TO THE EDITOR
ed over what appears to be apathy on the part of many members of the Association. Specifically, I am disappointed in the level of interest and participation by our members as well as by many of our Directors. During the past two years, I have heard from only three ofthe thirteen Directors who are not stationed at the Academy. Last fall when the By-Laws changes were submitted to the Board of Directors for a vote, eight of the 23 directors did not even bother to return the ballot.
Recently only 459, or 6.5%, of our members bothered to even return the ballot on proposed By-Laws changes. Through the efforts of a few, the Association has been very successful in fulfilling the objectives of its By-Laws. This is evident in the Annual Report published in the Fall issue of the Magazine. But, the Association is only beginning to come of age and it needs the loyal support, commitment, and participation of large numbers of its members if it is to become what it should be. In the coming election I challenge interested members who are willing to bear the effort and expense of real participation to run for office. I challenge the membership to elect only those who are willing to work. I challenge the members to require the Board to be responsive.
THOMAS J. ELLER ’61 Vice President AOG
Gentlemen,
I have both the pleasure and displeasure of forwarding the following news concerning Graduates for inclusion in the various class sections of the AOG Magazine.
As part of the European Theater realignment actions recently announced by Secretory Rumsfeld, the 480th TFS was activated on 15 November 1976, assigned to the 52 TFW at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. The squadron is equipped with F-4D Phantoms. The high number of USAFA graduates assigned to this squadron bears mentioning. The following graduates are currently members of the new 480 TFS:
Class of 1962
LtCol Howard K. Carroll, Commander
Class of 1965
Major Errol G. Reiner, Operations Officer
Class of 1969
Capt William J. Dalecky, Aircraft Commander
Class of 1972
Capt Daniel P. Narzinski, Aircraft Commander
Class of 1974
lLt Jack A. Borah, Weapon System Officer
lLt Frank H. Brewer, Aircraft Commander
1 Lt Robert W. Browning, Weapon System Officer
1 Lt Donald E. Kick, Weapon System Officer
lLt Ronald L. Garhart, Aircraft Commander
lLt John M. Sciacca, Weapon System Officer
lLt Keith K. Trumbull, Weapon System Officer
lLt John R. Ward, Weapon System Officer
It is with deep regret that I also inform you of the recent death of lLt Martin G. Miller, Class of 1974. On 15 November 1976, Marty Miller was killed in a single F-4D aircraft accident while executing a night TACAN low approach to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Marty, a pilot, was occupying the rear cockpit and the 480th TFS’s Operations Officer, Major Gerald E. Detweiler (nonUSAFA), was in the front seat. The cause ofthis accident is still under determination.
Yours truly,
HOWARD K. CARROLL, LtCol, USAF Commander
Dear Jim:
In response to your paragraph relating to nomination of names for the AOG magazine in “Attention in the Area,” I would like to add to the suggested names in your files. I think we might be able to do somewhat better than “Jagged Horizon.”
It would seem that a name for our publication should suggest both the elements of the purpose of the magazine and the common background or flavor from which it stems. Its purpose, in my mind, is to continue the common bonds that we have with each other and the institution that brought us together. Its background and flavor is bagpipes and bathrobes at 5 a.m., pop quizes, June Weeks, and the many colorful traditions that are military aviation’s background.
With those two thoughts in mind, I would propose the name: “Contact.” I believe it catches the purpose well and reflects the AFA’s aviation heritage.
There are other interesting possibilities, such as “Roll Call.” Perhaps, with my apologies to the suggestors of “Jagged Horizon,” you might publish this letter and evoke other ideas along these lines from the fertile minds of your readers.
Sincerely,
Jeff Silliman,
’65
Wright-Patterson
AFB, Ohio
In the June 1959 issue of the Talon, Brigadier General Robert M. Stillman, the first Commandant of Cadets, addressed a letter to the Class of 1959, in which he composed a few words he felt that General Harmon, our first Superintendent, might have said had he lived to see the first class graduate. To quote from that letter “...do not ask me (General Harmon) if I am satisfied with what has been done. I believe that we did our best insofar as we were granted wisdom to see the wpy, but I cannot be content until I have seen how you fare in key positions of responsibility in the defense of our way of life. If thirty years from today, you are universally recognized as men of complete integrity, as men with a sense of duty that is religion, then I will be content. Unless you earn this recognition for yourselves, these wonderful buildings will he as towers of Babel visionary structures whose purpose will never be fulfilled.”
Sir, would you believe in seventeen years we almost had that goal, over ten thousand graduates have brought honor to the Academy through their individual efforts in almost every aspect relating to the Air Force. War heroes, scholars, Olympic athletes, Aviation pioneers and leaders of men. But, also, when the one question was raised during our
eighteenth year of service which will have a substantial effect on our military way oflife and a budding tradition for integrity, what did we do? Where were we? Why didn’t we stand up to be counted?
That question was whether President Jimmy Carter would grant amnesty to Vietnam War draft dodgers and deserters. An issue that was known before President Carter took office and an issue on which the military has done virtually nothing to prevent this discipline destroying act from being forced upon us.
I write this letter because I plead guilty to having been advised what to do and waiting until it was too late to do any good. When the light finally dawned, the only thing I could think was it was too late. We need more time. If we only had a month, then we could react.
Well, I’d had my month. In December 1976, Colonel George E. Day, Vietnam POW and Medal of Honor winner, was quoted in the Richmond News Leader, “If cowardice, disloyalty, rejection of duty, and desertion are to be the new accepted standards of conduct, God help this country. I would ask that every concerned American make his views known to the President-elect and his advisors before it is too late.”
Obviously, it is too late. When I started calling Academy graduates in January to find out what the Air Force was doing about the amnesty question, I got the same reaction. “Hey, that’s a good question, we should do something but we’re not!” “Too busy with the budget!” or, “We’ll bring it up at the next board meeting.”
Well, graduates, it seems like you all are as guilty a body as I am. You may be in the military, but what’s to keep you from expressing yourself in a reasonable and educated manner on any vital issue that concerns this nation’s destiny as the military leader of the Free World? Personal fear for your career? Disinterest? Or are you too busy to see what might happen, if my fears are realized, as to the conduct of the next armed conflict under the concept of amnesty for the draft dodgers, et al.
What good is the Academy if it turns out graduates who are outstanding individuals and leaders, yet, when taken as a group, they do not exercise their right as citizens in a free society, resulting in efforts that are a mere whisper when a roar is needed. Ifthis school is to produce the kind of men General Harmon envisioned through “Moose” Stillman’s crystal ball, then everybody better get on the stick and get with it all the time. Otherwise, the way things in this country appear to be going now, there won’t be any stick on which to get.
Sincerely yours,
JAMES P. GUNTER, JR. Class of 1959
Editor's Note: The AF Times of 8 Nov 76, contained the following:
CARSWELL AFB, Tex. - Re the Oct. 25 letter from the female AF Academy cadet citing inconsistencies between female officer and cadet appearance standards. I find her complaint to be unsubstantiated, if not amusing, because male cadets have maintained personal appearance standards different from those of male officers. Often the cadet requirements have exceeded those of officers. Cadets have received demerits for high-water trousers when it was legal for officers to have the same.
Apparently she does not realize that there is quite a difference between being a cadet and being an officer. Cadets have four years to learn how to be officers. In reality, cadets spend four years attempting to attain perfection at being a cadet, but never quite reaching it. The
course to teach a cadet how to become a second lieutenant takes about 10 hours.
If you can believe it, becoming a second lieutenant after four years of being a “zoomie” is, for some, a step down in the world.
I find it interesting that to my knowledge, no male cadets have written Air Force Times complaining about the “buzz job” they got the first day of basic cadet training when the girls got a close cropping, but not the same treatment. The female cadet has something to learn about “equality without exception” in the AF. If male cadets are expected to maintain personal appearance standards that exceed those required of male officers, can anything less be expected of female cadets?
UNLIBERATED GRADUATE
Editor's Note: The following editorial appeared in the December Talon.
There is a new T.V. show on this fall; one that is proving to be very popular with Cadets. It’s called “Baa Baa Black Sheep” and it deals with the exploits of one of World War II’s most colorful characters, Marine Corps Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. To say that Boyington was a hard drinking hell raiser is an understatement. His first combat flying was with Claire Chennault’s “Flying Tigers.” The Tigers flew under contract with the Chinese Government and were paid $500 for each Japanese plane confirmed that they brought down. Boyington left the Tigers when it was announced that they were all going to be inducted into the Air Corps.
Wrangling his way to the Pacific and getting back into the Marines, Boyington found that he was not going to be assigned to an operational unit. After a series ofescapades in New Caledonia and Australia, while recuperating from an ankle injury, Pappy dreamed up the plan to form an operational squadron from the pool of replacement pilots. He would then “borrow” some F4U Corsairs from a training unit and steal a squadron number. Thus was born VMF-214, the Black Sheep, and also the highest scoring Marine Corps fighter squadron of the war. Greg Boyington was one of the most unconventional and insubordinate officers of the war, yet he ended World War II with 28 confirmed kills, putting him in a tie for 4th place in the American kill race, and he picked up a Medal of Honor along the way.
Many people know a little about Major Richard Bong, America’s WWII ace of aces, with 50 kills, flying his P-38 emblazoned with a picture of his girlfriend “Marge” on the side. Our top scoring ace almost didn’t see combat due to one of his antics. Before his squadron shipped out to the Pacific from San Francisco, Bong took a P-38, looped-the-
loop around the Golden Gate Bridge, and then buzzed Market Street waving at the secretaries as they stared out of their office windows.
These men, both of whom won the Medal of Honor, were national heroes during the War and are still revered by those who fly. Yet, if they were in today’s Air Force they would be considered “unprofessional” to say the least.
How were these two men able to “get away” with what they did, and rise to success as pilots? I think the key lies in your definition of the word professional. Both were expert fighter pilots. Bong’s senior commander, General Kenney, (who is credited with saying “The mission of the Air Force is to fly and to fight and don’t you ever forget it.”) had the foresight to recognize a superior flyer in Bong and not ground him after the San Francisco incident; and Boyington had proven himself in the skies over China. Their competence in the air, their ability to get the job done, their skill at the “profession” of being fighter pilots is what enabled them to pull their occasional stunts. They had shown the utmost in professionalism and the strictest kind of discipline-in the air in combat where it counts and where fighter pilots earn their pay.
If all you get from this little account is the notion that, if you become successful in the military you can break the rules, you haven’t really been paying attention. If you ponder it awhile I think you will find that I have been telling the story of two very aggressive individuals. When they focused their attentions on the Japanese they were extremely successful in eliminating that enemy. Yet, when there was no enemy present, they managed to raise a lot of hell in order to find something to do on the ground. How does this apply to our situation here at the Academy and out in today’s RAF (that’s Real Air Force for the uninitiated)? Boyington and Bong flew and fought in a war time Air Force. We are in a peace time Air Force and a training environment. We do not have the arena to prove ourselves in combat, and thus build up the “padding” of success in the air. Since we cannot show ourselves to be professionals in the air, we must do it through our appearance and actions on the ground. That is partly why we are always “counseled” to get a hair cut and shine our shoes. That is why certain actions and behavior are not tolerated when we do them, even though our peers on the outside may do them. There are several ways to show professionalism, one is through the heroic actions in combat that brought glory and fame to men such as Boyington, Bong, Richter, Ritchie and others. However that way is closed to us, so we must prove ourselves in other, less glamorous and less glorious, ways such as maintaining a good appearance and doing the best at our jobs. Perhaps one day we will get a chance to prove ourselves in the crucible of combat. They did. And when the situation presents itself so will we!
Walt Hern ’77 Editor
GYRFALCON PRINT - The offering of the AOG Commemorative Issue of the Gyrfalcon print by Charles Krace is still open exclusively to Graduates of the USAF Academy. After 1 March 1977 the AOG will turn over whatever prints remain to Frame House Gallery, Inc. for marketing through their commercial outlets. If you have been procrastinating on ordering your copy, act before 1 March 1977 or you may be disappointed. Also, please note that the new order blank in this issue allows you to choose Mastercharge or Bankamericard if you wish.
Some prints mailed to purchasers from House of Frames in Denver were damaged in transit. These prints are all insured through UPS and should be returned to the shipping address; the entire package should be returned. All insurance claims should he filed with the UPS agency that makes the delivery.
Lt Col Wayne Pittman
2000 S. Eads, Apt 927
Arlington VA 22202
Autovon: 22-771 16
Congrats to Bob BROWNING, now Chaplain (Lt Col). Also to MAX and SUSAN MILLER on birth of their son, Scott.
The New Year was kicked off here in Washington with an outstanding lunch put together by R L PENN. Besides a better than average turnout of the Pentagon/War College crowd, six outof-towners made it. They were all guests of honor, but Buzz “Frank Cannon” OLSON was the special star. Thanks to EM time before he joined the chosen few. Buzz will be the first to hang it up with a full 20 years in (on I Leb). Believe he plans to relocate in California. Others who renewed friendships over a cup (or two) were Jerry MNNERAN, Jimmie SMITH, Don MILLER, Ed LYNCH, loin CHASE, and Don LIVINGS ION. Dick HILBER I. who is really a local even if he does live all the way across town, was able to make it and we had a couple of near misses: Sam S LARRETT planned to be there, but got snowed out in Foggy Bottom and Jim GUNTER was going to come up from Richmond, but took a Guard F-I05 on a cross-country instead (you got to be in the Guard, the airlines, or have Gate problems to fly around here). It was great to see them all and the luncheon was continued well into the night at RL's place. From the success of it, it’s obvious that we'll have to do it again. If you live within an annual or semi-annual commuting distance (Buzz came in from Plattsburg) and want to be notified, drop me a card or give me a call.
