands as our cadets mature into the future leaders of character for this nation.

^ames A. Shaw, ’67 President and CEO Association of Graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy

EXCELLENCE

Annual gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund at the Sabre Society level provide support to programs that instill excellence in Building Leaders of Character in the Nation like the Cadet Commanders' Leadership Enrichment Seminar. This program is designed to motivate and enhance the leadership experience of cadet commanders by developing leadership skills that they can model for the entire Cadet Wing.

Thanks for the memories

I just received my September issue of Checkpoints and enjoyed reading several stories about and by classmates, notably BJ Bjorklund (Page 26, Sept. 2007) and John Hatlelid {Page 50, Sept. 2007). I was also grateful to read something about Steve Berta. Steve and I went on 3rd Lt to Tan Son Nhut together and we were assigned to the 81st TFW at Bentwaters when he was killed during a CAS mission over Germany.

I read the Air Gardens article and recalled an injury that was much more significant than losing pilot qualification. It occurred after 68 s graduation parade. During the melee, a couple of us from CS-04 picked up DK Allen who you might recall was the middle linebacker on our football team. DK weighed about 230 so it took more than one of us to carry him. Steve Malicoat was in the Class of’71 and was carrying most ofthe weight. When we went to throw DK in the pool which was less than 2 feet deep, Steve was underneath DK and took the full weight on one ofhis knees, which bent in the wrong direction. The damage was so severe that he nearly lost his leg.

Steve returned for his second year but was unable to continue after that. As I recall, he received the second “disabled cadet” scholarship, the first having gone to Mike Gabour, 69, who was severely wounded by the UT tower sniper in August 1966 when we were at Jack’s valley.

I also enjoyed reading the articles about General Olds. He certainly affected our lives greatly and I always enjoyed the times we met after our graduation. One thing I learned about Robin, he always had a full glass ofwhiskey, but most ofit was poured over the heads of those around him rather than down his throat. I can see him to this day being carried across the bridge for his unceremonious dunking in the Air Gardens shortly before Steve was injured.

Distant memories from a RTB.

Keep up the good work.

Joe Boyles, Class of1970

A few thoughts on, “Remove the Code...”

I don’t understand the suggestion made byJon Schaffer (Page 4, Sept. 2007). The code is alive even if not all consider it “well” today. It seems that a sticking point, as always, is the interpretation oftolerance—tolerance institutionalized by the code implementation as well as tolerance by individual cadets ofviolations by others.

We certainly don’t have (or want in my opinion) a black or white, “zero tolerance” code. But the code’s implementation

reflects the fact that a violation does have consequences. Violations are not tolerated. You lie, cheat, or steal; you suffer consequences. Even ifyou tolerate violations by other cadets, you suffer consequences if found out.

I believe the opportunity for a violator to self-report and remain a cadet lets the code be a strong vehicle for a life-lesson. It allows a cadet to make a conscious choice to “not tolerate” their own actions. By making that choice, knowing that they will suffer consequences, they hopefully will learn a lesson that will make them stronger ofcharacter and less likely to violate the code, or tolerate violation by others (even after they graduate.)

For cadets who are caught (did not report themselves), profession of a commitment to future code adherence is not, of itself, sufficient mitigation ofthe offense. A code violator has the burden to prove that they have internalized a change ofheart and mind. Implementation of the code should provide the opportunity for the violator to demonstrate that. If they do, the consequences of the violation should be reduced. If they don’t, consequences should be severe.

TadDraper, Class of1968

An apology and a plan

In the September Checkpoints I submitted a letter stating that the Honor Code should be removed from the Honor Wall. That letter was my angry response to several articles in the June issue that described the current Honor Code enforcement system. That system was completely new to me, and had very little correlation to the system that existed during 1955-1959. In fact, the correlation was so remote I concluded that the Honor Code itself must no longer exist. It appeared to me to be an extreme travesty to publicly display one Honor Code while actually enforcing another that was decidedly different. My resolution to this conflict was very simple; “come clean” and remove the original code from public view.

My reaction was uninformed, inappropriate, and insensitive. It was a knee-jerk reaction to an abrupt and unpleasant awakening. Removal of the code from public display would serve no useful purpose, and clearly I was way out ofline. I sincerely apologize to all Checkpoints readers for making such an ill-conceived suggestion, and I hereby retract my proposal.

However, serious concerns undeniably exist for the future ofthe Honor Code. Many graduates feel that ifthe code is not appropriately enforced it will lose credibility, respect, and significance. Loss ofthese three attributes eventually will result in loss ofthe code.

In an effort to prevent such a tragedy, more than 75 fellow graduates have joined together and submitted a resolution to the AOG Board ofDirectors to establish an Honor Code Advisory Committee. The primary mission ofthis committee will be to assist Academy Staff and the Cadet Wing in protecting and preserving the Honor Code.

The maturity, experience, and assets ofthe graduate community could be ofsignificant value to the staffand the cadets as they combat both external and internal challenges to enforcement procedures.

Participation byAcademy staff, cadets, and graduates will be required to make this initiative effective. I am confident that all

three groups will recognize the wisdom ofjoining together in a common cause to assure the survival of the Honor Code of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

I respectfully ask all readers to accept my sincere apology for my initial reaction, and to actively join this more constructive approach to protect and preserve our magnificent Code of Honor.

Thank you,

Jon G. Shajfer, Class of1959

“Passage to India” inspires

Regarding “Passage to India” by Rob Mishev, ‘99, {Page 44, Sept. 2007), that kind of article distinguishes Checkpoints from many other alumni magazines that often favor articles with photos of grads or of faculty receiving some kind of award. Rob’s article broke the mold by providing not only interesting information but also some content of enduring value to anyone who wants to broaden his or her world view.

Rob noted that many grads did not have an opportunity for such a field trip as cadets. True. Yet, many of us did have the chance, as officers, to taste foreign cultures. My opportunity came in Jan. ‘73 with my assignment as officer in charge of the race relations program at U-Tapao RTNB Thailand.

It proved to be the most insightful experience of my professional life.

The cadets on Rob’s India trip encountered “life-changing elements of contrast between abject poverty and significant wealth and influence.”

They wrote of the “helpless look in the eyes ofyoung girls” or “boys with amputated limbs.” I can relate to some of their experiences from what I witnessed in Thailand, as well as on a more briefJOC trip to Panama in 1972.

A legacy moment

We wanted to pass along some press we received and a side story to you from our AFA golf tourney. Initially we were to keep this as a private matter, but the more we thought about it the more we wanted to share this unbelievable USAFA memoir.

We were three holes into our College-AM when Joe Calderon figured out that the cadet playing with him and smashing the 320-yard drives was Josh McFarland, CS-09. He is the son of a deceased graduate, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dillon McFarland, ’84. Dillon was a great friend, excellent officer and a classmate of the many ’84 graduates in attendance.

For a few minutes, the graduates in attendance were overwhelmed with our discovery. We have all lost classmates in this lifes journey and often speak ofthe Long Blue Line, but to have that blue line living and breathing right in front of us was extraordinary. We know Dillon must have been very pleased to see four ofhis friends hacking and laughing it up on the course with his son Josh.

We have attached a picture of the five of us (Fredo Sandoval, ’82, Darrell Cabanting, ’84, Joe Calderon, ’84, Cadet Third Class Josh McFarland and Ed Baca,’ 84) from that very special day.

Later that night, we spent some time with Josh regaling him with stories of his dad. Admittedly, we were all a bit sad but tremendously proud to have served with his father and share with Josh some of our untold cadet experiences.

Cadet McFarland now has four very motivated graduates looking over his shoulder and staying connected to his progress. I do not think the five of us will ever forget this experience. It was most definitely a USAFA legacy moment. See you at the bowl game!

A toast to the host

Fredo Sandoval, Class of1982

As I read the cadets’ remarks and reflected on my own experiences witnessing poverty, it caused me to wonder about the annual fund-raising efforts directed at AFA alumni (to finance, e.g., the Admissions Center that is the current project of my ‘69 class). Perhaps a future AFA fund-raiser could instead focus on a class contribution to some organization such as Oxfam or Heiffer International that helps develop self-sufficiency andalleviate world hunger problems in third-world countries. Such a class gift would be a radical departure from the present trend of funding buildings or memorials on the grounds of USAFA, true. But some future class could be the trail-blazer in this regard. Food for thought, at least... but let me return to Rob’s story.

He wrote ofthe depth of contrast between the poverty ofIndia and the splendor ofits monuments such as Taj Mahal. His remark also brought me back to Thailand and its beautiful Buddhist temples. However, the most moving part of overseas duty at UTapao for me was that of a kind ofaccumulated awareness over the span of my nearly 17 months there. I gradually began to appreciate that different ways ofdoing everyday things which I encountered there were equally as valid as—although different from—ways I had learned from growing up as an American from Minnesota.

I’m referring to things like greeting someone—no handshake in traditional Thai culture, but rather, a bow while placing one’s hands in a prayer position on the chest; or, theremoval ofworldly concerns, in a sense, as symbolized by the removal ofone’s shoes at the entrance to a Thai person’s home as one entered it; or the subtleties oflanguage differences between English and Thai, e.g., their relative plenitude ofverbs expressing the present tense as contrasted with our relative predominance ofpast or fixture verb tenses. Or their pervasive “mai pen rai” expression, somewhat akin to Bobby McFerrin’s briefly popular tune from 1988: “Don’t worry; be happy.”

I couldn’t express better than did the cadets, regarding what they found to be the best of such an overseas experience: “The insight into the lives and mindsets ofpeople from venturing to

nations across the world is unparalleled. These trips are far and away the most beneficial for cadets.”

Andfor anyone who embarks on such a journey with a mind open to receiving the depth ofwhat is there.

“JC”John Miller, Class of1969

Never too late for great ideas

In response to Brig. Gen. Dana Borns article “Sharpening the Edge ofAcademic Excellence” (Page 8, Sept 2007), I submit the following: Beat the Dean!Sounds great; however, it didn’t take me very long my first semester to figure out I didn’t have the proper tools in my kit. I had been extremely successful coming into the Academy. Iaho did not know how to study. In short order, I found my ability to cram (seemingly, my prime—only?—study technique) was overwhelmed by the limited time I had available, the high number ofequally-demanding courses, and competition from a great many ofthe overachievers with whom I lived that had “broken the code” on proper study habits.

My less-than-stellar showing in some courses that first year was certainly not due to the dedicated instructors I saw everywhere. So, it was with great interest that I read about the formalized, First Year Experience (FYE) course developed by the dean and her staff as a purposeful way to reach cadets similar to me. An idea way overdue—but certainly worth it.

Been there, done that, and (unfortunately) got that T-shirt.

Don Myers, Class of1980

Thanks for AOG gift

Thank you for the recent gift of $1,068 dollars for the purchase ofjerseys for the USAFA Men’s Club Volleyball Team. You don’t know how much it means to the team to get the new jerseys as a ‘94 grad, I was astonished that until now the team was wearing the same jerseys I wore as a cadet 15 years ago! The team was embarrassed to wear the worn and outdated jerseys at tournaments. We plan to make USAFA proud at our upcoming matches against Army, Notre Dame, CU, Michigan State and others.

Maj. Chad Rauls, Class of1994 Coach, USAFA Men’s Club Volleyball

Today, they just want to make it over the water. Tomorrow, the ethics, leadership and determination they’ve learned here will guide every decision.

Leave a Legacy, include the Association of Graduates in your will or estate planning.

By Jim Wheeler, ’64 AOG Chairman of the Board

WITH THE HOLIDAYS UPON US and a bowl game pending, it is hard to comprehend where another year has gone. It is truly amazing when you reflect on the pace at which we live our lives in the 21 st Century. Hopefully 2007 has been a good year for you and yours, and may the New Year bring good health and happiness to all of us.

Before sitting down to write the “From the Boardroom” column for this issue, I conducted an unscientific poll among the directors and some AOG members on what topics they felt would be of interest and should be addressed. Not surprisingly, a list of over 25 topics dealing with various facets ofthe AOG and AOG programs emerged. Clearly, there is neither time nor space to address all of the important topics suggested; but from the length ofthe list alone, we are reminded that the AOG is a business that has many complex and important issues that have to be dealt with on a daily basis by the staff and the board. Another message not to be overlooked is that with so many moving parts, it is absolutely essential that constructing an AOG Agenda must be approached systematically with due regard for establishing priorities and retaining focus on the most important issues and challenges.

Professionally and personally, we all live with change every day; the AOG is not much different. Over the last four years, there have been two AOG referendums, two AOG elections, the adoption of new AOG Bylaws, and a variety of staff and board changes to reflect the will of the members. Because a majority of the voting members favored a governance change for the AOG, thedirectors are now elected in a competitive election, the board is fully accountable to the members, financial activities are more open and transparent, andthe board has reaffirmed that all three facets of the AOG Mission—services for members, support for the Academy, and the preservation of the heritage and traditions of our school—are all to be served equally. The key point here is that, while relationships and processes are dynamic and always undergoing change, the AOG Mission has remained fundamentally unchanged; and the elected board makes its decisions and policies against that constant background.

Since July when the current board took office, comments have surfaced from various sources raising issues about the “direction” the directors want to take the AOG over the next two years. In attempting to answer the question, I have found it helpful to point out that the “direction” the AOG will travel has been determined by the membership at the ballot box; the task for the board and the staff is to determine the specific path that will be navigated to achieve the goals and objectives embodied in existing and future AOG programs and projects. In short, while the overall AOG goals have been constant, the membership has approved governance changes that will impact how the goals are achieved.

The most discussed challenge facing this board to date has involved AOG fund raising to support the Academy. The prior board of directors had introduced the idea of forming a fund raising foundation to administer the major fund raising initiatives embraced by the graduate community. There were various organizational concepts put forward, and early in the debate the critical issue of how a new fund raising foundation would be affiliated with the AOG emerged. Some voices argued strongly that any new fund raising entity that targeted the AOG membership must be linked to and accountable to the elected AOG board. Others felt that the new configuration of the board—i.e. elected rather than appointed directors-woulddiminish the confidence of major donors and the AOG should not have control over a new fund raising entity, even if that entity wanted to assume the fund raising roles of the AOG.

Because of the overriding interest andthe importance of the topic, this debate became the focal point for theefforts of the current board when early in July, several graduates formed the USAFA Foundation to undertake fund raising activities for the Academy independent of the AOG. In August, the board appointed an ad hoc committee of three directors and two AOG members to meet with representatives ofthe UF. After a comprehensive meeting and a series of exchanges betweenthe groups, a proposal containing a framework for possible cooperation and limited integration was brought to the AOG board for consideration. After much internal debate and analysis, the AOG board submitted Due Diligence questions to the UF and started to work on modifications

to the proposal under consideration. In early October, the AOG board received the Due Diligence responses from the UF. After further analysis, lengthy discussions and debate, and consultation with legal counsel, the AOG board voted at the October board meeting to decline the proposal put forth by the UF.

The preliminary Minutes of the October board meeting are posted on the AOG Web site and contain a resolution adopted unanimously by the directors present at the meeting. Thebottom line is [1] the board decided that the time is not right for the AOG andthe UF to enter into a formal arrangement, and [2] the AOG wishes to continue to administer its own fund raising programs in support of the Academy and the AOG. The directors decided that circumstances did not warrant a counter proposal, but the AOG board has expressed a willingness to work with the UF on projects to support the Academy and to help the UF as it continues to evolve as a corporate entity. Further, to implement the resolution, I have suggested that the two organizations establish a formal communications link in the interest ofidentifying ways to provide mutual support to the Academy. This resolution announces a major decision ofgreat significance, and I encourage all members to take the time to read through the Minutes and to review the resolution.

But, notwithstanding the above, it must be acknowledged that the long running foundation debate has had some tangible negative impacts on the AOG. Unfortunately, some AOG staff members in the Major Gifts Office have resigned and no longer work for the AOG; one is now employed by the UF. A few current and potential major donors have decided to withhold their financial pledges; other donor prospects have indicated they will not make any major commitments at present. As a result, the AOG is losing income derived from the investment of donated funds; and there is obviously confusion and uncertainty within the donor com-

munity. Sorting this out will take time, and the full extent of the impact cannot be measured at this point.

However, with the separate fund raising foundation issue removed from center stage, the AOG board now has the opportunity to turn our energies to defining a meaningful, doable agenda for the AOG. Our AOG has grown and prospered for almost 40 years by keeping focused on the AOG mission. So, the emphasis in the boardroom has become “getting back to basics”. Everyone needs to keep in mind that the AOG is the largest private fund raiser for the Academy, provides a full range of services to the membership, maintains the member data base, provides communications with the graduate community and other USAFA friends, and maintains a physical presence at the Academy to support the graduate community and to augment many Academy functions. It is not a stretch to say that the AOG has been the defacto facilitator for most development activities that have been conducted in support of the Academy in recent years. And, in my opinion, a viable AOG Development Program is vital to the continued vitality of the Academy.

Without polling the board for formal endorsement, I feel it is important that the members understand that:

1. The AOG Board of Directors supports fund raising as a core purpose of the AOG. This commitment is not new; but the emphasis going forward will be realigned to include fund raising to meet operating needs of the AOG as well as support for Academy programs.

2. The AOG Board of Directors is interested in working with and cooperating with all nonprofits that raise private funds to support Academy programs. This is a decidedly different thing than contractually outsourcing a portion of the AOG mission to a new nonprofit player.

3. The AOG Board of Directors wants to be responsive to member needs and will continue to assess the 2006 Graduate Survey for actionable items. At the same time, the board will continue to encourage open communications between AOG members, the Class Advisory Senate, and the board.

4. The AOG Board of Directors aspires to a greater AOG role in matters related to the heritage and traditions of our school. In my view, it serves the best interests of the AOG and the Academy if the AOG is the public voice of the graduate community and serves as the primary source of advice for the superintendent in this area.

In 2008, the directors will be working closely with the AOG staff and a new CEO to assess current AOG programs and will not hesitate to rebuild, redefine, and redirect as necessary. A primary emphasis will be on designing a new AOG Development Program that will include an assessment and evaluation of the Comprehensive Capital Campaign that is currently on hold. In addition, decisions will have to be made on [1] how to repopulate the AOG Development Staff consistent with the new AOG Development Program, [2] the best ways to work with the Superintendent to support needs of the Academy, and [3] how to assure that AOG operational funding requirements are satisfactorily fulfilled. Also, as directed by the bylaws, the Governance Committee will be overseeing a comprehensive Biennial Bylaws Review. Concurrently, the CEO Search Com

mittee will continue its work to hire a new CEO; and the Human Relations Committee contemplates working with the AOG staff to undertake an assessment of the structure of the AOG staff to see if some realignment might be in order. And, among other major board activities, the Nominating Committee is screening candidates to identify nominees to fill two Appointed Director slots on the AOG board; and the very busy Alumni Relations Committee is evaluating a proposal to create an AOG Honor Advisory Committee.

Clearly, the months ahead are going to be busy. The reality that the board and the membership must deal with is that managing change is not an easy or quick process. The board is committed to a positive course but will need member help and understanding as we navigate the inevitable bumps in the road andthe resulting questions and uncertainty. With persistence, the end result will be a stronger, more influential AOG with clear goals, achievable objectives, and realistic expectations.

In closing, on the behalf of the AOG Board of Directors, I want to extend special thanks to Ed Eberhart, ’68, and Marty France, ’81, for their hard work and dedication while serving as directors. Both have decided to step down as a concession to professional and personal demands. I also want to extend a friendly welcome to Kevin Carmichael, ’77, and Terry Storm, ’61, who have been selected by the board to serve as directors until the next AOG Election in 2009. In addition, I hasten to add a special wish of “Good Luck” to Jim and Cindy Shaw as they prepare to start a new chapter in their lives. Jim has served the AOG well for many years andthe AOG has grown and prospered during his tenure. The impact of his leadership while serving as president and CEO will be felt for years to come, andthe board thanks him for his dedication and commitment to the AOG and the Academy.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe and joyous Holiday Season. 9

AOG BOARD ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT DIRECTORS

The AOG Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin .1 I f-j-y I -rCarmichael, 77, and Terry Storm, '61, to fill the unexpired terms of Marty France, '81, and Ed Eberhart, '68.

Stat Academy

Awhole lotofgoodgoing on!

BYLT.GEN .JOHN F.REGNI, ’73

Irecently hit the two-year point as the Academy’s 17th superintendent. The time has passed quickly, but I’m still able to say with the utmost confidence, “This is the best job in the Air Force!”

As we start the trek into the next year, let me take this opportunity to bring you up to speed on the state of our Academy. Bottom line: There’s a whole lot ofgood going on!

It all starts with our cadets. Cadets today are all here after 9-11, they’re all volunteers, and they’re extremelywell-qualified by any measure we apply in our admissions process. Most importantly, they “get it.” They want to serve. They want to excel. When we raised

the standards, they said, “OK, we’ll live up to those standards.” They’re incredibly sharp and all you have to do is spend some time with them to realize why I don’t lose any sleep worrying about the next generation oflieutenants and senior Air Force leaders a ways down the road.

HONOR

As it has since the first class entered the Academy in July 1955, honor remains the bedrock upon which our great institution is built.

Grads are often concerned that, with each review of the Cadet Honor Codeand honor system, we have softened our approach

to holding cadets accountable for their honorable behavior. At last count, there have been at least 14 major reviews ofthe code and system over the history of USAFA. Some have resulted in changes to the honor system, its processes and sanctions for violations of the code. However, with the exception of some minor wordsmithing ofthe original code in 1962, none ofthe reviews has resulted in any change to the Honor Code itself.

Our most recent review of the honor system began in 2006 and took more than a year to complete. It involved cadets, graduates (including a member of the Class of’59), a former superintendent, non-grads, active and retired personnel, and Academy staff members. The review panel was tasked with determining whether the honor system’s processes and procedures facilitated dishonorable behavior. The panel concluded that certain aspects of the system did, in fact, encourage dishonorable behavior by some cadets who violated the code to “game the system” by denying the violation, then taking their chances at a Wing Honor Board.

Recommendations were made, reviewed and revised, and proposed changes to the honor system were voted upon by the Cadet Wing; 77 percent ofthose who voted approved the changes. A majority ofthe cadet-approved changes were implemented by the time the Class of 2011 was accepted into the Cadet Wing in August.

While the Honor Code will not change, the system that supports it demands periodic review. It is crucial that it support the spirit and intent of the code, while at the same time, protect cadets’ legal rights and account for the needs of the Air Force. It needs to be tough, but fair. It must always remain the Cadet Honor Code and no one else’s. We believe we have satisfied all those conditions. (Two very detailedarticles about the Honor Code, honor system and the recent changes can befound in theJune 2007 edition ofCheckpoints, pages 62-66.)

NATIONAL RANKINGS

Whether or not you put a lot ofstock into the media’s annual college rankings, it’s always nice to be singled out before a nationwide audience as “the best” in any category. U.S. News & WorldReport magazine did just that for USAFA in their annual “America’s Best Colleges” issue.

Our Academy was named best baccalaureate university in the west (the “west” including Texas and Oklahoma; and all the states north, south and west ofColorado, including Alaska and Hawaii). The best-in-the- west ranking was based on a broad range of university-wide statistics, including student-to-faculty ratio (8:1), percentage offull-time faculty (100 percent), acceptance rate (19 percent), and average class size (81 percent ofclasses have less than 20 cadets in them). I suspect we would have rated best in the north, east and south as well, had they let us compete in those regions!

The magazine also ranked our engineering programs overall as #7 in the nation (tied with Bucknell), and gave a #2 rating to our Aero and Astro programs (for the seventh year in a row). We follow only Embry-Riddle in that category—pretty good company to keep!

In Civil Engineering, we shared the #7 national spot with VMI, Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, and Illinois’ Bradley University. We tied Rowan U. in New Jersey for #8 in “Double-E.” And, even though USAFA is primarily a science and engineering school, our Management Dept, garnered a #83 overall, but a whopping #1 for

the nation’s best undergraduate business management programs!

In our primary mission area—developing leaders of character—Leadership Excellence magazine ranked USAFA as the #2 leader development program in the government/military category. We were second to DoD’s Defense Acquisitions University, but ahead ofthe other military academies, the FBI Academy, the Army Rangers and the National Defense University.

Another rating that we’re most proud of came from the Princeton Review. For the third consecutive year, the Academy leads the nation with “professors who make themselves accessible” to their students. In the tongue-in-cheek categories, the Academy was ranked #1 for students who “don’t inhale” (low drug usage); #7 “stone-cold sober” school; #14, “everyone plays intramurals;” and #16 for “scotch and soda, hold the scotch” (alcohol usage reported low).

CHANGES

Let me address some of the changes we’ve made, starting in the area of culture and language. All of our cadets now take foreign language courses—four semesters for non-engineering students, and two for those in engineering and the hard sciences. And, I’m pleased to report that 50 percent of our cadets are studying one of the strategic languages like Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese or Russian. We are also sending about 600 cadetseach year through some form of cultural and foreign immersion, including some cadets who spend an entire semester abroad at universities in Morocco, China and Russia.

For the chemistry majors reading this article, you’ll readily recognize the molecule, C 2 H OH. We view it as a serious problem. It’s alcohol, the drug of choice among young people today, including some of our cadets. Fortunately, we haven’t faced too many incidents of the binge drinking that plagues many college campuses. Unfortunately, nearly half the time cadets get into serious trouble here, alcohol misuse is the common denominator and contributor to their behavior.

In an effort to deter alcohol abuse at USAFA, we have reinstituted our punishment tours program, with alcohol rule violations being the only ones for which tours are authorized. A first alcohol “strike” will land a cadet on the tour pad for many, many hours, plus additional time at the Cadet Area entry control points on Friday and Saturday nights handing out alcohol awareness and education materials to fellow cadets leaving for and returning from their off-duty privileges. A second alcohol “strike” will quite likely result in UCMJ action and/or the offending cadet’s disenrollment from USAFA.

In September, we temporarily lost our major powered-flight program here. The Academy Flight Screening program, a contract operation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University flying Diamond DA-20s, ended. Its demise was partly due to service-wide budget constraints, but was also the result ofthe consolidation ofall Air Force flight screening into a single operation in Pueblo, Colo. All officers destined for pilot training now will be screened in Pueblo, including Academy grads who had previously been screened here as cadets during AFS.

We feel so strongly about the need for a powered flight program, however, that we’re working with the Air Education and Training Command and Headquarters, U.S. Air Force to find the money to bring a powered-flight program back to the Academy’s airfield. Our

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vision is for a flying orientation vice flight screening program that will introduce cadets to powered flight and keep them fired up about becomingpilots after graduation. The new airmanship program will be tied to their studies in aeronautics to make the link between the classroom and actual operations in the skies. Were encouraged by the support we’ve received from the AETC commander, as well as the Air Force Secretary and ChiefofStaff; and were hopeful ofhaving a new program in place by the summer of2009.

Speaking of flying and pilot training, it’s important to note that we’re filling 100 percent of our undergraduate pilot training slots (the Academy gets half of the Air Force’s UPT slots each year), and we have a waiting list ofpilot-qualified cadets to fill any vacancies that might pop up.

SERE: Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion—quite possibly the most valuable training program ever offered at the Academy -ended in the early 1990s. SERE is often credited with teaching young men and women more about themselves than any other USAFA program. It was followed by Combat Survival Training,

but that, too, ended in favor of other summer training like Operation Air Force and Global Engagement.

SERE is coming back. By the summer of2009, all cadets will go through a variation of the old Vietnam-era training. The new program, however, will not include the prisoner of war camp scenario,; that will be replaced by hostage-type scenarios similar to those experienced by troops deployed in support of the Global War on Terror—more realistic for the type of combat our graduates will face in the operational Air Force.

The new SERE’s hostage scenarios will be conducted by professional, active duty trainers from the Air Force Survival School at Fairchild AFB, Wash.; we will bring them TDY to USAFA each summer to train the cadets. The remainder of the SERE training will be executed by a cadre of upper-class cadets, and officer and enlisted permanent party.

RELICSON

A recent blogpostingby a 1970 USAFA grad stirred some folks up again about the religious respect situation here. Unfortunately, this grad did not bother to call anyone here or check out the current state ofaffairs before he posted his missive on the blog site. Had he done so, he would have learned that things have changed considerably since the alleged incidents about which he writes on the Web.

Yes, there were some incidents and activities that occurred at USAFA in the 2004-2005 timeframe in which individuals or groups crossed the line regarding Air Force and Academy policies on religious expression in a military environment. It was a situation discovered initially by then-Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Rosa, who directed the leadership to research the potential problems, then develop education and awareness programs for everyone at USAFA—cadets and permanent party members alike—so all would understand and operate within the approved parameters. Those programs were launched in early 2005 and continue today.

Further, because ofthe spotlight then being shined on USAFA by some grads, staffmembers and the media for alleged “religious intolerance,” a special task force from the Pentagon was sent to look into the matter. The team reported that, while there had, in fact, been some individual incidents ofrules violations, there were not widespread or systemic problems with religious respect at the Air Force Academy. A subsequent review by the Air Force Inspector General also cleared our former commandant, now-Major General JohnnyWeida, ’78, ofall the allegations against him, as well.

As part of our goal to ensure respect and dignity in all human endeavors here, we have implemented several new programs and procedures in the religious realm to help protect every person’s right to believe—on not believe—as they choose. Some examples:

■ The Academy’s Master Calendar now reflects the major holydays, holidays and specialworship requirements ofthe major faith groups represented here. This allows us to accommodate the religious, belief and spiritual needs of our cadets as we schedule classes, military training events, cadet exercises, etc.

■ Our chaplains send out religious “NOTAMs” (notices to airmen) every other month advising cadets, staff and leadership about upcoming major religious events, and special days and requirements so all can plan accordingly.

■ Accommodation of beliefs and spiritual needs for religious and

nonreligious groups and individuals is our goal. Where, previously, the onus was on the individual to request accommodation ofhis or her special needs (e.g., special meals during holy days or time for prayer), the Academy staff now anticipates and routinely accommodates those needs whenever possible within the constraints of mission requirements.

■ The Air Force Revised Interim Guidelines on Free Exercise of Religion were long ago deployed across the Academy. In fact, we had implemented them before they officially became policy across the Air Force.

■ In conjunction with the Air Force guidelines, our senior chaplain’s staffdeveloped a “Commander’s Religious Guidelines Toolkit” that we deployed to all commanders on USAFA, including AOCs in the cadet squadrons, our faculty and our coaches. The toolkit gives Academy leaders information and recommendations for executing the Air Force guidelines and policies, including those dealing with interpersonal religious communication, religious accommodation, public prayer in a military environment and much more. The toolkit helps commanders, staff and cadet leaders deal with the myriad religious respect issues potentially affecting their units and people.

■ Finally, and likely most important, was the establishment of the Cadet Interfaith Council. It was formed to discuss religious respect and accommodation issues, and potential problems. Cadets on the council routinely advise the active-duty leadership on the religious climate at our Academy.

I am pleased to report that all of this is working. In the past two years, there have been no reports of major violations ofAir Force and Academy policies regarding the practice of one’s faith and beliefs. When we do learn of an individual infraction, we immediately inquire to learn the facts, then take corrective action.

“FIX USAFA”

The infrastructure of our Academy is quietly crumbling as it ages. As you all recall from your required knowledge of USAFA history, most of the structures and support systems here were built at the same time in the late 1950s. And, most had a projected life cycle of40 years. They are now more than 50 years old, and are deteriorating at the same time.

On the outside, they stilllook pretty good, but they’re in dire need of rehabilitation via a project we’re calling “Fix USAFA.” We’ve already identified $950 million in repairs that need to be made, and have developed a 15-year program to make them happen. The Air Staff—even during these extremely lean years of funding for our Air Force—agrees with us, and has promised the first $250 million over the next five years (FYs ’09-T3) to get the multi-phased effort underway. Over the last two fiscal years, we have received $40 million to start the design efforts for a variety of Fix USAFA projects, giving us $290 million overall to start bringing the campus infrastructure up to 21 st century standards.

FOUNDATION & NON-PROFIT RELATIONSHIPS

The Academy routinely deals with a number ofprivate foundations and non-profit organizations that provide what we call “margin ofexcellence” support for a variety ofcadet programs that run the gamut from major character and leadership development programs,

to cadet travel, to cadet clubs and much more. These programs would not exist without the generous financial support from organizations like the AOG, Falcon Foundation, Academy Research and Development Institute, Air Force Academy Foundation, Friends of the USAF Academy Library, Air Force Academy Athletic Association, USAFA Endowment, Inc., and others. To each of them, our heartfelt thanks for all you have done and will do in the future!

As we’ve reviewed our various development programs and processes—including meeting with the top leaders ofall ofthe organizations listed above, and others—we have determined that a new, more efficient foundation structure might be in order as the Academy moves into its next 50 years. The new structure is a work in progress, so we’re not quite ready to roll out the specifics, but watch this space in a future edition of Checkpoints for more details on what it will look like, how it will function, and what we project to be the benefits of doing business with our private partners in the future.

FAREWELL, COLONEL SHAW

Those who follow Association of Graduates’ news are aware that AOG President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Shaw, ’67, has submitted his resignation from those posts. His tenure ends in mid-January 2008.

His departure will mark a sad day for our alumni association. At no time in its history has the AOG been a better, more professional, more supportive organization than it has been under Jim’s leadership. He and his team took a good organization and turned it into a great, world-class alumni association that provided not only superlative service to more than 39,000 grads, but also outstanding support to our cadets and alma mater. His foresight and personal involvement resulted in raising our cadet characterand leadership programs to exceptionally high levels of excellence.

Jim had a vision that he turned into reality for each of us. His dedication and service will be sorely missed. Colonel Shaw, on behalf of the men and women of the United States Air Force Academy—and graduates worldwide—I salute you, and bid you and Cindy blue skies and following winds as you begin the next adventure in your lives.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

In closing, Debby and I wish you the happiest ofholidays and an exciting 2008. We hope the spirit of the season finds everyone safe and with the ones they love. And, as a special holiday treat, we have accepted an invitation for our mighty football Falcons to compete in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas, on New Year’s Eve. Kickoffis at 11:30 a.m. (CST) and great ticket deals are available (go to www.goairforcefalcons.com and click on “Armed Forces Bowl’). We want to turn out a sea ofblue for this nationally televised game, so please make an effort to be there!

We are continuing our collective efforts to move our Academy forward, and we anticipate many great things for 2008, including the marking of a major milestone with the graduation of our 50th class, the Class of’08! The Long Blue Line continues to lengthen and strengthen! IS

reetings from the Cadet Wing! This semester has flown byfast, and for those ofyou who are not abreast of what has happened in the past few months, I would like to share a summaryfrom my perspective.

First, I assumed a great command from the SummerWingCommander C1C Kenny Grosselin. Some ofthe highlights from the programs under his guidance include Basic CadetTrainingpreparing more than 1,200 members ofthe Class of2011, and theAviation Group conducting over 2,240Academy FlightScreeningsorties, maintaining a 90 percentAM-490 completion rate, and a 100 percentAM-251 completion rate. Furthermore, a total of1,230 Basic Cadets received initial airmanshiptrainingthrough AM-100, including 1,156TG-10B/C orientation flights, as well as 1,028 UV-18 rides, and 41 tandem freefalljumps. I experienced the hardwork this first batch of’08 commanders put in from the lowest levels, including an outstandingOps AF tour at ShawAFB, S.C., with the best fightersquadron in theAir Force, theTigers ofthe 79th FighterSquadron, and as the commander ofFlyingTigers Bravo Flightduring 1 st BCT.

Squadron and group commanders have reallykept the ball rolling into the academic

Commander’s

By C1C Ian K. Helms

year. They have stood up their staffs and met the varied challenges ofthe semester with the kind ofenthusiasm and professionalism you would hope to find in a group ofsoon-tobe lieutenants. I credit all the success in the CadetWing this semester to their leadership including a marked improvement in drill and ownership over their squadrons’ daily opera- tions. Although there are many factors that play into such incidence, it appears that the strongleadership and emphasis on alcohol responsibilitythroughout the cadet chain of command has producedpositive results, with only 13 alcohol hits through the majority of the first semester under a broader structuring ofwhat constitutes an alcohol “hit.”

This contrasts sharplywith the previous year, where the CadetWingexperienced over 250 hits over the course ofthe academic year.

We certainly are not through yet. Commandants Challenge is a looming milestone in the semester that will test the organiza- tional capabilities oftheWing. In addition to the standard SAMI, uniform inspection, and marching, cadets will perform a series oftasks in the FieldTraining Exercise (FTX) at Jack’s Valley. These include HH-60 and CH-47 ColoradoArmyNational Guard airlift out to theValley, convoy operations, individual movement and tactics, as well as land naviga- tion, Self-Aid BuddyCare, and Nuclear Biological Chemical Readiness exercises.

The entire FTX utilizes MultipleIntegrated Laser EngagementSystem (MILES) gear to simulate a combat environment, a significant improvement in scope over previous years. Additionally, the Commandant’s Challenge features a 6-mile PT challenge, a knowledge bowl-style Falcon Feud event, and a culminatingparade.

Cadets have been successful outside of their squadrons, as well. Athletics have started out strong, including a thrilling football campaign that concluded with an overwhelmingvictoryagainst San Diego State and a 9-3 regular season record and a victory against West Point. Men and Women’s Cross Countryhad outstanding seasons as well, including two firsts, a second and two third place finishes for the Men, and a second, third and fourth place finish for the Women. Men’s Basketball has jumped out strong as well, ratcheting up a 3-0 start.

The cadets training at the airfield have continued to do an outstandingjob repre- senting theAcademy into the fall semester. The 98th FlyingTrainingSquadron and the Wing ofBlue have earned fourth place at the U.S. Nationals meet, first in the 2007 Colorado SkydivingLeague, first at the Black and Gold meet hosted by the U.S. Army Golden Knights, and are favored to win U.S. Collegiate Nationals in December. At the Black and Gold Meet, Cadet First ClassJake Kahn

finished first in SportAccuracy and Cadet First Class Zach Alexander finished second in ClassicAccuracy. Demonstration team highlights includedjumps into Falcon Stadium as “The Bird,” the Old Miss vs. Florida football game at Old Miss, an Atlanta Braves game, the Air Force vs. Utah football game, MondayNight Football Broncos vs. Packers, andvarious air shows includingPueblo, Peachtree City, and Niagara Falls. The soaring instructors ofthe 94th FlyingTraining Squadron have kept pace as well, standing up static displays for all the home football games, at HollomanAFB, N.M., and the Notre Dame football game. They also boasted a 100 percent completion rate for :he B-Go ofAM-251 this fall. In addition, heAerobaticTeam won the 2007 National Verobatic Championship in September. Academically thewing has continued o improve. Both the first and fourth-class adets have improved fall progress GPAs, tid a lull 42 percent oftheWing are above le 3.0 mark through the first halfofthe mester. Additionally, all ofthe fourth-class idets received the initial offering ofthe First:ar Experience program, whichprovides em with mentors from the permanent rty and faculty.Although the entire class s not yet had the opportunity to enjoy ; rigors ofmandatoryChemistry 141, it pears that the new focus on academics is ningpositive results for the Class of2011. rthermore, I am proud to announce that ng Executive Officer C1C HilaLevy n a 2007 Rhodes Scholarship andwill be nding Oxford University next fall. )verall, thewing is rolling into the >nd halfofthe year in the right direction.

Although I realize most ofCheckpoints readership has far more leadershipexperience, I would like to take the chance to share some ofmy personal reflections on serving as the CadetWingCommander. As expected, this has been the most challenging and rewardingjob in which I have ever had the privilege ofserving. I previouslyhad no experience on a wing or group staff, so although I felt fairlyconfidentregarding my ability to lead from a personalexample and build strong interpersonalrelationships, I had very litde organizationalleadershipexperience. These shortcomings show in several ofthe mistakes I made this semester. Following our football teams inspiringvictoryagainstTCU earlier this semester, I spoke with the commandant aboutpossiblycancelling the Saturdaytraining. I tookher initialpositive reaction to be more concrete than realitywould ultimately allow (there were issues with coordinating with external agencies and the like that pro- hibited us from cancelling the training), and made the serious error ofcommunicating this inclination to my group commanders. It was then apparentjust howquicklyclose-held information spread in an organization like the CadetWing. It seemed that five minutes later everyone was talkingabout cancelled Saturdaytraining. I credit the wing for the maturityand enthusiasm theydisplayed in completingwhat turned out to be a halfdays worth ofSaturdaytraining in the end.

At the beginning ofthe semester our vice wingcommander, director ofoperations, and I instituted a “48-hour” rule, in which we attempted to avoid assigning tasks to the squadrons no later than forty-eighthours before it was due. This was anotherfailure of

mine, although we tried our hardest and had some success (italways seems that things pop up at the last minute). The inability to jump on thingsearlyseemed to happen to us in other arenas as well. I honestlythink that ifI had the opportunity to serve in this capacity again I would address the small discipline issues at the outset ofthe semester, instead of dealingwith them as theyemerged. Lacking that move towards beingproactive allows one to deal with other problems, but ends up frustratingyou later in the semester.

Although I certainly made mistakes, I think I was able to conduct some successful experiments this semester, as well. My favorite ofthese initiatives was an effort to push as many decisions as possible down to the group and squadron level. Naturally, the squadron commanders could make not every decision, but the conscious effort on my behalfproduced some interestingresults. Furthermore, each group (andcertainly the squadrons) took on the character oftheir commander as the semester progressed, and the results were often pleasantlysurprising. Overall, the best aspects ofthis semester were the ability to workwith a widevariety of people, the sensation that I was able to influence my environment, and the outstanding staffI hadworkingwith me.

In the spring I look forward to ClCJonny Reynolds’assumption ofcommand. He is a motivating, enthusiastic leaderwho has the personality to motivate the CadetWing, and ensure that every class begins their transition to the next level, fi

In February of this year, the AOG launched a new Web site with added features and services, a sleaker design and easier navigation.

Some of the added features are:

■ A new membership area and online directory with greater search capabilities

■ A new photo gallery where high quality images can be viewed and purchased

■ A new online store

■ Easier event registration

■ Flash multimedia and streaming videos

■ ZoomieNationa closed e-community for AOG members and USAFA grads for social and professional networking, reconnecting and mentoring

ZOO

Want to fly Raptc ■? Get in line

Got DREAMS OF BECOMING AN F-22A RAPTOR PILOT? BET FOR THE NEAR FUTURE IS LEARNING TO FLY AN FSCORING HIGH IN UNDERGRADUATE PILOT

IF YOU DO, YOUR BEST 15C Eagle or SO YOU CAN GO INTO THE F-22A PILOT PIPELINE.

The Air Force is in the early stages ofassigning first lieutenants straight out of the introductory fighter fundamentals course to F-22A training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. But the Air Force is limiting F-22A training slots for veteran pilots to aviators cross-training out of F-15Cs. While Air Force leaders want about 388 Raptors, Congress has capped the Air Force’s F-22A buy at 183 jets. If the

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limit sticks, that means the service will need around 230 to 275 F-22A pilots at any given time.

Today, the Air Force has two operational F-22A combat squadrons at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and a training squadron at Tyndall. A fourth squadron is building up at ElmendorfAir Force Base, Alaska, and more squadrons are pegged for Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

At Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, seven student pilots and one first-assignment instructor pilot are vying to become one of the four pilots assigned to the F-22A as their first fighter.

The eight officers are taking an introduction to fighter fundamentals course at the 435th Fighter Training Squadron, designed to prepare pilots for the F-22A.

First Lt. Austin Skelley, ’05, is one of the eight with a 50-50 shot at climbing into the cockpit of an operational F-22A. While a student pilot at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Skelley put the F-22A at the top ofhis dream sheet. After finishing at the top ofhis class, he got his wish.

Now, every time he gets ready to fly an AT-38 Talon, Skelley tries to put that F-22A dream out of his mind.

“I just try not to think about anything but my next flight,” he said.

The commander of the training squadron, Lt. Col. Dan Carlson, said the eight students are not trying to get an edge over each other.

“They are working very well together,” he said.

For the most part, thestudents are flying the same fighter fundamentals course F-15C candidates fly, Carlson said. The main difference will be near the end, when the F-22A students get three additional flights in air-to-air combat scenarios that have them and another jet defending against a third jet. The goal of the additional flights isn’t to see who can win a dogfight but to give the students more experience establishing their fighter’s role and position, Carlson said.

The fighter fundamentals course is expected to end shortly before Christmas. No date is set for when the students will learn who will be heading to the Raptor. The students not selected will likely go on to F-15C school, Carlson said.

The current plan calls for the F-22 students to begin the Raptor course in the spring, Carlson said. However, before the new pilots get to make their first flight in a single-seat F-22A, they’ll get a few sorties in a two-seat F-15 or F-16, where they will experience 9G maneuvers for the first time.

While the Air Force is preparing to let first lieutenants fly Raptors, the service is limiting which veteran pilots get a seat in the fifth-generation fighter.

When Raptor training started in earnest about three years ago, a cross-section of fighter pilots was assigned to F-22A cockpits with the idea that F-15E, F-16, A-10 and F-l 17 aviators would bring their ground attack experience to Raptor squadrons while F-15C pilots would add their air-to-air combat expertise to the mix.

Also, many F-15C pilots were grandfathered into Raptor positions because F-22As replaced their Eagles.

As of October, former F-15C pilots comprise about 68 percent of the active-duty F-22A pilot community, according to the Air Force. However, the percentage of former F-15C pilots will rise.

Last spring, Chiefof Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley directed that 85 percent of active-duty Raptor pilots must have F-15C backgrounds. Reaching that goal requires the service to change who goes to F-22A school.

“Since we are drawing down the F-15C inventory as we stand up the Raptor, I’m directing that 100 percent of the new [to the F-22A] active-duty pilots entering the Raptor community be previous F-15C pilots,” Moseley wrote in an April letter. Guard and Reserve pilots switching to the F-22A are exempted from Moseley’s directive.

Moseley’s policy allows for exceptions, such as bringing in student pilots. It has not been determined how many will join the Raptor community each year.

Once the 85 percent goal is reached in a few years, the F-15Conly rule will be relaxed.

The last F-16 pilot to switch to the F-22—at least for now— began training at Tyndall in September. He had been picked for the F-22 in January, prior to Moseley’s decision. Moseley predieted that when the Air Force begins standing up F-35 Lightning II training and operational squadrons laterthis decade, pilots from aircraft the F-35 is replacing—primarily the F-16 and A-10—will have a preference for F-35 school slots. H

Call for papers

The USAFA Department of History invites proposals for papers on the history of the Academy for the 22nd Military History Symposium to be held September 28-30, 2009.

Paper proposals are welcome on all aspects of USAFA history, including but not limited to:

Academic programs

Association of Graduates

Athletic programs

Cadet life

Cadets not completing training

Choosing the location for USAFA

Civilian faculty programs

Community relations (town and gown)

Congress and USAFA

Cultural or ethnic groups at USAFA

Establishing USAFA education and training programs

Flying training at USAFA

Foreign exchange programs (cadet and faculty)

Funding USAFA

Gender Issues at USAFA

International (non-US citizen) cadets

Inter-service exchange programs and cross commissioning

Military training programs

Religion at USAFA

Selection of cadets

Selection offaculty and staff

Support programs

USAFA as a site ofprotest/controversy

USAFA graduates

USAFA Preparatory School

The department is also seeking papers representing a variety of methodological perspectives, including but not limited to:

American studies

Biography

Cultural history

Economic history

Ethnic / race history

Gender history

History of sexuality

History of the American West

History of the Service Academies

Institutional history

Local history

Military history

Organizational history

Political history

Social history War and society

The department offers its assistance in obtaining access to archival resources andoral history interviews to facilitate research leading to papers to be submitted to the symposium.

The Proceedings of the 22nd Military History Symposium will be published following the event.

To submit a paper proposal, please send an abstract (not more than 500 words/electronic submissions are preferred, but not required), a CV, and a short research plan (if the research is not yet complete) to: Maj. J. D. Went, Program Chair, 22nd Military History Symposium, HQUSAFA/DFH, 2354 Fairchild Hall, Ste. 6F101, USAFA, CO 80840, or e-mail at james.went@usafa.edu.

For questions about the Symposium, please contact Maj. Grant Weller, Director, 22nd Military History Symposium, HQ USAFA/ DFH, 2354 Fairchild Hall, Ste. 6F101, USAFA, CO 80840, or email grant.weller@usafa.edu.

Cadet awarded Rhodes Scholarship

By Air Force Print News

Cadet 1st Class Hila Levy, from Guaynbo, Puerto Rico, was recently awarded one of 32 Rhodes Scholarships for 2008. Levy is a biology major with Cadet Squadron 9. First in her class, she is an accomplished linguist, minoring in Arabic, French and Spanish while fluent in Italian, Portuguese and Hebrew. Shehas done research on Dengue and hemorrhagic fever in Venezuela. She also has written several papers accepted for publication relating to language in the military and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The scholarship will allow for Cadet Levy, who is the 35th Academy recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship, to study at the University of Oxford in England and complete her Masters of Science in global health science.

The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest and best known award for international study, were created in 1902 through the will ofCecil Rhodes, British philanthropist and African colonial pioneer. Applicants are chosen on the basis ofthe criteria set down in the will, including high academic achievement, integrity ofcharacter, a spirit ofunselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership and physical vigor.

The 32 Rhodes Scholars chosen from the United States will join an international group chosen from thirteen other jurisdictions around the world. Approximately 85 scholars are selected worldwide each year. Cadet Levy is the first Puerto Rican resident to win a Rhodes Scholarship.

CORONA Fall concludes at Academy

By Air Force Print News

Air Force senior leaders concluded the two-day CORONA Fall

conference in October at the Air Force Academy. The goal of this CORONA summit was to ensure planning for tomorrow is not compromised by concentrating on today’s fight.

“Our current mission focus is waging and winning the long war,” said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chiefof staff.

“However, we can’t take our eyes off the strategic playing field. We can’t wait until tomorrow to think about tomorrow.”

General Moseley talked ofthe importance ofGlobal Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power in shaping the future ofthe Air Force.

“Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power...that’s our nation’s asymmetric advantage and something no one else can do. We must ensure that we can provide our nation those capabilities now and in the future,” General Moseley added.

CORONA conferences are held three times a year and allow the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chiefof Staff and senior Air Force civilian and military leadership to come together for frank, open discussions that will lead the Air Force into tomorrow.

Discussions and briefings at CORONA Fall centered on the three themes of mission, people and tomorrow.

Dr. John Hamre, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, provided a strategic perspective on Air Force organization for future challenges. He highlighted that the changing world requires an interagency, full spectrum response for national security.

Lt. Gen. Patrick Paimbault of the French Air Force shared lessons learned from the French Air Force in Africa to assist in standing up Africa Command. The general emphasized that tactical air mobility is one of the most important elements for any operation in the huge expanse ofAfrica.

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Gen. Michael Hayden, director ofthe CIA, briefed leaders on recent developments in the intelligence community. Ms. Sue C. Payton, assistant secretary ofthe Air Force for acquisition, discussed current acquisition programs and emphasized the focus on meeting both today’s urgent needs as well as the needs of tomorrow.

CORONA Fall also featured several airmen who shared their experiences on the front lines. Master Sgt. John Melito spoke about Airmen’s efforts in building the Iraqi Air Force and the success ofthe first 58 Iraqi Airmen graduating from the Air Force indoctrination training.

Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the Air Force vice chiefofstaff, concluded the conference by saying, “Our Nation is facing a complex and dangerous world with strategic challenges that require foresight and planning—not just reaction. During this conference we focused on how we can prevent future wars while still winning the war we’re in.

We have to do both to fulfill our duty to this great nation.”

Buddhist Chapel Dedicated

The Air Force Academy’s first Buddhist Chapel, officially titled the Vast Refuge Dharma Hall Chapel, was dedicated Oct. 29 at the Cadet Chapel.

The ceremony took place on the lower level of the chapel and was followed by a reception at Doolittle Hall.

Dai En Wiley Burch, a Buddhist reverend and graduate of the Academy Class of 1959, officiated over the ceremony.

The AOG provided construction management for the donor-funded renovation. The $85,000 renovation included bamboo flooring, cedar ceiling beams and handcrafted sliding walls and includes an endowment for an additional $10,000 per year for five years. SI

HOW

TWO GRADUATES ARE COMBATING SEXUAL SLAVERY

a Foundation with Somaly Mam

ts close to midnight outside the United Nations. Its early November 2007. Jared Greenberg and Nicholas Lumpp climb into a New York Cityyellow cab, loosen their ties and ask the driver to take them to a 59th Street bar. A few friends, a round ofdrinks, and a toast await them at the Whiskey Park. This pair of2005 Academy graduates have much to celebrate. They have just launched the Somaly Mam Foundation. Two hundred and fiftypeople stood shoulder to shoulder in a UN function room overlooking the East River and Brooklyn skyline, to bear witness to the foundations birth. Its mission is now official - to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate victims ofthe global sex slave trade.

ManyAmericans are not aware ofthe magnitude ofsexual slavery both abroad and

at home. Each year over one million women and children, some as young as five-years-old, are sold into the industry. Ofthe 800,000 victims trafficked annually, the U.S. State Department estimates 17,500 people are sold in the United States, making it the second largest trafficking destination in the world. Today sexual slavery is ranked the third most profitable criminal industry, only exceeded by drug and weapons trafficking. The enormity ofthe problem is reportedly greater today than at the height ofthe trans-Adantic slave trade. These brutal facts fuel Lumpp and Greenbergs quest to end this “international scourge” on humanity.

The creation ofthe Somaly Mam Foundation germinated inside a Laguna Beach sushi bar just five months earlier. Greenberg became aware ofthe $12 billion a year sex slave industry while attending school

in Moscow. He could not ignore the crime. “It was a world that baffled and angered us,” says Lumpp. “We promised to make a difference.” Over plates ofCalifornia and spicy tuna rolls they committed to raise $ 1 million within the next year to help combat the atrocity. This duo now had a mission, but admittedly not a clue as to how to accomplish their goal. “I had never raised a dollar in my life,” says Greenberg. Ignorance, they believe, helped their cause.

“We’re just interested in getting results. Our biggest advantage has been not knowing the rules,” Greenberg says, laughing at the idea. “Everyone in the nonprofit world has been saying you guys have been moving so quick, how do you guys do it?’ Our whole advantage is that we have no idea how you’re supposed to do it. Being from the Air Force Academy,

Opposite page: A Cambodian girl Lumpp and Greenberg met in Cambodia.

(Photo byJared Greenberg) Left: Nic Lumpp and Jared Greenberg in Bryant Park, NewYork City. After leavingthe Air Force underthe Force Shaping program, the 2005 grads decided to maketheworld a better place by fightingsexual slavery. Right: Somaly Mam addresses guests atthe United Nations duringthe launch ofthe Somaly Mam Foundation. (Photos by RobertStuart)

you learn how to get things done.” Lumpp is quick to add, “We learned to take command ofsituations.”

It’s the end ofJune, just weeks removed from that pivotal meeting over sushi. Lumpp nudges Greenberg awake and announces, “Were finally here.” A 19hour flight aboard a Malaysia Airline 737 has brought them to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh International Airport. Outside the terminal Somaly Mam and two staff members from her organization Acting for Woman in Distressing Situations - also referred to by its French acronym AFESIP, hold a sign that reads, “GreenbergLumpp.” Over the next nine days the lives of two graduates will change from concerned spectators to empowered activists. Though they did not intend to form a partnership with Mam on this trip, destiny intervened. “I had not even considered that I would be co-founding an organization with one of our greatest leaders of our time,” says Lumpp. “The name Somaly Mam meant nothing to us until a week before we had plane tickets to visit her in Cambodia.”

It was an Anderson Cooper 360° feature story about Mam, discovered on You Tube, that “intrigued” the Zoomies enough to contact her. “I threw my heart into an e-mail to Somaly,” says Greenberg. His message somehow rose to the top of Mam’s crowded mailbox and registered with the human rights activist. “When I read their e-mail something sounded like they want to help us,” says Mam, trying to translate the sincerity she found in Greenberg's letter. “I do everything with my feelings. I feel with my heart.”

“We are victims for life. Our bodies dead. Our minds dead.” The crowd at the United Nations is hushed by Mam’s words. “They are not prostitutes. They are victims of system.” Considered one of the “most prolific activists” fighting sexual slavery today, Mam describes the effect this crime casts upon its victims. She speaks from experience. As a child she was sold to a brothel where she was tortured and forced to have sex with five or six clients every night. She does not know when she was born, is unsure ofher name, and has no recollection ofher mother. She found the will to escape slavery after witnessing a pimp murder her friend.

Mam would later vow to save others from the plight she knows all too well.

“I want to help victim like Somaly,” says a smiling 15-year-old Srey Pov, her eyes fixed on the floor as a translator conveys her words. Pov’s mother sold her into slavery for $20 at age 7. Mam rescued her at age 10. Helping the Srey Pov’s ofthe world is Mam’s life mission. In 1996 she created AFESIP and has since saved more than 4,000 victims. Her efforts have established three residential shelters within Cambodia. Branches ofthe non-governmental organization now exist in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Teams ofdedicated staffrisk their lives rescuing women and children from brothels. They offer shelter, legal support, education, vocational training andhealth and psychological recovery. The goal is ultimately to give these victims the chance to lead free and productive lives. “What I want for the rest ofmy life is to give what I missed when I was young. I miss love. I miss mommy,” reports Mam to the UN crowd, her emotion palpable. Dozens of cameras flash trying to capture the moment.

Bodyguards accompany Greenberg and Lumpp as they travel the “muddy trash littered streets” of Phnom Penh’s red light district. They are beginning a nine day tour of Mam’s operation. They will visit brothels and witness girls come alive with hope at the sight of Mam. They will tour shelters and meet an 8-year-old girl dying ofAIDS, her virginity sold for $500. They will be introduced to a 7-year-old girl who

survived rape, torture and the confines of a cage. They will visit a business owned by a young woman recently reintegrated into a nearby village-the direct result of Mam’s labor. They will come to know the full spectrum of Mam’s effort. Because of the risk, they are prepared to abandon the tour at a moment’s notice. “Most of the brothel owners know Somaly and many would like to kill her,” says Lumpp. They meet the perilous world that Mam experiences daily.

“Our job is dangerous,” says Mam. “Once this man who ran a brothel put a gun to my temple; he was angry that I talked to his girls. He told me I was a bitch, and that he was going to kill me. Last December we rescued 89 women and children in a police raid on a big hotel. But the pimps went to our shelter and grabbed them back. The next day they threatened to come back with grenades. I phoned everyone I could for help, but I was told I’d gone too far -1 had bothered powerful people. I make a point ofgoing to see the criminals who threaten me. I have to show them I’m not afraid by talking to them.” The threats to Mam are real. Last year Mam’s daughter was kidnapped, drugged and raped by three men. Her stories have rendered Greenberg and Lumpp speechless

at times, but have also helped reaffirm their resolve to fight this depravity.

Greenberg and Lumpp met in an aeronautical engineering class during their senior year at the Academy. Independently they capitalized on a shared entrepreneurial spirit. Greenberg operated an online poker supply business. Lumpp imported suits. Their dorm room enterprises proved an important part oftheir development. Today both work for Academy graduates. Lumpp is chiefoperating officer ofKablinga. com, a Denver based Internet company he co- founded with Art Zeile, 86, and Joel Daly, ’90, that aims to teach kids financial and social responsibility. “A lot ofwhat I have learned about starting a business from Art andJoel has been extremelyhelpful in starting the foundation,” says Lumpp. With ambitions that run the gamut of“being president” to “ripping movie tickets in Wyoming,” Greenberg is a management consultant with Insigniam Performance in Los Angeles. He is quick to applaud his boss and foundation board advisor Nathan Rosenberg, ’74, for the current success ofthe Somaly Mam Foundation. “Ifit wasn’t for Nathan, none ofthis would have happened,” says Greenberg. “He’s been the inspiration behind me creating it. He’s given me the

support to run with my passion. He was the first person to significantly donate to us.”

“The harder we work, the luckier we get,” says Lumpp, looking back over the remarkable developments ofthe past few months. Upon returning from Cambodia, securing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status was a prime concern and necessity for the foundation. Lumpp “took command” and hired a consultant to help with the process. Told not to expect anything back for eight months, Lumpp wrote a letter to the Internal Revenue Service explaining the importance ofexpediting his application. He was approved in three weeks. “Nic worked magic,” says Greenberg.

The duo’s meteoric accomplishments have been bolstered by corporate and grassroots efforts. “LexisNexis has been a huge supporter ofus,” says Greenberg. “They are our main sponsor now. It’s taken everything to a whole new level.” LexisNexis, one of the world’s largest online database services, is deeply involved with the foundation’s

growth and has committed to providing continual infrastructure, technical and financial support. Bill Livermore, director of customer support contact at LexisNexis, has worked closely with the foundation’s creators. “LexisNexis has a long history ofsupporting the rule oflaw around the world. Where human trafficking exists the rule oflaw cannot exist,” says Livermore. “These two young men are heroes. I cannot overstate this. They saw an injustice they could assist with and rather than sit by, and rather than send money, they reached out and committed to do something. Nic and Jared are the finest examples ofwhat their generation is capable of.”

The successful launch of the foundation now leaves Greenberg and Lumpp time to focus on future strategy. Finding an executive director who can effectively carry

Opposite page: Somaly Mam embraces 15-year-old Srey Pov during launch ofthe foundation. At age 7, Srey Pov was sold into sexual slavery for $20 by her mother. She was 10years-old when Mam’s organization AFESIP (Acting forWoman in DistressingSituations) Cambodia rescued and brought her to one of its three rehabilitation centers. Left: A room in a Cambodian brothel. (Photo by Nic Lumpp) Right: Handmade scarves, purses, and jewelrydesigned by rescued girls from AFESIP Cambodia. (Photos by Robert Stuart)

out the global mission of the Somaly Mam Foundation is of top priority for the cofounders. They knowtheir limitations and are not afraid to ask for help. The health of the foundation trumps their egos. “Were really looking to take it to the next level beyond us,” says Greenberg. “Luckily enough the CEO of LexisNexis is on the board of a nonprofit that’s job it is to link former executives to NGO’s.” Military awareness is also on their agenda. “This issue is especially important for military personnel to understand since often those stationed overseas do not know that many of the prostitutes just outside their bases are actually enslaved, tortured and bought and sold like property,” says Lumpp.

Online social networking outlets MySpace and Facebook are generating growing awareness of the foundation’s mission. “One of the major things we want to do is get people to sign up for our e-mail list,” says Lumpp. The

foundation’s presence on these sites has generated thousands of new contacts. “Our focus is to raise awareness,” says Greenberg. “Our focus is results on the ground. That’s where our commitment lies.” Their efforts have also employed the most basic of tactics - word of mouth. “I spoke to a group in Colorado, and at the end I asked them to commit to talking to someone about the cause, one person each day for seven days. That’s what is needed for change to happen,” says Lumpp, his enthusiasm pushing out the words.

Hollywood has rallied around Greenberg and Lumpp’s effort. Actress and activist Daryl Hannah, who has physicallyhelped rescue girls from thebrothels ofCambodia, served as master ofceremonies at the foundation’s UN launch. She passionately urged the crowd “to give everything you can,” to the cause. The events oftheweek raised more than $100,000. Just days before Mam revealed that AFESIP would be bankrupt by the new year. Academy award winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Susan Sarandon who now serves on the Somaly Mam Foundation’s board ofdirectors,

appeared with the nonprofit’s co-founders on The Tyra Banks Show to help promote their mission. At times bewilderment bubbles to the surface ofGreenberg and Lumpp’s unique experience. “Susan Sarandon cooked me breakfast,” says Lumpp, eyes wide with disbelief. “I’m reallygetting used to allthis. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get back to my normal routine in Colorado.” Just the morning before the pair stood in Sarandon’s New York City apartment shooting pool and discussing the future of the foundation.

Support and awareness for the foundation is also being generated among the Academy’s student body. Cadet 1st Class Asha Padmanabhan is attempting to “brand the cause” ofthe Somaly Mam Foundation as part of a project for her Innovation class. Using Khmer silk, Padmanabhan hopes to develop and market ties, scarves and throw pillows to raise awareness and funds. “Once people know about the problem, they are hooked,” says Padmanabhan, a member ofWings of Blue. Chris McClary, a graphic designer who volunteered to design the printed material for the foundation’s launch party, has been deeply affected by his involvement with the campaign. “I broke down. I was so moved by what I was up to. It was really a profound moment,” says the California based designer. “I was designing at a philanthropic level. I felt like I got my life.”

It’s 1:30 a.m. Greenberg and Lumpp leave the din ofWhiskey Park. They’re ready to call it a night. They need rest. The next two weeks have them crisscrossing the country - Denver, Los Angeles, and back to NYC. The Somaly Mam Foundation is open for business. “It’s something worth waking up in the morning for, that’s for sure,” says Lumpp, looking tired but proudly satisfied, m

Lumpp and Greenberg with young women helped by Somaly Mam in Cambodia. (Courtesy Photo)

^ 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.

by Lorna Gutierrez Schriever

The first female cadets to graduate the U.S. Air Force Academy will see their story brought to the silver screen when “Bring Me Men,” a movie namedafter a sign that used to greet cadets upon their arrival to the campus, debuts.

“Bring Me Men,” produced by Summitworks LLC and supported by the Department of Defense andthe Air Force Entertainment Liaison Office in Los Angeles, is slated to begin principal photography in the spring or summer of 2008. Some scenes were filmed at the Army-Air Force football game Nov. 3. Casting calls and crew interviews are also expected to be held in 2008.

The movie will be the first feature film shot at the Academy and will bring the Class of 1980 into the spotlight through the eyes of a fictional female general reflecting on her time there. But at least one Air Force officer at Schriever already knows the story well.

Col. Beverly Plosa-Bowser, the individual mobilization augmentee to the commander of the Space Innovation and Development Center here, was one of 157 women accepted into the first female class in 1976. She was surprised at first that a movie was in the making about her class; but upon reflection, she said she thinks it’s definitely a story worth telling.

Colonel Plosa-Bowser had an opportunity to read the script for “Bring Me Men” recently and gave it a positive review.

“As I was reading the script, I found it pretty amazing how the experiences described what I did personally,” she said. “I think they’ve done a really good job.”

Colonel Plosa-Bowser said one ofthe reasons she joined the Air Force was out ofcuriosity. Nobody in her family was involved with the military, and the idea oftraveling and a receiving a free college education were big draws. The colonel, a native ofNew Hope, Penn., chose to attend the Air Force Academy rather than the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. MilitaryAcademy because she believed the Air Force Academy was more open to integrating women into its program.

Colonel Plosa-Bowser s years at the Academy are years she’ll never forget. She said that upon entering the Academy in 1976, she did not feel welcome.

“We were intruding and ruining a dream the cadets had held for many years—the dream of going to an all-male institution and the fraternal bond they expected as part of the experience,” Colonel Plosa-Bowser said.

Previous page: Female cadetswalk nearthe “Bring Me Men” ramp shortly before the words were removed. (Photo by Ken Wright)Top right: Col. Beverly Plosa-Bowser, currentlythe individual mobilization augmentee to the Space Innovation and Development Centercommander, is shown here duringcadettraining atthe U.S. Air Force Academy. Colonel Plosa-Bowserwasone of93 women who were thefirstfemalesto graduate from theAcademy in 1980. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Sticking with the program was hard. Of 157 women who were accepted, 97 graduated—a statistic that was higher by percentage than the males graduating that same year.

“Our group had the label of the first year, so we stuck to it and hung on despite the ugliness,” the colonel said.

A particularly trying time for Colonel Plosa-Bowser was when she had to participate in a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape course her freshman year. She was paired with two male cadets who did not cooperate and would not work with a female as a team member. As a result, all three cadets flunked, and she had to repeat the process at the end of her sophomore year. Luckily, the two male cadets from the Class of‘81 whom she was paired with the second time were cooperative.

She recalled that during a stage of her SERE training designed to simulate being a prisoner of war, she was subjected to three or four days without sleep. Near the end, the cadets were made to hold a deep bow posture, like touching one’s toes, for more than 15 minutes and had to listen to a speech about how wonderful their captor’s country was. The captor insisted that the cadets pay homage to his country’s flag.

“I could feel anger boiling inside me,” Colonel Plosa-Bowser said. “I thought, ‘No way are you going to make me honor your country’s flag.’

“He then told everyone to stand up and honor his flag, and there was the American flag. I stood up and saluted and had tears streaming down my eyes.”

Although times were hard, the Academy did an excellent job overall to prepare her for the future. And despite the trying times—or perhaps because of them—Colonel Plosa-Bowser said she made some of the best friends ofher life while attending the Academy. She recently visited with some of the other “’80s ladies,” as they call themselves, at her house after an Air Force game.

“When you share very difficult circumstances, you take away tremendous relationships, mutual understanding andbonds that last a lifetime,” she said. H

Your Association of Graduates had another exciting and productive year. This collection of photographs represent just a few of the programs, events and products the AOG supports and produces.

■BBBMBmM

9.

10. Character Development programs

11. Rings for cadets

12. Register of Graduates

13. Award winning magazine.

#S$

1. The Class of 2010 enters through the Heritage Trail

2. Homecoming ceremony

3. Quality merchandise

4. New Web site -professional and social networking

5. Tailgates to support Falcon Football

6. The Memorial Pavilion is dedicated

7. Host numerous events at Doolittle Hall

8. Heritage Trail continues to grow

Cultural Immersion programs

was the best year ever for financial contributions to support the Academy

< fl Lit et ime ot Lodincf >

BY KYLE DAVIDSON

Visionary '77 grad is credited with developing software that forever changed computer programming

These are exciting times were living in.

It is likely that in the past century more has been done to change the world, for good or bad, than anytime in recorded human history. In this digital age, the world is more technologically sophisticated and advanced than ever before and is rapidly advancing each day.

Academy graduates can be proud that many oftheir own are at the forefront of such advancement.

Ofcourse, it is a huge disappointment that not one Academygrad can claim responsibility for inventing the Internet. After all, Al

Gore has that one covered (said with tonguein-cheek, or perhaps keyboard-in-cubby is a better analogy given the digital tools of todaysjournalist).

Yet if it’s any consolation, one grad has been an integral cog in designing the language behind the programs that make up the computer software which makes all of our lives easier, both in the office and at home.

At the young age of 12, Grady Booch dreamed of making a difference in the field ofcomputer science.

Today, the USAFA Class of 1977 grad, IBM Fellow and Association for Comput

ing Machinery Fellow, can feel good about accomplishing the goal he began working toward in 1967; the same year the floppy disk was invented at IBM.

“I went off to the local IBM office, literally knocked on their door and said, ‘I will do anything for the summer, empty trash cans, you name it,’ but they said, you know, ‘Go away kid.’ But there was a nice sales guy who took pity upon me and threw me a nice Fortran IV [IBM Mathematical Formula Translating System] manual with the expectation that I’d probably read it and get bored and never come back. But much to his surprise, I came back the following Monday and said,

Grady Booch went from being a kid with a dream to a man on a mission as he followed his passion for software development. (Courtesy photo)

‘Hey, this is cool, I just wrote a program and I want to run it,” explained Booch, musing about his first programming experience. He added the sales guy was so impressed he found the youngster an open computer to work on where he could teach himselfhow to key-punch, program and debug for what he remembered as “a delightful summer.”

Booch admitted that perhaps he took every 12-year-old boy’s dream of building robots a little to the geeky extreme, but that it served him well throughout high school, eventually leading to an appointment to the Air Force Academy.

Although he had the option ofattending other recognizable and accomplished schools such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford and Carnegie Mellon University, the up-and-coming programmer chose the Air Force Academy because ofits “phenomenal undergraduate program.”

While at the Academy, Booch excelled both academically and militarily. He was a squadron commander, vice-wing commander and graduated 13th overall out ofhis class.

It was at the Academy where he created the formative bonds that would eventually lead to his professional success.

Upon his first assignment at Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California, the fledgling lieutenant’s early computing experience led him to be one of the youngest project managers for a number of technological defense acquisitions. Toward the end ofhis assignment he caught wind ofthe work Academy classmates Paul Levy and Mike Devlin were doing with a new programming language to be used for satellite control. It ended up being a perfect opportunity to collaborate as Booch was soon returning to the Academy to teach and would have ample time and resources to perform his own research.

Upon returning to USAFA, he was directed to find out how this new language, which would eventually comprise Ada, could be used for software engineering.

“This was a program that was intended to be really quite important for the DoD at large, and I found myselfteaching less and less, and spending more time on TDYs going around to a variety of projects, around the world literally, helping them figure out their processes and methods for using Ada,” Booch said.

At just about the time his commitment was up, he was thinking of making the Air Force a career, but received a call from Paul and Mike stating they’d caught the “entrepreneurial bug” and wanted him to join them in starting a programming business. Thus, the company Rational Software was formed in 1982.

“My early work at Rational did a lot of work with the defense programs. It’s not like I ever gave up my military connections but rather they continued on as we started to build products that made a material difference in the way people were actually building and delivering large software systems that were defense critical,” Booch explained.

Since then, Booch has been at the leading edge ofsoftware development. He has written six best-selling books covering programming and software development, but perhaps his greatest contribution to his field was the creation of the Unified Modeling Language.

UML is an object-oriented language that allows programmers to use objects and shapes such as boxes, rectangles and so on, to build their programs in a test

environment, so that software parameters and functionality can be tested before millions oflines ofcode are written. Many programmers who work on large-scale architecture owe Booch a debt of gratitude because of the time his method, affectionately called “The Booch Method,” saves them in coding and debugging.

UML has been used in designing and testing software programs in everything from financial accounting software to formula-one racecars. It is even being used to design the imaging software for NASA’s James Webb Telescope, which will shortly replace the Hubble in studying and monitoring astronomic entities.

Suffice to say, the programmer has made the difference he set out to make three decades ago. Yet with all he’s done, he admits he’s envious ofmany ofhis classmates.

“The Class of’77 was a remarkable class. We had a number ofgraduates who went on to be astronauts, and [do very well for themselves]. We had one guy who at one time was the CIO [Chief Information Officer] of Congress, so there was something they put in the water when we went in. It was delightful to watch the careers of many of my colleagues,” he complemented.

Booch added that he also believes that because of their collective success, they have a duty to give back to the Academy... To be mentors to the new generation of cadets who will go on to become difference makers.

“Those are the kind ofstories that I think are very important for the cadets to know,” he said in regard to how he and his classmates were molded through their Academy experience. “... That the things you learn at the Academy become a part of you, deeply, and do not leave you for the rest ofyour life no matter what you do.”

As for future Academy graduates making a difference in our world, Booch is comforted by what he sees in the newest generation of the Long Blue Line.

“The world is a very different place-a very scary place, and the fact that the Academy still exists to continue to produce men and women of honor makes me feel really good.”

DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE

NOMINATION CRITERIA CHANGED FOR DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD

The Distinguished Graduate Award Committee wants to enrich the pool ofpotential candidates for this important award. The committee has approved the establishment of a “Pre-Nomination Recommendation” which allows people to send the AOG a name and a one paragraphjustification. The AOG staffwould then do internet research to gatherpreliminary information on the nominee. The DGA Committee would determine if the person merited additional consideration and would contact the nominator for assistance in puttingtogether a more detailed package.

The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes 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 its Association ofGraduates, recognizinggraduates whose accomplishments are inspirational and elevate the reputation and the standing ofthe U.S. Air Force Academy. Distinguished Graduates should provide an example to all graduates and cadets ofthe standards that we value and of the abilities that have made our country and society great.

While the selection criteria for this award are extremelydemanding and the competition is keen, we need the assistance of every graduate to identifydeserving candidates for evaluation. Non-graduates are also encouraged to submit nominations. This is our opportunity to recognize our own while identifying those who can serve as an inspiration to future generations ofAmericas leaders.

TIMELINE

May 2007 - June 2008

Award is publicized and nominations are accepted. Pre-nominations must be submitted byApril 1, 2007

JUNE - AUGUST 2008

Selection committee reviews nomination packages

SEPTEMBER 2008

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

APRIL 2009

Award presentation ceremony at U.S. Air Force Academy in conjunction with Founders Day.

SEND PRE-NOMINATION INFORMATION TO Association ofGraduates

3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475 or e-mail gary.howe@aogusafa.org.

For more information, contact Gary Howe, ’69, at (719) 472-0300, or gary.howe@aogusafa.org or visit the AOG Web site at www.usafa.org.

'93 grad's attention names in

writing catches

the of one of the biqaest comic books

ByMatt Brady,Newsarama.com (Article wasfirstpublishedby newsarama.com.) Illustration bylake Bilbao

Marvel Comics has made no secret of the fact that it’s constantly on the hunt for new talent. Given the visual nature involved, the search for new artists usually get the most attention, such as C.B. Cebulski’s “Chesterquest,” but to those paying attention, new writers are regularly popping up in the credits.

And no, they’re not all television or movie writers looking for a second job.

Case in point: December’s Giant-Size Avengers Special #1. Along the writers listed, some guy named Matt Yocum. Nope-he’s not a producer on Heroes, Lost or Battlestar Galactica—\\c s just a man with a dream that’s been realized. Okay-to be honest, there’s a little more to it than that.

We spoke with Yocum about his getting in, and his Spider-Man story.

NEWSARAMA: First off, Matt-how did this project get started? Were you just submitting cold to Marvel?

MATT YOCUM: I was submitting cold, but in a decidedly different way than normal. After having been to a few comic conventions, I saw how many hopeful writers and artists were vying for editors’ attention. So I knew I had to figure out a way to stand out, to somehow have a oneon-one experience.

I had read that at Wizard World LA in 2006 there would be an auction from the comics charity ACTOR [now called The Hero Initiative] to have lunch with

Joe Quesada. I decided right then I was going to win that lunch. I set my alarm to wake me up, held off any last minute bidders, and won. At our lunch, we hit it off, and I pitched him some stories. He got back to me that they were interested in one of them, a story I’d intended for the now-defunct Spider-Man Unlimited title. I followed up at another convention where Joe introduced me to editor Tom Brevoort, and after sending the script, I heard back from editor John Barber saying they wanted it. Eventually it found its home in Giant-Size Avengers Special #1 coming out December 19th.

NRAMA: Now—let’s let the readers in on a side note to all of this—you were doing this in addition to your dayjob, which has its own demands you want to fill folks in on what you do when you’re not writing comics?

MY: I’ m an active duty Air Force major, and right now I’m stationed in the Defense Attache Office at the US Embassy

in Tel Aviv, Israel. I’ve been in the Air Force since I was 17, going to the Air Force Academy, and then I became an officer after graduation 14 years ago. In my current duty as an Air Attache, I have several roles: I represent the Air Force ChiefofStaff to the Israeli government and the other embassies (which includes my wife and I going to every country’s national and armed forces day ceremonies, among other events), I serve as a military advisor to the US Ambassador, and I report on in-country and regional political-military activities.

It was a bit crazy after I first met Joe. I ended up getting this assignment, and I wanted to catch him one more time before I left, to see ifthey were still interested. That’s when I asked my wife ifwe could stop by Philly for a Wizard World convention on the way to Israel to follow up with Joe on the story, and needless to say, it worked out.

NRAMA: What got you started on the writing road? Is it just comics that you’re interested in, or is there more?

MY: Writing has always been my thing, going back to high school. To be honest, I was set on being a novelist. I’ve written two novels, neither of which have been sold, but both of which have taught me a tremendous amount about writing. The second book, a conspiracy thriller that takes place at the Air Force Academy, seemed the most promising when I won an editorial award from HarperCollins, secured an agent, and received interest from Tom Clancy’s publisher. But at the time the curse of The DaVinci Code was such that if you weren’t writing thrillers just like it, your book wouldn’t be touched.

I’ve loved comics since I was 10, and eventually I realized my heart belonged to comics, so I moved in that direction. My dayjob can be pretty busy sometimes, so I have to be selective what I spend my free time on, and right now that writing time is comics.

NRAMA: Speaking specifically about this story—did you come up with the characters, or was your cast suggested to you?

MY: This story was intended for SpiderMan Unlimited, so Spidey was always going to be the central character. But I also wanted to include some other heavy hitters, and I developed a story around Spider-Man’s early days in the New Avengers. That led to Captain America and Iron Man’s involvement. And thanks to Tony Stark’s Illuminati connection, Doctor Strange makes an appearance as well.

NRAMA: Broad strokes - what’s the story about?

MY: My story shows that Spider-Man’s first foray from solo superhero to team player wasn’t as easy a transition as it appeared. Iron Man, as a founder of the Avengers, and Captain America, probably the most recognized Avenger, both realize Peter doesn’t quite understand the impact of being an Avenger. They enlist Dr. Strange to help Peter appreciate the heritage and history of the team and that he’s part ofsomething much bigger. The story is titled “Memorial Day.”

NRAMA: Coming at the comics writing thing totally fresh after being a fan, what surprised you the most about writing a story and seeing it produced?

MY: The biggest surprise writing this story has been the interaction with my artist, Paul Neary. I didn’t know how much input I would have, but Paul and I had some great discussions about the story and the intent ofvarious pages and panels. And then there’s the moment when I thought I knew what it’d look like, and it comes back even better than anything I imagined.

NRAMA: And this was all cool with your superiors?

MY: It’s all in my spare time, so they don’t have any problems. My bosses all know that with me, the Air Force comes first. It has to. The day that it doesn’t is the day I need to get out. I realized this most when I got stationed here in Israel.

In this country, they have a universal draft, men and women, so they don’t have a choice. I did have a choice. And it’s only fair that if I made that choice, I have to give it top priority. It’s too important a job to the people you serve to give it second billing.

NRAMA: So when exactly do you have time to write?

MY: Every morning, early in the morning (before my wife wakes up), I write for one hour. I learned this “one hour” rule when writing my second novel. Some people suggest writing at least a thousand words a day. That didn’t work for me since I never knew how long a thousand words would take. It could take half an hour or four hours, depending on how it’s going. But I determined that I would write at least an hour every day, no matter what. If the angels were singing and I wrote two thousand words in that hour, great. And if the wheels weren’t turning and I wrote twenty words, great. I still put my hour in. I wrote the first draft of that novel in six months.

I’ve applied the same rule to comics. At least an hour every day, and if there’s more time later in the evening, then that’s bonus.

NRAMA: What happens if this leads to bigger things? Do you have time to squeeze more in? Is writing comics something that you’re now considering after your gig in the Air Force is up?

MY: You make time for the things you love, and I love comics through and through. I learned at the Academy how to not waste time, and I’ve always been able to accommodate more—it just means shifting priorities. If I don’t get to watch Heroes Season 1 on DVD for a few more months (since I didn’t get to see it here in Israel), then so be it. Especially if it means writing more for Marvel!

It’s most definitely what I want to do, and I’d rather not wait until my military time is up. Right now I’m writing a webcomic for ComicCritique.com, a little

thriller called Devolution, with an astounding artist named Jake Bilbao. I continue to contribute to that site, writing columns and doing interviews. And I’m also pitching Marvel several miniseries, hoping they’ve enjoyed working with me as much as I have them. I’ve sent them ideas for a SHIELD mini, a revival ofthe Golden Age heroine named Miss America, and an adventure for Israeli superhero Sabra. I’m also prepping a pitch for Image called The Rift, based on a published short story I have.

NRAMA: Hey—one last one, since we don’t often speak to an active duty officer of any branch even though he wasn’t Air Force thoughts on Captain America dying?

MY: For me the reader, all I can say is wow. Brubaker. He stunned me with how good the Winter Soldier/Bucky story was, and he stunned me further with how good the Captain America death story is.

For me as an armed forces member, I’m pleased with how widespread the story of Captain America’s death reached, how mainstream it became. Regardless of people’s political views today, it shows me people still have an American ideal in their hearts, something we can all look to and agree is a good symbol for the country. For those of us that are comic book readers, we read of the best and worst in all of us through these characters. For those uninitiated to comics, which is most people, their knowledge of comic books is only of the best in us.

What I mean is, those who don’t read comics have an ideal in their minds when they think of Spider-Man (the little geek who made it big), Superman (the orphaned immigrant who found a home), and Captain America (the symbol of a nation). When I saw the nation’s reaction to Cap’s death, it made me realize that people still do love our country because they were mourning the death of our country’s ideal. Even if many people don’t know what we in the services do over here, I’m reminded that people still love America. And that makes the job worth it. M

Cadets test FalconSat 3 before launching from Cape Canaveral on March 9,2007. (Photo byJoel Strayer)

Research at the U.S. Air Force Academy history dating ba research program Is a vibrant collection of projects ed on improving the ing environment of our cadets, developing our faculty professionally, and solving real Air Force problems. As we advance, we are looking at new areas that will continue the cadet experi

at the U.S. Air Force Academy

In early wars, technical research was seldom used to influence warfare. Land barons fought wars with massed armies, swords, and brute force. During the Renaissance and later in the 18th century, however, leaders began applying scientific and technical analysis to their military efforts. Although these research efforts were still rare, visionaries like Leonardo Da Vinci and engineer Marshal Vaubanhad a definite impact.

By the early days of the United States Army Air Corps, technological investment was critical. Biplanes gave way to sophisticated aircraft. After WWII, the Army Air Force examined the effectiveness of the overall bombing campaign. The United States strategic bombing surveys attempted to apply the techniques of an emerging discipline, operations research. When the war ended, the newly minted United States Air Force was charged with the mission ofwaging war on potential enemies’ infrastructure.

As a part ofthe fledgling Air Force, the United States Air Force Academy graduated its first class in 1959. Consistent with the vision that led to its founding, the Academy produced exceptional leaders for the Air Force. It wasn’t long before additional needs became apparent. The dawn ofthe sixties and the ongoing Cold War demanded a multifaceted scientific research effort. New methods and tools were needed to overcome a wide variety ofemerging threats.

The United States Air Force Academy was among the leaders ofthis technical revolution. Funded by the Office ofAerospace Research, the FrankJ. Seiler Research Laboratory was established in 1962. A former high school chemistry teacher in Illinois, Colonel FrankJ. Seiler was a strong advocate ofin-house research and the effective use ofyoung scientific officers and officer-candidates. Civilian university students had always participated in research. Seiler envisioned that ifAir Force Academy cadets could be involved in real-world research efforts, then they would be better prepared for their future assignments. The Seiler Lab was established to support faculty and cadet research and to bring significant benefit to the Air Force through orientation to Air Force

By

Brig. Gen. Dana H. Born, '83, Dean of the Faculty

Lt. Col. David E.

Bell, Director of Research

Michael J. Crane, Sr., Director of Sponsored Programs research requirements. The Lab included the Chemistry Division, the Aerospace Mechanics Division, and the Computer Division.

The Air Force Academy became a recognized player in Air Force research, and the Chemistry Division was a key player on the Seiler Lab team. A prime example of early major advances at the Air Force Academy research labs was specialized battery power. The Air Force needed batteries that had a long shelf life and could work under high-temperature conditions. Early sensor, space, and missile efforts depended on these specialized batteries to function.

Working together, faculty and cadets provided a breakthrough in battery technology: the aluminum-lithium metal oxide (AlLiMO) battery. Using previous research in molten-salt technology, the Chemistry Division created a battery that could sit unused for years. The battery could then operate at full power when needed. With advanced batteries powering critical defense systems, aerospace technology became more reliable.

Air Force Academy research efforts continued with the view that technically curious cadets would become better officers and leaders for the military and the nation. To continue nurturing this curiosity the Academy’s research program grew to include new disciplines throughout the eighties and nineties.

Shortly after closing the Frank J. Seiler Lab, a memorandum of understanding was concluded with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in 1995. Important research in aeronautics, chemistry, and lasers continued through the establishment of the Aeronautics Research Center, the Chemistry Research Center, and the Lasers and Optics Research Center.

By 2001, new leadership in Academy research recognized the need to expand the Academy’s research efforts. Between 2001 and 2004, the size ofthe Academy’s research program more than tripled. During this period, Academy researchers demonstrated a way to slash testing costs for new aircraft development. Using high-performance computers, the modeling and simulation research team saved hundreds of thousands ofdollars oftesting costs per hourwith computer modeling as an enhancement to traditional mainstays ofdesign and testing. An exceptional result, considering the program started with an initial grant ofonly five thousand dollars! The net benefit was millions ofdollars saved for the taxpayer, safer aircraft testing, and superior educational experiences forAcademy cadets. l>

The three research centers established in 1995 have now become 10 centers and two institutes. These formal programs are in addition to the ongoing research in the 20 academic departments. The academic research program is now over 12 times the size it was in 2000.

The primary reason that research is performed at the Academy is to enhance cadet education. Independent research which focuses on a one-on-one, active learning experience with a faculty mentor is the ultimate learning environment, serving as the pinnacle for developing and demonstrating the responsibilities, skills, and knowledge that we expect out of our future leaders. Research also serves to keep the faculty who mentor the cadets at the forefront of their respective academic disciplines. Finally, we continue to follow the Seiler Lab tradition of motivating cadets and bringing benefit to the Air Force by solving real Air Force problems.

The Research Center Directors actively work to find projects throughout the Air Force and Department ofDefense, as well as other agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation. We also work very closely with industry through more than 45 active cooperative research and development agreements. Some highlights ofthe current research in each of the centers follows.

Aeronautics Research Center

Recent projects in this centers four jet-engine test cells, five major wind tunnels, water tunnel, and computational facilities have included work for NASA, the Air Force, the Army, and other elements of the Department ofDefense, on projects involving unmanned aerial vehicles ofall shapes and sizes, the NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle, streamlining Predator engine performance, reducingdrag for AC130H Spectre gunships, and NASA’s Return to Flight Program.

High-Performance Computing Research. Center

The High-Performance Computing Research Center is designed to provide advanced computational facilities for computer modeling, processing and simulation. The Center supports all of the other research centers and has been the focus for computational research in crack growth models, computational fluid dynamics, plasma physics, cellular automata, and information security.

Space Systems Research Center

This center is composed of two components: FalconLaunch and FalconSAT. Both programs focus on having cadets “learn space by doing space.” In the FalconLaunch program, cadets design and launch a sounding rocket over the academic year. In the FalconSAT program, the cadets design and build a satellite over a three-year period. The latest satellite, FalconSAT 3, was launched right before graduation this year and is currently being operated by cadets in our satellite control station at the Academy. It is providing scientific data that will lead to better models ofthe space environment to help improve satellite communications and GPS outage forecasting.

Human Environmental Research Center

The Human Environmental Research Center focuses on biology and human performance issues. One research project has looked at the spatial disorientation ofpiloting an unmanned aerial vehicle from another moving vehicle. Researchers are also looking at the effects of lasers on eye tissue. Finally, the center is investigating biomimetics - imitating biological mechanisms in man-made structures. In the current research this involves replicating the visual processing capability of a common household fly in computer chip to improve vehicle navigation.

The 1964 staff of the Frank J. Seiler Research Laboratory. (USAF Photo)

Chemistry Research Center

The Chemistry Research Center has continued its worldwide lead in investigating molten salts and their potential applications. They are using molten salts to produce the hydrogen source for fuel cells to replace the batteries needed by current soldiers in the field to power all of their current electronic equipment. The center is also investigating microbial contamination in aircraft fuel tanks.

Center for In &

One of the research areas in this center is focused on developing new methods for jam resistant communication with having to share a secret key. The center is also developing new techniques for more accurate biometric data analysis, which is used to evaluate fingerprints as a means to access a computer, for instance.

Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension

This center, known as CAStLE for short, has spent the last ten years looking for ways to keep the Air Force’s aging aircraft fleet in flight, reduce the risk ofpart failure, and lower maintenance costs. The center examines material fatigue, corrosion, bonded repairs, and more to help the Air Force determine what repairs are necessary in order to extend the life of a given aircraft. They have recently looked at the C-141 Starlifter, the A-10 Thunderbolt, the C-5 Galaxy, and the KC-135 Stratotanker.

Laser and Optics Research Center

A major portion ofthe research in this center is focused on developing some ofthe basic technology for the Air Forces next generation of lasers for use in militaryapplications, including weapons, defensive systerns, and propulsion. The center is also looking at methods for developinglarge, lightweight, optics to be used in space-based telescopes.

Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center

The mantra that this center follows is “smaller is smarter.” Research has focused on developing very small, lightweight, sensors that can be placed on satellites to characterize the space environment. Some ofthe sensors that the center has developed are currendy flying on FalconSAT 3. The data from these sensors is used to improve existing models ofthe space environment as well as in the development ofnew models.

Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies

The Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies was created to study the future ofspace policy, particularly the role ofspace in national defense. The center is developing the intellectualfoundation for integrating space policy with national security policy, as well as defining the curriculum for space policy studies at the Academy and throughout the world. They are accomplishing these goals through the publication of a textbook on Space Defense Policy, as well as the establishment ofthe Space and Defense Journal.

Institute for Information TechnologyApplications

This Institute exists to investigate cutting-edge technological innovations that will help the Air Force maintain overall information dominance. One impressive example of the products being produced is Warfighter’s Edge (WEdge), which is a project aimed

at getting the most current mission-related information directly to the pilots in the flight briefing room. Air CombatCommand has made WEdge a system of recordand is beginning to incorporate it in its next generation of command-and-control software.

Institute for National Security Studies

The INSS leverages the military-academic community to support national security discourse. Recent research projects have covered strategic security, homeland defense, military force structure, arms control, and combating terrorism.

On the Horizon

The Air Force Academy’s commitment to research from its inception has led to the development of a robust program that is improving cadet education while simultaneously answering important questions for the Air Force, Department of Defense, and the nation. We will continue to support these dual goals as we move into the future; we are always looking for new areas to which we can contribute and provide new motivators for cadet excellence.

One ofthe emerging research areas that the Academy is actively involved in is unmanned aerialvehicles. We are exploring swarming multiple UAVs together to provide more ubiquitous sensor coverage as well as developing and testing new designs to improve loft time.

We are currently setting up a Center for Innovation in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. This center will focus on developing curriculum to teach the concept of innovation to our future leaders, as well as working with the other research centers to find innovative ways of using existing technology to solve new problems.

A final research area that we are considering is in renewable and alternative energy concepts. With the Air Force currently spending on the order of 16 percent of its budget on energy, we must find ways to reduce the energy demands, increase the supplies, and change the culture of energy use within the Air Force. The Academy has several strengths in the energy arena and is exploring the establishment of an Energy Research Center.

Research is an important part of the undergraduate educational experience and the Academy is dedicated to growing its leadership in this area. With the growth of the Academy’s research program, more opportunities have and will continue to becomeavailable to the faculty and cadets. These research experiences foster intellectual curiosity and help develop officers who can work effectively in teams and solve complex problems. Now more than ever, these skills are essential for the officers who will lead the Air Force in this rapidly changing world, SI

Editors Note: In 2007 the Association ofGraduates donated $310,000 to the USAFA Aeronautics Research Center, Space Systems Research Center and the Eisenhower CenterforSpace andDefense Studies. This support was madepossible by thegenerosity ofAOG members and donors.

Class Gift remembers fallen heroes by

Al Burrell

The Class of 1965 recently placed 17 memorials in select locations throughoutVandenberg and Sijan Halls, makingAcademy heritage more personal for cadets and graduates. The class, with the assistance of the History Department and Center for Character Development, recognized graduates who earned the Medal of Honor or Air Force Cross as role models for today’s cadets.

Memorial plaques were mounted outside the dorm rooms where the honorees lived as cadets. The plaques help to serve as a daily reminder of 17 graduates who each sacrificed for their country during their careers.

The plaques include a cadet photograph of the honoree and a summary ofthe actions resulting in the award of the Medal of Honor or Air Force Cross. Members of the Class of’65 hope these plaques will help cadets recognize their own potential as future Air Force officers.

The sole Academy graduate Medal of Honor recipient, Capt. Lance P. Sijan, ’65, CS-20, was one of the 17 honored by his class. Those recognized for earning the Air Force Cross were Donald D. Stevens, ’60, CS-15; Monte L. Moorberg, ’61, CS-04; Philip V. Maywald, ’63, CS-04; John B. McTasney, ’63, CS-16; Jackson L. Hudson, ’64, CS-21; Karl W. Richter, ’64, CS-08; Richard S. Ritchie, ’64, CS-09; Dale E. Stovall, ’67, CS-09; Rowland H. Worrell III, ’68, CS-10; Joseph A. Personett, ’69, CS-09; Tilford W. Harp, ’70, CS-22; Jeffrey S. Feinstein, ’71, CS-07; Michael C. Francisco, ’71; CS-24; Donald R. Backhand, ’71, CS-02; Richard C. Brims, ’71, CS-12; and William Andrews, ’80, CS-27.

The Class of 1965 funded the plaques and paid for all travel,

lodging and other costs necessary for honorees, or their representatives, to attend the memorial ceremony and interact with the cadets. The ceremonies were part of a three day Falcon Heritage Forum, themed “Heroes of USAFA.”

C3C Harry Dale (CS-36) from Bronx, N.Y., contends the Falcon Heritage Forum and dormitory room commemorations “instilled pride in me because I realized that I am in an organization where people have the courage and integrity to do the right thing, even when this may result in admonishment by one’s peers or death in combat.”

The Class of 1965 plans future ceremonies honoring other deserving graduates. A second heritage project is planned to commemorate Association of Graduates’ “Distinguished Graduates.” A third project, still in the approval process, will recognize POW’s, MIA’s, and other graduates who exemplify the proud heritage of the Long Blue Line.

Colonel Mark Wells, History Department Chair, presented the idea of the memorial plaques to the Class of’65. Bart Holaday, class president, and Terry Drabant, class giving chair, led the fundraising and coordination on behalfof their class.

The semi annual Falcon Heritage Forum is presented by the USAFA Center for Character Development and the Association of Graduates. It engages cadets in discussions with men and women of impeccable character as demonstrated through their military service to our nation. This October event hosted more than 40 veterans having earned the Air Force Cross or the Silver Star, and others with recent service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The first forum was held in 1996. The Academy now hosts two per year. To read more about this fall’s forum, please see page 71. fS

TVIs. Janine Sijan, sister of Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance P. Sijan, reads a memorial plaque outside the C£-21 dorm room where her brother fmce lived. (Photo by Kyle Davidson)

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2002 USAFA Graduate

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By Patricia C. McCarter, The Huntsville Times

It was by chance that the secretary’s brother was selected. The air base has dedicated other aircraft on display to fallen pilots, none ofwhom have such influential kinfolk. During research to find compelling stories of downed pilots who had flown jets similar to the Phantom at Arnold, the account ofwhat happened to Maj. Patrick Wynne and Col. Lawrence Golberg was uncovered.

The two men were part of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron—also known as the Triple Nickel—and stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base were they were sent on a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. On Aug. 8, 1966, their jet crashed in the jungle, and they were listed as “missing in action.”

Their remains were found 11 years later.

During the ceremony, SecretaryWynne

Previous page: Then-Lt. Patrick Wynne at pilot training. (USAF Photo) Above: The F-4 Phantom. (USAF Art Collection)

said he was relieved that his brother wasn’t taken as a prisoner ofwar. He said his older sibling was “too idealistic and principled” to have fared well in that environment.

Wynne—a West Point graduate who had just been sent to Vietnam when his brother’s plane went down—said he was so affected by his 24-year-old brother’s death, it took him three years to work up the resolve to go see his name on the Vietnam War Memorial.

“What do you say about your brother?” he said, pausing to gain his composure. “Oh, this is hard.”

He went on to describe the Air Force Academy Class of 1963 graduate as a typical older brother who got him into trouble but who also took him to football games and wrestled with him and looked out for him. He said Patrick was a naturally gifted pianist who decided that ifhe was going

to be on the high school debate team—for which he won a state championship—he’d better also be on the football team so he wouldn’t get picked on.

Wynne said though his brother’s life wasn’t long-lived, it was well-lived. And he said that when a person graduates from a military academy, he is prepared to go to the front lines for his country’s cause, and he knows the ultimate sacrifice ofhis life might be required, “but you never expect to be taken up on the offer.”

Speaking on behalfof Col. Golberg was his brother and his widow. Dr. Ralph Golberg painted a similar picture of his sibling: a gifted musician, a scholar, an athlete, a loyal big brother.

“In the past 41 years, not a day has passed when I haven’t thought ofmy brother Larry,” he said, slipping into tears several times during the ceremony.

Margaret Golberg, who met her husband on a blind date, said the colonel was “indomitable in the face of a challenge.” She said he was slated to come home from Vietnam, but he flew that one last mission because the squadron was short on pilots.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Dick Anderegg, director ofAir Force History and Museums Policies and Programs, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Also a pilot in the Vietnam War, Anderegg flew 2,000 hours in the F-4 Phantom, which he said is also nicknamed “the rhino” and “double ugly” for it’s bulky physique. He said the jet is proof positive that ifyou “put enough thrust behind a brick, you can make it fly.”

“It’s a brute,” Anderegg said. “But the power and magnificence of this machine were a joy, always.” S

Chilton,' 76, feacts USSTRATCOM

Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, ’76, recently took command of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

A Guggenheim fellow, the general completed a Master ofScience degree in mechanical engineering at Columbia University. He flew operational assignments in the RF-4C and F-15 Eagle and is a graduate ofthe Air Force Test Pilot School. He conducted weapons testing in various models of the F-4 and F-15 prior to joining the NASA in 1987. At NASA he flew on three space shuttle missions and served as the deputy program manager for operations for the International Space Station program.

He is a command astronaut pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours in the F4, F-15, OV-104A and OV-105A (space shutdes Adantis and Endeavor), T-38 Talon, U-2 and VC-11, and the B-52 Stratofortress.

He has served as the commander ofAir Force Space Command since June 2006, where he has lead more than 39,700 space professionals providing combat forces and capabilities to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Strategic Command. (Courtesy ofAFPN)

Milliken, 78, pub § MA

In a study that appeared in TheJournalofthe American MedicalAssociation Nov. 14, Army medical officials examined increased soldierreported mental-health concerns in mandatory post-deployment health screenings.

Col. (Dr.) Charles Milliken, ’78, and Col. (Dr.) Charles W. Hoge, two ofthe

study’s authors, found that between the initial Post-Deployment Health Assessment andthe Post-Deployment Health Re-assessment three to six months later, soldiers are more likely to report signs of post-combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“These efforts are about taking better care ofsoldiers,” said Milliken, the principal investigator at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research’s Division ofPsychiatry and Neuroscience during a media roundtable at the Pentagon Nov. 9. “What we’re hoping to do with the screenings is detect mental health problems while they are still small, simple and temporary. When these problems get bigger and more complicated, they are much harder to treat and it increases the likelihood that they will become a chronic, long-term problem.”

The study examinedthe assessments of 88,235 Iraq veterans completed between June 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2006, and found that while only 4 to 5 percent of soldiers were referred for mental health care on the PDHA, three to six months later that number jumped to 20.3 percent for active-duty soldiers and 42.4 percent for reserve-component soldiers. (Courtesy Ft. Leavenworth Lamp)

Chandler, ’74, takes command Gen. Carrol J. Chandler, ’74, took command of Pacific Air Forces Nov. 30 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Air Force Chiefof Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and commander of U.S. Pacific Com

mand, Adm. TimothyJ. Keating, presided over the ceremony. Gen. Chandler assumed command of Pacific Air Forces from Gen. Paul V. Hester.

Chandler will lead some 55,000 airmen and civilians in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Japan and South Korea. He headed the Alaskan Command four years ago and commanded the 44th Fighter Squadron on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, in the late 1980s.

He has also been the chief U.S. Air Force adviser to the Royal Saudi Air Force and was chiefofstafffor operations at Allied Air Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy.

As the Air Force’s commander in the Pacific, Hester directed the service’s part in the U.S. military reliefeffort for victims of the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Thorson, ’67, to receive presidential nomination

President George W. Bush has announced his intention to nominateEric M. Thorson, ’67, to serve in his administration. The president intends to nominate Thorson, ofVirginia, to be inspector general at the Department ofthe Treasury. Thorson currently serves as Inspector General of theSmall Business Administration. Prior to this, he served as ChiefInvestigator for the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation and for the Senate Committee on Finance. Earlier in his career, he served as Special Assistant to the Republican Leader in the United States Senate. ?il

TThe Secret Life of

Dumbsquat

by Don Hall, 76

Waldo F. Dumbsquat excitedly packed his B-4 bag. The chemistry final exam was totally forgotten along with the periodic table. He looked at the airline ticket on his desk and smiled. After he made his bed for airing, the doolie would be boarding a bus for the Denver airport homeward bound.

“Take a break, Waldo!” exclaimed his roommate, Warren Heels.

“Yeah,” chimed in Regs Buch. “The bus doesn’t leave for two hours.”

“I’m ready for Christmas leave, aren’t you?”

“Of course, Waldo, but save some energy for later!” Warren implored.

“Okay, but I want the room checked off by the CQ. The sooner we get out ofthe squadron, the better.”

“Don’t worry, there is plenty oftime,” Regs assured Waldo.

Warren looked out the dorm room window at the lightly falling snow. It would be hard to leave the winter wonderland that was USAFA.

“You know what the world needs now?” mused Warren out loud.

“Love, sweet love?” offered Waldo.

“A good 5-cent cigar?” Regs chortled over his obscure reference to a comment made by Woodrow Wilson’s vice president, Thomas R. Marshall.

Warren frowned. “Though I appreciate the musical and obscure historical references, you are both wrong.”

“Then, what does the world need now?” asked Regs.

“Another RAMBO movie!”

“There will never be another Rambo ...”

Waldo thought a moment. “I’d still like to buy the world a Coke ...”

Suddenly the door flew open and the cadet in charge of quarters burst into the doolies’ room. Waldo and his friends jumped to attention and presented thirty-seven chins. The thirdclassman was definitely irate over being the last CQ before the break. He pointed his boney finger at the freshmen.

“You are the only doolies in the squadron. I’m detailing you to clean the SAR, trunk room, ski room, and foosball room!”

“Sir, may I make a statement?” asked Waldo.

“What is it, you dumb smack?”

“Sir, the name is Dumbsquat. I need to catch a bus at the Bring Me Men Ramp very soon.”

“I guess you better get to work, mister!” cackled the CQ as he retreated to his desk and grease pencil.

Waldo turned to his roommates. “We should have signed out when we had the chance!” he whined.

Warren shrugged. Regs retrieved the mop from under his bed. Waldo knew he would never finish in time to catch his ride. The distraught doolie bolted from the room, disappeared into the laundry chute, and transformed into Colonel Waldo F. Dumbsquat, a man who enjoyed Christmas shopping online. Exploding into the hallway, the officer strode purposely to the CQ desk and picked up the phone. The surprised CQ stood in a brace against the mirror. The colonel ignored the three smoke and dialed the Command Post.

“Now hear this,” Colonel Dumbsquat told the Officer of the Day, “evacuate all cadets to the BOR ASAP. This is an exercise. Now speed out, mister.”

As the usual confused Command Post announcement broadcasted over the PA, the colonel ducked into the latrine and degenerated into Waldo’s puny freshman form. He rushed to his room, grabbed his bag, waved to his friends, signed out ofthe squadron, and double-timed down the marble strip. The snow was beginning to stick now. Waldo hoped the bus could make it over Monument Pass. At the BOR and out of breath, Waldo heard the clanking ofchains. The bus rolled up and the doolie jumped aboard. Clutching his luggage, he settled in for the ride up Interstate 25. He would be home for the holidays.

Waldo smiled. H

“The Nimrods”

Review by Col. (Ret) Jimmie H. Butler, ’63

Nimrods will transport many grads back 40 years to the sights, sounds, and emotions of the Secret War over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. For the uninitiated, Colonel Roger Graham treats readers to a view of what life was like, night-after-night, among a band ofheroic and dedicated warriors who flew A-26s during the Vietnam War.

Night combat sorties in Southeast Asia were among the most stressful and dangerous flying missions. For those who flew only part of a combat tour in the dark, finishing the last night-mission felt almost like getting a ticket home. The Nimrods were night fighters, living their entire tour in a world where flashes of light triggered adrenaline—and lines of tracers flashed up from massed antiaircraft artillery virtually every time a Nimrod attacked. Some readers may wonder if the

dangers Graham describes have somehow grown in memory over four decades. My answer to that question is, “no.”

Graham has chosen a unique approach to telling his story of dangers in the Vietnam War, then coupling lessons-learned to dangers facing America 40 years later. He intertwines his experiences as a professional combat aviator with the personal challenges many of us faced in leaving loved ones behind as we ventured into an unknown future in battlefields halfway around the world. He has chosen from his more than 180 combat missions in the A-26 to tell short tales of flights into the dark skies over Laos. Readers will meet many crewmen he flew with as part ofthe brotherhood of men in combat. In telling us these vignettes, he illustrates what most combat veterans learned long ago: Sometimes the good guys die—and we and their families carry the memories with us the rest of our lives.

The last few weeks of my combat tour as a Forward Air Controller at NKP overlapped Col. Graham’s first few weeks. I felt a kinship with the Nimrods, and I know Graham’s tributes to his fellow fliers are well deserved. Many Vietnam vets who still enjoy life in America avoided being listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall because the bullets with their names on them never arrived in South Vietnam. Many ofthose bullets were incinerated in fire rained down from the darkness by a Nimrod swooping over a truck-filled Laotian road.

Having experienced a war in which American servicemen and women were undercut by a national media that misled the American people and by ambitious politicians who didn’t understand the meaning of duty, honor, country, Graham talks about the parallels that Vietnam veterans see in today’s media and politicians. As I read his list of what Americans need to do today to win this generational War on Terror, I agreed with each item— as most combat veterans would. Unfortunately the list won’t convince those who deny that America is faced with such danger. I fear the list is more of a blueprint that a united America finally will apply after the next major attack on American soil kills tens or hundreds of thousands.

Graham provides great war stories (and pictures) and a well-based historical perspective on the deadly challenges of today and tomorrow. Ifyou’ve ever

wondered what it was like to fly at night through deadly, flak-filled skies, climb aboard an A-26 under the call sign Nimrod and share Grahams view from the cockpit.

The Nimrods is available at www.amazon.com and www.authorhouse.com.

Personal insights about the men who flew under the call sign, Nimrod.

During my combat tour in Thailand, the Nimrods squadron lost five ofits 12 A-26s and nine brave crewmen. Col. (Ret.) James L. McCleskey, ’61, was one ofonly two Nimrods to survive those five losses.

Colonel Graham mentions the loss of two American heroes the morning of Feb. 22, 1967. I still remember that morning. As I approached the Tactical Unit Operations Center to brief for my eleventh combat mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, I witnessed sheet-draped stretchers being removed from the ambulance and taken into the dispensary. The heroic actions of Capt. Dwight S. Campbell and Capt. Robert L. Scholl helped save the lives of McCleskey and Leonard Scruggs. Thirty years later I dedicated A Certain Brotherhood to Captains.

I remember sharing a few minutes in August 1967 with Nimrod Squadron Commander, Lt Col Bruce Jensen, as I gave him a ride to what was to have been his next-to-last mission briefing. It turned out to be his last briefing and illustrates that the combat commanders at NKP routinely took the same risks as the rest of us. Less than a week earlier, Maj. Burke Morgan, ’61, had gone down on an A-26 in the same area ofNorthern Laos, and he remained missing for nearly 40 years.

When I flew night missions over the trail, I was very happy whenever an A-26 joined up as we hunted trucks carrying war supplies to the battlefields of South Vietnam. Whenever I had a Nimrod circling in the dark overhead, the bigger convoy we could find, the better. We’d drop the first flare, put a marking rocket near the lead truck, then hold off to the side and watch the Nimrod make pass after pass until all the trucks were burning or had disappeared into the darkness. The Nimrods were the best truck killers in Southeast Asia until the AC-130s became fully operational in the late 1960s.

Academy institutes honor system changes

By the Center for Character Development

he Cadet Wing recently entered a new era as fundamental reforms to their honor system took effect.These reforms resulted from an Honor System Review Panel commissioned by the superintendent in May 2006.

The HSRP, comprised of cadets, retired and active duty Air Force personnel, and graduates and nongraduates, was tasked with determining whether or not

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Photo by Ken Wright

anything about the Academy honor system facilitated dishonorable behavior.

The panel developed a series of recommendations that were forwarded to and discussed by the Honor Executive Committee. The committee is composed of Cadet Wing and Group Honor Representatives. The changes are intended to reinforce a culture of accountability by eliminating elements that facilitate dishonorable behavior, and provide much clearer expectations of the consequences of dishonorable conduct. Together, the changes provide an incentive for cadets who violate the code to “come clean” by admitting.

The final proposal put before the Cadet Wing was comprised ofthree parts, all essential to the effort to induce culture change at the Academy. Part one dealt with sanctions for those cadets found in violation of the Honor Code.

The previous system contained a long-standing presumptive sanction of disenrollment for all violators; however, a glance at the statistics showed there had been a gradual erosion of disenrollment as a sanction for Honor Code violations.

The proposed change was to implement an absolute sanction of disenrollment for those cadets who deny when confronted, and are then found in violation of the Honor Code at Wing Honor Boards.

Conversely, the proposed change allowed all sanctions (including disenrollement, Honor Readmission, Honor Probation and Honor Rehabilitation) for those cadets who admit to violating the Code and are subjected to a Cadet Sanctions Recommendation Panel, a three-member cadet panel that examines the case in question and submits a sanction recommendation to the Commandant.

Part two reinstituted a sanction called Honor Readmission that was successfully used at the Academy from 1985 to 1993. Honor Readmission is an intermediate sanction reserved for first and second class cadets who are forthright to an Honor Code violation and have a high level of officership potential.

A suspended cadet would be disenrolled for approximately 12-16 months, during which time they would serve as airmen in an active duty Air Force Specialty Code before being given the opportunity to apply for readmission into the Academy, where they would return to their previous cadet rank.

West Point has experienced positive results from a similar program for a number ofyears.

Part three changed the composition ofthe Wing Honor Board from eight to nine members and the voting requirement necessary to find a cadet in violation of the Code from 3/4 (6 of 8 voting in violation) to 2/3 (6 of 9 voting in violation).

The additional cadet will be an at-large member of the Cadet Wing selected from the respondent’s class. By way ofcomparison, the honor systems at West Point and Annapolis utilize a 2/3 voting requirement, as do operational Air Force administrative processes.

In April 2007, the Cadet Wing approved the proposed changes by a 77 percent majority. The changes were implemented when the Class of 2011 was accepted into the Cadet Wing in August.

The changes have been taught to cadets as part of Honor Education and have been briefed to permanent party members. SI

SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference—a career fair hosted four 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., Seattle, Wash., San Antonio, TX and Savannah, Ga.

Alumni

Search for Jobs JSAJE (Joint Service Academy Jobs Electronically) is an exclusive job Web site designed for service academy alumni. JSAJE allows you to browse through job listings and contact employers. JSAJE 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 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, companies may also purchase access to a repository of resumes of those graduates who are in an active transition mode.

iSABRD is the online Service Academy Business Resource Directory and is a great tool to network with other academy alumni. With over 34,750 active profiles of service academy alumni from USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, and USNA, it is an excellent resource for advertising, career networking, and building business connections with fellow alumni. iSABRD can be searched by name, academy, graduation year, city, state, zip code, country, company name, business type and keyword.

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By Dayna Avery f-Hioto by Ken Wright

ut ofthe last five graduating classes, eight students from Reicher Catholic High School have entered U.S. military academies.

“I’m so proud that from Reicher we have so many kids at Air Force,” said Michael “B” Hampton, a 2005 Reicher graduate. “You hear a lot ofkids brag about having another kid from their high school, and they have 2,000 kids in their high school. We’ve got like 190, and we have five kids there, and then my buddy Nash is at Naval. I always thought that was kind of regular for that to happen, but when I tell people that, they’re like: Axe you serious? You can’t be serious.’”

Approximately 10 percent of applicants are admitted each year to one of our nation’sthree service academies: the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy and the MilitaryAcademy at West Point. The application process is extensive, with a congressional, senatorial or vice presidential nomination required for an appointment—but even then an appointment is no guarantee of acceptance. On average,

4,000 applicants receive nominations but only 1,500 appointments are issued per academy. And this, of course, is in addition to the more standard requirements ofhigh SAT or ACT scores, a strong high school academic standing, community service, extra-curricular activities, interviews, a medical exam and a physical fitness test. However, this application process pales in comparison to the costs of war. Once students graduate from an academy, they are committed to a minimum of five years of active military service. With the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq andthe future uncertainty with Iran and

North Korea, why would a high school graduate choose such a path?

One former student many of the more recent Reicher grads look to is Wylie DeWalt. After graduating high school in 1998, he attended the Air Force Academy and is now a Special Operations pilot stationed at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. He has deployed five times to Iraq and Afghanistan and has been awarded several decorations. DeWalt keeps close ties to Reicher—his mom, Mary, is the school’s director of development—and has returned to the school to speak with classes about his experiences.

DeWalt shared his thoughts on students considering higher education at an academy. “They definitely should think about the possibility ofseeing combat after graduation from a service academy. Choosing an academy is a much more in-depth decision than deciding on a public university. I am not saying the academies are better than regular colleges, but their impact on your life can be more profound. Applicants must titWLm mr ill 111 11 1 in

understand that they are not only choosing a college, but also a way oflife—one that in today’s world could entail time in a combat zone. When I entered the Air Force Academy in 1998 this was not an issue, but I don’t think I would have changed my decision post-9/11.”

For several ofthe graduates, 9/11 was a major factor in their decision. Nash Bagby, a junior at the Naval Academy, carefully debated whether to attend college or a service academy. “What it came down to was I really wanted to be in the military because I really wanted to serve the nation, especially after 9/11.1 remember sitting in school;

I think I was in ninth grade,” he said. “I’ve always been engrossed in the military because my dad went to West Point, and I always heard stories. I knew it would be something I’d regret or look back upon and wish I would’ve gone into the military.”

Others also come from a military background. Elle Ekman, the first Reicher female to enter one of the academies, begins her freshman year at the Naval Academy this month. Instead ofspending her summer hanging out with friends, she endured the six-week “Plebe Summer” of intensive basic training.

“Elle grew up in a military household,” said Chris Ekman, Elle’s father who retired in 2002 out of the Marine Corps. “She went to six different schools through eighth grade. I think ifyou talked to her, she’d tell you she gets a little antsy ifshe’s in one place too long. She was never intimidated by military service. That was always an option and, as early as ninth grade, she was looking at the Naval Academy. She also received a Navy ROTC

scholarship, which would’ve allowed her to go to any of the civilian universities that had Naval ROTC units, so that was her plan B. But there was no second option as far as the academies. Growing up in a Marine household, the Marine Corps a department of the Navy—we’ve got nothing against the Army or the Air Force whatsoever—but she was going Navy/Marine Corps allthe way. Down the line, you can choose to become a Marine officer or a Navy officer upon graduation [from the Naval Academy].”

Jeff Braden is another student from Reicher’s Class of2007 headed to an acad-

emy, but in his case, it means following a lifelong dream ofjoining the Air Force.

“Jeff’s plan since he was about 7 was to fly planes,” Laura Braden said. “As he got older, about 10,11,12, he became more patriotic and talkedabout enlisting and serving our country. As a mother, honestly, when he was 12 and 13 and saying, ‘I want to serve my country,’ I was mortified. Who wants their child giving their life fortheir country? That’s really difficult. He said, ‘Mom, I’ve prayed about it. I have the same Holy Spirit that you and Dad do, and it’s telling me this is what I need to do.’ How do you stop your child from doing something that they’re called to do because you’re fearful? How selfish is that?”

She and her husband, Tom, didn’t discourage their son’s dream, but they wanted him to be fully prepared. “We told him, ‘Ifyou know for sure that you want a military education, you’re going to have to pay back five years minimum. If you go to flight school, 10 years. You better be sure which branch of the service,”’ she said. “The summer before his junior year, he applied and got accepted to all three [military academy] summer seminars. He spent a week at each place, and when he came back, he said, ‘I want Air Force.’ When he came back from the seminars, I jumped on board. I know this is what he’s called to do. Before that, honestly, no—why would I want my son to possibly be killed at 23 in Iraq? Nobody wants that.”

As a high school student, Jeff Braden began dreaming ofplaying Division 1 football in addition to flying airplanes. He transferred to Reicher for his senior year when his dad was offered a coaching position at the private school, and the family soon learned of the other Reicher students connected to the academy. With several of his previous players involved in football at Air Force, Mark Waggoner, Reicher’s dean ofstudents and athletic director, alerted the academy coaching staff to keep their eye on Braden as well.

“He went to Midway schools from kindergarten through 11 th grade, so academically because of that and what he got the last year of Reicher, he was really well prepared,” Laura Braden said. “He had a senatorial nomination from Kay Bailey Hutchison. Jeffhad this planned out so much that he took the SATs and the ACTs

twice his junior year. He had all his paperwork for his senatorial nomination in by September 7 of his senior year. He got a formal offer of appointment on January 9. That’s early, but he knew he wanted to go and began preparing for it as much as two years ahead of time. On February 7, he signed to play football.”

In addition to his coaching connections as athletic director, Waggoner’s position as dean ofstudents allows him the opportunity to truly carry out the school’s mission “to educate every student in spirit, mind and body.” The close-knit Reicher community, averaging 50 students per graduating class, provides a solid foundation for higher education.

“The kids here are asked to do a lot ofstuff because it’s a small school, and I think that’s the advantage they have when they go to these places that are so demanding academically,” Waggoner said. “Here, they’re encouraged to do every activity possible. They move from sport to sport together, whereas in a big school, you’re limited to maybe one sport you’re allowed to play. Here, if they’re playing football, they’re playing basketball and track and soccer; they’re student council president, class president, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). The activities are so busy that it allows them to get into that setting and still be successful. That’s a key thing.

“And then you have your high achievers,” he continued. “Only people who are personally motivated can keep that hard of a schedule. And they’re so hard on themselves that we don’t have to be.”

Community service is also a large component of Reicher’s emphasis. “They’re required to do so many hours of service and then most of them go above and beyond that because they get used to it and they like it. They see the rewards,” Waggoner said. “We just want to turn out good people.”

For students choosing to attend military academies, Waggoner was quick to point out that they also had a strong parental support system. “In just about every situation, you had parents that were very active in their kids’ lives, which has got to be the most important factor,” he said. “I can’t think of a single case that it’s not the case.”

And in a community the size of Reicher’s, parental support isn’t only limited

to their children. Parents of upper-level military academy students are very willing to pass along advice and lessons learned to parents of students deep in the trenches of basic training as well as to those just beginning to consider a service academy.

“One ofmy really close friends, Nash Bagby, is at Navy,” said Blake Books, an Air Force sophomore. “He’s a year ahead of me, but we’re really good friends. When he started looking at all ofthe academies, his parents started talking to me about it. It seemed like a really good deal. I wasn’t sure ifI wanted to do it, but after B got recruited for football, I started looking into it. Once the football coaches started calling me, too, I started getting a lot more excited about it and began to look into it. From there I went on a visit andtalked to a bunch ofthe players and other Reicher students there. I toured a lot of other colleges and went on other visits, but I couldn’t see myselfgoing elsewhere for some reason. I felt like the academy was the place I needed to be.

“[The first year] was a little harder than I expected,” he continued. “School was tough, and when you’re waking up at 5:30 to 6 every day and constantly going until maybe 11 at night, it wears on you. You have to make yourselfsit down and get your work done and juggle many things at once. They put a lot on your plate and expect you to deal with it. You need good time management skills and to learn how to push yourself to really get the most [out ofit]. Reicher was a great place for high school. I loved it there, and they taught me a lot about time management, too, just because I was involved with so many different things.”

“Busy” is a commonly used word when referring to a typical weekday at a military academy. All of the students are juggling a full class load along with mandatory sports (either varsity or intramural), and the lower your class rank, theearlier your day begins. One motto at the Air Force is “work hard; play hard.” Sophomore Joe Hunt agreed that his time at Reicher provided good preparation for difficult academy experiences.

“Reicher gives kids a chance to dig deep and see what they’re made of, especially with football,” he said. “I owe a lot to playing sports there and to Coach Jeff Brown and John Ryan. They force you to dig deep and see what you’re made of, and that car-

ries over. Once you’ve got that in you, you don’t ever want to stop digging deep.”

At the conclusion ofhis Air Force Academy basic training, Hunt was selected as “Outstanding Basic Cadet” for his squadron. Out of more than 1,000 cadets, only 10 are honored in this way.

“In basic training, it’s real hard to step up to the plate,” he said. “It’s real easy to be timid because they’re yelling at you. It’s easy to just get in theback of the line and follow. There needs to be somebody there to take the heat. If a guy is yelling at the guy next to me, you’ve just got to kind of tilt your hat sideways so that you get them yelling at you. It’s just yelling, [but] some other people take that real hard. You step out of line just a littlebit to kind of take the heat off. I was in really good shape when I went, so none of the physical training was really that hard. Whenever it’s not that hard and you’ve got that part covered, you can start worrying about other parts. I guess I had a little bit more opportunity to help out, so I just took it.”

Recruited by the Air Force to play football, B Hampton had to endure two separate basic trainings because ofhis decision to attend Academy Preparatory School, a 10-month program for approximately 240 students.

“I’m a year older than Blake and Joe, but we’re [all sophomores] because I decided to go to prep school,” he explained. “It’s where they send a lot of the prior enlisted people that go from being enlisted to go to the academy. They take that as a year to get re-acclimated to being a student. That’s where the academy sends a lot of its athletes because it’s a year to get to play more sports. We played a bunch ofjunior college teams. But it’s also a year to get ready academically, for kids that couldn’t get a congressional nomination or just the kids that they didn’t think were ready academically—me.

“You go there for a year, and it’s like all four years are crammed into one,” Hampton continued. “We had a three-week basic training that was the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life, far worse than the academy basic. Best decision I’ve ever made though. [It was the] best decision because I would’ve failed out, dropped out or gotten kicked out in the first couple of months if I didn’t go to the prep school.

So many people see the prep school as a bad thing, but I came away with the best friends, and I grew up a lot there. You have to grow. If you don’t grow up, you’ll get in trouble and do something wrong. You’ll get caught up in it all.”

Waggoner can attest to the growth ofhis former students, who frequently return to Reicher during school breaks to train in the weight room or speak to students about their experiences. “When they come back and you see them, they’re impressive. They’re very caring and very disciplined,” he said. “It’s their maturity level at the age of20 or 21 and coming back and speaking [to high school classes] that kind ofblow the kids away.”

From Wylie DeWalt to Aaron Conine, who graduated from the Air Force in June with a civil engineering degree, and Sean Ketterick, who is currently an Air Force senior in the top two percent ofhis class—these elder Reicher grads have set a high standard for the others to follow, and the students appear up to the challenge. Ketterick, Hunt and Brooks have all made the Superintendent’s List, which is a cumulative high score of all three areas: military, academic and athletic.

“The U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy accept only the best and the brightest to train as our military leaders oftomorrow,” said Congressman Chet Edwards, who has nominated the majority ofthese students. “These young people are now a part ofthat elite group, and Reicher has been instrumental in their development. This proud achievement is a reflection ofthe hard work and dedication ofthe students and their families, but also the positive influence ofReicher and the Waco community.”

Certainly, Reicher is not the only high school in Waco to have graduates at military academies, but it does stand out due to its high percentage in recent years. In addition to gaining a quality four-year education package—valued at more than $300,000—academy graduates earn an officer rank. They are either a second lieutenant, as in the case of the Army, the Marines and the Air Force, or an ensign in the Navy. Still, with a five- to 10-year commitment ofactive duty in store, it is a big decision for a high school student to make.