Jim RHODES was in the area during his Christmas break at AWC and called to my attention errors/omissions in my last column. Seems Jim CARPENTER is apparently not a student, but actually works at Maxwell. Gene VOSIKA and Jimmie JAY, however, are enjoying the academic grind. That’s one way to get the straight word lire for effect and wait for the corrections. Pete WINTERS has graduated from ICAF and gone to HqUSAFE at Ramstein, job unknown (to me).
I he two guys who can't seem to hold jobs have moved again. U p at Ellsworth, Jerry GARBER has changed offices again—he’s now a squadron operations officer. Here in The Building, BOB OAKS is assuming his 5,436th job title since arriving on the staff. He has joined the DP Family by going to work for Gen Kelley in the General Officers’ Group (!)
Steve H AMER, having worked so hard on acquisition of the AWACS, is moving out to ARADCOM in Colorado Springs to work on its deployment in their AWACS shop. Rog
SCHEMEN AUR has gone south to Howard AFB to command the 24th Composite Sqdn. And you may have noticed in the new Register that Dick MASON is now the ADO of the Lac Fighter Wing at Moody.
Other moves: Jim WEST has moved to Honolulu as a DC-10 First Officer with Western Airlines. Marty LOTI ON changed his address to Rocky River, Ohio and Dave R1CHART has moved to Wright-Patt. Finally, Bob WILDER has made a local move from Maryland to Burke, VA.
(iot a letter from Charlie RODGERS out in Calif. He reports that he. Brock STROM, Charlie ZALESK1, John GULLEDGE, and George PUPICH (you remember from the second-best class) and respective spouses got together for the UCLA game. As a result of a serious deficiency in discharging his responsibilities in provisioning the group (something about liquid rations), an ad hoc Class III Board found it necessary to reduce Former Cadet Pupich to Former New Cadet Pupich. lncidently, plans are underway out there—with Brock as the central figure for a “Wish 1 Would’ve Stayed In” party on 3 June 79. As I understand it, anyone still on Active Duty is invited to help host any of those who chose the other side.
Late note: Nellis status report has Brad HOSMER as ADO or 1)() of the Wing (my sources vary), I om JOZ WIAK also in a Wing job. and Don MADONNA as C. O. of an Aggressor Squadron.
"Our
First Retiree”
f
LtCol John D. Macartney
160 Arequa Ridge Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Autovon 259-2270
Paul VALLER IE found this old picture while cleaning out some boxes at his home in Omaha. Did we dance in alpahbetical order in those days? Howie BRONSON and Hal BROST seem to be doing so at March AFB in 1957.
Denis WALSH came to the Academy this fall in conjunction with a squadron sponsor visit. Denis is Operations Officer of the 528th Bomb Squadron (FB-1 I’s) at Plattsburgh AFB. He said he had talked to Ned WHITMAN, Dick KINGMAN and Ted STUMM at the Army game in October. Ned has a law practice in Suffern, New York; Dick has a resturant business in New York City; and fed is Hying C-5's at Dover AFB.
My Christmas cards reveal that Clem DOUGLAS is still single, an airline pilot and insurance agent plus an Academy Liaison Officer in W hittier, California. Another airline pilot who doubles as a Liaison Officer in Atlanta is Jon McCLURE. Both say they’ll be visiting the Academy this month. Chuck HARP is tilting at the Pentagon windmills and has recently gotten his hand back into farming. He works a 55 acre plot on weekends. Bill TAYLOR, who is assigned to F-4’s at Kadena, is going through Wild Weasel training at George AFB. Roy JOLLY is leaving his technician job with the Air Force Reserves at Tinker to resume hisjob as a pilot for TWA. He'll still drive Thuds as a weekend warrior. Dale and Sherry I HOM PSON had a Christmas party for all the '60 grads in the DC area. Maybe someone will fill me in on the gossip exchanged there. Elaine HEAD, who was temporarily staying at Breckenridge, Colorado, has joined Dick in Washington where he is a student at NWC.
Quickies. George FRIES has moved from Langley AFB to Poquoson, Virginia. Howie WHITFIELD PCS’d from Irvine, California (El Toro?) to Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington. Jim ALEXANDER has gone to Kadena AB, Okinawa from Moody AEB, Georgia. Bill QUOLLETE, who is an optometrist in Brunswick, Maine, has changed addresses in that city. Paul SULLIVAN continues to shiver at Shemya AFB, Alaska. Frank MAYBERRY PCS’d from Ramstein to Adana, Turkey where he is Chief of Maintenance. I he new commander of Detachment 16 (whatever that is) at l orrejon AB, Spain, is Dick SMITH, recently of Ft. McNair. Bad news: Hardy LEBEL was seriously injured in an auto accident in September and has been PCS’d to the Air Force hospital at Eglin AEB. Sorry to hear that.
ragic News: Charles "Jabo” McCAIN was lost at sea in the crash of a Marine Corps CH-53 helicopter 10 miles west of Naha, Okinawa on 4 November 1976. Jabo was a squadron executive officer in the 1st Marine Air Wing at Iwakuni. He was aboard the helicopter as a passenger on a routine flight from Kume Jima to Okinawa.
Major l orn Sutton
123 Mississippi
Dyess AFB, Tex 79607
Res: (915) 698-8748
Autovon: 461-2147
I guess we have to confess that after fifteen and some odd years some people tend to change a little in appearance and otherwise. In response to several questions concerning the identity of the mystery classmates in last issue’s photograph, I promptly phoned Tom ELLER for help. 11 anyone wants to complain, call Tom. Anyway, from left to right identifying the males of the species I see Bill AYLSWORTH, Vic BOUQUET, Tom WILSON, Jim WILHELM, Tom ELLER, Bob HERIZA, Spike NUNN, Charlie STEBBINS, Charley DIXON, and Terry STORM. 1 rather think that the young man on the right looks a lot more like Charley than Terry ever did. (He is really Charley’s young son.) Also I have heard some argue that he who stands second from the right is really Milt SU M M ERFELT who spent most of the four years with us as a grey tag. Milt had a great party for many of the 61ers who attended Homecoming this past year. It is good to see photographs of the old gang especially with their best friends, the wives and sweethearts.
After every Homecoming comes Christmas and one of the best things about that part of the year is the cards and letters. My own Christmas season was very enjoyable as I hope yours was. It was very busy too. I hardly had time to visit with my own family. As I learn to be more organized it will get better though.
Gordon C EAR K E is a Iso very busy and is not seeing his family at all. Gordie is a battalion commander with the 2d U.S. Infantry Division in Korea. I guess a tour at West Point got him all shaped up for infantry life. He says it’s great. We are pleased to note that you are keeping all those tickets punched, Gordie, and we look forward to many great things from you with the gravel crunchers whom we hold in high esteem. For those of you passing through or living in San Antonio, Peggy and the younger Clarkes are residing there for the duration.
Twy WILLIAMS is also spending some more time in Korea. Twy is at Osan A B in an ops staffjob this time. When you see troops marching by Twy, look for Gordie.
Bob and Winnie WAGNER are enjoying the “headquarters life” at Langley AFB, (I believe that used to be the headquarters of tactical airlift command before the big coup.) but Bob says he sure would like another shot at a flying job. Apparently in an effort to substitute another specialty. Bob and Winnie have taken up sailing and say that it is “Great!”
Roger WOODBURY is also there at Langley and I hope to get through to him again someday soon, on the telephone that is. Rog phoned me in the middle of our first OR I in two years and I couldn’t talk. When 1 tried to return his call, he was TDY for theduration, or so the Captain said.
Had a fine letter from the Art KERR family. It seems that Art and Dee are soon leaving the northwest for the Oklahoma dustbowl. Art will be joining the AWACS Wing at Tinker and will be right in the middle of those big EJAsas if he hasn’t been already. Dee says that there is no housing available there and she is wondering if tents will be back in style soon. Maybe the Polack still has his blue school bus. Dee?
Speaking of Larry KARNOWSKI, I heard that he threw a big party in honor of himself It was one of those big Polish Christmas Promotion parties. Having attended a Karnowski Polish Party myself in the past, I know what those Belgians had to face. Whilethe Karnowskisaretouring Europeand enjoying lifethere, Steve and Margaret HO are homesteading against the foothills of San Bernardino. Steve finished his tour with the MAC Wing at Norton and moved back to science and SAMSO, but fortunately, he didn’t have to move out of the neighborhood. They are very pleased to be staying put for a while.
I hough many more of us would like to stay put fora while, some have to move. Don MC CAR I ER is fearfully following the long lines of successf ul staff men back into the cockpit to get through the nine year gate. M PC claims to have no openings in any weapon
system but C-130s. Speaking for Darrell KOERNER and myself down here on the windswept plains, there aren't many openings in that program either. We’ve been in it for some time nowand haven’t seen a ray of light yet.
1 understand that Eowell JON ES moved out of a good squadron operations officer job at Little Rock AFB for a staff job in Ramstein, Germany. 1 guess he had to make room for all the L/ Cs looking for jobs. I’m sure you weren’t dragged, Lowell.
1 can calculate from the change of address card of Dick and Colette GODDARD that Dick is being moved by the gate as well. He has moved from Wright Patterson AFB to Vance down at old Enid, Oklahoma. 1 suspect that you have a few years of flying ahead of you there, Dick.
In closing, 1 must mention one more item. 1 expressed a hope in the last letter that there might be some pictorial record of the meeting of a few of the old group at John KOHOUT’s in-law’s home after the West Point game last fall. 1 learned that unfortunately, no one was able to sneak a camera in. I did hear another rumor though: A photographer purportedly shot a whole roll of film, but it was all highly overexposed as Charlie STEBB1NS was in the center of every picture. You know how he smiles.
Maj. Dick School
1310 Mead Terrace
Woodbridge, VA 22191
Res: (703) 491-5326
Autovon: 22-59079
Looking over my notes for this issue 1 am again impressed with the fantastic things happening to the members of the original “RTBs”. In addition to the few quips that were in the last class news column, the Fall edition noted there is a Colonel from 62, that Erv ROKKE was making history by becoming the first graduate to be invested as a Permanent Professor, and John FER is in the front line responding to critics who would diminish the value of the Honor Code which is still worthy of our whole hearted support. For those who may have missed the info Bob BAXTER is our front runner and is developing his 0-6 skills in the British Isles as an Assistant Director of Operations for F-l 1 1 Conversion. With the help of Dan DONOVON I was able to compile a pretty good list of those wearing or soon to wear the silver leafs. According to my count 27% of the RTBs on active duty have been selected for Lieutenant Colonel. Twenty-two are listed in the 76 Register. Since it is no small achievement, on behalf of the Class I would like to extend congratulations to each of the following: Bob ALEXANDER, Chuck ALLPORT, Rip BLAISDELL, Mike BUTCH KO, Howie CARROLL, Paul CLANTON, Jerry DANIEL, Nick FRITZ, Chet GRIFFEN, Don HALLAGER, George HARRISON, Dick KLASS, Gary LENTZ, Bill O’ROURKE, Paul ROBINSON, Pete ROBINSON, Erv ROKKE, Jack SWONSON, Henry VICCELLIO, Edd WHEELER, Rick WHEELER, Lenney WRIGHT. Those on the Spring 76 list not previously mentioned include: John D1NSMORE, Scott FISHER, Larry GOOCH, Bob KEIGHERY, Paul LANDERS, Steve NIELSON, Ray REEVES, Dave ROE, and LouSVITENKO. The Fall 76 list includes: Bob ANDERSON, Bill BROWNING, J.D. EATON, Art FARRINGTON, Fred FIEDLER, George LARSON Dino LORENZ1NI, Ed MARTINELLI, Daryl OLSON, Dave PEDERSON, Warren ROBBINS, George THOMPSON, Da ve WHITMAN. If anyone is keeping count there should be I 13 of us to meet the board this summer. To all those above a hearty congratulations and from those of us who remain we are glad you are out of the zone.
On the Washington scene we have 33 RTBs now and at least rumors of more to come. Dave ROE’s Fellowship at the White House has come to an end and he can now be found in the haunts of AFXO. Rumor has it that an RTB may be moving to that select facility under the new administration, but it is as yet in the speculation stage maybe. In the last issue Leo JOHNSON was abandoned at Tinker but he successfully evaded to Norfolk and will be checking into AF Plans in the near future. J.D. EA I ON called in from Minot shortly after someone in Personnel Programs found his name on the below-the-zone LC list and tried to entice him to the Washington area. Edd and Fran WHEELER hosted an excellent
evening for Roger and Judi RHOADES and Jaon and I one recent wintery day. Gail and Peggy PECK opened their doors to fifteen Red Lag couples and friends on New Years Eve. Gail related that a good time was had by all and in contrast to earlier gatherings his house was not destroyed.