“They’re all 17 when they’re making this decision,” Chris Ekman said. “No one has a crystal ball, and with the state of the

world the way it is, who knows what the future holds? You really have to admire any young person that stands up and raises their right hand and takes that oath of enlistment to join the service, support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Any 17- or 18-year-old who does that, you have to admire them, regardless ofyour own political beliefs. And there are many kids who are joining the service from other schools—maybe not in the proportion that Reicher sends them to the academies—but there are other people doing their part around Waco.” SS

Article reprint courtesy ofthe Wacoan, ©2007. RobertJohnson, Publisher.

Nomination Procedures

The AOG is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of not more than eleven elected directors and up to four appointed directors. Elections are conducted and appointments made in odd-numbered years. Approximately half of the elected and appointed positions are open at each election cycle. Any AOG member willing to fulfill the requirements of directors may submit a nomination package. There are two nomination tracks. With the support of five members, a candidate may be considered by the Nominating Committee for placement on the ballot. By petition of 25 members, a candidate may be placed on the ballot without review by the Nominating Committee. Complete nomination information can be found on the AOG Web Site at www.usafa.org. Nominations for the 2009 elections will be accepted in 2008.

2007

DISTINGUISHED GRADUATES

The USAF Academy andthe Academy’s Association of Graduates recently announced the winners of the Academy’s 2007 Distinguished Graduate Award. Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Ervin J. Rokke and Mr. Gregg Popovich earned this prestigious honor for their singular and distinctive contributions to society and the nation.

The Distinguished Graduate Award began in 2001 and is presented by the Superintendent of the Academy andthe Chairman of the AOG Board of Directors to a USAFA graduate whose lifetime achievements are ofsuch significance as to set them apart fromtheir contemporaries.

The purpose of the award is to:

- Recognize outstanding performance by graduates who have demonstrated a lifetime of service to the nation

-Favorably promote the Air Force Academy and its graduates

- Promote and increase awareness ofgraduate heritage among alumni and cadets

Lieutenant General Rokke graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1962. His professional career involved multiple assignments in the intelligence community, both in the U.S. and overseas, and included a tour of duty as the Dean of Faculty at USAFA. His last active duty position was president, National Defense University in Washington, D.C., before retiringJuly 1, 1997. Dr. Rokke currently serves as the Chair for Character and Leadership at the Air Force Academy. You can read a full biography at www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=696l.

Mr. Gregg Popovich is a 1970 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He played basketball all four years at the Academy and served nine years on active duty using his degree in Soviet Studies while serving tours in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. He returned to the Academy to serve as assistant coach of the basketball team for six years before moving on to be a successful coach in the NBA. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach of the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. You can read a full biography at www.usabasketball.com/biosmen/gregg_popovich_bio.html.

In addition to honoring these two distinguished graduates, the Academy will also honor retired Lt. Gen. Robert Beckel, ’59, and retired Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier, ’64, who are the 2006 Distinguished Graduates, but had their ceremony cancelled last year due to a snowstorm. All four distinguished graduates will be honored as a part of the Academy’s Founders Day dinner on April 4, 2008.

Information ofhow to reserve a seat at the dinner will appear on www.usafa.org this winter, or you may call Swamp Fox at (719) 4720300 for details. H

Top: Retired Lt. Gen. Ervin Rokke, ’62 (Photo by Stephen Barth) Bottom: Gregg Popovich, 70 (Photo courtesy of USA Basketball)

What is SACC?

The SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference supported by the Associations of Graduates from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy, and Alumni Associations from the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Previous conferences have been attended by hundreds of companies and thousands of alumni. Go to www.sacc-jobfair.com for a list of companies attending, the complete schedule, and the online registration form

Where will the SACC be held?

The next SACC will be held at the Hyatt Regency Savannah, Two West Bay Street, Savannah, Ga. Call (912) 238-1234 for reservations and ask for the SACC rate.

SACC Schedule of Events

Thursday, February 28

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

Friday, February 29

Registration 8:45 a.m. - All day

SACC 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lunch 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

SACC 1:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 1

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

Registration

The SACC candidate registration fee is $35. To register, submit a one-page resume (for the recruiter's book) and pay online at www.sacc-jobfair.com. This limited resume is designed to give the recruiters an indication of your capabilities. It is NOT the resume you should bring to hand out to the recruiters at the conference. Registration deadline for inclusion in the recruiter's book is February 15.

Walk-in registrations will also be accepted on the day of the conference. Walk-in registration fee is $40 and may be paid by check or cash.

Next Scheduled SACC

Washington D.C., May 8-9, 2008

For more information, contact Wayne Taylor at (719) 472-0300 or go online at www.sacc-jobfair.com.

ortar rounds exploded in front of a marine officer and his radio operator. Running flat out, theyleaped into a nearby bomb crater to find cover. Behind them, other marines who had just seized a hill from the enemy, after days ofhard fighting, hugged the earth, exposed, and steeled themselves against an onrushing barrage of mortar fire. Reacting professionally, Capt. Fran Zavacki, ’64, called urgently on his radio for air support to take out the enemy’s guns, while his radio operator, Corporal Dick Cosner, moved quickly out ofthe crater with binoculars and concealed himselfbehind a tree to act as a spotter.

Absorbed in reading his map as he transmitted the position of the North Vietnamese shelling the hill, Zavacki didn’t notice that they had begun to concentrate their fire on him. Bursting shells moved methodically toward the bomb crater as enemy gunners walked their rounds skillfully toward their target. Cosner screamed a warning to Zavacki, but it was lost in the deafening chaos of combat.

Cosner jumped back toward the crater and, grabbing Zavacki, dragged him out seconds before it erupted in a fiery explosion. The blast knocked both men down, inflicting concussions, peppering them with shards of metal, rock fragments and wood splinters. Many years later, Cosner would say that he had felt like an elephant had stepped on his head.

Afterward, as they picked debris from their clothing, Cosner found a wound from a large wood splinter in Zavacki’s back, under his rib cage, that his flak jacket hadn’t stopped. It was bleeding heavily. Cosner urged Zavacki to have a corpsman look at it, but his stoical company commander said no and had Cosner remove the splinter, telling him just to yank it out. Later, as he looked at the tangle ofsmashed electronics lying in the bomb crater, Zavacki joked laconically, “Well, Cos, that’s one radio—KIA.”

Twelve weeks later, on Nov. 15, 1969, Fran Zavacki would die, not in battle, but on an operating table aboard a hospital ship from causes not fully understood even by the doctors who treated him. His story would end in hazy contradictions. He would be awarded the Bronze Star posthumously for his actions commanding troops in the field under fire, but official records would state that his death afterwards had resulted from non-hostile causes. For that reason, Fran Zavacki’s name would not appear on the Graduate War Memorial at the Air Force Academy after his death.

Over time, the last chapters ofFran Zavacki’s life would become even cloudier in the memories ofhis classmates from the Academy’s Class of 1964, for whom the Marine Corps was something culturally foreign and exotic. After all, ofthe almost 2,000 officers commissioned from the Academy through 1964, only a handful, 19, had become Marines. It was as ifFran’s classmates had left the Zoomie mother ship to travel well-explored routes around their home planet ofblue suits, while Fran and another intrepid classmate had headed off to an entirely different galaxy.

Added to that, many ofthe names on the Academy’s war memorial honor grads who have died flying airplanes in combat, and their deaths have tended to be violently instantaneous and

unambiguous. The death of a Marine infantryman, though, can be much more complicated, leaving a confusing trail ofwrong diagnoses through minimally equipped field hospitals that can be very difficult to follow.

All ofthat had exasperatedJim McCracken, who had been a year behind Fran in the same cadet squadron, Twenty-Third. It made no sense to him that a man who had seen down-and-dirty ground combat and who had sacrificed his life in Vietnam would be left so unheraided. It seemed to McCracken that people were saying that a combat marine had just suddenly gotten sick one day and died, andJim was deeply frustrated by that interpretation. It just didn’t feel right to him.

Jim had thought highly of Fran during the three years they had been together as cadets. There had been a lot to admire. Zavacki had been gung ho, but in an infectious, stirring way that had inspired others. That quality had led to the usual gung-hoisms, like jump school at Fort Benning, and it may have played a large role in his election by his classmates as class president of the Class of’64. He hadn’t been polished-metal perfection, though. At the end ofhis third-class year, he had been caught drinking in the dorm with three of his classmates, and they had been hit hard with Class III punishments. That had tarnished his sterling military ranking until then more than a little. (Fran was on the Commandant’s List for military excellence every semester but the one after his Class III and on the Superintendent’s List for academic and military excellence for four semesters.) Fran had been no stranger to the tour path. Still, he had clawed his way back, and by the end ofhis first-class year, he was a cadet squadron commander. As second acts go, his had been pretty impressive.

McCracken’s frustration had boiled over when he had helped organize a reunion for his classmates in Twenty-Third this past summer. Jim was putting together a memorial service to honor all members ofthe squadron from all classes who had died when he discovered that Fran Zavacki’s name was not among those on the war memorial. He called me, a fellow alumnus ofTwenty-Third and a newly installed member ofthe AOG Board of Directors, to ask what could be done. I replied that I didn’t know, but that I’d do the best I could to see Fran honored. We agreed on a division of labor. Jim would search for members of Fran’s combat unit, and I’d try to reach Fran’s relatives to see what documentary evidence they might have. Our collective detective work would take us on a road ofsurprising discovery and side by side with other grads, on one of the finest, most satisfying endeavors we’ve ever been involved in.

The beginning wasn’t encouraging. Jim sent me two letters that he’d received from the AOG about Fran’s case. One was an inquiry written by a member ofthe AOG’s board in March 1976 to Headquarters, Marine Corps, asking for details on the circumstances surrounding Fran’s death, and the other was a reply dated three weekslater. In terse prose, the response from the Marine Corps stated that: he died on November 15, 1969, of a bilateral pulmonary embolism [blood clotting in the blood vessels of the lungs]. Captain Zavacki had been hospitalized aboard the hospital ship, USS Repose, since November 2, 1969, after contracting pneumonia.

The letter went on to describe hisactions leading troops in combatbefore that and the posthumous award of a Bronze Star, but it provided no link whatever between what had happened on the battlefield and his death.

Next, we looked at the criteria for inclusion on the war memorial, and the very steep climb ahead of us became all too clear:

1. Graduates killed in direct hostile action.

2. Graduates killed within an area of conflict as theresult of an incidentwhich is in direct support of the activities therein.

3. Graduates killed outside an area ofconflict while directly supporting the activities within that area ofconflict will be considered on an individual basis by the AOG Board ofDirectors.

Thesestandards are very tough to meet. A strict application wouldn’t even allow a prisoner of war who had succumbed to disease in captivity to be honored on the memorial, and it became apparent that someone who had died of an illness unrelated to combat on a hospital ship stood no chance at all. So, the summary of action that someone at the AOG had typed 31 years ago at the top of the file copy of the AOG’s letter to the Marine Corps became fully understandable:

MEMO FOR RECORD: The Ex Comm [executive committee] reconsidered Zavacki for inclusion on the War Memorial at their 12 May 1976 meeting and decided not to pursue the matter further.

The word “reconsidered” was sobering. It meant that Fran’s case had been examined at least twice before and that those previous reviews would be a huge obstacle to overcome.

Still, I had pledged to contact Fran’s family to see what other evidence might be uncovered. So, usingArgali White and Yellow, the Internet people finder, I typed Zavacki and PA into its search boxes and cringed, hitting Enter, expecting hundreds ofhouseholds in Pennsylvania to be displayed. To my surprise, only eight appeared, and the next step was calling them one by one. A cousin ofFran’s I reached gave me the phone number and email address ofFran’s sister, Ann Kane, who now lives in Massachusetts. I sent her an email and made repeated attempts to reach her by phone. Since there was no voice—mail option at her number, after getting no answer during nearly two weeks ofcalling, I had almost given up hope when Ann responded to my emailand called, saying that she had been away on vacation. She agreed to send me copies ofall the records she had.

One of them, a long letter to Ann from the Navy physician aboard the Repose who had attended Fran, stated that Fran had

returned from patrolling in the field shortly before he sought medical care for chest pain in late October. The doctor elaborated:

Three days prior to his admission to this hospital, he suffered from his first symptom relative to his final illness. He awoke at night with right chest andshoulder pain and couldn’t get back to sleep the following day, he was evaluated at the field hospital close by and a chest x-ray was taken. However this chest x-ray showed nothing and a diagnosis could not be established. The following day, Captain Zavacki developed a more severe left chest pain associated with shortness ofbreath and a cough productive of some blood and bloodtinged mucous. Captain Zavacki returned to the field hospital where a repeat chest x-ray was taken revealing a moderate left chest infiltrate. Captain Zavacki was then admitted to that hospital under a presumpfive diagnosis ofPleurisy and Pneumonia and placed on penicillin therapy. The day after this he was removed to the USS REPOSE for further care. He arrived here in the late afternoon of2 November 1969, and was acutely ill on admission. After observation and evaluation, a diagnosis ofpulmonary embolus was established

The physician also reported that an autopsy after Fran’s death revealed extensive blood clotting in the pelvic region and in the arteries of his lungs.

I sent a copy of the letter to Jim McCracken. Jim’s wife, Patti, is a physician, and after reading the letter, she stated firmly that blood clotting on that massive a scale in someone as young as Fran had to have been caused by an injury. Patti McCracken had unlocked the mystery, and what remained to be done was to tie Fran’s death plausibly to an injury in the field during combat operations. Convinced that the case for Fran’s inclusion on the war memorial would turn ultimately on medical evidence, I asked for help from those who would make the best medical witnesses—grads who are also physicians. I sent emails to as many grad doctors as I could find, and put appeals on ZoomieNation and USAFAToday. Dr. Jim Ingram, ’64, Colonel USAFR (Ret.), Dr. Bob Mazet, ’63, and Dr. Hollie Thomas, ’63, Colonel, USAF (Ret.) stepped up and agreed to provide written testimony.

Meanwhile, Jim McCracken looked for members ofFran’s infantry company. He searched the Web site ofthe Vietnam Veterans Memorial using Fran’s name, and he found a message left there by a marine named Ranny Henson who had served in Fran’s unit. Using a feature on Google that allowed him to connect names to email addresses, Jim found Henson’s and contacted him. Their exchanges ofmessages only redoubled Jim’s determination to see Fran honored. Henson had left Vietnam before Zavacki died, but he wrote:

I do know that he stayed in the bush with us when he became ill and refused to leave his command at such a crucial time in the conflict or he would probably be alive today.

Later in their conversations online, Henson wrote: I wish I could be of more help, but I really have a difficult time with anyone who has not been in direct conflict with the enemy, as Capt. Zavacki andthe rest of us were, judging whether or not he deserves this acknowledgement. If it were a Marine memorial, I have no doubt he would qualify. For a graduate ofthe Air Force Academy to choose service in the field with Marines in wartime says much about him.

In an incredible stroke of good fortune, Henson found Dick Cosner through a mutual friend and put him in contact with Jim

McCracken. Cosner, who had been at his company commander’s side constantly while they were in the field, provided written testimony that has choked up more than a few who’ve read it. After describing the incident in which Fran was nearly killed by mortar fire and was wounded in the back, as well as recounting ineffective medical treatment afterward, Cosner wrote simply and movingly:

Capt. Zavacki never complained but I could tell he was in a lot ofpain and the spot did not heal very well. After this incident Capt. Zavacki started getting sick at his stomach a lot.... After that Capt. Zavacki was never well. He got weaker and was sick a lot. Finally about a week before we left Viet Nam, he got so weak, he could not walk alone, and he had no appetite Capt. Zavacki looked very bad and was getting weaker by the day. I went to the battalion commander and expressed my concern about the captain. The battalion commander came down and ordered the captain to be medevaced. He was medevaced to the hospital ship where he later died.

Dick Cosner’s account was pivotal. The symptoms he described led Dr. Jim Ingram to write:

Some have expressed concern about the length of time between the injury and when he received formal medical attention. These facts are all entirely consistent with a smoldering infection in the abdomen, in the retroperitoneum (behind the abdominal organs) or kidney. Any of these could be associated with an abscess or pyelonephritis (kidney infection) that could result in the pelvic venous thrombosis that ultimately embolized and killed him. The symptoms of a slowly progressing infection like this would likely be gradual deterioration ofhealth with abdominal discomfort, weakness, weight loss, fever, chills and stomach upset.

Agreeing with his colleague, Dr. Hollie Thomas wrote:

In any case, it is clear that Capt. Zavacki’s injuries set in motion a sequence of events that led directly to his death In summary, a reasonable person should now be even more comfortable in concluding that Capt. Fran Zavacki sustained mortal injuries as the result of hostile action while on the field of combat.

On Oct. 26, after they had read Dick Cosner’s moving account and the overwhelming medical evidence provided by grad physicians, my colleagues on the AOG Board of Directors voted unanimously to add Fran Zavacki’s name to the Graduate War Memorial.

In a phone conversation later, Ann Kane expressed the deep appreciation of the whole Zavacki family, saying that they are very grateful for grads having been so tenacious in uncovering such a complex story to honor Fran. She also said she hoped that this November might be better for her than many others had been over the last 38 years.

We grads who have been so tightly united in our resolve to see the right thing done, after so long a time, hope so too. In the end, the memories of loved ones and of comrades matter a great deal, and when those memories are only pale shadows of a valorous past, all of us forfeit something of immense value. B

The writer, a member ofthe Class of1963, is currently serving on the AOG Board ofDirectors, is a brigadiergeneral retiredfrom the Air Force Reserve and is the author ofthe novel, The Light on the Star. He can be reached at: ste4andots@aol.com.

USAFA’s Forward Air Controller Heritage

By Col. (Ret.) Jimmie H. Butler, ’63

n November 13, 2007, the remains ofMaj. John L. Carroll, ’62, were returned for burial at the Academy Cemetery. Major Carroll was a Forward Air Controller—a Raven FAC— shot down 33 years ago in the Secret War over Laos. He is part of a little-known—but significant—piece ofthe combat heritage established by earlyAcademy grads during the Vietnam War.

At a recent Falcon Heritage Forum, I learned—as I expected—that few cadets had ever heard ofForward Air Controllers, known more commonly as FACs. After all, for todays classes the Vietnam War is on the edge ofancient history much as World War I was to the cadets ofthe late 5Os-early 60s. Now lasers guide bombs onto targets, often assisted by intelligence gathered using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles tens ofthousands offeet above the theater and interpreted by men and women thousands ofmiles away at Nellis AFB, Nev. Four decades ago those jobs were done by several thousand USAF pilots/navigators

flying “down and dirty” over the mountains, jungles, and rice fields of Southeast Asia.

We started in Cessna 0-1 Bird Dogs, a 1950-vintage single-engine tail-dragger, having much more in common with the rickety aircraft ofWorid War I than with combat aircraft in the 21 st Century Air Force. Patrolling daily over all of South Vietnam, over the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos, and into the fringes ofNorth Vietnam, FACs were the hunters. Bird Dogs operated off 10,000 foot concrete runways; shorter runways made ofperforated steel planks (PSP), which were slick as ice when wet—and it rained a lot in SEA; from dirt strips in direct support ofground forces; and from the main streets of a few small villages. (One Bird Dog reportedly was taken out by a Vespa motor scooter, whose rider had ignored the temporary barrier at one end ofthe makeshift runway.)

As years passed, Cessna 0-2 Skymasters and North American OV-IO Broncos took over most FAC missions. The FAC theaters of operations expanded into Northern Laos and all over Cambodia, with FACs covering some areas 24/7. It is said that FACs flew nearly half of the USAF’s combat sorties in SEA.

While almost every cadet in the first few years of the Academy wanted to be a fighter pilot, you’ll never meet one who will say he wanted to go to Undergraduate Pilot Training to become a FAC. Yet for many of us, our FAC tour(s) were the most satisfying flying experiences in our careers. We logged many mundane flying hours droning along in a Cessna while searching the jungles below. Nevertheless, while over the enemy areas, we always knew extreme danger could be lurking only a few breaths ahead.

Being a Forward Air Controller meant being what therather unimposing name says—we were in control over forward areas ofbattle. Often the lives ofhundreds of“friendlies” on the ground depended on our judgment and our split-second decisions. Even as a first lieutenant, being a FAC meant you shouldered great responsibility for whether the days battle would be won or lost. General William Momyer, who commanded 7th AF out ofSaigon in the 1960s said: “At all times the FAC was the final air authority on whether or not thestrike would continue. He was, in fact, the local air commander for the conduct ofall air operations, and his authority was recognized by the ground commander and the flight leader alike.”

Being a FAC meant collectively being in the middle of most of the air action over South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. While controlling airstrikes, FACs literally were in the middle, often holding over the target while jets coming off their attack runs screamed by at maybe 500 knots and a few hundred feet away.

Previous page, top: An air-to-airview of an 0V-10 Bronco aircraftfiring a White phosphorus smoke rocketto mark a ground target. (USAF Photo by Bill Thompson) Bottom: A Forward AirController01-E “Bird Dog” aircraft is shown here in reconnaissance role near a Special Forces Camp in the Republic ofVietnam. (USAF

Photo)Top Right: Sideview of a U.S. Air Force 0-2 ofthe9th Special Operations Squadron dropping Chieu Hoi leaflets overthe Republic ofVietnam in July 1970. (USAF Photo byWilliam F. Diebold)

Often when someone was shot down, Crown (the airborne rescue command post) designated a FAC as the initial on-scene rescue commander until the Sandies (A-l rescue escorts) reached the location.

Probably the most personally satisfying role for FACs involved direct air support to American and allied ground forces in South Vietnam and to Special Ops troops on clandestine missions into Laos and Cambodia. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army troops routinely tried to ambush friendly forces under conditions that favored the attackers. Thousands oftimes, Americans needed help in a hurry. In some cases, nearby helicoptergunships would race to the scene. The FACs, however, were the difference makers who could quickly evaluate the battlefield and call in the heavy iron and fire from the air.

Distinguished Service Medal recipient retired Army MajorJohn J. Duffy served four combat tours, including Special Operations on the ground and later flying with FACs to help with combat extractions of Special Forces Teams behind enemy lines. Duffy has many personal insights into the importance ofFACS. In his recent poem, “Forward Air Controller Requiem,” he characterizes FACs in the following way:

“When everyone was calling “Help!”,

They were the ones to help.

The emergency number in the sky, The guardian angel to many of us.”

Duffy’s accompanying poem, “The Forward Air Controller,” describes the life of the FAC in combat more succinctly than most of us who flew the mission could.

The reviewer of a book about Forward Air Controllers observed that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., would have had to be much larger if not for the Forward Air Controllers. During the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 10, 2007, a man stepped out from the crowd as the parade entry from the Forward Air Controller Association approached. He wanted us to be able to hear him shout, “I’m alive because ofyou guys.”

And they are out there still today by the thousands. Being a FAC meant routinely putting your life on the line to help save others. We truly experienced the joy ofvictory—and the agony of defeat when rescue attempts failed.

Approximately 250 FACs lost their lives in Southeast Asia. This list ofAir Force heroes included 29 USAFA graduates from ten classes from 1959 through 1971. Their causes ofdeath reflect a cross-section ofthe dangers that all FACs faced. Eighteen USAFA grads were shot down by weapons ranging from small arms/automatic weapons, through 37mm anti-aircraft artillery, up to an SA-7. Two disappeared in bad weather. One crashed on takeoff. One died during a ground attack. Four died in mid-air collisions with an AC-47, an A-7, a Chinook helicopter, and another FAC. One was lost in a training accident.

Six of the 29 died while flying as members of the legendary Ravens, men who locked away their uniforms and Air Force identification papers to fly as FACs from small airfields in Laos in the secret war. Two Ravens were killed on the ground after successfully parachuting or crash landing. The North Vietnamese didn’t take many prisoners in Laos. No details were available on four of the Ravens who were lost in Laos.

On Jan. 2, 1966, Capt. Harlow K. Halbower, ’59, was the first member ofthe first Academy class to die in combat in Southeast

Asia. First Lieutenant MarkA. Peterson, ’71, (promoted to Captain while MIA), and Capt. George W. Morris, Jr., diverted for a Search and Rescue mission for another pilot. On Jan. 27, 1973 their OV-10 was downed by an SA-7, becoming the final Air Force combat loss in South Vietnam before the final cease-fire. On June 5, 1973 lLt. RichardT. Gray, ’71, was piloting the last OV-10 shot down in the war.

These 29 grads who gave their lives—and many others who survived their combat tours in the slow FAC aircraft—are highly decorated for the risks taken to accomplish difficult and dangerous missions. The nearly 30 FAC recipients of the Air Force Cross includeCol. (Ret.) Donald D. Stevens, ’60, Maj. John L. Carroll, ’62, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Philip V. Maywald, ’63, Col. (Ret.) Rowland H. Worrell, III, ’68, and Capt. Joseph A. Personett, ’69.

In addition to the Air Force Crosses, Air Force FACs were awarded two Medals ofHonor (posthumously), many Silver Stars, hundreds of Distinguished Flying Crosses, and thousands ofAir Medals.

In the tradition of Forward Air Controllers from previous wars, FACs in Southeast Asia added a valorous chapter to the history of the U.S. Air Force. Early graduates who served as FACs in the Vietnam War indeed established a significant piece of the combat heritage of all cadets and graduates of the USAF Academy. S

Editor’s Note: Author, Jimmie Butler, ’63, flew 240 FAC combat missions in O-ls and 0-2s in 1967, mostly over the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos. He retiredfrom the Air Force in 1987.

±More than 40 attendees were Academy grads who have been decorated with the Air Force Cross or the Silver Star, or have been involved in recent operations.

Cadets attended sessions in Arnold Hall with these special visitors

The guest with Cadet 3rd Class Harry Dale’s group was retired Maj• uiini White*

“Major White gave rich instances in which his honor and personal values were put to the test during his vast flying career thai attest to his credibility as a leader, an airman and an individual,” said Cadet Dale, from Bronx, NY.

The Cadet Squadron 36 member said he drew meaning from the forum because it spoke to the importance ofsacrifice and honor and the challenge to uphold those traditions in future endeavors.

“The portion of the forum that appealed most to me was when all the heroes were introduced and their accomplishments were announced,” CadetDale said. “It instilled pride in me because I realized that l am in an organization where people have id integrity to do the right thing, even when this may result in admonishment by one’s peers or death in combat.’ What he took away from the forum was a motivation to follow in the footsteps of the special guests and uphold the tradition ofhonor that they have built.

courage

“The forum was a major motivational tool for the cadets because it allowed us exposure to heroes whose real life accomplishments allow us to gain at this institution and why we wish to become officers in United States Air Force,” said Cadet Dale.

The first forum was held in 1996. In recent years, the. emy has hosted two per year.

The forum would be impossible without the help and generous support of the Association of Graduates, said Chaplain Rives Duncan, an Air Force major and a Cadet Wing project officer.

"The Class of 1974, and Michael and Nancie Freeborn have provided an enormous amount of financial support, and the AOG has been invaluable in helping us contact potential speakers,” Major Duncan said.

One night during the forum, Maj. Duncan, Center for Character Development chaplain, was standing off to the side and some of the visiting veterans were sharing their stories. One mentioned that he had been shot down in 1968.

A nearby veteran asked “What was the date?”

”Mav m, 1968.” ■if

“1 was the A-l overhead, call sign Snake 76.”

“Nearly 40 years after the incident, the A-l pilot who was trying to facilitate the rescue and the pilot who had been in the jungle watching the A-l overhead found out who the other was,” Major Duncan said.

One ofthe highlights of the evening w as a speech given by retired General George Lee Butler, 61. Butler spent 30 years in the Air Force and throughout his career faced many difficult decisions that challenged his personal character.

In his speech presented to the cadets, he outlined six major traits he took from his Academy experience that shaped and helped him navigate his Air Force career. He

encouraged mem nploy the lessons ofhonor, integrity, ethics, self-discipline compassion in their own Air Force careers; as such traits are te core of their profession.

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Step Aside—

The Future

Looks Good

BY SALLY BARON, SPACE NEWS

ardly aHbace conference passes, or even a few issues ofSpaceNews, withorHthe mention ofthe “aging aerospace work force.” Last I heard the average age ofthe aerospace professional was 54 years. By looking around the room during a session at the 2007 National Space Symposium, as well as in the mirror, that seemed completely plausible. The stated problem: What will we do when everyone retires? Fear not, friends; I have seen the future and it is good.

As the U.S. Air Force Academy graduated the Class of 2007 May 30,1 looked out on the Falcon Stadium field and reflected upon my contact with the cadets tossing their hats in the air.

Over the past three years I have had the privilege to sit on several review committees for the Air Force Academy astronautical engineering senior capstone projects. I am always amazed at what young, smart, motivated people can do when given a goal and some latitude to achieve it.

First: satellites. After a three-year build, the Falconsat-3 successfully launched in March from Cape Canaveral and is now in orbit. Although anomalies made initial contact a bit tricky, the cadets figured out how to fix it and now monitor and control it from their own modest ground station in the astronautics lab.

Falconsat-2, you may remember, was launched in March 2006 on a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Falcon 1 booster, which failed. The little spacecraft popped out and landed back on the Island of Omelec—it crashed right through the roof of its storage shed and plopped next to the very shipping crate in which it had arrived. It is now on display in the Air Force Academy Astronautics Lab. It is a constant reminder that the aerospace business is risky, and failure is merely a part of success.

For the students—indeed for all of us—the lessons of failure are critical. According to scholar Charles Manz, failure is a necessary condition for success. To that end, Professor Bob Sutton of Stanford University suggests that the manager should reward success and failure, but punish inaction.

In the case of Falconsat-2, the cadets and faculty did not miss their learning on this one. There were successes and failures, but no inaction—Air Force Col. Martin France, head of the Astronaudeal Engineering Department, sees to that.

Falconsat-5 is now off the drawing board and an engineering model successfully completed vibration testing in May. A status review was held in May and the cadets presented a thoughtful, well researched and documented program that will continue after their graduation. It will be passed to the Class of 2008, and then

the Class of 2009 will be with it through launch. The continuity, documentation and thoroughness required to pass such a complex program through several classes is an important lesson in and of itself, and will serve the cadets well when they are managing aerospace procurement for the taxpayers.

Whether at the Air Force Academy, or no doubt many other universities, time and budgets are finite. As a result, these remarkable young students look for efficient solutions. They simply must use the fastest, cheapest and best way to tackle their projects or they will not succeed. No going back to Congress for more money or trying to float an engineering change proposal.

High use of commercial products to save time and money and reduce risk was ubiquitous.

The word COTS (commercial-off the- shelf) is already in their vocabularies.

When juxtaposed with what the current generation (the aging work force—that’s us) were doing as undergraduates, it is almost silly. Hightech tools have made their way into the classrooms and the lives ofthe next generation and moreover they have embraced it—I have never seen a cadet go anywhere without a laptop glued to his or her hip.

Now it is time for us to embrace them. I have seen many organizations—both government and private sector—indoctrinate newcomers. Some ofthis includes teaching them the way things are done here— the company culture. I hope my colleagues in the “aging work force” will resist this temptation, andrather conversely, try to learn from the new generation ofspace professionals, rather than constraining them with a system and bureaucracy that has outlived its usefulness.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ talk at the Air Force Academy’s May 30 graduation advised the new second lieutenants to speak up even when the truth is not popular, but cautioned they may not always be rewarded for altruistic behavior. Similarly, in their book The KnowingDoing Gap Stanford professors JeffPfeffer and Bob Sutton warn ofthe dangers ofcorporate memory used as a substitute for thinking. Because a methodology worked at one time does not assure that it will work under different circumstances.

And circumstances are always different in the high-tech world. The best organizations always are looking for new and better ways to improve their product or service and these ideas often come from newcomers.

As Col. France has said: “I encourage the cadets to disagree, and to feelfree to speak up when they see a technical problem or have an issue. In fact, I like to debate. We can get everything out into the open that way.” He is not kidding. I have witnessed the students and faculty openly debating technical and managerial issues without fear of reprimand.

In the prologue ofNeil deGrasse Tyson’s book Death by Black Hole, he says: “Perhaps the question is not how smart is an individual of a

A U.S. Air Force launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster carrying the fourth modernized GPS satellite into space from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. (Courtesy photo)

species, but how smart is the collective power ofthe entire species.” It continues: “While natural selection drives Darwinian evolution, the growth ofhuman culture is largely Lamarckian, where new generations ofhumans inherit the acquired discoveries ofthe past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit.”

As our generation added our cosmic insight to the findings of those before us, this new generation has insight that we did not, nor could not, possibly possess, as we grew up with different tools and perspectives. If the aging community of space professionals is smart enough to incorporate the new cosmic insight, perhaps we can excel the collective brain power of the entire species.

Inflexible organizational bureaucracies and requiring outdated technologies only serve to constrain the flow of new ideas. But with some latitude to make their own decisions, I am confident that our new aerospace professionals can solve problems in unique, efficient and creative ways. The future looks good, and I look forward to it. S

Sally Baron is an independent consultant. While at Stanford, earning a doctorate in industrial engineering, she worked with former Secretary ofDefense William Perry on Defense Department transformational issues.

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Air Force Academy Fund Matching Gift Program

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■xciting trips in 2008

Available to AOG members, their families and friends

Italy’s Lake Garda & the French Alps, Sep. 22-30

See one ofthe most beautiful lakes in the world, snowcapped mountains, picturesque towns, fabulous cuisine and great shopping. Visit Chamonix, nestled in the French Alps. A mountain town is celebrated for its superb location at the foot ofMont Blanc. Add to this a few days stay in Italy on the southern shores ofLake Garda where there’s dramatic views and quiet beauty. (*$1,899 per person)

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Go where the Romantic Road takes you back in time, over cobblestone streets and through medieval villages. Browse in quaint little shops and enjoy a cozy tavern. Go to the world spa resort of Bad Kissingen. This resort with a royal history is a treasure of gardens, parks, shops, outdoor cafes, and museums. (*$1,899 per person)

Rome and Florence, Nov. 3-11

See yourself on the Ponte Vecchio bridge at sunset, or walking the Boboli Gardens, filling your soul with the smell ofjasmine. Experience the Colosseum side by side with the ghosts ofgladiators or in a cafe toasting the end of the day with a rich ruby red wine. Add to that the Tuscan countryside, vyneyards marching up undulating hills to medieval villages. (*$1,899 per person)

Stand by for 2008 vacation spots

Spring: Paris, Danube River Cruise, Treasures of China, and South Africa.

Fall: Croatia/Venetian

Treasures, Italian Riviera and Tuscany, Davos and Salzburg.

For additional information and a color brochure visit www.usafa.org. Click on “AOG Services then “Travel Programs” or contact Wayne Kellenbence at wayne. kellenbence@aogusafa.org, (719) 472- 0300

Academy accepts bid to Armed Forces owl

By Air Force Print News

U

.S. Air Force Academy officials have accepted a bid to play in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on New Year’s Eve at Fort Worth, Texas.

The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, an ESPN regional television owned-and-operated event, will be aired at 11:30 a.m. CST on ESPN, live from Amon G. Carter Stadium.

U.S. Air Force Academy z-back Chad Hall finds running room thanks to a block byquarterback Shaun Carney duringAir Force’s 41-24 win over Notre Dame Nov. 10 at South Bend, Ind. U.S. Air Force Academy officials have accepted a bid to play in the Bell HelicopterArmed Forces Bowl on NewYear’s Eve at FortWorth, Texas.

(Photo by Staff Sgt. Monte Volk)

The previous four Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl games have been played on December 23 with the University of Utah defeating the University of Tulsa 25-13 last year.

“We are thrilled to have the Air Force Academy as the Mountain West Conference’s representative in the 2007 game,” said Tom Starr, the executive director of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. “With our military theme, what better way is there to honor the armed forces by having an Academy play in our game. With nine wins and a strong finish to their season, the

Falcons will bring an exciting brand of football to Amon G. Carter Stadium on New Year’s Eve.”

With three-straight wins and six victories in their last seven games to end the 2007 season, the Falcons are the first school since the inaugural Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl game in 2003 to enter the Amon G. Carter Stadium game with more than seven regular-season wins. The Academy is currently 9-3 this fall after posting a 55-23 win at home Nov. 18 over San Diego State.

The 9-3 record is Air Force’s first winning season since posting a 7-5 mark in 2003. The Falcons’ six wins in Mountain West Conference play is their most ever and best league record since finishing the 1998 season with a 7-1 record in the Western Athletic Conference.

The Falcons have the second-best rushing attack in the country (298.5 yards per game) to rank among the top 10 in the nation for the 21st-straight season. The Falcons won the national rushing title in 2002 (307.8) when Air Force played in their last post-season game by losing 20-13 to Virginia Tech at the 2002 Emerald Bowl in San Francisco.

Troy Calhoun also becomes the third first-season coach at the Air Force to lead the Falcons to a post-season bowl game following in the footsteps of Ben Martin in 1958 and Fisher DeBerry in 1984. A 1989 graduate of the Academy, Calhoun replaced DeBerry last December as only the sixth coach in the 52-season history ofAir Force football.

The first Academy graduate to coach the Falcons, Calhoun was an active duty officer in the Air Force from 1989 to 1995, and was the school’s recruiting coordinator and the junior varsity offensive coordinator in 1993 and 1994. An assistant for one season for the NFL’s Houston Texans before taking the Air Force job, Calhoun started at quarterback for the Academy in 1986 and was one of only two freshmen to letter for the 1985 team that finished fifth in the final polls with a 12-1 record that included wins over national powers Notre Dame and Texas.

Appearing in its first post-season game since 2002, the Air Force will be competing in their 18th bowl since the start of their intercollegiate football program in 1956.

While z-back Hall is the only player in the country to lead his team in rushing (1,415 yards and 14 touchdowns to rank ninth nationally) and receiving (488 for 46 receptions and one touchdown), Air Force quarterback Shaun Carney has become the Academy’s all-time passing leader as a four-year starter by breaking records this season for passing yardage (5,323), passing touchdowns (38) and total yardage (7,776).

Ticket prices for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl are $40 for sideline seats and $15 for end zone tickets. Military veterans receive halfoff any $40 seat and active duty members get in free via the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl corporate military ticket underwriting program. A portion of local ticket sales will go to designated military charities. Go to www.usafa.org to buy tickets for the game and look for the Bowl Game advertisement on the home page. SB

Calhoun, Hals name offensive player of the Calhoun also named Region 5 coach of the ye;

By USAFA Athletics

Air Force football head coach Troy Calhoun and running back/receiver Chad Hall were named coach and offensive player of the year today in the Mountain West Conference by votes ofhead coaches and media. In addition, Calhoun was named the Region 5 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

Calhoun is the first Air Force coach to win theaward in his first season and just the second to ever win it, joining Fisher DeBerry, who won the award in 1985, 1995 and 1998. Hall is the sixth Air Force player to win the conference’s offensive player of the year award and first nonquarterback. He joins quarterbacks Bart Weiss (1985), Dee Dowis (1989), Beau Morgan (1996), Blane Morgan (1998) and Mike Thiessen (2000).

Hall was named to the first-team offense as a running backand was joined by center Blaine Guenther. Outside linebacker John Rabold and cornerback Carson Bird were named to the first-team defense. Insidelinebacker Drew Fowler, a first-team selection in 2006, along with offensive guard/tackle Nick Charles took home second-team honors. Quarterback Shaun Carney, tight end Travis Dekker, defensive end Ryan Kemp and safety Chris Thomas received honorable mention honors.

Air Force’s four first-team selections are its most ever in the Mountain West Conference and most since 1998 when the Falcons placed five members on the conference’s first team as a member of the Western Athletic Conference.

Hall led the conference in rushing with 1,415 yards and set the school record for rushing yards with 275 and all-purpose yards with 333 vs. Army earlier this season. A third-team All-American by Rivals.com, Hall was the conference leader in all-purpose yards with an average of 208.7 which ranked third nationally. Hall is also the only player in the nation to lead his team in rushing and receiving.

Guenther was instrumental in helping a young offensive line pave the way for the nation’s No. 2-ranked rushing offense. The Falcons averaged 298.5 yards rushing per game and ranked second in the conference in scoring with a 29.4 average.

Rabold led the Falcons and ranked second in the conference with 16.5 tackles for loss. He also led the conference in fumble recoveries with four and is among the conference leaders in quarterback sacks with 5.5. He recorded 73 total tackles this season. Bird led the conference and ranked seventh nationally in interceptions with six which tied as the fourth most in school history. He is one off the single-season MWC record for interceptions. Bird was second in the con-

ference in fumble recoveries with three and recorded nine total turnovers on the season. He also averaged one pass breakup per game to rank among the conference leaders.

Air Force finished the season with a 9-3 overall record and placed second in the MWC with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons play California in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 31, at 10:30 a.m. MT. Go to www.usafa.org to buy tickets for the game and look for our Bowl Game advertisement on the home page. R

Golfers set records at invitational Whitney fires school record 202

By USAFA Athletics

Setting records for thelowest team and individual tournament scores in school history, the Air Force golf team finished in eighth place at its own Agua Caliente AFA Collegiate Invitational, being held at the 6,582-yard, par-72 Indian Canyons Golf Resort.

The Falcons turned in a three-round score of 840, beating the previous record of 851 set in 1998. Meanwhile, sophomore Tom Whitney, who finished tied for 11th, fired a school-record tying round of 65 on Sunday, bringing his 54-hole total to 202. Whitneys three-round score set a new Academy record, besting the former record of 205 set in 2004.

Also posting Academy top-10 scores were juniors Shaun O’Bryant and Andrew Gibson. O’Bryant finished tied for 27th at 210 (-6), while Gibson finished a stroke behind in a tie for 29th place. Rounding out the group for the Falcons’ first team were Bob Whitney, tying for 47th at 218 (+2), and Jack Kasting, in 51st place at 223.

Meanwhile, the Air Force Blue team finished 11 th, firing a three-round total of 885. Freshman Kyle Bailey was the second team’s top performer, finishing at an even-par 216 to tie for 44th place, while freshman Aaron White placed 49th at 219. Also competing for the Falcons were seniors Matt Tanis, Jared Freeman and sophomore Josh McFarland.

Colorado State ran away with the team title, scoring a remarkable 77-under-par 787. Capturing medalist honors was the Rams’ Dustin Morris, who fired a course-record tying 63 on Sunday to finish at 194 (-22). A total of four players on the weekend fired rounds of 63 to set the new course record, including Denver’s JeffKoprivetz and Espen Kofstad and Southern Utah’s Matt McArthur.

With the fall season under wraps, the Falcons are off until Feb. 18 when they open the spring season at the UTSA Intercollegiate in San Antonio, Texas. IS

Friends of Basketball re @ *

or exciting se«ison

By Rick Pialet, ’77

Air Force Basketball fans, let me introduce you to the Friends ofAir Force Basketball. Some ofyou are well acquainted with the Friends. For those who don’t know us, let me explain that we are a non-profit booster group, organized six years ago to provide support for our great basketball program. The Friends group works in cooperation with the Association of Graduates. Donations are fully tax deductible—100 percent of gifts go directly to support the basketball program.

Like you, I have been excited to watch our program develop into a perennial contender for the conference title and post-season honors. The credit for this achievement, of course, belongs to the outstanding coaches and players. However, the Friends ofAir Force Basketball has also played an important role.

Financial contributions from the Friends directly supported some ofthe most important needs of our basketball program, including facility upgrades, equipment purchases, out-of-session meal and hotel expenses for players, the homecoming reunion, and preseason (foreign) team travel. Last September the team traveled to Vancouver, Canada, where they played five exhibition games in three days, gaining vital preseason experience against the best teams available. This trip was entirely funded by the Friends of Air Force Basketball through the AOG.

We share Coach Reynold’s optimism for the upcoming season. Just as he plans to improve the level ofplay, we hope to increase and expand our level of support. Beyond the day-to-day basics that the Academy provides, there are still numerous things the program requires to compete with the other programs in the Mountain West Conference. With your financial support, the coaching staff can initiate programs to further raise our level ofcompetitiveness.

For those ofyou who have supported the Friends in the past—thank you—the basketball players and the program have benefited from your generosity. For all, I would like to invite your active participation for the 2007-2008 season. Ifyou would like to help or simply learn more, please visit us at www.FriendsoIAirForceBasketball.org. It is the best source on the Internet for information on Falcon Men’s Basketball and related topics. Go Falcons! R

AFA Baseball Alixmiii

Reunion

By bui Maggio, vi

The 2007 AFA Baseball Alumni reunion was a huge success due to the generous hospitality of the Varsity Team and Coach Mike Hutchinson. During the weekend of Oct 4-7, approximately 70 alumni from the Classes of’64 and later participated in the weekend events.

The fun included a Thursday evening social, Friday morning scramble golf tournament on the Academy’s Silver Course, dinner at the Marriott, alumni game Saturday morning, tailgate and Falcon football vs. UNLV and Sundaygolffor those who hadn’thad enough!

The Friday banquet featured Mike Kazlausky, ’91, as MC, open mike, slide show, and Brian Duffy, ’75,

Lacrosse Alumni needed for shootout

By Michael “Jake” Jakobi,

’81

he Air Force Academy Alumni Lacrosse Association is looking to field lacrosse teams in all Men’s Divisions for the 2008 Vail Lacrosse Shootout. The Air Force “Graybirds” celebrated their tenth anniversary of competing in Vail in the 2007 Shootout in the age 40 and over, “Super Masters” Division under head coach, Charles “CAT” Stevens, ’74, posting a record of two wins, three losses over four days of competition. The Graybirds will once again compete in the Super Masters in 2008. Alumni ages 40 and over are asked to contact Cat Stevens directly if interested in playing (catjeanne@aol.com).

The game dates will be June 28 July 1.

2008 will mark the first time the AFA Alumni Lacrosse Association will attempt to field teams in both the Masters division, (ages 33-39; 28 Jun 30 Jun), and Elite divisions, (All Ages: July 3 6).

We are asking alumni lacrosse players who wish to play in either of these divisions to contact the appropriate head coaches as outlined below. The Vail

as guest speaker relating experiences on his latest NASA shuttle mission.

Our alumni game matched the spirited Blue and White teams ofCoach Joe Robison and Coach Danny Litwhiler. We showed we can still play the game; espedally those pitchers, who allowed only one ball to leave Falcon field with Kaz circling the bases at full throttle.

To quote Deke Winters, ’80, “It was great to put on a Falcon jersey again.” Many thanks to this year’s committee: Deke and Kaz, Larry Bryant, ’75, Nate Tarkowski, ’98, Flip Keck (and wife Jan), ’69, and Nick Leigl, 03. We hope we can do it again soon! H

Lacrosse Shootout is the largest lacrosse tournament in the country. Games in all divisions will be televised on Cable Sports Networks in year 2008.

Masters Division: Air Force “WARBIRDS ”: Ages 33-39. (You must turn 33 by end of2008). Michael “Jake” Jakobi, ’81, will be the Warbirds’ head coach. Contact Jake with interest: MJakobi@cinci.rr.com. June 28-30 play dates.

Elite Division: All Ages/Competitive Roster Selection. The Cincinnati based “Flying Pigs” lacrosse team under Head Coach Patrick Kennedy, (Syracuse, ’97), will form the core ofthe Elite division effort. Current Air Force Varsity Lacrosse Players are eligible to play in the Elite division in Vail. Younger alumni currendy on active duty are also encouraged to apply to play in the Elite division.

Contact Pat Kennedy with interest: pk@kennedylacrosse. com or pklax42@gmail.com. July 3-6 play dates.

On behalf ofAFA Alumni Lacrosse President Mason Goodhand, I would like to encourage all current varsity and aumni lacrosse players to come to Vail and join in the fun and competition in the annual Vail Lacrosse Shootout! It is our hope to see Air Force Lacrosse players competing in all divisions in Vail in 2008 and beyond. H

Outlook

AFA Society of North Carolina

We meet, informally, on the third Wednesday of each month at Players Retreat, 105 Oberlin Road in Raleigh. No RSVP is required.

Alamo Chapter

Graduates will gather for the annual Business Meeting at the Randolph AFB Club on Jan. 25. Checkwww.alamoaog.org for details.

Arizona Chapter

The Arizona Chapter 2008 Super Bowl party will be hosted by Diane Langmade, ’80, at her home in Phoenix—3316 East Piro Street, Phoenix, Ariz. 85044. The partywill begin half an hour before kickoff to enjoy all the pre-game hype and to allow folks plenty of time for pre-game eating and drinking rituals. This annually is a “super” event. Please RSVP directly to Diane at (480) 759-4185.

Heartiand-LeMay Chapter

The chapter resumes monthly fourth Tuesday luncheons on Jan. 22. To close out this year, the chapter’s membership meeting took place Nov. 9.

Houston Chapter

Well sites at

The chapter continues to meet monthly at the Marriott Westchase Hotel, at 2900

Briar Park, in Houston. Area graduates are encouraged to attend. Ifyou are interested in attending and finding out about local chapter events, please contact Tom Solomon, ’69, at tom@tomsolomon.com.

Los Angeles Chapter

The LA Chapter is looking for volunteers to take charge of some chapter activities. Ifyou live in the LA area and want to get involved, check out our Web site at www. lausafaaog.com and contact one of the board members: Joe Facenda, ’75, Will Cosby, ’75, Inga Lisa Coupe, ’91, Roger Smith, ’62, John Cole, ’93, Nate Vosters ’02, and Jason Spindler, ’04.

New York Metropolitan Area Chapter

The NYAOG has a new Web site and a new name! Check out www.nyaog.com for upcoming events! The NYAOG new name is the New York Metropolitan Area Chapter. For more info call Leo Cunningham, ’89, at (845) 531-9189.

Northern California Chapter

We are planning a wine tasting early in the spring and then participating in a bike ride on April 16, through Napa Valley in honor of the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. It will be fun for all levels since you can sign up for the 50, 25, or 15 mile ride. At the end, there will be a wine tasting, food, live music and an auction. This ride is sponsored by the Rotary Ride for Veterans and the Wine Valley Cycle for Sight. To sign up, visit the Web site: www.cycle4sight.com or www. rotaryride4vets.com. Please contact Susan at oisusan@yahoo.com ifyou are not a member of the Northern California AOG and would like to be included in updates.

North Texas Association

The Association is planning at least two events after the start ofthe year. The annual business meeting is scheduled in conjunction with the monthly luncheon on Jan. 18. We’ll elect new officers at that time. Also, organize a get-together for the AF vs. TCU Men’s basketball game on Feb. 2. Checkwww.ntaafag.org for details.

Goal 1

CelebrateAcademy Heritage Rampart Chapter

Many of our chapter members were able to attend the dedication ofthe original commandant’s building on Sept. 4 at the site of the old Lowry AFB in Denver. The building was formally added to the National Register ofHistoric Places as a building ofnational significance. Pete Todd, ’59, was one ofthe keynote speakers at the dedication.

Pete Todd, ’59, addressing the audience at the dedication of the original Commandant’s Building at the former Lowry AFB.

Goal 2

Keep abreast ofAir Force and USAFA topics

Alamo Chapter

The chapter is proud to support the Academy on multiple levels. Nancy (Mariano) Kudla, ’80, is serving as one of the two graduate Presidential appointees to the Board ofVisitors. Jim Wheeler, ’64, was recently elected as a member and Chairman of the AOG Board of Directors.

Heartland-LeMay Chapter

A number ofchapter members were on hand to observe the promotion, change ofcommand, and retirement ofLt. Gen. Roger Lempke, ’69, on Nov. 3. Roger was promoted and retired by Dave Heineman, the Governor ofNebraska (and West Point graduate), after serving for nearly seven years as the NebraskaAdjutant Generaland head ofthe Nebraska Military Department.

Lto R: Ed Yong, ’86, Chapter ALO Liaison Official; Shirlee and Roger Lempke, ’69; and Tad Draper, ’68, Chapter President

Goal 4

Provide graduates networking opportunities

Alamo Chapter

The monthly Business and Networking lunch continues to offers graduates networking opportunities. Event host Mike Nishimuta, ’73, states that all service academy graduates are welcome. The Alamo Chapter website provides a Business Card Page which advertises local graduates’ businesses. Check www.alamoaog.org for the time and date.

New York Metropolitan

Area Chapter

Service Academy Networking Night resumed in September. It occurs the third Wednesday of every month at the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’ and Airmen’s Club (Upstairs Lounge) located at 283 Lexington Ave.—just south of 37th Street,

New York, N.Y. Dress is business casual of jacket and tie. A $10 cover charge includes soft drinks and food. Cash bar is available.

Goal 5

Interact with other service academy graduates.

Alamo Chapter

The Alamo Chapter participated in the Tri-Service Academy GolfTournament at Ft. Sam Houston on Oct. 27, under the leadership ofPete Hugdahl, ’67.

Arizona Chapter

Back in July, Barb and Ron Marusiak, ’71, again graciously hosted a fireworks/dessert/beverages party at their house right on the Arizona Country Club golf course. The fireworks and patriotic music were awesome. There was a nice turnout ofgrads/spouses/ friendsand a good time was had by all.

Los Angeles Chapter

Will Cosby, ’75, hosted the 2nd annual LA AOG summer BBQ at his house at the end ofJuly. Lots of food and drink was enjoyed by all. On Sept. 29, a large group of USAFA grads and a few brave USNA grads got together at the Roger Smith’s, ’62, Underground Pub in Hermosa Beach to watch the AF vs. Navy football game. Even though the game didn’t turn out in our favor, everyone had a great time.

Northern California Chapter

The chapter celebrated Christmas early this year on Mount Tamalpais. Our annual December celebration was at the Mountain Home Inn on Dec. 1, with hiking, cocktails, and a gourmet meal. Thank you to Susan and Ed Cunningham, ’67, for coordinating.

North Texas Association

In Sep., the association gathered at the house ofAssociation President, Lev Prichard, ’89, to watch the unfortunately disappointing Navy game at our annual Fall BBQ. In Nov., we had our annual flag football game. Assis-

tant Coach Rob Marr ’88, did a superb job ofrecruiting once again, as we had some very recent grads from Sheppard and some barely 40-somethings with great experience and talent. That, combined with our “old reliable,” put us on top ofNavy 19-7, then stood up to Army, 13-7 for the championship for the 2nd time in 3 years. Mike Gibbons, ’63, donated a miniature Commander-in-Chief’s trophy which we will put to good use at future interservice events. Another encouraging sign is that we have some fairly recent grads in the local area who are joining NTAAFAG and participating in this and other activities, so welcome to you guys, and thanks! Offensive MVP was Grant Hillman, ’06, with an awesome one-handed touchdown catch and other contributions, and Defensive MVP was Brent Frerichs, ’86, with 2 interceptions andsolid pass defense. Other notables were Kevin Palko, ’86, at QB and Chad Hennings, ’88, attempting to play defensive line. B J Bjorkland, ’70, and Mike Gibbons, ’63, were our most “senior” players, but H Ownby, ’69, missed the game for only the second time since the series started. Thanks to everyone who came out, the board will talk about new belts and uniforms for next year! Oh, yes, the Stites’ party was again the best post-game imaginable. ON FALCONS!!

South Florida Chapter

The chapterjoined the Ft. Lauderdale Navy Alumni for our football rivalry on Sept. 29. We met at a local restaurant to cheer on our respective teams. USAFA had about 37 representatives while the Navy had about 20 show up. We out-cheered the squids for most ofthe game until the disappointing end. Our thanks go out to the Navy Alumni President, Telmo Ortega.

Goal 6

Give back to the community

Alamo Chapter

again!

The chapter performed community service semi-annually with a Habitat for Humanity house build in Oct., led byKay Grosinske, ’82. Air Force Recruiting Service Commander Brig. Gen. SuzanneVautrinot, ’82, is the Alamo Chapter president, and is serving on the USAF Heritage Program Board ofDirectors in support ofthe National Museum ofthe Air Force. Lt. Gen. William Looney, ’72, Commander ofAir Education and Training Command, helped orchestrate the 60th Air Force Birthday Ball and AETC Symposium in San Antonio. t>

North Texas Team victorious

Goal 8

Assist Liaison Officers and recruit qualified candidates

Heartland-LeMay Chapter

The chapter is attempting to initiate a Leader ofCharacter award program with area high schools. They offered to work with one high school this year as a pilot effort. The award is to be awarded to a student at the end oftheir junior year that is selected by the faculty for their demonstrated potential to be a student leader during theirfinal year at high school.

Affinity mi OUflS

AcademyWomen

The Fourth Annual AcademyWomen Symposium and First Annual Career Coaching Expo, held Oct. 26-28, at the Womens Memorial in Arlington, Va., were very suecessful! Inspiring speakers shared some ofthe joys and struggles it takes to find balance, reach personal goals, and achieve happiness and success in both military and civilian life. Every service was represented at the symposium. There were workshops on personal and professional development as well as speakers and panel discussions on the topics ofserving in Iraq and Afghanistan, leadership, PTSD, financial wellness, and more. The remembrance ceremony for women who have fallen was especiallytouching with the families in attendance. The Career Coaching Expo and Symposium gave all ofthe participants a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new connections, and refocus with new perspective. AcademyWomen also publishes a quarterly newsletter called Focus, which features inspiring stories, insights for personal and professional development, as well as information on new initiatives. Check www.academywomen.org for more information and sign up as a member to receive details on upcoming events.

Silver Falcons

The 2007 Annual Silver Falcon Convention, Oct. 17-21, was a huge success. Members celebrating the 50th Anniversary ofthe ALO program were: Les andJeanette Bergsten, Kirk andJill Brown, Chuck and Carol Foster, Gordon and Gaye Palmer, Ozzie andCleo Purdy, John and Jean Riffle, Richard Vogenitz and his friend JaneTarail, Marvin and BarbaraWolgast, Stan and Delene Keck, and

Ruth Whitaker. Attendees arrived Wednesday, Oct. 17. The first official gathering was at 8:30 a.m. for a continental breakfast provided by Kirk. A short meeting was held to elect Stan Keck to a 1-year term as vice president. Then it was off to the AOG where the group was briefed and given a tour by Constituent Liaison MartyMarcolongo, 88 Lunch followed on the StaffTower in Mitchell Hall. After lunch, an Admissions Update Briefing was given by Director ofEnrollment Programs Lt. Col. Steve Orie, ’90, and then on to a tour ofthe Cadet Airfield facilities. Dinner that night was at the Tavern Restaurant at The Broadmoor. Friday started offwith a continental breakfast before heading to the Cadet Library for a briefing and tour by Head Librarian Dr. Ed Scott. As in the past couple of years, 90 minutes flew by. There is never a dull moment when you are with Ed Scott! Then off to the Falcon Stadium Press Box for the Football Rally Luncheon, including remarks by the new HeadFootball Coach Troy Calhoun, 89. Then back to Fairchild Hall, where the superintendent gave an update on what’s happening at USAFA. Dinner was at the Elephant Bar Restaurant where everybody had a great meal and a great time together. Saturday morning before the game, Kirk and Jill set up and hosted a tailgate lunch and everybody got revved up for the football game, in which Air Force beat Wyoming. That night we said farewell to each other at the Flying W Ranch Winter Steak House and started making plans for next years convention which will be held in Sept, or Oct. Pictures were taken and they will be on the AOG Silver Falcon Web site for everybody to see. Hope to see more ofyou next year.

Space Group

The Space Group continues to be encouraged by the improvement and strengthening ofspace-related activities at the Academy. The USAFA Space Programs Council, led by Col Marty France, ’81, coordinates a growing number ofinnovative activities for cadets and faculty members. For example, Basic Space Awareness Days provides an excellent overview ofUSAF space activities and issues for newer cadets, and the Space Pro mixers provide an opportunity for space professionals in Colorado Springs to meet with more senior cadets. These are activities that the Space Group has long endorsed, and representatives ofthe Group continue to support these interchanges.

In Oct., the USAFA faculty, led by Col. Dave Swanson, reviewed the most significant space-related activities at the Academy with Space Group leadership. A highlight ofthat meeting was the opening of contacts between the group and the Academy’s Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies, represented by Maj. Deron Jackson, the center’s deputy director. The center has organized several significantworkshops on key space topics, such as the future ofspace commerce and the potential for space-delivered solar power, and publishes Space andDefense, a new journal that emphasizes original works in the field (including cadet papers). The center will also continue to hold issue-specific forums, including a planned activity that will focus on new space policy issues for the next administration. The AOG andthe Space Group will continue to provide support to the center.

The Space Group was also briefed on the status ofUSAFA’s Summer Space Program, a cadet-run program (including ROTC cadets) that involved more than 260 cadets last summer. Among other activities, the program uses a Strategic Space War Game developed by Maj. Jackson that demonstrates how space can support nations in becoming world powers. The Summer Program also includes an introduction to satellite command and control, GIS products, a field GPS exercise, rocketry, small satellite construction, and field trips to operational sites. Maj. Doug Bayley discussed plans for next summer’s program.

As a result ofthese interchanges, the Space Group has identified several new areas for cooperation with the faculty, and opportunities to provide support to USAFA space-related activities. Graduates interested in joining the Space Group can find information at www.usafaspace.tripod.com or by contacting the Group Secretary Lawrence Cooper, ’86, at cooper@astroguy.net. You can also find us at www.zoomienation.com.

Silver Falcons tailgate before the UNLV game.

handise

Jill bbbi

View all

and shop onlii

24 hours a da

Cadet T-Shirt

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

Cadet Sweatshirt

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

Ladies Zippered \ MV Sport. "Air Fo across chest with j embroidered berj [80% cotton, 20°/M

Stadium Blanket

Pre-shrunk 80% cotton, 20% polyester. 54" x 84" Pro-Weave sweatshirt blanket. Air Force Academy and AFA crest printed on blanket ..$24.00

Hooded Sweatshirt

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

Crewneck Sweatshirt

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

Squadron Pins

Pins match 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

2007 Ornament

Prop & Wings in front of USAFA and US flags in silverstone. Background is 24kt gold plated with Air Force Academy across the top and 2007 at the bottom amid holly leaves. Approx. 2.5" in diameter. $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

Print by Keith Ferris. Numbered and signed. Approximate size is 24" wide by 30" tail. 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

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

Official USAF Academy cadet saber. Available to graduate members only. Saber with scabbard $250.00

Here's a Toast

Footfalls

Cadet Saber

RichardL. Bunce, ’63

Richard “Dick” Bunce, Class of 1963, passed away March 30th 2007 at his home in Loveland, Colo.

After graduation, Dick followed in his father’s footsteps, and accepted a commission in the Navy. He served seven years active duty as a nuclear engineer on submarines, and achieved a rank of Lieutenant Commander. Dick was part of a family history of service. Dick’s father was a U. S. Naval Academy graduate, Class of 1932, and a pilot. Dick was an Air Force Academy graduate, Class of 1963, and a submariner. Dick’s son is a Naval Academy graduate, Class of 1988, and a surface warfare officer. Three generations of academy graduates covering air, surface, andsub-surface.

After leaving active duty, Dick worked for 29 years as an engineer for Exxon Chemicals. In recent years, Dick enjoyed his retirement in Loveland with his wife, Karel. He was active in several community organizations, including the Loveland Historical Society, Rabbit Hole Radio Theater, the Rainbow Chorus, andthe Loveland Fishing Club.

He particularly enjoyed fly fishing, and was occasionally crazy enough to go out ice fishing! Although from the stories, it seems that ice fishing is more about hanging out drinking beer and telling tall tales. He also enjoyed model ship building and spending time in the garden. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karel; two children, two grandchildren, and many pets and grand-pets. He is missed by all. (Phil Bunce, Dick's son)

DanielJ. Taylor; ’63

Early in the morning on June 7, 2007, Daniel J Taylor quietly finished his mortal responsibilities on this earth. His last words were, “I’m OK”. As with everything else he said and did, those words reflect his positive attitude and commitment to successfully complete every project he started.