In spite of the large gathering of “Staffers” here in the Washington area, some of our associates are advancing on the “Command” pinnacle. Chet GRIFFIN has assumed command of the 14th Student Squadron at Columbus AFB, Missippi. Bill O’ROURKE, Commander of the 50th Flying Training Squadron, also at Columbus, invites all Red Tags to RON or refuel at that sunny southern base. Bill is looking forward to going to Senior Service School soon and also reports that Jack SWONSON
Gayle and John Brothers flank, Steve and Carol Nielson at the Peck’s.
New Year’s Eve at the Peck’s, Nels Running (64), Peggy, Dan Donovan, Gail.
Kcit Tag Bride Caroline and Dan LtCol Chet Griffin Donovan greet the Afew Year. Commander 14th Stu. Sq.
attending AWC at Maxwell is renting Bill’s house. With the number of RTBs on schools lists Bill might keep his house rented for a long time. Murle WILSON phoned the Association to pass on that he is now Commander of Det. 6, 41st Rescue and Reconnaissance Wing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. I’m sure Murle would like to see you if you’re in the area, but please try and not make it an official call.
Two RTBs were reported back in flying training. Daryl OLSEN is checking out in the F-l5/ EAGLE and MaryJo sent a note that Charlie PRICE was made an offer he couldn’t refuse. C.S. is also getting checked out in the F-l5 at Luke and by the time you read this will be back in Europe at Bitburg for another three year tour, l o complete the European scene Howie CARROLL accepted a consecutive overseas tour to become a squadron commander in the 52d FEW at Spangdahlem. In the Far East Bob KE1GHERY and family have moved to Clark AB and Dave HOLT, having completed Japanese language refresher training, mailed his Christmas cards from the land of the rising sun where he is an exchange instructor at the Japanese Air Staff College.
From our civilian allies word has arrived that Steve METTLER is now an engineer for Bell Telephone Lahs in Decatur, Georgia, led and Marcie DYKES have moved to the Washington area where led is with Litton Industries at College Park, Maryland. Denis DEHNE continues to fly RF-4/PHANTOMs for the Nevada Air National Guard, has completed real estate schooling and is now with Myers Realty in Reno and spends some of his free time “pickin and grinin” on a new 12-string guitar.
We have had a few changes at the SCHOOL household since the new year began. First Joan, with the help of the Navy and an observing husband, delivered our newest son, Erich William, 8 lbs. 3 07 1 1 January. Mother and son are doing fine at home now. Facing a move in March 1 did the old softshoe and moved from an intelligence analyst slot into management where I will continue until June 78. Keep the cards and letters coming as they help immensely in keeping this column going. 1 would also be glad to receive the word one of you frustrated writers would like a shot at doing the Newsletter. Let me hear from you.
Maj Skip Lee 3254 Nottingham Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Duty: 8/868-2379
Home: (601) 875-1667
Based on the photo in last quarter’s Magazine, ’63 did not have many representatives attending the Homecoming festivities. Those who did turn out looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Phil TATE has promised to send a rundown of the goin’s on but we will have to wait 'til next time as the deadline for this article is rapidly approaching. Hope everyone had a jolly holiday and the New Year looks promising.
CARDS AND LETTERS: Dave NUSS posted a note from the cold north (Elmendorf) reporting he is now Chief, Environmental Health Services for the PEAD hospital and the Alaskan Air Command. Dave also reports the skiing is excellent and that Dr. Hollie THOMAS is Chief of Radiology at the hospital. According to my data, guys. Bob LORENZ is headed in your direction. Enclosed with Dennis and Sue HAYCRAFTs Christmas Card was a “News Flash” reporting the arrival of Trista Marie, 5 lbs. 14 ozs. born at 5:38 PM, 3 December 76. Both the announcement and the card, which had a picture of the entire Haycraft crowd, were beautiful! Phil and Jeanie TATE have become authors! Jeanie writes she and Phil will publish, in January 77, a guide book to restaurants in Colorado Springs. The research must have been heavy work. Can’t wait to get my copy and start eating. Gene M USSELWH ITE, currently at ACSC, must have done something right. According to Gene, he is headed fora remote assignment to Saudi Arabia as Deputy Chief, JPOD. 1 did the same thing, Gene, and They are sending me to Guam. Gene added that Bill and Betty ELBERT hosted a party where everyone brought rememberances from days at the Zoo including Bill’s home movies of “doolie” Christmas. Sounds like a real gasser! Other Yellow Tags at Maxwell attending the fun and games were: Hank and Vonnie LAVENDER, Barry and Nancy WALRATH, Jim ALLBURN 22
(Gail was out of town). Bob and Valerie BRENCI, Barry and Jo MUESE (Barry is a Brevet LC and Lt Gen Furlong’s Exec), Leo and Carole DONAHUE, Mike and Marge FERGUSON, and Bill POVILUS. Thanks for all the Xmas cards and news, and names, and such!
AWARDS AND DECS: Jack MAR FINES has been presented with his third award of the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service as an exchange officer at the Spanish Air Force Academy. Jack and Alice are at Malmstrom AFB, Montana while Jack rejoins the crew force as a B-57 pilot for the 17th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron. Thomas C. MEIR was singled out for helping his unit at Bolling AFB earn the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, lorn is a staff development engineer with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSC). Special recognition should also go to Larry MC LAUGHLIN who was selected as a KC-135 Aircraft Commander for the SAC bombing and navigation competition, GIANT VOICE ’76, held at Barksdale AFB. Good show to all!
ASSIGNMENT CHANGES: Those attending PME schools include Pat CARUANA, Ed SMITH, and Lloyd PROBSTat Air Command and Staff College; Paul VERDIER at Armed Forces Staff College; Thomas BURNS at Naval Command and Staff College; and Vince ECKELKAMP at the NATO Defense College. Those headed overseas are Bob STORMS from Shaw to APO 96366; Terry BOSWELL Wing Safety, 32 I FS Camp Amsterdam, Holland; Dick TROY Chief, Reconnaissance Branch for 17th AF. Stateside moves include: John HELINSKI Colorado Springs and HQ ADCOM; Norm WELLS —Seymour-Johnson and 4TFW; Lucky ECKMAN—George and 35 TFW; Howard TOMME Wright-Patterson and FTD; Les LYONS Brandon, FL to San Angelo I X, still with GTE Data Services; Joe H1CKS finished MS in Engineering Management at UCLA and has been assigned to Homestead as Chief, Operations and Maintenance in the Civil Engineering Squadron; and Jim WEAVER Laughlin as T-38 driver/IP etc. Other moves include Bob BRECKEN RIDGE Orange, Calif; Dave SKILLING Ft. Bragg; Henry LAVENDER Gunter AES; Art JOHNSON Springfield, Va; Les ANDERSON Alamogordo; Frederick BAUER Grand Forks; Bill FLANAGAN Laughlin; Joe JOHNSON San Pedro, Calif; and Jim HOCKEMEIER March.
As you probably caught earlier, even ol’ Skip got himself an assignment! Actually I was directed by HHQ to proceed NLT 30 April 77 to Anderson Air Patch, Guam and the 54th Weather Recon Squadron. Seems the 54th can’t seem to do without my experience and expertise etc. and so on. The happy news was received while 1 was having a joyous two weeks on Midway, Island got home at 2230L Christmas Eve. What more can They do to a person? So Linda and 1 will pick up stakes on orabout 15 March and proceed west as far as Colorado Springs. I will then press on to Guam. Until an address at Anderson is firmly established, mail, including more of those great cards and letters, can be sent to meat: 432 Redwood Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907.
Maj Rod Wells
105 Fox Hill Lane
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Res.: (303) 599-7966
Office Autovon: 259-8439
Here’s hoping that your Christmas was enjoyable amid all the assorted mothers-in-law (that’s right, grammar-lovers), pine needles, blown bulbs, dried chip dip, broken toys, crypticassembly instructions, no film on holidays, and burgeoning Bank Americards Alka Seltzer and Excedrin surely went up two points on the Big Board. We’ll have fun over the holidays if it kills us, eh? Actually, things went well I needed that fourth pair of argyles and the scarf with fingers in it. Yet now 1 return to the academic treadmill feeling much like Kotter amid his Sweathogs; there’s a kind of poetic justice here somehow. Oh well, enough prolix profundity que passa, baby?
The publication of the permanent Majors list used to be attended with the same bated breath reserved for the outcome of the Electoral College. Recently, however, sweaty palms have been in
order, and so I congratulate one and all who have secured tenure (gosh it’s nice to be on the same promotion list as Joe GRIFFITH for once).
For those of you who scrutinized last issue’s Homecoming photo, 1 should fill in the names: Wally and Gretel WOLN1EW1CZ, Paul and Ernestine DOLE, Roger and Linda NEELAND, Glen and Helen COLEMAN, Butch SCHUER1NG and date, Joe and Sue RODWELL, whatshisface and Sabra WELLS, and Jim and Dottie WHEELER. Not pictured were others who attended the annual festivities, including “Hap” BURNHAM (an attorney in Denver), Dale DESMOND (farming in California), LeRoy STUTZ, and Jim SHIVELY.
Speaking of photos, please send in any pictures of what you’re doing these days and I’ll be happy to print them Todd, send yours in a plain manila folder and I’ll try to get them by the censors. In fact, to show you how desperate I am for photocopy, I’m printing the only glossy I have a totally candid shot of A1 ROGERS, BUFF driver extraordinaire, in his pajamas (suitable for framing).
is back at AFA again from Chapel Hill trying to explain the Marginal Propensity to Consume to the newest generation of care-lessers, and George ANDERSON is Hying VC-6s in a Saudi Arabia MAAG.
Well, once again I’ve worked my head to the bone that’s about the size of all the news that’s fit to print. Next time send a picture, Y’ALL HEAR, NOW! (practice in case of Washington tour).
Tim McConnell Qtrs 441 OB US AFA CO 80840 Home: (303) 472-1422
A1 Rogers: BUFF Driver
If you think that the plethora of poop in the following paragraph comes from old Tiger Ten, you’re right. It’s compliments of Nick LACEY, now in the Head Shed’s DCS Programs/ Resources, who passed on his Christmas letter from fellow Blue Tags. Jack PATERNO is still a bachelor Hying Guard 106s in Atlantic City. He is going back with TWA and plans to be in the NJ-Connecticut area. Denny MONTGOMERY is at ACSC and will go to RF-4sat Shaw; he reports seeing a Delta pilot recently that looked much like George STEVENSON. Norton AFB now hosts John LUKASIK who is navigating his way through the “gate,” Rog HEAD spends his time at Edwards as an IP at the Test Pilot School getting F-4 and T-38 time; marriage looms near for “Steve B” CROKER who is now an OMS squadron commander at Pease; Kris M1NEAU completed a Korean remote and is now driving F-4s as Asst Ops Officer at Eglin; Jim VERSTREATE is in the E-3A Program Office at Hanscom; Gabe FA 1 MON works for the state as Asst for Policy Planning and Evaluation in Kansas; and the F-4 ISD Team Chief job at Luke now belongs to J.D. BROWN. Other Tigers reporting include Thad WOLFE in Spokane and Jim FLEMING in L.A. Thanks a lot Nick and all for sharing your news with us that Christmas letter idea is super, 1 wonder how many others do it too?
Other moves include Rich PORTER to AFSC then on to Eglin, Bob HOVDE from AFSC to Travis, Jim DAVIS to Redcom at MacDill, Lee CONNER to ACSC, Dewey BARICH from Wright-Pat to Dover, “Antoine” UNDERWOOD to Ramstein, and “Roby” ROBINSON to Washington, DC. Nellis is where Perry LASH now hangs his hat; Wayne CORDER has moved from Holloman to Langley. Hal “Sky” WATSON is in J-3 Current Opns at the Puzzle Palace; George HESS isat ASCS; Jerry BUTLER at Edwards; John JACOBS has a computer job in Chicago; and Lanny BIJRRILL is at Eglin. Poor fom EGGERS has a hardship tour as a C-9 Ops Officer at Rhein Main (John CUNNINGHAM is there too) and Bob ABBOTT is in RF^fs at Zweibrucken. Don SMITH is an F4 Ops Officer at Holloman now, Rob TORNOW has entered AFSC, Paul BELMONT has returned from a Canadian exchangejob to Wright-Pat and Joe BAVARIA is an F-4 Ops Officer at Seymour Johnson. Kelly WILSON is currently an Eastern copilot Hying Electras around the East coast, Jeff BAKER
Congratulations to the six new Lt/Cols. in the class: Jim ALSOBROOK, Howie ESTES, Bob FOERSTER, Bob GIFFEN, Rich KNOLL, and Orv R AM LO. 1 was happy to see such a sizable contingent of ’65ers on the list. Congratulations again on the recognition; we are all proud of the contributions for which you are now rewarded.
I am finishing up at Armed Forces Staff College, and will be heading off to Osan to By the F-4E early this spring. Mike RYAN will be taking over the column for our class beginning with the next issue. Mike is at Headquarters I AC, an action officer for XPPF, his duty phone is Autovon 432-2719. His home phone is Area Code (804) 868-8164, and he lives at 117 Lee Ave Poquoson, Va. 23662. In addition tocardsand letters, please send Mike pictures you think would be appropriate for inclusion in the column. I hope you won’t think there is any attempt to restrict authorship of this tri-monthly series to Irish fighter pilots. It was time for me to give it up and Mike said he’d be glad to do it. The transfer took place during a dinner party at Chuck and Mary COLEMAN’s home in Hampton. Chuck is also an action officer at TAC, havingjust returned from a remote tour at Clark. Fran McCANN was also at the party, heand his wife Maureen just pulled into town from Luke. Fran will start AFSC in the upcoming class.