A legendary educator within the Air Force and then later at Westminster College in SaltLake City as director of the aeronautics program for 20 years, his contributions to aviation will be felt for generations as his students continue to fill the seats of commercial airplanes and military aircraft. It was almost solely because of Dan’s contacts and his personality that a wealthy benefactor stepped forward and provided underwriting of an ambitious program upgrade at the College in which new simulators and flying aircraft now make it one of the premier pilot programs in the nation.

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Just two months ago Dan formally retired from teaching after guiding the college to hire one of the few men at another school who had the vision and the credentials to carry on successfully. Dan has left his legacy “OK”.

Dan was known for his acumen regarding almost any device you could purchase and he was the first I would go to before buying a digital camera, a security system or a new automobile. He was one of the first customers in the state of Utah to purchase an Insight hybrid and that car was faithfully used in his daily commute to confirm his passion of preserving our heritage forfuture generations. It still gets the mileage he anticipated.

Dan’s steady excellence was demonstrated early in his cadet years as he led the 17th Squadron to a wing championship in water polo and was undefeated in two freestyle events with a wing record time that lasted for years. Selected to be one of the early participants in the Georgetown graduate program, he then proceeded on to flight training and assignment to Vietnam flying F-100 fighters. After his aircraft was phased out of that theater, Dan became a briefing officer and aide for Vice Commander Seventh Air Force and was relied upon by the leadership for his honesty and integrity, despite the efforts of some who would rather have had him leave out thebad news. His broad experience led him to serve in faculty positions at Squadron Officer School and then become aircraft commander flying B-52s. Dan’s promotion to full colonel came as a staff officer in the Pentagon where he ushered in many of the major upgrades to Air War College simulation capabilities.

Daniel had recently undergone his ninth surgery for sarcoma cancer which was first discovered in 1984 while he was working at the Pentagon. He endured the pain of each operation and emerged as a vigorous fighter again and again; however, the most recent operation revealed that this time the extent of the cancer exceeded the abilities of surgeons to remove it. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ellen, who lives in Provo, Utah; by his son John, who is a career diplomat for the state department; andhis daughter Tracy, living with her family in Dayton, Ohio. I couldn’t begin to name thethousands of others who considered him a close friend. (Harold Rust, 19th Squadron, ’65)

William M. Wittress, ’64

Col. William M. Wittress Jr., 65, died Nov. 5th 2007 at Valley Medical Center, Renton Wash., after a courageous seven-month battle with an extremely rare cancer.

Bill was a dedicated husband and father. His passing will be deeply grieved by his wife of 43 years, Jeanne. (Bill met Jeanne just four hours after she arrived at Colorado Women’s College in Denver and they were married the day after Bill graduated from the Air Force Academy.) He alsoleaves a daughter, Cristine Wittress of Issaquah, Wash.; a son, William Wittress III, his wife Kristi, and their son Matthew of North Bend Wash.

Bill was born in 1942 in Wilkinsburg, Pa. He consistently excelled in both academicsand athletics, and upon graduation from East McKeesport High School in Pennsylvania in 1960 he was awarded prestigious scholarships to both Brown and Cornell Universities. He chose an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he graduated in 1964. After graduation Bill attended Stanford

Dan Taylor

University where he received an MBA in Engineering in 1966. A lifetime learner, he later received an MBA from Wright State University in Ohio and a Juris Doctor in Law from Seattle University.

For 23 years, Bill served his country with rapidly increasing responsibility. His career included the management of a team of engineers and scientists at the Boeing AFPRO office in Seattle, Wash, wherethe Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) system was built. This program, although extremely complex and technically advanced, was an unparalleled success. In 1984 Bill joined the Air Force-NASA joint project team as Director of Space Launch Planning. There he helped develop the national launch strategy for the 1990-1995 period. Later he worked with Martin Marietta to apply artificial intelligence models to the planning and launching of satellitesaboard the Space Shuttle.

After retiring from the Air Force, Bill worked for Boeing Computer Services. He represented Boeing in Australia where he structured and wrote the financial implementation plan to build and maintain a national supercomputer network for Australia which integrated the industrial, academic and government sectors of the country.

In retirement Bill enjoyedvacationing in Hawaii with his family, cruising, and was never without a book tucked under his arm. He loved living in the Seattle area where he led a full life with a strong commitment to his family, friends, community andhis beloved grandson. A Memorial was held Nov. 12 at Fairwood Methodist Church. Three of his close friends and former 13th Squadron members participated in the service. Stories and memories ofBill written byhis former Squadron classmates were read during the service. Airmen from McChord Air Force Base presented the American flag to Jeanne. Taps and a gun salute finished the service. Burial will be at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens in Grants Pass, Ore. and a plaque will be placed in his honor at the Tahoma National Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in Bill’s name to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, 111 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10006. (13th Squadron classmates David O’Brien and John Sowers; and Bill’s wife Jeanne Patterson Wittress)

Allen E Natella, *65

Alan Natella slipped the surly bonds on June 17, 2007 in Scottsdale Ariz. after a 10-month battle with brain cancer. A1 joined the Class of ’65 in June 1961 with few attributes of an ideal cadet. He was just barely 17, short, slope-shouldered, not gifted athletically or academically, andhad a dread of the 10-meter platform. His only advantage was that he could showthree chins at brace with ease.

In those pre-PC days he was Wop #3 out of the three Italian-heritage cadets in Ninth Squadron ’65. A1 kept plugging for four years and he was the only one of the three to graduate. He somehow squeezed time from the Dean to be one of the falcon handlers. Upon graduation, he went on to flight training and proudly flew F 4s with the 555th TFS in Thailand during our generation’s war.

Life threw A1 a few bad curves. He developed testicular cancer in the early 1970s and was medically retired from the Air Force. A1 was especially proud of fathering a second daughter, Annette, in spite of his male plumbing problems - claiming a fighter pilot can pull off miracles.

A1 pursued many careers in New Mexico and Arizona after he left the Air Force. He never quite became an Amway baron or real estate tycoon, but his stories and jokes about his latest business and romantic interests enlivened many USAFA reunions. He was rightfully

proud of his wartime service to the USA andhis daughters Angelique and Annette. A1 certainly enjoyed life in general, golf, his many friends, parties, and dancing.

I was able to visit A1 at the hospice in Scottsdale in his final days. He faced theend like a fighter pilot, with courage and dignity. He never lost his sense of humor in spite of his ailments and heavy medications. In the fog of time, our memories of trips together became more adventuresome and our ex-girlfriends prettier than reality. His message to his classmates was, “Keep It Light.” Goodbye warrior, friend, NINER, and classmate - rest in peace Alan Natella. (J.C. Edwards, ’65)

GaryR. Lorenz, *67

Gary Robert Lorenz, 63, died Sept. 29, 2007, with his companion dogs, Merry and Pippin, protecting him. Lorenz was born March 25, 1944 in St. Paul, Minn., to Robert M. and Bernice S. (Hanneld) Lorenz.

He married Sandra Lee Clark Dec. 23, 1967, in the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel. He had a stellar career in the Air Force. After academygraduation in 1967, he became a fighter pilot and flew combat missions in Vietnam in the F-4 Phantom. He returned to the Air Force Academy as a military training instructor during the 1986-87 school year.

He was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served as deputy commandant of the Air Force Cadet Wing in 1987-88, and was promoted to colonel the following year and served as vice commandant of cadets.

In 1990-91, Lorenz was wing commander of Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, from which aircraft supporting the Desert Storm Operation were based. He retired in 1991.

He and his wife, Sandee, who would have celebrated their 40th anniversary in December, moved to Denver after his retirement. They purchased their property in Cotopaxi, Colo, in 1980, built their home there in the 1990s and moved there permanently in 1998.

Survivors are his wife, Sandra; children Deanna and John, and seven siblings: Katie Lorenz, Reenie LePage, Michael Lorenz, Patricia Lorenz, Robert Lorenz, Nancy Heisler, and Linda Lorenz.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

After four weeks of continuous searching by Colorado Search and Rescue and many caring friends, Lorenz was laid to rest at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Services were on Oct. 29 at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Catholic Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to Fremont Search & Rescue, 100 Justice Center Road, Canon City, Colo. 81212, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Rocky Mountain North Chapter, 4104 Outlook Blvd., Building B, Pueblo, Colo. 81008. (Excerpted from The Mountain Mail newspaper.)

Michael W.Butler, ’76

Retired Colonel Michael Wayne Butler, age 53, was taken from us on June 12, 2007 when his vehicle, a Humvee second in a convoy, was hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) followed by a small arms attack and a direct hit by an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) near Tikrit, Iraq while working for DynCorp International. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; sons Mike and Daniel, and grandson Da’Kori.

Mike was born in Chicago, Ill. on April 27,1954 and raised in Omaha, Neb. After graduating from North High School in Omaha he spent a year at the University of Nebraska before being appointed to the United States Air Force Academy in 1972. He entered with the class of

A1 Natella

GaryLorenz

76 in June 1972 and graduated with CS-40 on June 2, 1976. Mike was commissioned and began an illustrious and rewarding career as an aircraft maintenance officer. Mike proudly served at various levels in the Air Force, including command of the 50th Component Repair Squadron at Hahn AB, Germany and later of the 39th Logistics Group at Incirlik AB, Turkey. Col Butlerretired from the Air Force after 30 years of distinguished military service to our country on July 1, 2006 as the CENTAF Director of Logistics, a demanding position he held for three years. After retirement, Mike took some much-deserved vacation with his family including a trip around the world with Joanne. He and Joanne then setded in rural Rembert, S.C.; however, Mike could not stay settled for long. He signed on with DynCorp International in December of 2006 to be the Senior Deputy Program Manager for CIVPOL and went back to the region in which he spent much of his Air Force career. Mike brought his leadership to the program and carried on with his “I’ve got to see it to believe it” approach to business. It was this type of hands-on approach and “lead from the front” mentality that made him beloved to everyone with whom he worked.

Mike spent his last days doing what he loved to do and what he knew best - leading. All who met Mike instantly recognized him as a genuine, forthright, and fun-loving man. Whether as a husband, father, son, friend, superior, or subordinate, Mike took the time to make a difference for the people around him. His absence is deeply felt but his legacy will live on in the countless lives he has touched over his decades of service. Col. (Ret) Michael W. Butler will be the 169th name added to the USAFA Graduate War Memorial on the Terrazzo. Here’s a toast... (1 st Lt. MichaelJ. Butler, ’05, Mike’s son)

RobertM. Dorr, ’78

Robert Michael Dorr was born in Hot Springs, Ark. on Aug. 22, 1956 and died of a sudden heart-related incident Sept. 8, 2007 in Sacramento, Calif. Bob grew up in an Air Force family. They lived in many places, including Guam, before moving to El Dorado Hills, Calif, near Sacramento. There he entered high school and enjoyed many sports, especially baseball. After graduating from high school in 1974 he entered the U.S. Air Force Academy. Along with the challenge of academics, he enjoyed playing baseball and flying gliders. He graduated in 1978 and entered the Air Force.

Bob earned his navigator wings at Mather AFB, Calif. He was then stationed at Travis AFB, Calif, as a crewmember on KC-135s. This assignment included several deployments to England. There he met Carol Poole and they were later married. His next assignment was Warner-Robins AFB. Ga. There his daughter Jessica was born. “She is the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen.” Next he was transferred to the command post at Spangdahlem AB Germany. At “Spang” he again played baseball for the base team and this became a big interest for the rest of hislife. Here his son Bobby

“ham-head” was born. He was proud of his kidsand loved them more than anything. Bob also enjoyed trips to the villages along the Mosel River and the “Christmas Market” in Trier. Germany was one of the highlights of his Air Force experience.

Upon his return to the U.S. he was stationed at Altus AFB, Okla. where he again flew on KC-135 tankers. When “Desert Storm” began he spent a tour in Saudi Arabia in the command post at Riyadh. He made a good attempt to adjust to life and customs in the desert but was glad to get back to Oklahoma.

From Altus he was transferred to Fairchild AFB, Wash. In addition to crew duties he was the Base Disaster Preparedness Officer. He also had the opportunity to play baseball with a local senior league team. He enjoyed this area very much, especially Coeur d Alene, Idaho. Another highlight of this tour was a canoe trip with his dad and two brothers to Bowren Lake in British Columbia, Canada. In 2003 he retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel after 24 years of service. He was proud to have served his country!

He then moved back to the Sacramento area. Upon his return to California he decided to become a pharmacist. He was well on his way to finishing his prerequisites for pharmacy school. He worked hard to pass his courses and took pride in doing above-average work. He studied to become certified as a pharmacy technician in an effort to better his knowledge in the pharmaceutical field.

Bob loved large dogs and had several as pets. Along the way he acquired the nickname “Big Dog”. He was always “up beat” and fun to be around. He helped his dad build a BBQ and enjoyed many Sundays playing tennis and eating BBQ dinners with his parents.

He has been laid to rest in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif. Bob is survived by his parents, Bob and Barbara; his children Jessica (21) and Bobby (19), his brothers Tom and Dan, and many friends. We will always fondly remember “Big Dog”. (Father Robert E. Dorr USMA ’54)

William L. Clardy ’79

William Lawrence Clardy was born Oct. 16, 1956 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After touring the country as the son of a United States Navy chaplain, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1974. He received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in 1975 and graduated from the Academy in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Military History.

On Sept. 29,1979, two weeks before entering pilot training, William married Tawnya Kay Pelham of Beeville, Texas. Following completion of undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Texas in September 1980, he was assigned to Castle AFB, Calif, for initial qualification training in the B-52H. William’s first operational assignment was as a co-pilot with the 77th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D. In August 1984, following training at Castle AFB, he was upgraded to B-52 aircraft commander.

In February 1985 William and Tawnya were blessed with the birth of their first child, Nathan. In August 1985 William returned to Laughlin AFB as a T-37 instructor pilot with the 85th Flying Training Squadron. While at Laughlin, he served as

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MikeButler

Bob Dorr

Wing Mobility Officer and later as Flight Commander and Chief of T37 Upgrade Training. In September 1988 William and Tawnya were blessed with the birth of their second child, Andrew.

In August 1989 William returned to the B-52, this time assigned to the 9th Bomb Squadron, Carswell AFB, Texas. While assigned to the 9th he served as Flight Commander and later as Assistant Operations Officer. In November 1992 he was selected as Chief, 28th Bomb Wing Bomber Mission Development. The highlight of this assignment was appearing with former astronaut Neil Armstrong on the cable TV series “First Flights.” In March 1993 William was assigned to the Operations and Exercise Division of Air Combat Command Headquarters, Langley AFB, Virginia. In July 1993 William and Tawnya were blessed with the birth of their third child, Stephen.

Following a year working deployment exercises to Europe, William took over as chief of the Wargaming Section, where he has served until his retirement. William retired on June 30,1996 after 18 years of service to the United States Air Force. At the time ofhis retirement, William was a command pilot with over 3,500 hours in the B-52, T-37, and T-38.

In August 1996, William entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas to pursue a Master of Divinity degree. After graduating in May 1999, he went to serve as the Associate Pastor of Crestview Baptist Church in Midland, Texas. In January 2004, he was called to serve as Senior Pastor ofGrace Fellowship Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. He was the pastor there at the time ofhis death.

William and his family were camping at Lost Maples Natural Area in the Texas hill country when William was struck by lightening and killed while hiking with his sons, Andrew and Stephen. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Tawnya; son Nathan and wife, Morgan, of Grand Prairie, Texas; sons Andrew and Stephen of San Antonio, Texas; mother Alice Clardy of Temple, Texas; and brothers David (Kathy) and Mark (Carla).

William is remembered by his friends for his wit, great faith in God, and his constant smile.

William would want all of you to share in the promise of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (Tawnya Clardy William's wife)

Robert W. Lucka, ’86

Robert William Lucka, age 43 of Noblesville, Ind., passed away July 22, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. Rob was born Feb. 1, 1964 in Dayton, Ohio to Wilbert and Maria E. Lucka.

A1986 graduate ofthe Air ForceAcademy, Rob was stationed at Williams AFB, Ariz., where he flew T-37s and T38s. He also flew KC-135s at Grissom AFB for the Air Force and Reserves. Rob proudly served his country for eight years. He became a pilot with UPS earning the rank of Captain flying 727s, 757s and 767s.

Besides his passion for flying Rob enjoyed golfing at the Harbor Trees Golf Club in Noblesville where he was a member. He was also a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church. Rob was a loving son, brother, husband and father. He was especially proud of his wife and children and the time that they had together. On Aug. 14, 2004 Rob married Gayle Cackler Lucka, who survives.

Other survivors include his parents; his mother-in-law, Kathleen Cackler; son Taylor Robinson; daughter Grace Marie Lucka; brothers Doug and Adam Lucka; sisters-in-law Jennifer Cackler, Debora Harding and Cynthia Coleman. (Frank Countryman, ’69)

Atpress timewe hadlearnedofthe deathsofthefollowinggraduates:

Maj. (Ret)JohnG. Hayes, Classof1959,whodied onAug. 17,2007 ofpancreatic cancer in San Deigo, Calif.

Mr. Daniel Habura, Class of1963, who died on July22,2002.

Mr. StephenJ. Feaster, Classof1970, who died onAug. 22,2007of cancer inAlbuquerque, N.M.

Mr. KennethD. Rachocki, Class of1978,who died onAug. 7,2007 ofcancer in Queen Creek, Ariz.

Mr. BlakeA. Lawrence, Class of1982, whodied on Sept. 6,2007 of cancer in Flagstaff,Ariz.

Mr. Paul M. Comeau, Class of1990, who died on Nov. 12,2007. Oursincerecondolences tothefamilyandfriendsofthesegraduates.

MortuaryAffairs Provides List of Academy Cemetery Eligibles

Subparagraphs 1.1. through 1.12., HQ UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY INSTRUCTION 34-242, 8 MARCH 2006, Services, USING THE USAF ACADEMY CEMETERY list those people eligible; however, certain general conditions apply. First, all authorized military personnel must have discharges under honorable conditions (this also applies to graduates). Second, Academy authorities will not normally approve requests to inter individuals not authorized below. However, the 10th Air Base Wing Commander, (10 ABW/CC) can disapprove a request for an exception, but only the Superintendent can approve such an exception.

1.1. USAF Academy cadets.

1.2. Air Force military personnel assigned to the USAF Academy or to tenant units at the Academy at the time of their deaths. This does not include non-Academy personnel who are assigned on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to the Academy Patient Squadron Section of the USAF Academy Hospital.

1.3. USAF Academy graduates. NOTE: Only the Superintendent may disapprove a request to inter a USAFA graduate in the Academy cemetery.

1.4. All active duty and retired USAF generals and lieutenant generals.

1.5. Former Superintendents, Vice Superintendents, Commandants of Cadets, Deans of the Faculty, Directors of Staff (formerly Chiefs of Staff), appointed Directors of Admissions, Directors of Athletics, Permanent Professors, Sequential Tour Faculty Officers (formerly Continuous Tour Staff Officers), Tenured Faculty Officers, Preparatory School Commanders, Air Base Wing Commanders, and Academy Command Chief Master Sergeants.

1.6. Original cadre Air Force personnel assigned to the USAF Academy between 11 July 1955 and 10 September 1957.

1.7. USAF cross-commissioned officer graduates of West Point or Annapolis who have retired with at least 20 years of uniformed service.

1.8. Air Force Academy Board ofVisitors members with prior distinguished military service.

1.9. All Medal of Honor recipients regardless of branch of service.

1.10. All Air Force Cross recipients.

1.11. Former CMSgts performing as Cadet Wing Sergeant Majors who held the position during 1972-1996.

1.12. Eligible relatives of a service-connected sponsor listed in paragraphs 1.2. through 1.11. who are interred or eligible to be interred in the Academy cemetery. The Academy cemetery inters eligible relatives who die before their service-connected sponsor only if the sponsor signs an agreement saying he or she wants to be interred in the Academy cemetery. These eligible relatives are as follows:

flpp^Q

86% Members

Pete Todd 1250 Big Valley Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80919-1015

H: (719) 531-5874

E-mail: petetodd@comcast.net

As has become mycustom, I traveled to the East Coast this fall forthe Falcons’ annualServiceAcademyaway-footballgame. Ordinarily,Wendywould have accompanied me, but shehadjustreturnedfrom several weeks of“chemo R&R” with family and friends in Englandanddeclaredherself“traveled out. I made a two-week trip out ofitandusedthetimeproductivelybyfreeloading on various classmates and otherfriendsinthe DC-VA-MD area.

Thefirsttargets were Bill andAnnaTelfordwho havebeen regaling me foryearswithtales andphotos oftheirfabulous home on the shore ofSmith Mountain Lake in centralVirginia. Theyhad graciously invited me down to sample the legendaryhospitality and scenery enjoyedby many other ’59ers on countless mini-reunions. It was a greatvisit and I may even have gottenthelastboatride on their drought-strickenlake.

Thebiggestsurpriseofthe trip was thevisitto theNationalD-DayMemorial located in nearbyBedford,VA.Thelocationis appropriatebecausethis town sufferedthehighestpercapitaD-Daylosses in the nation.This site isn’tjust a plaque and a giftshop; it’s a nine-acre complexwith a lush Englishgarden, a hauntinginvasiontableauwithstatuaryand a stylizedlanding scene, andthe strikingVictoryArch seen in the accompanyingphoto. This memorial is locatedoutside ofthemainstreamtouristtrafficpatternsoftheDC area, butwas wellattendedandisjustwaitingto be discoveredand appreciatedbycrowds ofdiscerningveterans and other aware citizens.

Afewweekslater, Billwrote, “Theweekendafterthegame, we were pleased to hostJoe andKarenMorgan.Thatwas theweekend oftheannual SmithMt Lake HomeTour, wherebyeighthomeowners put their homes on tour for threedays as partofa fundraiserforlocalcharities. Theproblemthisyearwas thatthe water was so lowdue to our droughtconditions thatwe couldn’ttake

Todd and Telford at the D-DayMemorial: Too young to have fought at Normandy butnottoo old torememberandrevere theheroism ofthose who did.

theboat. Nonetheless, theweatherwas greatand we had a goodtime. Joe and Karen were continuingsouth to visit Charlestonand Savannah, on theirway to visitJoe’s Mom in Gainesville, Fla.Theycertainlyhad goodweatherforthe trip. Ithasn’t rainedhere in so longwe’veforgottenwhat itlooks like! I’mjust glad we were able to get the boat out when you were here, so we could see some ofthe sights.

Backin DC prior to the game, theweek’s highlight wasan informal but elegant dinner partyhosted on Fridayeveningby Kent and Fredda (Sparks) Montavon at their stylishA Street home. It was a “hubbubulous” partythat featured greatfood, the usual ’59er camaraderie andmore-or-less on-key singing of“HappyBirthday” and (ofcourse) theAir Force Song, accompanied expertlybyFredda on their piano.

Joe Morgan did his usual masterfuljob of organizing the pre-game and post-game tailgates and dinner inAnnapolis, up to and including MUCH betterweatherthanthe 2005 version. The game’s outcome, unfortunately, was no improvement over previous contests. It looked to me like the loss at BYU the previousweekshookthe team’s confidence and theyleft at least 15 points on theNavyfieldthroughpoorexecutionandlostcomposure.They’ve bouncedback, though, and have puttogether an enviable record.

Some oftheearlybirds at thepre-game tailgate.

As isusualwiththese game-related socialactivities, not everyone made it to everyevent, but atvarious times throughout thatweekend I enjoyedvisiting withMike andArohanuiBender, DickandJeanCarr,Jim andMollyConnally, Steve and PattyHamer, Jack and ShirleyHundemer, Jimmie and JudyJay, Wayne and Bonnie Jefferson, Ed and JudyJosephson, Ron Lanman, John Miltner, Kent and Fredda (Sparks) Montavon, Ed and Lucia Montgomery, JoeandKarenMorgan, Mike andMarianReardon,TrudeSee, CraigandJoann Schaum, Bill andAnnaTelfordandFred andBrendaWynn. Sheryl (Jennings) McGurkandherhusband, Sean, alsojoined us forthe tailgates.

InOctober, BrianParkerreported on his annualtrip to the 13th Bomb Squadron Association Reunion. “On the way to the reunion, I enjoyed a short but verypleasantvisitwithHTJohnson athislovelyhome inMcLean,VA. BothHT and Linda lookgreat.

“Atthe SquadronAssociation reunion we had another reunionwith classmate, friend, and theAssociation treasurer, Norris Olson, andJeanas well as theAssociation’s oldestmember, Colonel Silas Molyneaux (USAFAfaculty memberfor our Class) and wife, Marilyn.

“The entire trip, which went fromTexas to Maine, to the reunion in Hampton,VA, andbackwith manydetours visiting old friends and relatives, was over 5,000 miles in 28 days.

AftertheAF-Armygame on 3 Nov, I hadthepleasure ofjoining a smallgroup ofclassmates and otherLowry-eragrads andtheirwives at a local restaurant foraveryspecialoccasion: the 85th birthdaypartyforB/Gen (Ret) BenCassiday. Kudos to Dave Phillipsforsettingup (andsubsidizingkeyparts of) theparty.

It was a “Love Fest” all around as themembers ofthe earlyclasses toasted

Ben andreflected on theimpact“Bent-wingBen, hadhad on ouryounglives. Forus, this33-year-oldfull colonelhotshotfighterpilotwas a livingtemplatefor howAirForce officers shouldlook, speak, act andconductthemselves. He was andremains our consummate exemplarofleadership, integrity, discipline and professionalexcellence. Modest man thatheis, he was visiblysquirmingunder the glare ofallthis adulation, but was just as clearlyproud ofwhat his charges had accomplished intheirlivesthroughhis guidance andinfluence.

Missing:DavePhillips, who was outsidesmokinglargecigarsand committingphilosophywithRandyCubero (’61).

Wendy and I wishyou andyour loved ones ajoyousholiday season and a healthy,happyNewYear. Take care ofyourselves andeach otherandlet’s show up at the 50th Reunion at Full Strength!

Thoughtforthe Quarter:Love thyneighbor as thyself, butchoose thyneighbor carefully.

gf A.J. (Rosie) Cler, Jr.

5423 Myrtle Wood

Sarasota, FL 34235-4624

Phone: (941) 371-4843

E-mail: RCtherose@aol.com

Class Web Site: www.usafa.nel/1960

90 % Members

Life’s a funnyolddog. Here we are writingfrom Florida—that “4-H Haven” ofHeat, Humidity, Hibiscus and Hurricanes, a virtual Demi-Paradise for seniors—whereWalgreenssells more stoolsoftenerthanSweetbaystocksgreen bananas.

Fuller and JudyAtkinsonlive in Bradenton (moved from Punta Gorda in 2001, where Fuller had “a boat out the back door, with a short mn to theharbor and Gulf, playinggolf...toughlife— golfandboating!”That’s Llorida Light) There’s MikeJ. and Emma Clarke (theylive in Baker—35 miles north ofFort Walton Beach, Mike’s Skyboltis 100’ from theirbackdoorto his runway),Jerryand Marcia Daily (Bonita Springseight months, then Lauderdale Lake near Elkhorn, WI: “Marcia hates cold weather, and unless it’s warm enough to take a cocktailcruisewithout a sweater we don’tleaveforWisconsin”), Jon and Brenda Day (Sorrento northwest ofOrlando), Billy Delony (Dunnellon southwest of Ocala), Jerry and Dotty Farquhar(IndianHammock20 milesnorthofLakeOkeechobee, also a condo in Port St. Lucie 80 miles north ofFt. Lauderdale and then six months each year on their48’ boat “Watchout” docking near Little PipeCayin the Exuma Islands).

BillandKath Giilis (PanamaCity, house on thebay, also a home inGlendale, AZ), FrankandFaye Gorham (Lynn Haven—PanamaCityarea), Syd andAnn Gurley (Orlando), Karland MaryAnn Jones (Niceville near FortWalton Beach),Tonyand LomaJones (MaryEsther—nearFortWaltonBeach), Brian andCarolKaley(“snowbirds” attheirNaples condo NovemberthroughApril, then to their remodeled 1815 home in Brookfield, CT), Gary and Diane Karshnick (Melbourne on the east coast: “Maybe we can have a state-wide mini reunion!”).

Pete andLindaKing (Valparaisoaddress, “although ourhome isjust outside the east gate ofEglinAFB”), Dale andldaMayo (DelrayBeach—north ofFt. Lauderdale), Oogie and Deloris Prindle (Tallahassee), Marty and Suzanne Richert (FlaglerBeach—north ofDaytonaBeach), GerryandHildburg Stack (Sanford—northofOrlando), Don andJoanne Stevens (Destin—FortWalton Beach area), Ted Stumm (Jacksonville—“don’t let out our secret—about Florida—oreveryonewill want to livehere”),Aaron and Millie Ttirush (Fort Walton Beach), Bob and Louise Weinaug (Deland—north ofOrlando), and now, Rosie and Karen Cler (Sarasota, recentlyofABQ, NM)—thatmakes 23 classmatesinThe Sunshine State.

It was a much ballyhooedperformance in hisBali Hai role for “South Pacific” thathadDave Sweigarttakingcurtaincalls as enlisted man “LutherBillis, wearing a grass skirt and revealing coconut bra (see photo). The play enthralledaudiences at HillCountryCommunityTheatre in Cottonwood Shores near his Meadowlakes, TXhome Sept27-Oct 14. More than 2,000 lustylocals attending the performances cheered David in his (headed-for-Broadway?) role as a “Seabeewheeler-dealerwith schemes to make moneyand travel to BaliHaiwhere he couldgetlots ofsouvenirs andnative girls.” The Marble Falls (TX) Northland Express reviewproclaimed, simply: “Wow!fust, Wow!”

Liz and Norm Hallervisited Colorado forLiz’s 50* high school reunion at north Denver’s city ofThornton. Liz graduated fromAurora High School’s Class of 1957. Liz, her sister Kathy and Norm then went to Jim Glaza’s 70th birthdaypartyin Monument onAugust 19th wherethere were fourwith birthdays inthe same week; also stoppingbywas BOB Browning (’59). (Alsohaving 70th birthdaypartiesduringthisperiod were Bob Fischer and KenAlnwick, see those stories on the Class web site).

Noted athlete George Pupich—who couldn’trecognize entropyfrom enthalpybutcertainlydoes knowhis football, fishingandfreshets—told us How ISpentMySummerVacation:“Wehavebeendoing a bitoftravelingthis summer, including a weekinAlaskawith John and Deanne McCullough at their lodge on KodiakIsland. It was both fabulous and tremendouslyenjoyable— although I’m not a fisherman, I caught a 70y-pluspoundhalibut!”

RalphLalime gave this account ofthe tailgate aroundtheAFA-Navygame in D.C. September 27th “Attending were Tom and MaryBurke, GeorgePupich and friend Craig, Bill Goodyear andfourNavyfriends who also attended two years ago, MikeJ. andNancyClarke (Mike andNancyalwaysprovide a bigger honeybakedham everyyear; this is thefirstyear we didn’tfinishit, but I think this was big enough to have been the Oklahoma mascot), Ken and Judy Alnwick,Jim andJeanette Glaza, Les Querry, Joe Burshnick(Tony’s son), my son Chris Lalime et moi! (photobelow).WhenPupicharrived, Chris, who had spent a year in Bosnia, greeted George in Serbian and gave him a glass of Slivovitz. GeorgeproposedthetraditionalSerbian toast andtheyjabbered on in Serbianwith a lot oflaughter.” Navy won 31-20.

KenWerrellhas won theAirForce HistoricalFoundation’s BestBookAward in 2006 for “Sabres OverMIGAlley.” “Dr. Werrells book is an exceptionally well-documentedwork,” stated thejudges, and praised its’ readability. And shouldyougo to TheAirLorce, publishedbytheAirForce Historical Foundation (2002), pages 132-151, you can read" TheAirLorcein theKorean War,” byKenneth PWerrell, Ph. D. (R: In that same book, you’ll also read the contributionofGeneralRonaldW. Yates, pages 288-297, entitled “Research, Development,Acquisition & Logistics.”)

“Father (VeryReverend) Peter L. Zalewski, VF., Pastor of our Catholic St. Dominic’s church,baptized our two children, Sebastian and Cecelia, recently, plus didtheir 1st Reconciliation (Confession) and 1st Communion. Not only didhegraduate fromthe USAFAcademyin ’88, he goes there every summer as anAF Reservist!” This sent inbyKathGiilis,WildBill’swife, to demonstrate that AFAgrads’ influence spreads into most areas ofthe FreeWorld.

Friendly Fire. George Elliott Luck and wife, Carolyn, just had their first grandchild—RiverWallace Luck, who’s now one year old (Sep 07). River is named after his great-grandfather, who was a gliderpilotwith the 82nd Airborneflyinginto NormandyandHollandinWWII...GordyFlygarestayedwith us inABQ, ridingin on his BMWcycle to attendthe Sandia Cycle Classic September 14-16th ; and, PhilMeinhardt andfriendVeronicastopped for a “Rosie-

‘Bent- WingBen and some ofhisyoungcharges allgrown up. From leftare BrockStrom, Pete Todd, Gene Vosicka, Eddie Rosane, Ben Cassiday, Roger VanHaaften, Ed Montgomery, Max Miller, Larry Thomson, and George Klutinoty.

Phillunch” while drivingthroughfrom Houston afterPhil completed his proton therapy for prostate cancer, then to Santa Fe and Taos.. .As we age, our modes oftransportchange, like Bill Goodyear, andwife, Linda, of22years, Bill goingfromnear-sonicB52s to taking a trainfromFullerton, CA, thenAmtrak’s “CoastlineStarlight” for35 hoursfrom LosAngeles to Seattle. Billhelped some oldfriends celebrate 50years ofmarriage, then spent 10 dayswithhis newlyborn granddaughter, Lucinder Camille Purty.

USAFADC ’60hadtheir4thannualFalconRoostingatLesandMartyQuerry’s home on 27 October: In the photo, from left in the back row are Goodson, Fischer,Badger,Hales, Lalime, Becky and George Fries, MartyHiatt Querry, Mike A. Clarke, A1 Johnson, de la Cruz,Alnwick, and Querry. Middle row: Barbara Hales,Tom and MaryEllen Burke, andBurshnick. Front row sitting: MarynGoodson, LutziFischer, NancyClarke, LilianeBadger, KarenBurshnick, JudyAlnwick, and BettydelaCruz.

Mini-ReunionXI November 1-3 in Colorado Springs around theAFA-Army Football Game startedwith cocktailsThursdaynight atJackandElaineBrush’s hillsidehome, thendinnerFridayat the EmbassySuites, Saturdaymorning’s GlazaGate and a 20-pointvictory overArmyfollowed by an eveningbuffet at theEmbassy. Inthephoto, front row: Sexton, Kaley, Glaza,Yoakum,Farquhar, Mosier; back rows: Seebode, Querry, Schwank, Porter, Kendall, Bilello, Schehr, Bujalski,McClure, Stumm, Pupich, Fries,Biancur,Meinhardt, Luck, Waddle andYates. (Missingwere JohnMcCullough andJackBrush). And on Sundayafternoon November 4th Bruce andCaryl Mosier’s girls gave them a “surprise” 45thweddinganniversaryparty.

JoanNegroni, JimRogers andLindaCain, Bill andRhodaStackhouse, Charlie Dixon and Liz Powers, Ron Muller, John Sullivan, Bill Sanzenbacher, Spike and BeckyNunn, andJackandDiane McDonough. PB. and Mer O’Connor, alongwithJerryand Sue Lefton,broughtthe warmweatherfromNorthCarolina. GeneandJudyDavis arrivedfromFloridawithGene’snewmysterybook.. JerryGillsaidthattheyarrived 18years afterthe “velvet revolution, but six members of’61 successfullypenetrated the iron curtain in earlySeptember. Theycruiseddownthe “Blue” Danube to Hungary, Slovakia,Austria, andthe Czech.Republic.Although the river flooded and it rained almost every day, theyemergedvictorious. Their group included: Gene and JudyDavis, Bob andWinnieWagner,JerryandDorothyGill, Doug and Diane Cairns, andJimmy and SusanPoole.

In late September John and Casey Goodley traveled to Beijing, China, walked on/along the “Wall”, saw the Terra Cotta Warriors, and then sailed down the Yangtze River throughtheThree Gorges and saw the new dam. Theythen flewback to Beijing to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. From there theyboarded a cruise ship andwent to Japan, Okinawa,Taiwan,Viet Nam, and Bangkok.While on the ship one dayduringlunch, a couple sat downandbeganto talk. Itwas Gary Karschnick (’60) andhiswife. Theyhad several goodvisits. After returning, the Goodleys andJackBright went out to theirfavorite catfish restaurant in SanAntonio. Aftertheirextendedtrip,Jacksaidthattheyhave to start learning golfall over again.

Henry Howe was asked on Sept 20 to be the Executive Director of the Briarwood Retreat Center when the current director was fired. This is the Retreat Centerwhere he directedthe Evacuee CenterforHurricanesKatrina and Ritavictims. He hopes that a search committeewill soon recommend a new director, and that he will be able to return to “retired”life byearly next year. Earlier, he and Peggytook a couple ofdays to visit their daughterTricia at KirtlandAFB where she is completing transition training to the MC- 130 before moving to EglinAFB.

You mayrecallthat BriceJones gave a shortspeech at our FirstDaycelebration. Several classmates later asked Brice to have it printed, and George Buchnerhadvideotaped most ofit. The compromise was thatyou can now watch it at: http://YouTube.com/watch?v=lHjvkOcYhik

Dean andJo Jonesjoined several other members ofthe Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute for an enjoyable tour ofChina in October. They visited the same Chinese sites as the Goodleys, plus silkand porcelainfactories. Theycompletedtheirtour in Shanghai, whichis deservedlydescribed as “NewYork City on steroids”.

Lowell and SandyJones have completed their annual fall trip pullingtheir Airstream to MyrtleBeach, the Redneck Reunion, and other stops along the way. On theirwayhome, theystopped inAtlanta andhad a nice luncheon withDot andJerryGill, SamBarazzone, andMike Rawlins. Theylaugheda lot, as well as discussed theAtlanta area running out ofwater. Sam saidLake Lanier (his home is on its shore) was 17 feet lower than normal.

Bob Kellockand Samanthaopenedtheirlittle nest inPatagonia,AZ, over the weekend of3-4 November, seeing a light at theend ofthetunnel. Theyplan a formal announcement ofabode shortly, andhe expects to breakthe Boeing traces inless than ayear.

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.org

Members

Tom Ellerreports thatUSAFA held the FalconHeritage Forumto honor our graduateheroes, Oct 17-21. Lee Buderwas the dinnerspeaker on thelastnight, and Charlie Neel, Tom Sutton, and JudyMoorberg made presentations to cadets during the Forum. Friday afternoon. Judy, Charlieand Lynda Neel, Tom andAnne Eller, and a hostofcadets and officerswatched as 4th Squadron mounted a plaque on the wall outside the room that Monte Moorberghad occupied as a First Classman. The plaque commemorates Monte’s 2 Dec 1966 actions that earnedhim theAirForce Cross. Classmatesmayrecall thatBrice Jones had presented the plaque to the Cadet Commander and theAOC of4th Squadronduring our September2006 reunion. Saturdaynightafterthefootball game, Doreen andLee Butier,Jan andRandyCubero,Anne andTomEller, Jim Hinkle, Erna and Wayne Haring, and Joan and Worth McCue, Judy Moorberg, Lynda and Charlie Neel, and Lorraine andTom Sutton dined together atTheBlue Star.

After ourVirginiacontingentandJimCassidycheered on the tough Falcon team at theAirForce-Navyfootball game on Sept29, theypartied at thehome ofBill andTheda Foster. Theyincluded John and Joan Kohout, Hector and

Joanie and Lee McCleskeyattended their50thhigh schoolreunions inArkansas and Georgia. They also helped their daughter and son-in-law in Edmond, OK, but their grandsonhad contracted a serious “bug” which infected Lee’s sister, his parents, and Lee. Theyreturned to College Stationfor a whilebefore goingto Louisiana to help their son and daughter-in-lawwith a newborntheyhad adopted there. Lee and Joanie are enjoyinglife.

Lynda and Charlie Neel departed for SouthAmerica on 26 November for nearly a month, with sightseeing on both ends of a 16-dayHollandAmerica cruisewith Charlie’s sister and herhusband. Theyplanned to visit Santiago, Chile, two otherports in Chile, sail around CapeHorn, stop in the Falklands, make two stops inArgentina (to include Buenos Aires), visit Montevideo, Uruguay, and finish in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Upon theirreturn, theyplan to drive to Albuquerque to spend Christmas with Kris and family.

Hector said that all attendees are indebted to the 1961 RedneckRivieraReunion Committee ofJimmyPoole, DougCairns, NealWestbrook, andJerry Gill and their charming ladies for anothervery successful GrayTag event at Orange Beach,AL, 19-22 Oct. Thanks also to Mer O’Connor for designing theirofficialT-Shirts and to JimmyPooleforarrangingtheirproduction, Gwen Westbrookforthe delicious mints, and Lydia Boesch for the delicious fudge andlemonbars. Fiftyclassmembers, spouses, andsignificantothersattended. The highlight was thewedding ofPat Buckleyand MarilynKitching at 1800 hours Saturday, during a memorable and romantic seashore ceremony. Amongthose attendingwere: Jimmyand Susan Poole, DougandDee Cairns,

NealandGwenWestbrook,Jerryand DotGill, Bob andWinnieWagner, PB and Mer O’Connor,Jerryand Sue Lefton, JimRogers andLindaCain, Bill Lane and RuthHarris, GeorgeBuchner,JohnandMaryPayne, Bill andThedaFoster,Jack Bright,JohnandLydiaBoesch,JohnandSheilaMay, SamandGwenBarazzone, Gene andJudyDavis, CharlieDixonandLizPowers, Rees andPaulineWagner, Steve Ho and LynnFunkhauser, John and Suzie Caughman, Dickand Sylvia Fairlamb, Lowell andSandyJones,Jim andPattyHourin, andHectorandJoan Negroni. Festivities beganFridayeveningwiththetraditional “EdZompaMemorial shrimp boilmeal” andended Sundayeveningwith a heavilycontested game ofCharades. Inbetween, theysharedgolf,fishing, tennis, cycling, buildingsandcastles, shopping, andwatchingfootball games.

EarlSaundersnotedthatafternearlytwo decades oftailgatingatUSAFAfootballgames,JimWilhelmhasretiredhisrenovatedGreyhoundbusthatserved us so wellalltheseyears. Ithadbeenthe gatheringplace for ’61 in Colorado for20 yearswith a classflagpoisedoverheadanditsblueandwhite awningprotecting us from sun, rain, and snow. Nov3,2007,whenAFwhippedArmy, was thelast Saturdayforthe oldbusparked on the apron ofFalconStadium. Earlservedhis famous Colorado Chili to the Colorado contingent (Wilhelm, Haring, Storm, Eller,Neal, D. Jones, McCue), joinedby a small group ofout-of-towners (B. Jones,Brickey,Anderson) Thanks forthe memorable times,Jim.

InearlyNovemberCharlieandGinaThomasreturnedfromtwoweeksinNew YorkCity,where theyrented an apartment so that Charlie could attendhis 50th high schoolreunion, have familyvisitors, andhost a neighborfromAlbuquerque. Lots offun a cruise aroundManhattan, alongwith greatshopping and restaurants. Afterbeinghome a day,theywentto LasVegas tovisit more family. WebbAFB’s pilottrainingClass 63Aheld theirfirstreunion October 12 -14 at theMarriottCrystalGatewayinWashington, D.C. Class of’61 membersattendingwereTomBrophy,MikeRawlins,KenStaten,DaleTabor, andBudUtendorf. JimAhmann—thefirstAirForcepilottosolotheT-38—was intheMiddleEast on business. Other ’6lers in the class were Don BoxandBurke Morgan, now deceased. Fridayeveningtheyenjoyed a receptionwithheavyhors d’oeuvres attheMarriott. Saturdaytheytook a fieldtrip to the Udvar-HazyMuseum near DullesAirport, followedbyhappyhouranddinneratthehotel. OnSundaytheir visit to theone-year-oldAirForce Memorial concludedwith a ceremonyhonoringthe eight deceasedmembers ofthefirst class to flytheT-38.

NealWestbrooksaidthat the German students ofCraigAFB's pilottraining Class 63B hostedtheirclass reunion at Johannisberg, Germany, knownforits RieslingWine. Theytoured a 13th centurymonasteryand a formerpalace, both now fronting as wineries and also enjoyed a day on the Rhineviewingcastles, churches, towns, andvineyards. GrayTags and spouses attendingwere: Dave andChristineHmiel,DougandDee Cairns,BobbyandAnne Grace,JimHinkle, and Gwen andNealWestbrook. Gwenand Nealthen spent severaldays touringGermany: Fulda, Berlin, Dresden, andBuchenwald.

Tom (TWC)Wilsonhasbeenwaitingalongtimeto saythathe soldhisbusiness andis nowofficiallyretired. He andJudy are working on their newlifestyle and dailyschedule, adjustingtohisbeingathome more. Sofartheyloveit. Heisgoing to brokerusedandreconditioned/re-manufacturedshopping carts. Hopefully, hewillbesuccessfulenough to beable to fund some or alloftheirtravels.

Roger and MarySueWoodburyjoined Sue andJerryLefton inAtiantic City in earlyOctoberfor a couple ofdays. JerryandRogerplayedin a scramble golf tournament, finishing two shots offthewinningscore—through no fault of Jerry’s. Sue didwell at the casinos. AlthoughMarySue’s injured arm kepther fromplayingin the golftournament, she recoveredwell enough to playin CT duringRoger’s 50th High School reunion the secondweekofOctober.

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

80% Members

as well as forparticipatinginAcademy events. There were 105 classmates accompaniedby(beingledby) theirRedtagBabes.Acouple ofmenwho started with us were there: KellyLoyacono and Donald Bentzen. We were proud to welcome thewidows ofthree Redtags: SallyMann, JohnnyBrucher’s widow, with husband and children; SallyFox, Darrell Fox’s widow; and JudyWood, DarylWood’s widow.

SallyMann sent a letterofthanks to Rip Blaisdellwho forwardedit to me with his comments, “Duke Greenhelped arrange for Sally, herhusband, Greg, and her son Lee andhis familyto attendthe memorialservice andweekend activities at the reunion. Dukeand I accompanied Sallyand her family out on the terrazzo to see the war memorial afterthe memorial ceremony. It was a moving event for Duke and I as a well as her family. I think the letter says it all.

Ripper”

From Sally Mann: “Nov. 6,2007, Dear RedTags,

I’vebeenwrackingmybraintryingto thinkofways to fullyexpressmyappreciation to youforinviting us to attendthe 45th reunion ofthe Class of’62, and to attendthe memorial service forJohn and allyour lost classmates.

“Theweekend was a life-alteringexperience formy son Lee and me. Lee was able to get to knowhis father throughJohn’s best friends.When Johnleft for Vietnam, Lee was onlytwo years old, so hehas fewways ofrememberingJohn, exceptfor a photo album ofthose sixyears he was with us, before leavingfor the war. Lee not onlylooks like John, buthas his mannerisms and personality... and his patriotism. Lee is training for a triathlon, so he alsohas John’s athletic gift. It felt to me as though I was deliveringJohn back to you forthat brieftime ofthe reunion, and it was a powerful and emotional experience for me to have some ofyou share that feeling.

“Thankyouforwelcoming us so warmly, for coming over to talkwith us and sharingyourmemories. Thanks forincludingall ofus, myhusband, Greg, and even little SarahandKyle. The Class of’62wine cork, the stadiumblanket, and the etchedwine glasseswill be treasured.

“I’m sendingthisemail to Rip Blaisdell, as it seems to be the onlyemail address Ihave, inhopes itwillbecirculatedandeach ofyouwill understandhow muchyourkindness andgenerositymeant to us. It was a weekendwe’ll never forget.

“There are some ofyouIwouldlike to thankpersonally, so ifit is possible to get a listofemail addresses, Iwill do that. Ifthat’s not somethingyou give out, Iwillunderstandandwillhopethatyouknowthatyouhave mydeepestappreciationforyourlove and caring.We lookforward to the next reunion and hope our other son, Nick (Lee’s olderbrother), will be able to attend also.

“With memories ofJohn. ...a RedTag Babe forever, SallyMann”.

Gee, that’s a heart-warmingletter. I’m so gladthat Sallyandherfamilywere able to come. Duke Green,Johnnyand I spent our fouryears in Fightin’ Fourth. So his loss was deep.

Thefirstthingaboutthe reunionthatstruck me was thelarge amount oftime devoted to Nothing.That was great.We hadplentyoftime to getupdatedwith eachotheragain. “ThaRipper saidthatthereunioncommitteeplanneditthat way; theydidn’twant to entertainand educate us. Theyfelt that ifwe hadthe time we could findways to fill it ourselves.

ManyRedtags feltthatthe Reunions getbetter everyyear. So the 50th should be a blast to end all blasts.

The Thursday dinner at Solos was dynamic. The KB-97 airplane out front was nostalgic for some ofour oldest classmates (not me ofcourse). The buffet facilitated conversation on thewaiting lines and got things rolling. I think I wouldhave enjoyedTuckMcAtee’s demonstration ofbeingable to speakwords backwards, butI couldn’tunderstand a wordhe said. SorryTuck. I hope those two gigantic bouncers (ButchViccellio andJackSwonson) who escortedyou awayfrom the microphone didn’t scare you too much. Bytheway, Tuck, hold onto your dayjob.

The Fridaymorningbriefing at theAOGHqs was veryinformative. Jim Shaw gave us a good rundown on howtheAOG stands now. The Class Memorial Paverwas dedicatedoutsidetheAOGBldg.We also sawthe HeritageWalkand ChallengeBridgenearby.

Thenwe were bussedto the cadet area to visit our old cadetsquadronhaunts.

HiRedtags, Caroline and I gotbackfromthe 45th reunion two weeks ago and really enjoyedit. RandySchamberger’s email sums itup succinctly: “Well,we’rehome from the RTB 45th Reunion. Ifyou didn’t come, you missed a greatweekend andalsomissed seeingAir ForcebeatArmy 30-10. The weather was great the whole time. Clear blue Colorado skies and warm (well, relativelywarm) weather. I shot51/2 hours ofvideoandtook over 100 photos. I’mgoing to tryto come up with a one- or two-DVD package. When I getfinished, I’ll gettheword out over theRedTagNetin case anyone is interestedinpurchasingcopies. I don’tknowwhat the price will be, but any profit over the cost ofmaterials, postage, etc. will be a contribution to our Class Fund. Thanks.” Randy’s email was waitingwhen I checkedmyinbox. I saw Randyat the Reunion busytakingvideos everywhere he went. I hope he got to see and participate in everything. I’m sure his DVD productionwill be superb. The 45th Reunion was a huge success. There was lots oftime for socializing

vfrTcE 0 14

Sabre Sock Donors

Bob Staib showshis wifeandChuckLarson wherehehad to do 50pushups asaDoolie... maybeIexaggerate a little... Imadeitup to go with thepicture.

It was a walk down memorylane to see my old room. As happened last reunion, I saw some changes in the way rooms and areas are presented. No problems;justdifferent.We enjoyedthetalkwiththecadets.Theywere in awe ofuswhenwe toldthemthatwewere the originalRedtags.Theymade me feel like a celebrity.

We gotthe same reaction at thelunchtable. Itwas greattellingthemhowwe misbehaved during our DoolieYear. And howwe pulledtogether.

From there we went to FairchildHall andheardfrom the Supe andhis staff. He gave a goodbriefing on the scandals, the code, present status and future plans and programs.

Then we zipped over to the Chapel for our class picture. The photographer arrived early as did a bunch ofus, so he tookthe class pictures before a few stragglers gotthere at the appointed time. I hopethey can paste in pictures of the absent ones. Thenwe hadtheMemorial Ceremony.As inyears past, itwas solemn, tearful, uplifting, beautiful andmemorable. Atoastto them all! Bythe way, the Memorial Ceremonypamphlet was an outstandingpiece ofartistic memorabilia.

The evening was a sumptuous dinner atthe Marriott.Weheardfromseveral ofour classmateswho recalled some memorable events fromthe past.

ThefollowingdaystartedwiththeTailgatePartyatthestadium. The tentwas great. The food tasted delicious and the camaraderiewas, as always, delightful. The cheerleaders came into the tent before the game andled us in several cheers. See accompanyingpicture.

Then we startedthelongtrekto our seats on theopposite side ofthe stadium abouthalfwayup the mountains to whatseemedlikethe 15,000 foot elevation. Actually, itwas about300-500 feetup. Butwe swamp dwellersfromFloridaget a nose bleedwhen we go up to the 10th floor in buildings. We survived. It was a greatgame.AB-52 flewover as did a pairoffighters. The sky-divingteamAOC delivered the 1962 flag to the center ofthe field. After it was over, we had whuppedArmy30-10.

Thenbackto thehotelfor a finishingdinnerand more socializing. Ofcourse, after dinner some people who had been on cruises recently, startedthe fun game ofsticking spoons to their noses. What a sight: peoplebragging about being able to have a metal spoon stickto their nose. It’s a goodthingwe will all be retired soon.

her. Bob was last seen heading intoVegas traffictrying to followBobbi, Hesh and myinstructions on howbest to get to theMirage andpickGeorgiup after the show. Ifthat allworked and he is not lostforever we will all see each other again at the reunion.

“OtherthanthoseRedTagencounters, lifehasbeen quietwiththe“W” (work) word dominating Caroland mylives. I still flythe Cessnas with the CAP and also my own Turbo Cardinal RG. Since I like to have the same numberofgolf balls Sundayevenings thatI startedthe daywith, Ihavegiven up golfattempts and am building an RV-8 airplane. Kind ofan adult erector set.

“See you this fall. Love to Caroline. Gail Peck 1225K.” Thanks, Gail.We did get to see Gail andCarol there.

Nowthisfrom FrankUrban. “Hello Jack, am sending a briefupdatefor the next Checkpoints: FrankandJudyUrbanhavemoved out ofthe Californiafast lane in La-LaLand! We are now dividing time between GreenValley,AZ (where Judyis pursuing a new Real Estate career and Lrank is semi-retired fromhis contractor business) and San Quintin, Baja California Norte, living off-thegrid in a solar stone beach house and enjoyingallthatMexico has to offer. We finally are flyingagainwith our Cessna 182 where we share an excellent 1800' strip on the beach (MPGL) at Bahia San Quintin in thePedregal area. We plan to spend much time there, commuting to Tucson RyanAirfield. Eventually, who knows? Maybe become real expatriates and explore all ofMexico! Lor those ‘Tagswho have the time/interest, there is an excellentweb site that describes this remote area which is one of the Baja 1000 Race checkpoints: www. sanquintinrealestate.com.

Seeyou all at the reunion!” SawFrankandJudythere. Thanks, Frank I also got an email from Shep: “Rose and I spentJuly at a horse ranch in western Colorado to get out oftheTucsonheatand gotinto theColorado heat. We were visited by Erv and Pam Rokke, Jim and PennyMack, RK. and Reta Robinson and Rudy and Betty Bowwho brought their massive RV a good time was had by all telling RTB stories, drinking cheap wine and beer and fishing - here’s the proof-- Shep:”

See accompanyingpicture. Thanks, Shep. Sawall ofthem at the reunion.

The next day, Caroline and I had to getup and catch a 6:30AM flight out ofC Springs.We sure enjoyed the reunion andlookforward to 50.

Before the reunion I had received some emailswhichI’ll share now. From Gail Peck: ’’First item to report is a great dinner Carol and I had earlier this summer with theAltmans and Butchkos when Rick Perlotto andKathleen came to town for Carla Perlotto’s graduation from UNLV with a PhD. CONGRATS Carla! Didn’t see Carla andherfamilybuttheVegas crowd really enjoyedseeingRick and Kathleen.

“I went to the ExperimentalAircraftAssociation air show at Oshkoshwith RickPerlotto inJuly. Great time. Then, in earlyAugust Bob Deberryshowed backup inVegas and Hesh and BobbiAltman and Carol and Ijoined him for dinner. GeorgiDeberrywentto see theBeatles showattheMirage so we missed

GotthisfromBO Ohman. “Jack, I’m stealingthispicture fromJerryCornetet, buthere’s a caption: “Bo andNancyOhman, Don andMo Netzinger,Jerryand Val Cornetet and KinneyandNan Smithtooktime out from a greatreunion to reminisce aboutColorado Springsdays in 1961-2. We also usedthelocation of an oriental restaurant to rememberthe SEAdays.” BO, Thanksforthe picture. It was good seeing all ofyou there.

and about50 cadets. Areceptionfollowed at Doolittle Hall (AOG) to celebrate therecoveryofMaj Carroll’s remains. Rip Blaisdell said that it was a beautiful and moving ceremony.

OnelastReunionitem: There are about20 coastersets andseveralwinebottle stoppers still available. I’m going to get another coaster set; the crest design is gorgeous.Wine glass sets can be ordered also. Just contact Rip and he’ll help. Also be aware that there are fouryears and 11 months until the 50th Reunion. Markyour calendars. Now.You don’twant to miss that one.

Go Redtags! Jack

From leftare CharlieHale’sleftear, Bo Ohman, PeteRobinson, EdStanton, HalKeck,FredHendryx,JackAnderson with wifeandRickPerlotto'sface. Others werenotrecognizable.

DonShepperd, RetaandPKRobinsonandRudyBowwaitingforfish tojump onshore.

AFuneral andMemorial Service was held forMajJohnCarroll, Class of1962, Cadet Squadron 12, who passed away on 17Novl972. The Funeral was held on 13 Nov2007 at 1000 hrs at the CadetCatholic Chapel, USAFA. A graveside service was held immediatelyfollowing at the USAFACemetery. There were 12 to 15 Redtagclassmates in attendance, as well as severalRavenFACS and other FACs, members oftheAcademystaff

Norman I. (Skip) Lee

63119 E. Cat Claw Lane

Tucson, AZ 85739-2058

Home: (520) 825-7980

Cell: (520) 241-3498

E-mail: 54wrs@msn.com

81% Members

First we have to thankthosewho put on the mini-reunions and specialkudos to Bob and CharlieAnn Hayes foralltheir organization andwork. Bob as usualwent aboveandbeyondthe call ofdutyincludinghostingTomFryerand yours trulyfor a round ofgolfat the EisenhowerBlue Course. Bob plays a very nice game ofgolfbut more importandyhe is possessed with the patience of Job. Tom and I had fun.Gordon Bredvik did a terrificjob ofhosting the cup turning when we had the chance to remember six of our classmates: Dan Harbura, CalNay,GeorgeByron, DickBunce,WesWhite andDanTaylor. One verynice moment duringthe eventwas listeningto CalNay’s sisterand daughter talkabout Cal. Theweather on Fridayand Saturdaywas verypleasant— mid 70s bygame time andthe tailgate was well attended. We were especially pleased to have JackMcTasneyand Phil Maywaldjoin us. See more on Jack and Phil below. On Sundaymorning, when leaving forTucson, there were three inches ofsnowon the ground.

where he continues to workwith Northrop Grumman. InAugustwhile taking their motor home for a trip to the northern CA coast andNapa/Sonomawine countrytheyhappened on Butch and CaroleeVerdier and daughterJen and familywhile checkingin to the BodegaBayRVPark. Butch and Carolee were over from their homes in Santa Rosa for a few days ofbeaching it in their RV Sandie, according to Charlie, was putback a little at the sight oftwo old guys huggingin an RVparkuntilshe recognized Butch. Agoodtime was had byall!

Backinlate SeptemberIbumped into Ed andTerryReisdorfwithBob Mazet and a closefriendwhile havingdinner at a restaurant in Scottsdale. Edsaid he wantedto send a photographofhimselfand a friend on ahuntingtrip toAlaska. Ed was good to his word and here is the photograph.

In thebackrowfromleftare Bredvik, Reynolds, Fryer,Johnson, Lee, Hayes, McClellan, LeFors, Porch, Shutack, Walrath, andWinzell. FrontRow: Gaston, Thacker, Probst,McTasney,Boeck, Verdier, Buder, andSteinbrink

Anumberoffolks sent theirregrets for not beingable to attendthe mini-reunionbutIhave to saythatDickGuildmayhave sentthebeststoryforhimselfas well as a fewfriends. As Dickputit, theFrostics, Gilligans,Guild,Hardgraves, HealsandSabanssendregretsbecause on20 OctwewillbearrivinginAthensvia thegoodshipRegentSevenSeasNavigator. Andifthatain’t [sic] enoughto make you eatyourheartout considerthatI am typingthis atLesPlatanes inProvence where after a finedinnerinStRemy; Fredis snoozing,whileBudis atthekitchen tablebehind me readingthe InternationalHeraldTribune, andmeanwhileDoug, Jeff, and Gary are diddling aboutPrague. Keep a good Mach.

JackMcTasneyand Phil Maywald were among combatveterans invited as honored guests ofthe fall 2007 Falcon Heritage Forum. The forum allowed cadets to hear war stories from grads who had experienced combat and ineluded ceremonies inVandenberg and Sijan Halls on Fridayafternoon. At those ceremonies, most survivinggraduates who are Air Force Cross recipients alongwith families ofothers placedplaques alongside alcoves that ineludeearlyrooms ofthese decoratedgrads. Withthe plaques, theirservice and sacrifice were commemorated forallcadets to rememberwhentheywalkpast these rooms each day. Seeing those graduates as they once were, where they once lived, will hopefullymotivate themembers ofthe cadetwing to pursue their own greatnesswhen, upon graduation,theyjointhe LongBlue Line. We are honored to have suchheroic men among our Class of 1963. Manythanks go to Jimmie Butler for summarizingthe event.

Charlie Parker wrote that he and Sandie are well and still in Ogden, UT,

Iwashunting on the CopperRiverinAlaska with Tim Furst, a 78grad. The Bearis eightand a halffeet tall, maybe850pounds. Igothim on his final charge atme with about40yards togo.

RogerGraham’s new book, TheNimrods, hasbeenpublished and itis available forsale at authorhouse.com. Simplyclick on BookStore, then enter The Nimrods or Roger’s name in the search function andyouwill be taken to the computerpagelistingthebookforsale (eitherinsoft cover orhardcover). Itried it and itworks.The bookshould also be availableforsale at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Bestprice, accordingto Roger, is atauthorhouse. Roger worked on thebookforthelast two years andhe isveryexcited thatit is finally inpublication. Thebookis an accurate true-lifestoryabout a magnificentband ofA-26 pilots andnavigator/co-pilotswho flew—from 1966 to 1969—countlesshigh-intensitynighttimedive-bombingmissionsin“The SecretWarinLaos” (SteelTiger, BarrelRollandalongthe Ho ChiMinhTrail). Rogerflew 182 combat missionswith theA-26Nimrods during 1967-68. Good stuffandI am working to get mycopyofthebook—maybe a reviewsometime in the near future.

JackMartineswrote a note fromhis vacationplace inViera, FL (nearPatrick AFB) sayinghe andAlicewould notbe able to makethe mini-reunionbutthey are looking forward to next year. Since Jack retired back in June from his JROTCjob he andAlice have been on the road to Boston,Virginia and now Florida. In October theyheadedfor a two-month trip to Brasilia. In all cases theyhavebeenvisiting sons and daughters.

John Nehringmovedback to Colorado, PagosaSprings, at the end ofJune He is busy as can beteaching two online economics course forEmbry-Riddle, plus another at theirAlbuquerque campus.

ChuckBush’s e-mail aboutdaughterBettina’srecordingofthe single “She Is” was pure pleasure. I checked in to theweb site (www.BettinaMusic.com) and listened. It is no wonder the songhas moved up the Billboard Hit Singles; as ofthiswritingitisinthe top 10. Greatsong;take a listen andyouwillbeamazed.