More news from the notes I've received. Harry RODMAN finished his MS in Engineering Management at RPI. I also learned he had a perfect 4.0 average while there still had time to hustle on the golf course too, Judi also picked up a degree in art; they go to Keesler AFB next. Flash WILEY is in the news again in Boston. He is under consideration for the position of Commissioner of Alcoholic Beverage Control. They are looking for an experienced individual with sober judgement, of course. Good luck. Flash. Tom HAM ILTON called to say he’ll also be in the next AFSC class. Tom and Linda are coming from Hanscom AFB. Jeff S1LL1 MAN writes from Wright-Patterson that several ’65ersare in the program office for Remotely Piloted Vehicles. Jeff is managing RECCE payloads, Craig WATERSTRAAT has the multi-mission model, Joe KOENIG is working on a mini-RPV and John CONN is trying to get all the contractors involved to use the Air Force approved management scheme. Jeff also suggests the name “Contact” as the name for the AOG magazine in lieu of “Jagged Horizons.” You might drop Mike RYAN a line if you too have an opinion you’d like us all to read. Thanks for writing, Jeff, and can you tell me if the Air Force has any plans to improve the RPV still further by eliminating the navigator aircrew station as well as the pilot’s?
Dennis SMITH will also be in the next class here at AFSC. It should be an especially enjoyable time with so many classmates here, and I think you will find the program very worthwhile. The course is not designed to overdrive the cerebrum with formal requirements, but it does provide time for considerable thought inspired by an outstanding library, an interested faculty, and a superb speakers program. You would be well advised to come to AFSC if the opportunity presents itself.
If any of you get to Korea, the door is always open (the one closest to the tree stump) Osan. See ya.
Capt. J. O. McFalls
712 Galahad Drive
Newport News, VA 23602
Home: (804) 877^228
Autovon: 432-2727/2955
Greetings from snowy Virginia! As I snuggle into my easy-chair for a relaxing Super Sunday, 1 mustn’t delay any longer in offering a super congrats to all of the ’66ers who squeezed by the big promotion board. I say “squeezed by”, because if any of you scrutinized the list, you noticed that it wasn’t a 100% effort by our guys. However, now that I’m a card-carrying personnel weenie, I can honestly say it’s not over yet. The list of second time around come-backs is growing.
1 truly enjoy my new job in TAC fighterassignments, because, at last, 1 have some access to more up-to-date info than the change of address cards. My “old friend” list is growing by leaps and bounds, but it seems as though I hear more from the non-TAC contingent in ’66. One of my first callers was our own “boy” LtCol, Eddy SHIRLEY. He relayed his acceptance speech for last issue’s fast burner of the year award but wanted to add that Randy JAYNE, Sid WISE, and Nick KEHOE weren’t doing too badly themsleves. We finally concluded that Terry O’DONNELL should receive honorable mention for his position as special assistant to the President. I’ll be interested in seeing what Terry will do now that there will be a change of bosses.
Looking into the assignments crystal ball Jerry BECKER is out at Nellis learning to become an aggressor pilot. He’ll shortly be on his way to join Hugh GOMMELLat Clark. Our group in the P. I. is growing with Kev MCELVAIN holding down the fort at the 13th Air Force DO training shop. Jim TILLEY and Bob DUNSHEE were in the Langley area this Fall interviewing for a NASA job. I had them both talked into it, until I mentioned the VEPCO (Virginia Power Company) rates. They are both still in the Fort Walton Beach area at AFSC, Eglin AFB. I’ve gotten a kick out of many “career counselling” calls received from another one of our guys in the Systems Command rated supplement at Eglin Mike RHYNARD. Bob DUNHAM “touched base” on his way to 12th Air Force Stan Eval. He just left one of the tougher jobs for our assignments shop to fill a ranger Air Liaison Officer at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Any volunteers?
Our own Charley SARFF crosses my path often as he dazzles the TAC/DO folks with his weapons and tactics knowledge. I see where Charlie ROSE has relocated his geodetic survey skills from Wyoming to Patrick AFB, Florida. He and Glenn PERRY can get together for some deep sea fishing. Glenn’s with AFTAC at Patrick.
Thanks to all for the Christmas cards. This year was a bumper crop. I’ll be including tid-bits gleaned from them in future issues. Led LEDBETTER sent his regards from sunny Hawaii. He and the family temporarily reside in the Islands, while he’s an IBM advisor to the Air Force.
Well, the Vikings are about to kick off. Before I sign off, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the families of two of our classmates who won’t be with us for our next reunion. We are all going to miss John AHERN and Em ROBERTS. Two finer guys I could never hope to meet.
Mr. Larry Wilson
1395 Jessamine, Apt 211
St. Paul, MN 55108
Res: (612) 644-2540
A few of you may have noted that the last issue’s ’67 column was rather brief. Miniscule, even. Absent, in fact. I don’t know quite how it happened, but I simply forgot to write it, and did not realize it until I, as you, received the Fall ’76 issue and looked in vain to see what I had written. Next came a rather terse note from the editor. To all—a thousand apologies.
There is a bright side to the situation, however, and that is the fact that 1 have more volume of input from which to draw. Some of it is a bit dated, to be sure but I will try to include it all. Digging way 24
back, I find a note from Jerry WENNER, who received an MA in International Affairs at Florida State U in late ’75, attended the Signals Intelligence Officers course at Goodfellow AFB, and expected to be assigned to the Special Activities Office at Aeronautical Systems Division at WPAFB in June ’76. Another letter that has been sitting around for a long time is from Bruce MCDONALD who writes from Hawthorne, CA, and was expecting soon to become a procurer (?) at SAMSO in LA—I assume he will be procuring inanimate objects. Anyhow, he had spent 10 months with Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, CA, and thought it interesting to find that the non-military world of Free Enterprise runs remarkably like the military. He had recently seen Dick MILLER who was selling land in the California mountains and Chuck HEFLEBOWER who is an Aide to the Commander of AFSC.
Bill KOZMA wrote that he and his expanding family are enjoying Davis Monthan AFB where he has been homesteading since '72 as a Flight Commander for the 358th TFTS. He described being a course instructor in a TAC fighter as being better than not flying at all—but not by much, and regretted the impending transition to the A-10. Chris DYSART, also a Flight Commander in the squadron, and Rick FLEKER is nearby in the 357th TFTS. He has also seen Bruce FREEMAN who is at George AFB, Peyton COLE who sounds like he is in line for SAC Commander, and Ric WILLIS who was working on his golf game at Williams AFB.
F. Scott JACKSON sent a note about his activities and associates, most interesting of which were two of the senior partners of his old law firm who were convicted for Watergate activities. Scott always did have interesting friends. He himself escaped Scott-free, and subsequently changed jobs, to a Newport Beach law firm. He chastised me severely for not previously mentioning that Doug BRAZIL married his (Scott’s) sister last year, and he claimed some sort of record in that he and his wife, Susie, have attended every Homecoming since our graduation so long ago. He added a cryptic note to watch for Pat NESBI TT on the national political scene.
From the “Home of the Dust Bowl” came word of the Ponca City Terror, Tom BOETTCHER, who resumed old ties with the AFA. For any of you who have glanced at a mag called the Oklahoma Monthly, it would behoove you to check the name of the editor-publisher: yes, it is Tom himself. And, it is a mighty impressive publication, as those of us who know the publisher might have expected. I cannot help but recall the fall of’67 when Tom was reading an unabridged dictionary to ward off boredom in some low level AF training program.
Uncle Sam has seen fit to accept Pete BETTINGER back to the world of AF blue after he did three year’s penance playing Army at Fort Riley, KS. He spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s in Colorado Springs with his family and was planning to attend a Swiss ski school’s beginner class for the fourth consecutive year. He needlessly commented that he keeps going back because he is a slow learner a superfluous comment if ever there was one: I have skied with him. Peter had seen Royce WOODELL at Holloman AFB, where Royce is an IP in T-28s, and said that Russ LINES has an Army-related close air support at Shaw AFB.
Lee TERRY, wife ofJohn, wrote from Montgomery, AL, where she reported that John is flying F-4Es at Osan, Korea. I detected that she was not overjoyed that he is there while she is in Alabama, and suspect it is related to the fact that they have not been married long. Gary PETERSON sent a note that he is now in Portland, OR and will, in J uly, head for a 2-year fellowship in child psychiatry at UCLA. And, Emil MONDA sent a Christmas letter in which he described his activities which include working for General Foods, moving into a new house and jogging; and his wife, Marilyn’s, which include spending his money. He also noted that he is beginning to work on an MBA at Pace University.
So much for the personal notes. My thanks to all those of you who took the time to fire off a few lines—I really do appreciate it. Incidentally, if any of you have pictures of reunions or individuals or whatever, that you think might be of interest to the Class, send them to me or the AOG and we will try to get them into print.
From the Home Town News Service: Tom ADAMS is instructing Deutsch at the AFA after getting an MA in International Affairs in Denver; Ferde ARBEIT entered the AFIT Masters program in Logistics Management; Otis BRENDE received his Masters in Systems Management through AFIT; John FITE was transferred from the Pentagon to McChord AFB, WA, as a C-130 pilot; and Mike GILES is now at WPAFB with AFSC.
Now for the Big News of this issue: An inside source has passed on to me the information that, after all these years, the supplier of young lovelies for the Doolie Lea Dances, the home of the Dragging of the Weeds Christmas pageant, the prestigious haven for rich, young lovelies, all of whom wanted most of all to land a Zoomie, CWC has closed its doors. Yes, folks, it had fallen on hard times financially in recent years and despite the best efforts of several changes in administration, it was not to reopen for the Spring semester after Christmas. It is truly sad that the state of small private colleges in the US has come to this. It is also truly sad that there is now one fewer place for a guy to find a date at the last minute. 1 have many fond memories of the place. (Editor’s Note: CWC was saved by a Graduate-Community fund-raising activity which raised over $500,000 in a 10-day period to enable CWC to remain open.)
I imagine that you all, as I, are aware that this is the year of our 10th reunion. Since Chuck BEATTIE’s drunken utterances of a year past that he would be the east coast coordinator, I have heard nothing more about it. Suggest everyone block the 14-16 October 77 weekend and stand by for more information.
For those of you in mild climates I wish 1 were. Recent weather has been of the minus 60 chill factor variety and these old bones cannot take it as they once—if ever—could. Well, by the time 1 finish my training, maybe Palma d Majorca will need a doctor. Best wishes to all for the New Year.
Capt. Mark A. Torreano Qtrs 4409G
USAF Academy, CO 80840 Office: AV 259-2008 Home: (303) 472-0713
Welcome back. If this column just stops in mid-sentence, it’s because Jim Wheeler ran out of space and didn’t have room for the mini-novel I am embarking on. Lot to say, so, on to it....
THRILL OF VICTORY/AGONY OF DEFEAT: Still more classmates continue their anti-social actions by being selected for BIZ promotions to major. Respectful congratulations are in order for Cathy and Brooke BAILEY, Anneand Mike BEDNARZ, Pake and Jim COCHRAN, Bonnie and Charlie COOLIDGE, Barbara and Mitch DORGER, Bruce GERR1TY, Sandra and Bob HAGAR, Karla and Warren LAMONT, Jody and Carl MCPHERSON, Colleen and Art MOXON, Sally and Mike NAVARRO, and Janisand Stu THOMPSON. That makes a total of 25 Fast Burners in the class so far. Or, are they in the Class of'66 now? Actually, for Carl, this will be his third “class” (’66, ’67, ’68) and one of these days if he keeps pinning them on early, he will be the same age as his contemporaries. About 15 of our classmates went over to Happy Hour recently and let Charlie and Art buy the beer and tell us the secret of their success. For those wondering what it takes, see the article of analysis in this magazine. (Remember, about 340 of us on active duty are still Captains, so don’t let the “1 am being left behind” feeling weigh too heavily on your psyche.) And speaking of promotions, how did you all do in the new “1, 2, 3 and you’re out” OER system? Actually, the AF developed the system in cooperation with Milton-Bradley, who is putting it out next month as the “Musical Ratings” game. It will be like Monopoly, but instead of going to jail, you go to civilian life (and $50 doesn’t get you back in). Well, don’t be bitter, be better.
IMPORTANT: My comments last column about our 10 year reunion did not generate a tidal wave of response, so I want to drive my point home again. Now is the time to plan to come back to USAFA. However, Homecoming will be 20-22 October 1978, not 13-15 Octoberas I mentioned. It has been moved to take advantage of the three day weekend, so remark your calendars. I only have
three volunteers to be squadron representatives to contact classmates; Dave BARR (CS-21), Rob LINS MAYER (CS-28) and Cort DUROCHER (CS-29). We need 27 more, so write now and sign up. And no responses to the idea of raising some money and donating a gilt to USAFA. The Reunion Committee needs some guidance now on this, so please write and 1) let us knowifitsagood idea, and 2) what kind of gift would be appropriate.
HOMECOMING '76: As you saw from the photo in the last issue, we had a small but good group of classmates in attendance. I didn’t receive any letters asking what Art MOXON was doing in the photo, so I guess you all know. Tom DEVEREAUX flew in from his assignment with the 82 MAW at Andrews. He was on his way to a Frontier school in Denver for the Convair 580, the VIP aircraft he flys. Mike NASH is newly assigned to the Procurement Office at ADC, a rated supplement job. The rest are local yokels. We all enjoyed a good time and Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove (he is the class banker at Air Academy Bank) joined the '68 table for the Saturday night banquet. There was a lot of wine, good conversation, and dancing at Arnold Hall after.
LOCAL NEWS: Phil PIGNATARO is leaving the PE department this May for job with Systems Command at Yokota. He will be Ops Officer for a WC-130/135 unit on a two year tour. Hope he makes it back for the Reunion. Hartsel BECKETT is now living in Manitou Springs. Hartsel left the AF in August 1973 for ajob with Delta, but the energy crisis intervened and Hartsel took up the life of an intinerant worker, going from West Virginia, Atlanta, Dayton and finally here, where he is still hoping for a job with Delta and doing construction in the meantime. By the way. Senator Byrd, the new majority leader, appointed and knows Hartsel, so now you have a friend in the Senate!?? Paul FLYNN and Chuck DUNCAN were here in November attending the High Energy Laser Conference. Paul is at the Weapons Lab working on space lasers, fresh from an AFIT MS program. Chuck is at Livermore Lab in California as a research associate and looking for a job to go to, so give him a call if you know of a good one. Phil DOWSING was also here that week, TDY as a Liaison Officer for an orientation visit. Phil is in the reserves and working as an architect in Utica, NY. Other news of interest locally involves the recent closing of Ent AFB and the expansion of Peterson AFB (it’s no longer “Pete Field”) where they have just opened a real nice O’Club. The female Cadets have now been assigned to all 40 squadrons, instead ofjust the first 20 last semester, and some have been moved from Vandenberg to Sijan Hall (still in a separate area). For all you wives who are CWC grads, your school needs your help. CWC almost closed its doors after Christmas break due to severe financial problems, but was kept opened temporarily due to a partially successful fund raising drive by alumni. However, they need lots more cash, and I’m sure they would be happy to have your help. Finally, you are probably not aware that Hundredth Night is no longer celebrated, but before you utter loud cries of anguish, be contorted with the news that the USAFA Alumni Chapter of Colorado is going to sponsor a Hundredth Night Dining-Out in Mitchell Hall this February. With wives and dates there, it won’t have quite the atmosphere of abandon we exhibited on ours, but its better than naught.
LETTERS/CARDS: I want to thank all of you who sent Christmas cards (ALLARD, BARR, DUDLEY, Denny FLYNN, GENNA, COSNELL, Gary HOFFMAN, HOLLAND, PASKO, WHITTENBERG, LIM, MORAN, VAIL, WOOD, ZYROLL). It’s a good way to keep in touch and let everyone know your alive, so put the class “secretary” on your list for next year. Dave ALLARD is now the unit training officer for the Wing Command Post at Wurtsmith and has a place to stay for anyone weird enough to be passing thru. Dave BARR is doing an ENT residency at the Mayo Clinic, doing some surgery, and working long hours. He and Nancy went to DC during the Bicentennial and didn’t get mugged. Dave adds that Bill BRANT is doing some “high” level mountain climbing at Elmendorf and Basil FOSSUM is in a urology residency in Hawaii. The FLYNNS lamented the passing of theold Ft DeRussey Officers’ Club Barefoot Bar, a sad occasion indeed. GOSNELLS have been traveling Europe and Paul is now squadron executive officer. The Gary HOFFMANS are expecting their first
in February, finally figuring it out. He is working with the LO program when he has time from his ROTC assignment. Charlie and Nancy HOLLAND took a whirlwind, 8-country, European tour in May June with relatives. Next summer, Charlie will PCS to AFIT, leaving his plans job at the Military Airlift Center Europe. The ZYROLLS are enjoying their home in a rural setting in State College, PA where Tom is a hospital administrator. Kathy earned a Masters in elementary counseling last year and is working part-time in a local school district. All are welcome to stop in if passing thru. And thanks for the nice photos sent with the cards.
The final letter was one received by the AOG but which found its way to me. Normally, 1 do not quote letters directly, but an exception is warranted in this case. Bob “Petrocelli” POHLMAN writes: “I wish to renew my membership in the Association of Graduates and would like to update your records regarding my status and location. Your courtesy and attention in forwarding the requisite forms to the address below would be greatly appreciated.” Now that’s Bob; officious but pretentious. His Phoenix law firm, Evans, Kitchell and Jenckes, P.C. have found a man who can obfuscate with the best of them.
MISCELLANEOUS:
More babies. Doug and Pat WILSON had twin baby girls (Laura, Rebecca) in September to join their four year old, Eric. Doug has received a PCS notification to come teach EE at US AFA. Art and Colleen MOXON cooperated in the delivery of their second boy, Tim, on 2 November. A born politician. And the ALLARDS say they are still practicing. Good luck!
The Hometown News Center informs me that John COBB is now an Ops Officer with an air traffic control unit at Zaragoza, Spain; Seth JENSEN received the Commendation Medal for recent duty with the Air Logistics Center at Hill as an engineering manager of bomb guidance systems and is now a 1-41 1P at San Antonio. Mike ARMSTRONG participated recently in Exercise Coronet Red Coat in Germany, deploying in his A-70 from Myrtle Beach.
Address changes were numerous. Gary DIK KERS is a Geodetic Officer at Warren AFB; Dave DRIGGERS is in Seattle; Jeff GORSUCH is working in the youth ministry program for the Navigators at CU in Boulder; Terry GRUTERS is in Sarasota, FL; Don HARKING ION joins our other four classmates (COE, MITCHELL, REESE, SULLIVAN) at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, working on an M A as an area specialist; Jim JOHNSON has moved from Wamer-Robins to Loring; Vince LOZITO is at WPAFB; Steve REID is at Mt Home AFB; Chuck RICHARDSON is now in Memphis.
PHONE CALLS: Jim THOMPSON is an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado in Denver after working with the 5th Judicial District. Mike BUTLER made the Air Force Times, w hich quoted him concerning the legality of allowing terminally ill patients in Air Force hospitals to die at their request. Seems Mike is the Air Force expert in this area of forensic medicine. Steve MISH was featured in a one-page article in the local newspaper’s weekend magazine, which discussed his duty as a Thunderbird, and the fact that in a recent episode of the Six Million Dollar Man, Lee Major’s role called for him to fly right wing, Steve’s position. Steve, did you ask to take his place with Farrah? Rob L1NSMAYER called to discuss his plans to leave the AF and try to fly with theairlines but is finding that his advanced age (32) creates some problems. Rob was working on the A-10 program in the plans shop at Hq I AC. And Mike SOLAR is happy as a weather officer with the Air Recon office at Scott AFB, after tours at Yokota, Guam and McClelland.
Now, go back, reread the “IMPORTANT’ section and write me a letter with your inputs. Remember, ve half vays of dealing vith non-contributors
Capt Gerald I). Luallin 10745 Beclan Dr. Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 916 635-7719
Hello Everyone,
I apologize to everyone for not writing the newsletter last quarter no excuse, sir/madam. I'm sure you are anxious to hear about the news that has accumulated on my desk since my last input. In will start with congratulations to those individuals whose hard work has brought them selections as Majors. 1 researched this list through Steve Soteropoulas and the Air Force l imes, so please feel tree to correct any errors or omissions. Those selected were Tom CASE, Guy GARDNER, Jeff GRIME, “Foot" INGERSOLL, lorn KECK. Gary LINDNER, Denny McGUIRK, Don McSWAIN, lorn MIKOLAJCIK, Frank MOORE, Lindsay PARRIS, Don RAKESTRAW, Bart TUCKER and John WARNER. hat is a total of 14, of which 1 were pilots, 2
Dave, Jenny, Nancy, Jeff BARR
Toby (7) and Tate (4) ZY ROLL
Kelly (4) and Tim (7) GOSNELL
non-rated and one navigator-for you stat-buffs. Again, congratulations from the class.
Denver seems to be a great attraction to our civilian graduates. Received a letter from Gary BONE, he is living in Denver with his wife Pam, Lauren, 3 years and Justin Daniel, 3 months. He writes that Chris PAULSEN has finished DU law school and hasjoined a local law firm. Gary, Chris and other grads in the Denver-Springs area are working on the Colorado AOG Chapter. If you are interested you can call Gary at home (922-2209) or his office at Management Recruiters (303-320-4221). Mike ROSE is also a lawyer in Denver. He has been invited to be a guest speaker at the Academy on the Honor system.
I received a good Newsletter from Jan CARLTON P.K.’s wife. P.K. and Jeb HALLE I I have Vi years left on a 5 year surgery residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC). At WHMC is Ed JONES on a fellowship in infectious disease; Paul FARRELL is finishing as chief resident and will go to Alabama on a cardiology fellowship; Denny MAYS finished at WHMC and is stationed at Elmendorf; Harry LAWS finished in pediatrics and is at Ellsworth; Terry STAKE is a medicine intern. Mike MARTIN is in Italy. C raig H IN MAN is in urology residency at Duke. Craig and Donna have two children, the last of which was born on Halloween. Bill WADE is a flight surgeon at Maelstrom. “J. R. RICHARDS is a UN advisor in Egypt. Roc BOTTOMLY begins Seminary in Dallas, soon. Bob CORNELLA is business manager for a Los Angeles factory. Jim HEWITT is still General Carlton’s Aide at Scott. Tommy LOVE is completing his medical education in Ft. Worth. Stan ROSEN, recently married and living in San Mateo, is a consultant to the German Air Force. Thanks for the letter, Jan, with information gathering techniques like this you may well be the next class secretary.
In an effort to add some spice to these newsletters “Bugs” FORSYTHE has composed a letter of information about his new job as an engineer and corporate pilot for the Eby Construction Company in Wichita Kansas. Due to the nature of the readers of this column 1 have expurgated most of his original comments i.e. “happier than a bull in a herd full of heifers” is not the kind of spice that you’ll read here, well maybe once.
Some of the classmates devoid some of the comments that “Bugs” has recently touched base with are: Tom KENDALL a General’s Aide in Korea interesting; Dick WHITE is on an ASTRA tour in the Pentagon. Scott BENCH is Hying F-4’s incognito. Les DYER, a T-38 IP at Sheppard, and his wife Connie recently became parents to Todd. Thanks for everything. Bugs, try rubber boots, they are slippery but sanitary.
Dick SWANSON and his wife Sue are now living in Portland. Dick has sad news to report. Jim TELIZEN was killed in an auto accident. We will miss him and the class sends condolences to his friends and family. Dick’s father passed away last April. No matter how you prepare yourself the loss of a parent is a shock to your life we send condolences to you and your family, Dick. Jeff TOBOLSK I, who was a pall-bearer with Dick at Jim’s funeral is living in Seattle with his wife Connie and finishing a Masters in fisheries.
Rick is in contact with Ron OLDS, who is now a regional tire engineer for M ichlien Lire Co. in Portland. Ron and his wife Nancy have a daughter named Kristen. Thank-you for the letter, Dick. 1 hope 1977 is a better year for us.
Received a short note from Dave YOST. His wife and he are the proud parents of Anne born 2 Aug. 76. Dave is still putting together marketing plans for a pharmaceutical Co. in Columbus, Ohio. He would appreciate a call from classmates who happen through Columbus-Home phone is 239-6701. Congratulations Dave and Jea n.
Jim GONZALES is now at George Washington University in a post-doctorate program for attorneys. He is specializing in labor-management law'. He recently received an AFCM after his tour as Area Defense Counsel at Charleston.
om M IKOLAJC’IK, his wife Carmen and two children Julie, 6 years, and Christi, 3 years, are at HQ MAC, Scott AFB. Tom is in the Governmental Affairs and Special Activities Division of the DCS plans. He finds it challenging and interesting. While in MAC
he has managed to pick up two AFCM’s and has been selected an Outstanding Young Man of America twice. Congratulations Tom.
Tom writes that at Scott are: John and Jeanne SK1NOSKIE, John is an intell officer; Randy and Becky HERBERT, Randy is a computer systems analyst; Bob SUTTER is a computer systems analyst; Scott and Jan KOERNER, Scott is a comptroller; Vicand Linda J AM BONE have recently arrived, Vic will be working with Tom; Pete and Ann THODE arrived in October and Pete will be working in MAC/manpower.
Received a note from Harry LAWS, but Jan Carlton covered it all. Thanks Harry and try again.
Denny MCGU1RK recently finished instructor training school here at Mather and is being stationed at USAFA as an instructor Nav. Ken GIFFARD is settling in as an Instructor. Walt HOWLAND will be going to USAFA as a Nav instructor. Ron (Pete) PETERSON is in Civil Engineering here. I’m working on a “Palace Luallin” tour at Mather and will probably have another Christmas here. Hope your Holidays were as good as mine and Charlotte’s. Have a good new year.
Late Entry: Jeff and Bev CAMPBELL have another addition to the family, Scott Alan Campbell (SAC?) born 19 Dec 76.