ClassReunion: SpokewithDrue DeBerryrecentlyaboutinputs from Classmates regarding a class gift at our 45thReunion. We need more suggestions and comments fromyou on this subject. One idea generating some interestis the gift ofan oralhistoryofour class. Cadets are interested in experiences ofearlier classes at USAFA and in the USAF. We could collect individual or group interviews from allofyouwho wish to participate, recordthose interviews on CDs, and give copies to USAFA. That collection could become an important part ofthe USAFAheritage. Sendyour comments aboutthis proposal as well as ideas for other class gifts - or no class gift to drue.deberry@comcast.net.

BobHayesreportedthe reunioncommitteewill send out a formalupdate on reunionplanning inFebruary. Meantime, you can getreunioninformation as it happens either throughtheAOGweb site or our on Class of 1963 website http://www.usafa63.org/. Rememberthe dates are confirmed as Oct 1-5,2008, andthe location as the C-Springs Marriott (same place as the 40th nowrenovated). All you need do at the moment is two things: put the dates on your calendarand talkup the reunionwith Classmates.

That’s itforthis time. Manythanks and sincere appreciationforallthe contributions to this issue your response hasbeen spectacular. Keep it up. Here is our wish to all ofyou for a happyand safe holiday season. See you in 2008.

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

www.usafa.org.

CharlieandButch

Bob Hovde

206 Walker Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801 (256) 532-3923

bob@hovde.us

77% Members

ClassGift-Ifyouremailaddressisn’tcorrectintheAOGdatabase,youdidn’tget theupdate fromRodWells abouttheMallofHeroes class gift. (Please UPDATE YOUREMAILADDRESSwith theAOG so ourHistorians can getin touch with you.)Anyway, Rodreportsthatthefoundationandlandscapingwork are complete,withfloweringcherrytrees andfirs edgingthe southside oftheMall and small shrubs surroundingthemainplazaandwalkways to allowunobstructed viewingoftheMallbycadets eachtimetheyexecute an EyesRightenroute to the paradeground. This arrangement remainsinkeepingwith our goal ofmaking this a uniquegift, one withwhich cadets can interact on a regularbasis.

All three statues ofVal Borque, Lance Sijan, and Karl Richter will be completedby next spring. A special dedication ceremonyfor Karl’s statue will occur next Maypriorto the graduation ofthe Class of2008, the class that chose Karl as theirExemplar. Rodwill send out a notice ofthe Richterdedication date as soon as it is confirmed on the cadet schedule. The dedication ofthe entire Mall remains on the agenda for our 45th reunion.

Speaking ofMemorials - Largelythrough theefforts ofSteve Dotson (’63) and Jim McCracken (’65), theAOG Board finallyvoted unanimously to add FranZavacki’s name to the GraduateWarMemorial atUSAFA. Franwent into the Marines after graduation and died inViet Nam due to blood clots in the lungs. Ithasnowbeen concludedthatthe embolisms were due to injuries sufferedseveralweeks earlierin a mortar attackinthefield. See the article on this effort elsewhere in this issue.

AnotherMemorial-JimmieButler (’63) passed on the news thattherewillbe a nationalreunionoftheForwardAirControllerAssociationinColorado Springs next October. On Oct3,2008, a monumentwill be dedicated in Memorial Park near downtownC. Springs. The memorialwill includethe names ofmore than 250FACs/crewmemberswhogavetheirlivesinSoutheastAsia.Amongthe names is RayKrogmanof’64, who was shotdowninJanuary 1967. Everyone is invited to the dedicationandJimmie says that donations in Ray’s name can be made throughtheFACAssociationWebsite:http://fac-assoc.org/reunion.

Left CoastHappenings - Dave Neal passed on news of a recent Northern California“MusselHunt” held athishouse. Hereports: “CarverSearsand Sandy Purcellorganized a NorCalreunionwhich was held at CasaNeal and attended byRon Hulting, Gaylord Green, Carver Sears and Dave Nealwithwives. Bill Ahern and Ted Saito came stag. Bill, Ted and I stalked and captured a pail of craftymusselswhichwere enjoyedbyall. Wehadsuch a goodtime thatwe may tryto make it an annual event.

OldTrolls. Fromleftare TomMorris, Susan andFredMalmstrom, Loisand DougJenkins, Sherryand TomJobin, BobbyandSherryBeverly, andHowie andPennyCohen.

on mygrandfather’s farm in Longmont. I visitedthere as farback as 1948. It sure has changed!]

Texas Happenings - Matt Feiertagreports thathe attended an RF-4 Recce Reunion in Austin in October. Also attending were Ray Lennon and Ford Keating, who live inAustin, and GilAchter, who lives in Mississippi, (see photo) While inAustin, Mattvisited with Bret Dula, who is retired there.

HighCountryHappenings - Howie Cohen andDougJenkinsboth sent separate emails abouttheOldTrollsmonthlymeetings.Whatstarted as an OldTrolls onlylunch get-togetheris now more open, with any ‘64s in the area and occasionally, wives. InAugusttheymetwithwives for some Mexicanfood atLa Casa FiestainMonument (seephoto). InOctoberit was guys onlyforsteaks atWally Wolniewicz’sfarm in Longmont.Dougsays that anyonewanting tojointhem for an outing can callhim at 719-488-4426. [Note forWally:Myfatherwas born

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY!

YOUR MONEYHELPS FUND

CADETWING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

Mattalso attended a RanchHandreunion attheAirForceMuseumatWrightPattersonAFB. DeweyBarichwas also there (theyflewRanchHand together) and Ron Fogleman (’63) was the guest speaker.

Finally, Matt reports that he is going toViet Nam in Januaryfor an 18-day tour, starting in Hanoi and ending in Saigon. He’s goingwith six others, one ofwhom came to the U.S. fromNhaTrangfiveyears ago. Shewillbe the guide, andherfamilyinVietNamismakingthearrangements. Matthopestheywon’t asktheAgentOrange-sprayingYankeeAirPiratewhathe did in the war.

MedicalNews - RayLongo wrote from LomaLinda, CA, where he was undergoing treatment forprostate cancer at Loma LindaUniversityMedical Center (LLUMC). Rayreports thatthey use protonradiationtherapyforabout 44 differentkinds ofcancer. Thebigdifference he saw inthe use ofprotons was that he could getup fromthe seconds-long treatment and play golfortennisrightaway. InAugust,Raycompletedhis course of44 treatments andhad no significant side effects. Ifanyone wants to talk to Ray aboutit, hesaid he’d be glad to discuss the details. His lesson for all ofus is to GET TESTED, becauseearlydetectionisveryimportantforsuccessfultreatment. He also recommends visiting theWebsite www.protonbob.com and readingBob Marckini’s book, “YOU CAN BEATProstate CancerAndYouDon’t Need Surgery to Do It.” - even ifyou haven’tbeen diagnosedwith prostate cancer.

Gettingto CaliforniafromNorth Carolina was also an adventure. Rayand Norma rafteddown the Colorado Riverthefull 280 miles (sevendays on the river). Rayreports, “Norma, the geologist, had a great time. I tolerated the trek. Actually, I had a goodtime, but as an Air Force vet, camping under the stars is not mything. I must admit, though, that it was a veryspecialtrip; the Canyon is an amazingplace, and we met some terrific folks. Norma’s ready to do it again any time, but I think we’ll look at other options for our next vacation (ofcourse, she will suggest the Snake River or some such thing).0 Sad News - BillWittress also was diagnosed with cancer this year. Unfortunately, his cancer attackedthe spinal nerves and the brain. Despite intense treatment and a valianteffort, Bill succumbed to hisillness in earlyNovemher. In the six or seven months ofhis treatments, the 13th Squadronprovided tremendous support to Bill andJeanne. I knowJeanne appreciated the supportverymuch.

SandyandIhave keptin contactwithJeanne and Billthroughtheyears and this loss isverypersonal. I rememberbackinWright-Patdays, whenJeanne and Sandydecided to host a spaghetti dinnerfor the Class. Bill took over as

NorCal. In thefront roware BillAhern and Ted Saito. BackRow: Gaylord Green, DaveNeal, CarverSears andRon Hulting.

RF-4. RayLennon, FordKeating, MattFeiertagand GilAchterat theRF-4 RecceReunion.

head chefand cookedall ofthe spaghetti - the rest ofus justwaited on tables. Itwas a greatnight, and at the end, Bill even washedthe pots andpans! Well miss you, Bill!

Rick Zurbrugg

2929 GavinPlace

Duluth, GA 30096

(770) 476-4437

E-mail: ezurb@bellsouth.net

76% Members

'65!

Whew! Missedthedeadlineforsubmission ofthiscolumn, butthanks to Tom Kroboth, erstwhile class news editor at Checkpoints^ho keeps trackofthese things andhis phonecall, I managed to squeeze in underthe drop deadline.

Forthe firsttime in quiteawhile, I don’tthinkwe’vehad anyclassmate“transition” to nebulae since thelastcolumn—Amen.

Hopeyouallhavehad an outstandingholiday season andwere able to spend time with thoseyou love the most. I saw an ad for a new book, Walkingon Eggshells orHowto TalkWith YourAdultChildren. I imagine there is some wisdomwhichwe could use inthere. Maybe some ofyou are inthe same boat.

Speaking ofboats, your humble servant traveled to Canoe U. for the big gameinOctober. NeverbeentoAnnapolis, butalwayswantedto see the place. Aperfect blue skydayit was and, watching the swabs, resplendentin their summerwhitesmarchingproudlyintoNavy-Marine stadium willgiveyou a militarycardiactwinge to match anyyou ever had.The boat peopleput a whuppin’ on the zoomies in everythingthatweekend—boxing, women’s rugby, as well as on the gridiron. Saywhatyouwill, our comrades-in-arms are a class act sometimes. TheAOGput on an elegant Sabre Societyevent Fridaynightin downtownAnnapolisandyour scribe was privileged to enjoythe company and conversation ofTerryandToni Drabantwho live in thevicinity. The Super, the Dean andtheCommandantgave an encouraging briefing on the current state ofaffairs around the terrazzo. It’s really somethingto see thesethreeyoung, highlyarticulatefellowgraduatesspeakabout theirresponsibilitieseducating, trainingand serving as rolemodelsforthose they once were and to realize that however profound our experiences and intense our feelings, althoughrespected, are largelyirrelevantto whatishappeningtoday. So dazzledbythe revolutionary-era charm ofthe town ofAnnapolis andthe pomp ofthemarch-on, I missedtheAF tailgate, andperhaps seeing some ofyouwho were atthe game—sorryforthat, butthenno one sent anypictures or accounts ofmini-reunions.

Afterthe game, headedinto DC to visit21 st Sqdn classmateArtBeamonand his lovely, vivacious wife, Joan. Talk aboutlife style and hospitality, Art and Joanlive across the street fromtheWatergate andhave a gorgeous viewofthe Potomac andthe KennedyPerformingArts Center. Art retired, not long ago, as the top attorney at the FDIC. Joan has had a fine career at the IMF. Art and Joan, thankyoufordinner atthe Sequoia, theinsider’s tour ofDC andthevery, greatpleasure ofyour company.

Vic Grazier andSkip Cox

dutifullydrove the car around and met us at the summitwithchampagne. Any classmate want to do the south to north nextyear? LarryandVicky’s two kids have given them four terrific grandkids, and our sole child is up to three grandkids. Unfortunatelywe have to travel fromTucson to NewHaven to see ours. Iwanted to getthis to youtodaybecausewe’re offfor a month in Europe tomorrow. So much to do, so little time!”

Bruce, thanks for sharingthis adventurewith us. (Scribe’s note: upon hearing ofBruce and Gail’s plans to be in the Mediterranean in October, we compared travel schedules anddecided to meet in front of the Town Hall on Mykonos on aTuesdaywhenboth cruise shipswouldbethere, andproceed to LittleVenice for sunset fellowship and spiritus fermentum. Alas Bruce and Gail’s ship dockedlate and we missed them. Bruce and Gail, we owe you one!

ArtandJoanBeamon, scribe on thePotomac Oct07.

Vic Grazier: “...I was inTexas recentlyfor a Christian conference and had lunchwith Skip Cox. It was a greatopportunityto meet with him and share whathas been going on in our lives. This is a picture takenthen. (See top of next column.) I also see Joe Koenigfrequently, and we share about dealing with militaryinternationals atWright-Pat, especiallythose fromTurkey. God Bless!” ThanksVic.

Bruce Grossetta:”. two days ago myformerroommate, LarryFarrell, and I did a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike. Aftermonths ofpreparation, we departed the north rim (8250’ elevation) at 3 am under a full moon. Fourteen mileslater we were at Phantom Ranch (2560’ elevation) atthe bottom. Then the fun part: nine more miles to the south rim (6890’ elevation) with thelast three miles climbing2170'. Ittookus 13 hours andwe’d like you to knowit’s tougherthan a Goon Squad run. Our super support team (Vickyand Gail)

Grossetta andFarrellshowtherightstuffat the Grand CanyonSeptember 2007.

Parting shots: BruceWood is organizing a mini-reunion at the Bowl game whereverthat turns out to be. Thanks RonAicale, PattyandVincentfor a delicious dinner and a wonderful time at your house in Orindalastmonth. The Roc staysbusyat Safeco andsays thatlifeholds no fearforhim—he’sflownthe F-4. Bewell, do goodwork, andkeep in touch. As the Rocwouldsay“Cheers”.

Ryan Denny

1635 Mary Todd Lane

O’Fallon, IL 62269

H: (618) 624-4255

W: (314) 232-5117

E-mail: ryanden@aol.com

79% Members

Greetings, Redtags! More and more, we seem to be gettingpictures ofclassmates who are fishing, and who are more eager to talkabouttheir children’s accomplishments and the number ofgrandchildrenthey have, ratherthan abouttheirlatest career move. Oh yeah, and the conversation usuallyleads to a discussion ofwhich bodyparts have recentlybeen inspected, tested, removed, or repaired. I’m not complaining; in fact, it’s great to see that we are all goingthrough this phase oflife at about the same time. Isay“aboutthe same time”, because some ofus slower folks are stillworking too much. Even though all ofthis retirement news is pushing and pulling us (at least me, anyway) towards thelife ofleisure, I stillthinkofus as a group of guyswho can run to the Rock, stay out late (past 9), and dance to “Shout” at everyopportunity.

Speakingofretirement,GaryPalmerhas retiredfromhis second career atthe Department ofEnergyinWashington DC. Gary said that he looked backand realizedthathehadbeenworkingnon-stop since high schooland it was time to do somethingdifferent. Instead offishing, he hasbeenworking on increasinghis golfhandicap. (Yes, I said “increasing”.) Hewent to theAF-Navyfoot-

5^\iRE

21 Sabre Society Donors

ball game and was planning on sending a report, but depression set in and couldn’trememberwho allhe saw. Garypromises to reviewthe digitalmemory in his camera to refresh the fadinganalog memoryin his head, and send us some news for next time. Thanks, Gary!

Speaking of fishing, Rusty Gideon writes about a recent adventure to YellowstonePark“inpursuitoftheillusiveYellowstone cutthroattrout.” Rusty, alongwith MartyDaack, DickBorowski, andTip Galerbasedtheir campaign in a three-room suitewithkitchenin Gardiner, MT. Martyacted as theprofessional guide and fly-tierto be sure that everyone caught a trophyfish or two. He gave everyone freeflies back at the room at night; but, ifsomeone needed a fly once they were on the river, the price was $100. Marty also doubled as chiefcook, bottlewasher, and resident comic.

RustyGideon, MartyDaack, DickBorowski (stillgrinningfrom catchinga fish) andTip Galerusingall theirsurvivorskillsin YellowstonePark.

Rustysays theyspentthe eveningsswappingtales offlying, Zoomie stories, and other adventures. Dickhad some interesting stories about a yearthat he spentbikingaround Europe, and Tip had a greatstoryabouthowhis father won theMedal ofHonor duringWWII inthe Pacific. Tip also gotthe prizefor “looking most like a fisherman”, with his fancy suit, Errol Flynn mustache, wide-brimmedhat, and a stogie in his mouthwhile makingperfect casts. It must have beenthefish thatvoted forthatprize. Onthe last day, Dick caught an 18” cutthroat trout from Soda Butte Creek. Afterthat fish, he said he was done, packedup his gear, andwent home. Rustysaid thattheweekwas great fishing and an even bettertime with oldfriends.

Speakingofstillworking (andgood timeswith oldfriends), Bob Cloarwas in St Louis recentlyfor a symposium forlawyers on some little-known legal aspects ofthereal estate business. Bob is practicinglawinFt Smith, AR specializing in whatever his clients need. I was able to rescue Bob and his wife, MaryLynne, for a fewhours; and we spent an enjoyable evening at dinnerand wandering around St Louis’ CentralWestEnd.

Anotherclassmate, who is stillworking as a lawyer, instead ofon his handicap, is Pat O’Leary. Although Pat spends most oftheyear slavingawayinhis northernVirginialawoffice, he manages to get awayto the secondhome that he owns inTucson,AZ. Sincehiswife,Jane, is a schoolteacher, thesevacations are normallyduringthe summer, but Pat says hedoesn’t mindthe 112 degree weather (it’s a dryheat, so it feels like it’s only 110 degrees).

FritzMcDougalland wife, Suzanne, at an RF-4 Reunion inAustin, TX.

Well, I’ve got to go andwrite thatChristmas letter to tell everyonewhat fantastic things mykids have been doing, howprecocious mythree grandkids are, andhowmanyfishI killed on mylastgolfouting. Hopeyouallhave a great NewYear. Make a resolution to find a classmate, take a picture and send me some news! Until next time... HappyLandings!

Larry Wilson

13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE Albuquerque, NM 87111

H: (505) 291-8949

E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

78% Members

Greetings, one and all. As I composethis, we inNewMexico are enjoying (?) the first snow, andthe firstmoisture ofanykind, in NM in a longtime, along withunfamiliarcold. The ski areas are making snow as fast as they can - allthe NM areas missed theirnormalopeningdates and are hoping now to be open in earlyDecember. We ofcourse hope for a verywhite Christmas and a great ski season. Otherthanthat—truthbe told - most ofus Nuevo Mexicanos do not object to a lateand mild winter.

As all ofus should know, not so longago was our 40threunion. While not all ’67 grads madeitback, manydid.AndI can saywithcertainty that a good time was had by all. While it is unlikely I could capture all the reunion activities, camaraderie, reminiscences etc -1 will use my extra Checkpoints- allottedword count to attempt to conveythe sense ofthat good time.

First ofall - thanks to Paul Henry and allthe '67 crew and theAOG support stafffor all their goodwork, which made thereunionsuch a success. Attheriskofmissinganyoneother than Paul I won’t attempt to listthe contributors andworkers. Suffice it to saythey- and likelytheir spouses—allput muchtime andeffort and imaginationandpatienceand communication into bringingit alltogether. And - itworked, so smoothlythatit maybeappeared that it was effortless. I suspect it was not. Thanks, to allwho contributed.

A summaryofthe reunion activities follows: golfand registrationloosely began on 3 Oct. All ramped up on the 4th when most folks arrived and registered and things became hectic - the eveningWelcome Buffet and mixer in Reunion Central in the Embassy Suites (courtesyagain ofPat Nesbitt) were the platformformanymanyhandshakes, manlyhugs and otherwarm greetings; intermingledwith a few oh so tasteful and largely accurate comments about changinghairlines, girths, etc; “I haven’t seen you since...” comments, questions about kids, grandkids, and other families; plushealth, retirement status andplans etc.As an aside - a nice additionthis reunion was theplethora ofdigital cameras. I asked everyone I sawwith a camera to email me copies of theirpics. So - in this Checkpoints, and more to come, I’llhave reunionpics. Ifthey did not come with captions, I maynot knowwho all are in the picture orwhatwas going on. Butchances are some ofyouwill. I can includefive pics

JimMurphyandRyanDennyata convention in Nashville, tryingto rememher thelast time theywore a suit.

Morefolks stillworking—JimMurphyand I were workingfor our respective companies at theAirlift/TankerAssociation convention in Nashvillerecently. Jim is workingforARINC andlives a mile or so awayfrom me in O’Fallon IL, near ScottAFB.; butI have to go to conventions to see him. We saw Bob Jahnke there also, buthe gotawaybefore I could get a picture. Bob is stillliving near SaltLake Cityandrepresents a couple ofdifferentcompanies thatmake avionics displays for simulators.

I’m not sure ifthis was working or blackmail, but a gentlemanfromthe class of'64 sent me this picture ofFritz McDougall and wife, Suzanne, at an RF-4 ReunioninAustinTX. Heknewthat no one had a pictureofFritz sitting at a bar before, and thoughtthiswouldbe ofinterest to his classmates.

inthis expanded reunion article, andthree with each “regular” input in each Checkpoints. I think we are coveredpicture-wise for a while - though I still hope to receive copies ofcontemporary activities.

But I digress.

The opening-nightWelcome Buffetandmixerwent on longinto the evening, as memories andtonguesloosened, and shared experiences were relivedand perhaps embellished.

Eventually, allwandered or stumbledoffandturned in; some verylate, some early—so that all wouldbe rariri to go the next day.

The next day(Friday) began (thankfully, notwithreveille...) withthe Class Business Meeting. In that meeting was raised the first ofthe two recurring issues from the reunion. Formal/official meeting minuteswill be generated, and Iwillmostlydefer to those. Sufficeit to saythatthe issue ofa singlegraduate foundation, vs. anAOGfoundationand a separately- establishedgraduate foundation, is controversial. There is concern that thelack ofunitymayimpairtheAOG’s continuingto receive thelevel ofdonations thatithas enjoyed, especiallyin recent years. Different positions were presented. Some strong feelingshavebeenexpressed; manyothers are equallystrongbutnotexpressed. TedLegaseyhas moved on fromhis position as AOGBoardChairman, andJim Shawdepartshisposition as CEO oftheAOGattheend of’07. BillBoistureand GeorgeVanWagenen are the ’67AOGBoardmembers on theAOGcommittee on the foundation issue. The upshot ofthe class meeting was that the sentiment ofour class at themeetingwas thatgraduateswiththegood oftheAcademy at heart shouldbe able to resolve any differences, and arrive at a “winwin,” USAFA-orientedsolution.To myknowledge, such resolutionhas notyet been achieved. Nevertheless, we continue to bewell- represented attheAOG, and no doubt our reps on the AOG and Class Senate will continue to work constructivelyto affect an equitable solution.

The second ofthe two recurring themes was Gary Lorenz’ status: Garyformerfighterpilot, formervice commandant ofcadets—had planned to come to thereunion, butabout aweekearlierwentmissingfromhis daughter’s home in rural Colorado, accompaniedbyhis two dogs.While anysuch disappearance would be concerning, Gary’s was particularly so, because he suffered fromAlzheimer’s disease. Throughout the reunion there was regional and even nationalpublicity. But-noGary. Weeks later, his bodywas located - stillattendedbyhis faithful dogs. Friends from CS-13 laterreturned to Colorado to attendhis funeral services.

Backto the reunion: on Friday, afterthe businessmeeting, thecadet areawas open to grads forwandering and at noon we hadthe opportunityto dine in Mitchell Hallwiththe cadetwing. What an experience that was: in my situation, my escort was a youngfemalewho looked about 16. Itturned out she is a USAFA rugbyplayer who was about to depart for a competition in New Mexico. Yikes. Thelunchwiththecadets was... verydifferentfrom our era: the cadets were much more relaxed; there seemed to be little or none ofthe regimentationwe knew; thefood andthe servicerepresented more ofa fast-food, throw-awayculture thanMitch’s meals ofour era. And - no Form 0-96. How on earth can theAcademyfunctionwithouttherepeated reassurance of“fastneat-average-friendly-good-good”? Ahwell - anothersignthatthings are not as they once were.

Afterlunchwe gaggled to formup on the terrazzo near theflagpole, attheWar Memorial, forthe ’67 FallenWarriorTributes. Howmovingandhowrepresentative ofthe phrase Gonebut not forgotten...”

From there, more gaggling, to F-l in FairchildHall - familiar as the place where some ofus mayhave once upon a time dozedthruEcon 101 and similar lecture courses - forthe officialUSAFAbriefing: firsttheAOGupdate fromJim Shaw, thenthe“state oftheAcademy”briefingfromthe Superintendent, some ofhis senior staff, and a cadet Honor Representative. We were informed/ remindedthatthere is much going on at theAcademy, and all is not as it was in our time - similarto other aspects oftheworld and society. We were assured that all is in good, capable hands. The Superintendenttook comments and questions. Hard ones were posed, some related to the Honor Code and its enforcement, which (myimpression) seems a far cryfrom our time. The re

sponse was basicallythat Honor Code-related issues are much more complicated now, with more parental, legal, and Congressionalinputs as never before; inthe context ofcadetswho come from a societythatis different; plus an evolution ofinterpretation and enforcement ofthe HonorCode. All this combines (again, my impression) to the reality of a Code whose words are the same, butwhich is otherwise a productoftoday’ssociety, and not the same as that ofour generation. Whetherthis is good or bad orjust different is beyond the scope ofthis article. I encourage allwho wish to pursue this issue to keep in close contactwith our reps on theAOG and Class Senate, and to participate constructively.

Thebriefingsconcluded, andwe allwanderedtowards the Chapel - no longernew, as in our time, but stillmajestic. The east-facingwallisthesiteofthe classcrests, and ours isproudly displayed - though a numberofus noticed that our graduation-class number IX, as on our rings, is missingfrom our crest. Hmmmm. Whetherthatis somethingcorrectable or a priorityfor correction-I’llleave (again...) to our reps on the AOG and Class Senate. Ifyouhave (strong) feelings on this—no doubt they would love to hear fromyou.

In the stroll fromFairchildHall and as we waitedfor the photographers for our reunionphotos, there was more time to mingle and chatwith classmates, spouses, significantothers and familymembers.What a greatbunch. It was obvious that amongst our still-strongspirits there are some bodies which are not quite as spry as in ’67 (duh...). Atthe Chapel - now fencedand guarded to keep the GAP from the Cadet area - the reunion photo was a hoot, and captured thewide range ofwho andwhat we have become... displaying little of the uniformityofdays gone by. No doubtthosewho did notmake the reunion can obtain copies.

The Memorial Ceremony was tasteful and moving and reminded us all of absentfriends and fallencomrades - and perhaps ofour own mortality, with the realizationthat maybe we should all not be puttingoffso manythings till tomorrow...

Then - back onto the bus, and back to Reunion Center for the class buffet dinner, and more minglingandimbibing, etc. It seemed that a numberoffolks who had missed earlier events arrived for this gathering, and squadronunits were more complete. It also seemedthe harassment, tale-telling, truth-telling, revisiting, etc had notched up a bit, as we now hadanother dayofrecollections to haze one anotherabout, andanotherdayofAcademystuffto wrangle about. Ourspouses, significant others andfamilymembers no doubtenjoyed allthis no less thanwe—howcouldtheynot?Again,photo ops andflashbulbs (anotherdated term...) abounded, to demonstrate and reinforcethat we are still... what was it I was saying?

CS 13-reassembledforGary’sfuneral. In thebackrowfrom left are Gary Mueller, Clint Price, Fred Milanovich, Beau Crosby, Ross Leonard, Jan Messinger, andFrankBlaha. Front row: Ron Morishige, Thom Evans, Buz Carpenter, MarkStugart, andPatDowling.

Some9th Squadrongradsand wives on the wayupMtEvans. From theleft are Robert andJan Lord, Jim and CandyHastedt, LesleydeTurk, andDale Stovall.

Seagram’s’Seven, again outinforce.

many traveled to thefootball stadiumfor a tailgateparty, where again the mix was differentandtheminglingallowedfor visitingwith different sets ofclassmates, friends andfamilies. Then into the stands, to watch and cheer as the falcons flew on cue, mostly/eventuallyfoundtheir lures, theWing marched on, the stadium seats were oh so comfortable, andthe game began. Flick Guerrina was infine form, as always, in his ’67 cheerleader sweater, leading the crowd in a series ofrousing cadet cheers ofyesteryear - including terms like “Horiado,” “Oooo sasa sa,” “Ricketyrickety ree, ricketyrickety rass... etc.—thatlikelyhave notbeenheard since our lastreunion... And - no doubt due to our encouragement—it allworked, as the Falcons trounced UNLVin ahardfoughtgame. Itmayhavenotallbeenprettybuthey-asthe sayinggoes, “akill’s a kill,” and it was another notch on the ’07 footballvictorybelt. Bythe 4th quarter, the temperaturehad dropped about 30 degrees andthewindhad pickedup about30 knots. Thus there was not muchpost-gamingin the parkinglot, as the crowdmostlyheadedbackto thewarmth oftheirbillets, to prepare forthe next day.

Sundaywas thefinalwind-downbreakfast, and allbegem to drift away, with heartfeltfarewells andbestwishes and sincere promises to “let’skeep inbetter touchwith one another” etc.

Then - we went our separateways.

Some additional comments: manyhavehad interestingtwists and turns to our lives, to where we now are—some career paths that are a far cryfromthe cadets and officers we started out to be in ’67. Many are nowfull-time or parttime retired, and generallyloving it. Some who started with us but did not graduatejoined us, and were welcome; as were familymembers of some of thosewho are now amongthefallen. Manysquadron activities were thoughtful and consideratee.g. CS-09 held a memorial at the USAFA Cemeteryfor DougFerguson,joinedbyDoug’s sister Sue Scott; and CS-07 donated a book collection presentation to the Library. Manyothers were... orienteddifferently, with liquid refreshments flowingfreely. The men ofFighting OSI Class 67-G were wellrepresented, withplans forthe formation ofsome sort ofquiz team, to win several million dollars on some national television venue.

No doubt some taleswillbetoldin futurereunions. Betteryet - share them with me, and I’ll be happy to share with all ofus.

As a poeticpostscript, in a non-reunionactivity, infollow-up to theprevious Checkpoints—here is a photo ofDon Shay’s memorial atArlington:

information, please checkthe ClassWebsite atwww.usafa68.org. Ifyou have any questions or suggestions (e.g., class gift, social events, etc.), please forward themviawebsite: usafa68reunion@aol.com.

Anotherfallen comrade:Don Shay’smemorial atArlington.

Howto sum up our cadet experience, and our following life experiences, and our current states, and our 40th reunionexperience? I give up. It was what itwas, andwhat we made ofit; and itiswhat it is, and we are who we are. I do not think anyofthat is bad.

Again, thanks to Paul, andthe spouses, theAOGsupportstaff, and allothers who contributed to making our40th a great success. Thanks also to our current AOG Boardmembers and class Senate rep for steppingup to the tough challengeswhichfacetheAOGandtheAcademy, andthanks to thosewho stepped up in the past, to move theAOG and theAcademy to where we now are. Well done.

Withthat - have a great end-of-2007 and bestwishes forthe Holidays and 2008! Thanks foryourservice! Vaya con Dios!

Tim Davidson

9712 Hidden Valley Road Vienna, VA 22181-6094 (703) 255-5313

Fax: (703) 255-5377

E-mail: timd@erols.com

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HELLO’68! ATTENTION INTHEAREA! Seasons’ Greetings andbestwishes for a bountiful2008! Blockout the dates on yourelectronic do-dads andmake travel reservations for Colorado Springs from 1-4 October 2008 so you can joinin the revelryofour 40th Class reunion. Reunionheadquarterswill bethe Embassy Suites and we will be seeking to wrest the Commander-in-Chief’s trophyawayfrom the “Squids” for the first time in sixyears. To get the latest

SummerVisitto Colorado.FromleftareSteveStaleyPatMcBride,RhipWorrell, Scribe, GarryDudley, andCarlJanssen.

SUMMERVISITTO COLORADO: As summer plans went, this was another greatyearforvisitingfamilyandfriends. Withinterim stops inMonument and San Francisco before embarking on a cruise toAlaska, I calledthe “Classmate Hotline” in Colorado and received greatsupportforget-togethers from Garry Dudleyand CarlJanssen. Garry set up a dinnerwith some ofour crew in early June duringthefrontend ofmyvisit and Carl set one up at theback-end after stopping in Colorado before returning toVirginia. The photo was taken at a local C-Springs Italian restaurant, wherethe wine and conversation flowed continuouslyforseveralhours. To see thephoto ofthe second groupwith Bill andSueEckert, GaryandNancyVasek,CraigBaer, andCarlandDebbieJanssen, pleasevisit the Class website.

BREAKING NEWS FROM CENTENNIAL: After sending an SOS for some class news, Glenn Gillette checked in with an update from Centennial, CO. Usingwell-honedIT skills from hisAirForce career, Glenn spends most ofhis time consultingandwritingcomputersoftwareforTriple-ProtectionAuto Care, which sells after-market programs (oil changes, etc.) and identity-protection products to automotive-related dealerships. Beyond his dayjob, however, Glenn says he would rather be writingfiction. As Glenn notes, “Learning the craftandtryingto sellmystories take up most ofmyspare time. While I did sell a few some time ago (see www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBookl 145.htm), getting backinto the entertainmentbusiness is provingto be quite a challenge.”

From theirfamily news department, Glenn and Jeannie were delightedwith the marriages oftwo oftheir daughters and the addition oftwo sons-in-lawin 2007. Theywere also excitedforthe success oftheirother daughterwho fulfilled a dream sincejuniorhigh schoolto work on Broadway. She is currentlyworking as the assistant stage managerin the Disneymusical production of Tarzanwhere she runs the aerialwork and has become good friends with Phil Collins. Following combat in Iraq as a Marine, their son left the service and is now attending the UniversityofColorado in Denverwith a major in engineering. As Jeannie limps aroundwith a broken ankle, they are not mnningmanymarathons these days, buttheydo hope to cruise theMexican Riviera inJanuary2008. Thanks for the greatupdate, Glenn!

AFA-USNAGAME: The sun shonebrightly as the temperaturepercolatedin the mid-70s with a clearAir Force blue sky and a beautifullyclipped field of Norman Rockwell-esque green grass. As the enthusiasm for Falcon football mounted to a feverpitch, I asked myself, couldthere be anybetter dayto play football thanright here and now? And, myinnervoice responded, “No! This Visit the AOGWeb Site.

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org

The Gillette Family at Diana’s Wedding. Glenn is to the left ofthe bride (Diana) andJeannieisbehindhim withkids,parents, sisters, and a fewmore relativesincluded throughoutthephoto.

is the dayand this is the time forAir Force to end Navy’sreign as the King of ServiceAcademyfootball! Forthefirsthalfandwellinto thethird quarter, the Falcons andthe Rams squared offwithseismichits andcompetitive mns and passes. But, somewherebetween the second portion ofthethird quarter and a fewdefensivelapses inthe fourth, thegamewent southand our cadets came up a little short. Despite the fifth straight loss to Navy, our '68 contingent cheeredthroughoutthe gameandrejoined at our favorite restaurantjustwest ofAnnapolis at Mike’s to commiseratehowclose we came to winning on the fields offriendlystrife. With a cryof“Waituntil nextyear! we went out separate ways andvowed tojoinup again in Falcon Stadiumfor our 40th Reunion and cheer on our team to victory. For more photos taken during the game, please see our Class website.

2007AIRLIFTTANKERASSOCIATIONCONFERENCE:After a 21-year absence sincemylastattendance attheAirliftTankerAssociationConference, Ihad thepleasureofattendingthe 2007renditionatthe enormous GaylordOpryland ResortandConference CenterinNashville, TN. Shortlyafterarriving, Iheaded back to thelobby area with a friend, when fromwithin the midstofthehuge crowd registeringfortheir rooms I heard a familiarvoice shout, “Hey, Dad! As I stared in utter disbelief, there was my daughter, Major Melissa (Davidson) Cunningham (USAFA’96),whohadjustarrived atthe resortwithherhusband, Fred (USAFA’94), from Colorado. Itwas theirfirstA/TAand none ofus realized wewouldbe atthe same conferencetogether. Needless to say, this was a clear sign ofmore serendipitythan abodycan stand! Inadditionto seeingfamilyand manyfriends, this largestA/TAconference (4,400 attendees), gave some ofus from ’68 a chanceto commune with one anotherforthree days andnights. The photo shows eightofuswho were there, andwe used averydearfriend,legendaryairlifter, andA/TAHall ofFame member, MajorGenerallim TheBagger” Baginski, USAF (Retired), as a stand-inforBob Daley, who we fullyexpectedto be among us at this gala event. Duringthe4-StarGenerals Panel, Charlie Hoiland andTonyRobertson were on the stage givingtheirviews on the state of affairsfortheAirliftandTankerCommunities,whileBillBegert,CharlieCoolidge, Mike Moffitt, CarlMcPherson, Bob Durham, andIlistenedwithrapt attention andengagedin a side conversation or two.

THAT’SAWRAP: Mind the flak; keep ’emflying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photoscoming in to Pat Russell and me. Please go to the class website to see photos included in this column in color and in full size. Ciao for now. Tim

Lindsey Parris

616 King’s Cloister Circle

Alexandria, VA 22302

Home: (703) 836-3604

able to accommodate alltheaccumulatedpictures. Fromamongthosepromised then is the following shot taken inAugust on theoccasion ofthe Class of 2009’s CommitmentDinner. BugsForsythe,WallyMoorhead, lohnYoung, Steve Edelman, David Wagner, Mike Goode, Terry Brady, Bob Troy, Ron Hindmarsh, Mike Cook, FlipKeck, joe Personett, and myselfpose before we headed offto Champs for Fat Tires under the stars.

66% mwi

E-mail:

102177.1033@compuserve.com

Greetingsofthe season, withhopes our Falconsprevailed inwhicheverbowl game theyplay. Due to spacelimitations, the preceding Checkpointswas un-

Supporting ’69’sLegacyClassof2009.

Rich Hagelinwrites fromthegreatNorthwest (Spokane) thathe is busywith as much skiing, scuba diving, andgrandchildrenspoiling as he can work into his days. Chris andChrista Curtis stoppedbyfor a visit, and followed up with a trip to see Steve and CarlaKirbyin Sandpoint, ID. Rich also mentioned, and many ofyouknowit already, that inAugust, the CSAF awarded 2006’s prestigiousSijanAward to none otherthanMattAllen (USAFA’99), Tom andAnneAllen’s son, forhis service in “classified locations.” Like father, like son! Huge congratulations to Team Allen forthis prodigiousaccomplishment.

Two ’69er-authored books have been published over the pastyear, bothworthyourreadingtime. DarrelWhitcomb, one ofthe nation’s leading experts on combat search and rescue, continues his excellence in that field in Combat Search andRescue in DesertStorm. Published by the Air UniversityPress, the bookfollows on Darrel’s earlierwork (TheRescue ofBat21), serves as a historical record ofSAR efforts during that conflict, and discusses lessonslearnedwith an eye towards enhancingfuture SARoperations. In a differentvein,JimGonzales’s GUNNYMemoirsofMobile’s South Side: RidingAlabama’s Tide ofWhite Supremacywas a labor oflove, familystyle, and a historicalretrospective on Mobile’s cultural, political, and racialheritagefrom 1915 to 1965, withJim’s father (Gunny) and his principled stand at its core. Forthose ofyouwho grewup or spenttimeinthe south, much in the bookfrom will ring true, fromoysters and grits to baseball and magnolias to social tensions. It’s also enjoyable forterrific lineslike this: “We reminiscedin a drowsy sortofway, turningleaves on thefamilytree likebees combingazaleas.” Wow!TheUSAFA ’69 connectionsurfacesinJim’sbookin several places. Published in July, with Ron andTerryHindmarsh attendingthe ceremony, it is featured at www.academybooks.net. Congrats to Darrel andJim on suchnoteworthy contributions.

In a ceremonymarkingthe 25th anniversaryoftheVietnamVeterans Memorial, special assistant to the SecAF JohnWheeler citedAF ChiefofChaplains CharlieBaldwin, a helicopter rescue pilotduringVietnamand our last man on active duty, as one ofthe manyblue-suiters who “played a majorrole in keeping names offthe wall.”

LA-based Stan Rosen, afterhis USAF and Boeing careers, and his two-year stint withAlvin Toffler, has switched gears and is now President ofthe nonprofitAssociationforStrategicPlanning. And, fromtheuniformedranks,Roger Lempke, honcho oftheNebraska National Guard, stepped downrecently. On to other green fields. Congrats, both.

Steve and Rochelle Edelmanjumped on the tidal wave of ’69ers taking to biking for recreation and travel. Theyspend six days cycling 300 km from Amsterdam to Brugge,Belgium. Cyclingintoheadwinds madeforgreaterthan usual caloric intake, and the Dutch and Belgian ales and cheeses were wel-

DinneratMike’s afterAFA-USNAgame. From leftare BobJohnston, Dave Prevost, Scribe, SteveMcPhail,MarkTorreano, andJim Seevers. Notpictured but seen at thegame: Charlie Coolidge, PaulFlynn, Bruce Gerrity, andBill Sasz.

’68ersat2007AirliftTankerAssociation Conference. Fromleftare Scribe, Bill Begert, CharlieCoolidge, CharlieHolland, "BobDaley,”TonyRobertson, Bob Durham, CarlMcPherson, andMikeMoffitt.

BobBell, Steve Sturm, andSteveEdelman in Brussels.

come. To recover, theytook a train up to Brussels, where theyconvened for dinnerwithBob andVibekeBell and Steve andAnne Sturm. Steve reports Bob and Steve were kind enough to switch to English for dinner.

Also on a Europeangetaway,AOG-sponsored, were Bugs andJudyForsythe, who spent a weekin the FrenchAlps and on Lake Garda in northeast Italy.

InSeptember,ChipandCarollAmbroseandJeanandIjoinedDanandJeannie Thomas, fortheGatheringofMustangs and LegendsAir Showat Columbus’s RickenbackerField. Some80P-51s, linedup onthetarmac,thelargestgathering ofthis remarkable aircraft since a bygonetime, offered a walkdown memory lane. OtherWWII aircraft,includingP-38s, P-40s,P-47s, B-25,B-29, B-17, and a Lancasterbomberalso evokedthat erainthe airand on theground. Theworld’s bestacrobaticpilots struttedtheirstuff, theF-22 aerialdemo showedthe quarter-millionin attendancethedifferencebetween 4th - and 5lh-generationfighters (ifyou haven’t seen the Raptor live, then get thee to an airshow, and be amazed!), andthe movingtribute to theTuskeegeeAirmen in attendanceall madeitone ofthefinestairshowsimaginable. ItisnotoftenthattheThunderbirds are not the main event—butthis was assuredly a P-51 andlegendsweekend. Chip’sfatherandfather-in-lawpilotedthe Mustang, so theshowwas especially poignantforhim. Thanks to Danformakingit allpossible.

Old Guys with an OldBird!

Thanks to RoyandLindsayCoppinger’sorganizingand inherentlyeleemosynary (his word, not mine!) nature, several ’69ers converged on Portland (Oregon) in September for an eight-day golfing extravaganza spanning Portland’s terrific courses and the already-fabled links layouts at Bandon Dunes. Amongthe 16participants were DavidWagner, Les Dyer, SteveCherry, Mike (andLinda) Beezley,JohnBuckner,Roy, andmyself, withDickSwanson andJeffTobolski on board forthe Portlandlegs ofthe trip. The golf courses andweathercouldn’thavebeenbetter, thegolfingitselfcouldhavebeen (Linda, ensconced in the EstrogenIsolation Booth, and impervious therefore to the shenanigans ofthe rest, was a humblingpresence), and the highlight was a marvelous dinnerconsumedin front ofUSAFA’s stirring come-from-behind overtime win over TCU. In an attempt to enhance swingbiomechanics, four tookto a blackberrypatchfor serious cross-training. Pictured are Beez, using brambles to promotedelicacyaround the green; Buck, workinghis left-hand grip; Les, muggingforthe camera; andRoy, ever vigilant on the set-up. These methods did not help, but theblackberries were delicious.

Dick Rauschkolb

130 Luxury Lane

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

H: (719) 761-5764

Cell: (719) 310-6928

Email: AOG70@comcast.net

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Aheartycongratulations to GreggPopovich on his selection as one ofthis year’s honorees fortheAcademy’shighesthonor—the Distinguished GraduateAward. I workedwith General RonYates, ’60 to establishthis award about eightyears ago and was part ofthe selectioncommitteeuntilthisyear. I can tell you that the competition for selection is very competitive among theAcademy’s manydistinguishedgraduates and Gregg’s selection is indeed a greathonor. The award is given forexceptional service to the nation. Greggis not gettingthis award forhis four NBA Championships, but for giving his time, talent and treasure to the SanAntonio communityand Academywhile representingthe ideals we hope are instilled in everyAcademygraduate. He is theyoungestgraduateby fiveyears to receive thishonor.While Popo maynot be able to make the dinner on the first FridayinAprilbecause ofthe Spurs BB schedule, we need to have a largeSeventyturnout atthedinnerinhis honor. I am confidentseveral members ofhis familywill be thereand Popo is going to make a video to be shown at the event. Mega-kudos to Popo andErin —we are proud ofyou!

Another classmate who continues to excel is John Penney who won the UnlimitedGoldClass atthe National ChampionshipAirRacesinReno. Speedy MartinandDougNorton were there andindicatedJohnflewin aWWII Bearcat, RareBear, a perennial crowd favorite, and recorded an average speed of477 and change.Atthe end ofthe race, he foundhe had a stuckthrottle andhad to use up whateverfuel remained and do a pictureperfect dead sticklanding— thrillingthe crowd to the last. This isn’tJohn’s firstwin—I knowhe has done it on several occasions. Lastyearhe won intheJetClass. Wayto goJohn—an incredible world-class achievement in flying skill!

To BruceAndersen, Flip Keck, Brian Nelson, JeffGrime, Tom Keck, Mike Goode, Scott Bench, GerrySchwartzel, Ron Marcotte and others ofyou golfing addicts—don’tmiss BandonifyourWheel ofFortune GolfingSpinpoints thatway! I’llprovide a more completeupdate on the 40th Reunioninthe next edition. We are fortunate thatplannernon-pareil Glenn Schlabshasagreed to shepherd(again!) the Reunionthroughthehoops. Looking at a footballweekend, perhapsArmy, inthe fall. Keepyourcalendars as clear as possible! Class gift donation drive is stillunderway, and DavidWagner and Iwill sendyou an update via snailmail. Allbest until next time. Lindsey

Visit the AOGWeb Site.

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org

HowaboutthemFalcons!TroyCalhoun andhis staffdid a greatjob coaching theboys to a 9-3 record, second place in the MWC, and a berth in theArmed Forces Bowl in Ft.Worth on NewYear’s Eve. It was a remarkable season and if you haven’t seen our outstanding back, Chad Hall, make sure you check out the bowl game. Ed Epping, Larry and Marleen Bush and Jim and Sandy KauppilawatchedtheFalcons maulthe FightingIrishin SouthBend.Jim and BethBechtelhosted a greatpost-game social at theirhome inAnnapolis after a game we should have won against the Middies. According to WildWood Woodhead: DougNorton,WildBill Stealey,AngusMacDonald, DougCarlson, JohnPomeroy, GeorgeKeys, DarrylLundgrenandsignificantothers attended the game and enjoyed some adultbeverages atJim’s home.

Another great ’70 party was hosted byRichand Nanci Downing after our victory overArmy.There was a huge turnout for a great dinnerandlots ofgood cheer. I am sure Iwillmiss someone, buthere is an attempt atlistingattendees: KeithBennett, CJBohn,JimBreckwald, LarryBush, Chris Dunbar, CurtEmery, MarkEwig, GaryFinley, Dave Gaw, Bill Hamill, Rich Harrington, RogerHill, Rick Humke, Craig Johnson, Bill Kirkman, Rick Lesch, Mike Lyons, Steve Maclsaac, Bob Mack, Henry Mitchell, Ray Oakeshott, Mike Paddock, Bill Porter, GerryShaw, Dave Smith, LarryTieman, MikeTorreano, LarryVaughn and CookVillareal. Almost all men were accompaniedbysignificant others and a greattime was hadbyall. Itwas good to see BarbaraBangthere anditwas sad to thinkthatCarlleft us a fewshortmonths ago. Thanks to Rich and Nanci for againputting up with the rowdy ’70 crowd—although—as we get older those rowdyevenings get shorter!

Short note on the Falcons BB prospects thisyear.We have averyyoung team andwon’thave the success ofthe pastfewyears. Nevertheless, we have some verygoodyoungplayers andwill surprise some teams. As I write this, we just

Beez Buck RoyandLesduringcross-trainingworkout.

JohnPenneyandDougNorton CelebrateJohn's win atNationalChampionshipAirRaces.

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dropped a 71-62 game to numbersixWashingtonState afterleadingmost ofthe game. This team has a lotofno-quit in them—sokeep the faith.

Marilyn and I got to spend some time with Mike Huber’s charmingbride, Melissa, andtheir son, Charles, '97, (who I commissioned) as well as his beautifulwife, Susan, and their two wonderful daughters after the FB game for Charlie’s reunion. It was a greattime; we wish Mikehadbeentherebut rumor has it he was kidnappedby a Phantom on his way to Colorado. That didn’t deter us from enjoying some adultbeverages, a greatsteak, and doing some karaoke until the restaurantkicked us all out.

DanMurphydropped me a note indicatinghehadretiredfromFEDEXafter 23years andtheColoradoGuardafter22years. Hehas a beautifulgranddaughter. Big news inMarkEwig’slate Christmasletter—Kristie was namedteacher oftheyear atAirAcademyHigh School.Wayto go Kristie—I alwaysknewyou were thebetterteacherinthefamilyhavingtaughtwithMarkat USAFAmany moons ago. Bad news fromJohnLipp—hislongtimegirlfriend, Susan, passed awayafterbattlingLou Gehrig’s diseasethelast 18 months. Ourcondolences John. Talked to TerryDessert, ChuckWeir, and DustySwanson—all men are doingwell. Dusty’s and RoseAnn’s son Ryan came through a long ordealwith his illnessand is currently on the road to recovery. Carol Huneycutt is in Singapore as theRegional Director ofTrainingforAlteon/Boeingforthe next twoyears. TerrySylvesterenjoyedthe summer innorthernNYbeforeheading southto Ft.WaltonBeachforthewinter. MarkandDebRobbins are inCulpeper, VA. Their son is an F-15E IP inLakenheath. I sawJayand Chris Barryat one of the FB games, but we didn’t have a chance to chat as we were both getting headingin differentdirectionsforthe start ofthe game. George Cato checked in andhis healthis doingwell—he promises to stayintouch more. I am sure Joe Boyles echoes the feeling ofmany classmates who were glad to see BJ Bjorkland andJohn Hatleid featured in thelast issue of Checkpoints. Steve Berta and BGen Olds were also in the issue. Hard to believe Robin Olds is no longerwithus—he always seemedlargerthanlife.

Asyouknow, theClass of2010 is our legacyclass anditrecentlyhad a dinner honoringtheirClass Exemplar—Lt. FrankLukefromWWI. Ifyouhaven’tread aboutFrankLuke,you should. Seems likehewouldhavefit in nicelywith our class. He was prone to ignore or disregardregulations and his flying accomplishments were legendary. Members ofour class were invited to attend and while the turnout was disappointing, it was a greatevening. It was a special occasion forSeventy, because Oker O’Connor’s son Brian is in 2010 and we enjoyedspending time withhim. Oker also has a son atWest point. Marilyn and I saw themboth at theArmygame. They are greatyoung men and ifthey are representativeoftoday’scadets, thefuture ofour countryis in goodhands. The next big event for 2010 will be theAcceptance Dinner nextAugust. Let’s have a greatturnout fromtheColorado Seventycontingentforthat occasion.

I went to the cemetery on Memorial Day to pay our respects to our fallen classmates. Itis sad to see more ofthem eachyearand soberingto realize that somedayyouwillbe there tojoin them inthebeautiful setting.A1Wurglitzdid somethingvery special. He sent out an email reminding everyone that September 17th was the 35th AnniversaryofMike Turose being shot down over NorthVietnam. He invitedclassmates tojoinhim attheVietnamWarMemorial to payrespects to Mike, JohnHaselton, Fran Townsend, Mike Blassie, Dick Christy, Steve Gravrock, Art Hardy, Bill Hargrove, and Gil Rovito. This was a greatideaand manyclassmates from aroundthe globe contactedA1 and said theywould be there in spirit. As Tom Waskow eloquently said in an email, “The sacrifices ofour classmates on thewall prove that freedom isn’tfree.” I want to close bythankingall ofyouwho wrote letters, emails, called, and contacted me afterI departed theAOG. I deeplyappreciateyourkindwords and comments—they mean a lot comingfrommyclassmates. I was blessed with a verytalented staffwho will continue to do excellentwork to support you and the graduate community. I salute themformaking me look good. I have been feverishlylooking for a job here in the Springs so ifyou have

HonoringOurFallen Classmates at the Vietnam Memorial. Fromleftare JohnPomeroy, MickRosenblatt, A1 Wurglitz, DougCarlson, Ron Kelly, Chip Terrill, George Keys, Dick O’Connor, Lee Me Kinley, Yogi Royce, Grant Aufderhaar, Dave Sterling, Greg Woodhead, and Angus MacDonald. Ray McKelvywas there too. Waytogomen!

anything in mind, give me a call. Marilyn is trying to see ifI can hook on at McDonalds—I make a mean burger!

Marilyn and I extend our bestwishes to you all for a very happyHoliday Seasonand a healthyNewYear!

Paul D. Knott 5565 Lantana Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920

H: (719) 570-9162

W: (719) 594-0100

E-mail: pknott@acninc.net

52% Members

Greetings to theFalconnation! Hopethatyourholidayseasonwas celebratory andfun. Thebiggestdisadvantage ofwriting a quarterlycolumnis thatI know now thatthefootball team had a great season, butwhenyou are readingthis, will the Falcons have gone to a bowl game, did theydo well, and how many members ofthe team will havebeen included in post-season award ceremonies?And howis thebasketball team doing?

On a sad note, Larry Brand passed away in June. My condolences to his familyandfriends.

On a much happier note, Andrea and I have been discovering thejoys of grandparentingthrough our first, DelaneyMaryKathleen. I knowthat some of you are reading thisandwonderingwhat allthe fuss is about, and others are justnodding in agreement. So far, she is a healthyand happybaby. I have of course introduced her to Falcon football, and she seems to take in the pageantryandprettycolors. Not as informed inheropinions as, sayDarrylWimberley, but she is learning.

Sam Clovis wrote recentlyfromthe Heartland, where he is a professor ofeconomics, public and business policy at a small college in Northwest Iowa.

“Inmylastjob before returningto collegelife, I was an analystwiththeHomelandSecurityInstituteinArlington,VA. When I was preparingto leave that organization, I was asked to stay on as a part-timeemployee,working and researchingfrom myhomebaseinlowa. Thesituationhasbeen averygood one for both sides. I do a great deal ofresearch in national preparednesspublic policyandtravelbackto DC severaltimes ayearto collaborate on projects that support FEMAandthepreparedness directorate oftheDepartmentofHomeland Security. I enjoy a goodworkingrelationshipwith both the Institute and DHS so Istayverybusywithresearch,policydevelopmentandimplementation.

“Mywife, Charlotte, is a writingspecialist here at Morningside andher son (mystep-son) Khanis a studenthere as well. We make it a full day on campus nearlyeverydayoftheweek. Khanwrites forthe schoolpaperand is an aspiringjournalistwithhis eye on RollingStone. Wehave a nice place inthecountry withplentyofroom for our dogs, the pheasants, deer and other critters who pass through. The settingis serene andverysatisfying.

“I can saywithoutequivocationthatmytime attheacademyandmyassociationwithmy classmates were the most influential elements ofmy adultlife. The experience ofachieving so much and in getting to know so manydecent, honest and talented men have meant so much to me. When things were less than smooth a fewyears ago, Ifoundgreat comfortandstrengthinremembering myclassmates and our days at the academy. Subsequendy, I have found peace in mylife in that I found anew calling, a wonderful woman withwhom to share mylife and a future still brightwith faith and hope.”

Life in the Springs is stillgoingwell, butwith the downturninthereal estate market, our officeis quieterthanwe’dsometimeswish. Onebigadvantage that we have isthatwe can, with our contacts intheindustry,help folks out not only with finding an agent to sell theirhome in Colorado, but wecan referyou to goodpeople to buy a newhomewherever, or to find a qualitymover whenyou

SeventyMenAreProudof2010! Fromleftare TooeyEmery, thePhantom, Oker O’Connor, RickBereit, Dave Gaw, LarryBush, Roger Hill, andJohn Gallagher.

getthere, or fixup the houseyouhave. Ifyou or a friend are faced with situations like that, let me know.

Bob Bell

13 Pacific Ave.

Sinking Spring, PA 19608

(610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513

E-mail: rabell767@aol.com

kHemiief8 A

Wellhere we are again, alreadyseveralweeks afterthephenomenal 35th reunion, andIhave gathered some thoughts from a fewofyouwhohave already written. Therewillhopefullybe more afterthe rest ofyou see thiscolumn, and we can continue comments on the35th eventforseveral more issues. The first remarks received were fromClassPresidentScottSturmanand are presented here:

No one needsto convincetheattendees ofthe 35th class reunionthatitproved to be a worthwhile experience. From theweather to the social functions and thememorial services, the highlights were diminishedsolely bythose who could not attend. Indeed, much ofthe planningforthe40thwillinvolve an attemptto reunite as much of the class as possible in2012.

Formanyofus theAcademywas a bitter sweet experience in a difficulttime. The reunion atmosphereputs these contentions aside and emphasizestherekindling ofoldfriendships and recountingescapades that become more hilarious and exaggerated as theyears progress.

Beforeattendingthememorialserviceinthe CadetChapel, a number ofus walked through our old squadron area. Much had changed, but while walking down a hallway I noticed a cadet leaving her room and lockingthe doorbehind her. “Excuse me.” I said. “What are you doing?” She repliedall cadets are required to locktheirdoors. Thisprobably comes as no surprise to those ofyouwho have remained abreast ofAcademypolitics, but for someone who hashadlittle exposure to these nuances, it was a shock.

In ourtime attheAcademyone didnotlockdoors. Inthe morning one could leave a $20billin openview on a desk, anditwouldbe there undisturbed that night. This conceptbased on theHonorCodeseparatedtheAcademyfromall other institutions. It epitomizedthe idealcharactertraits expected forboth military officers and civilianleaders. Despiteproclamations to the contrary, itis difficult not to questionhowcadetlife and its relation to the Honor Code havechangedinfortyyears. Ifthe HonorCode and cadetbehavior as we knew it are incompatiblepresentlyattheAirForceAcademy, where can itbefound? Have political considerations undermined the foundation ofcadet moral training? For manypoliticians honor is an inconvenience, butforthosewho are accountableitisunassailable.

HarveyLeCatoheadedthe ReunionCommitteewhich pulled offa flawless performance forthis 35th reunion. He sent a briefnote which included remarkshereceivedfromKathyHorton,wifeofour deceased classmate Chuck, andproud mom ofC3CJesse. Both KathyandJessejoined us at the reunion dinner as well as other events throughout theweekend. It seems appropriate to include these short remarks here forthose ofyouwho mighthave missed the e-mail that was sent out earlier:

Harvey—Firstlet me saythankyou andthe Class of72 so verymuchfrom bothJesse and myselfformakingthe reunion so wonderful forthe two ofus. The warm receptionwe receivedandtheunforgettable conversations wewere engaged inwillbe remembered fondlybyboth ofus forthe rest ofour lives. WhetherJesse continues to holdtheNationalBoxingtitle or not, thatstanding ovationwillbe a memorythatwill make everyblowworth thepain. Jesse was heard to say that he was grateful for the rare opportunity to look forward throughyour (theclass’s) eyes to get an indication ofwhathis life mayhave in store. I had to draghim out ofthere, almost the last two to leave, at 12:30 am because he was havingsuch a greattime.Again, thankyou andthe Class of72 from everyinch ofour hearts!

We decided to huddledownduringthefootball game over there on the east side ofthestadiumandtryto staywarm insteadofhiking over to thehighhigh seatswhere the class of72 was perched. Justlooked too cold andwindy over there.We reallyenjoyed most ofthe game until it got so cold, I could hardly keep myteethfrom chattering. Thatand I was practicallyfallingasleep since my“date” wouldn’tleave thepartyuntil theveryendthe nightbefore!

I have received a nice note from the Cannistracis and theywere inquiring about Jesse’s boxing activities. I want to send them a link to the Boxing

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY!

YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND

CADETWING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

scoreboard andthenice articles theyalwayspost, buttheydid notinclude an email address. Couldyou possiblygive them mine, or give me theirs so thatI can emailthemthelinks? Bytheway, theboxing season has officiallybegun at theAFAandJessehas won his firstFridayNightFight ofthe season. Ifyou send any more general emails to the class, you might include my email address so thatifanyoneis interestedinJesse’sfuturefights,they can email me. Iwouldbe thrilled to keep anyone who cares to follow howJesse progresses. Thanks again, Harvey. Keep in touch. Kathy

Doug“Mush” Brower sent some comments and pictures shortly after the reunion. During the reunion festivities, he graciouslyvolunteered to allow himselfto be elected by a majority ofclassmates who were present at what amounted to beingprobably our first-ever post-graduation Class Meeting. Mushwillbethe ClassAdvisorySenate representative, or Class Senatorserving in that capacityto our great benefit. The text ofhis message follows:

Here are a couple ofpictures from our 29th gettogether at our house. What a greattime and glad you couldjoin us. I’m in Japanright now and trying to catchup on emails andpictures. Willbeheading to HKGviathe Philippines in aboutnine hours. Greatweather over here.

Please pass on to the class inthe next Checkpointsthattheir new ClassAdvisorySenate rep is tryingto get allofhis stuffin one basket andwillhave a mass email go out shortlyconcerning current CAS activities. I’m afraid I arrived in the midst of some critical actions in dealingwith theAOG BOD. There are a couple ofmajorissues we are working on and as soon as theAOGforwards me a list of contact info for the class I’ll get details “in the mail”. Meanwhile, if anyone has anythingtheyfeel like forwarding up to the Senate/AOG please have thememail me atMushBrower@yahoo.com andI’ll gladlytake care ofit. Thanks! That’s it for now. I’ll try to keep you posted on what’s happening as soon as I get it. Take care. Cheers...Mush

arejust a fewthingsthatyou maynot be aware of, especially ifyou were not able to attendthis reunion to include the followingin no particular order.

The CS-25 grads of72, led byJim“Yogi” Barr afterthelast reunion, came up with a uniquelyindividual glass case holding a dozenofthose nice pewtershot glassesmounted on thewallofthe DoolittleHalllibrary(just to the right as you enter). This group effort is provided as a lastingtoken ofremembrance to all fellow ’72erswho are welcome to make use ofitanytimeyou are inthe area. All that is needed is to retrieve the lockboxkeyfrom the front desk ofDoolittle Hall; enjoyyour toasts to who orwhatever, andputthings backin order as you leave.

The Class Pavers are completely installed out front ofDoolittle Hall and provided a fittingfocalpoint for our Class Memorial PaverTribute ceremony

Eleven oftheguysofCS-29atthepre-pre-gameparty.In backareBillDietrich, Jim Gormley, Ken Stone, Bill Chapman,JerryMartin, andPeteHolm. Front: TerrySchiessler, PhilHudson, DavePrahler, TedSearles, andDougBrower.

YourintrepidScribeholdingcourtamonga fewofthe29th wives, one ofhis “favoriteplaces” to be at thepre-pre-gameparty. In the backroware Cheryl Brower DianeSearles, GeorgeGormley, Susie, Maureen Dietrich, Dee (Holm) SuziMartin, andKayStone. Front:Rita Schiessler, BobBell, andMaryPrahler. Nowfolks, there

inwhich the roses are laid out honoringthe 31 ofour friends who haveleft us much too soon. We were doubly honored in this event by the addition of several ofthe widows of our departed classmates. Theladies attending ineluded Sharon VanBastelaar, Kathy Horton, Sue Buschmann and Sheila Harrington and theywere welcomedwith open arms by allpresent.