Capt. Skip Penny 6010 Del Rey
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 AV: 692-3355
Had a letter from Dick RAUSCH KOLB expressing feelings I’m sure are shared by all of us at the loss of Dick SMETHWICK. He was a special guy and his loss is a great one. I’ll check into a memorial fund in his name and advise you later.
Dick said he and his wife, Marilyn, and their daughter, Kristen, are “enjoying a two year stay in Monterey while attending the Naval Post-Graduate School for Middle East studies.” He said A1 SI MON 1C (Sue) was there in the weather program. Mark COBB and Rick SILVANI are in the Soviet program and Gus SORENSON is attending language school enroute to study in Taiwan on an Olmstead Scholarship. Dick said Mike HUBER (Melissa) have separated and gone back to Pennsylvania. Ray BARLEBEN (Sue), also separated, is working in Rochester. Dave RADCLIFF (Ruth) was medically retired and working on an MBA at U of Texas; Ward BEIGHTOL is there also. Chuck WEIR is still at the Pentagon; Dusty SWANSON had an Astra assignment there and is now back at McGuire in 141s. Dick said he had seen Tom WALTERS and Frank BAHNSON at SOS (students) and Steve SHARKEY and Roger HILL were instructors there. Super letter, Dick.
Had a letter from Ross JOHNSTON (Marty) in Kansas City, MO, where he had just made First Lieutenant for the second time. I guess A FIT said they’d send him to med school if he’d start over again. (Such a deal.) He said he had a two year old boy and eight months old girl. He said Willie STANLAND (Ann) was in 39s at WP. Yes, Ross, my head has healed from that fall I took in front of you at Loveland.
Mike VI EBERT writes from Mtn Home that he and wife, Cherie, and son, Sean, are headed to DC for an Astra assignment. He says the Ills are being transferred to England and so most of the people he lists will be moving, including Larry CARR (Penny), Denny SMALLEY (Kathy), Bob WHITE (Audi Fox), Doug BARON (Sharon), Gary COVING TON (let us know your wife’s name), Jim BRECH WALD (Jeannie), Roger RADCLIFF (Suzanne). Hesaid Bill HESCOX was studying journalism at Sacramento State, Mike STOLLE is doing the same job he had at Edwards, but now as Mr. Stolle. He thought John POMEROY was at Harvard Law School. He said Roger PETERSON and Don WESTBROOK were 1 1-types also and due in this spring.
Jim B AR R ALL (Lois and three pear girls) are in the Miami area where he’s teaching ROTC (no, not cribbage). He says Doc DOCKENDORFF is in NY in a similarjob, Mike LYONS is in 37s at Laredo, Bruce MCELRATH is at Langley, Mitch M1TCHEL in 135s at K. I. Sawyer, Duane SCHULKE in 130s at Pope, Dave DEWITT in F-4s at Homestead.
Kevin DUFFY wrote that three big events had occurred since we went our separate ways. First, he got married (Laura Lee); second, he had a son (Kevin, Jr.); third, he finished law, passed the bar and is now at Homestead.
The real Tom REEL writes from U of K where his major is double bass. Gee, Tom, if you screw up, do they make you sleep with it? “Fat” Don RUSHING (Jan) writes from LA where Jan is on the faculty and he is a second year law student at UCLA. He says they’re gonna move to the mountains someplace when he’s finished. He says he hears from Hugger PETEET, in the Bay Area in computers and Jeff SHAVER, PhD at MIT.
Had a Xmas card from Stef WENSKA (Mary). They’reat AF1T as is Steve SARNER. Also, one from Dave H1GGINS (Jean) who is at Offutt (by now); he’s still in 135s. Also one from Jim “Wild Ferg” FERGUSON (Marilyn) at Lakenheath in F-4s. He said he thought Bob N1EM AN was studying architecture at Notre Dame.
Have hometown news releases on Sam WOOD at Grissom (135s); Tommy THOMPSON, Ills at Upper Heyford; Willie SCHEPENS at AF1T; Dick O’CONNOR at ART; Ray OAKESHOT, 135s at Kinchloe; Bob MCCARTY at Offutt; Glen LEIMBACH, AF1T; Aub HOWARD, 52s, Loring; Fran HEM1NG, grad school atCamegie-Mellon University; Bill HAM, 52s G. F. N. D„; Dave BROADWATER, 135s at March; John BOYD, 52s at Anderson.
As for me, I ran into Wil FORD and Grant AUFDEHAAR at Shemya (1 was TDY). Wil was in Special Services and Grant in Weather. Wil will get out when he gets out of there. Grant is headed to Utah for a PhD. Ran into Joe MCCLELLAND and Critt H UGHES at a hockey game. They are instructors in math, I think.
Also saw Charly BOBBISH (Carol) who is a GS-11 here and hoping to move back to Hanscom.
Jan and 1 had our first on the 17th of December, Zachary. He and Gary DAHLEN and 1 are gonna go watch the Super Bowl.
The editor says to send pictures, so please do include them with your letters. You guys did real good this time.
’Til next time. Skip
Capt. Ron Joy Qtrs 4213C
USAF Academy, CO 80840 (303) 472-6325
Autovon; 259-3869
Where has all the snow gone? We keep planning to go skiing and the snow keeps staying away. We came back to Colorado in the hopes of doing lots of skiing; so far Mother Nature is not helping.
The biggest thing that has happened since the last writing of the newsletter was Homecoming. ’71 didn’t have a real big turn out, but we did support the function. The picture in the last issue of the banquet attendees included; Dolan and Pat MCKELVEY, Drena and Larry CASADA, and Charlene and Gary BUTSON. Norm and Carol PONDER attended but didn’t make the picture.
Dolan and Pat have two children, a boy and a girl. Hegot his M. S. at Kansas State and is working at Pete Field. Larry is a parachute instructor here at USAFA. He passed on the following information; Dick DYSA RT is out and going to Med School at the University of M innesota. He may be getting married in a year. Tan PENNY is at Richards-Gebaur in electronics. Rick KANE is out.
Norm and Carol are at Blytheville, Ark. They have a boy named Jason and a girl named Tori. Norm works as a Rap Con Air Traffic Controller. He passed on the following information: Bill (Doctor) and Jeanie KRUGER are at Travis and they have a girl named Terri. Butch WATSON is a B-52 AC at Blytheville.
Charlene and Gary had lots to say, but 1 didn’t take notes sorry ’bout that.
I ran into Phil FARRAR for a short visit. He is out and living in Denver.
Vince LANDRY was on a squadron sponsor trip to USAFA from Grand Forks when 1 saw him at the O Club. He is trying for an AF1T PhD slot and is presently a KC-135 AC.
Although we lost the Homecoming game I ran into Dave POWELL (Ellen), and they have a daughter named Jennifer. Currently they are at Webb heading for Nellis and F-l 1 Is. Dave mentioned the following: Tom RACK LEY is heading for Homestead and F-4s. Ralph GETCHELL is in A-7s and Dave McDOUGAL is in F-4s. Dave mentioned Don BRESETT and Lorn MILLER but I cannot read my notes—sorry.
One final word about Homecoming it was very enjoyable and 1 hope more of us can support it next year.
NEWS RELEASES: Jim DEMETRIO is a B-52 AC and a member of the bomb squadron recently named best in SAC. Bill SMITH has moved to Bergstrom AFB as an air traffic control operations officer. Dale ZELLER has received his M.S. degree at AFIT and is going to Nellis as a communications maintenance officer. Our Commendation Medal winners this time are Bob LOWE and Rod JONES. Reavis TURK has deployed to Frankfurt, Germany. Reavis is a navigator with the 772 TAS. Jack OEHME has earned his M.A. degree from Oklahoma University Extension at Yokota, Japan. Mark W1TMAN, Carl STEGMAN, and Greg ROCCO are all at Luke AFB AZ. Carl and Greg are F-4 ACs. The release did not say what Mark would be doing at Luke, lorn RILEY is at Kunsan, Korea asan F-4 AC. Tom, you or Janet, let us know what is happening. Dan DEVINE took part in Giant Voice '76, SAC’s bombing and navigation competition. Dr. Dave RANGE, Dr. Randy CRAIG (how are you. Dr. Craig?), John GRUESER, Larry BLAMEUSER, and lorn CHRISTENSEN have all completed some type of specialized training at Randolph and Brooks AFB, TX. Gary WILSON is going to Davis-Monthan to fly A-7s. Gary just received his w ings at Craig. Glenn G RABE R, B-52 navigator, is at Mather AFB. John WAH LQUIST also took part in Giant Voice '76. Stuart B1GGAR is stationed at Zaragoza, Spain.
PHONE CALLS: Jon STEVENS (Gale) called to let me know that he will be attend inga conference here at the Academy later this month. He has also been selected to attend AFIT at a civilian institution. Other than Jon, Patty and I received no other phone calls. You all have my autovon number give me a ring sometime. C HANGE OF ADDRESSCARDS: Danny ALLEN to Alexandria, VA; Walt BADER to Derby, KS; Don BRESETT to Webb, TX; Tom FOX to Syracuse, Utah; Bob FREEMAN to Rochester, NY; Bob FRETZS to Wichita, KS; Quentin FUHS to Iowa City, 1A; Andy GARRISON to Phoenix, AZ (moved off base); Mark H AESECKE to Scott AFB, IL: Jacob HUFFMAN to Omaha, N B; Dave .1 AN KOWS KI has gone overseas, where are you at Jan? John JONES to Goleta, CA; Henry LAUGH LIN to Wright-Patterson (AFIT). Bob LOWE to Laughlin AFB, TX; Dann MAI I1ZA to Plattsburgh, NY; Mike MCCARTHY is now located here at USAFA as a doctor. I have not had a chance to talk with him yet, but Tom JOHNSON says they are both learning a lot and enjoy their jobs. Dave MCCLOY is going to TCU (Herdy-Gerdy Man!! Right Dave?); Mark MCKENZIE to Nellis AFB (play double zero for me); Neil M 1LLER to Big Springs, TX; Pete NELSON to Scott AFB, IL; Larry NOWICKI has gotten out and lives in Madison, Wis. (let us know what you are doing Larry); CraigSHERM AN to Las Vegas (takea hit on 16); WoodrowSMITH to Redondo Beach, CA; Stan STACH AK to Enid, Okla; Bob SPROTT to Clark AFB; Larry WEST to Rapid City, SD; Richard ZEIMET to Ames, I A; Jon ZWANZ1GER to Fairfield,CA. Jon, how is the singinggoing?
LETTERS AND CARDS: Harry DAVIS wrote from Bitburg, Germany. Wife Cindy and baby boy, Brian Joseph, will be going with Harry to Shaw AFB (OV-lOs). Harry said he may run into Mike NEWTON when he trains at Patrick. He has gotten his M.S. and is thinking about an assignment back at USAFA. Harry passes on the following information: Dana ALEXANDER (Nancy) and new baby named Dawn Marie are on their way to St. Louis as an acceptance pilot for McDonnell-Douglas. Dana, we would love to hear from you A1 BRYAN T (Paula) is going to Iceland with F^ts. Tom PER ROT is at Bitburg in F-4s, so is Paul KNOTT (Andrea). Jerry O’SULLIVAN is in F-4s at Spangdahlem, Germany. Chuck DALEY (Becky) are expecting soon.
Marty LEBOU ITZ wrote to tell me he is still enjoying the “Big Apple” and although he is now a civilian, the AF is going to award
him an “MSM” for his work with AF Intelligence. Good show. Steve PRAIRIE (Sandie) is out as I mentioned in the last column. They have a baby boy named Drew and another one due in March. Who has the most children in our class anyway?
Gary TIBBETTS (Sharolyn) sent a Christmas letter. They have two children, Shawn and Shannon. Gary is getting his M.S. in forensic science at George Washington University and then will be going back to work with the OS1.
Bill EVANS (Sandy) dropped us a few lines in their Christmas card this year. They are still in Sacramento, CA. where Bill is a B-52 AC at Mather AFB. “Wild Bill” is hoping his next assignment will be back here at USAFA. So do we.
VISITS: We had a surprise visit Dec. 20th from Paul NOEI. what an enjoyable day renewing old memories. Paul was on his way from Wright-Patterson AFB to a new assignment at SAMSO in Los Angeles. He was looking forward to moving into his new bachelor pad at Redondo Beach. He said his new address would really be boring because the apartments are mainly singles Stews at that. Our hearts bleed for you Paul.
Patty and I ran into Bob BLACK at the Holly Springs (a restaurant here in town) the other night. He had left a message in my office the same day saying he was interviewing for some jobs at USAFA for a day and was sorry he missed me. Well, it worked out great after all. Bob and Ainslie have a daughter named Sharon. They are at the Pentagon (ASTRA) working for the Air Force Reserves. We had a fantastic visit, but short. Bob mentioned that Erank MORGAN was also in D. C. (ASTRA). Frank says he writes all the time, but nothing has arrived. Frank, you have to put stamps on the letters and put the letters in the mail box. It was good to hear about where you are and what you are doing.
LOCATOR: This is a new item for the column. Steve PRAIRIE would like to know where Sam CLOVIS or Bob BENNETT have disappeared to. Anyone know?? How about Ernie JENNINGS? Harry DAVIS would like to know what Rick MARLEY, Rob SP1TZNAGEL, or Chris ROHWER are doing. He also says say hello to John J IM M ER. John,“J BE'I ”, let us know what you have done with your life so far.