Notthefirsttime, andhopefullynotthelast, we hadthe pleasureofrenewing oldfriendshipswith some ofour classmateswho startedwith us inJune 1968 butwho didnot graduate. Bob Moserwithhiswife Patsy as well as JimDanielik madethisrepeattrip to Colorado meetingup againwithmanyclassmateswho joined in the sharing ofsome greatmemories.

The Class of’72 website is up and running courtesyofTom Maddockafter quite awhileand some expense on his part. We are stillgettingthings inplace, butthe actual site does exist now as Classof72@usafa.org. Watch this column forfuture updates on its status.

Stay tuned also forthe eventual listing ofemail addresses that have been collected duringreunion registrationfor dispersal to the rest ofus as soon as can bedone. This is a greatway to keep in touchwith each other, and it may work out to be even betterifused in conjunctionwith the above-mentioned class website.

Anotherfactorto be consideredis thatthere were manyphotos taken during this memorableweekend byindividualswith thelatest digitaltechnology as well as good oldfashionedfilm. Itwouldbe a great summaryto have as many ofthosephotosuploaded somehowto allowanyone else to viewthem. Ofthe ones I can recall, MikeVerzola comes to mind as well as severalofthe committee memberswho were out there flashing away, so let us see whatyou folks came awaywith.

Bywayofawrap-up,justlet me saythatforthe 180 or so guys andtheirloved ones who were able to attendthis 35threunion, the general consensus would have to be that it was wellworth the time and effort, especiallyin light ofthe winning score put on theboardbythe Falcons as theykicked UNLVjust a bit on a game nightthatturnedtypicallycoldin quickfashionbythefourth quarter. Whatallattendeessurelyhopefor nowisthatplansbeingmadeforthe“big 4-0” includethe rest ofour dearfriendswho maynot havebeenable to attend this or even priorreunions. Let us markthat calendar rightnowforthe Fall of 2012 which ofcourse, will be comingfaster thanyouknow.

Joe Kahoe

4140 Saddle Rock Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Cell: (719) 210-5568

joekahoe@gmail.com

http://73.texascomputerhelp.com

46% Members

Class of73, thankyouforyourgreatinputs to ourWinter2007 article. Please start sending me good stuffforthe Springarticle now atjoekahoe@gmail.com. My cell is 719-210-5568. (Respectfully, Joe Kahoe, CS-07, Class of73 Scribe) Classweb site: http://73.texascomputerhelp.com.

WordsffomTomKennedy(CS-31, GrimReapers):Nearlyhalfof31stSquadron’s GrimReapersconverged on Roxboro, NC, on Nov 16-17,2007, to spend a great weekendhonoringJohnandAnn Garrardandsupportingthem in theirtrying times. JohnflewKC-135s andVC-137s before retiringandflyingforthe airlines, butis now on longterm disabilitywithbrain cancer. So theSquadron ralliedin their support. John andAnn were wonderfulhosts and provided their most gracioussouthernhospitalityas 9 of20 gradsspenttwo greatdays ofqualitytime burning some steaks and embellishingquite a fewstories. While we were told Johnwouldtake care ofthe grilling, he tookcontrol ofthe grill. It’s a guything; wewere guests athishouse; he was thehost, anditwas his grill.We alllooked at eachotherandnoddedand smiledwhile Mitch discretelyhelpedhim. As the sun began to set on the beautiful North Carolinafall day, Bud Gammon pre-

sentedJohnwith a framedphoto fromthe 20th Reunion and a Falconfootball flag, bothsignedbyallwho were there. In addition to the Garrards, our group in Roxboro included Howard Mitchell, Mike Hub (and his wife,Callie),TomKennedy(andhiswife,Betty), CharlieMeyer (and his wife, Pam), Sam Torrey, KenAdams, Bud Gammon andRich Hayes. While some ofus have crossedpaths many times over theyears, othershad not seen one anotherfor34 years, but we reacquaintedquicklyand agreedthewinnerof the “Best Preserved” prize was Sam Torrey. As we gathered withJohnandAnn, itwas abittersweettime, andwe could not help but also think ofTom Sporte and hiswonderful family who lost a lovingwife and mom, Betty, onlyafewdays earlier. AsBuddyGammonsaid, itistimeslikethesethatwe understandwhywe wentto USAFA, andhowstrongthebondisthatwehaveastheClassof’ 73 continues to make a difference supporting our Country.

26 abre Society I!111!cirs

From left are Dr. MarkCoffman, BillPatterson, Dr. GregChapman, Stalker Reed, andAlNacke (allfrom CS-07) relaxingatMark’s lakehousein Texas. (Two doctorsand threeairlinepilots.)

From Johnny Whitaker (julwis@aol.com; H: 719-488-6862; O: 719-3337714). Ten 73 CS-16 Chickenhawks (mostaccompaniedbytheirwives) rendezvoused fortheAF-Armygame on 3 Nov, “practicing” for our 35th reunion.

Taken at the Chickenhawk tailgate atFalcon Stadium before theAF-Army game. KneelingfromleftareDon Sutula, andTomMayberry.Standing: Charlie Stallworth, WillyCulbertson, Gene Ogilvie,JohnnyWhitaker, Bill Gillin, John Lauten, andGreggReinecke.

John Mann is running for school board, D38, and has a part time job as a USAFA tow pilot. John and DebbyRegni’s daughter was recently married. Checkout our 73 web site for a good article on FrankKlotz.

KenVargas: our son Erwin (USAFA 1999), boxingOIC at USAFA, got married in Sept to anothergrad: CourtneyHamrick (USAFA2002). Courtneyflies C-17s atMcChordAFB. (more on web)

At theNavyGame, a mini- ’73Reunion eruptedcompletelycoincidentally. From left are LeeZimmerman (Nancy), Vic Thuotte (Connie), Bill Carpenter (Jennifer), Don PettitandGordyBendick(Alimony) whometto ‘Drown”their disappointmentat the USAFAloss andenjoythegreat dayofreuning.

CS-31, GrimReapersin backareHowardMitchell,John Garrard, MikeHub, andKenAdams. Center:RichHayes, TomKennedy, Sam Torrey,BudGammon, CharlieandPam Meyer. Front: Ann Garrardand CallieHub with Buffy.

Bill Lauritzenhas a website: www.earth360.com and hejustpublished an ebook called The Invention ofGod. Don Rightmyer<drightmyer@yahoo. com> wrote: Sixmonthsinto newjob as ReferenceLibrarian fortheKentucky Historical Society’s Research Libraryand loving every day.

Lee and NancyZimmerman (CS-15) now live in Columbia, SC. Heisalawyerin alawfirmandNancyis a professor at UniversityofSouthCarolina. Their daughter Renee ’02 (CS-15) andChris Thuotte ’02 (CS-09) are married and working atAndrewsAFB. Renee is currentlydeployed to Iraq.

Vic and Connie Thuotte are stillliving outside ofBoston.Vic is a Senior IT Directorspecializingin ITprotection andpreventingIdentitytheft, and memher ofthe USAFAAOG Nominating Committee. TrapperCarpenterrecently retired as RegistraratUSAFAaftermore than34years ofcontinuous active duty. He moved across theTerrazzo andpartwaydown the Hill to become theAssociateAthletic Director RecruitingSupport (replacingJimBowman). Replacingthe“IconicBo’’ willbean awesome task, butifanyone can do it, it’s Bill. (AfterthatplugBill... can ’73ers count on you fortickets next season?) Don Pettithasretired fromyears ofLockheed-Martinand is runninghis own consuiting business inVA/MD, givinghis expertise to any “three-letter agency” thatneedsit. To beattraffichefrequentlystopsinOldTownAlexandriato meet GordyBendick. Don also retired recentlyfromthe DC National Guardwhere he commandedthe F-16 outfit. GordyBendickrecently“retired” againfrom industryand is taking a hiatus from paying his daughter’s college bills only because they are paid up. He is hanging out in OldTownAlexandria andwelcomes anyone to givehim a callwhentheyfindthatthey“havefallenandneed a drinkto getbackup” alongKing Street.

Tim Dulcimerreports ofa CS-14 mini reunion at Ralph Broderick’s place in Georgia.

Mike Pattonhasworkingwith FEMAfor thelast two years (three disasters, two in California and, ofcourse, New Orleans), and mywife, Cynthia, and “little” girlspent ayearin Cuernavaca, Mexico, (web site forgreatPattonfamilyupdate)

Note from Mitch about our 35th Reunion... nextyear’s football schedule does not come outuntil afterthe 1st oftheyearandtherefore cannotyetschedule our reunion, butwe are startingthedialogue. Chair: H. J. “Mitch” Mitchell --I’ll do it butwould like a co-chair that is in the local area. Co-Chair: Doug “Spider” Richardson —spends most ofhis time in Omaha so wouldlike a local to volunteer to pickthis up. MemorialandWeddingVows, JohnStefonik; Prep School Reunion, Joel Carlson; Class Gift, Jim Vitelli, Mike Turner and Ron Thomas; GolfTournament, Dave Brown; Merchandise, KirkSamelson; Class Dinner, Dave Harmon; OptionalEvents,TrapperCarpenter; LostSouls, Dennis Haugh; Squadron POC Coordinator andAdviser to the Chair, Sam Grier; POC at theAOG, LaniWing. Also we need to start thinking about the slate of officers to bere-elected atthe reunion. Currentofficers elected atthe reunion: President, Mitch Mitchell; Vice President, Mike Turner; Treasurer, Trapper Carpenter; Secretary, John Stefonik; Sergeant-at-Arms, BJ Stanton; Morale Officer, KirkSamuelson; MisterWithoutPortfolio,AlMaurer. Appointedafter thereunion: 1973 Rep to theAOGs ClassAdvisorySenate, Bob Munson.

Joe Brezovic

1209 Bayou OaksDrive Friendswood, TX 77546

H: (281) 482-6860

0: (281) 244-8325/Fax: (281) 244-8020

48% Members

E-mail: jbrezovic@comcast.net

joseph.brezovic-l@nasa.gov

Hello classmates across the globe! No matterwhereyou are, I imagineyou stillget a goodbeatoftheheart to thinkofthosethrillingyesteryears ofathletic prowess - 7,250 feetabove sea level, beautifulskies, ahh, suchmemories. Well, here is a picture ofa fewofus recapturingthose thrilling moments ofsuccess and agony. Pete Bechtel sent in this photo and his memory ofthis summer event! These are our classrepresentativeswhoplayedfortherecent2007USAFA Graybirds team at theVail Lacrosse tournament this year. Pete wrote: “Fools that they are... None ofus gothurt (except our pride because our record was 2 wins and 3 losses). But it was awesome to be playingwith the zooms again.

They are, from left: Hank Yaap, Chuck“Cat” Stevens (our coach), Ed Mcllhenny, Pete Bechtel, and Don Kerley.”

Mike Cranfordsent a note. Heis stillworkingout, but notinorganizedsports. Mike fliesthe 777 out ofO’Hare. He isworking on his small-parts businessand putting a T-28 backtogetherwhile sitting Reserves for flying. John Sweda is still in the Hurlburt Field, FL area. He said hello and wanted to knowwho some ofyou were in a picture ofPrep Schoolers at thelastreunion. I learned that Steve Malutichand Sandylive near Houston, TXtoo. Steve runs a career school on the east end oftown. We plan to get together some time to share notes! From the desk ofDave Daley in D.C., I learned that there is a career change forRon Segafromworking as Under Secretary oftheAir Force, Office ofthe Secretary oftheAir Force, to be theVice President forAppliedResearch, Colorado State UniversityResearchFoundationand Professorof SystemsEngineering,College ofEngineering, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO. Yeah, Ron.

AndyandLuannGaliksentin some pics oftheirCS-15 classmates. War Eagles had a mini-reunionweekendin Chicago inAugustin conjunctionwiththe ChicagoAirand BoatShow. It was organizedbyMike and GloriaPefleyand we used theirlovelyhomein South Barrington, IL as our reunion meetingpoint andpartycentral. Oftheir squadron, 11 were able to attend, and ofthose 8 were able to bringtheirwives. It was a great reunion and a good time was had by all. Theyattended a Cubs baseballgame, toured Chicago,playedgolf, went to a horse race, saw a great air showwith the Thunderbirds as main performers and had a great time meetingandpartyingwith each other over thefourdays. SteveAndersen, who used to commandtheThunderbirds, was able to get us into theThunderbird Guest section and we had a greatview ofthe air show.

AshorthistoryofclassmatesfollowfromthepenandmemoryofDeanDorsey (livingin Eugene, OR), who reports being a first time grandfather to a baby girl. Dean wrote in on his old roommate Robin Scott. Perhaps it twangs a string inyourmemory? Dean writes that he was invited to his old roomie’s retirement, thathe cannot recall being so honored, awestruck andjust darn proud ofhis old roomie andbestbud forever. Dean retired out ofthe service as a captain. Dean tells: (Robin) has always been one ofthose guys thatyou had to stay on your toes to keep upwith. Likeforinstance, we bothpurchased identical cars as seniors—1973 Dodge Challengers, 340ci, 4 barrel models with blackvinyl top, strobe stripes, Hurst pistol-grip4-speed slap shifters, rallywheels, and all options, metallic silverwith black interior. Exactlythe same. The onlydifference was intheVIN numbers ofboth cars... one number difference on the end. And ofcourse, one other difference—he owned his and I owned mine. Within a month, his looked better, sounded better, drove better, was faster, handledbetterand never had anymajorproblems. Evenhis

The’74members ofCS-15forthe GatheringofEagles2007. In thebackrow fromleftare SteveResnick, CharlieHolley, GarySambuchi, MikePefley, Scott Murphy, BobAin andBobBrooke. FrontRow: GaryBaldwin, ScottHoke,Andy GalikandSteveAndersen.

The PrettierMates at the Gathering2007. From left, Gloria Pefley, Phyllis Baldwin, StephanieHoke, NancyBrooke,KathySambuchi, DoloresResnick, LuAnn GalikandMaryAndersen.

after-market8-trackplayerwas installedbetterandhishadhoodpinsthatlooked coolerandtheheader exhausts he addedhad thatlittle more macho rumble thanmydidanddidn’tconsistentlymelthis sparkplugwireslike mine did, even when Iwrappedthemwiththespecialkryptonitetape. WhenI was drivingmy beautifulblondedatebackto DenveraftertheJuneWeekball, mycar diedalongsidethefreewayaboutoneo’clockinthemorning,strandingus. I had to hitchhike in mypenguinoutfitwithherinherwhite gown so we couldgetto a phone and I could call for a towtruck. Yea, itmakesfor a funnystory now. That’sjust a litdevignettethat’stestimonyto Scotty’sworld as comparedto the one the rest of us getto livein. I was thehandball champ, buthey, heplayedthe guitar. I made theDean’slistbuthewas smarter. Andhecoulddothatlittlethingwiththesaber whereyouslapitup againstyourshoulderandIwouldhitthesideofmyfaceand put aredmark on myrightcheek. Howdoesthatsayinggo, Sleeptight, yourAir Force is awake’?Well, that’swhyitwas greatbeinghis roommate. Iknewifthere was a problem, hewouldtake care ofit. I alwayssleptverywell.” Thankyou, Lynne, forflying cover foryourhusband, Robin.

Thankyouall, class of'74, forworkingtogether,givingyourbest as you meet the challenge,everydayand in everyway...so we andthefreeworld can sleep better.

GaryElliot,thankyouforthearticle andworkingwithVickieLoweryforclassmate BuckLoweryinthe Gone, ButNotForgotten column forthis pastissue.

That’s allI can fitin atthis time. Ihave one carry-overpictureand a shortnote for next time as starters. Please send inyour Christmas newsletters and pictures—we are anxious to hear aboutand see whatyou looklike now! [Note thatpictures on letters come out too grainy to resolve.. .I’m still trying to restore one to berecognizable.] WishingMerryCheerandBlessings to all. Classmates andyour family; mayyou live longand prosper.

Paul Kent 18166 S.E. 41st Place Issaquah, WA 98027-9717

Mobile: (425) 785-3586

E-mail: zooscribe@mac.com

Classmates. Don Henney’s son Dan graduatedUSAFA2007. “Got to tellyou this was a prettyemotionaleventforme. 32yearslatercommissioningyourkid andseeinghimreceivethatdiplomaatFalconStadium. Godhasbeenverygood to us! Lordwilling our#2 son, Joe, followsin '09 andmaybe#3 son, Caleb, in 16 ifhis interest continues. Thanks to LarryBryant’s mentorship and Bentley Rayburn’ssupport,bothDanandJoegotsteeredto theFalconFoundationwhich provided the opportunity to attend USAFA. Dan is now in the Cyber Comm career track (perinput from Dale Meyerrose) So, this network thingworks prettywell! WhileattheAcademyIhadthepleasureofrunningintoMarcHallada at the graduationparade. His son Frankalso graduated in ’07.”

JoeHenney (2009), Don Henney (1975), and Dan Henney (2007) John Sullivanfellabout 10feet offaladderandbrokehis rightheelbone, and hasbeen on crutches ever since. JohnVenable saythings are goingquitewell downunderandhas returnedto duties ofteaching and research. MarkWells andDonnareturned to Colorado Springs andthe Department ofHistoryafter a tour at U.S. European Command.

Randy(Ray) Powell: My sonjustreturnedfrom a little over 12 months in Iraq servingwith an infantryunit. He dropped out ofhighschool, spent a little time injail(nothingmajor), got a GED andjoinedtheArmy, as a condition to get out ofjail and gethis charges dropped. I tried foryears to get him interested in USAFA to no avail. I couldn’t even keep him in high school. Well, he became quite a soldier. With a lot ofhelp from his Platoon Leader, Company Commander, BattalionCommanderandBrigadeCommander (allWestPointGraduates) hereceived an “in service nomination” andwas accepted toWestPoint at age 21. Quite a story. He reportedwith four rows ofdecorations and a Combat InfantryBadge. He also reportedwith a tattoo on his arm listingthe names of 14 people in his companywho were KIA. Only three survived from his 13person squad. The other two were severelyinjured. He returned a very, very changedpersonbut amazinglyin goodspirits. Wevisited NewYork a fewdays

before he reported. In thepicture, you can see the names tattooed on his left arm. One ofthe names on his arm is SPC RossMcGinnis. His familywillreceive hisMedalofHonor on December4th attheWhiteHouse.Thiswillbethesecond anniversaryofhis death. He fell on a grenade andsavedthelivesoffourothers. Hewas 19yearsold. Iguessthelessonto belearnedis never giveup onyourkids.

RandyPowelland son Ross

FredWeems: Loath I am to admitit, butI’m an attorneytoo. I have my own firm that I call “FlyByNightLegal Services”. I have no office, no staff, don’t do paperwork, and don’t talk to clients. All I do is argue in court for otherlawyers who don’twant to have to drive alltheway out here. In mybusiesttimes I’m in court everyotherWednesdayafternoon, and I getpaidwith sushi. Chip Diehl: My most rewarding endeavoris supporting a non-profit called Coalition to SaluteAmerica’s Heroes (with Heroes being our severelywounded troops).

Tom Barbera: I retired and tookthe summer offand traveledwith familyin Europe for a couple ofmonths. Myplan was to take ayear off stillwish Ihad but took a nice job offer in an anesthesia practice. Mike Anderson: I got pickedup for a Congressional Stennis Fellowship. Doesn’t mean I have a new job. Itjustbecame an additional duty. RicLewallen:We are in the process of moving... again. Movingto Birmingham. We are excited, but tired about the prospectofmovingto our 20thhouse in30years ofmarriage.

JimWaller: I’m offto Kenya for a spell and thenwill be back.

SteveHussey: I’mdoingwellinBangalore, butspentmybirthdayweekend in Dubai.

TomKnabel [Minnesotabridgecollapse]: I am fine, despite beingfairlyshockedbythebridgecollapse. Itis only a couple ofmilesfrommyhouse. Bill Ladd: My son reallywants to go to USAFA and fly in theAF. We sent him to USAFAFencing camp this summer. He was stoked, and we are luckyenough to havehimtrainingwith a formermemberofthe Soviet NationalFencingteam, who nowteaches here in Hawaii. JoeKahiapo: Greetings Dave Commons [onhis move to Hawaii] to yourhome awayfrom home. We’ll be lookingforwardto seeingyou andyour family. DougMiller: I set up a new program to help low-income parents return to a two-yearcollege. I nowwork as a defense contractor. My son is flying F-16s at Kunsan, Korea. Bill Murray: I’ve beenfeeling GREAT! Say a little prayerfor our troops inIraqthat are laying downtheirlives so thatwe can go on vacation. MarvKobzaandhiswife Cheryl came into Dallas for avisit.Also,Judyand Ijustreturnedfromthe GreatNorthwest and a visitwith Paul “Ollie” Hansen.

FromDennis Brooks: My artis in museums, butI don’thave anythingelse to do with them. Check www.ss42.com under Free Paper Models. All these models were donated to Children’s Hospitals, some ofalmost 400 over thelast severalyears. MarkVolcheffhasthrownhis name inthehatto be nominatedfor theAOG Board ofDirectors vacancy. Says Mark: “I have the desire, I have no conflicts, I live in C-Springs and I thinkI can bring a goodperspective to assist our graduates andthepresentandfuturecadetswhowill one dayfill our ranks. Itwillbe great to have avoice on theAOGfrom our Class. GoodluckMark, and thanks for stepping up. Mark adds: It struck me that while we support our schooland our classinmanyways we can do so even more openlybyshowing our class spirit on an AF footballjersey! I have researched some dealers procuringAir ForceAcademyfootballjerseyswithNumber 75 on it and the best deal so far is our very own Ben Bosma! Order at http:/ /aerovation.com.

LikeMark, it seems retired Generals cannot rest. BentleyRayburn: “Just in case youhaven’theard, Debbi andI have decidedthatI should run forthe U.S. Congress again. Ourwebsite: www.RayburnForCongress.org. Dave Clough: I had no idea that there were memorial pavers for our departed classmates. Seeingmyfriends Bruce Dodds, PhilJones and our other classmates memorializedbythepaversbrought one ofthose rare moments whentheworldjust skids to a stop and memories return like theywere yesterday. Bill Carrothers: I’mrecuperatingfrom anotherofthose ’75 firsts. I’m pretty sure I’mthe oldest one ofus to punch out ofan aircraft, atage 53.1jettisoned a State DeptOV10 in Aprilwhile flyingin Colombia. I’m fullyrecovered and awaitingFAAapproval to return to work. Tim Wrighton: I have been the ReserveWing CC here at CharlestonAFB for the lastyear. I just returned from a four-month deployment to Qatar. From MuddyWaters: I’m going to spend three days with the

cadets attheirHeritageForum—speakto thewing, go to class, meetwith some ofthe squadrons. One ofthe benefits ofbeing a “graybeard.”

TheAFwebsite: MajorGeneralJoe Stein retired (remember: he was anavigator—that is the equivalent of a five star pilot’s career. Stan Gorenc: I’ve landed atTucson and am workingforRaytheon. PatAshis home andin good spirits afterbeingdiagnosedwithlung cancer backinJuly. He’s got a series of chemo treatments to gothroughbeforere-assessment in earlyDecember. Jim Burling:Guys—Somefolkstravel to see theleavesinthefall, see famouslandmarks, or cruise to seewhales. BrianandTeriBarneswent on a “VisittheSquadron Mates” tour! DavidHickman: I’mbackinKuwait. Got to havedinnerwith Bill Lyerlywhile there... always a treat!JohnKoelling: Iwent to USAFAwithmy son Gradon tovisittheAcademyso hecouldhave abetterideaofwhathemight be gettinghimselfinto.

Class Web Site. Jim Carlson: Our new Class of 75 website: www.usafaclasses.org/1975/ isthe directresultoftheprodigious efforts ofour classmate MartyStytz. Also, pleasesupporttheefforts ofour two ClassArchivists. For pre-graduation memories: Bill Estelle. Bruce Mitchell is our postgraduation archivist. And don’t forget more of our notorious and dubious achievementswhile cadets need to bewritten down and shared. Who knew thatAmerica’s cream ofthecrop were suchinspiredlunatics? I need some help in identifying our classmateswho received their commissions in the other branches.Also on the site:We have a bunch ofContact Lists, based on Professions and Geographic Location (Medical, Legal, CommercialAir, Business Owners). Send Martyanyupdates or corrections.

OurClassRingsThatAreAdvertisedForSale. As the deadlineforthis issue closed, aClassofl975 ring was offeredforsale in an eBay auction. The seller was nottoo forthcomingwithinformation, andwe don’tknowwhomtheoriginalringbelonged to. TheringwaspurchasedbyjimCarlson, andhispayment was partiallyreimbursedbymanyofus. Intheprocess, RichKennard, wholeft beforegraduation, offeredsomethingpoignantandsuitablefor a closing: “You know, thebest‘ring’ ofremembrance I haveis the 30YearReunion, where I got to see manyofmyoldclassmates, andwhere I experiencedtheirgraciousness to me. It reallyhelped to heal some scars ofself-inflictedwounds I’ve been carryingalltheseyears. IlefttheAcademybecause offoolisharrogancerather thananyoutside compulsion.The dayI left USAFA, on mywaybackto Houston, thatlayover in theAlbuquerqueairport was one ofthe loneliest, most mournful times ofmylife. Thanks to you all foryourkindness!

Dan Beatty

12196 Stanley Canyon Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

H: (719) 488-1962

E-Mail: whrlybrd76@aol.com

Da n. Beatty@usafa .af. m

http://www.AFAcademy.com/76

44% Members

Services DepartmentforSchnaderHarrison Segal & Lewis LLR a Philadelphia lawfirm. Congrats classmates!

General Class Stuff: Again, greatinputfromy’all. That’s two in a row! First, on the local front, Kevin Chilton, Doug Fry, JeffLarsen, Don Olynick, Joe Wysocki and I linkedup at thelocalAOG Chapterluncheonwhere Chili was theguestspeaker.

Fellow ’76ers,

At thiswritingthe Falconfootball team is 8-3 with thelast game comingup thisweekend. And thebasketball team is offto a good start. Bythe timeyour readthis theWingwillbe close to end ofthe semester andthoughts ofChristmas breakwillbe prevalent.

Follow up to a previous sad note: Mike Butler’s name was added to the memorial wall following his death in Iragworking as a contractor training Iraqipolice.

Movingup/moving on. KevinChiltonmoved to Commander, U.S. Strategic Command;Willie Sheltonhasbeennominatedfor a 3rd star andwillstay on as Commander, FourteenthAirForce, andCommander, Joint FunctionalComponentCommandforSpace, UnitedStates StrategicCommand,Vandenberg AFB; MarkWelsh is nowVice Cmdr, AETC, and TonyPrzybyslawski is now Director, Intelligence andAir, Space andInformation Operations, AETC. On the civilian side, DennyShupe has been appointed Chair ofthe Litigation

Don Olynick, Joe Wysocki, Kevin ‘Chili’Chilton, Dan Beatty,DougFry, and JeffLarsen.

Ifyou are not affiliatedwithyourlocalAOG chapter, I encourageyou to join. Ifyou don’thave one inyour area, see ifyou can start one. It’s a greatwayto stay intouchwith fellowgrads. A1 Grijalvahad a medicalissue recentlythatluckily turned out to be not as serious as initiallythought. Keep A1 inyourthoughts guys. Don Pickett says Pete Kluckis on furlough backin the CONUS after serving as aWycliffmissionary in Cameroon. Pete spent some time in Colorado aftervisitingwith family and friends on the East Coast. Don also forwarded a Dave Tateupdate. Dave is battling cancer andsays althoughheis not officiallyin remission, there was no cancer activity detected on hislast scan. KeepDaveandfamilyinyourthoughts and prayers classmates. Mike Fricano andJim Crowe both sent me an update on Pat O’Brien. Pat was injured in an aircraft accidentbackin Feb and fromallindications he iswell on the road to recoverybut still has a ways to go. Jim got info from Pat’s sister that Pat is taking emails. She asks that Pat’s buds from CS-01 might start the “campaign” and the rest ofus can followup a bitlater so that we don’toverload him. Ifyou do not have Pat’semail address, send me a note and I’ll getit to you.

Hal Getzelman tells me he was one ofseveral CapComs for the last shuttle flight, thathewillbeleadCapCom on the nextmission, andthathe was recently nameddeputyforCapCombranchinthe astronautoffice. Getzalso saiddaughter Ellen, 2LtUSAF, graduated UPT on 16 Nov andwill be flying C-17s. Mike McGintytells me his twins are both on honorroll, daughterAudreyis engaged andheis stayingbusy as coach of“everything”. JimDolanis upgradingto 737 captain atAmerican andheishelpingto startKayakAnglersSocietyofAmerica (KASA) withfocus on helpingmilitaryfolkslearnthejoysofkayaking. Goodluck Jim! Sayshe sawAlGrangerattheflightacademyandA1 is a S-80 captain at New York. Also tells me Jim Rosejustfinished his 737upgrade.

Greg Lewis reports that since hisbride, Cathie, became a SWA flight attendantlastyear, theyoccasionallyfly or have a fewovernightstogetherandthat it is “definitelythe cheapestway to mess with a FA! Mike Cunningham says theyrecentlymovedback to Marylandandheis back as AssistantUSAttorney in Baltimore and says he finallygothis privatepilot’s license. Flysafe Mike! RandySchavriensays son Scottgraduated OTS 20 Nov. Randycommissioned him and Scott is offto UPT at Columbus. Tom Bowie says there were 20-25 ’76er’s at Jack Catton’s retirement 12 Oct. Dave Berg tells me the same thing andtheybothsaythere were photosbutnobodysent me any. (Dave also says he has newlenses inboth eyes - cataract surgery). Mike Gouldalso attended, thenwenttoA/TAconventionwherehe saw anothernineclassmates, then saw Chili, Mike Scott, Russ Laneyandothers at theArmygame. Mike andPaula see MarkandBettyWelsh atRandolph.

MarkShanks isworking on HUDsforC-130Js, C-130AMR C-40s, and new C27s up in Portland. Tells everyone to stop byand he’ll show us around. Syd McPherson is still a ‘WorstedWoolWarrior’with GeneralDynamics in northernVirginia. Says he is reliving his AF career vicariouslythru son Matthew, USAFA07who is trainingforSpaceandMissileOps atVandenburg. Syd sayshis vanityplate reads 76AFA07. NiftySyd! DaughterLauren has hersights onVirginiaTech next fall. StefEisen tells theworld LA (lowerAlabama) is safe because ofthevigilance ofhimself, Denny‘Diller’ Rea, andTerryWilliams. All three are “tearin’ them up atVertex, designing all sorts ofingeniousways to make DOD and theAF faster, smarter, leaner, meaner, etc..” Stefis a civie

Fromleftin thefrontroware GradonKoelling BentleyRayburn, andLarry Farris. Backrow:JohnKoelling, TerryYoung, andPhilGronseth.

facultymember atAU and is having lots offunworkingwith Lts andAWC students. Thanks Stef, I spent some time in LLA (lowerlowerAlabama) with theArmyand I appreciateyourvigilance ofthatneckofthewoods. The most prolific Mike Fricano sent a fewphotos fromtheA/TA.

Bill Carolan, Mike Gould, GregBricker, Dave Merrill, Ernie Wollard, Bob Norman, BobVaughn, andMikeFricano atAirliftTankerAssociation Convention.

Mike saysMarkSchwing,BryonHepburn, MarkMeyers, BrianMeenan, and MikeUnderwood are missingfromthe group photo. Dave Robinsonrecently participatedinwife, Lori’s, frockingto BG. He sent thispic ofhimselftakingoff one ofhis stars andpinningit on Lori. Dave thinks he and Lori are onlythe 2nd GO couple on active duty in USAF. Congrats to Lori andyou Dave.

MARATHON MAN: I know that as we get older we start losing track ofall kinds ofbodilylimitations - there are anynumberofmarathon runners inthe class, includingmysquadronmate, JeffDetroye (Diane), andprobablyothers. Atthe Chicago Marathonthisyear, JeffPerkins (Leslie) showed up to run inwhatwas supposed to be a nice cool race, with soothingbreezes comingoff Lake Michigan. Wrongagain - as I’m sure most ofyouknow, it was almost 90 degrees here bythe time the runners were several miles into the race, and heatstroke andheatexhaustion were common. Jeff, however, who hails from the FortWaltonBeach area, readilyadapted to theweatherandjustkeptpluggingalonguntil race officials stoppedhim afterthe20-milepoint. Myhat’s off to anybodywho got three miles in that heat, butJeffsaid it was really no big deal. Right. As far as I’m concerned, anybodywho wasn’t carted offin an ambulance was a winner.

REUNION STUFF: First we start with a picture fromAl Becker (Rita). I’m pretty sure you can all guess thesefolks’ identities:

MGDaveRobinson frockingwife, Lori, to BG.

Finally, RichLuhrstells me he has recentlycapturedthe entire USAFAChorale graduation 76 concert into a digital format on a 2 CD set. He says the overall qualityis prettygoodalthoughthere are a coupleof‘bumps’probably fromthe analogformat originallyrecorded. Rich says ifyou are interested in a copy, contact him.

Well classmates, againtime to stick a forkin it. Send me yournotes, inputs, address updates, suggestion,junkmail, etc and Iwill do mybest to keep allof youintheloop. As always, ifyou are headedto the Springs, let me andthe other locals know. Keepflyingyourflags andlet our deployedtroops knowyouhave them inyourthoughts and prayers.

The Spirit of76 is STILL alive andwell! 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

52% Members

Theseguysalllookprettygoodforbeing so farremovedfromthemandatory PFT. Lee is aVPwithBoeingBusinessJets inSeattle, while Normiswith Boeing properthere; Steve M. is Major General Miller and theAirWar College Commandant (andtheonly one oftheWingandGroup Commanders still on active duty);AlisatHQAETC, Plans and Programs inlovelySanAntonio; SteveW. is with P&G in Cincinnati; and Dave is working in Baltimore with Northrop Grumman. Glad this particular crew gottogether for the photo, it’s a distinguished group.

JeffMayer fired me this photo ofan 18th Squadronrejoin:

Based on thereportsthatI got, everyonehad a greattime at thereunionand, with one notable exception that I am aware of, managed to return home in prettygoodshape. More on theexceptionlater, butIheardthefootballweather was great, thefootballteam played an immenselyentertaining, ifsomewhatbizarre game, and nobodylooked anyolder fromthepreviousreunion. Well, I mighthave madethatlast one up. Anyway, thiswillbe a reunioncolumn, even though I managed to miss thefestivities.

BEST ONE-LINER FOUND IN THE SCRIBE’S INBOX: Walt Hern (Janet) responded to mycommentinthelast column thatIwould notbe able to attendthe reunion “because ofan impending trial in NewMexico, with the following: “Lou, hope you are acquitted.” So far, so good,Walt.

HYPERTEXT: There was a nice article in Aviation Weekabout the X-51B WaveRiderhypersonicvehiclewhichisbeingdevelopedinpartbyAlliantTech Systems. Charlie Precourt (Lynne) is headingup this particularprogram and had some nice quotesinthearticle,whichfocused on thescramjetcombustor thatAlliant is producingfortheproject. Charlie is runningthis program from Alliant’sBrighamCity, Utahfacilities. He and ScottJackson (Lisa) are bothkey players inAlliant’s business development.

Doug is working atAFOTEC at Kirtland and inAlbuquerque; Dan is doing sports medicine out ofManhattan, Kansas;JeffS. is pushingmetal forAmerican, as isJeffM.; Garyis flyingout ofCincinnatiforDelta; andMarkis a pediatrician in California. Haven’t seen or heard muchfrom a lotofthese folks so thanks forthe update, Jeff.

And now forthe exception noted above: One ofthe tightest groups in our class is the 33rd Squadron CellarRatz, who keep inregulartouch and send me ofplentyofinformation. Agroup shot ofthe crew at theWyomingtailgate is at the top ofthe next page.

IthinkI see atleast one interloperthereinwhatappears to be a 40th Squadron jacket, but mycongratulations on such a good turnout. Nowforthebad part - MattCoatsworth, (Elizabeth) who was drivingbackto hishome in LasVegas, gotcaughtinthe snowstormthathitthe Springsthe dayafterthefootball game. He ended up in a high-speed, head-on collision near LaVeta, CO fromwhich, incredibly, he walked away. Fifteen other cars were involvedin the pile-up, andMatt, a formerSpecialOpsphysician, refused treatmenthimselfandthen begandirectingthemedical efforts ofthe firstresponding EMT crew. Finally, viaColorado Springs andAlbuquerque (courtesyofMikeWeinstein [Bonnie]), hemadehiswaybacktoVegas, apparentlynonetheworseforwear.Waytogo, Matt, on all counts!

Got a nice message fromBill Lord (Cynthia) commiseratingthathe was not able to make the reunion either. Billhas been shuntedfrom DC to Barksdale

Wingstaffplus30years. Fromleftare LeeMonson (Julie), Norm Reigsecker (Shirley), SteveMiller (Teresa),Al, Steve Wittman (Betsy) andDave Chaffee (CarolineAnn).

Unicorns reunited. From left are DougMarlowe (Barbara), Dan Hinkin (Eileen),JeffStringham (Lynn),JeffMayer, GaryHackett (Donna) andMark Ellis.

33rd Squadron CellarRatzat the WyomingTailgate. to command the new Cyber-Command (Provisional). When I see this, I’m never sure ifthe unitis provisional, or Billis. In anyevent, givenBill’s previous record intheSouth, everyone intheBarksdale area shouldprepareforanother majorhurricane strike. Goodluck, Bill, andcongratulationsagain! Steve Carey (Charlotte) also sent me a “no-show” message announcinghis retirement as Commandant ofCADRE andVice Comm at the Doctrine Center. Steve noted thathe retired a couple ofweeks afterhis fatherwas inducted into theGatheringofEagles Class atACSC at Maxwell, Steve spentthe rest ofthefalllookingfor work. I’llhope to see him at the 35th reunionwhen we can swap lawyerjokes.

Congratulations on a great career, Elari.

Ihavepickedup a few more messages frompeopleeitherattending or missingthe reunion. MarkGunzinger (Beth) dropped me a linefrom DCwherehe justlefttheNationalSecurityCouncil to becometheDeputyAssistant Sec Def for Forces Transformation. I am assuming this has nothing to do with the movie, “Transformers,” but these days, I’mhaving a tough time tellingwhere the sciencefictionendsandrealitystarts. Anyway, Markis rightdownthe street from Howard Meyer (Mary) who is working for Booz Allen, at last report. Marksent alongthemostrecentpicturehehasofhimselfandMary,alongwith some otherguyand hiswife.

AdvisorySenaterepbutstillneedsyourinputs(Warton.USAFA78@gmail.com).

As Marksaid, “I knewI shouldhave worn a blue tie....”

Ken Knapp (Alison), who flies for USAirways out ofAlbuquerque, wrote to let me knowthathe was closebyin the event I had some free time at the trial. Fat chance, but thanks for the offer, Ken, and make sure you send me that edited photo.

Finally, I want to thank Dan Jarka (Pamela), JohnBuckley (Melinda), and John Herd (Mindy) for what I repeatedly heard was an outstandingjob of puttingthe reunion together. Again, I’m sorryI couldn’tbe there. Maybe next time.

SIGNINGOFF: Hopethatthisfinds everybodybaskinginthe warm glowof theholidays. Or atleastbasking. Drop me some news for next time. Be seeing you.

Bob Kay

40411 Tesoro Lane

Palmdale, CA 93551

Home:(661) 274-2201

Work: (661) 824-6426

Email: Robert.kay@baesystems.com

42% Members

Greetings’78ers...

I am sorryto reportthepassingofKenRachockithispastAugust. Memorial services were held inTempe,AZ several daysafterhis death. Condolences can stillbe sentto hiswife Debbie in care oftheAOG. The are askingfordonations tobe sentto theTempePreparatoryAcademy, 1251 ESouthernAve,TempeAZ 85282 to fund a newsciencelab. Hewillbemissedbythoseofus whoknewhim.

On a bithappier note, Kip Warton is doing greatthings as our AOG Class

Also,Wayne Kellenbence (beesfl6@hotmail.com) and his team already are workingthepreliminary items for nextyear’s reunion. We probablywon’tbe able to get a firm date until Feb or so when nextyear’s footballschedule is released. The more seniorreunions (’63 and ’68) have alreadysnapped up the Navygame. I also chatted with CliffHuffwho is going to update our web site (http:// homepage.mac.com/c2huff/usafal978) to carrythe latest news on these topics. Wayne also mentioned that he has walked throughtheOasis Foungewhichis nownamed The LtColMarkMcGeehan Memorial”and it’s a greatplace. It’s attached to the chaplain’s area on the terrazzo level in the northwest corner ofSijan Hall and includes leatherfurniture, kitchen/bartype chairs and tables, coffee bar machine with an assortment ofcoffees,big screenTV DVD, etc. The chaplains saythat the cadets use it all the time. For thosewho don’t know, this was created from a $37K donationfrom our classgiftfundbackinJanof2005. Tookfor an event at thelounge duringthe reunion.

Society Donors

Two very fit 50+ year olds, Morgan Lankford and CS-03 roomie Jere Mattingly, ran the AF marathon (their second together) this past October (Morgan’s 11th andJere’s 12th). There was some betaboutboth ofthem showing up at the reunion ifthey ran together so theyboth plan on being there. Morgan flies for USAirways (22nd year!) living in Pittsburgh and Jere is the Deputy Director ofthe 718 test Squadron atArnoldAFB inTennessee. Now thaf'ssupportingyour classmate!

Last month (October) Mike McMilliehad his annual ’78 get-together in DC. Attending were (back row, from left): Steve Dalbey, OSD/ChiefofStaff, DetaineeAffairs;TonyGazo,WBB Consulting(technical/engineeringconsulting and advising on mostlyNavyprograms) and; Rob Hickey, DeputyCoS ODNI/ CIO;Wayne Hermandorfer, LockheedMartin,VP LegislativeAffairs; andJohn Puffenbarger (son and daughter are at USAFA), Northrop Grumman, SETAto National SecuritySpace Office. Frontrow: SigNelson, American 737 Captain, LA; Bo Marlin, DeputyDirector ISR Capabilities (A2C); Steve Knott, Mobility Analyst, OSD/Protection Forces Division; LarryKrauser, Emer Management Specialist-JFHQ/Capital Region (Larrywrote that he’s taken up serious ballroom dancing); MarkGibson, USAF DirectorofCurrentOperations andTrainingandRuss Frasz,A-A5x. Not sure whatmost ofthecodes mean buteveryone sounds like they’redoingwell. Mike also mentioned thatBlake Linderturned over the 501stWinginJune after two years and is spendinghis last 11 months at RamsteinworkingforMike Snodgrass as theDeputyA5 (XP). Finally, BillTroy andPaulMcVinneyworkdownthehallintheAssessmentandLessonsLearned division as contractors. Speaking ofSigNelson, he wrote that our own Mike Mangold also flies forAmerican for profitbut air races for serious fun (sure there is some profitin there as well!). Infact, he recentlywon the 2007 Red Bull Air RaceWorld Championship in Perth Australia. For more info on Mike’s incredible feat, go to: http:/ /www.redbullairrace.corn greatreading!

Mike also sent along a picture ofhim briefing SECAFWynnewhile he (Mike, not the SECAF) was theAirComponentCoordinatorElement/Hom ofAfrica directorandthe449thAirExpeditionaryGroup commander. Mike was showingthe SecretaryCamp Lemonier, Djibouti, backin March.

Finalpictureis great one ofSteve andJeanne Crittendenwithdaughter(and nurse) Sarahandtheirtwo fosterbabies. Steve flies Gulfstreamsworldwidefor an LA-basedaircharterandtrulyloves it. ThinkI once mentionedthatwe live a mile or so from one another—itis a smallworld. We were able to gettogether for our bi-annual lunch at the local golf course to get caught up. Theylove beinginthefosterprogram andthe differences itmakes on thekids isworthit.

Kennedy

August ofthis year and will be there until next fall. He is essentiallyrunningthe airwar inAfghanistan—says thatthere is never a dull moment (betthat’s an understatement). Thanks foryour service over there Kevin. Mike Quinnhas a greatgig as a global finance strategyexecutive with Hewlett-Packard and living north ofHouston. He suffers tremendouslyby having to workin flip-flops and shorts at homewhen not in PaloAlto or traveling out ofthe country (whichhe says is often). He and Nan (his bride of25 years) have two kids, one in college andtheotherinhighschool. Lifeis good...

Speakingofproudparents, Bill andBonnie Chambershave a greatdeal to be celebrate. I mentionedlastarticlethatBillgotpickedup forhis second star and is currentlythe USAF Director ofCommunications. Their eldest child,Anna, iscurrentlytheVice ConsulattheUSEmbassyinIslamabad, Pakistan. Shewas invited a fewmonthsbackto speak onAmericanreligious freedom at the International Islamic UniversityinIslamabad. Herpresentationwas wellreceived and she represented the Chambers family andthe United States verywell. Also, their oldest son,Will, was married inAugust to Lydiawith allthe Chambers’ siblings inthewedding.

Greg Hollisterwrites about a major decisionhe recently made. He left his job in Septemberto allowmoreflexibilityto supportSenatorFredThompson’s campaignforPresident in Colorado. He is doingbusiness development and marketingconsultingto paythe billswhile activelycampaigning. He has also written a thoughtful book on contemporarypolitical issues called “Under Oath” that I found to be excellent reading. He encourages anyonewho is deciding who to support in next year’s election to contact him at greg_hollister@msn.com and look at Fred Thompson’s site at www.Fred08.com.

Dan Mesnardisthe most senior 78pilot at Deltaand is an International 777 Captain out ofAtlanta but lives near Melbourne FL. He owns a charterboat fishingbiz called“Plane to Sea, LEG and gives ’78ers a special discount.

MarkWerthman is thoroughlyenjoyingretirement—as intotalretirement. Histoughestchallenges are decidingwhat to wear, what to do andhowto stay out ofhis bride’sway. Think the brand ofbeer to drink is also in there somewhere. Yep, something to lookforward to I’m thinking.

Ran out ofroom again... manythanks as always forthe greatinputs. Hope everyone has (orhadbythe time this is published) a blessedholiday season. Seeyou in theWinter article.

78 is Great!

Visit the AOGWeb Site.

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org

Bud Vazquez

25 Hayden Lane

Bedford, MA 01730 (781) 308-3322

budvazquez@msn.com

42% Members.

I’ve been thinking of a newwayto start the column. After doingthis for25 years, there’s only so manywaysyou can say “Greetings to the best class in history”, or “Greetings from NewEngland.” I could say“Didyou see thewin over ND!?” But thathashappened a fewtimes over theyears - six to be exact. So, to spicethings up, Ihave decided to start a contest. The contestwillbe like “Youknowyou’re a Redneckwhen...” exceptthis one willbe, “Youknowyou’re a’79erwhen...’’For instance, “You knowyou’re a’79erwhen:”

Anybodynamed Richards makes you thinkofcreative artwork

Whenyou see the coloryellow, you think, “No, that’s reallygold”

Youthinkof’80 everytimeyou go by a BurgerKing orhear“Have ityourway”

You cannot allowyourselfto reallyrespectJoe Montana (hint: 31-30 loss as a freshman, afterbeingup 30-10)

Your ears perkup whenyou hear anyone say “standardswill not change”

You think tennis balls are designed in our class color

Iwilltake “family-friendly” inputs over the next fewmonths andgetthem to our next Scribe...

Gettingto Classmates - we must startwithheartyCONGRATS to our newest two stars - FrankGorenc,WilliamNeilMcCasland, andBillRew. We knewyou when and save a fewbucks for the party at our 30th you’rebuying! Locally, John Pardo (Nancy) has recentlyretired as the Head ofBoston University’s ROTC program. He took theAir Force JROTC SeniorAerospace Science Instructor (SASI) job atWashingtonHS inTacoma,WAwhere theschoolsits right next to the departure endofMcChordAFB - which ought to makeJPfeel right at home. John’s retirement ceremony was on 4 June on Boston’s own USS Constitution,wherefellow ’79erBruce Gebhard (Dianne) was amongthose in attendance.

ColonelsPardo

Ifyou saw the June 07 CSAF’s “Vector,” it describes a famous event John’s father was involvedin backin 1967whenhe literallypushed another aircraft, in the air, out ofNorthVietnam. Amazing! No doubtyou recallthe event, but forgot it was John’s Dad!

Johnalso sent me an input on SteveMueller. Steveis currentlyassignedto the Pentagonworking inA5R-J, Requirements,JointIntegration. Ofcourse that was beforehe gotdeployed to theCombinedAirOperations Center atAlUdeid Air Base on a four-month TDY as the CAOC Director. In the “small world” department, Steve gets to work closely with his roommate Mark “Sterno” Stearns. Sterno is the Director ofMobilityForces forCENTAF, doingabangup jobintegratingand synchronizingallmobilitymissions into theAOR. BigJob and 79 is kickingbutt! BGenBurtFieldisup at Balad as theWingCommander

Kevin

hasbeentheAir ComponentCoordinationElementDirector in Kabul since

Johnand Nancy

trying to be friendlywithhis CAOC buddieswhile negotiating some slack on the fragcoming out of“the Deed.”

Whilethereis plentyofnews about the active dutyfolks... MarkLukasik set out a challenge to our classmates to takethe USA4comers tour on a motorcycle (www.usa4corners.org)! Mark andhis brother rode 10,231 mi. in 13 days “touching”placeslikeKeyWest, FL (seepicture); Madawaska, ME; Blaine,WA; and finallySanYsidro, CA. Marksays the trip was absolutely awesome, and nowhe has settledbackin runninghis BagelFactoryin Ft. Myers, FL - stop in and sayhi duringspringtraining.

MarkLukasik on HogatKeyWest.

I still stay in touch withTom Griffith, trackinghim down in the hallowed halls ofthenationalWar College, wherehe is stillthe Dean at theNationalWar College. Griffis lookingat the “BigR” andis targetingtheend ofthe academic year, probablyinJuly ’08.. .thatwill give me 30years ofservice because ofthe year atthePrep School. Grifftold me thatRandyHelms is thedeanofstudents at ICAF and still on active dutyand thatVance Skarstedt retired last summer and is now the Dean, School ofIntelligence Studies at the National Defense IntelligenceCollege at BollingAFB.

I occasionally get a chance to contact myold cohort on the C-17 program andspiritualmentor, Scott Grunwald (Debbie), who was last seen as the USAF ROTC King at USC. A friend ofmine actuallyhad a Joe Grisham (Gretchen) sighting down in Florida a few weeks ago, where Joey is teachingPsych at IndianRiverCC north ofWestPalm. Hiswife, Gretchen, cracked me up on the phonefor 15 minutesandsharedthattheystayintouchwithGordieRoss every so often, who is still flying for Delta. Every once in a while I run into Dale Swansonwho stillworks at MITRE. Speaking ofsightings, does anyone know where BillMurphyis? He went to NRO, went into “that” world, retired last summer and we lost touchwithhim.

BobEdmonds (Anne) and I had a nice chat, too. Bob is a partner atHeidrick & Struggles and says things are working outprettywell, as he has alreadybeen asked tojoin several companyboards. Importantly, Bubbawas elected to the FalconFoundation Board, whichwill keep him in the loop at USAFA. Bob’s son Greg is a three degreevarsity swimmer alongwith JeffGordon’s (Pam) son... both in CS-31. Both Greg and Mason (Jeff’s son) are in the LegacyProgramwhich allows sons ofgrads to be in their dad’s graduatingsquadron... cool! Jeffand Pam continue to live in Peachtree City, GAwhere he is a senior director for a fast-growing, tech-based healthcare company called Matria Healthcare. Dan Baumgartner, continues to workin the Personnel Recovery policydivision in OSD, at the Pentagon. Greg Smithis still a stalwart at Booz Allen—an aerospace and defense consultant par excellence.

Bob Stephen, (another CS-31 grad), is theAssistant SecretaryofInfrastructure Protection, at DHS (aSES) who will staythroughthe end ofthis administration and thenbe lookingforhis next challenge. TomLockie (Deena), continues to flyforAmerican, andis also the PresidentofStratigent, Inc, a global securitycompanyhe andfellowclassmate, Rob Gaylord (Lisa) started... Rob is the CEO.

Couple oflate breaking contacts. Afteralltheseyears ofpeeringinto airline cockpitslookingforclassmates—loandbeholdmyflight to DCyesterdayhas none other than EdZanowizc at thehelm! “Zano” has been at Southwest for nineyearsnow. Wehad a greattimecatchingup afterwe landed. Thenlbumped into PaulBesson, now aVP for General Dynamics’ IT sector in DC, where we both got to listen to Jan-MarcJouas, the newVice Commander forthe USAF ISRAgencyatUSAF ITDay.

I stilltoil up here in Boston for“the otherBigBlue - IBM”. Hunting, fishing andLacrosse coachingtakesup a good deal ofspare time as allthreekids play (surprise!). Some ofyou knowthat we had a longspring, summer and fall as my wife, Molly, has a very rare cancer, called leiomyosarcoma, or rather I should sayHAD... On Oct 25th she endured a six-hour operation and a 19inchincisionand on N0V6*thepathologyconfirmed a miraculous result-the tumorwas 100% dead andmargins were 100% clear. We had one in eight odds goingin... Mollyhad to donate some nerves and halfa pelvis to science, but we have a lot to bethankfulforthisThanksgiving (Iwrite this MondayofTDay week). Thanks to all ofyou who have prayed, offered encouragement and positivevibes - ithasbeen huge!

Bud and Molly

GodBless, MerryChristmas, HappyHolidays, andbestwishes forthebestof NewYear’s for thebest classmates ever! Go Falcons!

Don Myers

401 Chambray Hill

Peachtree City, GA 30269-4247 (770) 631-1429

E-mail: DMyers80@hotmail.com

46% Members

Class Home Page: http://usafa80.tripod.com ZN=ZoomieN at ion.usafa.org

Mythanks to thosewho sent fresh meat. I’m sure you enjoyreading about a varietyoffolks. Please checkthe stuffI had to put on the ZoomieNation (ZN) website due to mylimits here.

“Well, I [JimSturch] was sitting around thefrontoffice todayandpickedup a copyofCheckpointsand startedreading. Seems I’vebeen too busy over the past27years to read—waskind ofnice. I am lovinglifeinSan Antonio, leading Civilian Personnel for theAF atAFPC. I’m thefirst-evermilitarydirectorforcivilianpersonnel and was giventhetaskto re-engineerandoperationalize civilianpersonnel—bestjob I’ve ever had; hardestjob I’ve ever had! I see a few of our classmates every once inwhile. 1980. Boy, what a longtime ago thatwas, butIwoulddo it all over again today, ifI ever hadthe chance.”

“Rebeccaand I [DaveFrancis] were married in a small civil ceremonyonl2Nov2006. We now live inAlexandria,VA. I moved here when I retired from active duty in 2000, went to work flying for UAL out ofDulles, gotfurloughedin Mar2002, came back on active duty underthe RetiredAviatorRecallPrograminMay2002, re-retired in Sep 2006, and startedworking as a civilianinAFTestandEvaluation atthePentagoninJanuaryofthis year. I’m lookingforward to the dayI run into an ’80 gradwith four stars. Itprobablywon’tbelong.”

Mr. and Mrs. Francis

Frank Ott, still in Niceville, FL, flew a trip “withTed Lauer on the Mad Dog [MD-88. Bothofus areATLbased. I am glad to bebackin a Delta cockpitagain after fiveyears. I am smiling [in the photo] because I have almosttamed the Mad Dog (and I have [anAF] pension!) andTed is smiling.... because I have a pension. Recently, I have run into Tad Grisham (ATL 737-800 captain), Ali Frohlich (ATL fellowMad Dogtamer), and Howard Ratcliffe (Delta, Salt Lake City).”

Ybres'o,

Sabre Society Donors

Marianne (Owens) LaRivee caughtmyplea for news and had the enclosed photoonhand. “Two ’80 grads andtheirclass of2011 daughters. Fromleft,it’s me, mydaughterJamie, ChelseaAgee, andMichele (Pompili) (Jim ’81)Agee on 1 Sep 07, Parents’Weekend, at Falcon Stadium. Retired in 2001,1 live in Monument, teach at UCCS, andvolunteer at USAFA. Myhusband, Dave (’80), is in Baghdad for a year, working as an analyst forGenPetraeus. Michele and herhusbandbothretiredfromtheGuardandlivein OrangePark, FL. Michele hasher own engineeringcompanyandJimfliesforDelta. Plentyofour classmates have kids at USAFA. Dara (Snyder) Cummins’ son Cameron is a fourdegree in mydaughter’ssquadron! Lastyear I taught a class with Sue Henke’s son in the audience. Probably the prize goes to MJ (Van Valkenberg) Kellenbence andDee (Mahaffy) Steel;bothhaving sentthree sons to theAcademywithin thelastfewyears!”

NextGenBlueLine!

Airport and other contacts. Tom Heemstra announces: “We are having a Cellar Ratz ’80 Reunion on 27-30 Jun 2008 in Knoxville, TN on Norris Lake at the Heemstras. Whenyou saw me [inAtlanta] I was heading to Guatemala on amedicalmissiontripwithVineInternational,who suppliesfreemedical equipment to over 100 projects in that country. I finished mydoctorate degree in StrategicLeadership fromRegentUniversity. Since thenI have startedmy own business, empoweringindividuals andorganizations to achievethe next level, based on leadershipperformance—called MACH5LeadershipPerformance. His companyincludes a veryspecialnon-profitfoundation, he’swritten a second book, plus developed a public school curriculum (see ZN for more!). Finally, for fun (or to paythe bills?), “I’m flyingATL domestic 767 Captain for DeltauntilJanuarywhenIwillswitch to International 767 Captain out ofJFK. Find outwho Ifound andalsowho else I bumpedintowhile makingmyway home (seeZN).

Intel: BGJohn D. Posner, DeputyDirector, Operations, National Military Command Center,J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, to Director, Air Force Smart Operations21, Headquarters USAF, Pentagon. BGAllison (Hillsman) Hickey retired. BG Charles K. ShuggfromACC’s 379thAirExpeditionaryWing,A1Udeid AB, Qatar, to Commander, Joint UnmannedAerialVehicle Center ofExcellence, CreechAFB, NV Duke Dufresne is SectorVice President,Western Region, atNorthropGrumman, afterholdingthe same titlefortheEasternRegion since2006. Sue Desjardinspicked-up a new C-17 fromLongBeach after some kindwords to folksworkinginthe assemblycomplex. She thenflew a slightlymodified deliveryroute to CharlestonAFB, viatheZoo,wherethe cadetwing was allowed to get out ofclasses early to watchthe flyby.

Admin: “Your gift fund team ofDan Bloemer, KeylorEng, Debra (Dubbe) Gray, Dave Gruber,Allison (Hilsman) Hickey, Nancy (Mariano) Kudla, Betsy (Joviak) Pimentel, Mike Syiek and I [EdHerlik] have plans forthe donations, readyforyourvoting. Those decisions on the approximately$275,000 in the bank, with another $146,000 expected inyour promises, shouldbe made by around Christmas. Andthislast, importantbit:In ordertoinsure a quorum, Ed (emailaddressbelow)issolicitinganotherinterestedclassmate to serve on our giftfund team

We plan to conduct an electronic vote with email notices sent to all classmates we can find. TheAOG’s grad database is critical to our abilityto contact you, so please go to USAFA.orgright awayand eitherupdateyour email address or create a profile, ifyou haven’t already. To create a profile, pull down theAOGServices menu and select MemberLoginArea. You’ll have an option to create anewuser profilewithoutjoining [sospreadthis tononmembers]. We also use the class’ group on https://zoomienation.usafa.org and will post details ofthe vote there. The vote will concern options to support ethics or moralcourage activitieswith our only‘bricks andmortar’ planbeing to recognize ourATOs in a style that is aestheticallysimilarto theways ’59 recognized theirs. In the meantime, we’ve supported cadets attendingnational Professional Ethics in Education Representative (PEER) events this fall. Please feel free to contact any ofus; you can reach me at Herlik@aol.com. Specifically, pleasesend me a note ifyouwantto beupdateddirectlywithoutregistering on theAOGweb site. Additionally, Debrais our class’ senator, partofthe newAOG Senate. Deb asks that at least one classmatefrom each graduatingsquadron write to her atDDJGray@msn.comandvolunteerto keep theirsquadron mates informed on Senateissues. I expectsuch contactswillalso bebeneficial as Matt

keeps us informed ofour 25th reunion plans.

I realize you’lllikelybe reading this post-Christmas/holiday. Regardless, pleaseforwardyourannualmissivemydirection—andthatofanyclassmates you receive. It is an excellent way to easilyupdate us on your happenings. Thanks. And Kathyand I wish you the best as we pause to savor this special time. God bless. Don

[Editor’s notefrom theproducers ofthefeaturefr/m BringMe Men: “IWe] wouldlike to inviteallmembers oftheclass of’80 (yes, bothmaleandfemale) tologon to ourwebsiteandleaveyourcontactinformation, andanyappropriate storyyou wouldlike to share! We are compilingour own data baseforthe Classof’80, and wouldappreciateyourparticipation. Wemayuseyourstory orinviteyou to bein thefilm. Logonatwww.summitworksGlms.comandgo to BringMeMen. You will see thelinkforyourinput. Thankyou.”]

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

AnotherFalconfootball season is complete. The Falcons had a tremendous yearfinishing9-3, undefeated athome, andheaded to a Bowl! CoachCalhoun did a fantasticjob inhisfirst season guidingthe Falcons. The team gotstronger as the season went along as opposed to previous years where the Falcons’ performancedropped offlate. Even though Notre Dame was downthisyear, it was fun to beatup on theIrish! Basketball is 4-0 as ofthis article, butwith a new coach and seven freshmen, itwill be a definite rebuildingyear. Thisquarter, I’mfeaturingtheBarnstormers ofCS-23. RandyWorrall sent me a “chain” emailfrom his squadron-mates. Ofcourse, it took some detective workto decodethenicknames, butI crackedthe code. Randy’sdaughtergraduates in DecemberfromButler University(earlygraduation, parents’ dream). AsRandymentionedandmanyofyouwith older sons/daughtersalreadyknow, now she has to start interviews, resumes, moving, etc. We had it prettygoodwith orders and a RNLTD date from USAFA. Randyalso told me thathe has startedtraining as a 767 international captain, so he’ll have some interesting routes as hewill bejuniorin that position. Chuck Robinson retired this year and works as a contractoratEglin? ChuckandStephanie’soldestson, Charles Jr., should be leaving to continue college in Japan in the Spring/Summerof’08. He’sfluentinJapanese. Theirother son is intheAF and stationedin Germany. ChuckandStephanielive inthebeautifulpanhandle of FloridainNiceville. MarkEmersonis a Delta737 pilotandhe andKarenlive in ParkCity, UT. Their oldest son, Mike, is a junior at Colorado Universityand captain ofthe lacrosse team. Their other son, Ryan, is a senior in HS and still deciding on colleges. BillKaneshiroisintheIxisAngeles, CA area. Bill sawRicky Aquilarandhis familythis summer. Mike Bealeis stationed atTyndallAFB, FL andworkingin 1 st AF as Director,Air, Space andInformation Ops. JanWileyis doingwellinyearnumbertwo ofherministryinthe Houston area. JaySantee was selected forBrigadier General, which is what started the email chain of congratulations. JayandTeresaSanteeliveatVandenbergAFB,CA. Their one daughterisin Cleveland, OHworkingforRockwellAutomationandtheirother daughteris attheUniversityofWashington.

MichelleJohnson is doingverywell at the Pentagon and didvisitAfricathis past summer as partofCapstone. MichelleandJohn’stwinboys are approaching five and keep them on their toes. I did see Michelle in the distance at Wyoming-AF footballgame as she and others were beinginducted into the USAFAAthleticHall ofFame. Waytogo! SheandJohnwentto hisVMIreunion this fall. John’s class collected $4.7MforVMI thisyear... ouch, a bit more than us. I’ll keep trying. I had a nice dinnerwith Lauri Cross and ScottTrimboli (’80) lastweekend in beautiful BlackForest. They are doing great and their house is fantastic! Silvi (Kiisk) Steigerwald emailed. SheandAmyMarkert were gettingtogetherfortheweekendwhile Bob was attheAFA-SDSUfootball game for a DFCS faculty reunion. Silvi and Bob’s oldest son, Robert, is at USAFA and shouldbe headinghome forThanksgiving vacation this week. (Rememberwhen we didn’t haveThanksgivingvacation?) Their other son, Richie (good name), is a senior in HS and has a nomination to AF, but still consideringhis options. She alsotold me thatJaniceGunnoe-Hughes andher husband, Don, have settled on thebeach at Coronado in San Diego.. .nice.

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY!

YOUR MONEYHELPS FUND

CADETWING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

Italked to Charles Phillipslastweekto discusswrappingup our 25th Reunion giftcampaign and some future ideas forfund-raisingprojects. Charles had flown out for theAF-Army game andhad a great time. He owes me a gettogether on his next trip out! I’m meetingMartyand BeckyFrance for dinner tonightbeforetheAF-Radfordbasketballgame. MartyandBecky are spending the Christmas Holidays in Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Ugandawithfour cadets. TonyLorusso, our busyClass President, is on a well deserved California vacation andbreakfrom supportingthe MinnesotaGovernor’s around-the-world trip. Mike Bloomfield was recentlynamedVice President ofConstellation Systems forATKin Houston. Missy (Mraz) andTom Robbins have beenfrequentvisitors to Colorado to see their son at Colorado College.

Class update. I continue to encourage all of you to register with the ZoomieNationwebsiteand with our Class of 1981 group. GototheAOG’s website (www.usafa.org) and look at the upper left offorthe ZoomieNation link. I use the site to postminutes and infothat I needyourfeedback on from ClassSenatemeetings. The Senaterecentlyprovided some recommendations to theAOGBoard aboutwhatthe classes want fromtheAOG and the importance ofa goodrelationship betweentheAOG and USAFA. Our 25th reunion class giftcampaignis complete! Charles Phillips, one ofour manyhighly suecessfulclassmates - President, Oracle, made an extremelygenerous contribution to our campaign. Thanks, Charles! The Locatorbuilding on theAcademy cemeterygroundswillhave a plaque added to showthat 1981 sponsored the building. As ofthis article, 155 members of our class had contributed to the locatorbuildinggift. Thanks to allwho contributed! I’min desperate need of some pictures, so send me yourChristmasandNewYear’s photos. Thanks, as always, foryourkindwords. Go AF!

Jim Ratti

2860 Arbor Pointe Drive Middletown, OH 45042 (937) 760-2333

rattijm@mindspring.com

http://usafa82.org

46% Members

GreetingsRedtags!

Well, we “end-stagebabyboomers” have marked another milestone - our 25th reunion is nowvisible onlyin the rearviewmirror. I’mverysorryto have missed it (conflict with the closing on our new house), not only because I wanted to see allofyou again, butbecause I missed out on a LOT ofscoop for Checkpoints'. Consequently, this columnwillbe verylight on reunion news, butl do have some info and a fewpictures to pass onjustthe same.

But as isbecomingall too frequentoflate, I must start on a sad note. Ilearned via an e-mailfromtheAOGthat our classmateBlakeLawrencepassedaway on 6 Sep 2007 in Moenkopi, AZ. I don’t have any info on the cause ofdeath. Please keepBlake’sfamilyinyourprayers, as I’m sure theholidayshave beenverydifficultfor them.

,^^Ri:_so lire Society Bailors

Asyou’ll recall from last quarter’s column, we learned of the death ofJamiePuig, our foreign cadetfromVenezuela. Since themI’vehad a couple folks pass on links to Spanishlanguagewebsiteswhichhad some informationregarding the plane crash that apparentlytookJamie’s life. Although theAOGnoticesaidJamie died on 31 July2007, the accident occurred on 8 Mar2005. Jamie andhis copilot were preparingto land their CessnaCitation I businessjet at an airport near Caracas,Venezuelawhen it deviatedfrom the approachpathand crashedinwhat appears to be rugged terrain. Both he andhis copilot were fatallyinjured. We’re all makingthe assumption that this is the same Jaime Puig, butthe birth date appears correct.

Even though Iwasn’t able to make it to the reunion this time I stillmanaged to hear a bit aboutwhatwent on, thanks mostly to the efforts ofMike Sinisi. Mikestarted an e-maillistbackabout six or eightmonths ago, mostly as a way to keep the ’82 crowd in and around D.C. in contactwith each other. Thelist has expanded now, and although it still is heavy on news and info regarding localgatherings inWashington,peoplefromall over are on themailinglist. If you’d like Mike to include you in his next mailing, send him a note at Mike_Sinisi@sra.com. Note thatthereis an underscore betweenhisfirstand last name.

Acouple offolks sent pictures fromthereunion, butunfortunately most all ofthem were too low in resolution for inclusion here. As a reminder, to be publishedin Checkpoints!need a minimumof300dpiin a 5x7 print. Apicture thatmeets thosestandardswillbe a minimumofabout550-600 KB. Playitsafe and send me yourbest raw images - don’treduce the size for e-mailing. I can accept e-mailswithattachments up to 5 MB, so justpick out your one or two bestshots and sendaway!

But I didget a fewreunionpictures thatshouldreproducewell. Here’s one of DaveHagginbothomandhiswife, Pat, admiring some artworkinEagle8during thetourofthecadet area. Rumorhas itthatthispiece was doneby someone in ’82 (orperhaps an ’82 SignificantOther”?). Haggyjustretired andisworking as aTestandEvaluationEngineer/ConsultantforWylelabs inthe D.C. area.

PatandDaveHagginbothomin Eagle 8.

Here’s a shotofTonyMauer andhis son, C1C David Mauer. I must say, both ofthem are lookingquitesharp. Tony’s at ScottAFB as the DirectorofCombat Capabilities forAirMobilityCommand. Noword on David’s plans aftergraduation, but it’s a safe betTonywill be making a trip backwest in late May!

“Mauer”oftheSame—LikeFather, Like Son!

Next is a picture of a quartet ofFightin’ Four alums at the reunion dinner. Standingfromleft are SteveVogtandTomSylvester. Seated are CathyClothier and JackMohney. Steve is still flying for Northwest and lives in Minnesota. Tom is a “renaissance man” (author, inventor, pilot) living in North Carolina withhiswife, MaryEllen. Theyhave a daughter at Harvard. According to the AOG, Tomlists his employer as IBM, but I have no info on whathe’s doingfor them. Cathyis a brand new BG select. Last I knewshe was the directorof“Air Force General OfficerManagement” at the Pentagon, butI’m guessingthat’ll soon changegivenherselectionforpromotion. Jacklives in GrandRapids, MI and owns a real estate development companythere.

CS-4’s “GangofFour”!

I don’thave anythingelse that’dqualify as reunion news, butI dohavewhat I guess you could call “General Information”. Lyn (South) Sherlockpinned onherBGstarson29August2007 atthePentagon. Thatwouldbe news enough, butwhat made the event even more special was that her husband (BG Rick Sherlock) pinned on hissecondstaratthe same ceremony! I don’tguessthere’s been too manytimes (ifany) that a husband and wife haveboth receivedflag officerpromotions on the same day. Congratulations to both!

And, Ihadthepleasure ofgoingto dinnerwithBGZanVautrinotjust afterthe reunion. She was inDayton to fulfillher obligations as a memberofthe Board ofDirectors ofthe National Museum oftheAir Force. Zan runs theAirForce Recruiting Service and is reallyenjoying herjob. Bythe time we were done with dinner, I was ready to join up again!

Although he’s not a blue suit general officer, Colonel Mike Ryan recently retiredand was immediatelyappointed to the SeniorExecutive Service (SES) as anAir Force civilian employee. For those ofyou not familiarwith the SES, civilians appointedto those ranks are equivalentto general officers inrankand position. Mike is now theDefenseAdvisor at the US Mission to the European Union in Brussels.

Whileperusingthe news severalweeks ago I ran across an item sayingthat SenatorPete Domenici ofNewMexico was retiring. I immediatelythough of NM 1 st DistrictRepresentative HeatherWilson, andwondered out loud ifshe’d run forhis seat. Theverynext dayI saw a news release announcingherintentiontorun! Heather, we wishyoutheverybestofluck. Remember, youpromised to host an ’82 partyat theWhite House whenyoubecome President! On a local note, I received an e-mail from Stu Rogers lastweek. Stu retired as an 0-6 and formed his own consultingcompanyhere in Dayton. He calls itAGSTechNet, andhe specializes in adaptive software systems. Ellen and I are prettymuchsettled into our newhome and adjustingwell to life as retirees. I’m enjoyingmysecond career, andwe’reslowlygettingused to theidea of not having to PCS in a couple years - we actually got ridof the “originalboxes’’ we’dbeen carryingaround for over 25 years!

So I guessthat’s aboutallthe news forthis time around. Until next time, keep the news flowingthiswayand above all, be safe. Ratman

Wade Wheeler

P.O. Box 30

Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060

Wwade83@verison.net (703)474-5032

43% Members

I thank Stu Pope for sharing my idea to track down classmates in his last Checkpointsarticle. Check out the Grad directoryto see when everyone last updatedtheirinfowiththeAOG. Let’s see who can findthe most classmates before our reunion next fall andwho can findtheclassmatelostthelongest. One ofour classmateslast updatedinfowiththeAOG in 1979 -RonaldMeyer. Thefollowing 12 last updated info in 1988: Stuart Billey, Donald Cochran, Quintin Evans, James Walsh, James Anderton, Keith Danel (found below), William Lehrmann, Neil Sheehan, David Smith, William Von Cannon, and James Blaich. Another 15 last updated in 1989. As you will see, severalclassmates came outofthewoodworkandIhad more photos than I can get into Checkpointsthis time. (Stu, ifyou had gotten the picture atthe PlayboymansionwithHef’s girlfriendbackwhenyouwereyoung enough to do something, we would all be impressed. Rumor exists thatyou have a veryexpensivephotoworkshopprogram.)

JoeAldaz is one ofthree classmateswho finallydecided to send something to a Checkpointsscribe. Joeretiredin2004, lastassignment:Athletic Director at the Prep School. He is nowRegional Directorofthe RockyMountain USO. Overseeingthe USO Center at the Denver InternationalAirport andthe new USO Centerbeingbuilt at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.

Ray Blust provided me an update: Ron Gaulton and Ken Frazier are flying for SouthWestAirlines (Midwayhub). Theyrecently flew a three-daytrip together and ‘took a knee’ for a photo op. Raywill have to print it in the next article as I was floodedwith photos.

Wynne Waldron (Botts) andfamilyatherretirement thisyear.

The ceremony was at the Lee Mansion, outside on the porch in Arlington Cemetery.Wynneinheritedherinnerstrength.. .PatriciaBotts (mom) isaladyof manytalents; she is an ultra runner andfounderofthesecond oldest 100-mile one-dayenduranceruninourcountry—The OldDominion 100. Wynnewants me to share“MargaretSampson (Waszkiewicz) is also the greatest! She flewin fortheweekend—gaveup going to see the Lion Kingplaywithherfamilyto come to myretirement it was so good to see her --what a great ‘roomie’”.

I tracked downDan Surowitzwho is theChiefofACC FlightSafetyPrograms at LangleyAFB. Son (Alex) is a HS senior, and Daughter (Amanda) is a freshman. Wife (Tina) holds down the fort while Dan tinkers with old cars. He sharedthefollowing:RandyRushworthretiredfromtheAF SafetyCenterthis year. MarkMoyeris a Reservist attheSafetyCenter. Ron Graves is atACC/A3C. Todd Boesdorferhas moved to Colorado.

I was surprisedrecently, I sawJimHortonlastmonthstandingin a parkinglot inSpringfieldVA. He was TDYfrom Hawaii. I calledCindyNorman (Fujimoto) to letherknowbecauseJimNorman was JimHorton’s roommate inCS-22. Jim andCindyheld a fabulousKentuckyDerbypartythisyear. Jimrecentlyretired and Cindyis a docent at theAirandSpace museum at DullesAirport.

Joe, wife, Tami, Steven (14), andAlyssa (18).

Alyssagraduated from Pine Creek High School in 2007 and now attends Colorado College andplays basketball fortheTigers.

Anothervirgin class news writer is John (Cook) Koch. We were bothNacho flight buds at Laughlin. To quoteJohn, “I know some people...I knowwhere they’rehiding.” InfamousJoe Dee is hiding out in PeachTree City, GAwithhis beautifulwife, Marlyn, andhis three athletic, academicallygifted sons. Brian McIntosh, the third 1 st timer, is living in Cape Carteret, NC halfway between Camp Lejune and Cherry Point MCAS; teaching AF JROTC at Northside HS inJacksonville (NC). He’s having a greattime, and feellikeshe’s making a difference in some kids lives and home every night. Brian, Chris Cicere, andJackPolo, were at the 2007Vail Super Masters LacrosseTournament. Theywon 2 andlost3, and didn’tlose to Navythisyear (didn’tplaythem either). Theysentaphotojlamsparingusallbykeepingitunderwraps. Brian ran into KeithDanel’swife at a youth lacrosse clinic inJacksonville. He is still inthe corps stationed at Camp Lejune. Briantracked down Bob MacDonald andfoundhe is THE commanderforUSAF basic training at Lackland. Hewill be in SanAntonio untilprobablyJun08, and he reallyis in charge oftraining ALL ourAF enlisted men and women; Go Rugby team.

FromWrightPatterson... May '07: In the photo are Frank Rand (retired this year, now a support contractor for theAeronautical Systems Center [ASC] MobilityWing), HarryConley (Col, heads the ASC CapabilitiesIntegration Directorate—future looking stuff), Devin Cate (Col, Systems Group Commander atASC), andTed Holloway(AirForce CivilianworkingASC Financial management, also an IMA)

Bottom Row: GaryHopper (Col, DeputyforAirForce ResearchLab Sensors Directorate), AndyLagrone (Retired out ofF-22 Program Office this year), Chris Leak (AirForce Civilian,works for Harry, runs the Next GenerationLong Range Strike program atASC), Bob Stambaugh (Col,WingCommander312/ 326AESW), and MargaretSampson (Waszkiewicz)(Retired fromAir Force a fewyearsback, nowworks for a support contractor (ARINC))

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY!

YOUR MONEYHELPS FUND

CADETWING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED.

CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

Air Force managed to once again grasp defeat from thejaws ofvictory at Navythisyear. In thepost game photo are ChuckMurrillo, Bob Stambaugh, Sailboat Captain CliffLatta,WadeWheeler, and GaleNewhouse (Brown) We all sawBGDanaBom (Lindsley) stalkingthesidelines atthegame andwewish she could havejoined us forthe post game party. Gale retired this year and recentlyaccepted ajob at Ft Belvoirwhere I am stationed. Cliffis working at theNationalGuardBureau. KennyGuevarrawas goingtojoin us buthis flight schedule (Delta) didn’tlethimoff. I told him to call in sick. He said“IfI call in sick, howwould I get there? Delta would see me using employee passes.” DUH... payfor a ticket on anotherairline, likethe rest ofus stiffs. WhatI really missed was his $$$ at thepokertable.

MikeShanahansolvedhisproblemofbeingassignedinCaliforniawhileGisela helddownthehouseinColoradoSpringsbyretiringthisyearandhastransitioned well to civilianlife. As a programmanagerfor a majormilitarycontractorhe is awayfromhome nearly as much as whenhe was on active duty.

Ilookforwardto seeingeveryone at our25th reunion - fall '08! RayBlusthasthe next Checkpointsarticle. Reachhimatrjmablust@comcast.net, (304)242-7182.

I remain an optimistfornextyear’s football season... GoArmybeatAirForce!

Mike Jensen 12035 Milam Road Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (800) G0-AFA-G0 michaeljensen@remax.net www.usafa84.com

34% Members.

Needyourhelp!With the ever-changing email addresses, it is getting more difficult to trackyou down. Please go to thewebsite above and type in your “84” preferred email address inthe righthand corner. I will only use it about once a quarterto askforupdates, etc. Youmaygo to thewebsite at anytime to see ifany new articles have been posted. There youwill get thefull articlewith allpictures (amlimited to 1,200wordsin Checkpoints). There is even an RSS feedforupdates!

Here’s Marty: seems like the QB has moved into his new home,justnorthoftheAFA. StillflyingforUnited, he andthe rest ofthe Louthan clan are doingwell. Also backin Colorado is CarlBruning; he is currentlyworkingforthe RonPaul 2008 Presidential campaign as the State Coordinator for ColoradoandWyoming. He got checked out in a Citabria, andenjoysflyingaerobatics nowandthen! ScottCainleftthe Air Force in 1992. Since thattime, he hasbeenworkingwithhis father-in-law in the petroleum business. Still happilymarried to, Kelly. Their oldest son, Ryan, graduated fromAzusaPacific Universityand is now attendingmedical school. Theiryoungest son is a sophomore at Fresno Pacific University as an English literature major. Theyenjoythe ability to drop everything at a moments notice and take to the open seas—cruising is theirpreferredmode of travel. Scott reportsJackRoosa, now retired, andworks as a missile sales rep forLockheedinTucson,AZ. Dave Irvingis a nurse inReseda, CAbut currendy resides in Bajawhere he is on a short term mission trip with his family.

MartyEllingsworthgothead-huntedawayfromthepredictiveanalytics startup he founded, Full Capture Solutions, to be President of ISO Innovative Analytics leadingthe wayin financial services, insurance, andhealthcare analytics. He andhiswife and two girls stilllive innorthernCalifornia, buthe travels a lot more these days. SteveWackeris stillin Charlotte; hejustchanged jobs and is now with ShawGroup, where he is the National Director forthe UtilitySectoroftheirbusiness. He usediSABRD to leadhim to thatposition, so be sure to tout that service wheneveryou can. Steve keeps in touchwiththe uber-batchelorMattJohnson,who is nowwithApollo Group, a privateequity firm, in theirGermanyoffice.

Givingthanks: we havehad some classmates go through some toughtimes, butthese two are pullingthrough: On Christmas day2006, DougFogle had a stroke. It turns outhehad a hole inhisheartanditcausedthestroke.After a few weeks he was almost back to normal. He has been offwork this year (FAA

guidelines) and shouldbe returning to work afterthe newyear. Thisyear, he hasparticipatedin two triathlons and is beginningtrainingfor a marathonin late 2008. His wife, Paulette, is confident to saythis trial “retirement period” has shown them theywill be able to tolerate one anotherwhen he officially retires. Theirkids are normal (okay, as normal as a pre-teen and teenager can be) and life there goes on. Barb (Huggett) Walkerhas been given a cleanbill ofhealth after hercolon cancer treatments. She is retired from United, and recentlymarried aScot named SteveWiley. She owns Thunder and Buttons (yes in the same location, officially called Thunder and Buttons II) in Old Colorado City. (I recommend the food and a designated driver), so stop by whenyouhave the chance.

Plebe alert: Talkabout “dis-singthe family” Daniel Behnefathered a PLEBE ofallthings! Daniel “Scott” Behnehad an appointmentto USAFAand a scholarship to theVT’s School ofEngineeringbuthe chose USNA. So, Dan teaches himhowto punt andkickforhis high schoolfootball team andhowto hitand playbaseball as well, and what does he do? He goes to USNA andjoins the PAINTBALL team! (Is that a “PLEDGE PIN?”) That is OK, Dan. We knowyou didyourbest! Dan (retired04) works forManTechInternational Corporation as aVP ofContracts fortheirSecurity & MissionAssurance business unit. His lovelywife isAnne and has otherchildren: Rachel, Mark, and Jacob. (Maybe future Falcons?)

Rich Call has upgraded this past summer to 757/767 Captain at UPS. He is stillliving at the same address inAlbuquerque, and onlymentions this after DougApplegate and I drive down to see the football game. See you in two years! ScottWelker is finallyup for Colonel (that breakfor med school set him backto theremedial class); hewill find out inJanuary. Still a surgeon;justgot back from five months in Qatar.

DennyBenson retired in2005 andbecame an independent contractor/consultant. Hiswife, Lista, is still on active dutyandshouldpin on 0-6 in Feb2008, so having a “mobile career” keeps themtogether at Ramstein, Germany. Their son Derekis 14, is 5’10" tall and lovesXbox. Joe Shermanhasn’t run into any academygrads in a while, but did want to talk aboutthe important stuff, Joe Sherman. He retired from the Coast Guard inApril, 2006, and is back in the world ofaviation. He is flying S-61N helicopters in the GulfofMexico for a Canadian company. Gail and the kids are doing great. Goodjob, Joe!

Another sadstory: Plugging awayup in Longmont, expandingbrewing capacityto keep upwith stronggrowth, runningaround doing a lotofnon-profit workforthe Imagine Foundation, Colorado Shakespeare Fest, Oddfellows, etc., chasingthree kids, drinkingbeerand solvingworldproblems. Youknow, same old thing!Alas, this is the life of our own Eric Wallace oftheLeft Hand BrewingCompany.We had some ofhis suds at our 20th andwill do so again for the big 25! (Be strongEric, somebody’s gottado it)

Monica (Schweitz) Smith, the ultimate woman ofevery decade, reported thathusband, Tim Smith, arrivedhome fromhis three-month deployment to Iraq, where he was the Sq. CC oftheA-1Os fromthe MarylandANG. Theirkids are great. Jake is 13 and Roxanne is 11. Monis stillflying767s to Europe forUA.

KyleSkaliskyretired and moved back toWenatchee,WA (hometown). Flying Learjetswith alocal companyinWenatchee called Executive Flight Inc., andwith hiswife (Chris) and are opening a Great Harvest Bread Company franchise inWenatchee.

Fore! The first annual NCAAgolftourney on theWest Coast (AirForceAcademy/AguaCalienteDesertClassic) was a huge success! Theyhad a greatshowing for their college-am...manygrads and a bunch of’84ers like Eddie Baca, Darrell CabantingandVinnyMarrero played in the college-am. Other Grads from ’59 to cadets, they even had ex-dean BG Cubero take part. Theywill do it again next year. Enclosed is a pic ofFred Sandoval ’82 (co-founder), Darrell ’84, Joe (co-founder), Cadet Josh McFarland...yep Dillon’s kid (Josh McFarland) andEdBaca. Joshplayedwithjoe in thecollege-amandwewere able to chatabouthis dadandallthoseuntoldstories...greatkidwith a320yard drive to boot!

Bill Shobert retired in Dec ’06 after doing a wide

He ran theaterexercises and theY2KprogramfortheUnified and supporting service space systems. His final position was with the Joint Staff/J-3 where he wrote manyofthe missile defenseordersthatwere putin place to defendfrom

Rob Palumbo is stilldoingtheVice Commanderchores atthe482FW, HomesteadAFB, FL andjustreached4,000 hours in the F-16. He is lookingfor an O7 billet and also flies FO forAA on 757/767 Goodwork, Mumbles!

range ofspace duties.

the North Koreanlaunch in the summer of’06. Nowwiththe Department of State as theDeputyforMissile Defense andSpacePolicy. Hiswife, Marcela, the kids, Nikki (12) and Billy (7) are doingwell at school. Here’s a picture ofthe familyfromthe October2006 retirement ceremony.

Steve Shepro is also stilllivingthe dream at BaladAirBase, inthe arena with some ofthefinestAirmenhehas ever met. He says, ifyou can’tbehome, there is no betterplace to beforyearthanamongtheseAirmen andflyingincombat. Ed Rutherford is still flying old DC-8 freighters forASTARAir Cargo (formerlyDHLAirways). Mostdaysheis intheFlightStandards office, maintainingtheAOM andMELforthatfleet. Edandhiswife, Mary, live NE ofCincinnati withtheirmenagerie ofpets (dog, cats, horses).

WaltJurekis in HoustonworkingforHewlett-Packard, in Marketing on the PC side ofthehousemanagingthe launch ofnewproducts. He and hiswife are stillhome-schoolingtheirfourkids (Joshua, age 14; Megan, age 13;Tim, age 11; Chris, age 9).

Bob Kittylefinishedhis medicalresidencyinRadiologythis pastJune and is currentlydoing a one-yearfellowship in neuroradiology at the Universityof Michigan, moving to Florida. He will be the “expert” in imaging ofthe brain, spine, andhead/neck.

Steve Reed is now flyingforFedExafterUALfurlough. Retiredfrom USAFR in ’06. Oldest son Nick to joinUSAFAclass of 12 next summer.

That is it. Ifyouhaven’t done so, go to the top right hand corner and input yourbestemail address. Have a greatChristmas andholiday season, jens

Frank “Q.” Williams

13209 Topsfield Court Herndon, VA 20171 (703) 657-3227

USAFA1985@aol.com

Members

Mike says theleadup to General Petraeus’ testimonywas a busytime forhim andthe staffwho putin some longdays as theyworked. Mike said thenhe and the staffstayed up to watch the General’stestimony onTV Mike saidhis own opinion is thatboth the General andAmbassadorCrocker did verywell in layingoutthe factsthattheysee on the ground. Mike saidhethoughtthebigad from moveon.org was “a real piece ofwork” as well. Mike said he’s had the opportunityto briefthe General a couple oftimes, as well as sitin on some meetingswithhim, andhe doesn’tthinkhe has ever met a smarter person. He said the General is a true scholar, and awarrior, and even more a gentleman. Hewishes thatthose on the“otherside” ofthiscould sit down andlisten to himwithout all their biases.

Mike saidhe had an opportunityto attend a NATO - EuropeanUnionPolitical-Militaryworkshop in Brussels,Belgium for a couple ofdays. Mikeflewup on a MEDEVACflightwhich reallybrought the war into stark reality. He was very impressedbythe exceptionallevel ofcare theseyoung men andwomen received on the flight. The MEDEVAC crews are trulyamazing individuals and asked thatifwe havetime, to say a prayerforthem as well as thewoundedwarriors. Fortheworkshop, Mike said it was veryinteresting tomeetwith Militaryand Senior State Department representatives from all ofthe embassies around Europe, as well as officials fromWashington, DC. The panel discussions were very interesting and covered a range ofissues affecting all ofthe European countries andtheUnitedStates. Mike saidthere was a largefocus onAfghanistan since that is the main effort for many of our NATO partners, as well as where the European Unionis focusing on; Iraq is a secondaryeffort forthem.

Mike saidprogress continues to be made here as wemove forward in Iraq. He hoped we all were all able to listen to General Petraeus andAmbassador Crocker as theytestifiedbefore Congress and then made the circuit ofnews broadcastersafterwards. He was somewhatdismayedby some ofthe accusations that were beingmade by some ofthe major newspapers because they appear to be constandylookingfor anythingthat they can call into question.

Well, it’s hard to believe but I have been writing our Checkpointsinputs for over 10years now. This is not a permanentassignment. It’s rewarding, in spite ofmyoccasional typos orwrong rankinputs. I also occasionallyget “thanks” fromreaders. I don’t mind continuingto do it; Ijustwant to make sure to offer the opportunityto someone elseifthey’re outtherewaitingfor a chance. Please let me know. That’s it for now. Take care. Q

Hello

Let me start offbyapologizing to 0-6 Colonel IanDickinson, USAF for erroneouslyreferring to him as a Lieutenant Colonel in the last Checkpoints. I assure youthathehas notbeendemoted or anything; Ijustmade a mistake. We exchangedpersonal e-mails and I apologized to himprivatelybutIwanted to publiclyaddress the issue as well. Ian is still on active duty and is currently serving atA1 Udeid as the DirectorofC4 SystemsfortheAirForce Forces inthe theater. Ian is in the pictureworking on a project atA1 Udeid.

Fellowclassmates and grads, I’m writingyou once again from the Middle East. This is mysecond Christmas in fouryears I have spent over here. This time I’m actually on a 365-daydeployment that I volunteered for so I’m not complaining,justpassinginformation. I’mtryingto make a difference one last time before I hangup the uniform for good. While I enjoy being station at ElmendorfandlivinginAnchorage, Iwasn’t doing mypart in the fightagainst terrorism so whenAFPC asked forvolunteers to work at the CAOC, I threwmyhat in thering. The days are long, thejob is stressful and time offis not part ofmyschedule (I do usuallyget one halfday on the weekends) butthejob is rewardingand I feel I am making a difference in the big scheme ofthings. In the 90+ days I’ve been here I’ve lost over 25 lbs too so I should leave here a lean, mean fightingmachine. The photo I’ve included is the awarding oftheAirForce CombatActionMedal I received from the CFACC, Lt Gen North. I was one ofthe first80 officers intheAir Force to receivethe award and receiving it from the approvingofficial made it even more special.

ColonelIan Dickinson, USAFworkinga fiberprojectatA1 Udeid. Captain Mike Taylor, USN sent another message from Baghdad, Iraq. His wife, Heidi, andtheirboys are in San Diego, CAwhile he’s over there. Mike is stilltrying to work out mynext assignmentwiththe detailer, buttryingfor San Diego so hewon’thave to move his familyagain. Mike is abouthalfwaydone withhis time in Baghdad and bythe timeyou read this articlehe should have gonehome for some R&Rleave before headingback to finishhis tour.

I’ve beenin contactwith afewgoodfriends,JayHumelbaughandDaveTuck. Jayhasbecome an accomplishedcarpenterandis enjoyinglife inthe DC area. Hejustfinished a majorkitchenremodeling at theplace he is living. From the photos he sent, he did an outstandingjob. I think he missedhis calling but I guessyou’re never too old to pick-up a trade. Dave is stilllivinginthe Colorado Springs area and doingwell forhimself. I’ve seen a fewother ’86ers over here but none I reallyknowwell so no news from the front.

I’vebeenin contactwith Rich Basak,who was (I thinkhis tour ofdutyis over bythe time this columnhits the street) the DO forthe 604ASOS at Camp Red Cloud. He actuallyhelped me out a lotbyhooking me upwith a dehumidifier. Thehumidityin Qataris a lothigherthanI expecteditto be. Thehumiditylevel in my room ran as high as 75% before I receivedthe dehumidifier; now it is a reasonable 50% or lower. Thankgoodness for MPS. Bob Colella was actually in the neighborhood (Doha, Qatar) in October but due to logistic issues and thefacthevisited duringRamadan, we werenever able to gettogether. I have received a fewemails from abroad so I will pass them along to you.

Bob did drop me a line with a photo. The photo is from the AF-Navy game with Bob, his daughterAllison, and Ed (’84) andAnnie (Alvarez, ’86 [through Sophyear]) and their children to include a son who is a freshman this year (Anthony) in photo.

Quite a USAFAsighting! Kneeling: Jessica Lorenzini—13 and in 8th grade; ZacharyLorenzini—15 andin 11th grade. Standingfromleft: Bob, his lovely daughter, Ed Lorenzini (USAFA ’84), Elizabeth (Annie Alvarez, USAFA ’86) Lorenzini, Dino Lorenzini (USAFA’62), Lucille Lorenzini,AnthonyLorenzini (USAFA ’10) CS-05, Darla Cardenas, and Ed Cardenas (USAFA ’89). Missing fromphoto isAmanda, who tookthe picture, 9 and in fourth grade.

EdYong sent me a short emailwith his latest information, “I am stillhere at OffuttAFB as a contractor alongwithJeffBlank. A1Williams is here, too, buthe is still active duty. Mygrowingfamilywillhave an addition in December. We are expectingnumber4. Wewillthenhave a range of16,14,8, and a newborn. Ifyou are coming to Omaha orjustpassingthrough, let us know.”

Angle Gonzalez dropped me a line, “Hello fellow ’86ers! I am happy to say that I am gainfully-employed atAmericanAirlines once again afterfourlong years flying forAmerican Eagle. I flewtheEmbraer 50-seat regionaljet and have to admitflyingthelittlejetwas fun;flyingtheworkrules atAmericanEagle was not. NowthatlambackatAA, Ihaveone more weekofsimulatortraining forthe MD-82 “Super80” aircraft, andthenIwillhave to commute to NewYork for a couple ofweeks, and then to Boston. Iwillhave to commute until there is an opening in Dallas-FtWorth and mynumber comes up seniority rules! AlthoughEagle is not a major airline, it was nice to be based at DFWand not have to commute. Didn’texpectto ever have to commute again, andhopefully won’thave to for more than a year.

I had dinnerrecentlywith another ’86erand CS-03 squadron-mate BillThomas (Hindes) He andhis family are doingwell and livejust north ofDallas. Also plan to see another Cerberus squadron friend John Kress as he travels throughDFWAirport onAF business. I live near DFWAirport, and since I have an airline ID, I am able to meet people inside securityandhave lunch or grab a coffee, even ifjustfor an hour or two. Amongothers in CS-03, John made O6 and is goingto pin-onjustafterChristmas. Waytogo,John! As formymilitary career, I retiredfromthe Reserveslastyearafterserving as anAdmissions Liaison Officerfor sixyears in FtWorth, TX. I miss it sometimes. For those ofyou still onActive Duty or servingin the Reserves, I saluteyou!

The picture is from our vacation at LakeTahoe this pastAugust. We had a greattime, and I would recommendvisiting to anyone. From left are Alyssa (9), mywife, Mary, and son Aiden (7). The old man on the right is me!

Ezra Vance

7320 Brixham Circle

Castle Rock, CO 80108

Home: (303) 6885431

Work: (303) 304-1287

ezravance@motorola.com

doctorvance@hotmail.com

Wings From Heaven.

Hello to all. I hope thisupdate findsyou allin greathealth andtremendous spirit. I hope all ofyou are safelyback at home after attending our 20th Reunion festivities. This update will focus primarily on reunion activities. Although Kristen and I did not attend everyreunion event because ofchildren, I will provide as manyhighlights as I can. We enjoyedseeing all ofour many friends and classmates and I want to reiterate to you how veryhumbled I am to be associatedwith such an outstanding group ofpeople. The contributions and sacrifices our classmateshave madeand continue to make are inspiring. Additionally, Ihavereceived numerous updatesfrom classmates and Iwill include as many as myspace allocation allows. Ifyou sent me an update anditdoes not appearinthis issue, rest assuredthat itwill be published soon

First, the highlights. The reunion officially started on Wednesday, but the festivities officiallystartedThursday morningwith the reuniongolftournament. Itwas a bittercoldmorninginthe Rockies andyet, a large and spiritedcontingent ofdiehard golfers descended onto the mightyBlue Course. Afterwhat seemedlike hours ofhittingrange balls, whilewaiting out a frost delay, the Class of’87beganits tournament. As a side note, the Class of’77 gave everygolfer a nice gift and all ’87 golfers were envious. The tournament lasted approximately sixhours due mainlyto the incredible slowplayofthe eventualwinners KeithNightingale,JimBrunkow, Joe Chapman andJohn Klimek. The reigningchampions, HowardHuerta, JeffCliatt, KenVelten, Christopher Palmer (inabsentia) and EzraVance graciouslyaccepteddefeat andpromised a spiritedrematchforthe25th re-union. Afterthe golftournament, many classmates attended briefings, tours and updates on the hill. One observation I had was that when we were at the Academy, the old grads would walk through and tell us about how hard it used to be andhowfarstandards have slipped. Well, there must some truth to that, because I was appalled at howmessy and cluttered and disorganized cadet rooms were duringthe day. Cadets swore thattheir rooms were inAMI condition. Butmygosh, beds were unmade, clothes were everywhere, books piled on desks, stereos, TV’s, refrigerators, microwaves, play-stations, coffee pots, crockpots and even a waffle iron were clearlyvisible in most rooms. Cadets forthemost parthaven’tchanged, buttheexpectations ofhowtheyare supposed to live definitelyhave. Manysquadrons have changed locations from our era, so you actuallyhad to tour multiplesquadrons to see yourold squadron. Onenice touch was thatmost squadrons had awall ofplagues that identified graduates oftheprevious classes fromthatsquadron.Aftersquadron visits, everyone headed to FairchildHall forAcademyupdatemeetings and a briefclassmeeting.

After the class meeting, a verymoving ceremonywas held. As manyofyou know, MartyTatum passed awaythis pastspring. Fulfillinghis last requests, the family, friends and classmates gathered on Spirit Hill to spreadMarty’s ashes. KenVelten led the informal ceremonyand did a remarkablejob. The photo was taken duringthe event. Kennyis spreadingMarty’s ashes, while Marty’s motherlooks on. As Iwalkedfrom SpiritHill to the Chapelforthe class picture and the Memorial Ceremony, I stopped and talked to Kevin Martin. Kevin saw throughmybloodshoteyes and said, “Ezra, don’tbe sad! SpiritHill now stands muchhigher than it did before, because ofMarty.” Kevin found a way to communicate perfectlywhat everyonewho attended the gathering was feeling. Thankyou, Kevin.

CnbM «o'c

(°i<cfKc satire Society Donors

Forthoseofyouwho could not attendthe Memorialservice, Iwantto remind you ofthe names ofour classmates we havelost. Please observe a moment of silence theirlovingmemory: MichaelAyotte, MichaelBranche, GaryChallis, Steven DeLisle, LeRoyHomerJr., JimmyJenkins, Karl Kajah,JosephKimball, Conrad Kipp, JamesKlas, SeanMurphy, KeithNylander, PatrickOlson,James Poppo, PhilipPuig, RandyRoby,Dwight Sanders, MarkSchweigert,Gregory Survil,TimothySweterlitsch,MartyTatum, andTroyWaddell.

Following averymovingmemorialserviceand a gaggle ofa classphoto shoot, most everyone retired to thehotelforthe Class Social and Dinner. The dinner was great, but most ’87ers needed additional time to getcaught up on stories and currenthappeningswithlong-lostfriends, roommates andclassmates. So while thebandtriedreallyhard to getpeopledancing, themajorityofthe class slipped out into thehallways to continue conversations late into the night.

The next day was the Falcon Football game. I did not attend, but I was told by numerous classmatesthat “SpiritCheese” made a surprise appearance. To giveyou a flavorforhowmuchthings have changed at USAFA, graduates had theircheesetaken awaybyuniformedofficers and were threatenedwith arrest andcriminal charges iftheycontinuedthe heinous act oftossingSpiritCheese into thewind sweptheights ofFalcon stadium. Air Force won the game and gradsthenreturnedto thehotelto close out conversations, exchange numbers and say good-bye. The reunion was very successful and I think to a person, everyone who attended, thoroughlyenjoyed themselves. Thankyou to our Reunion Planning Committee forthehardworktheyput into to makingthe event so special. Plans are alreadyunderwayfor a veryspecial 25th Reunion. Ifyou are interested inhelping out, drop me an email.

Tami (Phillips) LeHouillierprovided thisupdate on CS-24. In attendance at the reunion were Mike Sulek andhis wife, Michelle; Mike Metruck and his wife, Donna; RollieDiaz andhiswife, Melody; Michele Fincher; Leslie Howell; Keric Chin; KevinBoyd; Rob Day; MikePattersonandhisfamily; andMoe and Tami LeHouillier. I thinkthat was aboutit. Ofthem, Mike Sulekjustputinhis papers after20yearswithSpaceCommand; Mike Metruckis stillin, as is Rollie Diaz and Leslie Howell. Keric Chin is a lawyer; Kevin and Moe flyfor Fed Ex; Mike Patterson is a veterinarian; Michele is in computersecurity, andTami is unemployed. Ofthe people whodidn’t show, this we know: Fred Marheine justgot out andis a financialconsultantinVirginia; ButchChmuraisintraining with Southwest;Vic Dallin was deployed to Iraq—he’s commander ofa helicoptersquadron at Moody; Byron Mathewson is stationed at Hickam. JeffKumro providedthis CS-4 update.FightinFourhad great turnout at the reunionwith 12 mates returningto the Springs. We were able to contact everyone inthe squadronexceptPhilTemplin. .Where are you Phil? We toasted our first two full birds Scotty Erickson and JeffMcDaniels both up in DC at the Pentagon and our first two retirees; Steve Slatter and Berg. Brett had a lame excuse and was unable to come due to initialtraining at Southwest. Congrats go out to Sullyfortakingcommand ofthe Predator Sq. at Nellis. He drove in fromVegas with the three kidsand Mary.ApparendyPaul Hastert and Dave Stamos at 40+ are justfiguring out the kid thing.While some ofus are close to sending them offto college, Dave S had a brand new toddler in tow and Paul left one at home and hiswife was pregnantwith his second. KarlHjerpejust tiedthe knot 18 months ago, no kids buthe and Tina Dara are stillpracticing real hard...NO... NOT together—withtheirspouses. Karlhasbeensettled for some timeup inChicago andTinaandJeffGingras (’85) are nowlivinginVegas. TomBoroweic isbackintheReserves andlivinginthe sameTexas town as Brett Berg andinformed us his teenage son officiallyknows more thanhim andhas allthe answers inlife. ThadKnue was unable to come withNaomiandhis tribe ofthree as theywere at a national soccer tournament inFloridawith their son. Andwe missedDannyHarris as his son had a homecomingfootballgameback in his old stompingground ofCedar City. He checked invia cellandwished everyonewell. VinnyBachelier was unable to get his Reserve days to work at UAL and stayed homewithwife and two kids he promised he’ll be there in fiveyears.

JohnKlimek sent inthis nice photo from the reunion. Here’s a picture ofthe ’87 CS-36 PinkPanther men atAngel Diaz’shousefollowingthefootball game. CS-36 women weren’t atAngel’shouse, as theywere having their all-women party at the time, but both Lucy (Limjoco) Jones and Lynda (Merryman) Baldaufffrom CS-36 were also at the reunionweekend. Everyone in the picture is from CS-36, except for IanArchibald (notedbelow).

Fromleft are GaryGiancola, IanArchibald,JohnMacPherson,JohnKlimek, FrankAmsler, John Cardello, A1 Woodcock, Ace Shrum, Angel Diaz, Sean Kavanaugh, andMarshallHugue.

Finally,AndyHechtprovides thisupdatealthoughhe didn’tget to attendthe reunion. Since I missed the reunion I thought I would sendyou an update on a coupleof’87 gradscurrentlyat BaladAB, IraqsupportingOIF. Vic Dallin and I are squadron commanders in the 332 EOG as part ofthe 332 AEW here at Balad. LtColVic “Surgeon” Dallin, Commanderof64thExpeditionaryRescue Squadron, HH-60Gsquadron, is providingCombat Search andRescue coverage for multiple customers for all ofOIF. At home, commander ofthe 41st Rescue Squadron, 15xHH-60GCSAR squadron,MoodyAFB, GA. Wife: Kristin; children: Ella (6), John (4), and Davis (3).

LtColAndy“Mayo” Hecht, Commanderof4thExpeditionaryFighterSquadron, F-16 BLK-40 squadronprovidingCAS coverageforthe OIFAOR. Athome, commanderofthe4thFighterSquadron, 24xF-16 BLK-40 squadron, HillAFB, UT. Wife: Lisa; childrenAlexandra (14),Austin (12). Vic is about to rotate back to Moody soon, but will be back again this winter. I’ll be in place until early nextyear. I have a familyofskiers, and lookforward to theUtah ski season this year. The Hecht familyis planning on retiringthis coming summer / fall and will remain inUtah. I thinkVic and Kristin are planning on stayingin as ofnow. Here is a picture ofAndyandVic in the current 332 EOG building.

Until next time, God bless you all.

Mark Peters 2437 Bedford Circle Bedford, TX 76021-1823 (817) 937-9696 pylt@yahoo.com

39% Members

Greetings ’88!

Let me firstthankJoAnne Pinneyagain forherinformation-filled email. As notedlasttime, I had so manycontacts andinfo fromJoAnne that itwouldn’t all fitin a single column so I’ve rolled over some forthis issue. (Please be aware this a problem everyclass scribe would love!) I’m also pleased to note that Dave and MaryBoucherand Chris Kubick sent updates as well.

I had to pry at bitwith a follow-up email to getJoAnne to talk about herself: “I’ve been at Tinker for 2 l/2years. Under theAFMCRe-Org, Ipickedupa Squadron Command at Tinker managingdepot-level sustainmentfor allAir Traffic Control andLandingSystems (ATCALS) intheAF. I’m aLtCol (prettyin-linewithmost our classmates) andI ve done some prettyobscure things in theAF, I guess. BeforeTinker, I was atYokotaworkingwiththeJapanese as thelogistics Host Nation Coordination Cell director at US Forces Japan. Before that, I was on Johnston Atoll (not manypeople know where that is...alittle island in the Pacific) as director oflogistics fortheisland. Before that, at Peterson, doingacquisition logistics for Space Command. In case you didn’t get it from my past fewjob descriptions, I am a logistics officer. You probably don’t want to knowmuch before that—I’m still single, never been married and have no kids (I have troublekeeping myhouseplants alive —I don’tthink I’m responsibleenough for kids). Oh, and I justgot tasked to deployto BaghdadinMayforsixmonths.” Whichis a goodsegueinto hermost recent email.

pRCY. Y

“I stayin regular contact with Steve Browning and his wife, Renske. They bothworkforUnited (Steve as a flyer andRenske as a flightattendant) andlive nearWashington DC. Last summer I went to visit them in DC and we hit a JimmyBuffett concert together. Lots oftailgating, drinkingandgreatmusic— it was all good.

“I ran into KevinMissar andhiswife, Beth, at Buffett. Kevintold me thatJoe Mazur (whom I stayin regular contactwith) andhis then-fiancee, Ives, were attheconcert. BothKevin andjoe are stationedinDC. I never sawjoe andIves thatevening, butI did see them a fewmonthslater (aswell as Kevin andBeth) in LasVegas forJoe’swedding. Joe willbe deploying to Iraq in a fewdays for a 6-monthrotation.

Safere Soeiety Donors

“John Macdonald andhiswife, Traci, sent me a nice note from California. TheyrecentlyPCSed to MoffettAirBase near San Francisco. Johnisworking on the SBIRS program outthere,helpingthembuild a satellite. I was hopingto see them last time I was in California, but it didn’twork out. I’m sure I’ll see them outthere,though, as I’moriginallyfromCaliforniaandgo backfrequently. Also out in California are John and Georgia (Ruckle) McCurdyand theirfamily. John is flying theGlobal Hawk out ofBeale and they seem to really be enjoyingthe mountains in northern CA.

“I stayin touchwith Doug and Mindy(Hartley) Seagraves. They are both Intel officers at OffuttAFB and theyjustrecentlyhad their second child.

“Jonand Debbie (Edwards) Davis have bothbeen out oftheAirForce for a numberofyears. Theylive inTucson,AZ andhave two children. Jonsentme some coolwiz-bangphotos ofan aircrafttest programhe was working onwith his company.

“Ithinkthat’s everyone I’ve seen. I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone (not on purpose) but, this should give you some decent fodder forthe next issue of Checkpoints." Which it did, and then some! Due to the delays in publishing, I believeJoAnnewill be back at home in Oklahomabythe time this reaches your mailbox. Her time in theAOR was spentworking on a NATO staffin a mission to assist the Iraqis in establishingtheirtrainingprograms Military Academy, Joint StaffSchools, etc.

Some time ago MaryBoucherwrote fromWashington D.C. where she and Dave are seeingplentyof’88ers. “Dave andI are here atthePentagon now, and it’s likeoldhomeweekpracticallyeveryday—lotsofZoomies runningaround here! I saw a copyofCheckpoints a fewweeks ago, and it inspired me to write and catchyou up on some ofthe folks here in the Puzzle Palace.

“First, about us: Dave and I now have a five-year-olddaughter, Elizabeth. Additionally, we are anxiouslyawaitingword from China on the status ofour adoption ofa child from there. We’ve been in DC about two years now, and I workinA1. Dave is a pilotwith NorthwestAirlines flying theAirbus 320, but currently he is on a year’s militaryleave working here in the Pentagon as a Reserve IMAinA5.

“We’ve run into many ’88ers: Cori (Mosier) Culver works in the SG here, about two rings awayfrom me. We do lunch now andagain andalwaysgossip aboutwho’s doingwhatthese days. Herhusband, Curtis “Skull” Culver, is still back at D-M flyingA- 10s. Kip Turainworks in the office nextto mine (also in Al) andjustcelebratedhisselectionto 06! AndKip mentionedthathe ran into Chuck Beames at the bigpromotion party. Chuckjustgraduated from NationalWar College, was also selected for0-6, andworks at Ft. Belvoir. Chris Chelales andKariThynebothworkhere on theJointStaff, and I ran into both ofthem in the hallways now and again.

“We had dinnerwith Bill and Chris Parker (and their two kids) lastyearjust beforeBillleftfor some PME. Billis doingwell intheNavyandtookcommand ofthe USS Donald Cook (aguided missile destroyer) inJuly.

“I did a briefingup at theArmyWar College lastweek, and JohnQuintas, Dave Goldstein, and Norm Worthen were all there as part ofthe incoming class. John was sportingEaglesalready, Dave is bald as a cue ball (probably lost it allwhile gettinghis Ph.D.), and Norm has already gone all gray! But all three looked greatand seemed excited aboutspending a yearwith theArmy.

“I ran into Ralph Galetti in the courtyard lastfall. He’s a civilian contractor now, butstillworks closelywiththeAF (andforthelife ofme, I can’tremember whatthe name ofhis companyis!). Well, that’s allI can thinkoffor now. Lookingforward to next year’s reunion!

Lastly, here’s a short note from ChrisKubickfromSeptember: “Justwantedto dropyou a quicknote andletyouknowI’mbackat Langley. I was the CC ofthe 9thIntel Sq until last month; now I’m the DeputyCC ofthe 497th Intel Group (DGS-l,forthosewhoworkISR). Life is good, andthe familyis doingwell. The girlsreallylikeVirginiaand are gladto beback. Hard to believe our 20threunion is nextyear. Onlybeenhere two weeks, so I’m not sure ofwhat other grads are inthe area, thoughMikeShieldsis here as the CC ofthe36th IntelSq. Ran into Georgia andJohnRucklewhenI was back atBealewherehe was intrainingfor the Global Hawk.” Chris can be reached at: DSN 575-3997, or 757-225-3997. Thanks, again, to allthatwrote. Rememberthatit’syourcolumn—Ijustput ittogether. Please send me a copyofyour annual “FriendsandFamily” letter!

Paul W. Tibbets, IV

PSC 80, Box 76

APO AE, 09702

Home: 011-32-2-251-2772

E-mail: p2a2@skynet.be

Class web site: http://www. usafaclasses.org/1989/

43%^ /Members,

Greetings ’89ers! I knowit is hard to believe, but our 20-yearreunion isjust around the corner. As I mentionedlast quarter, we have started our planning andyouwillbereceiving some information soon on the class giftproject. The aim ofour campaignis to: (1) Prepare a special event during our 20th reunion andhonorthosethathave passed on, both on theHeritageTrailplotand at the pavers site, ensuringfamilies ofthose passed on are invited;

(2) Have a specialplace for our “Heritage” forClass of 1989 andforthose thathave falleninwar, combat, or performing extraordinaryaccomplishments thatdeserve special recognition;

(3) Continue to supportandcontributeto those classes yet to come withprojects andfunds as others didfor us when we were thereand that we likely never knewabout during our four years. This would include all the majorpillars of the USAFAtotaleducation: Military,Academic, Athleticand CharacterDevelopment. We are lookingforward to launchingthis campaign andencourageeveryone to take part. More details to follow!

The HeritageTrail, mentionedabove, is an area byDoolittle Hallwhereclasses will be giventhe option to purchase sections and honor their own. While we cannot fullyanticipate allthe circumstances thatwilllead to a classmatebeing honored on our HeritageTrailPlot, in general, the class intends to use space in the 1989 HeritageTrailPlotforclassmateswho have achieved exceptional distinction or performedextraordinaryaccomplishmentsthrough theirunique service to our country. Ourfirst classmate to be honored, Lt Col Shea, died in combatwhile leadinghis Marine unit. In addition, the class is committed to honoringall classmateswho have diedwith pavers at Doolittle Hall.

Asyouprobablynoticedfromtheheader, theTibbetsfamilyis now stationed in Europe! Ijust started dutyatNATOHeadquartersinBrussels, Belgium as the ChiefofNuclear, Biological andChemical Policyfor NATO. We are looking forward to the next fewyears overseas.

That’s a wrap forthis quarter. Let me hearfromthe rest ofyou! Bestwishes to you andyour families. Take care and God bless.

James Sanchez

8301 Emerald Circle

North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Cell: (817) 881-6357

Web: WWW.USAFA90.COM

alohatiger@gmail.com

(Two Sabre Society Donors)

39% Members

OnNovember 12,2007 (lastweek as I write this) Paul Comeaupassed away.

Dave, ElizabethandMaryBoucher

Carson Tavenner

6828 Raccoon Court

Waldorf, MD 20603

(202) 231-2484

DSN: (312) 428-2484

Home: (301) 374-2752

tavenner@hotmail.com

Greetings, BoldGold!

-42V 'Member*

I’min the mood to write more ofa thoughtpiece this time. Afewofus had a greatlunch conversation at thePentagonlastweek, anditreallygot me thinking. Inthemonthsthatpassbyso quickly we oftenlosetrackofhowmuchtime has passed. Lives change, children grow, parents age, there is greatjoy and there is great sorrow. Our lives have been connected for so manyyears now throughtheprofessionalbond ofservice to thenation; most often on dutyleadingthe most powerful air and space force theplanethas ever known. We’ve also servedtogetheroffof militaryduty, as friends have maintained contact through academia, business, politics, or whatever pursuits we follow. Thejoys have come with the building offamilies, the accomplishmentofcareer goals, and thethrill ofmanyvietoriesbothgreatandsmall. There are so manywaysinwhich we celebrate and givethanks!

But we are also not without sorrow in our lives. Has even one ofus not felt a sting or wound since we partedways? Our class has lost seven ofour members since we tossed our caps towardheaven; I trust most of us knew at least one as more than an acquaintance. Where we have grown close as a class, I thinkit has been primarily at thehands ofmutual suffering. In between thejoyandthe sorrow, I’venoticed three majorthemes occurring in our lives these days, none ofwhich should be a surprise to anyone. Theyare thematuringofour children,the agingofourparents, andthe achievement ofnew professionalheights.

When a child is eight oryounger, we easilyrelate to them as beingimportant people in our lives. Somethinghappens as they age; we are better able to examine ourselves as being someone in our child’slife. I can rememberwhen I was Jacob’s age, whatI thought ofmy own father, as well as what I thought of myfriends’ fathers. I can recallwhatthese men did, andsometimeswhatthey said, and theirwide range ofethicalbehavior - excellent as well as deplorable - and how it shaped my own life (they were rarely aware ofhowmuch they influenced me). So, I remind myself, it is withJacob.

I would like to return to the other two themes in our lives, the aging of our parents, andthe achievementofnewprofessionalheights, in future columns. This is one ofthefewplaces we have to connectwiththe exact same age demographic, andperhapswe should use itinwaysotherthanjustgradnews? Please let me knowwhatyou thought ofmytakingtime on this, whether I should do this more often or not, orjust stick to the grad news.

The Pentagon lunches (1 st Thursdays) have worked out again, and a small crew is routinelyshowing,thoughrarelythe same group. J.R PorierandSteph Brinleyhelped me kickit off. November sawJ.R again, Rod Lewis, Sue (Rank) Foy, DougSersun, GlennWright, two others I’ve neglected to remember... and I recentlybumpedinto Kurt Gaudette, Mike Lawrence and Chris Parent elsewhere in the Pentagon.

I’ve takenthe time to go backand do a full surveyofthe news and contacts thathave come myway over thepastmonths, andthere’s reallyquite a few! In the interest oftime and space, I’m going to simply list folks who I’ve heard from, of, or rememberseeing, followedbywhere they’re at - or some particularlyinterestingdetail - so here goes:

MarkLivelsberger andAndreasWesemann,backinthe desert; CliffGyves, ArlingtonVA; RodCousins,Wliiteman; RyanFarmer,AFRLWright-Pat;Wayne Cooper, CC at MacDill;ToddLevine, LasVegas;ToddHamilton, F-16s at Shaw, alongwith Chris “CICYM” Gough, Doug “Cinco” DeMaio, Pete “Gyro” Fry, HilaryFeaster, andKen“Francis” Ekman; Don Strickland, northernCA; John “Smash” Schaefer, Mtn Home F-15Es; Chris Smith,Chicago suburbs and supplychains; DonYu, flyingforUPS; DaveDamrath, Fisher-Price/Mattelback homeinBuffalo,NY; Karen (Perez) ErnestandTroyThomasboth atFortMeade; NickKootsikas right here in myneckofthewoods,working CivilAirPatrol at Andrews; and MarkMaldonado switched over to theJAGCorps frombeing a pilot (overfouryears ago) to concentrate on law, andhasbeenworking at DOJ as an attorneyfor counterterrorism (and is with the DCANG).

The Society of Experimental Test Pilots held its annual symposium at Disneyland and flight test folks from all corners ofthe countrymade appearances. It didn’ttake long to realize theyhad quite the contingentfrom 91, so, after a little catching up, most ofthem stood still longenough for a photo (thankyou, Bill!).

From left are TroyLarson, C-17 ProductionTest Pilotwith Boeing at Long Beach. He’s also flying the C-17 as a Reservist out at March. Aaron Reed, Ops Officer forthe 418th FlightTest Squadron (Tanker/TransportFlightTest) at EdwardsAFB. ToddEricson, AFFlightTest Center, Detachment 3. BillPeris, Ops Officerforthe445thFlightTestSquadron (F-16/T-38/C-12/KC-135 Flight

1991 leadingthefutureofaviation testinganddevelopment. Test) at EdwardsAFB. LynnGawell, Chiefofthe KnowledgeExploitation Div. at the NationalAir and Space IntelCenter,Wright PatAFB. James Hanley, HQ AMCTest andEvaluation, ScottAFB. Angie (Wallace) Suplisson, Commander ofthe HollomanAFB HighSpeedTestTrack; Rod Todaro, Ops Officer for the 419thFlightTestSquadron(BomberFlightTest) atEdwardsAFB; HankGriffiths, IPT Lead forthe F-35Air SystemVerification andCertification, CrystalCity,VA; andTodd Levine, Ops Officerfor theAlien StorageFacility outside LasVegas. What, you don’tbelieve that!

I’ll closewith a reflection on a new andchallengingassignment:BillyBarnes shared this perspective from his first fewmonths as the commander ofthe SERE SupportSquadron. “...not onlydo we traintheusual SERE studentsbut we’re also the tech school for SERE Specialists. Last month we went to Tillamook, OR for Coastal Phase (littoral and Open Ocean Survival). Along with floating in 20- man rafts in 10-foot swells, we also do parachutejumps into the ocean. Wehave two Zodiacs and a 16-footer.. .the SS Freakshow, used to fishjumpers and equipment out ofthewater.”

“Oddlyenough, over thelastmonth, myworst disciplineproblemhasbeen grads. Onfive separate occasions Ihavehadproblemswithgrads from ’04 and ’05 (allpilots) beingdisrespectful and unprofessionalwith theschool staff/ instructors and insubordinate with their SRO. I swear thesekids have an outrageous chip on theirshoulders. One was caughtgoingthroughhis F-16 Dash One,whilegoingthroughresistanceAcademics.. .makes me wonderifwe were anythinglike thatwhen we were lieutenants...

Yes, Billy, I’m sure we were!

Thanks for reading, folks! Nowthatyou’re done, please put this down, go online, and updateyourinformation on our USAFA91 web site. Thanks, and see you next time!

James S. Mehta

3802 Elbert Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22305 (703) 697-4511; DSN: 227-4511

james.mehta@ogn.af.mil

jamesmehta@pentagon.af.mil

jamesmehta@earthlink.net

42% Members

HappyHolidaysTrueBlue class! I hope this holiday season finds everyone prosperous in life both in spirit and endeavors. Michelle, Sarah, and I have enjoyed the first several months here in DC and I have been happy to see so manyfamiliarfaces inthePentagon. I was able to get on the ’92 e-maillistIhad heard ofandlocate a lot ofpeople. Elaine (Riley) Sersun initiatedthe list and has beenthe one who has organized the ’92 lunches. Mytiming was pretty good and Elaine organized anotherlunchin Oct, so I got to go. About 15 ofus met at one ofthe food courts in the Pentagon and had lunch together. It was good to see so manyfamiliarfaces and even a fewnot so familiar ones. It was a goodturnout, butthere are more ’92ers inthe Pentagon so hopefullywe will have an even better turnout next time. We even got a greatphoto!

First Row: Cindy Stein, Michael Weiss, James Mehta, Rick Bailey, Oleg Borukhin, Donna (Ward)Boyce, KrisMeyle, Alberto Cruz,JimDryjanski, and MarkSlocum. BackRow:DaveLindsay,PeteDoty,ElaineRiley, Kevin Westburg, PaulWilliams, and Tim Stong.

Visitor from Europe. I got a surprisephone call at work from Steve Wolf recentlywho was TDYto the Pentagon. Steve (cross-commissioned to the USMC) PCSed this summer to Stuttgart, Germanywhere he is assigned to EUCOM. We had him over fordinnerthat night and we had a greatvisit. He, Kaye, and the kids are enjoying another assignment in Germany. With two boysalready, Steve andKaye were happyto welcometheirthirdchild, Rachel, in the Spring. Stevehasalreadybeenbackto thePentagonTDYsince thatfirst visit and shouldbehereTDY once a quarter. I lookforward to gettingtogether withhimmuch more oftenhere in DC.

GoAirForce, Beat Navy! Well, it was a goodthought; too bad it didn’t turn out thatway. Anumber ofus fromthe DC area madethetrekout toAnnapolis to see the Falcons take on the Midshipmen. Even though the Falcons had a great season, theylost to Navy. I guess the Commander in Chief’s trophywill have to wait one more year. I went to the gamewith Dave Kumashiro andhis brother and his family. I didn’t run into too manyfamiliarfaces, but got an emailfromKeith Reeves afterwardwith a photo ofhimwith some classmates. Keithis currentlyon theACC staffworkingrequirements. He rodeup to theAir Force vs. Navy game with the Alberto Cruz, and hooked up with a couple other classmates.

Making a difference. I got an e-mail from SteveWhyte andhiswife, Steph, announcing they have started a foundation called A Place Called Home (APCHM). Steve and Steph have beenworkingfor a while and have finally gottenAPCHMstarted. Itis a non-profitcharitysupportingFosterandAdoptive Children. Here’s an excerpt fromtheir announcement, “No child ever chooses to bebom to a familythatdoes not care forthem. Everychild deserves to be in a lovinghomewith a familyto guide themandhelp themfulfillallthat they are supposed to do. It was because ofthisAPCHM was formed. We are so thrilled and thankful to allofyouwho have supported us withyour thoughts andprayers. This is a dream come true and we are so excited to see what God will do with it. Please feel free to check us out at www.apchm.org.” What an amazingundertaking! Itisvery exciting and gives me pride inthekind ofpeople who make up the Class of1992.

4

Sabre Society Donors

Small (Pentagon) world. Dave Kincaid e-mailed me with some info not realizingI was inthePentagon. He isworking intheAirForce Legislative Liaison office on CapitolHill. He was one ofthree ’92 gradswho recentlyinterviewedto bethe Air Force mil-aide to theVice President. Ofthe six applicants, three were from 1992—Mike Grismer, Dan “D-Day” Simpson, and Dave. Dan and Dave were selected for additionalinterviews with theVP’s personal staffand ultimately, Dan was selected and shouldbe “carryingthefootballfortheVP.” Congratulations Dan! Dave has been in his presentjob for over a yearworkingfortheAir Force House Liaison Office and hopes to get a Squadron Command in summer of’08. Dave and I have been trying to synch our schedules so wecan meet for lunch but have not been successfulyet. Hopefully, I can write in the next columnthat we finallyhad lunch on Capitol Hill.