GUEST PICTURES: Anyone who can give me the names of the individuals in the first picture, wins a free, three week vacation in Jack’s Valley with the class of’81. In picture number two, what is Bob METCALF drinking? Hint: it is not “half a glass, no ice”. All answers will be published next time.
Send some pictures and questions that can be used. They will be published at the discretion of the editor. I will twist his arm... till next time
What’s he drinking?
Capt. Bob Bell
Box 65, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota 57706
605-399-2203/A: 747-2203
Happy 1977 to you alias we start into the first year of our nations’ third century. With all the holiday festivities, it came close to deadline time before I got really involved with this newsletter. Along w ith that, have also been out of my Buff and into the Wing staff offices for a TOOS/TASP assignment (all you “old” copilots probably have at least heard of that) which manages to keep me pretty well occupied. Anyway, here goes another one
Receiving an AFCM for his work in AFLC at Kelly is Hugh BRIGGS (BrendaKay). He also has two Master’s degrees since graduation. Frank CAN! WELL flies the B-52 at Carswell, as does Mike GEDDES (Sherry) up at K.l. Sawyer, who also took part in Giant Voice ’76 at Barksdale. John GREENLAW (Connie) recently left USAFA in T-41’s to fly jets at Laughlin. Larry JACOBS up at Kincheloe is an EWO in the B-52; he also participated in Giant Voice’76. Tony JONES (Karen) has entered AF1T in-residence at Wright-Pat for his Master work. Paul KNOWLTON (Cathy) finished his AFIT Master’s in Logistics Management to be Supply Operations Officer in AFLMC down at Gunter AFS.
Bobbie LONG (Brenda) flies 135’s at Grissom as does Steve “Oak” RANDOLPH (Susie). By the way, Oak, why don’t you write? Bob MARKS (Sharman) recently received the AFCM for superior duty at Randolph as an instructor pilot in T-38’s. Dave M ASTIN (Dora) has his Master’s from the U. of Missouri. So does Marv BANDERWEG (Susan), making both of them highly qualified Missile Launch Officcers at Whiteman.
Mark MAYER (Rebecca), a Standboard copilot at Grissom, took part in Giant Voice ’76 and is another Master’s holder, his from Ohio State. Hank MULLEN was also at GV76 as a Mather copilot in the Buff. A1 PANDOLFO (Laurie) is at Nellis as a Systems Programs Officer, having finished AFIT. Bruce RASMUSSEN (Cathy) navigates C-130’s at Andersen.
Bob ROSS (DeeAnn) is at Mountain Home with a TAC detachment, having also completed his Master’s at U. of Utah. Mike SCHIMMER is assigned to Bitburg in the WSO slot with F-4’sand took part in exercises at Zaragoza, Spain. Don SEXTON is a Seymour-Johnson F-4 pilot, recently participating in Coronet Minuteman, NAJO exercises with his TDY unit. Van SHIELDS (Cici) is back at USAFA in the Information office. Vic SORLIE (Linda) flies F-l 1 l’sat Mountain Home. You wouldn’t liketo trade for awhile, would you, Vic?
John STURM AN has received an AFCM for his duty as an instructor helicopter pilot at Davis-Monthan. Bill WALKER (Pat)
Picture HI
has been at Loring way up in Maine as a KC-135 aircraft commander. Chuck WINTER (Shelley) flew his F-4 in Red Flag exercises out Nevada way. He got his Master’s from U.C.L. A. That completes the news release inputs. Now for address changes
John (Raylene) TH UR MAN Moody from Keflavik F-4’s
Tom (Susan) SU LLIV AN Falls Church, VA from Arlington AFDSC
Mike (CarolineLou) MURPHY Oregon, MO from Columbus, MS
Dave MCFAUGH LIN —Fayetteville, NC C-130E
Harv LECATO )Gail) L.G. Hanscom from Lindsey AS, Rep. of Germany
Dick (Olivia) CARSON - Vacaville, CA C-141
Bob DIETRICH Laughlin Weather instructor (one of our ‘lost souls’ who’s been found)
Bill (Dorie) PORTER Beale, CA B-52
Jack (Patricia) SMITH Moscow, ID
Chuck (Vera) YOUNGQUIST Las Vegas, NV from APO 96367
Greg JONES Voorhees, NJ from Fairborn, OH
Steve MINNEGERODE Bellevue, NB from Silver Springs, MD
Gary GRAPPO W. Lafayette, IN from F.E. Warren, WY (settling down?)
Bob (Jo) YOUNGQUIST Castle, CA from Vance, OK
Pat MOON Largo, MD from Crownsville
Lou (Jackie) DESCOUTEAUX Plattsburgh, NY KC-135
Walt “Buck” BUCHANAN Columbus, MS T-38
Scott (Jennifer) TEEL San Antonio, TX from Laughlin T-38
Jim (Maryann) POLVE Scott, 1L from Rhein-Main, Germany C-9A
Last but not least, except in numbers, are the letters (2): Fran DOYLE writes telling of his three ‘Vettes and the home he owns while still a confirmed Class-A bachelor. He’s a C-141 aircraft commander, also finishing work on a Master’s degree.
Pete MCCARTHY (Susan) brings us up to date on those 72er’s he has run into over the past few months. Bill COLWELL is now married to Ginny (nee Dailey), and living in Germany as an F-4 WSO. John FUSS flies HC-130’s at McClellan, with Gary KI LO (Caroline) in HH-53E’s. Dave KERBER practices contract law at Lowry. Don MACNIVEN (Karen) are at Guam from Altus. Lom WEBB also went there in B-52’s from Wurtsmith. Smokey STOVER (Ann) is at McGuire as a C-141 A/C. Jim PETERSON is likewise a C-141 A/C. Lee GARDNER and Frank CAUTHEN have their plans made for June. Pat GARVEY flies F-4's at S-J.
While flying in Bomb Comp this past year, Pete saw Frank BOHANNON, a KC-135 nav at Blvtheville. Also, Gary WINTER BERGER (Caroline), Jim SMAIL and Jim ROBERT-
SON, aide to BGen McCarthy of the 42nd Air Division all the above at Blytheville. Mike SOTAK and Steve MACHACEK (Shelley) will be Nellis-bound from Lakenheath in F-4’s, as will Joe GELINGER from Clark. Rick KOSKELLA is a recent Defense Intelligence School grad nowsomehwere in Germany. Pete“Flash” VOGEL (Debbie) have moved from Fairchild (where I last saw him) to Andrews in the helicopters. Rick SABOgoes from Vance to Norton in C-14 l’s. Bob M ANKF., a newlywed Tweet driver will still be there next year, as will Tom SCHENK in T-38’s. Joost VANBAS 1 ELAAR is at Shaw from Reese in the OV-IO. Finally, the ACE program (Accelerated Copilot Enrichment) is shifting a lot of our ATC IP-types around for IDY’s, some of whom are Rob STONE, Bill LOONEY and Buck BUCHANAN all originally from Columbus.
Well, until the next update on our class news, wish you all the best in the New Year, and with the new Commander-inChief. FPA
Fred S. Knowles, Jr. Qtrs 4405 B USAF Academy, CO 80840 557 F I S x3655*
Hello to everyone out there. If there is anyone still out there. I do not have much for you this month. 1 received many change of address cards again. Exciting for the Postmaster, but unless you put what you are doing someplace on it, they do not do much for me. Anyway, 1 have lots of hometown news releasers that 1 will pass on. But first, the address changes that included useful information. Dave HARMON is now a C-5 navigator with the 9th MAS at Dover. A1 KIN BACK is in RC-135 at the 343 Strat Recon Sqdn at Offutt. George RAM PULLA is in KC-l35’s with the rumor being he is headed for T-33 and F-106s at Griffiss in NY. Monnie GORE is at Warren AFB, WY. Mike HUBERT is an Aircraft Maintenance Officer with the 67th Tactical Recon Wing at Bergstrom. John BEECHER is now with the gym people at the Academy, and John PEMBERTON is in Yokota, Japan. Gordon BRATTEN is a chemist for the US Environmental Protection Agency in Las Vegas, sounds like a rough life.
Mike MCGRATH has graduated from Vanderbilt Law School with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. This happened in May of 1976and lie is now the Assistant SJA at McChord.
Here is a big one. Tom KENNEDY got married to Pamela and has one stepdaughter, Yvette, age 6. Congratulations, Tom. Now for some awards. Len JARMAN got the USAF Flying Safety Award at Grissom with the 305th Air Refueling Wing in KC-135s. Air Force Commendation Medals went to Bruce WRIGHT now at Moody (F-4), James KALKMAN at Shemya Alaska Space Surveillance Office, and Joseph KAHOE at Luke (T-33 ADC). A couple of Outstanding Instructor Pilots were recognized: Steve WILLIS at Craig (T-38) and Jeff BLANCHE I I E at Vance.
John PACE is now at AFIT studying in procurement management. And Ed PREBLE has graduated at Keesler from the Administrative Management Officer Course.
Jim TUCK ER is back from Korea; he is now at Hill as a Weapon Systems Officer. Dana IDEEN isat Eglin in F-4s. John KEESEE is back at the Academy in the Seiler Lab. Mike PATTON is a Weather Officer at Andersen in Guam. Glen MOSES is now at Columbus and Jeff KNIGHT is at Vance. Robert HORTON and Marc GOBER are in C-130s at Mildenhall, England. Gordon SCHROEDER and Dave ROODHOUSE are in A-7 and are on a training exercise at Augsburg, Germany out of Myrtle Beach. Roy HART is a Health Services Officer at Bitburg, Germany and Russell GILBERT is a Civil Engineer at Kunsan, Korea.
Dale WRISLEY is a Weapons System Officer at Shaw and took part in “Red Flag”, an exercise at Nellis. Mark BALLARD, an F-4 pilot at Holloman, took part in “Crested Cap ’76”, a NATO exercise in Hahn, Germany. We had several people taking part in “Giant Voice, ’76”, a SAC exercise: Scott PARKER (135). Vince NOLO, Gerald LEWIS, Larry FABER, and George DORRIS. As you can see, there is not much real meat in these releases, etc. So please help me out and tell us what is really going on out there.
Hob Marks receives first AFCM.
Lt. Ronald Watson
3115 Hud nail, 2I5A
Dallas, Texas 75235
Home: (214) 528-1747
Dear Mom,
1 know it seems like ages since 1 last wrote you, hut there was absolutely nothing to write about. Besides, the postal service was having enough problems delivering the few letters they had already without my contributions!
My good buddy Chuck LATHAM dropped me a line on some well worn stationery. There must be a shortage of Charmin in the Philippines. He claims he ran into some friends there but you know how he exaggerates! Chris WILLIAMS is visiting Clark AFBand speaking Japanese better than he did English (which isn’t saying much). John CORSARO Hies from Kadena when his wife Eileen allows him. Chuck said that Stan FULLER recently won an award for his public relations with the natives. I thought Senators lost their jobs in Washington for such things there, they give awards. Imagine that!
Well Mom, Rhoda made Larry DAN FORTH an honest man in front of Ciod and country. The tourists loved it, 1 hear. T hey thought it was part of the Chapel Tour. Meanwhile, Stump and Eileen had a little 7 lb. 1 oz. baby girl. She is already taller than Daddy!
Chris POR ED A is sharing Lakenheath, England, with Mike and Michael SACR1DER, Don and Patty COOK, Steve and Chris BAZARTH. Chris and Debbie CAMPBELL, David GRAHAM, Bob WHITTON, Don OUKROP, Mike ROBARDS, Dave BURDICK, Ken and Cindy K1MES. Norm and Marsha FRANK set up house at RAF Bentwaters, while Chuck and Bonnie LONDON reside in Woodbridge. Mike G1ESE is now married. That should make his stay in Germany more pleasant. David BUNKER is on remote. No, No, Mom - not Minot but Reykjavik, Iceland. Yes, there issuch a place! Just ask Daveor Lou Anna.
Just yesterday I received one of those letters in a plain brown envelope. On ripping open the flap, 1 did the same to the palmar digital artery on the lateral side of my index finger. Needless to say, 1 was expecting one of those filth ridden, triple-X rated, scum of the earth pictorial order forms. Instead it was a blood drenched smut sheet from Brian McLEAN. Well, that would let down anyone’s erected hopes! But 1 was quite grateful for receiving some news from the real world, so I read the letter before sending it to the Parkland Memorial Hospital Blood Bank. It was hard holding that slippery paper up to the mirror to read, but those navigators are notorious for doing things backwards! Anyway it seems that Brian is moving on fromC-141sto F-4s. Moreadventure he claims. He sees Lance and Karen BACH RAN quite often along with Jim GLENN, Wade KNIGHT, Merritt BROWN, John EPHLAND. Paul LANE, Jim LEONARD and Rob WAYNE. Also in the 86th there at Travis are Mike McCOY and Joe BUCK WALTER.
Rich ES I ES is Hying tankers at Kadena and apparently enjoying it. Charlie JUS I 1Z is an IP at Webb and manages to tolerate it. Greg DURIO has an F-4 somewhere in Korea probably North. Phil (Kathy) 1NSCOE is still in a SPO at Wright-Patt. Their daughter Stephanie isa little over one now. Phil WALKER is Hying 135's at Grissom along with (Jennifer) M ike H AI.PI N. Rick BOYD is going through F-4 RTU at Homestead. He and Jeannie were expecting (?). ime will what! Little Howie DEUNK got married Linda) recently and is Hying tankers off into the sunset somewhere.