I saw an e-mail come to my officeWorkflowbox (ifyou ever worked at the Pentagon,youwillunderstandthis) sentbyTimStong. I had not seen Tim in a verylongtime. He and I were smacks in CS-39 once upon a time. I senthim a reply, thenheaded offto the gym. Aftermyworkout, who doyou thinkI ran into? Ifyou said, “Tim, you are right. And, he had not even seen mye-mail yet. So years went bywithouthaving anycontact, then I saw an e-mail from him and ran into him allwithin an hour! Tim was one ofthosewho made it to the Pentagon lunch I mentioned earlier.

I mentionedRob Toblerlast column. He, Leisa, and theirthree kids PCSed toAndrewsAFB shortlyafterwe arrivedherethis summer. They are living out near theChesapeakeBayandRob is inthe 89th atAndrews.TheToblersvisited us for our openhouse in Oct. We hope to get outto visitthem sometime soon.

Ifthis column looked a little short, you’reright. So I’m not going to worry about repeatingwhat I wrote last time since manyofyou apparently didn’t read it. Please don’t forget to write me a short note and tell me aboutyourself andthe other ’92 grads you meet along the way. Until next time, enjoy the wonderful season, James.

Michael D. Sundsted

1805 Macadams Place

Alexandria, VA 22308

(703) 768-5664/Cel :(240) 338-9839

E-mail: Bravecwboy@cox.net

Class Website: www.highflight.com

87% Members

HappyHolidays ’93ers, Nonus Superatol Hope theyhave been great for you.. .forthosewho are deployed or are in harmswaywe thankyou and send our prayers to you and your families. What a fall! Can’t believe we lost to Navy.. .what a game! I ran into BrendanHarris, Lisa (Lau) Proscoe andKelley Vanderbilt there. We allhad a greattime catchingup. Some even enjoyed my tastyOktoberfestHomebrew—Kelley! I am sure all were as excited as I was to see that we absolutelythumped Notre Dame! Ifwe canjustbeatSDSUhandily we’ll have a great Bowl Game! On to the news...

First andforemost, I am happyto announce that our class President,Wispy Speros (“Bill” in the legalworld) andhiswife,Amanda, are theproudparentsofabeautifulbabygirlnamedIsabellaLena! Wispysays he is happythatAmanda was solid as a rockbecause he was awreck! Congrats andwe can’twaitto see some pictures (hint)!

Received an update from Rich Benda. He is currentlythe ChiefofCurrent Operationsforthe 23 OSS atMoodyAFB. He and his wife, Suzanne, have their hands full with four kids (ages4-9). AfterhisT-38C tour atVance, Richwentto ayearof A-10 requal, followedby ayearremotevacationin Koreaand then to Moody. Sincehis return he hashad a significantimpactinhelpingthe FlyingTigers transitionfromPope to MoodyandtheA-1OC. Whilebeingqualified in that aircraft he had the opportunity of“lifetime” whenhe met withthe first FlyingTigerCommander, BGen (ret) TexHill.

Richhas run into severalofour ’mates. DaveAbeggis livingin southFlorida and has been out oftheAF for severalyears. Trevor Matsuo is at NPS in California. Mike Meyeris ChiefofPlans at Osan stilllovinglife intheA-10. Lamar Settlemiresis still atTinkerfaithfullyserving as anAWACsMissionCommander. Travis Mason is living in SouthCarolina. Rob Borchertis livingin Minneapolis, MN and MarkNassir is at LangleyAFB.

PhilTuckerbumpedintoJasonMills atthe Colorado Springsairport. Both are doing well. Phil is currendy the AOC for CS-39 at our alma mater! Go Cool Campus Rads! Hewillbedepartingtherewithinthe nextyearfor a TBD assignment—can’twaitto see wherehegoes. Jasonis currentlythe (ahem), Executive Assistantto theViceChiefofStaffoftheAirForce! Heliveslessthan 15milesfrom myhouse. Hopefullywe can gettogether soon andhave a tastybeverage! Jason bumped in to Rico Pietrykowskiwho recentlystartedwith SouthwestAirlines.

MattYocumsayseverythingisgoingwellwithhisassignmentandhe’s evenhad a litde time forfun. As reportedinthelast edition, he andhiswife,Ann Marie, have enjoyed a scuba divingjauntinEgypt as well as entertaining allthedignitaries. Matthas had continued success with Marvel Comics and is lookingto mid-Decemberwhenhisfirstbig“breakthrough” comic, MemorialDay, will be released. Excellentwork! I forgot to includethe picturelast Checkpoints'.

MattandAnn Mariein fsrael.

Mike McClung checks in fromthe Pentagonwhere heworks on theJ2Joint Staff. He enjoyed his Director of Ops tour with an RC-135 intel squad at Mildenhall and then went to IDE atAFIT.He enjoys the DC/Maryland area withhis family,wife,Angela, andthree girls,Taylor, Tori andTatum. Also in the DC area is Karim Moore who works for a local engineering firm and most notablya contestant on Jeopardy—I’lltake 93 stars for$500Alex! Heandhis wife, Lesa, have two boys. Also, congratulations go to Mike forreceiving the cabinet-level innovation award from the Director ofNational Intelligence. Thanks forleadingthewayMike! Congrats!

From left are ChuckFord (AirStaff), Alberto Cruz (JFCOM), me (ACCHQ Staff), ClarenceLukes (AirStaff), EnriqueCruz (D.C. area) and GaryJenkins (AirStaff).

Mike andfamilyat theDNIawards ceremony.

Dan OverlandhascheckedinfromAlaska! Dan lefttheAFforanothercalling -Dan has become a minister. He is reallyfocusedandenjoysthe endless possibilities. Hewillbe three hours fromAnchorageby car, but only20 minutes byairplane. He is enjoyingthat hewillbe flyingagain.. .no jets this time, only a Navajo, Seneca, Maul andPiperPacer. They are hopingto add anotherPacer and a DHC Beaver. Congrats on your career move andbestwishes to you and yourfamily!

Dan ran into Steve “Dallas” Horton on his Thunderbird farewell tour in Duluth, MN. Also, Steve Chambaljustchangedjobs atWright-Patterson, OH and isworkingfor a 4-star—onward and upward Steve!

RodHynesopinesfromtheUSArmy’s 101 st Airborne. OursharpArmyMajor recentlyreturnedfromanotherOIF deployment. Theydeployedfor a fullyear andflewthousands ofhoursinsupportofcoalitionforces. He is stillflyingthe AH-64D LongbowApache and is the BattalionXO. He was promoted below the zone to Lt Col (no doubt)! He updates us on JimOrahoodwho is living in San Francisco. Ifanyone is in the Fort Campbell area, please lookhim up! Thanks forreturningsafelyandunscathed!

BrianAllenwrites fromTuscumbia,AL. He isworkingforATK as a PM on an Israeli Defense Program as well as finishing up his MBA! He ran into Luke Ahmann andnoticedhehad pinned on to Lt Colalready. His is inBurlington, VT flying F-16s.

JamesBruce dropped us an emailletting us knowhehasfinishedlawschool at the College ofCharleston and he is still a C-17 IP/Squadron Exec. He and wife, Stacey, are planning on starting a familysoon!

Hope everyone has a safe Holiday and greatwinter! Mike

C.C. M. Masotti

PSC 116, Box 215

APO AE 09777

W: +33-1-43-12-26-69 or 202-536-2780, 1 (for English) X2669

Cell: +33-6-25-74-69-13

cc.masotti@yahoo.com

(Two Sabre Society Donors)

(Editor’snote: Unfortunately we didnotreceive an inputfrom C.C. bypress time. Pleasesendheryourinformationforthenextmagazine.)

R. Travis Koch

5304 Sports Club Lane

Suffolk, VA 23435

Home: (757) 686-2607

Cell: (850) 499-8242

richard.koch@langley.af.mil

traviskoch@yahoo.com

his remote to Korea. Brian Murphyis attached to the 88th FTS flying IFF as a memberofthe 80th OSS. Todd Bolingeris here flyingT-38Cs and is on his way to IDE. They are welcoming a new addition to the Bolingerfamily soon.

IDE: Dave O’Malleyis at AFIT in Ohio. Steve Klingman is at ACSC, with DamonAnthonyand DylanBaumgartner. Dylan is writing USAF doctrine (WTFO?) and is enjoying classic reruns of the movie Airplane. The Baumgartnersjustfinished a two-year tour at Osan, traveled to eight countries inthe Pacificregionandscubadivedinfive ofthem. Dylan is amongst other ’95ers Doug Musselman andStephenRenythere at Maxwell inACSC. Josh Hetsko is enjoying a year at the USArmy’s CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. RustyDriggers is there as well. I couldn’tfitthewholeIDE listhere, but congratulations to all that made it to school.

5

Members

(ScribeUpdate:As I take a shortandmuchneededbreak,Jamie Mosswillbe filling in for this winter GoldTag issue. Additionally, Chris Buckleywill be penning the upcomingspring article. Keep forwarding your info to either Jamie, Chris, or me; we’re all on the global. I’llbebackwritingthe fallupdate.) ThanksTravis. Startmakingthose college tuition checks out to mytwo boys. Cha’ching! Aftermy remote to Bahrain, I’mhere at Sheppard in the 89th FTS flyingamongst many’95ersenjoyingtheAETClife. I’ll startwiththe near rocks at ENJJPT.

Here at Sheppard: Brad Segerhas stepped out ofactive dutyflyingVipers in Alaskaand hasjoinedtheTotalForce, as a Reservist flyingT-38Cswith the 97th FTS. Hisfamilyhassettledinwell on theirreturnto NorthTexas. JasonEvenson is here at Sheppard, as an IFF IPwiththe 88th FTS. Theyhave fourkids ages 1 through 7 and are doingwell. SteveLygrenhas returned to hisT-37ways after

Random Update #1: Matt Liljenstolpe is at Randolph, as well as Brad Glenn who’s manning the F-16 porch. Chris Buckleyhas departedRandolph, then Ecuador, and is enduring a hardship tour to Hickam. Speaking ofbeing on the shoreline (albeit farther North), is Drew Rydland flying F-16s on a Norwegian exchange to Bodo, Norway. Ifyou haven’t seen him speakNorwegian, search the USAF webpageandwatchthevideo. Good stuff. MuraliKrishnanjustgraduatedthe MITSloanSchoolofBusinesswith an MBAandgothiredbyBaininMassachusetts. Congratulations!

Sabre Society Donors

Random Update #2: Chad Feucht has departed hiswork on the F-35 with LockheedMartinAero in Ft.Worth, as well as his stintwith the 457th FS. Hejust returned from a two-month tour to Balad doinggreatworkdroppingiron and isTDYto Tyndall in route to ElmendorfAFB. Congrats on F-22 selection and goodluckwithyour move to the greatwhite north. He says theFeuchtfamily islookingforward to theirupcomingAlaskanadventure. Chadwill be a fulltime Lockheed Operations Support guy and part-time Raptorpilot in the USAFR. KarlKochwillbePCSingfromAviano to Lukebythe timeyoureadthis to beginhisAETC transition. Karl’s doingwell and is now married. Karl and wife, Amanda, have a daughter,Angelina. Also at Luke are Rob Bradeen and family. Theywill be departing Luke soon onward to greater USAF assignments. TimPiccinis nowflyingVipers inthe Reserves atHomestead. Hetraded in his Ferrari for a Porsche. Lookhim up ifyou’re in Miami. Also in the Reserves is Mike Bachtellis flyingA-10swiththe47th FS at Barksdale. JimGourde isup andflyingwiththeArkansas Guard, as well as working a cushycontractor simulator trainingjob that keeps him home. Jim andAmyhave three little ones, girls ages 6 and 4, and the “little man” age 2.

Random Update #3: Tristan Lai is still in, and is doing quite well as a 2006 medicalschoolgraduateandnowfirst-yearanesthesiologyresidentattheUSAF’s flagshiphospital,WilfordHall, inSanAntonio. IwishI could sayas muchforhis fantasyfootballteam, butnonethelessthanksforrackingup my“W” columnin FF. Tristan has been married for four years to the former MichelleWeiss of Glenbeulah,WI. TheLaishave abeautiful 14-month-olddaughternamedKaitlyn Rose. Speakingofour class of 1995 doctors, Dr. Josh Bobko andwife, Glenda, areout. JoshishalfwaythroughisemergencymedicineresidencyinD.C. They plan on beingthereuntil atleast2010. Dr. PeteMichaelsonandfamilyare doing well atWPAFB. Pete’s a staffENT surgeon andsays to send all nose jobs hisway. Check out Pete’s recent forayinto deerhuntingbelow.

Dr.PeteMichaelson bagginga buck on openingday2007.

RandomUpdate#4: DrewMorrisonisflyingSeymourJohnson F-15Es inthe desertandis rumored to beengaged. Congrats! NickGuttmanis stillflyingthe Eagle. The Guttmans are stationedin Elmendorfenjoying the strange day/ nightAlaskanlifestyle andthosebalmyspringdayswithfourfeet ofsnow. Rob Teschner is working at the CAOC-7 in Larissa, Greece, on an accompanied remote. Rob is marriedto theformerMiss DianePack (as ofJan2005) andthey have an almosttwo-year-old son namedMichael. Rob finished upACSC last year and isTDY a lot to Italy, Germany, etc.

Visit the AOGWeb Site

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org

ChrisBisbano andJuan Robinson while atBagramAB,Afghanistan.

RandomUpdate #5: Chad Green is a first officerwith Southwest. The Green family is enjoying San Antonio. Chad runs into Paul Songy and Scoop Sciantarelli as well as Ron Storeyevery now and then. All are F.O.s at Southwest. AdamVelie is working in Colorado Springs doing fantasticworkwith Booz,Allen, and Hamilton, a civilianconsultingfirmto the DoD. Chris Bisbano is currentlyTDYtoAfghanistan andhasbecome Bagram’s 1995 socialbutterfly, runningintoJuanRobinson and Curtis Green. SteveBoatrightis doingwell at Nellis. Brian Bradford is now a lawyer and is doingwell. Kevin Mosleyand DonnyEnglish are also attorneys on theEastCoast. Carmine Punzianoisflying with FedEx and with the Reserves. Anyone heard from Corbett Magotra? DonnyKang? Pete Swansonhas returned to Minnesota as a financial analyst. He’steachingyouthhockeyandkickingmybuttinfantasyfootball. IhearJohnny Fontenotisflyingat Laughlin. TomColvinandDanandRaquelWasilauskyare all still in enjoyingwhatthe USAF has to offer.

Well, that wraps it up from here. I hope this finds you and yours safe for Christmas andthe NewYear.

StayGold andGodspeed! Jamie

Melissa S. Cunningham

15660 Candle Creek Drive Monument, CO 80132

(719) 487-3071/DSN: 333-4405

Melissa.cunningham@usafa.af.mil or melcunningham@msn.com

HappyHolidays Bricks! Hope all is well and thatyou are enjoying some downtime. We are having anotherwhite Christmas in Colorado. Unfortunately, it will most likely be our last for a while. After two awesome years, Fred’sAOC tour is comingto an endnext summer andheneeds to getbackto flying. I’m sure our next assignmentwillbe great, but man, Colorado is tough to beat!

I saw the message traffic on the recent schools listpublication and it looks likethere are some greatfolks cominginthis summer to starttheAOC program and manyothers are headed to different IDE programs. Congrats to all the TABs headedfor school:

AOCs: ShawnAnger, Joe Howard,JohnOrchard, and JeffSchreiner

ACSC: Lisle Babcock, ClayBartels, PK Carlton, Rich Dwyer,TommyGates, Russ Gorecki, Robert Kelly, DougSeymour,JohnVargas, BrettWaring, David Winebrener, andParkerWright.

AF LegislativeFellows: JuanAlvarez, Martin Daack,JenniferHammerstedt, Chad Igl, Nicole Malachowski, and George Schwartz

AFIP-AMC:TonyCaparella, RobertHilliard, and ChrisVanHoof

AFIP-DC: Chris Nemeth and BrandonWilkerson

AFIP-SOF: DougDistaso

AFIT: Kevin Beeker, Steve Fino, Brian Pardee, and DanWalls

Army CS: Bob Bryant, Joyce Storm (Gange), Sean Martin and Stephen Matthews

Navy CS: Carmeron Caroom, JonathanDowning, andWilliam Fry

ASAM: Chris Lanier, MegMartin, Kirk Reagan, andAllison Trinklein

German CS: PaulBaker

Korean CS: MatthewSimmons

NDIC: James Hughes, JonPlasterer, andThomas Ste Marie

NPS: Thomas Davis, JeremyQuatacker, andTodd Robbins

PhD: Jasin Cooley, RyanHall, and Kristi Lowenthal

TheEnglehartFamily(Familyvacationinsouthern Germany)

I received an updatefrom our classmatesEllen (Miller) EnglehartandJames Englehart. Theybegandatingwhile at USAFAandwere marriedjustdays after graduation. Theymissedoutonour10-yearreunionbecause theywere inthe midst ofmoving overseas. Now, they are now living in Bucharest, Romania. Ellen is a Foreign Service officerwith the U.S. State Department, andJames works for SAIC. TheybothworkattheU.S.Embassyin Bucharest. Theyarrived in July2006 and will be there until summer 2009. Theyhave two children, a son (Marcus, age 7), and a daughter (Megan, age 2).

Ellen was active dutyAF from 1996-2003. She attended graduate school at TexasA&M Universityandaftergraduationthenwent on toAFIntelSchool. Her assignmentsincluded F.E.WarrenAFB andHollomanAFB. Ellen deployed to Vicenza,ItalyduringOperationALLIED FORCE. In2003, she decided to separatefrom theAF tojointheForeign Service.

James was active dutyAF from 1996-2005. He earned his MA fromTroy State University. James’ postings included F.E. Warren AFB and Holloman AFB. James deployed to Sigonella NAS, SicilyduringOperationIRAQI FREEDOM.

In2005, he decided it was time to separate to keep the family together andhejoined SAIC.

Theyhaveenjoyedmanyblessingsandopportunitiessince graduating from theAcademy. Ifyou’re ever backpacking through EasternEurope, youhave a place to stayin Bucharest. Justgivethem a shout atjmzandln@aol.

I also got an e-mail update from Kelly (Gargac) Aldrich. She and her husband, Joe (VMI ’93 grad), alongwith their two dogs, Shadow and Lady, are enjoying all that NewMexico has to offer. Joe is a major in the Reserves and also works for Northrop Grumman. Kellypinned on major 1 Oct and is a Reserve IMAfor theAirborne Laser SystemProgram Office (SPO).

Inhersparetime, Kellystartedher own business: KellyAldrichPhotography (www.KellyAldrichPhotography.com). She is sellinggreeting cards to local shops,participatingin art shows such as the annual NewMexicoVeteran’sArt show, and attending arts and crafts fairs. They also have stayedverybusyby volunteeringforchurch activities, includingVacation Bible SchoolwhereKelly directsthe skits as well as takeshundredsofphotos ofthekids. Some othervery exciting news: KellyandJoe are expectingtheirfirstbaby on 31 March.

Let’s hearitfor theFalcons! Joe andKellyAldrich with Kevin and Nicole McGowan attheAFA v. UNMgame.

ChrisBisbanoandCurtis Green armedanddangerous.

Kelly and Joe met up with Kevin and Nicole McGowan at the AFA v. New Mexico game inAlbuquerque. Unfortunatelythe Falconslostthe close match, but itwasn’t for lack ofcheering. The McGowan’s PCSed to the HQAir Force Safety Center (AFSC) at KirtlandAFB, NM in July, 2007, fromWinnipeg, MB, Canadawhere Kevin was serving an exchange officertour as an instructor at the Canadian Forces InstrumentCheckPilot School flyingthe C-90. Currently, he is an Action Officer, or FlightAccident Investigator,workingin the Flight SafetyDivision. He is also assigned as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) forthe C-17, C-5, andC-141 andanAssistantSMEfortheMQ-1 andtheMQ-9. Butwas keepsKevinandNicolemostbusyis attemptingto keepupwiththeir18-monthold daughterEmily. Kevinmisses flying, buthasthoroughlyenjoyed the time at home andthe newjob.

Jen Caballero (Spindlej, Melissa Cunningham (Davidson), LoriRasmussen (Edinger), KerreMeffre (Ellis),Andrea Vinyard, MelissaPhillips (Baumann) and Tracy Coyne (Dupree) at the Courthouse forKerre and Ludo Meffre’s wedding.

Last May, a smallcontingent ofbricks headed out to Avignon, France to attend Kerre Ellis’s and Ludo Meffre’swedding. Ludo’s familydid an incredible jobhosting all ofKerre’sAmerican family and friends. We had a wonderful time exploringtheMeffre familyvineyards and samplingthe differentwines. Theweddingwas beautiful and the service was conducted in English and in French. Ludo’sfathermade a touchingspeechwelcomingKerre to theirfamflywhich sent all the girlslookingforKleenex. We were allveryimpressed that Kerre memorized her vows in French. I knowfrom helping Kerre study for Astro 310 thatthis was no smallfeat. JustkiddingKerre. The receptionfollowingtheweddingwas one forthebooks. When we left the followingmorning at 6 am to catch a train, the partywas stillgoingstrong. Since thewedding, the Meflre’shave a newadditionto theirfamily, abeautifulbabyboy,CassidyMeffre. Congrats to Kerre and Ludo!

That’sallIhaveforthisarticle. Pleaseinclude me onyourChristmasupdates! Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy NewYear! Ciao, Mel

Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr.

756 Granite Drive Ofallon, IL 62269

mel_maxwell97@hotmail.com

mel.maxwell@ustranscom.mil

72% Members

Bythe time this is in print, hopefullyyou are all enjoying a wonderful holidayseason. I’ve got a bit more news thanlastupdate thanks especiallyto our 10-yearreunionweekendthispastSeptemberwhichstartedoffwiththat great AirForce overtimevictory over TCU. Itwas greatto see everyone allgrownup. I must say, as a class, we stilllookprettygood...some a little bigger, some a little grayer, butstilllookinggoodnonetheless. Go to www.youtube.comandsearch USAFA97 for a clip entitled“Murphpigs out” for a video glimpse ofsome our

classmates enjoyingthemselves over the weekend. Thevignette was documentedbyBradHoltmeierand starsTimMurphy. Appearances are also made by DJ Leary, Julie (Thode) and Brian Mulloy, Matt Anderson, Todd Eilers, Rusty Hoss, Jeremy Potvin, Alex Pupich, Mark Kilgore, Lee Guthrie (C-17 exchangepilot inAustralia) and Matt Horin (living in Florida, doing oil rig workfor Shell).

Here are some notes I gathered on some folks over the reunionweekend: TanjiJohnson remains a force to be reckonedwith in the fitnessworld and is ponderingrelocatingto LosAngeles. Anupdate to theAmerican Gladiators television program is in development and Tanji is in the running to be a Gladiator.. .keep yourfingers crossed forher. JerryHallmanis at Fort Lewis inWashington. Thanks to his enlisted time and the four years at the Academycountingtowardhis total active dutyservice time, Jerryis onlyfouryears awayfrom retirement... sweet deal. TyBarbery lives in Spokane and works for Edward Jones. Marcus RandallandfamilyrecentlyPCSedbackto the Colorado Springs area. OlinLau andfamily are in Oklahoma City butmayalso bereturningthe Springs area soon. DennisUyechiis at Shriever. He and his wife were expectingtheir first child in November. JasonJohnson and Laura Goodman are AOCs at theAcademy.

JackiePercymovedfromSpangdahlemandis attheAcademyinFamilyPractice and is looking forward to a November trip to Bali with her family. Felix “Keepsgettingbiggereverytimeyou see him” Johnfinn, ChrisAnastasio, Dom Martin, CarolPalmer, andMattQuatrara are allinthe DC area. Mattis out and is practicing lawinVirginia. Kim (Reed) Campbell is at Nellis butherphotograph and storyofherApril 03 A-10 mission is prominentlydisplayed at the WomeninMilitaryService forAmericaMemorialinDCwhich I saw on a recent TDY. ShannonCaryandherhusband are HillAFB...Shannonjustgotout, and atthetimeofthereunion, was fourmonthspregnantwithherfirst son. Shannon was excited to goingtoAnnaBarr’s upcomingweddingin Portland.

JeffKing is at KeeslerAFB. Myfirst semester four degree roommate Dave Dengleris in Hawaiiwithhiswifeandtwo kids. MattMalouinworks as a bond traderfor MerrillLynch in Manhattan andjudgingbythe size ofthe rockhis fiance was sportingatthefootballgame, Mattis doingverywellforhimself! Jen Brannan is a Reservist C-17 pilot. Someone told me JimmyFuller andfamily are at Scott AFB along with Chris Kay who works for the AMCIG. Kristin (Stovall) andVic Pereira and their two daughters are at Davis Monthan. Jim Thomas is a pilotfor SouthwestAirlines and is in the Guard in Jackson, MS. OmarVelasco isworkingComm at LacklandAFB and isbusywiththree-yearold twin boys.

Ran into a few ofmy CS- 13 classmates.. .Mitzi Braswell is at Nellis. Karl Gregoris out and lives in Boston. Rob Torres (stationed at Laughlin) and his wife and son Samuel sat behind me duringthefirsthalfofthe football game. That is about all I could remember.. .send me your post reunion news and notes so I can get them in the next update!

Louella andMel atNotreDame Stadium.

On a personalnote, I’dlike to mentionthatformerclassmateLouellalively and I have recently become engaged. Louella coached volleyball for four years at Notre Dame so theAir Force-Notre Dame footballweekend in November seemed like a great time to pop the question. Louella said “yes” and the Falcons dominated Notre Dame so it was a great weekend all around. Thanks to Wendy Palatinuswho made the trip to South Bend to spend the weekendwith us andwatchthe game. Additionally, there was a NikkiHarris (stationed at MacDill) andMatt Smith sightingin South Bend.

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YOUR MONEYHELPS FUND CADETWING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

FourDegree Grim Reapers Reunited: Louella Lovely, Jason Puckett, Mel, ChrisKay, FelixJohnfinn andDaveDengler.

NikkiandSmittytakingin theAFvictoryoverNotreDame.

Well, that is about all I have for this go round. Again, send me your post reunion news so I can get themincluded in the next update. Until next time...Mel.

Karin McWhorter

8243 Oasis Bloom St. North Las Vegas, NV 89085 (702) 476-4304

mcwhorters@hotmail.com

HappyHolidays! It is hard for me to believe that it is already the holiday season. Itis crazyhowmuchfasterlife moves lately. We are finallycompletely settled in LasVegas andadjustingto our steadystream ofvisitors. Vegas is a lot more popular than Korea for family and friends! As far as classmates go, I recently ran into Russ Brown, whojustleft active dutyfor the Reserves and is makingthe transition from KC-135 to UAVs with a local Reserve squadron. I also heard that KirbyEnsser and family are headed to the area, buthaven’t seen themyet. Ok, now fortheupdates— lots ofnew babies!

Chris Olsen wrote thatafter about eightyears ofreceiving birthannouncements, he finallygot to write one. Chris and Susan (Canady) welcomed averyhealthyson, namedMicah, on the 12th ofSeptember. Lastlheardtheywereadjustingto lifewithbabyand doinggreat.

Charley and Melissa (Cabot) Parent are also new parents to a babyboy. Ryden Stewart was born on July 22nd They couldn’tbe happier and althoughtheyenjoyedtraveling and savingmoney, theywonderwhytheydidn’t start a familynineyears ago! They are currently inMonterey, CAwhere Charleyis aJapanesestudent at DLI. Melissaseparated in Sep 05 andis an IMAwithHQUSFJ atYokotaAB. Theywillbeheadingback toJapaninMarchwhere Charleywillbe an exchange officerwiththeJapanese Air SelfDefense Force in Nagoya.

nouncement never ran. So, here it is: Connor ReidJohnson was born on February5th,2007atMikeO’CallaghanFederalHospitalonNellisAFB. Brandon is in the F- 15E division ofthe 422 Test and Evaluations Squadron. I have attachedtheir originalfamilyphoto as well as an updatedversion.

Lastly, I heard from Lori Powell, CalvinPowell’swife. They are stationed at RAFLakenheathandheisflyingwiththe493dGrimReapers. Their sonJackson is3 l/2nowandgrowinglikeaweed. PT’senjoyingbeingbackin an Operational squadronbutis also currentlythe OSOflightcommanderinthe OSS. Theylove livingin England andhavebeentravelingEurope as much as possible!

I also got an update from Carrie Johnson, wife ofBrandon Johnson. She actuallywrote to me before myinfamous computer crash andherbirth an-

That is it forthe updates this time. Whenyou are sending out yourholiday greetings, shoot me an e-mailforthe next update. Have a greatholiday season —Karin

James W. Busch

1697A Borneo St. Clovis, NM 88101 (505) 693-2266

DSN: 681-6521

Buschfl6@yahoo.com

james.busch@cannon.af.mil

Class - well, after a two issue hiatus here we are again, fresh fromAndersen AFB, Guam andanotherAEF. Anditwas there,halfwayaroundtheworld inthe jungles ofthewestern PacificwhereI ran into ourveryown ScottWeyermeller. After some time as an engineer, Scott had his eyes doneand gotPQ. He went UPT at Sheppard and then on to the mighty B-52. He and his family are now at Barksdale where Scott is an aircraftcommander and scheduler. We took a sweetpicturetogetherinfrontofour respectivejetsbutit’slost on theAndersen AFB server somewhere.

Sean Baerman, nowyourofficial alternate scribe so you don’tgowithout an articlewhen I take avacation, writes fromDM:After two years in Korea, I’m at the FTU now with every otherZoomie in our year group that fliesA- 10s. We hadTeague Connorin Februaryin Korea. Paul Brown is going to be the next A-10 West Coast Demo pilot. Chris Rust just got picked up forWIC. Will Reynolds andAndy Kamatarisjust got here fromAlaska (this summer) and Korea (lastmonth), respectively. MikeBullard isALMOST officially out ofthe AF, with a future life TBD.

Sean, his wife, Mandy, and theirson Teague Connor.

Otherthan Sean, I haven’theardfrom many on active duty. I’m guessiri you all are busyjustlike me. I did hearfrom a fewofthe growingnumberofretirees. Michelle Nunez wrote to saythis: I separated fromAD into the Reserves aboutthreeyears ago andhavebeen able to come back to SchrieverAFB here inColorado Springs as both a government contractor and a Reservistin Space Command dealingwith satellite operations. Between thatand an almostfour year old I stayprettybusythese days. We recentlybuilt a house in Monument outsidetheNorthgate, and are here forthelonghaul. In mysister-AD squadron, I ran into Rob Giles and Dan Rios. Both are doingwell, butlike me, have

Sabre Society Boners

ChrisandSusan (Canady) Olsen and son Micah;and CharleyandMelissa (Cabot) Parentwith son Ryden.

TheJohnsonFamilyshortlyafterConnor's birth anda morerecentphoto of Carrie, Connor, Brandon andAudrey.

Lori, Jackson and Calvin Powell at a Chateau in theLoire Valley, France.

takentheAFup on theirForceShapingoffer. Robandhisfamilyseparatedinthe summer andtook ajob inCalifornia, butitwas greatto catchupwithhimforthe 18 months or so we had together. Dan Rios andhis wife, Jen (’99), recently welcomedtheirthirddaughter to thefamily. Dan also recentlyseparated this summer andheadedwith his familybackeast. Finally, JakeLacock also took advantage to Force Shapingandtransitionedto similargovt, contractorjob up at BuckleyAFB in Denver at thebeginning oftheyear. Also ran into Charlton WarrenandMattTarabarrelli,bothofwhomliveinmyneighborhood. Charlton ishalfwaythru aspecial-dutytourofsorts,workingas one oftheassistantcoaches withthefootballteam. Mattandhiswife are expectingtheirfirstthisfall. Matt justtransferredto theReservesinAugust, butisstillteachingthecadets atUSAFA howto fly. Thanks Michelle forallthe news! Anotherretiree, Ben Glon, separated in Feb 2006 and took a job with BearingPointinWashington, D.C. Hehadoriginallyintended to separateinNovemberof2005 butHurricaneKatrinagotin thewaywhenhe was stationed at KeeslerAFB in Biloxi, MS. He stayed on to assistin recoveryoperationsuntilFeb ’06. Tim Kline finished law school at the University ofKentucky and will be moving with his wife to NYC where he’s taking ajobwith a mid-townfirm. He saw Hans Larsenlast summer, atMcGuire. Hans isflyingC-17sandhas two handsome and rambunctious little boys. His wife, Angela, won the yard ofthe monthaward severaltimes. Chris Malpass, hiswife, Rebecca, and theirthree kids have taken thebonus, gotten out oftheAF, and Chris is going to flyfor a small private “timeshare-style” airline. Theyplan on settling in Colorado Springs. GreatupdateTim and best ofluckin thebigcity.

Lastly, in case you didn’tknowor missedthelastinstallment, we have a direct lineto theAOGvia our own RobMishev. Rob sentthefollowingupdate: Kathleen Smits (Burke) isseparatingfromtheAFandtheCEDepartmentinAugustand will be going to get her PhD at Colorado School ofMines. MattAyers, after sevenyears as an acquisitions rangerand one teaching at USAFA, isleavingthe DFMfamilyandAF in Septemberto be a full-time studentin theological and intercultural studies (PasadenaandColorado Springs).You can contact him at matthew633a@gmail.com. D’Anne Spence (Emmett) is helping out the Superintendent as hisAide-de-Camp. Steve Clarkis separatingfrom theAF and the Math Departmentand is headed to Boston to work as a consultantfor an ops research firm. ShawnaBowshot (Wartner) and Scott Bowshot sayhello! ShawnaisintheBio DeptandScottis separatinginSeptandisfiguringoutwhat to do with his life! Rob Mishev, after a string ofpaper cuts, Tongue & Quill overdoses, and using too much PowerPoint, will be separating in Aug (rmishev@gmail.com). He is goingback eastwhere hewilllive inManhattan, workforMcKinsey& Company as a consultant, and amplifyhis contemptfor theYankees. Rob also volunteered to be the 1999 class senate officer and is lookingforanythoughtsyoumighthave to strengthentheAOG. Pleasevisitthe 1999 blog athttp://usafal999.blogspot.com/ andshareyourideas,whichRob will advocate to the Class Senate andAOGBoard. To learn more about the Class Senate, pleasevisithttp://www.usafa.org/about/ClassAdvisorySenate .aspx or contact Rob directly.

Withthat, theBuschclanis out the door to LukeAFBwhere I’m sure I’llhave the chance to catch up withmany more ofyou. Until then. James

Jason“JW" Simmons

3524 Lakeside Drive Shreveport, LA 71119 jason.simmons@us.af.mil Simmons@USAFA2000.com

Notmanyupdatesthistime,butconsideringmyemailaddressis nowblocked by most email providers, it’s no wonder. So, from here on until something better comes along, I’ll onlybe sending out a class news update reminder to the USAFA2000Yahoo Group. Classmates canjoinbyemailing USAFA2000subscribe@yahoogroups.com and followingthe linkprovidedbyYahoo (no need to create aYahoo account). And now forthe news...

Dave Anderson separated in June and moved back to Colorado with his wife,Jena, andtheir two daughters, Camille andAva. Dave’s working for IBM in Boulder and is completing a Master’s Degree inInformationSystemswith the UniversityofColorado at Denver. Here’s a picture ofDave on one ofhis many trips to Iraqlast spring. (See photo at top ofnext column.)

Tom Bozung andTracy (Tinianow) Bozung are bothworking at Davis-MonthanAFB. Tracyisworkingintheprimary care clinic aftercompletingherfamilymedicineresidency. Tom is flying HH-60 Pavehawks withthe 55th Rescue Sqd. Theyadded another dog, Emmy, a yellowlab, to the family, whichwill expandagaininlate Maywiththebirthoftheirfirstchild. ThenTom leaves inJune for a three-month deployment to Iraq.

Aaron Dripps is on his second deploymentwith the JSTARS. He andwife Amy, daughterAshley (4) and son Caleb (2) are settling intoWarner Robins

DaveAnderson

after a PCS fromTinker. Dripps and Rory Stein spent the summer flying togetherfor a rotationinthe desertbefore RorytooktheVSR He spent some time with his parents shortlyafter andjust got hiredby ContinentalAirlines. He should be startingtrainingbefore the end oftheyear.

As September, Dare’ Rapanotti turned GREEN and is currentlystationed at FT Jackson, SC for sixmonths ofpersonneltraining. Follow-on is stillTBD, but she will probablybe heading to Iraq for a 15-month deployment. She is engaged to an ArmyCaptain and willwed sometime nextyear. In her spare time, she startedher own businesswith MaryKayCosmetics.

Brent Starkdecided to take advantage ofVSR He separatedSept 1st and got hired bySouthwestAirlines. He has enjoyed a fewmonths ofvacationwhile waitingto startwith Southwest. He also foundtime to propose to hiswonderful girlfriend Lisa andwill be getting married next Julyin Seattle.

Please submit something to me when you read this or anytime you think about it. You don’thave to wait to get an email; you can send me your“Class News” at anytime. As forme, Capt/Dr. MelissaHergan andI are planning a big weddingforApril on BarksdaleAFB. Otherthan that, you mayhave seen me in Airman magazine or elsewhere “updatingtheAF’s antivirus protection”. I’m havingfun as a Crew Commander and part-time Combat Ops Division Chiefas we look at mergingAFNETOPS with theAOC community.

I lookforward to hearing fromyou! Thanks. Jason

FaithDunn (Hitchcock) 6423 NW 94th Court Johnson, IA 50131 faithd03@hotmail.com

67% Members

Heythere ’Olers. I got tons ofupdates this time so I won’t waste anytime gettingto them!

Mike Gosmawrote a quickline thathe and Matt Heppjustgraduated from the B-course atLukeAFB. He will be movingto Shawwhile Matt is going to Misawa. He also ran into Paul Kileenwho will be an IP at Luke for awhile.

RaulandAngela (Feldman) Ochoa sentanupdateabouttheirverybusyyear. After PCSing fromAnchorage to Little RockAFB in thebeginning ofthe year, theyboth deployed toAfghanistan. Theygothome inAugustandspenttheir muchneeded R&Rwithfamilyand friends in Phoenixand Knoxville. After settiingin for a short time, Raulleftfor SOS inOctoberandAngelajustmissedhimwhenheadingto SOS the nextmonth. They’llget to spend some time togetherbefore heading outfor anotherdeploymentinApril2008. Raul heard fromAndrew Ignash - he was an SOS Instructor at Maxwell and just separated from the AF in October and started his dreamjob inTampa, FLworking for a company thatmanages theFloridawetlands.

Jesse Goolsbyis at school at the University ofTennessee with a follow-on to USAFA-he and hiswife, Sarah, welcomed theirfirst baby (agirlnamedEllaJane) inJuly. Kylene Grove is at NellisAFB attendingschool. Iheardthroughthe grapevine thatStuartStantonis gettingmarriedinDecernber. Dave Schichtlefinishedup as the355thWing’s exec atDavis-MonthanAFB and was selected to go to lawschoolundertheAF Excess Leave Program. He’s inthe secondyearoflawschoolinLansing, MI and gotthechance to do a legal internship atUSAFAlast summerwherehe ran into a coupleclassmates - Brian Mills andJanee (Gianotti) Homan.

Visit the AOGWeb Site

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org

Amy(Heskett) Manleygot out oftheAF inApril of2006 and is keepingbusy being a mom to two boys, Coleman (4) andWyatt (2). Stephenfinished up his FAIP tour at Little Rockin Oct2006 andis now flyingC-130s inJapan atYokota AB. He was deployedshortlyaftertheirPCS andhas also upgradedto aircraft commander andstartedhis Master’sDegree.

TheManleyFamily:Amy, Coleman and Wyatt.

BarryWeaver appliedforPhoenixHorizon and switchedfrom C-17s to the C-130J. He’s at Little Rockcompletinghis trainingforthat airframe. Amanda (Jones-Greco) Mogagot out oftheAF in Sept2007. She tookoffsome time to travelto airshowswithherhusbandPaul (’95) who is on the F-22 RaptorDemo team. Eric Music is flyingF-16s at ShawAFB, SC. He is married to Christyand theyhave two girls, Nicole and Emily. JeremyFerguson is at RamsteinAB, Germanywith hiswife, Melanie. Theyshouldbe getting an assignmentback to the states nextyear.

Jamie Flood wrote me a goodupdate. After an assignment at McGuire, a short stint atA1Udeid, andtwoyearsin Germany, sheseparatedundertheVSR Herlast assignmentwithOSI was atAndrewsAFB andshe is stillintheDC area where she'llworkfor a government contractor doingcounterintelligence after taking about a month offtraveling to Istanbul, Cairo, Munich and Italy (Aviano). Some updates on people she keeps in touchwith: Melanie Ecung separatedunderVSP and was accepted to Moorehouse Medical SchoolinAtlanta, GA. SallyMaddocks isflyingC-5s atDoverAFB and is engagedwiththe weddingplannedforFebruary’08. While at SOS, Jamie ran into Mike Pontius who is flying B52s at Minot and is happilymarried. Kelli Chock actuallygot engagedwhiletheywere at SOS andwas on hiswayto Spangdahlemto flyF16s. Ryan McLainis flying F-15s in Floridaand was PCAing to be an F-15 IP Matt Ihlenfeld separated and is flyingwiththe IllinoisANG and was lookinginto eitherlawschool or an MBAprogram. Rob Reinbach is flying C-130s out of Yokotaand ismarriedandhad a newbabyinMarch. Mike Mulliganismarried and still flyingthe B-1. Tim Pikas is marriedwith two kids and is the OSI DetachmentCommanderatVandenburgAFB. AmandaHallis flyingchoppers at Fairchild and just recently got married. Tony Metters was stationed at Spangdahlembuthe separatedunderVSP as wellandisworking as an IT managerwithUSAAin SanAntonio. Tom Kanewske is gettingmarried soon and stillflyingA-lOs. Jamie ran into Joe Lopez andJoe Monaco a fewmonths ago in San Diego. Both Joes are marriedwithkiddos as well. Joe Lopez tookthe VSP and separated butJamie’s not sure whathe is doing now. Joe Monaco is stillflyingthe C-17 at CharlestonAFB.

Josh Slade also wrote a quickupdate thathe also separated underVSP. He andhis family were in Hawaii for 10 months and then moved back to the St Louis areawhereheisworking as a SeniorSystemsEngineerwith a small companynamedQbase. Hiswife,Jamie, got ajobwithher old employer and they are building a house that theylookforward to living in for more than three years! No more kids yet but he said their son Camden is getting a puppyfor Christmas so thatwill do for now.

Mike and I are doingwell. We moved into our new house in November and are excited to finallysettle down. Grantis keeping us busyespecially now that he is crawling and pullinghimselfup - seems like he gets into everything! We recentlywent to JeffFeuring’sweddingin SanAntonio. It was a beautiful ceremony and we had a great time. We caughtup withJason Feuring and Brent Bak at thewedding. JasonjustgotbackfromAfghanistan andwillbeheading to Nellis earlyin ’08forFighterWeapons School. Brent recentlyPCSed to Eglin where he’s flying F-15s forthe 60th FS. He’s been livingwith Brent Greer for a couple months before he finds his own place. Word on the street is that the Greer’s are expectingtheirfirst childin the spring. Andlast, butcertainly not least, GiveyKochanowski separated in Septemberand took ajob with the US Forest Service inAlaska. Stein andhiswife, Chelsie, are having a ballwiththeir babygirl, Caroline.

Well, that’s allforthis edition. Thanksforall theupdates this time andplease keep them coming. Hope everyone has a happyand healthyholiday season. Take care. Faith

Amy Schultz

806 Magnolia Bend

San Antonio, TX 78251 215-280-1760 aschultzdmd@gmail.com

Class Website: www.usafa02.org

RedTags! HappyHolidays!

Carlos Jayme sends a warm hello from Soto Cano Base, Honduras. He is an Exercise Officer forwithJointTaskForce Bravo. He is planning on coming home in January of 2008. Carlos, his wife, Jen, and son Lance send there holidaywishes to all.

TheJaymeFamily

SarahAlbright was married to Chris Hiserman this pastJune in San Francisco. Chris is an ’00 Stanford ROTC grad Sarah met while stationed atTravisAFB. I was honored to be one ofSarah’s bridesmaids. Other USAFAfriends who attended theweddingincludedMolly(Erickson) Martinsonandherhusband, Kurt Martinson (’01), Nicole Green, Jared Broddrick and Adam Chitwood (’03). Sarah and Chris are both out ofthe AirForce andcurrentlyreside inBoston, MA. Nicole is living inWashington, DC now after returning from a one year of teachingEnglish as a secondlanguage program inVladimir, Russia.

Hmm Yet Sabre Society

Also, bigcongratulations to Molly and Kurt Martinson on their one-year weddinganniversary! Here is a photo from Sarah’s wedding. From left are MollyErickson, SarahAlbright, Chris Hiserman,AmySchultz, Nicole Green and Jared Broddrick.

Please

Wishing

Jamie, Josh and Camden Slade in Las Vegas.

Susan L. Doyle

PSC 54, Box 2341

APO AE, 09601

01139 349 896 0521

Susan.Doyle@aviano.af.mil

M69% Members

Greetings frombeautiful Italia! Susan Doyle here. Thanks to everyonewho provided updates.. .our classmates continue to represent the Class of2003 throughouttheAirForce. Pete Cossette andhiswife, Sarah (Halberg), are now stationed atAviano aftermovingfrom Mountain Home when itlost its F-16s. Sarahis an advancepractice nurse atthehospitalandPeteflies F-16s inthe 555 FS, Triple Nickel. He just returned fromAEF 7 to Kunsan, Korea with fellow BongerpilotsAaronJohnson, DaveAuston,JoeIisanti, andRobWhitesideand intel officer GregMaly. John Harrisjust arrived at KunsanAB, Korea in midNovemberandwillflyF-16swith the 80thFS, theJuvats, forthe next two years.

DROPthelongestrunninghumanitarianairliftinhistory. Everyyearsince 1952, Op CHRISTMAS DROP providesfood, tools, books, fishingsupplies, clothes and toys to 59 remote islands around Guam. He is currentlylooking for T14 personnelparachutesandwouldappreciateitifanyonehas some theycan spare.

Thanks again to everyone who submittedupdates. Keep up the hardwork and have some fun while you’re at it. Take care. Ciao Susan Doyle.

Breezy (Long) Heddinger

Cell: (719) 213-3205

Dyess AFB,TX windy04@gimail.af.mil

71% Members

Atthe end ofNovember, Katharine (Holley) Lubinski, who cross-commissioned into the US Army upon graduation, leaves with her husband, Craig (USMA ’04), for a 15-month deployment in Iraq. Craigwill be the brigade battie captain, and Katwillbe the supportbattalion communications officer. To prepare fortheir tour in the desert, theyspent two months at the National Training Center in California’s Mojave Desert (see photo). Take care ofeach other out there.

AhappyHalloween Hem ShotofGerardCarisio in Kandahar Afghanistan. Gerard Carisio is an aircraftmaintenance officerandmarriedtheformerMs. Kara Kinsch in July2005. TheyPCSed from Dover to Kadena in September 2006. He is currentlyserving as the OIC ofthe 33rd Helicopter Maintenance Unit and deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The HH-60G Pave Hawk Medevac missions he generates supporttheArmyandhave saved almost 80 lives since the beginning ofthe deployment. Jesse Stubbs upgraded to aircraftcommanderlastyear and is currently deployed to A1 Udeid until Thanksgiving. He will be home fortheholidayswithhiswife, Staci, and return toA1Udeidin Januaryfor another 60-daytour.

Steve Suppehaslivedinthe CaliforniaBayAreaforthelast fouryears andworksforLawrence LivermoreNationalLaboratory as a computerprogrammer. He stillplays a bitofthe guitarandotherwise enjoys“being awesome. Nate Murphy marriedKristin (Goldman) inOctober2005. To assimilateNate into Jewish culture, Kristin broughthim to his first Bat Mitzvah this pastMay. Theylive inWestHartford, CT and do not plan to have children anytime soon. Nate currentlyworks atTravelers andattends UCONN Lawinthe evenings Russ Fette, hiswife, Carrie, andtheirdaughterAnnabelle are insunny,muggy, andbuggyValdosta, GAat MoodyAFB. Russ flies theA-10withthe 75 FS andis gearingup forhis first deployment. In November, the Fette family attended SimonandBrittanyRitchie’sweddinginSilverSpring, MD. Also inattendance were Brian Staniszewski, RyanOlish,JustinJones, and Lunchbox. Brittanyis anArmydoctor and Simon is stationed atTravis. DustyFahie is still inAltus, OKwith one C-17 Checkride complete. He will finish and return to Pope in a month and then PCS at the end ofJanuaryto DoverAFB, DE.

Mike and Chelsea Strasser are the proudparents ofLiam Strasser,who was bominMarch. MikeisflyingStrikeEagleswiththe492FS out ofRAFLakenheath andisjoinedbyStaci Cotner, who recentlyarrived andstartedMQT, and Dave VanYprenwho is expectinghis own ‘little one’ in a couple months.

KenyandTane Ruffinalsowelcomedthe newestmembers oftheirfamily on October 29th 2007! Bythe grace ofGod, Kenyreturned home from Balad in time to see thebirths oftwinsTabithaGrace andLydiaFaithand quotes Psalm 127:3, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

CharityWinters is still stationed atAndersenAFB, Guam and continues to seek creative outlets for herwriting. Her most recent piece, “Not HomeYet,” tells ofher experiences running convoys in Iraq. Itwill be published in the December2007, issue ofthe Naval Institute’s Proceedingsandwill beher second creative essaypublishedbythemagazine.

Also at Guam, are Adam Rector and hiswife,Virginia. Theyjust celebrated theirfourthAnniversarywith a vacationto Hawaii andhave two dogs, a Great Dane named“Callie”and a BlackLabnamed“Grace.” Theyspend a good portion oftheir free time diving in the wonderfully warm and clear waters surroundingGuam. Adamis currentlyseeking an MBAandChelseais pursuing a Bachelor in History. Adam is also the Maintenance Operations Officerforthe 36th Munitions Squadron and thevice presidentfor Operation CHRISTMAS

Leigh-Anne (Withers) Fitzgeraldmay soon bebackin uniform as a member ofthe USAF Reserve. Always looking for ways to give back, she’s currently spendingher extra time coachingyouth soccer. RyanFitzgerald, herhubby, is trainingin the RC-135 at OffuttAFB and shouldbe done byJan ’08. LeighAnne andRyanmoved to OmahainJulyandreallylove itthere. Theyhavekept in touchwith several other classmates and have been kind enough to share their news. AJ Kuhle is an assistant coach for the Denver University Men’s Basketball team, workingundernone-other-than Joe Scott! Marci (Freund) Walton is a C-130 pilot,currentlydeployed and stayingverybusy. Marci says some ofherfavorite flights are takingpeople out ofthesandboxwhentheyget to go home after longdeployments. Melonie SanPietro recendyseparated fromActive Dutylife, but shejumpedbackinto Reserves as an IMA,working as a Logistics Officer atAndrewsAFB. Chris McCarney married his high school sweetheart, Katie Bufalino, on 11 Aug07. He also separatedfromtheAF andis now working in Chicago with KPMG LLP, an international networkoffirms providingAudit, TaxandAdvisoryservices.

John (BJ) Wimberley is flying C- 17s out in Tacoma, WA, andherecentlygotengaged. Brook(Taylor) Kolarcik’sdaughter Hannahjustturned one year old, andBrookis due again inJul ’08. Becky (Lewis) Barner’s son Jakewill turn one year old in Dec ’07, and she is duewith her second bundle ofjoyinApr ’08. Becky is stillworking as an IntelligenceAnalyst in support ofthe F- 15s at EglinAFB, where herhusband is also a pilot. Can anyone saySuper-Mom?!

Katie DildyandLuke Goossen were married on 19 Nov06, on a beach inthe Bahamas (see photo) and theyseparated from the Air Force with the force shapingprogram that same fall. Since then, theyhave moved to Boston and are actively involved in the community. Luke now works for BAE Systems, integrating new countermeasures and missilewarningsystems into military aircraft, andKatieworksforTargetCorporation. The Goossenswere also happy to share news ofother classmates andfriends. First, a handful offolks are now on the otherside ofthe stand-up room inUPT. Pete Catsulis andRichGreig are putting our friendsfrom ’06throughtheT-6 portion ofUPT atVanceAFB. Erin ShayFAIPed to ColumbusAFB and is stillhopingfor a shot at flyingthe F- 16 afterthat. Thomas Chapman, SteveMwesigwa, andJustin Hand are burning holes in the sky over Del Rio.

Second, we have news ofmore classmates seeing theworldthrough theAF lens. Chris Marslender and Chris High are flyingF-16s out ofSpangdahlem AB, Germany and Chris is also currentlyengaged. Justin Banez recently returned fromhissecond deploymentinIraq—welcomehome! LeeAlexander is flying C- 17s and incredibly difficult to get a hold ofbecause he is always

somewhere over the Pacific. He also got hitched this summer—congrats! AdamBurkis flying overseas in South Korea.

Third, we have more news ofclassmates crossing out oftheblue, representingthe success of ’04 in the civilian sector. Ed Louis walked awayfrom the officeinuniforminSep’07, andreturnedtoworkthe next dayincivilianclothes withbasicallythe samejob. He stillresides inEnid, OK. Delavane Diaz, Rhodes Scholar, is also a civilian now and was last seen heading towards her hometown ofTampa, FL. Marianne Lawson hasbeen out oftheAF for a little over a year and now lives in Houston, TX. Eric Estrada resides in SanAntonio, where he isworkinghiswayinto theReal Estate industry, and Chris Sheehen, also a civilian, has returned to his roots in Massachusetts.

As forme, I am simplyenjoyinglivingunderthe same roofwithmyhusband, Michael, forthe firsttimeintwo-and-a-halfyears. Ifallgoes accordingto plan, we may even be able to deploytogether in spring of ’08. In the meantime, pleasekeepsendinginyour news for Checkpoints—families reallyshouldtry to stayintouch as much as possible. ’Til nexttime.. .HappyHolidays, andbest wishes forthe NewYear.

Paula Delapasse

103 Raymond Circle

Warner Robins, GA 31088 (225) 603-4450

paulamaffey@juno.com

Paula.Delapasse@robins.af.mil

72% Members

None Yet

Sabre Society Donors

HappyHolidays! I hope everyone has manyspecial reasons forcelebration duringthis time oftheyear! I know I have beenluckyenough to see a lot of friends and classmates latelywhichhasbroughtbackmanygood memories. I recentlyspokewithJessa (liegl) Charronandshe caught me up to speedwith their exciting news. Chris Charron andJessa are expecting a babyboybefore the end ofthe year. New baby Charron should be a late Christmas present, due Dec 30th They are bothstationed atVanceAFB. Morebabynews, PhilandErin (Heintz) Jackson just welcomed theirfirst baby girl, Hadassah Grace Jackson, on Nov 12th Phil, Erin, andthe new baby are all doingwell. Phil and Erin are both in San Antonio right now; Phil is flying and Erin is a BioenvironmentalEngineer. InOctoberI ran into Marika (Beach) Scott at a weddingin OklahomaCity. She recentlyseparatedthis pastspring after working in Services atTravisAFB. Her husband,Winfield Scott (’04), is stationed atTravis flying KC- 10s and Marika now stays home withtheir six-month-oldbabygirlJaden Beach Scott.

There have been a lotofweddingslately as well. Emily (Haag) Bulger marriedAndyBulgerofClaysburg, PA in herhome town ofWichita, KS. After our graduation,Emilywent to theUniversityofPittsburgwhere she received her master’s degree and is now currentiystationed at Geilenkirchen NATO Base, Germany as a finance officer. Awhole crew ofgrads attended the wedding celebration and we allhad a blast.

ing classmates were intheirweddingparty: fromleft are Janie Lamed, Kristen (Beavers) Zeligs, the newlyweds, JoshJewett, JaredJones, and MitchAdams (’04).

Congratulationsyou two; that is so exciting!

Kaelin BluntArmstrong and her husband RyanArmstrong (’03) recently participated with theAF CyclingTeam in a ride across Iowa. Theypedaled over 500 miles in one week! Theyhad a good time handing outAF stickers, footballs and recruitingfreebies to kids along theway.

Thosepictured:AmandaYoung,JulieHoneycutt, Carmel Patton (’04),Emily (Haag) Bulger, ChristineTodd,AmberHoffman,JenniferFord, DawnHamack, TaylorSciulli, Cookie Day, and Paula (Maffey) Delapasse. Anotherwedding update came from Eric Swenson. KatieWilliams and Eric Swenson got married onAug4th inLagunaBeach, CA. Katie is currently a maintenance officer at RAF Mildenhall and is applying to go to medical school. Ericjustgot his assignmentforF-16satLukeAFBwhichheis really‘stoked’ about! The follow-

They rode from the western border all the way to the eastern border and dipped theirtires in the Mississippi River!

Thanksforthe updates andkeep them coming! Take care everyone!

Felisa (Hervey) Dyrud

20 Myrtle Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138 (719) 352-5991

Felisa.dyrud@gmail.com

Merhaba2006!

73% Members

Ifyouhaven’tfound us yet, “Feel the Fire” is on Facebook! Join the group to get a remindereach quarterto sendinyour news for Checkpoints. On our end, biggest news is thatmystud ofa husband, PeterDyrud, madeitthroughPhase II ofCombatRescue Officertryouts andhasbeen selected forthepipeline.We are verythankful and excited.

Feel theFire, Felisa.

Oscar Mayhewsent in a picture oftheAFIT graduatingclass: From right to left are Adrian DeFreitas, Christopher Patterson, Amanda DeVano (Rasmussen), RashandaRashash, Oscar“SelfProclaimedCoolGuy”Mayhew, BridgettWhitting, Bronywn Oliver (nowOuper, as of22 Sept). Not pictured (but also graduated): Stephen Koether and GinnyMiller.

Amy Gilliland was accepted to AFIT atWright-Patterson AFB. She will be startingher master’s in FinancialAnalysis inAug2008. JaylanMichaelFlayley (formerlyJesse Rogers) left forTexas in mid-November to train into the IntelligenceAFSC. James (Jimmy) Bakerjust finished SERE and will leave soon for his assignment to KadenaAFB to flythe KC-135.

William (Mac) McVittle informed us that John Haney graduatedfrom UPT atVance and isheadingto North Carolina to flythe F-15E.JasonPiper also was in his class and is headed to Phoenixto flythe F-16. AshleyGuthregraduated on the 16 Novand is heading to Charleston to flythe C-17.

iabre Social Dollars

Susie Cresporeports that herfiance, Chris Foote, graduatedfrompilottraining on Nov 16. He received his first-choice assignment of KC-135s at SeymourJohnsonAFB, NC. He also received theAirForceAssociationAward. (She’s veryproud ofhim!)

LinsdeyBergeron sent us a note fromQatarwhere she is deployeduntil next August. She got to go to Baghdad in November to work at CampVictoryand BaghdadInternationalAirportdoingwhat she calls “funintelwork.”

Ryan Moore married the lovely Tina Dokmo on 2 Sept at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado. Shejoined him at ColumbusAFB where Ryan is at pilottraining.

Sarah Clapp finished herMAin psychology at Connecticut College this past summer and also married David Gribbin (Class of2007) in July.

Casey Bayne

7363 River Pointe Drive, Apt 14North Little Rock, AR 72113

(719) 930-5066

checkpoints@caseybayne.com

(No Sabre Society Donors Yet)

HeyClass of2007!

Ijustwanted to updateyou on some recent marriages from our class.

Mostrecently,AndrewVasquezmarriedJessica Beene on Oct20th at theAir ForceAcademyChapel. Fellow’07ersScottGross, BrandonWilson, and Grant Scholl were groomsmen.

Michael Lebowitz got engaged over Labor Dayweekend to Arielle Dani Fishman. He is currentlyin pilottraining atWhiting FieldNAS. Here is a picture ofthe two ofthem, and another ofMeganMalcom, Joe Tuholski, Heidi Vermillion, Katie Loffer, and Michael Lebovitz. It was taken in Baltimore in July2007 while Megan was visitingKaty atAndrewsAFB, Joe and Katywere HospitalAdministrators atAndrews, Heidi was in Grad school, and Michael was on casual atAndrews.

Also over Labor Dayweekend, Luke Robertson became brother-in-law to JamesonVoss.

Krista Robertson, is the only

ofJameson’s wife, Lacey

and

met because ofJameson and Lacey’s wedding as theywere both in theweddingparty.

AndrewVasquezandJessicaBeene

RyanGlasgowmarried Rebecca Mills on July 21st in a small but beautiful ceremonyjust outside ofBrighton, CO. ChrisWeston, ReidTouchberry, Brian Brown-Dymkoski, andJames Kellenbence served as groomsmenforRyan on this special occasion.

Luke’swife,

sister

Voss. Luke

Krista

Luke and Kristawedding,JamesonVoss on right)

JesseZieglermarriedAmandaWestley on June 16thin PelicanRapids, MN. SteveBoyd and BrettVongroven were groomsmen.

Jonah Reeger married Laura Mihalacki on June 2nd in Dawson, PA. Jon Kaskela,Johnny and Rachel (Adams) Nep, Scott Skibitsky, Trenton Updike, Allan Sain, DanielQuinlan, andAliciaStirewalt were allpresent attheirwonderful day.

JonahReegerandLauraMihalacki

JordanWilhelmmarriedDustin Smith (’06) on June 3rd at a gorgeousweddingheldattheTapestryHouseinFortCollins, CO. KimBradyandLisaRowland were beautifulbridesmaids andGenoSalazarserved as a groomsmen.

Eligibles for USAFA Cemetery Burial: (From page93.)

1.12.1. A wife or husband.

1.12.2. A remarried widow or widower.

1.12.3. Dependent unmarried children under the age of 23.

1.12.4. A dependent unmarried adult, defined as one whom at the time of death was over 21 years of age, incapable of self-support due to physical or mental condition, and who meets any of the following conditions:

1.12.4.1. Received more than one-half of his or her support from the service-connected parent.

JordanWilhelmandDustin Smith

Other ’07ers who were married: JeffWest and Janelle Hyde; Theo Zacour and Shonnalwaniec; KailinTuscano and Kelly Kwan (’05); JayMedenwaldt and Lindsey; JennyGuilford and Brandon Liabenow (’06); Diane Banks and Rob Percy; Gilberto Perez andAngelineTeope; RachelAdams and Johnny Nep; and McAllister Gentryand Lisa.

I knowthat most ofus are busywith ourjobs, tech school, or playing Icarus atASBCbutifyouhave anystories or updatesyouwantfeaturedin Checkpoints please sendthemmyway!

1.12.4.2. If the service-connected parent is deceased and interred in the Academy cemetery, was receiving more than one-half of his or her support from the widow or widower of the deceased service-connected parent.

1.12.4.3. Was receiving such support from some other source because of the prior death or inability of the parent or parents to provide such support.

(Anyone wishing further information or clarification should write the USAF Academy Mortuary Affairs Office at 10 SVS/SVMM, 9023 Academy Drive, USAF Academy CO 80840, or call DSN 333-3323 or commercial (719) 333-3323, or email: Janet.Edwards @usafa.af.mil.)

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To learn more, call Buddy Sams, Senior Vice President, Government Programs and Sales at 703-276-9500 or visit us at www.gulfstream.com.