Frank BALLINGER (Debra) and David ( Melanie) RUSK both finished F-4 lighter-bomber training at McDill recently. Frank is assigned to Camp New Amsterdam, Netherlands, while David ison his way to Holloman.
1 was happy to read that Don (Kathy) CLEMENT is now in medical school in Kansas City. There are a few good deals left out there too bad Don couldn’t find one. Speaking of medics, l orn (Debbie) YASUHARA will be a member of the Charter Class comprising the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.
Well, Mom, we have our first hero. Jim NEMETZ, with complete disregard for his own safety, swam to the aid of a drowning man near Ft. Walton, Florida. Really, some people will do anything for a little publicity.
Everyday we must deal with the unexpected and though death is inevitable, I am still shocked when I receive news of a fallen classmate. Martin MILLER died recently in an F-4D crash in Germany. A great loss to his family and us, his friends.
Well Mom, 1 must close now. T hank you for the Christmas card. 1 hope your holiday was as much fun as mine. No rush on sending my gift just take your time.
Until next time.
Your son, Ron
Willie J. Cosby Ill General Delivery Little Rock AFB, AR 72076
Greetings! I hope the holidays went well for all. T his time of year brought a whole slew of Class News. They are giving silver wings to any and everyone including yours truly. As I’m writing this. I’m on my way to Little Rock AFB to navigate a C-130. l.ee GROSS was the only other ’75 grad in my class and he’s staying at Mather for EWO training.
Since 1 received so many new assignments. I've decided to make it easy on myself and group them alphabetically. That doesn't mean in alphabetical order, that means A’s, B’s, C’s, etc.
Here goes whatever: Arthur B. ALLISON McChord(C-141), Robert M. AWTREY Luke (F-15), Mike ANDERSON Ellsworth (B-52), Jim ARTER USA FA (1-41), Pat ASH Robins (KC-135), Bob ALLEN Fairchild (KC-135).
Dave BARN I HOUSE Ellsworth (KC-135), Randy BARRETT Langley (1-33), Greg BLACK Luke (F-15), Jamie BLISSIT Craig (T-37), Larry BOTTOMLEY Wright-Pat (C-135), Mike BUCKLEY Wurtsmith (KC-135), Walt BURNS Laughlin (T-38), Steve BLACKBURN Charleston (C-141), Dan BURDA K.I. Sawyer (KC-135), Jack BARTON Tyndall (1-33), Butch BYRD - Mac Dill (F-4), Brian BOUFFARD Craig(T-37), J. D. BARROWCLOUGHLuke (F-4), Dave BLESSINGER Kincheloe (B-52), Rini BOSMA Vance (T-37), Don BYERS Mather(T-37), Thomas BRYND1GE Minot (T-33), Rick BENBOW Griffiss (T-33), Charlie BERGMAN Seymour Johnson (KC-135), Floyd J. BATTAZZO Blytheville (B-52).
John CARAWAY Davis Monthan (A-7), Daniel CHAPMAN Randolph (T-38), Craig CHRISTEN Craig (T-37), Bruce CORRELL McChord (C-130), Jim CORRIGAN Laughlin (T-38), Jan COOPER Sheppard (T-38), L. J. COl IT I I I McConnell (KC-135), John CZABARANEK McGuire (C-141), Stan COLLINS Craig (T-37), Scott CARSON Vance (T-38), Bob CASS Vance (T-38), Frank W.CHRISTIAN March (B-52), Matthew J. CHAPPELL George (F-4), Chris COMMEFORD Minot (B-52). Joseph E. DOWDY Reese (T-38), Frank DUBUISSON Offutt (RC-135), Steve DURESKY Williams (T-38), Dave DYCHE McChord (C-130), A. E. DAHLSTROM MacDill (F-4), Bill V. DAVIS Norton (C-141), John DALY Altus (KC-135), Chuck DOHNER McGuire (C-141), Duke DUHACHEK Sheppard (T-38).
John FARNHAM Reese (T-37), John FRITZ Peterson (1-41). Mark FANTASIA T.ittle Rock (C-130), Bruce FR1TZCHE Webb (T-37), Dick FINKE MacDill(F4), Chris F1L1.AR Vance (T-38), George FRANKLIN Norton (C-141), Kip FONCi from Willie to l.uke in computers.
John GAUGHAN Barksdale(KC-135), Rodney GUNTHER George (1-4). Roy GOOD ALE Yokota (C-130).
Scott HAMMOND Williams (T-38), Charles HEALD Nellis ( F-111), Dave HENSLEY Anderson (WC-130), Dave HERLONG Davis Monthan (A-7), Ken HODGE Carswell (B-52), Byron HUDDLESTON Alconbury (RF4), Jeff
HACKETT Kadena (RF-4), Marc HALLADA Kirkland (C-135), Chuck HOLLAND Ellsworth (B-52), Ken HOSSLER Luke (F-15), Dudley HANCOCK Scott (C-9), Kevin HILDEBRAND Luke(F-15), Mark D. HOLMES Fairchild (KC-135), Eric HOGANSON Seymour Johnson (B-15), Mark D. HOLMES Fairchild (KC-135), Eric HOGANSON Seymour Johnson (B-52), P. J. HATHAWAY Norton (C-141), Julius HARGROVE Williams (T-38), Jim HARTNEY
Tyndall (T-33), Marc ISABELLE McChord (C-141).
Dave JANETTA Little Rock (C-130), John JENSON Malstrom (Missiles), Dave JOHNSON McGuire(C-141), Stan JONES Sheppard (T-38), Mark JEFFERSON —George (F4), Randy JAMES MacDill(F4). Tom KRYST Clark (C-130), Corrie KUNDERT Kincheloe (B-52).
Greg LANDOLT Nellis (F-lll), Keven LANZ1T Luke (F-4), Steve LERUM McChord (C-141), Brad LINDSEY McGuire (C-141), Dave LAFAVE Mather (B-52), Michael LITTLE Luke (F-4).
Terry MARKOVICH Mac Dill (F-4), George MARTINMalmstrom (T-33), Joe MAY—Sheppard (T-33), Branford MCCALLISTER Luke(F-15), Dave MCDANIEL MacDill (F-4), Mario D. MELLUM Williams (T-38), John MERAVIGL1A Zweibruken (RF-4), James M1CHELIN1 Reese(T-37), Patrick MO RAN Reese (T-38), Tim MURPHY Williams(T-37), Mark MCCONNELL Davis Monthan(A-7), J. P. MARKSTEINER Wright Pat (C-130), Tug MCGRAW MacDill (F-4), Pete MARCUZZO Travis (C-141), Dave MYERS Beale (KC-135), Craig MATT Davis Monthan (Maintenance), Dave MCCARTHY Vance(T-38), Bob MARR Williams (T-38), Mike MCCLENDON Davis Monthan (A-7), John MACDONNELL Carswell (B-52), Ed MCCOLLUM Key West (Naval Intell ).
Mike NARKIEWICZ Reese (T-38), Doug NELSON Fairchild (B-52), Jon NOETZEL Langley (T-33), Don NOVA K McConnell (KC-135), Chuck NYSTROM Nellis (F-lll), Steve NICHOLS Ellsworth (EC-135), Clayton NOBLES Robins (B-52), Joe O’BRIEN Charleston (C-141), John OLEKSEY MacDill (F-4), Bob OR WIG Craig (UPT), Rick OLESAK Williams to Mather for Nav school.
Charles PARSONS MacDill (F-4), Ralph PAUL —MacDill (F-4), Kerry PUTT MacDill (F-4), Phil PIONTEK Mather (EWO), A1 PIOTTER Mather (NBT), Ted PARKER Vance (T-38).
Raider RAMSTAD Offutt (RC-135), Walter RHOADSLuke (F-4), Mike ROSEBUSH Luke (F-4), John ROUTH Dyess (KC-135), Byron RUSSELL Minot (KC-135), Mark ROGERS George (F-4), Bentley RAYBURN George (F-4), Randy ROBERTS Carswell (KC—135), Mark RISI McChord (C-141), Larry RICHTER Travis (KC-135), Larry RIDGE MacDill (F-4), James RUTTLER MacDill (F-4), Sam RYALS Kadena (KC-135), Chuck RIORDAN Scott (C-9), Eric ROSBORG Sheppard (T-37). Leslie SANDERS Sheppard (T-37), Charles SCHMELING Craig (T-37), Charles SCHMITZ Zweibruken (RF-4), Charlie SIMMONS Sheppard (T-38), Tom SKILLMAN Robins (B-52), Scott SKINNER Minot (KC-135), Scott SPRING Norton (C-141), Greg SCH M ITT George (F-4), Bill STEWART McChord (C-141), Mark STINCKNEY Laughlin (T-38), Dave SHIELDS Barksdale (KC-135), Kid SMITH MacDill (F-4), Dale SMITH Pease (KC-135), Bill SCHUESSLER Little Rock (C-l30), James SCULLY Davis Monthan (A-7), Jim SPENCER —Shaw (RF-4), Dave SCHMITZ MacDill (F-4), Dean SPRAGGINS Ellsworth (B-52), Billy STEPHAN Laughlin (T-37).
John I AMKUN Charleston (C-141), Sandy TERRY K.l. Sawyer (B-52), Blair J. THISTED Loring (B-52), Rick TOWNSEND Tyndall (T-33), Tony TOICH Davis Monthan (DC-130), Fred TASKER Sheppard (T-38), Gary THALLER Griffiss (KC-135).
Carl VAN PELT Homestead (F-4), Steve VARGO Laughlin (T-37), Steve VREELAND Little Rock (C-130), Jed VANDENDRIES Sheppard (T-38), John VENABLE
Griffiss (B-52). Steve WEDELL— Sheppard (T-37), Jay WALLACE George (F-4), J.T. WOLTER Scott (C-9), Chuck WOODS —McChord (C-141), Mike WEININGER MacDill (F-4), Fred WEEMS Craig (T-37), Mark WELLS Fairchild (KC-135), Dave WILLIAMSON Tyndall (T-33). Todd ZEJ DLIK Homestead (F-4).
For those of you who didn’t see your names, either I’ve mentioned you before or the 1976 Register of Graduates has you listed at your current base or I haven’t heard about you. If you feel left out, let me know.
The last thing I want to talk about is all of you wives. Taryn Graves, wife of Jeff GRAVES has been giving me a hard time for not mentioning her. I’ll tell you what I’m going to do: if any of you ladies want your name mentioned, drop mea line. Besuretotell me who your husband is. It’s hard for me to remember those sort of things being the single-minded person that I am.
Thanks to everyone who has sent in Classnews especially the wives and parents who know how “busy” you guys are. If you have any pictures, those can be used also. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2Lt Randall W. Spetman Qtrs. 6301J
USAF Academy, CO 80840
Office: 303/472-3836 Home: 303/472-0534
Hello again to all you rookies of the RAF. I hope the holiday season found you all well and your stockings were all filled with goodies. Although the year has changed, I truly hope the “Spirit of 76” lives on stronger than ever. I do regret that I haven’t received a lot of mail, so I guess this article will be slightly abbreviated. I do appreciate those of you who wrote and any others who would like to write part of this article, please submit your tidbits.
I did hear from Dave TERNES, and he informed me that Gene MURPHY, Hue MOY and LesGARRISON are all kicking boodie at the Basic School for the Marine Corps Officers at Quantico, VA. T hey always were a bunch of “gung-ho” fellows. Who cares if they didn’t like the Air Force.
Jeffrey J. WALTERS writes that he is writingand approving test plans in Statements of Work, Program Management Pamphlets, etc., in the Systems Command at Eglin.
Gregory TOUSSAINT is at the Medical School of Virginia. From a news release, I gathered that our own Peter W. BOLLINGER was awarded the U. S. Air Force Commendation Medal. Peter earned the medal when he displayed superior professional skill, leadership, and initiative in successfully rescuing and administering first aid to a man who was seriously injured in a fall from a canyon cliff. Peter is a student pilot at Craig AFB. Just think how the Academy taught him all those characteristics of skill and leadership that helped him earn that medal. Congratulations!
Buddy LOTT reports that the UPT Class of 7708 Laughlin AFB “Sweathogs” have “everything in hand”. They included Les ANZJON, Doug GARITO, A1 FISHER, Enrique SAA, Terry TAUBER I Jeff FORD, Joe BIRCH MAN, Bill VRASTIL, Carl REBARCHAK, Jose GARCIA, A1 GRANGER, Dave SUN, Gary POTTER, Scott GOUGH, Howey THOMPSON, Jim DOLAN, and Norm SPENDLEY. Keep 'em flying.
Bill (Wilma) MUSICK wanted me to let you guys know that he and Bryan HEPBURN are doing well in Switzerland at Grad School. He says he is not real sure he is going to be able to adjust to the RAF after living over there for a year. Don’t worry, Wilma, Rico and I will help you adjust.
Well, guess that’s it for now. You all take care and have a good year. Everything is the same here at good old USAFA. Take care and be good.
JON STAPLES Broker Class of ’62
Offering:
Complete personal service with integrity on all Real Estate matters in the Colorado Springs area.
Specializing in Homes, Homesites, and Income Property.
Full Responsibility for all business conducted in my name.
